Chapter 263: Conversations, Finals, and New Wolfsbane Potion
The idea of enabling Squibs to cast magic wasn't uncommon.
However, those who could actually put it into practice with reliable ideas were extremely rare.
This was naturally due to the extreme difficulty of realizing such an idea, but there was also inevitably the reason that wizards simply disdained it and saw no need to expend such great effort and cost to give Squibs magical abilities.
Now that Sean had found a feasible idea and initially put it into reality, both Antonius and Nicolas Flamel felt gratified yet worried. They were both ancient wizards who had existed for countless years and naturally knew what wizarding arrogance would drive them to do.
"Sean, do you know what reaction your invention will cause?"
Hearing his teacher's words, Sean immediately nodded: "Teacher, of course I know. I myself come from a pure-blood family. My parents are Squibs, and I'm clear about how they've been treated since childhood. Later, being in Slytherin where pure-blood supremacy is severe, I also know what pure-blood supremacists are like. So teacher, you can rest assured. Before I possess the power to make those pure-blood supremacists fear me, I won't easily let this thing see the light of day."
Antonius's time was up, and he disappeared from the classroom again.
Sean and Nicolas Flamel left the classroom. On the way, Nicolas Flamel asked Sean: "Sean, do you know what the thesis Master Antonius wants you to continue writing is about?"
Nodding, Sean glanced at Lisa pushing Nicolas Flamel forward and said: "Life Alchemy thesis. Its difficulty is no less than research on the Philosopher's Stone. Without my teacher's previous research and thesis, I might never be able to complete this thesis in my lifetime."
"You don't need to belittle yourself. Your talent is excellent. I've also read your recent improved Wolfsbane Potion thesis in The Golden Cauldron. That special method of processing materials does have some shadows of alchemy."
Ancient alchemy could actually be considered the predecessor of modern chemistry. Sean's chemical thinking approach to processing materials reminded Nicolas Flamel of ancient alchemy.
"Teacher Nicolas, if Life Alchemy truly succeeds, would Miss Lisa here also be able to have her own life?"
Hearing Sean's words, Lisa, who was pushing Nicolas Flamel, suddenly stopped.
Sean was startled and turned to look at Nicolas Flamel. He knew the wheelchair stopping couldn't be Lisa's own will, but Nicolas Flamel's command.
Looking at Sean, Nicolas Flamel smiled and said: "Actually, your teacher's Life Alchemy is my real purpose for coming to Hogwarts." Turning to look at Lisa behind him, Nicolas Flamel continued: "Lisa is like my child. Although she can move and take care of me, she cannot possess self-will. I've always deeply regretted this.
I've also researched Life Alchemy before but never had any leads. Later I received a letter forwarded by Dumbledore that expounded Master Antonius's discourse on Life Alchemy. When I saw those expositions, I knew Lisa had a chance to gain true life. For this, I'm very willing to remain in this world a while longer to personally witness Lisa's revival.
So it's not just your teacher who's watching your achievements in alchemy. I am too. Because Master Antonius will only pass his core research on Life Alchemy to you, I equally look forward to your completion of Life Alchemy to grant Lisa true life."
Hearing Nicolas Flamel's words, Sean asked the question that had long been in his heart.
"Teacher Nicolas, can't even the Philosopher's Stone grant Lisa life?"
"The Philosopher's Stone isn't omnipotent. Perhaps you know that when the Philosopher's Stone was originally created, it was only for making gold and creating wealth. Later I used it to create the Elixir of Life for extending life, but unfortunately, it cannot create life."
"I see."
The two chatted all the way until they parted at the stairwell.
Sean returned to the common room. By this time, there were few people left in the common room. Sean simply washed up before returning to his room to sleep.
Sean's fulfilling life continued until the final exams.
During the exam period, Hermione was pumped up with determination, vowing to trample Sean and Catherine underfoot.
Catherine was the same. She specifically sought out Sean and Hermione to issue a challenge, preparing to settle things once and for all during the exams.
Of course, Sean appeared noncommittal about this, while Hermione and Catherine directly locked horns, both feeling they would get first place, the other would get third, and in both their minds, Sean was the candidate for second place.
The exams lasted a full week.
Who knows what Hogwarts was thinking? They absolutely had to maximise the utility value of the Time-Turner, even creating conflicts in the exam schedule that required using the Time-Turner to resolve.
Speaking of the Time-Turner, at the end of this semester, Hogwarts would collect the Time-Turner. It would only be redistributed next year at the start of school if Sean and the others still chose to take all the elective courses.
And speaking of next year's elective courses, Hermione had already decided to drop Divination and Muggle Studies, while Catherine was planning to drop Muggle Studies and Ancient Runes. Next year neither of them would need to use the Time-Turner. As for Sean, he was preparing as always to take all courses, using the Time-Turner for research in Potions, Alchemy, and Transfiguration.
The period from the end of final exams each year until grades were released was always Sean's most relaxed time.
Especially after the third phase experiment succeeded and the thesis was completed and mailed to The Golden Cauldron editorial department, Sean enjoyed a rare week of rest before diving back into studying alchemy.
"How is it? What are the test results?"
The editor-in-chief looked expectantly at the managing editor. When he saw the managing editor nod heavily, he immediately sat down in his chair with relief. After a long while, he said to the managing editor: "Tell typesetting. Front page headline. This thesis is revolutionary. The improved Wolfsbane Potion costs only about forty percent of the original, and the brewing difficulty has been reduced to an astonishing degree. For werewolf wizards, this is absolutely tremendous good news.
But at the same time, this new Wolfsbane Potion must be strictly controlled. Otherwise, once those werewolves who commit evil deeds get it, it will inevitably cause very serious problems. We must also report this to the Wizengamot and have them coordinate with the Ministry of Magic on this matter. Otherwise, if unrest occurs, neither we nor Master Sean Bulstrode would want to see that!"