Chapter 828: The Wonders of Mandrake
Chapter 828: The Wonders of Mandrake
A gentle breeze blew, carrying with it the delicate fragrance of flowers. A young woman sipped the fruit tea in her cup, gazing at the vibrant blooms in the courtyard with a soft smile on her lips.
This place felt less like a workplace and more like a new home for the two of them.
Isabel withdrew her gaze from the flower bed and returned to her seat by the window. She picked up an envelope from her desk and carefully read through Professor Bathsheba Babbling's letter, which contained numerous useful suggestions and ideas from the professor of Magical Theory.
"Indeed, taking the first step is always the hardest," Isabel murmured.
As she reached for her quill to continue her work, light footsteps sounded in the study, causing her to raise an eyebrow in mild surprise. She looked towards the bookshelf beside her.
A few seconds later, the bookshelf moved aside, revealing a hidden door. A familiar figure stepped out from the hidden room.
"What brings you here?" Isabel asked, taken aback.
During the day, Albert usually stayed at home with his family and rarely came to their cottage in Hogsmeade. His unexpected appearance hinted at something out of the ordinary.
"I just received a letter from Mr. Zeller," Albert said, pulling out a piece of parchment from his casual pants pocket and briefly summarizing its contents for Isabel. "We're heading to Egypt in two days to attend the International Alchemy Conference."
"Are you planning to participate in the competition, or are you mainly interested in exchanging alchemy experiences with others?" Isabel was familiar with the International Alchemy Conference, which was more akin to an academic conference where alchemists gathered to share their research findings.
The so-called Cairo International Alchemy Conference Pioneer Contribution Award was given to the most valuable achievement presented by the attending witches and wizards.
"Since we're going, it would be great to aim for an award," Albert replied.
He was quite pleased with the task reward he had received for the Barnabus Finkley Outstanding Charm Award—the skill 'Lord Voldemort's Casting Technique' had disappeared and been replaced by 'A.A. Casting Technique'.
However, Albert was a little disappointed that his 'Lord Voldemort's Casting Technique', which had already reached Level 3, had not been inherited. Instead, the new skill had started from scratch at Level 0, requiring him to spend experience points to upgrade it again. It was common knowledge that the jump from Level 2 to Level 3 required a substantial amount of experience.
Task rewards from international competitions were usually quite generous, and Albert was determined to seize this opportunity. Who knew, the reward might bring him an unexpected and delightful surprise.
"So, what creation do you plan to present at the conference?" Isabel asked, her curiosity piqued. She knew Albert was adept at alchemy and had crafted numerous intriguing items.
Albert glanced instinctively at the package he was holding in his left hand and shook his head with a smile. "I haven't decided yet, but for now, I think the Mandrake Wine is the most suitable."
This was the magical wine Albert had brewed using the skill 'Basic Knowledge of Mandrake'. Rumor had it that this wine had remarkable effects.
Indeed, 'Basic Knowledge of Mandrake' had proven to be a treasure trove of information, elucidating everything one needed to know about mandrakes.
Albert even contemplated acquiring a similar skill for unicorns. He was certain that unicorns, with their myriad treasures, would be an invaluable asset if their properties could be properly harnessed.
After all, the horn, tail hair, and blood of a unicorn already had a multitude of uses.
"Can mandrakes be used to make wine?" Isabel was astonished. Of course, she knew what mandrakes were.
"Yes, fresh mandrake roots can be used in the brewing process, although it's a bit intricate. As for its effects, they're quite remarkable," Albert replied, a meaningful smile playing on his lips.
Noticing the smile, Isabel refrained from pressing further. Instead, she steered the conversation in a different direction. "Actually, I'm more curious about what's in the package you're holding."
"This?" Albert handed the package to Isabel and said mysteriously, "This holds the dreams of countless people."
"The dreams of countless people?" Isabel examined the package before her and asked tentatively, "May I open it and take a look?"
"Go ahead," Albert encouraged.
Isabel unwrapped the package and found a sealed metal box inside. Apart from some intricate patterns, there seemed to be no seams or openings.
"It's well-protected. Did Mr. Flamel send it to you?"
Isabel had seen similar objects before, and her intuition told her that it contained something extraordinary.
"It's a safety measure," Albert explained with a smile. "It's set up so that only I can open it. Forcibly opening the box would destroy its contents."
As he spoke, Albert pressed his thumb against a specific spot on the box. A soft click sounded, and the box suddenly opened, revealing a bottle containing a potion as pure as a ruby.
"What is this?" Isabel asked, unable to suppress her curiosity.
"It's a potion that slows down aging," Albert replied, handing the potion to Isabel.
"Slows down aging?" Isabel stared at Albert, incredulous, as if seeking confirmation that he was not jesting. Her hand unconsciously clutched the potion, and in that moment, she understood why Albert had said it held the dreams of countless people.
"Well... yes, something like that," Albert said, reaching into the box again to retrieve a bottle of powder and several sheets of parchment. The parchments were meticulously inscribed with detailed instructions for creating the potion.
"Is this what you discussed with Mr. Flamel back then?" Isabel's voice trembled slightly, and she seemed on the verge of pulling out the cork and downing the potion in one go.
No woman could resist the temptation of defying aging.
"Yes, the professor helped me with the preliminary work. However, his approach was a little different from what I had originally envisioned," Albert said, his eyes fixed on the red powder in his hand. This substance served as a catalyst, similar in function to the Sorcerer's Stone.
The inspiration for this method undoubtedly came from the Elixir of Life.
Albert knew that by mastering the creation of this potion, he could further improve and perfect it through skill upgrades.
This was one of the advantages the skill panel bestowed upon him.
However, due to the fact that many of Albert's alchemy skills had been upgraded through the skill panel, his theoretical knowledge far exceeded his practical experience in alchemy. While he could quickly grasp the alchemy skills presented on the skill panel, he lacked the ability to create more advanced items.
"Mandrake roots are actually one of the ingredients of the Elixir of Life. Through complex potion-making techniques, they can be transformed into a potion that slows down aging."
As he spoke, Albert shook the stack of parchments in his hand and smiled as he handed them to Isabel, whose eyes were now sparkling with excitement.
She took the parchments with trembling hands and hungrily devoured the knowledge within.
However, Isabel was perplexed. She could understand every word, yet she still felt bewildered.
"It's quite normal not to understand it without a certain level of theoretical knowledge in alchemy." Albert comforted Isabel gently as he noticed her disappointed expression, "Your expectations are too high. Without extensive research and improvement, the effect will surely be quite different from what you imagine."
"Are you planning to enter this into the competition?" Isabel obviously disagreed with Albert's decision. While entering it into the competition would undoubtedly win the Cairo International Alchemy Conference Pioneer Contribution Award, it wasn't worth it.
It was just a measly award.
It wasn't worth Albert revealing the method for slowing down aging.
Once the existence of an anti-aging potion was known, who knew what would happen.
"No." Albert shook his head and smiled at Isabel, "Come with me. There's definitely something in the lab that will surprise you."
"What is it?" Isabel asked, "The Mandrake Wine?"
"Want to guess what its effect is? If you guess right, the bottle is yours." Albert said with a smile.
"I don't know." Isabel stared at Albert for a moment, then pouted slightly. Albert's mental Legilimency was becoming more and more powerful. As long as he didn't want to, others would find it hard to see through his thoughts.
However, Isabel wasn't in a hurry. She was well aware that with Albert's talent in alchemy and potion-making, he would definitely be able to improve and perfect the anti-aging potion.
The two of them walked towards the laboratory, and the house-elves had already moved the glass brewing equipment over, the liquid inside now a rose-red color.
Indeed, this was mainly due to the addition of rose petals during the Mandrake Wine brewing process.
"Is wine also considered a form of alchemy?" Isabel asked in confusion.
"This isn't really considered wine, it's more like a potion, but it doesn't need to be brewed like a typical potion. However, I asked Professor Zeller, and he said it should be classified as alchemy. After all, the scope of alchemy is very broad and the boundaries are rather blurry. Some potions are actually created through alchemy, so it's not wrong to call it alchemy. I recall that potion masters have other names as well: brewers or pharmacists."
"What is its effect?" Isabel asked further.
"Don't want to guess?" Albert smiled and moved his face close to her ear, whispering, "This wine is beneficial for fertility and has a certain aphrodisiac effect. Want to give it a try? Professor Zeller has already tested it, so it's safe to drink and there are no obvious side effects."
"Testing?" Isabel frowned slightly at the mention of testing.
"After a few animal tests, we proceeded with human trials." Albert noticed Isabel's frown and reached out to smooth her brow, saying gently, "As long as the price is right, many impoverished wizards are actually willing to help potion masters test their creations. According to the feedback from the testers, this wine does have the intended effect. It's said to taste sweet, somewhat like mead, which is probably due to the addition of honey at the end."
He picked up a paper cup and poured some of the liquid inside, and a faint fragrance immediately filled the air. Albert dipped his finger into the cup and licked the wine from his fingertip, his eyes lighting up as the taste surprised him—despite the many added ingredients, it actually tasted quite good.
Isabel also followed Albert's example and dipped her finger into the cup. She found that this concoction had little resemblance to wine and was more like a type of fruit juice, with barely any alcoholic taste.
However, there was definitely alcohol in it, possibly even more than beer, but it was well masked.
"What else do you plan to do?" Isabel stared at the bottle of Mandrake Wine for a moment, then shifted her gaze to Albert as he weighed out various ingredients, a puzzled look on her face.
"I plan to try making an ointment." Albert took out his notebook from his pocket and handed it to Isabel, with the manufacturing method recorded inside.
Name: Flying Ointment Required Materials: 200 grams of beeswax, 20 grams of , 10 grams of Billywig stinger, 25 grams of Mandrake root powder, 30 grams of Flibbertigibbet extract, and 15 grams of Clematis.
Manufacturing Process...
"What is this for?" Isabel noticed that there were two different formulas for the ointment, and the methods of use were also different.
As she looked at the usage instructions for the Flying Ointment, Isabel raised her eyebrows slightly, feeling that this wasn't a serious creation.
"The Flying Ointment can relax the body and mind, giving one the sensation of floating in mid-air." Albert was in the process of melting the beeswax as he explained to Isabel, "If we adjust the formula, it can even make people fly."
"Fly?" Isabel was puzzled.
"Literally." Albert explained, "However, the danger lies in its unpredictability. There's a risk of falling directly from mid-air."
Isabel suddenly didn't know what to say.
"Well, want to give it a try?"
Albert put the Flying Ointment into a small bottle and winked at Isabel, "It will definitely leave a memorable impression."
As if to verify the effect of the Flying Ointment, Albert applied some of it to the back of his hand and carefully observed the sensation. Aside from a slight cooling effect, there didn't seem to be any noticeable feeling.
Albert asked Isabel to help him apply it to his left arm as well, and finally, he began to feel something. He waved his arm in the air a few times and said to Isabel, "My arm does feel lighter, as if something is counteracting the force of gravity. It's like the feeling of floating on the surface of water."
Although the effect was rather average, Albert still felt that this potion had good potential. He spent some time on the skill panel, found the Flying Ointment skill, and invested some experience points to upgrade it.
By adjusting the ingredients and manufacturing process, Albert soon created an improved version of the Flying Ointment. When applied to the arms, it gave a very refreshing feeling.
The other version had a more noticeable effect—when applied to the surface of an object, it was similar to casting a Levitation Charm on it. Albert suspected that if this creation were further developed, it might be possible to combine it with broom technology to create a magical airship.
He soon found Isabel and shared his new discovery, successfully causing a chair in the study to float in mid-air.
"I think this is more reliable than the Mandrake Wine." Isabel commented.
"Alright, let's put those aside for now. Come here and help me apply this." Albert handed the other bottle of Flying Ointment to Isabel and pulled her towards the master bedroom.
"Y-you don't mean... w-we should wait until tonight, right?" Isabel understood Albert's intention, her cheeks turning slightly pink.
"I don't see much difference between day and night."
(End of Chapter)
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