Flamel's Alchemy World
Flamel's cabinet was clearly enchanted with Undetectable Extension Charm; the space inside was surprisingly spacious. Xiwen even felt that Newt's suitcase couldn't compare to this place.
The cabinet contained all sorts of strange and wonderful alchemical artifacts, which together formed a new world—
Near the cabinet door was a row of small, animated dolls that occasionally shook their heads, sizing up Flamel and Xiwen as they entered the cabinet.
Further inside were several rows of towering shelves filled with various alchemical products. Within sight of Xiwen, one could see many sets of medieval-style armor and standard swords, as well as a multitude of miscellaneous trinkets.
Beyond the shelves, a much larger space could be vaguely seen. A magnificent, colossal object floated in the air, with many small Alchemical Automaton performing maintenance on it. Xiwen could vaguely make out that it was an ancient sailing ship, partially obscured by the shelves.
"That's...?" Xiwen asked, looking at the ancient sailboat floating in mid-air, his voice filled with awe.
"Oh, a wrecked sailing ship salvaged from Muggle hundreds of years ago, supposedly called the Carrack," Flamel said with a smile. "I modified it, giving it some of the properties of alchemical products."
"It's an interesting gadget, but it takes up too much space; there's nowhere to put it. Look, this cabinet was originally built specifically for this ship."
Xiwen swallowed hard, gaining a new understanding of Flamel's financial resources and alchemical abilities.
"Alright, we're here." Flamel walked to a shelf and said to Xiwen, "What I wanted to show you is on this shelf."
"So how are we going to get these things down? Summoning Charm?" Xiwen looked at the floor-to-ceiling shelving unit, his lips twitching slightly.
"That won't do. If you don't control the Summoning Charm properly, it could bring other objects down with it, which could easily cause an accident." Flamel shook his head and smiled mysteriously.
Then, pointing to a small metal ball with intricate patterns hanging on the shelf, he said, "Please take down my Apparition Assistance Ring."
As Flamel finished speaking, the intricate patterns on the small metal sphere suddenly split open, unfurling a pair of delicate metal wings from its surface. With the flapping of the wings, the sphere took flight, soaring straight towards the top of the shelf.
"Wow, this is high technology!" Xiwen exclaimed, his understanding of technology once again being challenged.
The ball eventually landed on the second shelf from the top. While flapping its wings to maintain flight, it split open two holes from the pattern on its bottom. Then, two small clips emerged from the holes.
After the ball used the rack to catch an item on the shelf, it flew back to Flamel.
Flamel reached out and removed a silver ring from the clip at the bottom of the metal sphere.
"Actually, alchemical products capable of remote location have always existed, such as this ring." Flamel handed the silver ring to Xiwen, smiling as he said, "This ring is specifically designed to assist wizards in using Apparition. It allows for more precise positioning of the Apparition and effectively reduces the risk of Splinching."
"As for controlling magic, I think our wands themselves can do a good job, can't they?"
Xiwen took the ring and examined it carefully.
The ring is entirely silver, with a wing-shaped strip extending from its band, somewhat resembling the long strip on the Kamar-Taj Sling Ring. Unlike the two rings of the Sling Ring, this Apparition Assistance Ring has only one ring, making it appear lighter and more delicate.
Xiwen eagerly slipped the ring onto the index finger of his left hand, then took out his wand with his right hand and drew a circle in front of him—
A halo of light, seemingly sparkling with golden sparks, flashed before Xiwen's eyes for a moment before disappearing again!
Although the light was fleeting, Xiwen's eyes were filled with surprise, because it meant that the alchemical ring that assisted wizards in Apparition also helped in opening the Dimensional Gate.
He suddenly realized that his previous attempt to create the Sling Ring on his own had gone astray.
The essence of magic is often similar. Whether it's the spells of this world or the magic of Kamar-Taj, they can all be seen as tools for human use. People should master magic, not be controlled by Mahoutokoro.
Therefore, Xiwen didn't need to worry about how to completely restore the Sling Ring, nor did he need to worry about whether to use Ancient Runes, Sanskrit, or Seal Script to inscribe the magic rune circuits. He could simply use the alchemical knowledge that this world had already studied in depth to create an alchemical product with similar functions!
"Mr. Flamel, may I buy this ring from you?" Xiwen asked hopefully.
"No, of course not!" Flamel waved his hand.
Xiwen was stunned, his disappointment evident in his expression.
"I mean, of course you don't need to buy it; consider it a gift!" Flamel said with a smile. "It's a little gadget I made decades ago; I hope it will be helpful to you."
"Don't forget, it was because of you that Grindelwald didn't 'invite' me to Nurmengard!"
Hearing Flamel's words, Xiwen smiled knowingly.
As evening fell, Xiwen, Newt, and the Flamel stood in the dining room on the second floor of the safe house, enjoying the meal prepared by Flamel's Alchemical Automaton.
As for why they ate standing up, it was because the Flamel were not physically suited to bending over and usually ate standing up. Xiwen and Newt felt awkward sitting down while the two elders were standing, so they ate standing up as well...
"Are you leaving soon?" Madam Flamel asked Newt and Xiwen kindly. "Would you like to stay a few more days? We old folks don't dare go out to the opera these days. It's only because you're here that things have a bit more life. I don't know how bored we'll be after you leave!"
"The main thing is that the Hogwarts Express departs tomorrow, so I need to go home today to pack what I need for school," Xiwen said with a smile to Madam Flamel.
Newt put down his cutlery and said apologetically to the Flamel couple, "Actually Dumbledore has given me other tasks, so I can't stay here too long. I'd better go back with Xiwen."
'Is this Dumbledore?' Xiwen glanced at Newt with pity and secretly wondered.
"I know you're both busy, unlike us two who have plenty of free time," Madam Flamel sighed, and didn't try to persuade her to stay any longer.
Seeing this, Flamel produced an exquisite mirror from somewhere. The mirror was about the size of a palm, and the frame was carved with a beautiful Phoenix relief.
Flamel handed the mirror to Xiwen, smiled slightly at him, and said, "This is the Two-Way Mirror connected to the Phoenix Relief Book. You can use this mirror to contact me."
Xiwen took the mirror with delight and examined it carefully.
"So I've become a member of the Phoenix Relief Book?" Xiwen asked softly, feeling somewhat unreal.
After spending these past few days together, he now knows exactly what kind of people are in that hardcover book.
Albus Dumbledore, one of the most powerful wizards in the magical world; Newt Scamander, the most renowned magizoologist of our time; Eunice Cabanat, Director of the Judiciary Bureau of the Ministry of Magic of France; Euryale Hicks, the genius Charms professor at Ilvermorny School of Witchcraft and Wizardry... these are all illustrious figures.
Newt seemed to guess what Xiwen was thinking, patted him on the shoulder, and said with a smile, "Flamel's Phoenix Relief Book doesn't actually place much emphasis on social status and personal talent. It's just that most of the wizards who are on good terms with Flamel are very talented, which gives us the illusion that there are certain requirements to get into the Phoenix Relief Book."
"Besides, your talent is no less than any of ours!"
Xiwen glanced at the ring on his index finger and gave a knowing smile.