Apprenticing Under Nicolas Flamel

"Certainly."

"This world is vast, incredibly vast! And Earth is merely an insignificant, ordinary planet in the vast universe. I've always firmly believed that in the universe beyond our reach, countless mysteries await our exploration. Amazing creatures, magnificent landscapes, even things beyond our imagination. I want to witness those mysteries, I want to explore this universe more!"

"However, the universe is too vast and too dangerous for us. The existence of the Surveillance Mirror can help us avoid the dangers in the universe. We can stay on the safe Earth and control the Surveillance Mirror to explore. At the same time, with the large amount of magic provided by the Philosopher's Stone, we can perform Side-Along Apparition over extremely long distances, thus solving the distance problem. As for some minor problems that may arise later, we can deal with them when the time comes."

"Mr. Flamel, please teach me how to make the Philosopher's Stone!"

Bell bowed deeply to Nicolas Flamel, awaiting his reply.

The plan to explore the universe appeared in Bell's mind after Bell successfully transmitted magic through the Two-Way Mirror. As the saying goes, "A man's journey is to the stars and the sea." So now that the possibility had presented itself to Bell, he would absolutely not let it slip by.

"Alright, Bell, sit down and let's talk," Nicolas said with a smile.

After Bell sat down, he continued, "I am very interested in what you said about exploring the universe. You know, I have lived for over 600 years. In my long life, I have seen far too many things. By now, very few things can stir my emotions."

"Boredom is the deadliest poison. My wife Perenelle and I were fed up with our boring lives, so we had decided to end our lives. But now I think we might be able to reconsider a little longer."

"You mean!?"

Bell looked at Nicolas with excitement.

He had thought the journey might go smoothly; after all, according to rumors, Nicolas was a very cheerful person who never hesitated to share his knowledge. But when the moment actually arrived, Bell couldn't help but feel extremely nervous. The Philosopher's Stone was exactly what he needed; if he missed it, Bell didn't know how long it would take to find other sources of magic.

"Yes, I agree to teach you how to make the Philosopher's Stone."

"Thank you! Mr. Flamel! No, Master Flamel!"

Bell stood up excitedly again and bowed deeply to Nicolas.

"Hehe, just call me Nicolas."

Nicolas was clearly very happy. He hadn't expected to have a student; he had always thought he wasn't suited to be a teacher.

Originally, Nicolas had no intention of passing down the method of making the Philosopher's Stone. Although he always believed that "knowledge can only progress through continuous exchange and communication," the Philosopher's Stone was simply too dangerous; a single mishap could cause enormous destruction to the world.

Moreover, the Philosopher's Stone seems to have no other use besides making Elixir of Life.

As for turning stones into gold? Only an idiot would create Philosopher's Stone to try and turn it into gold. If you sold the materials used to make the Philosopher's Stone, you could have enough to support an average person for several lifetimes.

"Yes, Nicolas!"

It took Bell a while to finally calm himself down before asking Nicolas, "Teacher, do you still have the Philosopher's Stone you gave to Professor Dumbledore? Could I borrow it to conduct some experiments?"

"Albus destroyed that Philosopher's Stone."

"What!? It's really destroyed!? Why?"

Bell silently cursed Dumbledore in his heart, "You're such a spendthrift!"

"There's nothing to regret, Bell. That Philosopher's Stone has been used for 600 years and is nearing its limit, starting to become unstable. Only a powerful wizard like Albus can safely destroy Philosopher's Stone."

"That's why I've never told anyone how the Philosopher's Stone is made. If a Philosopher's Stone were to explode, it would be far more powerful than Muggle nuclear bomb. One wrong move and the British Isles might be gone."

w(Д)w

"So, I could die at any moment? Living is so hard!"

Bell then realized that the Philosopher's Stone was even more powerful than he had imagined.

But thinking back to the Philosopher's Stone he saw that night, with its dazzling, sun-like magic, Bell felt that the lack of the British Isles wasn't such a big problem. It didn't seem impossible that the Earth might get bitten off by accident.

"Wait a moment, I need to tell Perenelle this good news."

As he spoke, Nicolas picked up his Personal Terminal and contacted his wife, Bell's mentor's Shimu.

Soon, the image of a beautiful blonde woman appeared on Nicolas's Personal Terminal screen.

"Nicolas? Why are you contacting me all of a sudden? I'm busy saying goodbye," the beautiful woman said.

"You've been gone for two months, that's enough. And there's no need for farewells anymore. Something's happened to me, and I've decided not to die. Come back soon, I'll introduce you to my newly accepted disciple, and we'll throw a celebration banquet."

"Huh!? You actually took on a disciple!?"

Perenelle stared at Nicolas in surprise, then realized after a moment that his focus seemed to have gone astray.

"Cough cough... How come he suddenly isn't dead?! Does that mean all my feelings over the past few months have been for nothing?!"

"..."

Nicolas looked at his wife speechlessly.

"You have no feelings at all. You're spending every day shopping and having fun with your girlfriends, you're probably having a blast."

"Okay, I'll go say hello and then go back. You'd better give me a proper explanation."

After saying that, Perenelle hung up the call.

"Sigh! He's over 600 years old, and he's still so impulsive all the time."

It's clear that Nicolas and Perenelle have a very strong bond. That their relationship has withstood the test of centuries without changing is truly a precious treasure.

"Nicolas, what do you and your Shimu look like...?"

The contrast between a half-buried old man and a stunning blonde woman was too stark. Bell, ever the astute observer, sensed something was amiss!

"Oh, I deliberately made myself look like this. After all, living for over 600 years is already enough to make people envious. If I could also maintain a young and healthy body, I wouldn't want to live a single day in peace. So whenever I meet outsiders, I deliberately make myself look like this. My true form is a handsome man who can charm countless young girls!"

Nicolas winked and said, looking just like a mischievous old man.