Chapter 244: Before the Meeting
"Nicolas, you mean that Master Antonius is very likely wandering between the world of the living and the world of the dead, so he appears and wanders at fixed times each week due to his obsession and disappears from the world of the living when the time comes?"
Nodding, Nicolas said: "That's right, exactly. However, these are my speculations. I'm not certain whether Master Antonius is really like this. Unless I can conduct a detailed examination, I cannot be completely sure."
"Then, what if Master Antonius really is like this?"
"Then I'm afraid he won't be able to stay in the world of the living for much longer. Dumbledore, you know that ghosts as existences cannot actually exist eternally. Sooner or later they must go to the world of the dead.
Even the four house ghosts of your Hogwarts, blessed with magic from the four founders, can only exist at Hogwarts for a sufficiently long period. Over time, they too will gradually fade away and go to the world of the dead.
This Master Antonius has already existed for quite a long time. I'm afraid he doesn't have much time left to continue lingering in the world of the living."
"If that's the case, it would truly be regrettable."
"There are no eternally existing things in this world, are there?"
Having said this, both Nicolas Flamel and Dumbledore fell silent, simultaneously picking up their teacups from the table and gently sipping the scalding tea.
It wasn't only Nicolas Flamel and Dumbledore drinking tea at this moment. The editor-in-chief of The Golden Cauldron was also drinking tea.
He looked at the thesis the managing editor had brought him, his expression serious and composed as he opened the paper.
This was Sean's second-phase thesis on modifying the Wolfsbane Potion formula, listing other materials that could be substituted. Since the number of materials involved was extremely large, the thesis was also very long. The editor-in-chief read through the contents while studying them. After a full hour, he finally set down the thesis and let out a long breath.
"A genius in Potions...
The Golden Cauldron Award is given every three years. He very likely has an excellent chance of winning it."
Hearing this, the managing editor was slightly startled and asked: "Editor-in-chief, although this thesis has extraordinary significance, it can't really be considered innovative content, can it?"
"Not innovative content? Who says? Take out the completed modified Wolfsbane Potion formula and see how much difference there is from the original Wolfsbane Potion."
The managing editor was stunned for a moment, then after thinking it over, slowly nodded: "If that's the case, then there really isn't much of a problem. The awards ceremony should be in July this year, right? I wonder if we'll be able to meet this Master Sean Bulstrode then."
The Golden Cauldron editorial department had long since classified Sean among the ranks of Potions masters. After all, his thesis research had reached the level of a Potions master. As for his age, in these people's view, it was merely a symbol that couldn't prove anything.
"Master Sean's two theses are written perfectly, and the experimental data is also fine. But there's one issue here. The fusion agent mentioned in the thesis. If this thing can be created, then the contents of these two theses can truly be integrated, and the new Wolfsbane Potion can be truly completed. Otherwise, his thesis's influence still cannot match the original Wolfsbane Potion."
Sean's research on the new Wolfsbane Potion was divided into three phases in total. The final and most important third phase was the fusion agent.
However, unlike the concerns of the Golden Cauldron editor-in-chief and others, Sean wasn't too worried about the fusion agent issue. In fact, when he sent out the second-phase thesis, the fusion agent experiments had already been more than half completed. Only the final adjustments needed to be made before the fusion agent development could be officially completed.
"Professor, what do you think of my idea?"
Snape looked at Sean, frowning slightly: "Hogwarts does indeed have some vacant classrooms and rooms, but Hogwarts may not approve the expenses needed for a laboratory. That's a very large sum of money."
"Professor, what if I fund this project with a sum of money and, after I leave Hogwarts, turn this laboratory over to Hogwarts' Potions professor? What do you think then?"
Raising an eyebrow slightly, Snape looked at Sean. He had almost forgotten that Sean had previously written the thesis for the new mental recovery potion and, having the patent for the new mental recovery potion, was now completely well-off financially.
"If that's the case, I think Hogwarts should have no reason to refuse." Looking at Sean, Snape seemed to have completely forgotten about catching Sean going out the other night, and continued: "I'll discuss this matter with the headmaster as soon as possible. There should be results within a week."
"Then thank you, Professor. If there's nothing else, I'll leave first."
"Mm."
Snape knew that today was Saturday, also the day Sean studied alchemy.
Moreover, Snape had heard that Nicolas Flamel was also going to meet Sean's teacher today. Snape was indifferent about this. How could a ghost who could only be seen twice a week for two hours each time compete with him? When it came to competing for students, Snape was very confident.
Sean went directly to the headmaster's office. Today was the day for Nicolas Flamel to meet Antonius. Dumbledore didn't plan to participate, so Sean would lead Nicolas Flamel to the meeting place. The vacant third-floor classroom where Sean usually had his lessons.
When Sean spoke the password and entered the headmaster's office, Nicolas Flamel, who had stayed at Hogwarts for one night, was already waiting there. Seeing Sean arrive, he immediately said with a smile: "Even younger than I imagined, but that's right. You're only in third year this year, so being young is normal."
"Professor Dumbledore, Mr. Flamel, and this... lady."
Watching Sean bow to him, Dumbledore smiled and nodded. He wasn't the main character this time, so he didn't say much.
Instead, Nicolas Flamel looked at Sean with something like the feeling of looking at his own junior: "Her name is Lisa. She's an alchemical puppet I created. Unfortunately, I've never had a breakthrough in this technology, so Lisa has been unable to possess her own life and will. Therefore, she cannot respond to your words."
Alchemical puppet?
Alchemy could create such things?
Antonius's teaching emphasised gradual progression. He rarely mentioned things that were beyond Sean's current level, so this was Sean's first time learning about alchemical puppets. Naturally quite curious, he kept looking her over.