https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-44-The-First-Alchemical-Creation/12572172/
https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-46-Notice-of-Prohibition-on-Magic-Use/12572197/
Chapter 45: Book of Friends
Chapter 45: Book of Friends
Victor was well aware of the significance of the "telephone". However, he assumed that since Muggles already had mobile phones and the internet, the introduction of instant communication to the wizarding world wasn't that groundbreaking.
After all, wizards already had tools like the two-way mirror for "video calls". Parchment's advantage was merely its affordability, and the spells involved were simple and easy to understand. One could say that the prerequisites for its creation were already possessed by wizards hundreds of years ago; it was just that, for some unknown reason, no one seemed to think in that direction.
Victor maintained a smile on his face, hoping that Professor Mori would understand his implication—that he was open to discussing the research results, that the glory should be shared by all, and that he shouldn't be impulsive and lose his temper, let alone resort to violence.
Otherwise, he would have no choice but to retaliate.
Victor didn't truly believe that Hogwarts under Dumbledore was absolutely safe; after all, the 'Obliviate' and 'Avada Kedavra' curses weren't that difficult to cast.
But Professor Mori didn't seem to get the hint. He refuted without hesitation, "Why wouldn't it count? The American continent existed thousands of years ago, but Columbus, who discovered it, is still revered as a hero! Dumbledore discovered twelve uses for dragon blood. Doesn't that mean people were researching dragon blood before? Of course not! My boy, there's nothing shameful about standing on the shoulders of giants. What matters is that you are the first one to invent it! Wait, I need to write a couple of letters!"
Victor's racing heart slowed down.
He suddenly realized that Professor Mori had no intention of monopolizing his alchemical achievements. He was genuinely happy for Victor.
However, Professor Mori's expressive demeanor and overly excited gaze had inadvertently made Victor feel threatened.
He slowly regulated his breathing and heartbeat, realizing that his current mindset was problematic.
—Due to Quirrell and... Dumbledore, his trust in the school's professors had hit rock bottom. Subconsciously, he interpreted their actions with the utmost malice.
But in reality, Professor Flitwick was gentle and enthusiastic, and Professor Mori had been helping and guiding him since they met. It was wrong of him to suspect them like this.
Oblivious to Victor's inner thoughts, Professor Mori wrote a few lines before suddenly asking, "By the way, Victor, what's the name of your creation? It deserves a name, doesn't it?"
Victor replied as calmly as he could, "Yes, I call it—the Book of Friends."
He wrote 'Book of Friends' on the paper but felt that it lacked a certain charm. So, he also wrote the words 'Tomo no Sho' in elegant script beneath it, with the kanji characters for "friend" and "register" adding an extra layer of depth to the title.
"What's this?" Professor Mori curiously poked at the elegantly flowing characters as if they were a painting.
"It's how 'Book of Friends' is written in Chinese," Victor explained, and then pronounced it in Mandarin.
Professor Mori attempted to imitate the pronunciation clumsily, pondering for a moment before breaking into a smile. "Not bad. This can become your unique signature."
He continued writing his letter: "Victor, have you applied to stay at school during the holidays?"
"No," Victor sat down next to him. "My parents have been looking forward to having me home."
"On the third day after Christmas, I'll be hosting a small party at my home. Make sure you keep that day free," Professor Mori said. "I can introduce you to some... well... friends who will be very helpful to you."
"Of course, it would be my honor, Professor."
Filled with guilt, Victor found himself more amenable than usual.
"Also, keep your 'Book of Friends' confidential for now. Don't make it public," Professor Mori winked and smiled. "During the holidays, I'll give you a pleasant surprise."
A lingering ember of suspicion still smoldered in Victor's heart, and he instinctively became cautious. Hesitating, he said, "Er... actually, I was planning to give it to my friends as a Christmas present. If it's well-received, I'll sell it on a small scale among my classmates to make some pocket money..."
"Oh, Victor, Victor—"
Professor Mori looked at him, his eyes as if gazing at a child, and gently laughed, "My child, you're still young, so you don't understand. There are two kinds of alchemists in this world—those who learn a bit of alchemy and work for the Ministry of Magic or various companies, called alchemists, but who are essentially just laborers for capital; and then there's the other kind of alchemist, like me—"
His finger pointed to his chest and then to Victor.
Victor widened his eyes slightly.
"Surprised?" Professor Mori asked as if he could read Victor's mind. "Do you think it's too early for you to hear something like that?"
Victor nodded. "I thought... it was just a simple little thing... I'm still a novice when it comes to alchemy."
Professor Mori shook his head with a smile. "The inventor of the quill pen probably thought it was just a simple little thing too, yet we've been using it for over a thousand years."
After finishing and sealing his letter, he sent it off with his owl, then turned to Victor with a final instruction. "It's fine to exchange small gifts among friends, but you should refrain from selling them yourself. Your time would be better spent on more meaningful pursuits rather than becoming a peddler or craftsman."
...
That evening, after crafting all the copies of the Book of Friends he intended to give as holiday gifts, Victor returned to his dormitory. Exhaustion washed over him as he lay on his bed, his thoughts drifting to everyone he had come to know within these castle walls.
There was Quirrell, wandering the corridors of the castle, and Voldemort, lurking in the shadows.
And Dumbledore, the guardian of this school, who callously placed the lives of all students and faculty on the chessboard of his grand scheme.
"Don't you feel wronged?" Michael asked.
"I thought these things were supposed to be far removed from us," Ryan said.
"Dumbledore truly knows everything," Fred commented.
"Dumbledore is right..." Hermione added. "The weight of reality and hatred will suffocate him."
And then there was Harry Potter... the boy who lived...
Victor covered his eyes with his arm, feigning sleep.
Suddenly, a soft "pop" sounded in the room, like a bursting bubble.
Victor immediately opened his eyes and turned his head. A house-elf, Zoe, stood in the center of the dormitory.
"You're here, Zoe," Victor said with a smile. "Thank you for agreeing to my request."
Zoe spoke in a soft voice, "Master Victor needs help, and Zoe is willing to assist. But Zoe didn't receive the signal, so she came to check on him."
"Because I didn't encounter any danger today, Professor Mori turned out to be better than I expected," Victor explained.
He took out a green "bean" from his pocket and showed it to Zoe.
This was their means of communication—both of them held one of these magical beans, linked by a combination of the Linking Spell and the Transformation Spell. All Victor had to do was squeeze his bean, and Zoe's would heat up, signaling her to come to his aid.
Ever since his "chance encounter" with Quirrell, Victor had been contemplating ways to ensure his own survival. While Dumbledore had his plans, and the school's professors wouldn't go against Dumbledore's wishes to act as Victor's bodyguards, the only ones left who were both willing and able to help him unconditionally were the house-elves of Hogwarts.
Fortunately, he had a good relationship with the house-elves assigned to the Ravenclaw tower.
These peculiar beings could apparate to any corner of Hogwarts, and their magical power sometimes even surpassed that of adult wizards. Although they couldn't disobey the school's professors, aiding a student in danger didn't go against their duties.
So, Victor made a pact with Zoe—if he ever squeezed the magical bean, she would immediately come to his side and help him escape to safety.
Before meeting with Professor Mori earlier in the day, Victor had brought the magical bean with him, prepared for the worst. Thankfully, he hadn't needed to use it.
(End of Chapter)
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