Chapter 118 "The Scent of Necromancy"

Durmstrang's delegation proceeded into the castle alongside the Hogwarts students, and upon entering the auditorium, the Hogwarts students took their seats at their designated long tables.

Observing the scene, it became apparent that the Beauxbatons students opted to sit at Ravenclaw's long table. Once settled, they surveyed the auditorium with somber expressions.

Notably, three female students, discernible by their physical shapes, still tightly wrapped their heads in scarves and turbans.

Durmstrang's delegation lingered near the entrance, seemingly unsure of where to seat themselves.

After settling down, Goyle expressed his disbelief, "I can't believe it! It's Krum, Draco! Victor Krum!"

Several young wizards surreptitiously cast glances at the Durmstrang representatives, with the Bulgarian national team seeker, Viktor Krum, drawing the most attention.

As they observed Krum up close, his striking hook nose, thick black eyebrows, and overall gloomy demeanor became apparent.

With a hint of pretentiousness, Draco remarked, "For God's sake, Goyle, he's just a Quidditch player." However, Draco's own attention belied his nonchalant words.

In an exaggerated tone, Pansy said, "That's Krum! Do you think he might use lipstick to sign my hat?"

Audrey Runcorn and Tracy Davis engaged in a lively debate about lipstick, completely absorbed in their conversation.

Meanwhile, Skyler was also observing the Durmstrang group, but his focus was not on Krum; rather, it was on the sole woman in the Durmstrang delegation.

Contrary to expectations, Skyler's interest was not in the woman's physical appearance, as thick fur cloaks obscured their figures. It was her magical prowess that truly captured Skyler's attention.

Skyler took a deep inhale, his eyes gleaming sharply. Thanks to the body transformation brought about by the "source of life," Skyler possessed a keener sense of smell than even a swallowtail dog.

The scent was undeniably familiar to him—the distinct aroma of alchemists, a fragrance that only those deeply entrenched in the world of alchemy might carry.

This unique scent intertwined with women's perfumes, adding an extra layer of distinctiveness. Despite being several feet away, the scent cut through the amalgamation of other odors, standing out like a beacon in the darkness and easily discernible to Skyler.

Simultaneously, his Illuminating Insight allowed him to discern the peculiarity of her magical power.

While her magical potency was not weak, it roughly matched that of her Durmstrang peers, slightly inferior to Krum. However, Skyler's magical eye perceived her aura as a gray area, an indistinct and cold sensation.

He had a hunch that her magical power might be sealed by some alchemical method. If fully unleashed, her magical strength would likely surpass his own.

The Durmstrang students ultimately settled on the Slytherin long table. Perhaps it was due to the alignment of aesthetics, be it in attire, demeanor, or general demeanor, with the students at the Slytherin table.

The Durmstrang students cast fascinated glances at the dark, starry ceiling as they shed their heavy fur cloaks. Two of them even picked up the golden plates and goblets, inspecting them closely, clearly intrigued.

Upon removing their fur cloaks, the Durmstrang students revealed average heights, akin to seventh-graders at Hogwarts.

However, the majority of the boys exhibited Eastern European features, characterized by rugged facial lines and uniformly trimmed military-style flat-top haircuts. This instantly conveyed the essence of Durmstrang's stringent military discipline.

Krum occupied a seat adjacent to Draco, and Skyler observed Draco, Crabbe, and Goyle reveling in their triumph.

Leaning forward with a smug smile, Draco engaged Krum in a hushed conversation, "Name's Draco, the only man in Hogwarts that could show a man of your caliber a great time in Hogwarts." the two exchanged quick laughter.

This camaraderie wasn't unexpected. Durmstrang, being a magic school exclusively admitting pure-blood students, embraced a management style akin to Muggle military academies.

Under Karkaroff's leadership, the institution upheld high-pressure management and strict discipline, fostering an ambiance saturated with pure-blood supremacy and valor.

Thus, it wasn't surprising that Durmstrang students easily conversed with Slytherin counterparts.

Seated across from Skyler was the female student who had captured his attention. She had shed her cloak, revealing the crimson Durmstrang uniform beneath.

The attire, snugly tailored, accentuated her graceful figure with captivating curves. Possessing mature and dignified facial features, her light blue eyes exuded wisdom and intelligence.

Fair skin and rosy lips, coupled with an indifferent expression, exuded a poignant charm, making her seat the focal point of attention for all the young Slytherin wizards along the entire length of the table.

However, she refrained from displaying any semblance of concern due to the onlookers surrounding her. Instead, she regarded Skyler with an intriguing gaze, her luminous azure-blue pupils reflecting amusement in both her eyes and smile.

Despite the notable attention Skyler received in the past, his image gracing the covers of major European media, this direct and unmasked scrutiny from the girl across the table made him feel distinctly uncomfortable.

Though accustomed to recognition, he couldn't shake the sense that her placement opposite him was not a mere coincidence.

Amidst the cryptic actions of the Durmstrang students purposefully avoiding a particular seat, Skyler, with the Illuminating once again, couldn't help but perceive the deliberate nature of their actions.

Nevertheless, upholding the courtesy befitting a noble gentleman, Skyler took the initiative to greet her, "Good evening, my lady. I am Malfoy, Skyler Malfoy, representing Slytherin. Welcome to Hogwarts. I trust you'll find the environment here to your satisfaction."

In response, she chuckled softly, "Skyler Malfoy." Her eyes, resembling dazzling stars, held a distinct northern accent in her English, yet she spoke fluently. "I've heard of you, the young master of the Malfoy family, the youngest Sir Merlin, youth representative of the Medieval European Wizarding Association, inventor of the anti-stun bracelet, and author of 'Me and the Basilisk at Hogwarts.' I've admired your masterpiece for quite some time. It's truly a pleasure to meet you today! Oh, I almost forgot to introduce myself—my name is Eleanor von Hohenheim."

Skyler's countenance shifted to a more serious expression.

He is no ignorant pauper; he is well-versed in the significance of the surname he now faces. The weight it carries in the international wizarding world is not lost on him.

Over the past thousand years, the wizarding world has witnessed countless geniuses and peerless heroes, yet only a handful have achieved the revered status of being remembered across generations as "Legends of the Generation."

As far as Skyler's knowledge extends, five such legendary figures exist. The venerable mage Merlin is an undisputed member, as is the current Hogwarts Headmaster, Albus Dumbledore. Nicolas Flamel, the creator of the Stone of the Sage, earns his place among them.

Though not as widely recognized as the first three, the remaining two are names familiar to all wizards.

Chang Guo, the Chinese master of transformation known for riding a donkey upside down, claims one spot. The other is held by an alchemist born in Switzerland and later settling in Germany, known as Paracelsus—his self-changed name from Phillipus Aureolus Theophrastus Bombastus von Hohenheim.

An intriguing aspect is that while Paracelsus's name is widely known, details of his accomplishments remain shrouded in mystery.

Even as one of the 102 chocolate frog cards, the description merely acknowledges his proficiency in medical magic and mentions his study on the hereditary aspect of the snake whisperer's talent through blood.

In contrast to the vivid depictions of Dumbledore, Merlin, and Flamel in the wizarding portraits, Paracelsus's contributions seem modest.

Nevertheless, Paracelsus's legend is undeniable. In the wizarding world, two of the most common interjections among wizards are "Merlin's beard!" and "Thanks, Paracelsus!"

It becomes evident from this perspective how highly esteemed Paracelsus is in the wizarding world. Skyler also recalls a specific item on his to-do list: exploring Paracelsus's Secret Chamber, a task he prioritized alongside the investigation of the other six secret rooms.

This revelation sheds light on many aspects.

(Note: "Thanks Paracelsus" is not a fabrication by the author; it is from the Fantastic Beasts movie, spoken by Newt Scamander, meaning "thanking God.")

Skyler's gaze involuntarily fixates on the family crest in the upper left corner of the girl's chest, confirming it as the badge of the Hohenheim family.

Eleanor observes Skyler's reaction with satisfaction, displaying an elegant smile as she delicately plays with the golden goblet. Her jade-green fingers glide along the glass's edge, creating a subtle vibration that magically causes red wine to overflow from the seemingly empty glass.

Skyler's pupils contract slightly.

Transfiguration cannot conjure food out of thin air. While sorcerers can use refilling curses, expanding curses, and copying curses to multiply food and drink, creating sustenance out of nothing is beyond their abilities.

However, the thing that Eleanor just showed before Skyler is something he is very familiar with—an advance form of Alchemy.

As Skyler redirects his gaze to Eleanor's breathtakingly beautiful face, his eyes express nothing but seriousness.

"I must say, Eleanor, why the need for such ostentation? He's just a minor student, after all..." The speaker is a robust boy seated not far from Eleanor's right.

His physique resembles that of Goyle and Crabbe when they grow up, with rough features typical of Eastern European men.

As he speaks, he slurps wine from his hip flask, a few drops staining his robe.

Skyler was aware that the boy's name was Poliaco, as he had introduced himself to Daphne during their initial conversation, and Skyler overheard it.

Wearing a playful smile, Skyler spoke softly, "I don't see this as showing off."

"Miss Hohenheim, when you cast that spell just now, I uncovered a secret!" Skyler smiled faintly.

"Oh, what's the secret?" Eleanor leaned forward, bringing her face a little closer to Skyler. Soulful allure emanated from her deep blue eyes as she teased, "Tell me, you're making my sister curious!"

Like a clever fox that had successfully raided a chicken coop, Skyler wore a sly expression as he whispered in a voice only the two of them could hear, "You have the scent of necromancy."

A shrewd glint flashed in Eleanor's eyes, but she maintained her smile. "Impressive! You can perceive it! This is our little secret—" She turned her head, glancing at Daphne and Astoria, "Not even your little girlfriends are allowed to know!"

Eleanor's candid acknowledgment didn't exceed Skyler's expectations. While the exploits of the Hornheim family were seldom discussed, the branches of alchemy, though intricate, ultimately converged toward the same objective.

With Skyler's extensive knowledge of alchemy, it wasn't overly challenging to deduce the specific school of alchemy Eleanor had studied.

Alchemy, in essence, aimed for the same final goals. First, "immortality," then "resurrection," and the ultimate levels were "beyond eternity" and "eternity"—representing transcending the constraints of time and space, essentially achieving deification, another term in alchemy.

Items like the Philosopher's Stone, Time-Turner, and Resurrection Stone differed only in methodology, all striving toward the common goal.

Certain aspects of alchemical research delve into the treatment of corpses to explore the intricate relationship between alchemy and the human body.

However, despite the array of cleaning spells and potions wielded by wizards, eliminating the distinct odor from a body becomes a challenging task.

Eleanor's faint scent of decay left only one plausible explanation: necromantic magic. Necromancy, often referred to as undead magic, stands as a magical branch intertwining black magic and alchemy.

In the wizarding world, the most renowned necromantic magic involves the technique of refining and animating corpses.

The resurrection stone, a notable example, forcibly restrains the souls of the departed and even manages to momentarily deter Voldemort in Harry's possession—an indication of its connection to this magical domain.

Skyler nodded in silent acknowledgment, agreeing to uphold Eleanor's secret. The two swiftly transitioned into discussing the distinctions between their respective schools, as if the preceding exchange had never occurred.

Unbeknownst to others, Skyler sensed that the narrative trajectory of the semester was growing increasingly intriguing.