Chapter 18: Obsession and Inheritance

Lynn nodded and said, "Professor Green, I would like to be your disciple and learn alchemy from you!"

Professor Green happily agreed. He then took out three items from his pocket after casting the undetectable extension charm: a metal bracelet, a one-meter-long scepter, and a sharp dagger. He handed them to Lynn.

"Although I am French, I know that the British wizarding world hasn't been peaceful lately. So, I thought of giving you these alchemical props for self-defense. Consider them a gift from me once you become my disciple."

"I don't need to explain much about this anti-magic bracelet. The scepter is a one-time activated anti-magic scepter. When you inject magic power, it bursts with the power of the Dampening Stone, suppressing magic within a 100-meter radius. However, it can only suppress magic up to the level of an Auror; its effect on wizarding abilities at the demon king level is minimal. As for the third item, it's a dagger with an alchemical array engraved by me, giving it the 'sharp' attribute, allowing you to protect yourself within the anti-magic range."

Professor Green introduced the items, and Lynn observed that these were freshly made, evident from their new magical aura. It seemed that Professor Green had already planned to take Lynn as his apprentice even before this class started.

Lynn accepted the three gifts with emotion and placed them carefully into the mokeskin pouch hanging around his waist.

"Thank you, teacher! However, the effect of your anti-magic staff seems to surpass that of the anti-magic bracelet. Is this your latest creation?" Lynn thanked Professor Green and then inquired.

Professor Green nodded, a tinge of loneliness in his eyes as he looked at the anti-magic staff. He explained, "Yes, I have crafted an anti-magic staff, but it led to a significant mistake. I thought I would never create another one. But now, meeting you, the most talented student I've encountered, I'm willing to craft another. And I hope you can fulfill that regret for me after learning—"

"—Perfect the anti-magic staff!"

His tone became solemn.

"Regret? Does it relate to something unfortunate that happened with the anti-magic staff?" Lynn asked gently, sensing that Professor Green's regret must be connected to the past Ms. Rosmerta mentioned, the one Professor Green couldn't bear to look back on.

Professor Green bowed his head slightly, sighing, the gloom intensifying in his light blue eyes. "Yes, it's tied to an incident that devastated everything for me."

"As I mentioned earlier, the anti-magic scepter is flawed. Its ability to suppress magic is limited and cannot entirely neutralize the magic of a wizard at the level of a dark lord. But when I crafted it, I failed to realize this. At the time, the Dark Lord Gellert Grindelwald was causing chaos in the wizarding world, and I believed my anti-magic scepter was perfect for suppressing his power."

"So, armed with Muggle guns, my wife and I sought out Gellert Grindelwald's whereabouts. When we found him, I activated the anti-magic scepter, but—"

Professor Green's eyes reflected pain.

"—The scepter sealed our magic completely, but it failed to suppress Grindelwald's power. He, with his spellcasting abilities, easily overpowered us. My arrogance and recklessness left us defenseless."

"I thought we were doomed, but she—my wife—used ancient emotional magic at the cost of her life to break the scepter's restrictions temporarily and Apparate us away. Because of my hubris, I lost her forever."

Professor Green grimaced in anguish, as if transported back to that fateful battleground.

"And so, perfecting the anti-magic staff to truly nullify all magic and ensure equality for all beings has become my ultimate obsession. I know she can't return, but I refuse to let her sacrifice be in vain. If the anti-magic staff can be perfected and serve a real purpose, then even if I perish, I'll accept it!"

Professor Green exclaimed, his eyes flashing with the fervor typical of scholars.

"But I am old and unable to progress further. That's why, my student—namely you, Lynn—will complete my final work for me. Will you do your utmost to perfect this work in the future?"

Professor Green fixed his gaze on Lynn.

Seeing Professor Green's intense demeanor, Lynn recalled the scene at the Three Broomsticks last Sunday. He nodded resolutely. "I am willing, teacher. I promise to give it my all!"

As Lynn's youthful face met Professor Green's gaze, the latter sighed. "I apologize, Lynn. I might be burdening you too soon with this responsibility, but I have no other choice. I—"

Lynn cut him off gently. "Teacher, this is my choice. Besides, I am genuinely interested in researching the Dampening Stone!"

Professor Green fell silent, casting a glance at Lynn before standing up and waving his wand twice.

A scouring charm tidied Professor Green's appearance. 

A nearby book transformed into a blackboard through transfiguration, and a circuit diagram appeared on it, resembling the alchemical array.

"Although you've chosen to practice both array and magic, magic alchemy demands a high level of magical power from the wizard. I'll start teaching you next year. For now, let's focus on array alchemy." 

Professor Green explained, "Array alchemy requires the alchemist to combine scattered alchemical runes with magic power to form specific alchemical arrays. And these arrays are similar to Muggle circuit diagrams."

"Oh, sorry, I forgot that you might not know what a circuit diagram is. After all, not everyone is like me, attending a Muggle university for two and a half years!" Professor Green seemed to recall something and chuckled self-deprecatingly.

Though he sought more knowledge, the concept of wizards and Muggles coexisting was generally frowned upon in the conservative wizarding world. 

Upon hearing this, Lynn shook his head and intervened, "No, teacher, I'm familiar with circuit diagrams."

Pointing to the diagram on the blackboard, he explained, "This is a schematic diagram used to illustrate the workings of electronic circuits. It showcases basic structures like power supplies, switches, and components, and features two connection methods: series and parallel."

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(End of this chapter)