The early morning sunlight shines into the classroom through the high windows, and silver dust floats slowly in the beam.
Ian stood in front of the podium, patiently waiting for the students to take their seats.
As soon as the students walked in, their eyes were attracted to him almost at the same time -
That fiery look in his eyes made Ian couldn't help but sigh in his heart.
The expressions of these young girls looked like fans meeting their idols for the first time.
When everyone was seated, he knocked on the table, his voice steady and humorous:
"I know you are all excited to have a smart, handsome, talented, and somewhat famous professor.
But now, please suppress your admiration for a moment."
The whole class burst out laughing.
Ian took advantage of the situation and smiled slightly, "If there is enough time after class, I will answer your questions - whether it is academic or your gossip. Do you understand?"
"Got it, professor!" the students responded in unison.
"Very good. So, let's get started."
He walked to the blackboard and his tone became formal.
"Last semester, I taught you the 'interesting' part of Alchemy.
This semester, we're getting into the 'boring' part – but the really important part."
The classroom was quiet.
Suddenly, Diggory, who was sitting in the front row, raised his hand.
"Professor, didn't you say you were going to teach us the 'Amalgam Enchantment Technique' last semester?"
Ian nodded. "Yes, but that's just the end. Before that, you need to understand more basic knowledge.
To let you understand why, let me show you a demonstration first."
He raised his wand and touched his temple lightly. Silver-white threads were pulled out from his fingertips and waved into the air.
The next moment, a three-dimensional image was suspended in mid-air - as realistic as a holographic projection.
In the picture, Ian appears in a high temperature Crucible room, wearing only a simple cloth shirt and surrounded by metal and appliances.
He took two pieces of metal, melted them separately, and mixed them in different proportions.
As the flames flicker, the new alloy slowly takes shape.
After that, he heated the alloy again and used a machine to mold it into a sword embryo.
After the metal cooled, he repeatedly hammered, sharpened, and shanked it--
The whole process is complicated and precise.
When the sword finally took shape, he took out an enchanted pen engraved with runes and wrote the "fire" spell on the sword.
Unfortunately, when the magic was activated, flames suddenly burst out, and the entire sword instantly melted into a pool of gold water.
The students burst into laughter.
Ian spread his hands. "Look - this is an example of failure."
He paused, his smile not diminishing, "What you are going to experience in the next semester is this kind of failure process."
Several low moans came from the classroom.
"We need to start with the most basic metals and understand their properties, ductility, conductivity, heat resistance...
Then through repeated experiments, I learned to mix the alloys that are most suitable for alchemy.
In other words, you will experience with your own hands how to make magical artifacts 'from scratch'."
A girl from Muggle-born raised her hand. "Professor, I have a question.
Why do you look more like a Muggles blacksmith in the demo? You barely use magic?"
Her question earned snickers from several female classmates.
In fact, many girls are secretly regretting--
If the professor took off his robe and wore only the alchemy cloth to strike iron, the scene would probably be more heart-pounding than magic.
Of course Ian has no interest in reading minds, but just smiled slightly, "That's a good question.
Let me show you another demonstration."
A new image lights up.
This time, Ian uses magic entirely.
I saw him waving his magic wand, and the metal automatically melted, Fusion, cooled, removed impurities, and formed, and the whole process was completed in one go.
He didn't even need to get close to the stove to complete a magic sword that shone with silver light.
All this only took an hour.
"As you can see," Ian said calmly, "alchemical objects are made entirely with magic.
The caster's magic control and mental strength are extremely demanding--
With your current level, it's far from enough."
The students looked at each other.
"However, this is not the only reason why I want you to learn the traditional way.
Manipulating metal with your own hands will allow you to truly understand the properties of the material.
Instead of just staying on paper formulas and magic control.
A true alchemist is not only a magician, but also a craftsman."
The classroom was quiet for a moment, and then murmurs of reverence were heard.
Soon, Fred raised his hand. "Professor, I have two questions."
Ian raised his eyebrows slightly. "Say it, George."
"I am Fred."
"You're not." Ian responded calmly.
The whole class burst into laughter.
"First question: Is there a more advanced alchemy method than what you demonstrated?
Second question: Does Hogwarts really have these equipment for us to practice on?"
"Ambition is good." Ian smiled, "Of course."
He waved his wand again, and the image showed him carving runes on two different pieces of metal.
When the runes are activated, the two pieces of metal instantly turn into a soft liquid.
After a few seconds, Fusion turns into a brand new silver-white ore.
Then, he carved new runes, and as the light flickered, the ore directly turned into a perfect long sword.
The whole process takes less than fifteen minutes.
"Professor, is this Transfiguration?"
"No, this is 'Transmutation'."
"What's the difference between that and Transfiguration?"
Ian thought for a moment and explained, "For example, I want to make a metal like 'silver'.
It is made of red copper and ordinary silver in a specific proportion Fusion.
Using Transfiguration, I can directly turn copper or silver into 'silver',
It even turns directly into a sword.
But Transmutation is different--
It must pass through the original materials, transform according to the rules Fusion, and finally generate the target object.
The most important thing is that the effect of Transfiguration is temporary, while the effect of Transmutation is permanent."
The students were amazed.
Fred raised his hand again. "But didn't you say last semester that there was a great alchemist who could permanently turn ordinary metals into gold?"
"That is the highest state of Alchemy." Ian nodded, "
To do that, you need Philosopher's Stone."
Hearing the three words "Philosopher's Stone", the whole class suddenly became energetic.
"Professor, what is that?"
"You will naturally learn in the future." Ian said calmly, "
However, those who are interested can go to the Library to check first."
He then went on to answer Fred's second question, "
I have completed the renovation of an old classroom in Hogwarts.
It is now equipped with all necessary alchemical equipment.
From today on, that is our new classroom."
"Professor, can we take a look?"
"Of course."
He flicked his wand, and the image of the new classroom appeared in the air.
Crucible, crucible, anvil, forging table...
Every location is neatly arranged and the space is vast, obviously Expansion Charm has been applied.
The hot breath seemed to come from the image.
"You have also seen that in such an environment, accidents can easily happen.
I can guarantee safety, but if someone violates the rules,
First time - warning.
The second time - class suspension.
The third time - I will remove you directly."
"Understood, professor!" the students replied in unison, with solemn expressions.
Ian nodded. "Very good. It's still early, you can ask questions."
In an instant, almost all hands were raised.
Ian sighed helplessly and clicked on one at random.
In the following time, most of the questions he answered had nothing to do with "Alchemy"--
It's more about his research and travel during the summer vacation, and why he is single.
When they walked out of the classroom, the students were still discussing enthusiastically.
Ian Listening to that laughter, the corners of his lips rose imperceptibly.