Nicolas Flamel

Dumbledore had known about his background all along.

He had probably started watching him even before he enrolled at the school!

Eli suddenly felt a profound sense of helplessness.

He had thought he had deceived everyone and could stay hidden right under Dumbledore's nose.

He never expected Dumbledore to have discovered him long ago and simply never said anything.

That made him seem like a complete joke. Embarrassing? Extremely embarrassing.

With things already said this clearly, Eli could not keep denying it.

He even put on a shocked expression. Oh, Merlin's oversized trousers, I'm actually the younger brother of Harry Potter, the Boy Who Lived.

Whether Dumbledore believed Eli's act or not, Eli himself certainly did.

"Eli, perhaps you should know what you will face in the future. You possess immense talent. I dare say you are the most gifted student I have ever seen. I only hope that, no matter what happens, you will stand with Harry."

Eli nodded. This was also the mission he had taken on after occupying this body.

"Throughout history, there have always been many extraordinarily gifted Wizards, but many became consumed by power. Indeed, power is deeply tempting. To be honest, I once pursued power with madness as well. But there are things you only understand when there is no way to undo what has been done. Neither power nor immortality is the most precious thing. Love is."

Dumbledore's past had been far from perfect. It could even be said that it still caused him pain to this day.

In the rash fervor of his youth, the exceptionally gifted Dumbledore had met another equally gifted and equally impassioned young man.

They shared the same language and the same ambitions. They had been closer than brothers.

But in the end, that person still chose a path Dumbledore had been unwilling to tread.

At first, he had chosen to indulge him, until an accidental conflict cost him his sister.

His brother had chosen to leave him as well, while even that person had chosen his ideals.

He possessed legendary power. He defeated that person and became famous throughout the world, and later became the only one capable of standing against Voldemort.

The world hailed him as the greatest White Wizard.

Yet while he seemed to possess everything, he had actually lost it all.

His dearest loved ones had all left him.

Albus Dumbledore. Gellert Grindelwald.

Two months of reckless infatuation, a century of things left unsaid.

He had misjudged people before. Eli's talent made him fear that Eli might become the third Dark Lord.

He had to give Eli sufficient guidance.

He had to give Eli the bonds of family.

"Professor, although my biological parents have passed away, I know why they died. I still have my adoptive parents, and I still have my brother. My strength will forever be an umbrella shielding those by my side!"

Eli's gaze was firmer than ever. This was the test of one of the strongest people of the age, and the promise of a powerhouse of the next generation.

Dumbledore smiled. The guardedness was gone, and his smile was relaxed.

"However, I hope you will not tell Harry about this for the time being, Professor."

Dumbledore looked at Eli in surprise.

"I'm not ready yet. Perhaps he isn't either."

Dumbledore pondered for a moment. "Very well. This is a matter between the two of you. You should be ready first."

"At a time like this, my old friend should be arriving as well."

Dumbledore glanced toward the fireplace behind him, as though waiting for someone.

"Professor, may I leave now?"

Eli thought Dumbledore was dismissing him.

Dumbledore stopped him. "No. That old friend of mine wishes to meet you."

"Meet me?"

Eli truly could not think of any old friend Dumbledore had who would know him.

Boom!

Green flames suddenly erupted in the fireplace, casting Dumbledore's beard in a green glow.

"Oh, Nicolas, you've finally arrived."

Dumbledore hurried forward to greet him.

"No, Albus, don't help me. I can still walk on my own."

A man so old that Eli did not dare guess his age stepped out.

His skin sagged and he shuffled forward. Eli was afraid the man would fall apart after taking two steps.

Hearing how Dumbledore addressed him, Eli immediately realized who he was.

Nicolas Flamel, the greatest alchemist, the sole owner of the Philosopher's Stone. He was at least six hundred and sixty years old!

Thanks to the Philosopher's Stone, he had lived for several centuries, far beyond the limits of humanity. Even Wizards could not manage that.

Wizards lived longer than ordinary people, especially powerful ones. Dumbledore was already over a hundred, yet he could still walk briskly and fight Voldemort, who was only around seventy, like he was a little kid.

Nicolas Flamel took tiny steps, his two legs constantly shuffling.

Oh, sir, please slow down. If you fall here, who would even be responsible?

"Wait a moment. I'll be there very soon."

The old man's speed of nine point eight meters per hundred seconds left Eli dumbfounded. Those little legs had been shuffling for ages, and he still had not gone anywhere.

He had even worked up the posture of a hundred-meter sprinter, panting for breath.

Dumbledore wanted to give him a hand, but the old man thought he was looking down on him.

The old man was rather stubborn.

The stubborn old man never yielded. Even Dumbledore's bird had fallen asleep before the old man finally reached the chair.

He drew a great breath. "It truly isn't easy for an old man like me to move this quickly."

Dumbledore: "..."

Eli: "..."

"Oh, this must be the Eli Hall you mentioned. What a fine-looking young man."

The old man's eyesight was still quite good.

Eli hurriedly stood and bowed. "Hello, my name is Eli Hall."

He had to get the etiquette right. After all, this was an elder who had lived for centuries. Though he was not as old as those almighty ancient elders by the Nile, he was still the oldest living person in the world.

"This child is quite polite. But don't let Albus lead you astray. He loves putting on all sorts of empty airs."

Eli had already given the old man countless silent thumbs-ups, but outwardly, he had to pretend he had heard nothing.

Dumbledore sat down awkwardly, casting a glance at Eli, who was playing dumb. Fine, kid. At least you know what's good for you.

"What do you think of him? He is the most talented student I have ever seen."

Nicolas examined Eli. "Mm, he truly is extraordinary. I have seen quite a few stunning geniuses, but none can compare to him."

He shot Dumbledore another glance. "So you had your eye on my family trade all along. Young man, would you like to study alchemy with me?"

Dumbledore became even more awkward after being rebuked again, but upon hearing Nicolas's words, he looked at Eli expectantly as well.

Eli was already stunned. What was going on? Why had this suddenly turned into taking on a disciple? Old Dumbledore, had you sold me out ages ago?!

Having the greatest alchemist in history as his teacher was an absolutely enormous stroke of luck.

"I... I..."

Eli was so taken aback that he started stammering.

"Don't be nervous, young man. With your talent, learning alchemy will be no problem at all. Just tell me, will you learn or not?"

It had been delivered right to his doorstep. Anyone who refused would be an idiot!

"I'll learn!"

Nicolas Flamel nodded, and Dumbledore let out a sigh of relief.

"The sooner, the better. How about this? You can study with me this summer. Go home first and enjoy yourself for a few days. What do you think?"

How could Eli dare refuse? "No problem. Absolutely no problem."

"Fine, making this trip at my age wasn't easy. I'll write to you when the time comes."

Dumbledore had Eli leave first. As he departed, he saw Dumbledore take out the Philosopher's Stone Voldemort had long dreamed of obtaining.