Something sinister is cheating right in front of you.
Ian couldn't play this magical version of Witch King of Duels ( Fight the Landlord ) anymore. He was extremely curious about how the Black-Robed Skeleton could conjure up any cards he wanted.
However.
Ian found it difficult to decipher the "wish-granting" technique of the Black-Robed Skeleton, which differed from normal magic, and he was unable to obtain the answers he sought from the Black-Robed Skeleton.
"I... have no brain, I don't know." Faced with almost any question that required thought, the Black-Robed Skeleton would simply raise his skeletal fingers and point to his empty head with self-righteous indignation.
"..."
Ian couldn't find any reason to refute the other party. He felt a sense of helplessness and deep despair, similar to that of a normal person facing a mentally ill person.
"You're brainless and you still know how to cheat! You must have been even worse when you were alive!" The little Wizard could only vent his anger in a moment of verbal sparring.
However, the Black-Robed Skeleton suffered absolutely no psychological harm.
"I'm alive now... If you give me flesh and blood... I'll admit I'm very, very, very bad." Far from feeling any displeasure, it seized the opportunity to speak to Ian again.
These days...
The Black-Robed Skeleton would seize any opportunity to repeatedly bring up the topic of giving it flesh and blood; however, Ian had already tried obtaining flesh and blood from House-elf.
It simply won't stick.
Not only could the already slaughtered pork, mutton, and beef not be used to smear the Black-Robed Skeleton, but even the live poultry meat that Ian had gone to great lengths to buy in Hogsmeade Village couldn't be used as flesh and blood for the Black-Robed Skeleton —he had even gone against his conscience to learn some Dark Magic involving flesh and blood for this.
It was only thanks to the book " Secrets of the Darkest Art " that there were relevant magical records; otherwise, if Ian had gone to the library to look through them, who knows Albus Dumbledore would have suspected him of engaging in unhealthy activities.
"We've tried! I almost went to find you some living people, but look at your own skeleton! The magic that can give you flesh and blood simply doesn't work on you!" Ian was also annoyed by the Black-Robed Skeleton, which is why he made many attempts to give the other party flesh and blood.
However, all these attempts ultimately failed due to the "magical resistance" of the Black-Robed Skeleton skeleton, so Ian felt that even if he found several living people to transplant flesh and blood, it would definitely only result in the same outcome.
"Magic... no..." The Black-Robed Skeleton's language system seemed to have been damaged, as it still sounded somewhat stumbling even after so many days in the human world.
"Like I said before, think it over carefully. I can create Hextech brain, Hextech skin, and other matching metal organs for you."
"Flesh and blood are weak, but machinery ascends, iron." Ian glanced at the messy card table, and as soon as his eyes met it, the Dementor immediately understood and began cleaning up.
It has transformed from a rebellious monster into an animal with intelligence and emotional intelligence comparable to a ten-year-old child, thanks to Ian's training. After a period of further training, it will likely be able to go out and earn money.
"Flesh and blood... to be loved..."
The Black-Robed Skeleton remained unmoved by Ian's repeated suggestions, seemingly obsessed with its lost flesh and blood. After running out of cards, it began muttering in Ian's ear again.
Ian ignored it.
He walked straight to the corner of the room—a carefully fired ceramic flowerpot that he had placed there for a long time. It was a product of his own hard work, which he had sculpted and painted with his own hands.
It's all because those unscrupulous merchants in Hogsmeade Village sold flowerpots at exorbitant prices that Ian had to personally make ceramics. The outer walls of the flowerpots are decorated with simple line patterns, allowing people to appreciate the beauty of the flowerpots themselves while admiring the plants. These are Ancient Runes patterns that Ian drew on the flowerpots.
Its effects are also very simple.
These Ancient Runes provide the necessary conditions for plant growth, allowing plants to photosynthesize without needing to be moved outdoors to get sunlight.
The plants that can be placed in it are not crops like parsnip, but rather the mysterious seeds that Ian obtained in the tower of the Misty Illusion.
"Grow up quickly, and I'll water you with Potions."
When Ian was in the tower, he had a very strong premonition that this seed, which had been cast into the Misty Illusion along with the tower and still possessed vitality after countless years, was definitely not an ordinary plant. He genuinely felt that the seed would give him a pleasant surprise once it grew.
Anyway.
There must be a story behind the seeds inside the tower.
Even though Ian searched through countless books on magical plants in the Hogwarts Library and even consulted Professor Pomona Professor Sprout, the Headmistress of Hufflepuff, the answer he received was that no plant seed could retain its Life Force for centuries after being removed from its growing conditions.
The seed's vibrant vitality is something no one can explain. It wasn't just stored in the tower for a long time, but also in Misty Illusion world of the dead.
It has not decayed and withered under such circumstances, but still maintains its vibrant green vitality. It is quite reasonable for Ian to expect that it can grow into a World Tree.
certainly.
He was prepared for the plant to be difficult to cultivate, since it had been buried in the soil for quite some time, but the seeds still showed no signs of sprouting.
"As long as it doesn't take me ten or eight years to grow, I'll wait for you." Ian was a typical case of forgetting his old love for a new one; he whispered to the flowerpot while watering it. It wasn't that he was bored being alone, but rather that he believed in the mystical concept of "emotional value."
You know, even some Alchemical Creation can last much longer after being "loved" by their owners, let alone a magical and extraordinary plant? Ian had personally witnessed his good roommate William curse a few times at his copying pen, and then, coincidentally, William's copying pen broke the next day.
This might not be scientific, nor is it complicated, but it's certainly mystical... Believing in it a little won't hurt you. After Ian mentioned this theory, William praised all his own things that very day, and sure enough, we haven't heard of any of William's strange gadgets breaking down again.
What are you doing?
After Ian finished watering the plants and adding his homemade organic fertilizer, he turned around and saw the Black-Robed Skeleton fighting the Dementor. The Dementor could only cower and run away in humiliation, not daring to retaliate.
"No... other entertainment... I'm... bored." The Black-Robed Skeleton replied to Ian while continuing the chase, the Dementor already howling and begging for mercy.
Ian felt like he was feeding a cat and a dog.
He wanted to mediate the fight.
However, fearing that the Black-Robed Skeleton might also attack him, the Dementor could only suffer a little injustice. In reality, the Black-Robed Skeleton only wanted to grab the Dementor, tear open Dementor mouth, and stick its head inside to look out. The Dementor was only beaten because it didn't want to. It can only be said that this is perhaps an inevitable path to becoming the King of Dementor.
"Heaven will entrust great responsibilities to Dementor, and will first test their strength and mind... You are undergoing a trial, my friend." Ian wasn't sure if he had comforted the Dementor.
Anyway, the Dementor ' howling has subsided considerably.
the next day.
Newt Scamander, his wife, and his sister-in-law left the school, Ian didn't know whether they had reached an agreement with Nick LeMay regarding the Time-Turner.
Since they couldn't meet again, Ian couldn't continue promoting his psychic abilities, but he didn't mind, since he hadn't even used the Grindelwald Family's bank key yet.
The most pressing matter now is to continue studying. Without Voldemort and Quirrell causing trouble, the campus is quite harmonious, and there aren't many young Wizard discussing Quirrell.
Perhaps it's because not many people know Quirrell.
Days continued to pass, one after another.
With many things to keep him busy and research, Ian's life after class and meals was very fulfilling. The second-generation hand warmer product he promoted in his spare time, the [Lifesaving Hand Warmer], was a great success, finally defeating the Gryffindor twins ' product for the first time in the Hogwarts school market.
After all, there was a significant gap in alchemical skills between the two sides. Once Ian found the right market direction, his advantage became apparent, which finally allowed Ravenclaw to finally hold his head high.
certainly.
The most triumphant one was Ian, who, after overwhelmingly dominating Hogwarts ' market share, even gave himself a free advertisement in the Great Hall.
" Hogwarts Professional Wayfinding Map, winter-specific cold Potions, Hogsmeade Village snack delivery service, and we also accept all kinds of custom-made alchemical toys!"
"As for the scope of this private customization, all you need to know is that it's pay-after-sale, and cash on delivery if you're satisfied. There's nothing I can't make, only things you can't imagine!" Ian made this announcement while the professors were away, so he spoke with great confidence and volume.
Its main selling point is arrogance.
With his extraordinary talent for [ Limitless Alchemy ], Ian is fully capable of creating things at low cost that others can only produce at high cost. He would definitely not run into any rivals if he opened a shop in Diagon Alley.
"What if the School Rules don't allow us to have these things?"
A young Wizard, eager to try, began to inquire.
"I'll sell what the School Rules allow, and as for what the School Rules forbid, I'll naturally... sell it for a higher price. Remember, School Rules are rules, but people are flexible!"
"We can always find a way to circumvent School Rules! Trust me! I've been professionally circumventing School Rules for a whole year!" He answered the questioner in a low voice.
Ian was also afraid of being caught off guard by the twin brothers, his rivals. To be honest, making money from selling these things was secondary for Ian; his main goal was to help his classmates.
certainly.
Incidentally, Ian also heavily promoted the idea of honing his [ Alchemy ] skills, as higher levels of these abilities require more experimentation with things he hadn't done before. Calling it stealing his classmates' alchemical ideas would be too blatant; Ian felt his actions were more like a crowdfunding-style learning upgrade.
Anyway, the little Wizard were quite happy.
Ian was happy too.
Everyone else won, Ian still won twice.
After promoting the product, Ian received many orders from students of all grades, including twin brothers from Gryffindor who commissioned him to make a prank toy with a very high level of difficulty.
Ian accepted all comers without hesitation.
He wasn't afraid that the twin brothers would learn the skills from him.
Slytherin House, who had some "misunderstandings" with Ian, didn't place many orders, and of course, they didn't dare report Ian's "illegal activities" to the professors.
Seeing that students from other houses were constantly coming up with new and interesting gadgets for entertainment, the Slytherin House students couldn't sit still any longer and turned to Hogwarts' real shrewd merchants.
Aurora also took the opportunity to sell off many overpriced, underperforming " Founders's Relics." The Slytherin students who received these new items probably never imagined that their creativity and ideas would also pass through Aurora's hands, becoming another source of nourishment for Ian's [ Alchemy ] learning and improvement.
Yes.
That's why Aurora is considered a true shrewd businesswoman. Her speed in learning the ways of cunning is astonishing. She has transformed from a naive young girl into a genuine middleman.
Ian deserves some credit for this, since it was he who encouraged her to take the Slytherin job and even commissioned Miss Daphne Greengrass, the leader of the [Rebel Alliance against Princeton], to cooperate. Daphne Greengrass was truly willing to go to great lengths for a few Galleons, which she would never have even considered before.
Ian could sense it.
Miss Greengrass Daphne Greengrass didn't just "respect" his authority; she was genuinely poor and miserable. During the Christmas holidays, she and her best friend even resold pastries from the House-elf Kitchen.
The Pureblood families's young lady was so wronged that even Ian couldn't bear to see her like this, so he successfully turned the leader of the [ Anti-Prince Alliance ] against his will for just 2 Galleons.
Ian was quite happy with his life, which was like a fish in water. This happy life continued until another mysterious day when Ian went to Nick LeMay after class to ask him some questions about Alchemy.
In addition to absorbing the amazing ideas of the young Wizard, Ian also learns from the old professor's Alchemy experience, so his proficiency in [ Ancient Alchemy ] increases very quickly.
Nick LeMay's research into High Tower Magic Text was also faster than Ian had imagined. In just a few Nick, LeMay was already able to construct some small works using the High Tower Magic Text system.
"Compared to Runes, this type of Ancient Runes requires less Magic Power, but the learning curve is much steeper. I think that's why it was phased out of history."
Nick LeMay even made a judgment about the High Tower Magic Text.
"Is it like the modern Alchemy system replaced the ancient Alchemy system dominated by Runes?" Ian felt that such a historical problem had probably occurred more than once in history.
"That's right, just like the limitations of ancient Alchemy compared to Modern Alchemy, this Ancient Runes can achieve effects that Runes to achieve in certain aspects." Nick LeMay did not give any demonstrations; he was also carrying out his alchemical work while communicating with Ian.
Refine Ian's black sand into the Time Sand.
This Master Alchemist was quite serious and focused when performing any alchemical operation. He wore a robe inlaid with strange symbols and held a silver scepter engraved with the totem of the passage of time. Various mysterious documents and ancient books were scattered around him, indicating that this was either the first time he had performed such Alchemy operation or that he had not done it for a long time.
"What kind of effect? The use of time?" Ian looked at the black sand placed in a container, where a solution was constantly churning and refining it.
"That's one aspect. Time and space are easier to control with these Ancient Runes you've unearthed, but their true potential lies in their ability to carry Divine Grace." Nick LeMay blended Pure Water with the essence of the moon to create a rare solvent.
Its color is as dazzling as the Milky Way.
He slowly poured it into a container carved from deep yellow crystal. Just like a chemical experiment, the solution already present in the container underwent a dramatic change instantly.
" Divine Grace?"
Ian blinked curiously. He knew, of course, that gods existed in the world he lived in, but he didn't know much about those civilizations that frequently came into contact with gods.
It wasn't just him.
In fact, most modern Wizard know very little about that era. The most detailed historical records of Wizard only go back to the time of King Arthur and Merlin.
Before the time of King Arthur and Merlin, most of the ancient texts are just scattered fragments, making them as difficult to study as the Xia Dynasty in the ancient East, which was even older than the Shang Dynasty Xia Dynasty.
"Although we know very little about the gods and live in an era in which they are not active, the existence of gods in this world is not undeniable."
"From Death, which most people know today, to Sun God Apollo whom our ancestor, the professor of Divination, served, and Odin and the Norse Gods in Northern Europe mythology."
"Some say that Wizard are descendants of gods, while others say that gods bestowed power upon human Wizard. Regardless of which of these claims is right or wrong, one thing is a consensus among us Wizard: there is too much historical evidence to prove that the age of gods did indeed exist."
Nick LeMay shook the container in his hand and began to speak eloquently.
"Could they just be more powerful Wizard?" Ian's view differed from most people's; he genuinely believed in the traditional view that Wizard is Deity.
After all, many of the facts he had encountered proved this to him.
"You have a very standard Alchemy's mindset, which is excellent; it will ultimately lead you toward becoming a luminary." Nick LeMay gave Ian a very approving look.
It's obvious.
He also agreed with this view.
"Regardless of whether these gods were once Wizard like you and me, in essence, they are simply beings with greater power than us Wizard today, at least in the minds of us Alchemy. The power they wield only involves the rules governing the world."
"Even Death has a saying: he was the first person in the world to die, so he was chosen by the rules and became the Death we all know."
As he spoke, Nick LeMay observed the quenching efficiency of the black sand.
" Divine Grace is powerful, and divine power is also powerful, but the True Creator once told others that it is still magic, just a more absurd kind of magic than normal magic."
He had mentioned to Ian more than once the True Creator that Alchemy revered, Ian was genuinely curious whether this True Creator could rap like a god wailing.
"Perhaps the True Creator is right."
Ian now likes to bring up this, even though he doesn't know what the True Creator looks like, since many of the True Creator's views resonate with him emotionally.
According to Nick LeMay, this True Creator is a powerful and somewhat delusional ancient Wizard, Ian thinks that if this ancient Wizard were alive today, he would definitely become his confidant and friend.
"Yes, perhaps that's the truth, and the reason why the Legendary Path was cut off." Nick LeMay remarked, making Ian curious about its connection to the Legendary Path.
He immediately pressed for more details.
Nick LeMay made no attempt to hide anything.
He gave a deep look to the young Wizard before him who had embarked on Legendary Path in the Deteriorating Magic Era.
" Pureblood Dragon are almost impossible to wipe out, and their gradual extinction, along with the disappearance of other paths to Legend status, all began with our ancestor Merlin and a few others as audacious as him, who sought to venture into territories they shouldn't have explored and even found their way there."
"Although it ultimately failed, it caused panic among some higher beings, which is why you see the Four Founders of Hogwarts become the last Legend."
" The Golden Apple has been felled, the feudal dynasty with its one-man rule has come to an end, and even the Dragon are gradually unable to reproduce Pure-blood offspring, and are forced to continue their bloodline in other creatures."
"It's highly unlikely that there's nothing fishy about all of this." Nick LeMay didn't spell it out, but his meaning was clear enough.
This Master Alchemist is clearly saying that everything is related to God.
Ian seemed lost in thought.
He didn't know how much evidence supported Nick LeMay's claim, but he did know that the extinction of the Golden Apple Tree probably had little to do with God.
after all.
Teacher Morgan herself admitted that she committed the crime.
"Is the Golden Apple also related to the Legendary Path?" Ian felt that Teacher Morgan was definitely hiding something from him, and perhaps his ability to ascend the Legendary Path was directly related to his eating of the Golden Apple.
" The Golden Apple can be used to perform a ritual; it is the main core of that ritual." Nick LeMay had clearly gathered a great deal of information about the Legendary Path over the past six hundred years.
That's quite normal.
After all, like Albus Dumbledore, he was constrained by his time and was unable to reach the level of Legend Alchemy, so naturally he had some obsessions and desires in this regard.
Dumbledore, it Albus, doesn't have much interest in becoming Legend. Thinking this, Ian glanced at the corner, worried that the long-absent Albus Dumbledore might be hiding there.
Perhaps to minimize the impact on the Timeline, Ian, like the other professors, hadn't seen the Hogwarts headmaster for many days.
Albus knows how many clones he's mastered... Dumbledore wanted to be untraceable, almost no one could break his Disillusionment Charm.
"Establishing a feudal dynasty is also possible?" This was the first time Ian had heard of this way of embarking on the Legendary Path, which made him think of some long-forgotten memories from his past life.
Faced with this question from the young Wizard.
Nick LeMay did not answer directly.
"Guess why different civilizations, Muggle, and us all have faith in God?" He was merely explaining the end of this Legendary Path to Ian indirectly.
Perhaps this viewpoint also stems from experiments conducted during Merlin's era.
"I learned something new today." Ian Nick was about to begin a dangerous experiment, LeMay immediately packed his things and prepared to leave the office.
Last time, he ran too late and got splashed with black sand from the explosion, and was frozen solid for three hours. As the saying goes, once bitten, twice shy, he must learn from his mistakes and avoid risks in advance.
No.
Nick LeMay softly chanted an ancient incantation, and as the incantation echoed, the solvent in the container began to ripple, as if resonating with the pulse of the universe's depths.
He began attempting the final stage of refining the Time Sand. This Master Alchemist might know the recipe, but the specific processes and proportions still needed to be summarized through repeated practice.
With the incantation and ritual complete, the most dangerous step is about to begin.
"Oh, right, Professor." As he ran to the office door, Ian suddenly stopped and looked up at the painting hanging on the wall next to the door.
They don't move, but the colors are vibrant and the contrasts are strong, creating a visually impactful image.
"Could I borrow these Van Gogh paintings to study?" Yes, Ian had only recently learned that Nick LeMay had bought many paintings from Van Gogh himself at low prices.
All I can say is that Nick LeMay really knows what speculation is.
People who live long are more likely to find bargains.
"You're not thinking of letting me sell them, are you? I have quite a few at home, but these are unique pieces. I was thinking of bringing these paintings with me... no, never mind, you can take them." Nick LeMay paused his work, as if he had suddenly thought of something and immediately changed his mind.
"I'm just borrowing it for a bit."
Ian felt that Nick LeMay had a deep misunderstanding of him.
"Is it really just a loan?"
Nick LeMay looked on with suspicion.
He had personally witnessed Ian come running to him one night, carrying that strange Black Phoenix, asking if it was true that he had said he would buy the Phoenix for five million Galleons.
Would such a money-grubber let go of an opportunity to get rich?
"You should have some confidence in my copying skills," Ian said confidently, leaving Nick LeMay stunned for a while before he could figure out what he meant.
Good heavens!
This little thing is actually thinking about selling fake paintings in the Muggle World!
I overestimated the other person's integrity!
"You..."
Nick Flamel's LeMay's apple bobbed twice, but in the end he just waved his hand blankly, watching Ian happily take away two paintings by Van Gogh.
"Gurgle~ gurgle~ gurgle~"
After Ian left.
Nick LeMay poured out the refined black sand, and after completely removing the remaining solution from the surface, he poured it into a container that he had enchanted with ritual magic.
Then a violent reaction began.
The solution and black sand inside the container began to undergo dramatic changes, merging and transforming into grains of Time Sand shimmered with interwoven gold and silver light. Each grain of sand seemed to be given life, dancing and intertwining in the liquid, forming illusions of the past, present, and future.
"I did it! I did it!"
Nick LeMay was also overjoyed, dancing with excitement. He somewhat regretted not insisting that Ian stay, otherwise there would definitely be someone to share this joy and sense of accomplishment with him.
"It's just that I was turned into a baby for a few hours... I changed too, and he even beat me up, and he's still so scared." Nick LeMay looked at the huge Marauder's Map hanging in his office.
The little Wizard had already slipped back to the Room of Requirement in just a few minutes—well, to be honest, Nick LeMay clearly misunderstood the real reason Ian ran so fast.
He thought Ian was afraid of being implicated.
However.
This was only a minor factor; the main reason Ian hurriedly returned to the Room of Requirement was that tonight was his own Night of Bewilderment.
"Finally, I can hand the Magic Mirror over to Teacher Morgan, and I can even ask Teacher Morgan about my doubts." Ian eagerly enjoyed the Dementor's foot-rubbing service.
He then quickly crawled into the bed that he had already prepared in the room.
The soft bedding seemed to swallow all his fatigue, gently enveloping him. As his consciousness gradually faded, Ian truly saw his beloved Teacher Morgan.
However!
"Holy crap! Why am I having a dream tonight?!"
Ian found himself hanging on a cross, with candle wax dripping from the sky like raindrops, exploding into crimson petals all over his body.
Teacher Morgan had been talking about every day, stood in front of him, but Morgan, dressed as a witch, held a leather whip in her hand, the barbs on which made Ian tremble with fear.
Wake up!
Fortunately, Ian had studied Dream Control.
He was jolted awake from his dream on the soft bed just before the whip struck, returning to reality. The familiar surroundings made him breathe a sigh of relief.
"What's going on? Why didn't I enter the Misty Illusion?" Ian rubbed his eyes, very confused. He recalculated the time and confirmed that he hadn't misremembered the date.
Just as he lowered his hand...
"Um?"
The contract mark on his wrist from the Black-Robed Skeleton flickered constantly, like breathing, and at that moment Ian seemed to immediately understand the reason for the strange occurrence.
"Holy crap!"
He immediately jumped out of bed and rushed towards the Black-Robed Skeleton who didn't need to sleep or eat, and who would force the Dementor Dementor play cards with him all night if he grabbed one.
"What the hell is that damn contract of yours! Give me Passage Right!" Ian pounced on the much taller Black-Robed Skeleton, straddling the somewhat bewildered Black-Robed Skeleton and grabbing its Black-Robed Skeleton.
"You must have been blacklisted for illegally crossing the border!"
Ian shook the Black-Robed Skeleton's empty head frantically.
Its Soul Fire raged wildly inside its head.
"I'm going to die, I'm going to die."
I never expected that.
This skeleton could even let out panicked screams.
(End of this chapter)