Wizards had always been good at making things that utterly defied reality.
Take the door Nicolas Flamel had just opened, for instance.
By all logic, opening it should have led straight outside, yet after a few maneuvers from Nicolas Flamel, there was an enormous space beyond it.
Only upon arriving here did Nicolas Flamel's identity as an alchemist seem truly confirmed.
Eli could swear he had never seen any of the things here before.
All kinds of scents filled the air, and parchment scrolls lay everywhere, making it convenient to jot things down at any time.
"This is where I usually conduct my research. From now on, it will also be where you study."
Eli could swear there was no better place to study alchemy than this.
Just standing here made Eli feel as though he had become a master alchemist himself.
Nicolas Flamel was different from usual. In his field of greatest expertise, he was extremely serious.
"Eli, tell me what you think of alchemy."
This was Nicolas Flamel's first lesson.
Eli pondered for a moment. In truth, he did not know much about alchemy at all.
The only alchemical product he knew of was the Philosopher's Stone.
He had even protected the Philosopher's Stone, though he had only caught a fleeting glimpse of it in the end.
"Alchemy... turning decay into wonder, creating precious metals?"
He was not certain at all.
Nicolas Flamel nodded slightly. "In fact, that is what many people think, including many alchemists. From a certain perspective, it is indeed not wrong."
He searched through a nearby table for a while and pulled out a thin book.
Eli looked closely and immediately felt as though time and space had gone haywire.
What Nicolas Flamel held was actually a journal—Nature.
Muggles would definitely be very familiar with this magazine. It was a scientific journal with a long history and immense authority.
Founded by the British Sir Joseph Norman Lockyer, it contained cutting-edge research in physics, biology, and many other disciplines.
"Alchemy is actually very similar to Muggle science. It is an extension of human wisdom, helping us accomplish things individuals cannot accomplish alone."
"However, Muggle science is entirely based on the laws of all things themselves, while alchemy involves magic. For example, turning mercury into gold would be absolutely unscientific in Muggle terms. But in alchemy, it is entirely possible."
"Science and alchemy lead to the same destination by different paths. Many Wizards believe Muggles are ignorant, but from a Muggle's perspective, are Wizards who do not understand science not equally ignorant?"
Eli was astonished by the master's wisdom. Perhaps in Nicolas Flamel's eyes, everything ultimately converged upon a single point.
Nicolas Flamel did not stop. "What you said just now was not wrong. The core of alchemy is altering matter, what is known as turning decay into wonder."
He pointed at a device beside them that resembled a robot. "Mechanical objects like this are actually extensions of alchemy. The creation of magical items and even wandmaking can all be classified under alchemy, but they are not its essence. Alchemy's original purpose was to transform matter, which sounds a great deal like Muggle chemistry."
Clearly, this mysterious alchemist had an impressive understanding of Muggle science.
Eli was already utterly engrossed. To him, this knowledge of turning decay into wonder was in no way inferior to spells.
Nicolas Flamel took out a thick book that seemed to have time itself congealed upon it.
It did not seem to be made of paper, but rather dense bark, its cover tightly encircled by a ring of brass.
Nicolas Flamel opened the book. Its pages came in groups of seven, and the seventh page of each group contained only an illustration of a giant serpent devouring a wand.
"This is the source of my knowledge, and it is also the origin of alchemy: the Book of Abraham the Jew!"
A look of deep longing appeared on Nicolas Flamel's face.
He looked at Eli, his clouded eyes filled with hope.
He held the book out to Eli. "I have never taken an apprentice, and I will not be your only teacher. But I hope you can carry on everything I have learned in my lifetime. Only you can do it."
Eli froze for a moment, not daring to reach out and accept such a book, one that could be revered as a divine relic and that also represented the legacy of a master alchemist.
After a long while, he finally seemed to make up his mind. He accepted the book steadily, and the burden upon his shoulders grew heavier still.
A relieved smile appeared on Nicolas Flamel's face, filled with hope and release.
"But what I do not understand is, why did you choose me?"
Eli could not understand it. There had been no test; they had seemingly only met by chance, yet Nicolas Flamel had entrusted his legacy to him.
Nicolas Flamel gave him a deep look. "Some people are born bearing unique missions."
After leaving behind those mysterious words that left Eli utterly baffled, Nicolas Flamel's expression changed.
"Learning alchemy is like learning anything else. You must begin with the simplest things. The essence of alchemy is transformation, while its most basic form is creation. Handcrafted objects and certain machines all fall under creation."
Eli suddenly thought of something. "Then are all magical items basic alchemical products?"
Nicolas Flamel shook his head. "Not exactly. It cannot be divided so simply. Take the legendary Deathly Hallows, for example."
Eli's expression hardened.
"The Elder Wand, the Invisibility Cloak, and the Resurrection Stone are collectively known as the Deathly Hallows. Legend says they all came from Death God, but that is not quite right—or rather, not precise."
"They are all alchemical products. Though they look like the magical tools sold in shops, these three are far from simple. They have been bestowed with the most powerful and mysterious forces."
"The Elder Wand is invincible and serves the strong; the Invisibility Cloak can nearly erase someone from the world, utterly silent; the Resurrection Stone can restore the dead to life. None of this can be achieved through ordinary alchemy."
A sharp glint flashed in Eli's eyes. He had never heard any of this before.
He had read the legends surrounding the Deathly Hallows as well. They were said to be the rewards won by three brothers after escaping Death God's attempt to claim them.
The eldest brother wanted the most powerful wand, the second wanted an object that could revive the dead, and only the youngest wanted an object that could evade Death God.
Nicolas Flamel continued, "There is another legend as well. The three brothers desired to inherit Death God's position, so they created three alchemical objects in Death God's image. The Elder Wand symbolized Death God's power; the Resurrection Stone symbolized Death God's ability to control life and death; the Invisibility Cloak symbolized Death God's immortality. These three represented Death God's authority!"
Nicolas Flamel suddenly fixed his eyes on Eli's. "Whoever possesses all three Deathly Hallows possesses Death God's Authority. He will become Death God!"
Nicolas Flamel's stare made Eli's skin crawl, but fortunately, Nicolas Flamel soon composed himself again.
"These are all extremely profound matters, though you will touch upon them someday. But for now, you should study the basics properly."
Nicolas Flamel took out a massive tome and slammed it onto the table with a bang, as though it had struck Eli's heart.
"These are the alchemical runes I compiled based on the Book of Abraham the Jew. Your task is to memorize them. Once you have done that, you can begin learning how to create things."
Eli's jaw nearly dropped. "This thing... I have to memorize it?"
He looked at the book, which seemed as large as his head, and his teeth began to ache.
A trace of cunning flashed in Nicolas Flamel's eyes. "Some people are born bearing unique missions. Come on, hurry up and fulfill yours! Young man, this old fellow has high hopes for you!"
After saying that, he slipped out and slammed the door shut behind him.
Leaving Eli staring blankly at the massive tome on the table.
I think this book is mocking me.
Before you continue