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Chapter 108: Elves and Biological Alchemy
"Biological Alchemy?" Wade’s mind flashed to the image of walking tin cans—those peculiar, self-moving metal containers he’d once seen in a restricted section of the library.
Then he recalled what he’d learned from the Books:
"Like the Sorting Hat… or Wizard’s Chess?"
Professor Mor smiled.
"Wizard’s Chess and the Sorting Hat may look similar on the surface, but they’re fundamentally different."
He lifted a finger. On the table, the lid of a box popped open. One by one, the black and white chess pieces marched out, chattering loudly as they scrambled onto the board.
The White Queen glared at Wade. "Hurry up and make your move—do you even have a command?"
A knight shouted from the other side: "Let me charge! I’ll break through their lines!"
Professor Mor tapped the air. Instantly, the pieces fell silent.
"This," he said, "is Wizard’s Chess. Sometimes it gives the illusion that they possess life… that they think. But they don’t. Do you know why?"
Wade thought carefully.
He didn’t play chess often, but he did own a set—fun to watch when he let them battle on their own during idle moments. After observing them enough, he’d noticed something: their behavior was rigid, predictable.
"They always act the same. Say the same things. Occasionally, there’s a tiny variation—but no real growth. No learning from failure."
"Exactly," said Professor Mor. "They’re just cleverly disguised toys pretending to think."
He waved his hand, and the chess pieces obediently returned to the box.
"Infusing thought into lifeless objects—making mirrors, measuring tapes, flying broomsticks seem to have minds of their own—that’s low-level Biological Alchemy."
"But the Sorting Hat is different. The more you talk to it, the more you realize—it’s truly intelligent."
"It doesn’t just follow preset rules. It thinks. Judges. Makes choices on its own—unlike the rigid, formulaic sorting dictated by the four founders."
Wade grimaced inwardly, remembering the moment the Hat had refused him.
Yeah, it had thoughts—too many of them, and most of them were sarcastic.
"But even the Sorting Hat isn’t truly alive," Professor Mor continued. "It has a mind, but it can’t reproduce. It doesn’t metabolize. No life cycle."
"True Biological Alchemy—what the ancients called Life Alchemy—is the art of creating actual living beings. And the most successful work of this craft? You’re already familiar with it."
He paused, eyes gleaming.
"Guess, Wade… what is it?"
Wade lowered his head, thinking.
Biological Alchemy… a true living entity… capable of reproduction… a successful creation…
He’d read about countless magical creatures in his Books—but had only ever encountered a few in real life.
After a moment, he looked up, certain:
"House-elf."
Professor Mor’s smile widened.
"Excellent. House-elf."
"Legend says that long ago, wizards lived isolated from the world, finding daily life inconvenient. So various kinds of spirits emerged from nature itself."
"Goranlin Help Artisans to improve their craft, to make tools."
"Dwarf Sprites helped on farms—some even made shoes for humans."
"Cellar Sprites managed food and wine, though they had a habit of sneaking a drink themselves."
"Cobbers assisted with milking cows, gathering eggs, cleaning yards."
"Brown Sprites were famed for their speed and efficiency—perfect for household chores. But if given payment, they vanished forever."
"Yet, born from the darker side of wizardkind’s thoughts, other spirits arose from swamps, roots, and shadowed forests."
"Goblins caused chaos. Red Hats hunted blood. Witchlings made animals sick. Pucks led travelers astray. Bordaks frightened children at night."
"Some of these spirits are now just myths—no one knows if they ever truly existed. But others… you’ll learn about them in Defensive Magic Against the Dark Arts."
Wade nodded.
"Third-year textbooks mention the Red Hat… So House-elves are descendants of the good spirits?"
Even if the world wasn’t centered entirely on wizards, the legends of the magical realm—no matter how extraordinary they sounded—were likely real.
"Calling them descendants is too kind, Wade," Professor Mor said gently. "In truth, ancient wizards used extreme methods to strip away everything in these spirits that wasn’t useful to humans."
"Things like laziness, theft, pranks… and dignity."
"The first House-elves were born from these experiments."
"But their magic was too weak. Their efficiency dropped sharply. They were even injured by livestock."
So the wizards tried again—this time, they infused them with fairy blood, giving House-elves powerful magic.
"But the fairies? They never saw House-elves as kin."
"Of course not," Professor Mor said slowly. "Fairies are proud. To them, House-elves are beneath them—lowly creatures, unworthy of the title ‘fellow spirit’."
"Once House-elves gained real power, they no longer wished to serve wizards."
"Their ancestors—Brown Sprites, Dwarf Sprites—had worked for wizards, yes, but they did so with pride. If they felt insulted, they’d harbor deep malice toward their masters."
Wade nodded.
"So that’s why History of Magic records the House-elf Uprisings."
"Indeed," Professor Mor sighed. "Though few in number, there were rebellions. Wizards couldn’t bear to destroy such creations—so they kept remaking their minds, erasing their personalities, imprinting absolute obedience into their thoughts."
"To make them the perfect slaves."
"Yet one thing remained—rooted in their very soul, no matter how many times they were rewritten."
"The innate desire for freedom."
"That’s why there’s an unbreakable covenant between wizards and House-elves: when a master gives them clothing, they gain freedom."
"But…" Wade thought of the original story—of the Little Sprites’ attitude toward freedom, and of the one named Shiny, banished from his home.
"I know of Little Sprites who despise freedom. If a master lets them go, they feel shame, agony… they’d rather die than live free."
"Ah," Professor Mor said, his smile now edged with irony. "Agony. Yes."
"Once a House-elf is freed, they are truly free. They can go anywhere—even back to their former master’s home."
"But tell me… have you ever seen a single freed Little Sprite return?"
(End of Chapter)
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