Nicolas Flal?! Hearing this na from outside the door, even though Ciel had witnessed many things different from the original story during his year at Hogwarts, he still widened his eyes with montary ntal blankness.
This na was simply too thunderous to ignore. An alchemical master who had lived over 600 years, the only person in the magical world who could create the Philosopher's Stone, representing the pinnacle of alchemy for centuries.
Even the entire first year of Harry Potter's story revolved around the Philosopher's Stone as its core. Such an existence made even Dumbledore seem sowhat dim in comparison.
Ciel truly hadn't expected Nicolas Flal to visit Hogwarts on this deep night. This wasn't in the original story at all?
But monts later, he suddenly recalled a passage from the original, his gaze becoming uncertain. He rembered that in the original, after Harry awakened, he quickly asked Dumbledore about the Philosopher's Stone's status.
Dumbledore told Harry he'd discussed it with Nicolas Flal, and the Stone had been destroyed, so Harry needn't worry. But thinking carefully, such hasty destruction of the Philosopher's Stone seed quite strange.
After all, the Philosopher's Stone could be said to be one of the most precious items in the magical world. Even if Nicolas Flal no longer valued it so highly, Dumbledore, whether for safety considerations or other reasons, should be more cautious.
Destroying the Philosopher's Stone shouldn't be done without even eting Nicolas Flal face-to-face, right? Even a normal person wouldn't be so hasty when handling a friend's belongings.
He had thought this was just a flaw in the original story. But now, thinking carefully, perhaps Dumbledore's words to Harry in the original were just to comfort Harry and prevent excessive worry.
In reality, the Philosopher's Stone was still in Dumbledore's hands. Destruction was certainly planned, but they'd definitely wait for Nicolas Flal to co. Complete the destruction at a secret place and ti; do not announce it publicly.
Now, Nicolas Flal's visit might be precisely to personally destroy the Philosopher's Stone. But this also left him sowhat puzzled.
If Nicolas Flal was most likely here to destroy the Philosopher's Stone, why would he specifically co here? He didn't think Nicolas Flal and Dumbledore were wandering around bored at night and sohow got lost here.
Lost at Hogwarts? Dumbledore wasn't that senile yet. But despite countless questions in his mind, he couldn't keep Dumbledore and Nicolas Flal waiting outside.
Taking a deep breath, he opened the greenhouse door. Imdiately, the first figure to et his eyes was Dumbledore's tall form with greying hair and beard.
However, now Dumbledore stepped back slightly, seemingly showing respect, letting another figure stand before him. His gaze fell on this unfamiliar figure.
Undoubtedly, this was naturally Nicolas Flal. But Nicolas Flal's appearance wasn't like he had imagined, another white-haired elderly man. Quite the opposite.
(TL NOTE: I think the Author didn't watch "Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them")
Nicolas Flal appeared to be about fifty or sixty years old, in his pri. Most of his hair remained black with only slight greyish patches. If he hadn't said so, probably no one would think this was the "immortal" who'd lived over 600 years.
He even looked two generations younger than Dumbledore! Seeing his surprised expression, Dumbledore smiled and said: "Ciel, won't you invite us in?"
He ca to his senses, repeatedly apologising while stepping aside to let these two top wizards of the magical world enter. Nicolas Flal showed no annoyance or pride whatsoever, his face full of relaxed, pleasant smiles.
He even sincerely apologised to Ciel for the late-night disturbance. Then he looked at the greenhouse before him, his eyes showing rich nostalgia:
"Hogwarts. I haven't been here for centuries. The greenhouse is still as thriving as it was back then. How wonderful."
Then, seeing his sowhat puzzled expression, Nicolas Flal proactively explained: "Though I'm French and attended Beauxbatons during school, travelling through Europe's magical world was fashionable after graduation."
"Generally speaking, the three major magical schools were popular travel destinations. I disliked Durmstrang's atmosphere, so I imdiately chose to visit Hogwarts first."
When ntioning this, Nicolas Flal's face filled with nostalgia as he recounted that day's scene in detail: "That day was also the end of the House Cup. Coincidentally, it was also Hufflepuff winning."
"When I arrived, Hufflepuff banners flew above Hogwarts with grand celebrations. Before I could even state my purpose, enthusiastic little badgers poured wine."
"That night, I spent the night directly in Hufflepuff's common room. Starting the next day, I discussed magic with many excellent Hufflepuff students. Ha ha, that was an unforgettable experience."
But monts later, Nicolas Flal shook his head slightly: "In the blink of an eye, everything has changed. My friends from then are basically all in portraits now. This is the downside of living too long."
"An old immortal like can now only rely on revisiting old places to recall truly youthful feelings."
But soon, Nicolas Flal recovered from this sentintality. He winked at Ciel, saying rather mysteriously: "However, young Mr Sprout, I ca specifically to visit you this ti. In a certain sense, we actually have quite a connection."
This left him even more puzzled. What connection could he have with Nicolas Flal? The Sprout family had never ntioned having a distant relative nad Nicolas.
As he puzzled over this, Nicolas Flal laughed heartily: "When I was at Hufflepuff College, I drank nectar brewed by Lady Hufflepuff herself. rlin above, that taste has remained wonderfully unforgettable throughout these centuries."
"I think young Mr Sprout must have also tasted that cup of nectar?"
Hearing this, he imdiately understood. Nicolas Flal had also once received Lady Hufflepuff's gifts? Seeing his expression, Nicolas Flal nodded, his face full of solemnity and reverence:
"Lady Hufflepuff's ideals were incredibly great. At that ti, even though the three major magical schools were established, the magical world still had strong tendencies toward self-protection."
"I thought my visit to Hogwarts wouldn't go smoothly, but the results were beyond my expectations. Not only did the little badgers then warmly welco , but Lady Hufflepuff herself opened mysterious doors for ."
"Even though I wasn't a Hogwarts student, I still received her enthusiastic hospitality. Even her magical insights were taught to without reservation."
"Her guidance helped trendously, even directly influencing my later alchemy. Without her, my alchemy definitely wouldn't have reached its current heights."
"So in a sense, I'm actually half a Hufflepuff student."
Only now did Nicolas Flal reveal his reason for specifically visiting the greenhouse late at night: "Before coming, I heard from Dumbledore in his letter about the chaos caused by the Philosopher's Stone this ti."
"I also heard about your performance, young Mr Sprout. Just then, a strong premonition seized . I realised that an excellent young wizard like you would definitely receive Lady Hufflepuff's gifts."
"This premonition even told I must co personally. This matter is very important."
Hearing this, even Dumbledore looked surprised. This was his first ti learning that Nicolas Flal's specific visit to Ciel ca from a mysterious premonition?
But Dumbledore didn't find this absurd. Instead, his expression beca as serious as Nicolas Flal's. At their level of magical mastery, their trust in premonitions was extrely high.
Sixth sense and prophecy weren't illusions but truly possessed mysterious power. What matter could give Nicolas Flal such strong premonitions?
Now Nicolas Flal looked at Ciel, carefully observing him before showing amazent and complex emotions: "Now it seems I truly ca at the right ti."
"I originally thought young Mr Sprout had simply received Lady Hufflepuff's gifts like I did long ago. Though such things are rare, across long ti spans, so wizards have had this honour."
"But I didn't expect Lady Hufflepuff to pass her will to you. You can completely be called Lady Hufflepuff's true heir."
Hearing this, his pupils contracted slightly. He hadn't expected Nicolas Flal to see at a glance that Lady Hufflepuff's will had been passed to him?
Mysterious. This alchemical master was simply unfathomable. In so sense, he gave him feelings even more profound than Dumbledore.
Thinking about it, Quirrell could have known before school started that the Philosopher's Stone was hidden in Dumbledore's underground vault. With his intelligence capabilities, couldn't he find Nicolas Flal's hermitage location?
Rather than break into Hogwarts knowing Dumbledore had preparations, why not directly find Nicolas Flal? Capture him, use Imperius or Cruciatus to make Nicolas write letters demanding the Stone's return, or simply have him make a new Philosopher's Stone. Wouldn't that be better?
Or at worst, Nicolas Flal's elixir of life also possessed so of the Philosopher's Stone's effects, enough to sustain Quirrell for a long ti. Why hadn't Quirrell tried this approach?
This proved that in Quirrell's view, seizing the Philosopher's Stone from Nicolas Flal might be even more terrifying than facing Dumbledore at Hogwarts!
Moreover, thinking deeper, Nicolas Flal possessing the Philosopher's Stone was common knowledge. Over the past centuries, why had no wizard ever dared seek out Nicolas Flal to rob the Stone?
Obviously, a wizard capable of creating the Philosopher's Stone couldn't possibly be weak. His magical mastery might even exceed Dumbledore's and Voldemort's!
Now Dumbledore's expression also showed great surprise. The four founders had all left legacies at Hogwarts, but these legacies maintained extre independence.
Neither house heads nor Hogwarts headmasters had authority to interfere. They wouldn't even know who obtained the legacies. If not for Nicolas Flal bringing this up, even Dumbledore wouldn't know Ciel hadn't rely gained Lady Hufflepuff's recognition but had beco her true heir.
But how did Nicolas Flal know? Facing their confused gazes, Nicolas Flal calmly explained:
"At that ti, Lady Hufflepuff entertained for quite a while. Her preserved will even personally cooked a table full of delicious food."
"Precisely because of this, I'm so familiar with her will's aura. That's how I sensed Lady Hufflepuff's will remaining on you, Ciel."
Then, after pondering briefly, Nicolas Flal made another proposal that made both Dumbledore and Ciel widen their eyes: "Ciel, I originally ca to destroy the Philosopher's Stone."
"After destroying it, I planned to settle affairs with my wife, then welco our deaths. Regarding my alchemy, considering the chaos the Philosopher's Stone has caused, I intended to let it disappear from the world forever with us."
"But now, I've changed my mind." Nicolas Flal looked at him: "Lady Hufflepuff's heir, are you interested in inheriting my alchemy?"
"Consider it my way of repaying Lady Hufflepuff's cultivation and your performance in the Forbidden Forest trial. I think entrusting my alchemy to you would be an excellent choice."
"If you're willing, I'll spend my remaining years fully training you, teaching you all the essence of my alchemy."
Hearing Nicolas Flal's proposal, not just Ciel but even Dumbledore was nearly speechless with surprise. Others might not clearly understand how powerful Nicolas Flal's alchemy truly was, but Dumbledore had collaborated with him and had considerable alchemical research himself.
He understood Nicolas Flal's profound alchemical mastery all too well. Without exaggeration, with Dumbledore's extraordinary talents, few magical fields could earn his serious attention.
But in alchemy, Dumbledore considered himself a learning infant compared to Nicolas Flal. He even suspected Nicolas Flal's alchemy might have broken through modern alchemy's limits, approaching the incredible ancient alchemy recorded in myths!
Throughout history, Nicolas Flal was alchemy's foremost master. Naturally, many people desperately pursued Nicolas Flal, trying to beco his student.
Even young Dumbledore had once written to Nicolas Flal, hoping to beco his teacher. But even Dumbledore hadn't made Nicolas Flal break precedent.
This once made the then-confident Dumbledore feel so defeat. Until Nicolas Flal wrote, telling Dumbledore that refusing students wasn't due to insufficient talent but because he'd once taken a student long ago who caused great mistakes, making him swear off accepting students.
Dumbledore could only give up helplessly. Though they later collaborated in discovering dragon blood's twelve uses, not becoming Nicolas Flal's student remained one of young Dumbledore's regrets.
Now, hearing Nicolas Flal intended to accept Ciel as a disciple, Dumbledore took a deep breath. If he could beco Nicolas Flal's student, the benefits would be countless.
Therefore, Dumbledore imdiately looked at him as if urging him not to hesitate and quickly agree. This was a once-in-a-millennium opportunity!
He felt Dumbledore's gaze and naturally understood what a montous opportunity this was. Otherwise, how could even Dumbledore lose composure?
His heartbeat accelerated continuously as scenes flashed through his mind. Studying alchemy, creating the Philosopher's Stone, and alchemical products shocking the magical world.
But after thinking of these, his originally excited mood gradually cooled. He began asking himself a question: Having opportunities was naturally good, but was alchemy truly suitable for him? Did he really like this field?
He fell into choice and contemplation. Dumbledore showed bitter smiles. This child truly didn't understand how precious this opportunity was. Still hesitating now?
Nicolas Flal didn't mind, maintaining his smiling expression while waiting for his decision. But monts later, having thought clearly, he looked determined.
Under Dumbledore's encouraging gaze, he looked at Nicolas Flal. But his words shocked both Dumbledore and Nicolas Flal:
"I'm sorry, Master Nicolas. I think I'm not a suitable candidate to inherit your alchemy."
Dumbledore unprecedentedly raised his voice: "Ciel?!"
Nicolas Flal showed an interested expression, looking at him and asking: "Can you tell the reason?"
He said seriously: "I don't know much about alchemy. But I know the Philosopher's Stone's power. Transforming material composition, immortality. Possessing it ans having countless wealth and ti. All worldly entanglents and troubles beco almost aningless before the Stone's power."
Nicolas Flal raised an eyebrow: "Knowing this, you still choose to refuse? Young Mr Sprout, I sincerely want to teach you alchemy."
He showed a grateful smile: "I'm very grateful for your appreciation and kindness. But I consider my talent insufficient."
"Ordinary magic is already profound and mysterious for , requiring extraordinary effort. Much less alchemy, which has defeated so many geniuses?"
"Not to embarrass you, but I've also flipped through 'Introduction to Alchemy' in the library. I truly couldn't understand a single word."
"If I were all-talented, I'd definitely consider it. But now, I feel herbology suits better. Rather than investing energy in alchemy, I prefer deeply researching herbology. I love farming above all else."
This answer left Dumbledore stunned while showing strange appreciation in his eyes. Looking at Ciel with additional admiration.
But Nicolas Flal, after initial surprise, suddenly burst into laughter full of praise: "Lady Hufflepuff's heir truly possesses excellent qualities that ordinary people lack! Remarkable, truly remarkable."
He shook his head self-deprecatingly: "It's just insufficient ability and talent. If I had enough talent, I'd love to study all worldly magic."
Nicolas Flal replied seriously: "No, no, no. Having self-awareness and understanding trade-offs is itself a remarkable ability."
"Sotis many geniuses possess extrely high magical talents. I've seen higher alchemical talent than mine. But such geniuses are often arrogant, always feeling omnipotent, lacking this self-recognition and trade-off ability."
Speaking these words, Nicolas Flal's eyes showed profound depths with sadness and pain flickering through his pupils, as if recalling unbearable past events: "If my forr student had possessed your self-awareness and trade-off ability, perhaps..."
Then Nicolas Flal sighed deeply, imdiately changing topics: "Well, since you've made this choice, I can't force you."
He smiled bitterly: "Seems my alchemy truly must go to the grave with . Hope no one cos digging my tomb for this knowledge."
Now Ciel suddenly recalled sothing. After hesitating briefly, he said: "Master Nicolas, though I cannot inherit your alchemy, I know a possibly suitable candidate. Capable and responsible, with extraordinary alchemical talent. Just perhaps a bit old. Could you give him a chance?"
Nicolas Flal paused but soon nodded pleasantly: "Age isn't a problem. Since it's your recomndation, young Mr Sprout, I trust this candidate must be extraordinary."
Speaking thus, Nicolas Flal took out an alchemical notebook and handed it to him: "This records so of my preliminary alchemical insights and experiences. You can give it to your friend."
"I have about five years left. During this ti, he can write with any questions. I'll definitely teach everything I know."
He took a deep breath, expressing gratitude to Nicolas Flal. Though not personal instruction, one of Nicolas Flal's notebooks would be of unimaginable value in the magical world.
Countless magical families and hermit master wizards would probably willingly give everything to exchange for this notebook. Thus, the troll priest Sirius's alchemical talents should receive maximum cultivation and developnt.
Might there be so possibility of truly inheriting Nicolas Flal's mantle? His thoughts churned.
But now Nicolas Flal took out a crystalline stone. His gaze was involuntarily drawn to this object. With his current magical perception, he could clearly sense the stone contained unimaginably vast magical power.
Without thinking, he knew what this stone was: "This is the Philosopher's Stone?!"
Nicolas Flal nodded, looking at it without any attachnt. Then he looked at him, extending an invitation: "Since young Mr Sprout declined becoming my student, at least don't refuse my next invitation?"
"How about observing the Philosopher's Stone destruction ritual?" He winked mysteriously: "Perhaps this will bring you so unexpected benefits."
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