An Unexpected Visitor

"Give life?" Xiwen paused for a moment, then asked. "But I've seen many alchemical products, and none of them seem to have any life of their own!"

"The 'giving life' mentioned here doesn't simply mean giving matter life and bringing it to life," Flamel said with a smile and a shake of his head to Xiwen. "Giving life means more about imitating the characteristics of Magical Creatures, thereby endowing non-magical matter with certain magical properties."

"In fact, Ancient Runes and Seal Script were originally created based on the characteristics of Magical Creatures at that time."

Xiwen nodded and muttered, "So it's bionics."

"Yes! That's a very apt word." Flamel looked at Xiwen in surprise, affirming the statement. "The essence of giving life is to endow it with functions similar to those of a living organism."

"As alchemy developed to a certain stage, alchemists were able to combine and modify biological characteristics to create new functions that were independent of the characteristics of Magical Creatures."

"So, most alchemical products today are the result of improvements and combinations!" Xiwen said with a sudden realization.

Flamel nodded approvingly and said to Xiwen, "Alchemy is also constantly evolving, developing its own unique systems and shortcuts."

"Then may I learn alchemy from you?" Xiwen pursed his lips and asked.

"Of course, that's why you came here," Flamel said.

"But now it's time to go see the opera, will you come with me?" he said to Xiwen with a smile.

A week passed in the blink of an eye.

These days, Xiwen has been studying alchemy with Flamel. He listens to Flamel's lectures in the morning, goes to the opera with him and his wife Perenelle Flamel, in the afternoon, and studies alchemical products on his own in the evening.

Both men, over six hundred years old, were very wise, and even casual pointers from them greatly benefited Xiwen. They led very regular lives and had similar hobbies, both going to the Palais Garnier in Paris to watch operas.

As for Newt, he had long since left Flamel's safe house, reportedly heading to the Seine in search of a Fantastic Beasts.

It's January 1st, the first day of 1938, and a romantic light snow is falling in Paris.

As was Xiwen custom, Flamel accompanied the Lemaîtres to the Palais Garnier to enjoy an opera.

Today's performance is a romantic, nostalgic opera called "Der Rosenkavalier," which has received very positive reviews, and the Flamel are also looking forward to it.

The facade of the Palais Garnier is in the Baroque style. Its interior is luxuriously decorated, with the walls and columns covered with Baroque sculptures, chandeliers, and paintings, making it as opulent as a jewelry box filled with gold and silver jewels.

The three of them bought their tickets like Muggle, walked up the magnificent grand staircase inside the opera house, and then came to a classical corridor where mirrors and glass reflected each other.

However, this magnificent corridor was filled with hurried passersby.

It was just time for the opera to begin, but as if they had all thought of something urgent, the audience members hurried through the corridor and headed out of the opera house.

Not only the audience, but Xiwen also saw many opera singers in costumes mixed in with the crowd, hurrying towards the exit of the theater.

"It looks like a large-scale Muggle-Repelling Charm," Flamel said, frowning, to Perenelle and Xiwen beside him.

"Something seems amiss. Let's go back," Madam Flamel said softly, sensing an unsettling atmosphere.

Xiwen also became nervous, and pulled the two elderly people around, preparing to leave the opera house with the crowd.

However, the appearance of a transparent barrier behind him interrupted his thoughts.

"It seems too late," Xiwen said in a heavy tone.

As if in response to his words, several footsteps echoed from the theater stage ahead as Xiwen finished speaking.

Leading the group was a middle-aged man with slightly graying blond hair and bright blue eyes. He strolled leisurely down from the stage, yet with each step he took, he brought even greater pressure to Xiwen and his companions!

Behind the middle-aged man followed a young woman with long brown hair and an elegant figure. More importantly, her face bore a slight resemblance to Xiwen!

"Grindelwald, what are you doing here?" Flamel's voice lowered as he looked at the figure in front of him.

Upon hearing Flamel's words, Xiwen suddenly opened his eyes wide and looked at the blond, blue-eyed man.

'He's Grindelwald?!' Xiwen swallowed hard. He never expected to encounter the most powerful and infamous Dark Lord in history in Paris.

Keep in mind that Xiwen is just a first-year wizard, and right now he feels like a newbie in a beginner's village encountering the final boss at the start of a game...

Grindelwald strolled leisurely up to the three of Xiwen, not directly answering Flamel's question, but simply looking at the opulent decor around him and clicking his tongue in admiration. "Paris, truly a wonderful place."

"I still can't believe that these magnificent buildings were created by such inferior creatures as Muggle, let alone that they could forge weapons that could threaten the wizarding world. What do you think, Mr. Flamel. Nicholas Flamel?"

"Every group has its own unique wisdom, Mr. Grindelwald." Flamel repeated what he had said to Xiwen to Grindelwald.

"You're right!" Grindelwald didn't argue; instead, he nodded in agreement. "Therefore, we should conquer all Muggle as soon as possible to prevent their rapid development from threatening the safety of the Wizarding World. Don't you agree, Mr. Flamel?"

"War always results in mutual destruction, and I do not believe your proposal is beneficial to the Wizarding World," Flamel said firmly, slowly shaking his head.

"Some things can't be determined by mere assumptions," Grindelwald said dismissively, toying with his wand. "That's why I'd like to invite you to visit Nurmengard and witness firsthand what the future holds!"

"I'm so glad you think so highly of me and have come all this way to invite me to your home," Flamel said softly, his tone now calmer.

"I doubt anyone would underestimate you, Mr. Flamel," Grindelwald said to Flamel with a slight smirk.

Flamel nodded, looking directly at Grindelwald, and said, "In that case, I can go to Nurmengard with you. But I need your promise to release my wife and this young man."

"Can't!"

"Nick!"

Madam Flamel and Xiwen shouted at the same time.