"Pouring your will into an alchemical object is an extremely special alchemical technique, and no one can help you in the process."
"But you're very talented, and you've been through a lot. I think you'll understand!"
Nick Flamel looked at Ivan for a final summary.
Ivan was lost in thought, gradually understanding what he was missing.
Contrary to Nick Flamel's expectations, he was not without experience.
A year ago, Ivan thought he might be able to use the power of his hatred to try and create a powerful Dark object.
However, ever since he obtained the Time-Turner and understood the cause and effect of everything, this powerful negative emotion had weakened greatly, and some memories were buried deep in his heart.
Ivan didn't want to think about those painful memories at all. It was obviously impossible to break through the bottleneck with this.
"I understand, Professor. I'll be back on time!" Yvonne said, quickly composing herself.
Lessons at Hogwarts were no longer of much use to him, but they were still necessary.
Just staying here would not cause any emotional fluctuations, not to mention that one would be able to obtain GPA in class. It was not a loss to use it to speed up one's studies.
When Ivan finally figured it out, Nick Flamel smiled and nodded.
He emphasised this, in addition to making Ivan realise his own shortcomings, because he did not want Ivan to be so absorbed in his studies that he would go too far in his pursuit of power at such an age and neglect something more important.
After the decision was made, Ivan returned to Diagon Alley for the next few days to purchase his school supplies for the year, in addition to his usual routine of studying and conducting experiments.
Yvonne originally wanted to experience the French culture, so she went to Paris to buy supplies. However, she ended up buying books in French, which were different from the Hogwarts textbooks.
On the last day of school, Ivan made a special trip back to Knockturn Alley, transforming into his owl form from a distance to see how the wizards were doing, and then said goodbye to Alicia in private.
He had no choice. He was already frightened by those imaginative monsters, and it was better to hide until his Dementor's ability to read memories was enhanced.
"It's not easy for you to come back, why don't you stay a little longer… You've lost so much weight, and there are dark circles under your eyes. Are you not used to living with your new teacher?" Alicia gently pinched Ivan's cheek and looked at his eyes with heartache.
"No, I'm very used to living there, and I've learned a lot…" Ivan quickly shook his head and recounted his experiences over the past few days.
From the alchemical creatures and magical potted plants he saw through the door to his later analysis of alchemy, Ivan went into great detail, omitting only the subject of Dumbledore's presence and the crescent moon pendant.
Would this affect the reclusive Nick Flamel?
Ivan was not worried, as Alicia knew he had been visiting the Master Alchemist for the past two months, and that one would have to have the proper coordinates to get to the residence, so there would be no trouble.
The only real concern is the dissemination of secret knowledge.
Yvonne learned that Nick Flamel didn't have any connections, and that he wasn't the kind of wizard who hid his knowledge and taught people a lesson.
This was why Ivan had tried to sound him out a few days ago, and only now did he dare to tell Alicia about his conversation with Nick Flamel.
It did not take long for Isiah to sink into Ivan's story, especially after she heard Nick Flamel's explanation of the nature of magic and alchemy.
"What the heart thinks is the reality…" Alicia muttered.
"Well, the teacher told me this was the end of the magic!" said Ivan.
Alicia naturally did not question Nick Flamel's exposition of magic, but it was so fascinating that she wondered if there was really a wizard capable of it.
Being able to do whatever you want was no longer considered human, right?
"By the way, did you just say that Mr. Nick Flamel hasn't officially accepted you as a disciple?" Alicia asked curiously, remembering Ivan's earlier words.
"That's right. The teacher gave me a test. He said I should consider taking in a disciple once I passed." Ivan shrugged helplessly.
"Really? Well, you'll have to work hard… What's the test?" Alicia said with a smile, not looking too worried.
In her opinion, the fact that Nick Flamel was willing to share so much of his core knowledge with Ivan meant that he intended to take his children under his wing.
"Well… it's to repair a very special alchemical object…" Ivan tried to gloss over the matter, as he did not want to be scolded.
Alicia didn't ask any questions, thinking it would be inappropriate to reveal that she believed Ivan would be smart enough not to be stumped by a small test.
Yvonne tried to change the subject, trying to find out how Knockturn Alley was doing, especially if the restless Dark Wizards were up to no good.
"The training is going well, and it's starting to look like it. There are now ten members in the Enforcement Squad…" Asia went on and on, describing everything that had happened in Knockturn Alley in the past two months.
Renovation of the ring was also proceeding at a steady pace, with the Ministry expected to replace almost all of the protective props they had ordered within a year.
Ivan nodded. 'As long as nothing goes wrong.'
Ivan then passed on the alchemy notes he had compiled over the years to Alicia, which recorded many of the tricks he had used to set up the secret door.
Unless it was carefully examined by a master alchemist of the same level, it was impossible to tell that these protective props had been tampered with.
"With this knowledge, we'll be able to keep our plans more secret." Alicia's eyes lit up when she read the Alchemy Notes.
The Department of Mysteries had its share of skilled individuals, and the secret doors they created on their own might not be well hidden enough to be discovered.
Now there was nothing to worry about, as there was no one at the Ministry who was a match for Nick Flamel.
No, we don't have a plan at all!
Ivan rolled his eyes and tried to explain, but before he could do so, Alicia spoke up, as if remembering something.
"Wait here. I almost forgot to give you something!"