Chapter 259: Lost Art
Chapter 259: Lost Art
Unaware of Dumbledore's encounter with the Lumes, Albert was engrossed in absorbing all the alchemy knowledge shared at the gathering.
This time, he had truly stumbled upon a goldmine.
Although the attendees didn't fully disclose their research, Albert gained valuable insights and substantially boosted his alchemy skill experience. Moreover, most of the witches and wizards were open to staying in touch via owl post, an offer Albert gladly accepted. However, he couldn't help but wonder what made him so popular all of a sudden.
Could it be that they see potential in me? Albert quickly dismissed these thoughts and focused on listening to Adolf's explanation of the crucial principles behind the two-way mirrors.
In the wizarding world, two-way mirrors were not exactly a secret. However, while they used to be all the rage, they had largely disappeared from the market.
"I have a question!" Albert spoke up after Adolf finished his explanation. "Why is it that we hardly see anyone selling two-way mirrors these days?"
"Mr. Anderson, as I mentioned earlier, the craft of creating two-way mirrors has been lost for many years," Adolf replied with a hint of regret.
"You see, while many people understand the basic principles behind these magical mirrors, the knowledge of how to create them died with their maker, Bleurgh Borthside. No one since has been able to replicate his work."
"As I said before, two-way mirrors were once popular in the wizarding world. Back then, there were plenty of them around, and no one bothered with inferior products because they simply wouldn't sell."
As the mirrors broke over time, their numbers dwindled, and they became harder to find in the market. Eventually, the ancient craft of creating them was forgotten, largely due to the fact that mastering both Alchemy and the Transfiguration spell from the Transformation branch of magic was necessary to create them.
The essence of these two-way mirrors lies in the advanced application of the Transfiguration spell, a feat that very few witches and wizards can accomplish.
Even for those adept in Alchemy and the Transfiguration spell, successfully creating a two-way mirror is a challenge. Moreover, magic imbued in objects tends to weaken over time.
Somehow, the two-way mirrors crafted by Bleurgh Borthside didn't suffer from this issue, and until this day, no one has unraveled that mystery.
"It's not surprising, really," Adolf continued. "Many ancient crafts have been lost or rendered obsolete by the passage of time. Take, for instance, the Vanishing Cabinets that were so popular during the First Wizarding War."
"But, sir, I think many people are mistaken about the appeal of two-way mirrors," Albert interjected amicably. "For instance, a pair of my friends who are a couple at Hogwarts would greatly benefit from owning a pair of two-way mirrors to stay in touch after they graduate. It's much faster than writing letters, don't you think?"
At that moment, everyone present was taken aback, and some couldn't help but laugh and nod in agreement. "You make a valid point, and it seems we old folks have grown a bit set in our ways."
Families could use two-way mirrors to communicate with their children at Hogwarts, and couples could do the same—much like a video call. Yet, many had failed to consider these applications.
"Mr. Anderson, you seem particularly interested in two-way mirrors. May I ask why?" Adolf inquired curiously.
"I believe the potential of this technology is immense," Albert explained. "With a two-way mirror, I could communicate regularly with my family without the hassle of writing letters. If we had these mirrors, we could discuss alchemy and other topics without relying on letters or owls, which, despite their convenience, take time for correspondence, and sometimes fail to convey one's thoughts accurately."
"In the Muggle world, there's something called a 'telephone' that allows people in two different places to communicate verbally. The two-way mirror technology takes it a step further, bringing people closer together."
"Brilliant!" Adolf applauded. "If you're keen on delving into two-way mirrors, I'd be happy to share my research with you. And who knows, perhaps one day you'll invent an even better magical mirror. Don't forget to include my name in the credits, though!"
Everyone laughed at his last remark, knowing it was said in jest. The witches and wizards present were beyond the allure of fame and fortune, having already achieved great renown in the wizarding world.
"Thank you for your generosity," Albert said, bowing slightly to the elderly wizard. "If that day comes, I surely will."
The group was intrigued by Albert's enthusiasm for two-way mirrors, even though he had explained his reasoning earlier. They struggled to understand why he saw potential in a technology that seemed obsolete.
Magic was so convenient that witches and wizards rarely felt the distance. If the need arose, a simple Disillusionment Charm or a pinch of Floo powder would instantly transport them to their desired location.
This was one of the reasons two-way mirrors had fallen out of favor—they were no longer a necessity.
However, in Albert's eyes, the technology still held immense value, highlighting the disparity in their thinking.
Albert glanced at his task panel:
Lost Art:
You have come across the knowledge of two-way mirrors and developed an interest in them. This art has been lost for many years. Recover this lost art and recreate a pair of two-way mirrors.
Reward: 10,000 experience, 1 skill point, Two-Way Mirror skill level +1, Wizarding World Reputation +500.
"What are these Vanishing Cabinets you mentioned?" Albert asked.
"Vanishing Cabinets work in pairs, much like two-way mirrors," Smith replied. "They serve as portals between two locations. If you place an object in one cabinet, it will appear in the other cabinet instantaneously."
"Vanishing Cabinets were extremely popular during the First Wizarding War. When under attack by Death Eaters, people could use the cabinets to escape to a different location."
"Of course, there are a couple of drawbacks," Smith continued. "Firstly, the cost of creating a pair of Vanishing Cabinets is exorbitantly high. Secondly, if the cabinets break, they require professional repair before they can be used again. In today's peaceful times, such expensive magical items are simply not practical."
To Albert, the Vanishing Cabinets sounded akin to teleportation portals. Indeed, the wizarding world's teleportation magic was so advanced that the Vanishing Cabinets had been all but forgotten. After all, compared to a pinch of Floo powder that could take one anywhere, the cabinets were costly and inconvenient.
Nevertheless, in Albert's eyes, every piece of ancient knowledge held value, and the Vanishing Cabinets were no exception.
(End of Chapter)
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