Cultivating in Seclusion...
As Bell expected, Shimu. Perenelle did not return until lunchtime.
Shimu. Perenelle was a very warm and cheerful person. After Nicolas introduced Bell's identity, she pulled Bell aside and asked him all sorts of questions, looking very happy. Bell was almost overwhelmed by her enthusiasm.
So, when he said in the video that he wanted Nicolas to "explain properly," he was definitely referring to the matter of taking on apprentices.
Lunch was prepared by the House-elf. To celebrate, House-elf went to great lengths, preparing a huge feast. The delicious food offered some solace to Bell's sorrow at not seeing her sister.
After a pleasant lunch, Bell felt less distant and her interactions with her teacher and his Shimu became more natural.
"Nicolas, you still haven't told me why you suddenly decided not to die?"
After dinner, the three sat on the sofa, drinking tea and chatting. Perenelle finally asked the question she hadn't had a chance to ask earlier.
"Because Bell showed me an interesting future, a future we've never imagined. I also want to explore the vast universe."
Nicolas then began by recounting Bell's journey from the moment he entered the room, providing a detailed account of Bell's space exploration plans.
Upon hearing Nicolas's retelling, Perenelle didn't react in any particular way, simply smiling casually.
Bell gazed at his teacher's Shimu. He felt that Perenelle didn't care about any of that; perhaps all she cared about was Shimu Nicolas. Whether in life or death, she would be by Nicolas's side.
Even if he didn't want to admit it, Bell did feel a pang of jealousy at that moment. Would there ever be someone like that in the future, someone willing to stay by his side forever?
He would give everything for it if he could.
Of course, Shanna is not included; her sister belongs to her alone, not to Bell.
Incidentally, by lunchtime, Nicolas had already regained his youthful appearance. If he were to eat like an old man, Bell was genuinely afraid he would choke to death at any moment.
After chatting for more than an hour, feeling that they had rested enough, Nicolas led Bell to his Alchemy Laboratory.
The laboratory was spacious, with a large experimental table in the center and cabinets lining the walls. Some of these cabinets contained Nicolas's alchemical creations, while others were filled with alchemical materials.
Bell observed carefully and found that although the quantity of materials was not large, the variety was rich, and all kinds of common and rare magical materials could be found.
"Before I formally teach you Alchemy, I need to understand your current Alchemy skill level. You are free to use the alchemical materials here to create a magical item that you are most satisfied with. By the way, try not to choose items with too long a production time."
After saying that, Nicolas sat down in the chair next to the lab table, indicating to Bell he could begin.
Bell wandered around the lab, observing Nicolas's work while also selecting the materials he would need next.
When asked about his most satisfying magical item, Bell only had one answer: the Shield Charm Ornament (passive).
Attaching the Shield Charm to an accessory isn't actually that difficult, at least not in Bell's opinion. But that wouldn't make much difference to Bell, as he could cast the Shield Charm himself.
Changing the trigger condition of Shield Charm to passive triggering is very difficult. It requires not only increasing the magic storage capacity of the accessory, but more importantly, setting the trigger condition.
If the trigger conditions are set too strictly, the other person might be knocked away by the Shield Charm just because they want to shake your hand; while if the trigger conditions are set too leniently, the person might die before the Shield Charm is triggered.
Bell spent a long time thinking and experimenting before finally setting a trigger condition that satisfied him. Even so, he still conducts new research and experiments from time to time to ensure that the Shield Charm can effectively protect the user's safety.
Bell took out some ores, Magical Animals blood and bones, and other materials from the cabinet, and went to the workbench to begin making the Shield Charm Ring.
He first used Incendio to refine the ore, then fused the molten metal with the bones of Magical Animals, adding a liquid secreted by enchanted plants to separate impurities. After the metal cooled, he used Transfiguration to shape it into a long strip, and then used the blood of Magical Animals to inscribe Ancient Runes on the metal strip. This step determined whether the ring could be enchanted with the Shield Charm.
It took Bell about 10 minutes to complete the inscription of the Ancient Runes. Bell had done similar operations countless times, so failure was almost inevitable.
The next step is the final and most complex one—setting the passive trigger conditions.
Bell took out a pre-cut Gemstone, immersed it in a magical solution, and pressed his Wand Gemstone the outer wall of the container, controlling the magic to inscribe Ancient Runes inside the Gemstone.
After another 10 minutes or so, Bell finally finished. He took out the Gemstone, cleaned off the solution adhering to its surface, and then took the ring he had just made and set the Gemstone into it.
Originally, the ring should have been further refined, with some exquisite patterns engraved, both to make it more beautiful and to conceal the Ancient Runes. However, since the purpose now is to demonstrate my alchemy skills to Nicolas, there's no need to overdo it.
Nicolas had been intently observing his disciple's every move. To be honest, Bell's skill level had somewhat exceeded his expectations. Taking the ring Bell handed him, he examined it carefully for a while and tested its functions.
"Bell, have you always been researching Alchemy on your own?" Nicolas asked incredulously.
He was somewhat taken aback by his disciple's skill level. Of course, this didn't mean that Bell's Alchemy skills had surpassed his own; if that were the case, he would probably be so ashamed and indignant that he would hang himself right now.
I've wasted over 600 years of my life!
Nicolas was scared mainly because Bell is only 12 years old! Look at the other first-year students at Hogwarts, that's the normal level, okay? Bell is exceptionally outstanding, do his parents know?
"No, teacher. A few years ago, my parents hired some powerful wizards to teach me, and Mr. Stark taught me a lot about Alchemy."
"Adams Stark?"
"Yes."
Nicolas nodded knowingly; that made sense. Perhaps?
Stark is also a famous Alchemy Master, although he can't compare to him, he is basically among the top ones.
If Bell could reach this level through his own learning without any guidance, he would have to wonder if Bell was Merlin reincarnated.
"Very good, I have a good understanding of your Alchemy skills. You have done very well in terms of practical application, especially in inscribing Ancient Runes. Your manipulation of magic is very smooth, even many so-called Alchemy Master cannot achieve such smoothness. Next, you need to acquire more theoretical knowledge, especially knowledge related to Ancient Runes."
Nicolas led Bell to the Library on the third floor, where about half of the books were collected little by little over the past few centuries, and the other half were written by himself.
He took out his Wand and waved it, and countless books flew down from the bookshelf and piled up on the table in front of Bell.
"These are the books you'll need to master next. Read them from left to right. If you have any questions, feel free to ask me. Any other questions?"
"Teacher, may I make a copy of these books?"
Bell looked at the pile of books in front of him. Many of the books were ones he had never heard of. There were also some that he had heard of, but which had been lost to the outside world and might only be found in the collections of some large families, perhaps one or two copies.
"Yes, but you should be careful. Much of the knowledge contained within is very dangerous, so don't easily hand it over to others."
Without any hesitation, Nicolas agreed to Bell's request. After all, this knowledge was a precious treasure for wizards, and he had no habit of using knowledge as a burial offering. His original plan was to donate these books to various magic schools before he died.