Even with his legs trembling from weakness, Theo couldn't help punching the air when the System prompts bloomed.
Way of Elixirs, Profound Communion—unlocked!
And the Soul-Calling had gone even better than he'd hoped: he and Snape were now bound as brothers-in-life-and-death—and he'd even received the Nine-Dragon Divine Fire Shield: Method of Forging.
It was the fiercest forging-method Theo had ever gained. In raw lethality, the Five-Colour Stones and the standard armaments from the Flying Tiger Manual weren't even fit to carry its case!
Once deployed, it sealed an enemy off from the world; nine dragons of True Samadhi Fire wheeled within, refusing to stop until their foe was ash.
It both trapped and slew; its record across the mythic wars was illustrious, rarely bested—an artefact among artefacts.
Only pity: even in the old myths it was almost impossible to forge; the Perfected Jade Cauldron's own piece was singular—what hope had Theo in the wizarding world?
Then he smiled. He needn't craft the perfect original. Even a lesser imitation would make him unstoppable here.
Besides, the method surely contained the way to kindle True Samadhi Fire, and the arts of shaping flame.
If he could glean even a sliver, even Dumbledore's famed phoenix-fire would have to take a respectful step back.
Let the old man see what true Samadhi Fire was!
While Theo exulted, Snape took in the boy's pallor and felt a stab of guilt.
Is he rejoicing because he let me see Lily again? What a child…
This was no Voldemort.
Voldemort did not understand such feeling—still less would he expend precious strength for it at a critical time.
Snape uncorked a treasured restorative and held it to Theo's lips.
It was no elixir—but for a Potions Master's brew, the results were superb. Warmth flooded Theo's body; the gaping drain left by Soul-Calling eased.
Then Earth-Spirit Primordial Soul and Dining on Wind & Drinking Dew stirred; vitality began to soak back into muscle and magic. From rock bottom, he started, slowly, to climb. Colour returned to his cheeks.
Snape cleared his throat.
"What was that magic? How did you do it?"
Theo could hardly mention the System. He let a carefully measured puzzlement cross his face.
*"Honestly… I don't quite know. I've always been able to talk with animals. I thought it was like Parseltongue—but broader.
"After coming to the castle—seeing the ghosts and portraits—and learning magic, I began to feel the gift might extend to souls as well. With a proper conduit, I can call them back. If my gift keeps growing… I may be able to anchor a soul here permanently."*
Snape's eyes flashed with shock.
To hold a soul, permanently?
Such a gift had no peer in magical history.
Even the Resurrection Stone could not do that.
Once, he would have scoffed—called it a charlatan's lie.
But he had seen Lily called back. Hope sparked despite himself.
Heaven's design? he wondered.
As Harry Potter entered Hogwarts… Lily would return as well?
If the soul existed, then crafting a body with Potions would be far easier than true resurrection. That was within Snape's grasp.
"How long until you can hold a soul?" he asked, urgent.
Theo winced inwardly. That didn't depend only on him.
Still—after all this grace to Snape, surely he could… fund a little progress?
"Professor, I'm too drained. Calling Auntie Lily cost a lot. To reach the point of holding her here… I'm afraid it may take until I graduate."
"Graduate… seven years," Snape muttered, biting his lip.
Once, he might have borne that wait.
But after meeting Lily's soul, each minute was a torture.
Theo gently shifted tack.
"However… with certain potion ingredients, I might accelerate my gift's growth. It could be much faster."
Snape exhaled.
"Ingredients? That I can manage."
He flicked his wand. A display case swung open.
"These are common. They look dear, but they're not. I keep them there because some foolish Gryffindors try to break into my office, so I let them nick the obvious things. They can't tell what's truly valuable. They pinch Polyjuice Potion reagents and think themselves daring. Hmph—troll-brained."
With another wand-flick: "Revelio."
In the corner of the desk a delicate coffer revealed itself.
Snape slid it aside; within yawned an entrance like a cellar, steps leading down.
Theo peered in—rows upon rows of phials, and shelves crammed with materials.
He sucked a breath.
So this was the real hoard? Not for nothing was he a Potions Master—positively dripping with wealth.
Theo didn't stand on ceremony; he stepped down.
Many items were strange; One Thousand Magical Herbs and Fungi didn't even list them. He couldn't name half.
Luckily, the Seven-Apertures Heart let him sense properties—whether they suited his needs.
He paced the aisles, hands flying, filling his leather pouch.
Dragon tooth, storm-aspected—lightning work, perhaps extinct. Good for thunder elixirs; should boost Command Wind & Thunder.
This herb is brimming with life-force—perfect for curatives.
…
As he neared the end, his gaze snagged on a bone shaped like a tiger's.
It throbbed with power—stronger than fire-drake stock—surely from some long-vanished magical beast.
His Seven-Apertures Heart sang: this tiger-bone could serve as the primary component for the Flying Tiger Manual's Flying Tiger Pill!
A single Flying Tiger Pill strengthens blood and bone—and grants power. A mundane who swallows one can match a cultivator; a cultivator gains days of progress.
The three thousand Flying Tiger elites took them yearly—so fierce they could hew gods!
Theo's heart blazed.
*"I thought gathering these would be hard—and here it is.
"At last I'll taste a true mythic elixir. About time!"*
He emerged with a bulging pouch, an apologetic look on his face.
"Sorry, Professor—I may have taken a bit much. Is that… overstepping?"
Snape frowned—in concern.
"Is that enough? Take more. I can auction potions and skin those pure-blood fops alive—they're rich and clueless. I fleece them regularly and they thank me."
Theo was silent.
Right. Snape's richer than he'd thought. Hagrid couldn't compete.
Next time I'll bring a trunk with the Undetectable Extension Charm.
But for now…
He drew a deep breath and declined the extra round.
The Way of Elixirs beckoned; the Flying Tiger Pill was within reach. He could not wait a second longer.
Hooking Harry up by the collar, Theo strode out of Snape's office.
Next: claim the talent—light the furnace—refine the pill!
◇ BONUS & SUPPORT ◇
◇ 1 bonus chapter for every 10 reviews — drop a comment!
◇ 1 bonus chapter for every 100 Power Stones.
◇ Read 60 chapters ahead on P@treon → patreon.com/StrawHatStudios