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Chapter 759: Eternal Youth and Immortality
Chapter 759: Eternal Youth and Immortality
Two days passed in the blink of an eye, and Ivan successfully mastered the Magic Guidance Alchemical Array before the start of the school year at Hogwarts. However, his practice with Enchantment Magic wasn't as smooth; even now, he still couldn't enchant an item in a single second.
But making the Philosopher's Stone wasn't something that could be rushed, so Ivan remained relaxed. If necessary, he could always practice more at school.
On September 1st, the first day of the school year, Ivan woke up early, grabbed his trunk, and hurriedly made his way downstairs.
Perhaps because of the impending farewell, today's breakfast was particularly lavish, covering the entire table. The diligent Alchemical Creatures bustled about, and when they saw Ivan, they enthusiastically combined to push a chair out for him.
This was the first time Ivan had been treated with such warmth, and he was somewhat taken aback. He looked at Nicolas Flamel in surprise, but the latter simply smiled and gestured towards the food.
Ivan smiled back, put aside his concerns, and began to enjoy his meal with gusto. Nicolas Flamel also joined him, eating a little.
About fifteen minutes later, as the departure time approached, Ivan, now full and satisfied, put down his utensils and turned to the white-bearded Nicolas Flamel, speaking solemnly.
"Master, I am deeply grateful for your guidance over the past few months. I will come to visit you again next summer."
Ivan knew that for an Alchemical Master like Nicolas Flamel, material rewards held little significance. The only thing he could offer was companionship.
However, after Ivan finished speaking, Nicolas Flamel shook his head. "You are the most talented student I have ever seen, Hals. In just one and a half months, you have completed all the courses I prepared for you. I believe there is nothing more I can teach you..."
"Don't say that, Master. My alchemy is only at the beginner level, and there is still much I need to learn from you..." Ivan quickly responded.
The deeper Ivan delved into alchemical knowledge, the more he understood the profound depth of the art. At his current seventh-level alchemy proficiency, he was just beginning to qualify to study the most advanced alchemical knowledge, and it would take at least a decade or two to fully grasp it.
And that was with the guidance of a Master and the assistance of the System.
So when he heard Nicolas Flamel say this, Ivan felt a mix of anxiety and unease.
"Stop underestimating yourself. With your current level of alchemy, you are worthy of the title of Alchemical Master. The path ahead is one you must find on your own; no one can help you anymore..." Nicolas Flamel's face remained calm as he spoke slowly.
Ivan was eager to say something but was interrupted by Nicolas Flamel again. "Do you remember the question you asked me a few days ago?"
Question?
Ivan recalled that he had asked Nicolas Flamel why he wanted to destroy the Philosopher's Stone he had worked so hard to create, but he hadn't received an answer at the time.
"Now I can answer you... It's because I no longer need that Philosopher's Stone!" Nicolas Flamel said with a carefree tone.
No longer need it? Ivan looked at the Alchemical Master in front of him, puzzled.
If it were him, he would never give up such a precious treasure unless he was on the brink of death.
Wait... death?
Ivan suddenly realized something.
"You're right, Hals. Everything has its limits. The power of the Philosopher's Stone can grant eternal youth, but not immortality..." Nicolas Flamel nodded, revealing the answer directly.
"Does that mean... you are about to..." Ivan stammered, unable to finish the sentence, or perhaps he didn't want to.
"To be honest, I should have faced death long ago, but I used the power of the Philosopher's Stone to delay it for over five hundred years... It has been enough!" Nicolas Flamel said with a sense of relief, a faint smile on his face, showing no fear of death.
From the moment he used the Philosopher's Stone to create the Elixir of Life, he had never stopped drinking potions, and his tolerance to them grew stronger over time.
Initially, he only needed to drink a potion every three years to maintain his bodily functions, but recently, his tolerance had become so strong that he had to drink a potion every few days to keep his body functioning. His health was also far from what it used to be.
While Nicolas Flamel could technically last a few more years, the potion's ability to slow aging had no effect on his wife, who had been by his side for over six hundred years. Living alone for a few more years held no meaning for him.
This was why he lent the Philosopher's Stone to Dumbledore to help combat the Dark Lord and, after the deed was done, destroyed the Philosopher's Stone he had worked so hard to create.
After all, the last reason for him to continue living was gone. If not for Ivan's appearance, which sparked in him the desire to cultivate a worthy successor, he would have long since stopped taking the potion and joined his wife in death.
Now, Nicolas Flamel was certain that the exceptionally talented and hardworking young wizard before him would surpass him in the future and perhaps even reach the pinnacle of alchemy.
With his last wish fulfilled, he could finally face death with peace of mind...
Upon suddenly learning that Nicolas Flamel's end was near, Ivan felt a heavy weight in his chest, and his vision blurred with tears.
He had only been here for less than half a year, but he had already grown to love this secluded haven and had come to regard Nicolas Flamel as a mentor...
The ten days of continuous, intense study were driven by his desire to quickly master the method of creating the Philosopher's Stone and to avoid disappointing his mentor...
"Death is nothing to be afraid of, Ivan. It is a part of life, a long-lasting peace and tranquility, a process that everyone must go through", Nicolas Flamel consoled the emotionally low Ivan. He then handed him two thick books.
Ivan took them reflexively and glanced at them. The first book was titled "The Book of Jewish Abraham", and the second was "The Book of Hieroglyphs."
"The first book I obtained by chance in my early years. It contains many advanced alchemical secrets. It took me 21 years to decode it and deeply study it, eventually leading to the creation of the Philosopher's Stone", Nicolas Flamel murmured, his gaze lingering on "The Book of Jewish Abraham" with a hint of nostalgia. After a moment of reflection, he snapped back to reality.
Next, he introduced Ivan to "The Book of Hieroglyphs", which was his personal manuscript of runic inscriptions and alchemical arrays. It should provide Ivan with some valuable insights...
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(End of Chapter)
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