Fleur's Plans
August 20th, eleven days until the start of Hogwarts.
Today is the day Ethan is supposed to leave. Nico told him about this more than a week ago.
Ethan's studies during this period have greatly improved his alchemy skills. If he makes constructs again, they will definitely be more sophisticated.
From level 4 to level 7 in alchemy, it may seem like there are only three levels of improvement, but these are two entirely different concepts. The rest still requires time to learn and understand. This kind of knowledge is vast and cannot be easily mastered like spells.
In the study, Nico is explaining something to Ethan.
"Ethan, your learning speed is far beyond my imagination. I originally thought this knowledge would keep you studying for a long time. It seems I should give you some of my best things now."
Originally, Nico didn't think Ethan could learn all the knowledge. He planned to use a copying spell to duplicate some of the knowledge Ethan hadn't yet learned and let him take it when he left.
But Ethan learned too fast. He already knew a lot, but it was disorganized. After Nico's explanations and integration, Ethan's speed soared, and he worked very hard.
Now, he has learned most of these things and only needs to take a few books.
"Your teaching is excellent, teacher. Without it, I couldn't learn so fast."
This is true. Nico answers all of Ethan's questions. Otherwise, those difficult parts would take much longer to understand. With Nico's teaching, as long as Ethan has strong comprehension, he can digest and absorb this knowledge.
And Ethan happens to have many advantages, so he doesn't lack the ability to learn or think.
"Don't be modest. If someone else had come, even with my teaching, they wouldn't be as good as you are now."
"I'll give you the 'Book of Abraham of the Jews' and 'The Emerald Record.' They've inspired me greatly in my alchemy career."
Nico pushed a strange book and a huge parchment scroll toward Ethan.
Looking at the 'Book of Abraham of the Jews,' Nico's eyes were filled with reluctance. One could say that this book made him who he is.
When he first graduated from Beauxbatons, although he had good alchemy talent and skills, he was just an ordinary practitioner.
But then he found a job as a scribe and came into contact with the 'Book of Abraham of the Jews,' changing his fate and making him the most famous alchemist of his time.
Yet to this day, Nico still hasn't fully understood the book. What do the seven pages represent, and what do they mean? He still can't figure it out.
Now I'm at this age. Even if I can continue to live, my mind isn't as sharp as it was when I was young. In the past two hundred years, I've made no progress on the 'Book of Abraham of the Jews.'
Now I'm giving it to Ethan. In the hands of a talented and young wizard like him, maybe one day he'll be able to interpret all the contents of the 'Book of Abraham the Jews.'
"Teacher, is this really appropriate?"
Ethan felt a little warm; the gift was too valuable.
Who doesn't know the significance of 'The Book of Abraham of the Jews' and 'The Emerald Record'?
The former made Nicolas Flamel the greatest alchemist of our time, and the latter, created by the god Hermes in Egyptian legend, condensed the knowledge of alchemy into thirteen sentences engraved on an emerald stone slab.
This parchment scroll must be a rubbing of the Emerald Record.
"Do you think I still have the energy to study them now?"
He can't let go of alchemy because of his habits and hobbies, and still does some research and innovation. But this kind of deep thinking, he no longer has the mental energy for.
Seeing this, Ethan didn't refuse and accepted 'The Book of Abraham of the Jews' and 'The Emerald Record.'
Then he eagerly flipped through it, wanting to see what was recorded.
From the first touch, Ethan knew the material wasn't animal skin or paper, but something similar to tree bark. The text and illustrations were branded with metal.
The book wasn't thick—only three sets of seven pages, totaling twenty-one pages.
The most eye-catching parts were the seven illustrations, which had no accompanying text.
The first set of seven pages shows a staff with two snakes wrapped around it, one of which is devouring the other.
The second set of seven pages, page 14, shows a cross, but instead of Jesus being nailed to it, a snake is.
The third set of seven pages, page 21, shows several springs emerging from a desert, with many snakes coming out of the water.
Additionally, the fourth and fifth pages each have two pictures.
The first picture on the fourth page shows two figures: a man wearing a hat and holding a double-snake staff, fighting an old man with wings who's flying in the air, an hourglass on his head and a sickle in his hand, about to cut off his feet.
The second picture on the fourth page is in color, showing a beautiful flower growing atop a high mountain. The stem is blue, the flowers are white and red, and the leaves are golden. Below the picture, a griffin and a dragon are building a nest on the hillside.
The first picture on the fifth page is of a garden with a strange oak tree at its center.
It's strange because the tree is hollow.
A rose tree full of roses grows inside the hollow part.
There's also a fountain beneath the tree.
The fountain's water is a white liquid.
The white water flows into the distance.
A group of blind people crouches on the ground, groping around, but they can't see or touch anything.
The second picture on the fifth page shows a king holding a large knife, ordering soldiers to kill many babies.
The babies' mothers kneel, begging for mercy.
Nearby, containers like buckets and crucibles collect the babies' blood, while the sun and moon bathe in it.
There are also illustrations of flasks, crucibles, and other alchemical instruments in other parts, along with a lot of text.
Ethan was confused and didn't understand what it all meant.
Nico merely watched, offering no explanations. It was up to Ethan to figure it out. He had taught Ethan how to study the 'Book of Abraham.' The initial progress would be quick, but if he followed Nico's train of thought, he'd get stuck.
Setting aside the 'Book of Abraham,' Ethan opened the copy of the 'Emerald Record' and found it filled with ancient Egyptian hieroglyphs, mostly used in religion. He couldn't understand any of it and would need to look up more information.
After having lunch with Nico and Perenelle, Ethan reluctantly said goodbye to them.
The old couple really treated Ethan like family.
Fortunately, according to Nico, although the Philosopher's Stone is difficult to make, they still have one. The news about its destruction to lure Voldemort was released by Dumbledore to stop people from targeting Nico and his wife.
"What, you're leaving today?"
Fleur looked at Ethan in surprise, the joy she had felt upon his arrival suddenly gone.
"Yes, Hogwarts starts on September 1st."
After returning, I must rush to Cassandra's appointment. As for the Malfoy family, that depends on the situation!
During this time, Ethan also visited Delacour Manor every few days. In Renard's words, combining work and rest improves efficiency.
"Beauxbatons also starts on September 1st, but can't you stay at my house for two more days?"
"Yes, brother, there's still plenty of time. Stay at my house for just two more days, please!"
Gabrielle hugged Ethan's thigh and refused to let go.
"Then leave tomorrow. It's been nearly two months since I came here, and there are still some things to deal with back there."
Ethan picked up Gabrielle, feeling too soft-hearted to resist.
"Give me your home address, and I'll send you a letter when the time comes. You must reply."
"Don't worry, I will definitely reply. Just send it to Hogwarts during school days. [Can song owls send letters across the sea?]"
Ethan wasn't sure. If there was a plane crash, the owl might not survive.
"Of course, my father has used an owl to send letters to Northern Europe, and Great Britain is closer than Northern Europe."
It should be said that this owl is really impressive!
"Okay, as long as it's a letter from you, Fleur, I will definitely reply," Ethan promised.
"And Gabrielle will also send a letter to her brother!"
"Okay!" Another peck on the cheek.
Fleur ignored it completely. Every time Ethan came, there was never a moment when Gabrielle behaved. By now, Fleur was used to it.
"I've prepared gifts for you," Ethan said, placing a ruby necklace on Fleur and a sapphire-inlaid brooch on Gabrielle.
"The necklace is an alchemical item with a protective spell engraved on it. You can activate it by channeling magic power. You might have something similar at home, but I've enhanced it with ancient magical runes. It's also an application of Eolhx, representing the elk's horns—symbolizing protection from danger—and it greatly enhances defensive performance. However, it still cannot resist spells that bypass armor spell."
"This brooch has the word 'Apparition' engraved on it. If you ever face something you can't handle, find an opportunity to leave quickly."
Fleur probably couldn't Apparate yet; you had to be seventeen to learn it in Great Britain. The French Ministry of Magic likely had a similar rule. Both items were defensive tools.
"I love it!" Fleur said, delighted. She mimicked Gabrielle and gave Ethan a kiss on the cheek.
They were about to part ways, and it would be hard to see each other again soon. Why suppress their feelings now?
"Sister!" Gabrielle was furious, staring at her sister with big, disbelieving eyes.
"Next summer vacation, I'll come visit you. Ethan, you'll welcome me, won't you?" Fleur asked, eyes fixed on him.
"Of course, no problem. Actually, I've learned how to make a Portkey. Once I finish making one, I'll send it to you."
This was one of the things Ethan had learned from Nico during his time there. As for Apparating, Ethan still couldn't travel from Paris to London with it. He would have to take a plane home.
"Great! We can meet during the holidays," Fleur said happily.
"Sister, take me with you when the time comes!" Gabrielle exclaimed anxiously. She hadn't even learned how to use the necklace and brooch Ethan had given her, and even if Portkeys had no threshold, she knew they wouldn't let her come along.
Fleur glanced at her younger sister. Why would she take her along? What a joke!
Fleur was going to be in her fifth year this year, with three years left until graduation. She planned to go straight to Great Britain to find Ethan after that. Gabrielle would just have to stay at Beauxbatons!
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