"Ding-dong—"
The familiar chime rang again, and the elevator doors silently opened.
Light spilled in from outside, and Vid instinctively squinted his eyes; then he saw a grand hall, resplendent in gold.
Long deep red curtains hung down, with walls adorned with various paintings, and strange statues of magical creatures occasionally opened their mouths, yawned, or wagged their tails, as if they were real animals.
Shelves and bookcases displayed various magic items like crystal balls, peeping mirrors, and enchanted teapots. Inside a transparent glass jar, a ribbon was slowly swirling and dancing.
The long table was laden with snacks and drinks for anyone to take freely, many of which Vid had never seen before, and some even gave off a glow.
However, there weren't too many people in the hall, probably only twenty or thirty, about a third of whom were brought by elders or teachers, much like Vid.
But among them, he was the only one so young.
Vid knew that everyone here today was an Alchemist.
Alchemists might seem quite ordinary individually, but when gathered together, their unique aura becomes remarkably prominent.
Different from ordinary wizards and regular Muggles, they combine the aura of mystical scholars with scientific researchers, even if they're among a lively crowd, they seem immersed in their own world.
Compared to them, Professor Morry was quite "down-to-earth."
As they entered, someone soon approached Professor Morry to greet him.
"You're here too, Morry."
A brown-haired, burly wizard walked over and said.
"Long time no see, Orlando," Professor Morry said. "Gul claimed that he discovered notes left by ancient wizards, so of course, I had to come and see."
"I'm here for a look at the magic mirror that supposedly communicates with the dead," the brown-haired wizard said. "Aside from the legend of the Resurrection Stone, I've never seen a magic item that can break the barrier between life and death!"
"Sounds like a hoax."
"I know... but what if? Gul probably wouldn't just make things up, would he?"
After speaking, the brown-haired wizard turned his gaze to Vid.
"Morry, is this child——"
Vid slightly bowed ceremoniously.
"My student, Vid Gray," Professor Morry coughed softly, affecting a casual demeanor. "You must have heard of his name."
"Of course—of course—" Orlando's eyes widened in surprise. "I didn't expect... he actually is this... this young... so astonishing..."
He solemnly extended his hand. "Hello, young Mr. Gray."
"Hello, Mr. Orlando, I've read many of your papers," Vid replied respectfully.
Orlando's expression evidently pleased Professor Morry, who suppressed his upward curling lips, smiling with restraint as he said:
"Yes, he's only in his third year, but he's already invented the Friendship Book and the Poppet Pet, oh, and recently popularized the Flow Mirror."
"I know, I've bought them all."
Orlando thoughtfully looked at Vid and suddenly said,
"Dear Vid, would you consider studying at Beauxbatons? Our school has the prettiest girls in all of France, and Nicolas Flamel is one of our governors."
Professor Morry's expression changed, and he said in an unfriendly tone, "Hey, Orlando! Did you forget I'm still here?"
"What does it matter? You can come too. After all, your courses at Hogwarts aren't many."
Orlando casually responded, then turned back to Vid: "Of course, if you've grown tired of Morry's teaching style, I can also teach you a different kind of Alchemy."
"Thank you," Vid said, half-laughing and half-crying. "Hogwarts is great, I've got no plans to transfer for now."
"Well, if you ever change your mind, you can always contact me. Even if not to transfer, you could just visit."
Orlando pulled out a Friendship Book, handing it to Vid.
Vid naturally accepted it.
The bell at the doorway rang again, signaling the arrival of other Alchemists. As the elevator doors opened and closed, Vid noticed the girl who was welcoming guests in the foyer was inside.
He felt a bit surprised.
Earlier, when he and Professor Morry came up, the girl had merely helped press the button and then waited outside the elevator, never accompanying them up or down.
Soon, the elevator doors shut, and in that brief moment before closing, the girl looked up, and her gaze met Vid's once again.
This time, there was no shyness or curiosity in her eyes, only a serene calmness.
"Professor," Vid asked softly, "When you attended exhibitions before, was it in this place?"
"Hmm? Of course not, Gul always likes to randomly choose some interesting places,"
Professor Morry replied, "Sometimes on a cruise, sometimes in an amusement park, and once in a cemetery."
"Then... that girl upstairs, have you seen her before?" Vid continued to ask.
"No, probably one of Gul's employees?" Professor Morry said. "He likes to hire a few Duds or wizards with low magic power as attendants."
Vid touched the pen pouch hanging at his waist and didn't say anything more.
He felt a slight unease deep down, but also wondered... perhaps he was overthinking it.
In the wizard's gathering places, both people and buildings naturally wouldn't conform to ordinary norms.
Just then, the hall suddenly echoed with the sound of dinging and clanging, like raindrops splashing against bluestone.
Immediately, all the statues simultaneously spewed golden sparks onto the empty ground, igniting roaring flames, and then a wizard in a red robe emerged from the fire, leaning on his staff.
"It's merely a Freezing Charm!" Professor Morry remarked disdainfully. "Gul still loves to make a show."
The red-robed wizard, Gul, spread his arms wide, and called out loudly: "Welcome! Welcome everyone to my exhibition; this time, I'm showcasing carefully selected, ancient, and powerful magic items. If anyone wishes to research or collect them, you're welcome to contact me after the exhibition ends!"
"Cut the nonsense!" A bald old wizard said impatiently. "Get to the point!"
The surrounding Alchemists nodded in agreement.
"...Alright."
Gul quietly put down his speech that was at least two feet long, then struck his staff heavily on the ground.
"Boom!"
Invisible waves spread out, and the floor beneath seemed to ripple along.
Then, seven stone platforms rose around, each displaying a magic item, covered by a transparent magic barrier.
Everyone picked an item that caught their interest and moved closer.
Vid also took a look around—
A teapot with strange patterns, a wooden carved brass mirror, an old notebook, a stone tablet inscribed with ancient characters, a sword without a scabbard, a gold necklace, and a thorny wreath.
Vid's expression turned peculiar.
He had opened his second sight, expecting to see profound magic patterns, incomplete yet mysterious formations, magic steeped in the ages, and echoes of magic lost to ancient times.
But there was nothing.
Nothing at all.
The items that seemed so full of mystery appeared plain and pallid in his vision.