92 A Spanish Devil?

"… his name is Esteban Corazón de Ablo, in recent centuries he uses also the alias Diablo or Esteban Diablo."

"Diablo? Like the Spanish word for the devil? If he really created the Philosopher Stone and is still alive, why did I never hear of such an old and capable Wizard? There should be at least some mentions of him in a History book or a chocolate Frog card or something." Wondered Matthew.

"Well, he isn't a Wizard." The alchemist casually dropped that bomb.

"Not a Wizard? Then how did he create a Philosopher Stone? And even then why is he so dangerous if he isn't able to use magic. Now Non-magical weapons are really dangerous but back then Swords and Arrows were the peaks of weapon technology and you couldn't take care of him?" asked Matthew while a bad feeling was growing.

"For that let me start at the beginning and explain his Origin and Journey to what he is today. I researched a lot about him but many records about his early life are rife with contradictions and conflicting accounts. But I still managed to get a rough background on him. Esteban was born into Spanish nobility sometime in the 9th century. During his youth, he became interested in the art of alchemy. After the death of his father, de Ablo used his vast family fortune to fund his quest to master these ancient arts. Many branches of Alchemy are usable without magic as a catalyst." Explained the old alchemist.

"Alchemy without magic? So he was able to use the energies of the environment for it?" realized Matthew.

"Most likely even I am unsure of the exact details. I found out that he spent a lot of his time traveling through all of Europe learning the Craft of Alchemy from Masters of that time. At some point, he managed to create a Philosopher Stone that allowed him to prolong his life, from then on he used the Stone as his Source of Power and managed to master the craft of Alchemy so deeply that he is able to use molecular transmutation without any preparations. That is one of the ways he fights, even I myself are unable to replicate that feat and I tried." Continued Nicholas.

"That's possible? Like he puts his hands onto the Floor and it transmutes into a spear attacking the enemy?" asked Matthew while he thought of the Fullmetal Alchemist Manga.

"Yes similar to that. Although he doesn't need to touch the target, he can do that in a limited range around him, similar to transfiguration with wizarding magic, just more efficient. I clashed a few times over the Centuries with him and that ability is annoying. But that is not all, later on, he also acquired some forms of magic. During his travels, he visited Transylvania and met the Vampires there, where he became an expert in Scholomantics and Corpus Heremeticum. Which allowed him to access the magic of demons and even contact them. At some point, he made some kind of deal with them and acquired a better form of immortality that kept his body youthful. The exact details are unknown for me, but in all our fights I was always unable to kill him only to chase him away." He said with a grave expression.

"Non-magical s can learn magic? That's new." Muttered Matthew.

"Yes, and very dangerous? They borrow powers from someone else, and it has a price!" warned the old alchemist.

'That sounds a bit like the Sorcerers in Marvel. Maybe if I am powerful enough I can recruit some Non-magical s and let them borrow my magic and gain an army with that.' Pondered Matthew while he asked, "Why is Diablo even coming after you?"

"Well after I finished studying in Beauxbaton I devoted myself to the Study of Alchemy, through that I later met a Colleague who studied under Diablo and learned how to create a Philosopher Stone. Diablo suggested him to create one himself and gain Immortality through it, once I learned the truth about how the Stone was created I tried to stop him, but I was too late and during the Black Death pandemic millions of people more died which made it one of the gravest events in human history. I confronted my friend and colleague and after a battle, I managed to best him and take the Stone on me. Later it turned out that he was nothing more than a pawn Diablo manipulated to create a new Philosopher Stone since its powers weren't infinite. Since the Stone was successfully created he found out that I possessed it and came after me. Voldemort wasn't the only one last year who targeted the Stone, I couldn't handle both of them so I left the Stone with Albus who took care of Voldemort while I handled Diablo." Explained the Alchemist.

"So that's how it is. I wondered that for a while now. There is no way you couldn't fight Voldemort who doesn't even have a body." Realized Matthew.

"Yes with his body he would have been a troublesome opponent but without it, he isn't a challenge, but the World is much greater than you think. Even I don't know its true size but I saw a few things. Well back to Diablo, this wasn't the second time he created a Philosopher stone. He did it multiple times over the History. Usually, during wars, he used the deaths to create a new Stone. For example, he assisted El Cid during his conquest of Valencia."

"Will he come after me? After all, I don't have the Stone anymore." Asked Matthew.

"Probably not, but he could try to gain information about me." Explained the Alchemist.

'Hmm, well doesn't mean I won't. After all, if I take care of him I could gain a lot of new knowledge and a Philosopher Stone without offending any powerful people in the Wizarding World.' Thought Matthew while saying, "Thank you for answering my questions. That was very enlightening. I will be more careful from now on. Could you show me the Library now?"

"Sure, follow me, boy." Replied Nicholas as he left the Living Room with Matthew following him, Perenelle already left a while ago taking care of the garden.

The house was far bigger from the inside than the outside. It had a comfy rustic interior, although a bit old. The House was lighted with rune formation rather than with torches like usual. Nicholas led him upstairs, through the magical expanded house. They arrived at a massive wooden door, which was sealed with rune formation in Elder Futhark.

The alchemist took his wand out and manipulated the runes guarding the Door, before he turned to Matthew, "I added you into the door protection for one week. The Portkey will bring you into the garden, and return you to your origin. You can only use it in the garden, the rest of the house is warded against any form of magical travel I encountered in the past. Only beings that can overpower my wars are able to breakthrough. To enter the Library you only have to put your hand in the middle of the Formation, like this."

As Flamel put his hand onto the door, the Runes began to glow and the door swung open. A wide circular Room appeared, there were a lot of wooden shelves placed all over the Room. The Library had the size of about the Hogwarts Library. Some of the books looked really ancient and were behind a glass case under preservation charm. In the center of the room stood a table, with some stools beside it, and also some recliners to comfortably read.

'Well, I will need the week for that.' Realized Matthew as he saw the number of books here, many of them were unfamiliar to him it was really a dream place for someone like him, Hermione would be really envious if she knew that he was inside the Library of Nicholas Flamel. 'I will have to act efficiently here or I won't be able to finish them all.'

"Welcome to my personal Library. I gathered quite the collection over the Centuries." Explained the alchemist with a smug grin that really annoyed Matthew.

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