Looking back, the elderly man appeared to be centuries old, his entire being as delicate as glass. "Teacher," John greeted the old man affectionately. Nicole Flamel, with a smile on his face, was the only alchemist known to have created the Philosopher's Stone, placing him at the pinnacle of alchemical mastery.
Nicole Flamel had been present the last time John and Extis visited the Gate of Things. It was Flamel who had enhanced John's Sword of Silver Wick. Their mentorship had lasted several months, during which Nicole Flamel had grown quite fond of John. "You've matured. Is this your creation?" Nicole Flamel inquired, examining a glove with an intricate design, his expression one of deep approval. With his expertise, he could easily discern that the alchemy imbued within the glove was of the highest caliber, a testament to John's remarkable progress in just a few years.
"Why does this place look different from the last time?" John asked, puzzled. Previously, the area had mirrored surroundings, but now it was illuminated by Gublai fairy fire. Nicole Flamel explained, "The Gate of Things is, in essence, ever-changing. Its transformation is not unexpected."
Upon noticing the legendary Ice Box, Nicole Flamel couldn't hide his astonishment. "The legendary artifact from the kingdom of giants has indeed brought me quite the dilemma," he remarked. As the current guardian of the Gate of Things, the Ice Box posed a significant challenge for Nicole Flamel.
Determined, John stated, "I wish to enter the Gate of Things and permanently exile the Ice Box." Nicole Flamel, however, shook his head, his eyes filled with a mixture of kindness and sorrow. "My child, every action requires a sacrifice. You're in no condition to proceed," he observed, noting John's frail state. John's arms were severely injured, and his soul had not been spared from harm.
At that moment, an elderly woman approached. It was her second encounter with John. Distressed by his condition, she exclaimed, "Albus has failed to protect you adequately." The woman was Perenelle LeMay, Nicole Flamel's wife, who had shared a long life with him. Viewing John as a potential successor, Perenelle also considered him like a son. Displeased with Dumbledore's oversight, she expressed her concern for John's well-being.
John remained silent, unsure how to explain his strained relationship with Dumbledore. Perenelle's words, filled with emotion, touched John deeply. "He's only 15. Why must he endure so much?" she lamented. Her compassion was a balm to John's weary soul, a rare moment of solace in his tumultuous journey.
"Leave your burdens here," Nicole Flamel advised gently. "What you need most now is to heal." Grateful, John responded sincerely, "Thank you, Teacher. I will find a way."
Despite his desire to stay, John knew time was of the essence. He approached the Gate of Things with determination, aware that it held the key to resolving his predicaments. Inside, three gates stood: a white gate symbolizing life and death, a golden gate for the past and future, and a silver gate representing creation.
This time, John headed towards the silver gate. As he looked at his damaged hands, the gate swung open as if by magic. A hand reached out from beyond, signaling the principle of equivalent exchange. John, with resolve, offered his last Philosopher's Stone. "In exchange for healing my hands, I am willing to give this Philosopher's Stone."
The hand hesitated momentarily before swiftly taking the stone. John then experienced an intense pain, as if his arms were being severed and then regenerated. His hands transformed, and by the end of the ordeal, drenched in sweat and clenching his fists, John had recovered.
Retrieving another Philosopher's Stone from his bag, John called out to the Gate of Things, ready to face whatever came next with renewed strength and determination. John stood before the Gate of Things, his heart heavy with the realization that his request for a space to exile the Ice Box might be beyond his reach. His inventory was sparse, consisting only of the Philosopher's Stone, a pair of limited gloves, and the Sword of Silver Wick. With a sense of reluctance, he removed his ring and called out once more, "I need a space where I can exile the Ice Box." The Gate remained unresponsive, deepening John's sense of despair.
In a last-ditch effort, John raised the Sword of Silver Wick, his voice echoing with determination, "I need a space where I can exile the Ice Box." This time, the Gate stirred, but not in the way John had hoped. Instead of granting his request, numerous arms emerged, attempting to pull him into its depths. Panic surged through John as he stumbled backward, realizing his own strength was insufficient against the menacing entity.
Just as the arms were about to ensnare him, they halted. John's eyes widened in relief as he saw his mentor, Nicole Flamel, standing protectively in front of him. Once the danger had passed, John managed a wry smile, admitting defeat, "It seems that he can't be exiled."
Nicole Flamel approached, his expression grave as he helped John to his feet. "Nothing is perfect, John, and that includes people," he said, his voice imbued with earnestness. "You've been pushing yourself too hard."
John was momentarily taken aback by his mentor's words. He reflected on his actions, realizing the truth in Flamel's observation. Despite founding the Star Club with the intention of keeping his friends safe, John had always been the one to face dangers head-on. He fought Voldemort to protect his friends, broke taboos to save Hermione, and endured the Cruciatus Curse for Neville's parents. His loyalty to his friends was unwavering, yet he often found himself facing challenges alone, unlike Harry Potter, who had a network of support from figures like Dumbledore, Professor McGonagall, and the Order of the Phoenix.
John acknowledged the stark contrast between himself and Harry. While Harry had a safety net of mentors and allies, John felt isolated, with no one to fall back on. His every mistake carried the weight of potential disaster, and he sensed the skepticism from Snape and the lack of trust from Dumbledore. The realization that he had no one truly behind him was a bitter pill to swallow.
Despite his attempts to forge connections, such as seeking Snape's favor, John understood that his efforts were in vain. Snape's loyalty lay with Dumbledore and Harry, leaving John to navigate his path alone. This acknowledgment brought a sincere, albeit bitter, smile to his face as he confided in Flamel, "Teacher, there is no one behind me."
John's involvement with the Star Club and his interactions with allies like Dharma Alex were driven by necessity and mutual interests rather than genuine support. With the Star Club still in its infancy, John bore the weight of his responsibilities alone, a trace of fatigue etching itself into his features as he gazed at the Gate of Things, contemplating his solitary journey. Lost and uncertain, John lamented, "It seems I have no way to solve the Ice Box's mystery." He was unsure if the Ice Box would impact the teacher within the Gate of Things, yet he felt a strong reluctance to retain the artifact.
Nicolas Flamel led John to the Golden Gate. As they approached, John sensed the Gate of Things' displeasure upon opening the golden door. It was evidently unhappy with Nicolas Flamel's decision to let John proceed without formal authorization. Unperturbed, Nicolas Flamel said, "Go forth, boy. There is a teacher for everything." His words carried a weight of affirmation, unaware of the numerous injustices his student had endured in this world. As a mentor and elder, the realization pierced his centuries-old heart with a sharp sting.
Nicolas Flamel's distress and guilt over John's plight were profound, compelling him to act selflessly on his student's behalf. John understood that parting ways with his teacher was inevitable. Simultaneously, he recognized that Nicolas Flamel was preparing to undertake a significant action for his sake.
After stepping through the Golden Gate, it closed behind him. Nicolas Flamel watched solemnly, his gaze lingering as his wife joined him, taking his arm. Together, they silently observed John's departure.
[Ding, the task is completed...]
_________
If you are tired of reading I also have this converted to an audio novel on my youtube
https://www.youtube.com/@NovelAudioForge/featured
Direct Link to playlist
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f_Hg-qsW4rM&list=PLKskshYG-OcPTR4-Nw7IWFEBZm07D8pBV&ab_channel=NovelAudioForge