Hogwarts Study Panel

Chapter 139: Explanation

"One month, one month—"

Professor Terra's expressionless face slightly faded.
"What grade are you in, kid?"

"First year, professor."

Sheen spoke.

"Oh! Of course—otherwise it wouldn't be..."

The professor was stunned. She paused for a few seconds, then seemed to have no doubt about the truth of the words, only her eyes narrowed slightly and her lips twitched slightly.
“Give me your diagram of the manufacturing process for the quill pen… You’ve improved the process, haven’t you?”
Otherwise, the final step wouldn't have been so perfectly aligned.

"Yes, Professor."

Sheen was somewhat surprised. Could it be that he could tell?
While making the Floating Quill, he discovered that the samples provided by the twins could be optimized, as the Weasleys seemed unable to directly perceive the subtle flow of magic through their willpower.

This resulted in the floating quills appearing rough. But Sheen was different; he could always sense the subtle magic within them, just like he felt it in the flying broomstick.

Therefore, he naturally proceeded with the optimization, only realizing the danger of the process after it was completed.

“A skilled alchemist can sense the profound changes in the creations they create, and it is this ability that leads to a further classification of alchemists.”

Professor Terra's voice grew even more amiable.

Sheehan had seen this sentence in the book, and now that the professor was saying it, it sounded even more familiar.

"That sounds familiar. It seems you've read 'The Fifth Element: Exploration'... That's very good."

Professor Terra was even more pleased. What she didn't tell Sheehan was that on the cover page were several large words: "Written by Flora Terra".

"Among all the branches of magic, alchemy is the one that relies most on talent. Great alchemists connect with truth through 'ether' and transform the world."
Mediocre alchemists are destined to be lowly clerks in the Ministry of Magic, or producers of mediocre creations, never attaining enlightenment.

Professor Terra said this, then waved her hand, and a stool bounced out of the office, which she slowly sat down on:

"Then tell me, child, why do you want to study alchemy? In other words, what is your view on alchemy?"

Sheehan was slightly taken aback. He recalled Weasley's various inventions, which were simply combinations that produced great effects.

"Alchemy, perhaps, still has many gaps... The transmutation and triggering spells that need to be activated can create canary cookies, the copying spell and the persistence spell can create eternal ink... Magic, in a way, completely ignores science."

If you can have canary cookies, you can have falcon cookies and shark pies;

If there were an unlimited supply of ink, then there should be an unlimited supply of quills and clothes.

If greenhouses could be enchanted with a temperature-regulating spell, then teapots, clothes, and boots could all have it.

This is only the part of alchemy that has been explored by predecessors; there are still many parts that are completely blank... Wizards can boil water with a single fire spell, yet they don't know the principle of steam operation; wizards can pressurize by replication, yet they don't know the principle of a pressure pump..."

The more she explained, the brighter Sheen's eyes shone:

Why must we study the mysteries of alchemy?

Because...it's right there.

For a long time, the corridor fell into a deep silence.

Professor Terra pondered many things in an instant. She recalled the alchemists who had switched from Muggle Studies at the last Alchemy Conference, and how they had such awe-inspiring and ingenious ideas.

Despite their limited talents, they can only dream of being a reference consultant.

"Are you a half-blood wizard?"

The professor spoke softly, her words unbiased, filled only with pure curiosity.

"I am a Muggle wizard, Professor."

Sheehan said, “I’ve heard many interesting ideas from that Weasley, and his flying cars are quite impressive… I have an afternoon set aside for you every Monday and Wednesday.”

Professor Terra said softly,

"Child, tell me your name."

“Sheen Green, Professor.”

Sheen replied.

"Flora Terra. It's nice to meet you today. Tell those two Weasleys that I'll be in this corridor from now on—and don't pretend to fall every time; no wizard can fall in the same place seven times."

After Professor Terra finished speaking, she stared for a long time at the notes that Sheen had placed on top of a pile of books.

"You haven't given me the blueprints for making your quill pen yet, Mr. Green."

Somewhat stunned, Sheen then realized that he had completely forgotten about it, so he quickly handed over the notebook.

……

In the corridor, Sir Cadogan has been taking noticeably more naps lately, probably because of the cold weather. He drinks until midnight every night and then sleeps all day.

Sheen walked briskly, heading to the Transfiguration office to practice his Transfiguration, when suddenly two fiery red figures sprang out from the corner:
"You came out too fast! How did it go?!"

Fred removed the visor from his armor, revealing his face hidden beneath it.

“Don’t tell us you failed—then next time, we’ll take Galon.”

George, who was hiding behind the armor, was now forcefully pulling Fred out of it.

Sheen waved his wand, and the armor began to move on its own, detaching piece by piece and then coming back together.

"cool--"

Fred let out a soft cry.

"The professor told me to go see her after class."

Sheen's words were filled with gratitude. After thinking for a moment, he added,
"By the way, the professor said she's always in that corridor—don't pretend to fall every time; no wizard can fall in the same place seven times."

Fred and George blushed, muttering, "How can you call it a fall when it's a wizarding thing?" and "The ground was just too slippery," before disappearing.

Sheehan had anticipated both the Weasleys' reliability and unreliability. He quickly left the corridor. There were still two days until Wednesday, and he needed to familiarize himself with the framework of alchemy as much as possible in the remaining time.

Meanwhile, in the alchemy office.

Professor Terra sat in her chair, looking at her notes with great interest. Her gaze deepened as she read the first sentence: "Potions should share the same fundamental line as alchemy."

The subsequent explanation of the three stages of alchemy and their correspondence with potions made her nod slightly.

Although Sheen did not write down methods such as willpower enhancement, these theories had unknowingly influenced his view of magic, resulting in his notes always containing a profound sense of reflection.

Professor Terra was increasingly satisfied. She looked through Sheehan's diagrams of the floating quill pen's construction—though still somewhat immature, the details were handled exceptionally well.

But... what about these two days?

The time it takes for a quill pen to engrave magical runes?

It took two days to barely manage to make a floating quill pen...

Professor Terra stood up.

(End of this chapter)