Chapter 18: Obsession and inheritance
Lynn nodded and said, "Professor Green, I would like to become your apprentice and learn alchemy from you!"
Professor Green happily agreed. He reached into his pocket, enchanted with an Undetectable Extension Charm, and took out three items: a metal bracelet, a one-meter-long scepter, and a sharp dagger, which he handed to Lynn.
"Although I'm French, I'm well aware that your British magical world has been far from peaceful in recent years. So, as a gift for becoming my apprentice, I've prepared some alchemical self-defense tools for you."
"I don't need to say much about this first item, the Forbidden Magic Bracelet. The second is the Forbidden Magic Scepter, a single-use activation tool. When infused with magic, it releases the power of the Forbidden Magic Stone, suppressing all magical activity within a hundred-meter radius. Within this area, wizards cannot cast spells, but the scepter's effect is limited to Auror-level magic at most and has almost no effect on High-level wizards.
"As for the third item, I personally inscribed the alchemical circle of 'Sharpness' onto this dagger. It will allow you to defend yourself even in areas where magic is suppressed."
Professor Green explained each item in detail. Judging by the fresh magical aura emanating from these alchemical creations, it was clear he had refined them recently. It was obvious that Professor Green had been planning to take Lynn as his apprentice long before this moment.
Lynn accepted the three gifts with a mix of excitement and solemnity, placing them carefully into the satchel hanging at his waist.
"Thank you, Master! But, Master, the effects of your Forbidden Magic Scepter seem to far surpass those of the Forbidden Magic Bracelet. Is this your masterpiece?" Lynn asked after expressing his gratitude.
Professor Green nodded, gazing at the scepter with a distant look in his eyes. He sighed before saying, "Yes, I once refined a Forbidden Magic Scepter, but it led to a great mistake. I thought I would never create another in my life. However, after meeting you, the most talented student I've ever encountered, I was inspired to refine another one. I also hope that once you master your studies, you can fulfill my regret—"
"—and perfect the Forbidden Magic Scepter!"
Professor Green's tone suddenly grew solemn, and his expression hardened.
"Regret? Could it be that something terrible happened, causing the Forbidden Magic Scepter to become your greatest regret, Master?" Lynn asked softly, suspecting that the professor's so-called regret might be connected to what Madam Rosmerta had hinted at regarding his tragic past.
Professor Green lowered his head slightly, a deep sadness clouding his light-blue eyes. "Yes, it's tied to an incident that destroyed everything for me."
"As I said, this Forbidden Magic Scepter is flawed. Its magic-suppression power is limited and cannot fully nullify the spell-casting abilities of a Demon King-level wizard. When I first refined it, I failed to recognize this limitation.
"During the time when the Dark Lord Gellert Grindelwald was wreaking havoc in the wizarding world, I believed my Forbidden Magic Scepter to be perfect, capable of suppressing his immense power.
"With this belief, I procured two firearms from the Muggle world and, together with my wife, sought Grindelwald. When we finally found him, I activated the Forbidden Scepter's power, but—"
A look of pain flickered across the professor's face.
"—The scepter completely suppressed her magic and mine but couldn't fully negate Grindelwald's magic. The firearms we brought were no match for a wizard of his caliber. My arrogance left us defenseless.
"I thought my life would end there, but my wife... she used ancient emotional magic to temporarily break the scepter's constraints at the cost of her own life. With her final act, she Apparated me to safety. Because of my arrogance and recklessness, I lost her forever."
Professor Green raked his hands through his hair in anguish, as though reliving that fateful day.
"And so, it has become my life's obsession to perfect the Forbidden Magic Scepter—to make it truly capable of suppressing all magic and achieving equality among all living beings. Though I know she can never return, I refuse to let her sacrifice be meaningless. If you can perfect the scepter and give it true purpose, I will die content, even if it costs me everything!"
The professor's voice grew raw with emotion, and his eyes blazed with the intensity of a scholar consumed by his life's work.
"However," he added, his voice softening, "I am old now and no longer capable of making progress. That is why you, my apprentice, must complete this work for me. Lynn, will you dedicate yourself to perfecting the Forbidden Magic Scepter in the future?"
Professor Green's piercing gaze bore into Lynn.
Looking at his master, who seemed teetering on the brink of madness, Lynn recalled the scenes he had witnessed at The Three Broomsticks the previous Sunday. He nodded resolutely and said, "Yes, Master. I will do my best. I promise."
Hearing Lynn's affirmation, the professor sighed deeply and said, "I apologize, Lynn. I may have burdened you too soon with such a heavy responsibility, but I have no other choice. I—"
Lynn interrupted gently, "Master, this is my choice. Besides, I'm genuinely interested in researching the Forbidden Magic Stone!"
Professor Green fell silent. He studied Lynn closely, then stood and waved his wand twice. A silent Cleaning Charm restored his disheveled appearance.
A nearby book transformed into a blackboard under the influence of a Transfiguration spell. Lines appeared on the board, forming a diagram resembling an electrical circuit.
"Although you've chosen to study both disciplines of alchemy, the legal school requires a higher level of magical mastery. I will begin teaching you that next year. For now, I will teach you Formation Alchemy," Professor Green said.
"Formation Alchemy involves combining scattered alchemical runes with magical energy to create specific alchemical circles. These circles are similar in concept to Muggle circuit diagrams."
The professor paused, chuckling to himself. "Oh, I forgot—you probably don't know what a circuit diagram is. Not everyone is like me, willing to attend a Muggle university for two and a half years to study."
While eager to learn, Lynn couldn't help but shake his head and interject, "No, Master. I know what a circuit diagram is."
To Professor Green's surprise, Lynn pointed at the diagram on the board and said, "This is a schematic diagram, used to represent the functioning of an electronic circuit. It includes power sources, switches, components, and other basic circuit structures. There are also two types of connections: series and parallel."