The Truth About the Philosopher's Stone

The air of term's end quietly descended. Hogwarts' corridors were filled with the distinctive anxiety and tension of exam season.

Lin An made sure that no student in the Alchemy course he taught failed the theory exam.

His method was straightforward—he force-fed magical knowledge into the underperforming students.

As a result, every student passed the written exam, though the price was a week of splitting headaches.

Even so, they remained grateful to their professor. After all, no one wanted to fail a class at Hogwarts.

As for the practical portion—Lin An did not interfere at all.

He had already provided more than enough guidance and materials, even opening up weekends for extra tutoring.

If anyone still failed their brewing, then either their talent was limited or they simply had not worked hard enough.

Strangely enough, despite his interference in several events, Harry Potter was still assigned detention and sent into the Forbidden Forest at night.

This gave Lin An much to consider.

"Perhaps... fate truly exists in this world."

He suspected that the entire world possessed a kind of "Corrective Force" that would push disrupted events back onto their original course.

That force was not the hand of a god, but more like the automatic regulation of cosmic laws—maintaining the story's "origin point."

So he decided to test this theory at some point in the future.

Once the final exams ended, Hogwarts gradually grew quiet.

With the Marauder's Map he had crafted as an aid, Lin An monitored the movements of Dumbledore, Quirrell, and Harry's group.

The moment the three entered the Third-Floor Forbidden Corridor, he cast an invisibility spell even more advanced than the Disillusionment Charm—the Invisibility Spell Pattern.

Inspired by the Headless Hat invented by the Weasley twins, it could completely erase all traces of one's presence.

He followed them soundlessly, watching them overcome each challenge along the way.

They passed Hagrid's three-headed dog, Fluffy; crossed Professor Sprout's Devil's Snare; made their way through Flitwick's Flying Key Formation; then faced McGonagall's chessboard trial, the troll placed by Quirrell, and Snape's maddening potion riddle.

Lin An did not speak throughout, nor did he interfere.

He merely watched in silence—watching fate advance step by step according to plan.

Yet he could not help feeling a subtle sense of melancholy.

"They did not even invite me to design a challenge."

He thought this, and even felt a trace of a professor's sour envy rise within him.

When the plot reached its endpoint according to the original course, he saw from the shadows:

Harry collapsed after confronting Quirrell, and the Philosopher's Stone slipped from his hand and rolled onto the floor.

Lin An reached out and gently picked up the red stone.

Purple light surfaced in his eyes—the Eye of Analysis unique to alchemy.

The patterns of a magic array slowly revolved within his pupils.

"As expected," he murmured. "The Philosopher's Stone is a crystallized substance that uses countless souls as a medium to condense pure magical power to its extreme."

He closed his eyes and slowly analyzed it.

"Magic is an almost omnipotent form of energy. So long as one possesses sufficient quantity and knowledge, any miracle can be achieved."

"And this stone contains nearly infinite magical power.

It can surpass the limits of elemental transfiguration, turning base metals into pure gold; it can even break the fifth rule of Gamp's Law of Elemental Transfiguration."

"As for the so-called 'Elixir of Life'—it is merely magic liquefied and mixed with soul energy, continuously nourishing the body and soul to prolong one's lifespan without end.

But—it still cannot prevent aging."

He sighed softly and muttered, "Using it for alchemy merely to preserve life is truly wasteful."

"Don't you think so, Headmaster?"

The instant he spoke, the air stirred faintly.

Dumbledore's figure emerged from the shadows, his blue eyes carrying an appraising light.

"How do you think this stone should be used?"

"Its value should be fully utilized," Lin An answered calmly. "This stone is a perfect source of energy.

If its mechanism can be replicated, the wizarding world will experience a true leap in civilization."

His tone gradually grew firmer.

"Magical civilization should not remain trapped in ancient rituals and sparks at the tips of wands.

With the power of this stone, we can develop magical technology—build cities powered by magic, cure every disease, even explore the universe.

So long as we can control energy, wizards can usher in a new era."

Dumbledore's expression did not change. He merely sighed. "It does sound tempting.

But have you considered how many souls would need to be bound to magic in order to create such a stone?"

"There is no need to sacrifice living people." Lin An shook his head. "One need only use the remnants of souls left behind by deceased Muggles and put them to use again.

Rather than let death consume them, why not grant their souls new meaning?"

He smiled faintly, his tone gentle yet carrying the coldness of reason: "

If even that makes people uneasy, then find a substitute.

The key to magic is 'binding.' Souls are merely the most stable medium.

And 'emotion' can likewise guide magic—intense love, hatred, and fear can all become catalytic sources for alchemy."

He paused and looked up at Dumbledore.

"To shape energy with emotion, and sustain civilization with magic. That is the true meaning of the Philosopher's Stone."

Dumbledore fell silent for a moment, then sighed softly.

"You are indeed intelligent—and dangerous. Your rationality is admirable, but it makes you too prone to forgetting the cost."

"The cost?" Lin An smiled faintly. "I prefer to call it 'equivalent exchange.'"

Their gazes met, and even the air seemed to tighten.

A silent struggle spread between the two wizards.

In the end, Lin An tossed the Philosopher's Stone back to him.

"Don't worry, I won't take it. Since I already know how to make one, there is naturally no need to take such a risk."

He turned and left, leaving behind only a casual request:

"If there is a chance, please tell Nicolas Flamel that I would very much like to discuss alchemy with him."

Dumbledore caught the stone, his expression complicated.

He watched Lin An's departing figure and sighed softly—

"A variable that will change an era has appeared."

Lin An walked out of the Chamber of Secrets and let out a long breath.

In that moment, he finally realized that he was still not ready to become Dumbledore's enemy.

If they truly fought, he might win, but the price would be too great.

He needed time, and he needed deeper power.

Over the past month, he had deciphered the "teleportation mechanism" of house-elves.

Their magical frequencies differed from those of humans, allowing them to pass through protective barriers.

After several experiments, he too could move short distances within certain areas covered by Anti-Apparition Charms.

And the Spatial Key he had crafted was nearing completion—

Once activated, it would become his gateway to countless worlds.

Moonlight spilled across the stone steps, stretching his shadow long behind him.

Lin An looked toward the night sky, the corners of his mouth lifting slightly.

"The Philosopher's Stone is only the beginning."

"True alchemy is not immortality, but the creation of civilization."