The Essence of Alchemy

Stepping through this old wooden door, a medieval-style living room with a strong sense of the bizarre comes into view. Inside, there are constantly moving tapestries printed with animated magical images and strange Runes symbols.

In the corner of the living room was a workbench covered with messy alchemy equipment, with a gleaming Crystal placed on it.

In the center of the room, there was a wooden spiral staircase leading to the second floor. At that moment, a thin old man was slowly making his way down the stairs, one step at a time.

"Good morning, you two!" The old man, though walking with a limp, was in good spirits and greeted Xiwen and Newt warmly.

Newt quickly ran up the stairs and carefully helped the frail old man.

"It's been a long time, Flamel," Newt said with a smile after helping him up.

"It seems like it's been a while," Flamel smiled wistfully, then looked at Newt and said, "But you know, it's not too long for me."

"Yes, ten years isn't a long time for you." Newt smiled knowingly.

Hearing this Xiwen stood upright downstairs, offering a reserved smile, and said politely, "It's an honor to meet you, Mr. Flamel."

"Ah, you must be Mr. Rozier!" Flamel said with a kind smile. "Albus mentioned to me your talent for Ancient Runes and alchemy."

As he spoke, he moved with small, quick steps toward a wooden door on the side of the living room.

"Don't be so formal, Mr. Rozier," Flamel said, pushing open the door and turning to Xiwen and Newt. "Come in! Newt can come along if he wants to learn alchemy."

"Um, actually I also have to look after my animals." Newt smiled sheepishly at Flamel, then patted Xiwen on the shoulder and went into his box.

Flamel smiled as he watched Newt climb into his briefcase, then waved to Xiwen.

"Newt is a very good young man." As Xiwen entered the room, Flamel remarked to him with admiration. "Even in all my years, I have rarely met someone as kind as him."

Xiwen nodded in agreement.

Newt seems to care for all the Fantastic Beasts as if they were his own children; the way he looks at the little animals with such doting affection is enough to melt your heart!

That's why Xiwen felt particularly at ease leaving the Little Cat in Newt's box.

Stepping through the wooden door, you enter a workshop. Inside, there's a table laden with alchemical tools and a wooden cabinet. Next to the table is a large window, letting in bright sunlight that illuminates the entire workshop.

"Sit down, make yourself at home," Flamel said to Xiwen, gesturing to the wooden chair beside the table.

Xiwen sat down in the chair, only to find that Flamel didn't seem to have any intention of sitting down.

"Aren't you going to sit down?" Xiwen quickly stood up and asked.

"I'm getting old, my body is a bit stiff, and my joints aren't very flexible. So I usually don't sit," Flamel shook his head and said. "You just sit, don't worry about me."

Only then did Xiwen understand why Flamel had been walking with small, quick steps and his body seemed somewhat stiff.

"It's alright, I'll just stand." Xiwen insisted on not sitting down and stood next to Flamel.

"Alright, alright. You're just too reserved, kid." Flamel smiled, offering no further persuasion, and went straight to the point. "I heard you have a good grasp of Ancient Runes, is that right?"

"Yes," Xiwen nodded in reply. "I also know Sanskrit and Seal Script."

Flamel's eyes finally showed some surprise, and he exclaimed, "To have learned three languages at such a young age, a feat that most people struggle to master in a lifetime. Truly remarkable!"

'After all, I spent twenty years studying these languages in Kamar-Taj...' Xiwen gave an awkward laugh, thinking to himself.

After praising him, Flamel turned to Xiwen and asked, "I'd like to know, to what extent have you come to understand alchemy?"

After a moment's thought, Xiwen replied, "I've read quite a few books about alchemy, and most of them describe the concept as follows: alchemy is a branch of magic, and also an ancient science, involving the study of the composition, structure, and magical properties of the four basic elements, as well as the transmutation of matter."

Flamel gently shook his head and said, "I don't mean for you to recite the definitions in the book, but rather to explain your own understanding of alchemy!"

"Uh, is that so..." Xiwen paused for a moment, his expression somewhat unnatural, and said, "Actually, I always thought that alchemy was just a medieval chemical philosophy, a rudimentary form of chemistry."

"Do you know anything else about Muggle?" Flamel looked at Xiwen with surprise and said in astonishment, "I must say, Muggle possess a great deal of knowledge, much of which may surpass that of wizards."

"Have you also studied Muggle knowledge?" Xiwen was even more surprised than Flamel.

After all, who would have thought that the most renowned alchemist in the Wizarding World had studied Muggle knowledge? I wonder what those extreme Pure-blood purists would think if they heard this...

"Every group has its unique wisdom," Flamel nodded with a smile, and said to Xiwen. "Go on. Besides your understanding of Muggle alchemy, do you have any other insights?"

"I think alchemy in its magical sense is a kind of alternative magic, like Potions," Xiwen nodded, then continued. "Books often say that the study of alchemy symbolizes a spiritual journey; rather than such a broad concept, it's more like an enchantment of matter."

"By inscribing magical runes, such as Ancient Runes, Sanskrit, or Seal Script, substances can store and release magical energy. Then, through specific circuits, they acquire magical functions, thus creating alchemical products..."

Flamel listened to Xiwen's words, nodding occasionally in agreement.

"That's roughly my understanding of alchemy, though I don't know if it's correct," Xiwen said with a modest smile, ending his statement.

"Very good understanding, Mr. Rozier." Flamel smiled and gave Xiwen an approving look. "Don't underestimate yourself; your understanding of alchemy probably surpasses that of many so-called alchemists."

"Alchemy was initially only about transforming ordinary metals into gold or silver; or creating a 'miracle cure' that could cure all diseases and extend life indefinitely; and discovering a universal solvent," Flamel explained. "But as time progressed, the definition and goals of alchemy continued to change and evolve."

"The alchemy we are talking about now is essentially about giving life to matter!"