Hogwarts classes have officially begun.
After the initial adjustment discomfort of the first few days, Andy quickly found his rhythm and began a new phase of learning.
According to the study plan he made during the summer holiday, this semester, in addition to regular spell practice, he will focus on two key areas.
First, the study of love.
Second, the study of alchemy.
Finally, the [Potential Points] gained from learning magic will be used to increase [Constitution] and [Thinking].
The former is related to magic transfiguration, while the latter can improve Andy's learning efficiency.
They are both very important talent attributes.
After obtaining the approval slip for the restricted book section from Professor Flitwick, Andy began his long quest of book hunting.
Although there is no main Alchemy course at Hogwarts (if there's enough demand, a class will be taught in the sixth year), there are quite a few books related to Alchemy.
In fact, Andy has been wondering about this for a while.
In theory, alchemy and potions are both magical skills. Although they are related to magic, they are not magic spells but rather a kind of technical skill.
Well...it's like a secondary profession in a game.
They don't improve your magical power.
If that's the case, why is [Alchemy] on the system panel?
It wasn't until Andy read the book's introduction to alchemy that he really solved this doubt.
Alchemy and the crafting of magical items may seem similar, as they are both methods of crafting magical items. However, in reality, they are very different.
Crafting magical items requires the application of spells.
For example, to craft a Time Turner, you need to master the Time Reversal spell.
But alchemy is different.
Crafting alchemical magical items is only a branch of alchemy.
Alchemy is more like a new field of magic.
Unlike traditional wizarding magic, Andy views alchemy as a way of interpreting the rules of the universe, and from these rules, it is possible to learn an alchemical magic system that is different from the traditional wizarding magic system.
It is said that there are three ultimate creations in alchemy:
Panacea, the Philosopher's Stone, and the Homunculus.
From this point of view, alchemy also aims to realise the goal of 'obtaining one's wish'.
The difference is that traditional wizarding magic relies on one's own magical power.
Whereas alchemy relies on external forces.
Alchemy is based on a special pictographic script, also known as Ancient Runes. Hogwarts offers a course in this subject.
However, not all ancient runes are magical.
***
Hogwarts Library.
Andy leafed through a book while taking notes.
After these few days of study, Andy had gained a preliminary understanding of alchemy.
To be honest, Andy was a little hesitant.
In Andy's opinion, he believes that using one's own power to harness the forces of nature is the true path. Alchemy is certainly miraculous, but it is essentially using external forces.
Take immortality, for example.
Nicolas Flamel achieved it using the Philosopher's Stone.
While Voldemort attained it using the Horcruxes.
Although Andy now has a bit of a low opinion of Voldemort, if he really had to choose between a Horcrux and a Philosopher's Stone, there's a good chance that Andy would choose... the Philosopher's Stone.
Well... mainly because Andy can't accept the idea of splitting his soul.
If a person's soul is incomplete, won't it affect their chances of pursuing the pinnacle of magic?
Just look at the system panel.
[Soul] is a very important attribute!
"Tsk!"
Andy couldn't quite make up his mind.
It was certainly good to learn more, but the problem lay in the fact that... human energy was limited.
Alchemy isn't part of traditional magic.
It can't improve Andy's magical powers.
Why did Nicolas Flamel hand the Philosopher's Stone over to Dumbledore back in the first year?
Of course, it was because he couldn't stop Voldemort!
"What's wrong? You've been looking troubled."
Seeing Andy's troubled expression, Hermione looked around and then asked in a low voice, "Are you having trouble with your studies?"
"Yes!" Andy admitted frankly.
"Oh? There's a problem you can't solve?"
Hermione instantly became interested. "Is it related to alchemy? You've been studying that recently."
"Mm!"
Andy nodded and said with a troubled expression, "I'm struggling with whether or not to study alchemy."
Hermione: "..."
There's no point in continuing this conversation.
Hermione gave Andy a big eye roll and then lowered her head to continue reading.
After a while, Hermione couldn't help but ask curiously, "Why are you struggling? Isn't it good to learn more knowledge?"
"Indeed! But alchemy is different from standard magic..."
Andy gave Hermione a brief explanation of the principles of alchemy and then said with a look of distress, "It's a whole new school of magic, and I'm not sure whether I should learn it or not."
"Because human energy is limited."
"Apart from alchemy, I have a more important study plan."
Hermione was taken aback. "More important study plan?"
Hermione was obviously more interested in Andy's 'important study plan' than whether he should learn alchemy.
"Yes!"
Andy said, "I plan to study the power of love."
Hermione: "..."
"Andy..."
Hermione took a moment to look at Andy and then advised, "If the studies are too stressful, take a few days off and don't push yourself too hard."
Andy: "..."
Like most people, Hermione obviously thought that the 'power of love' was just something made up to fool children.
Love is not such a mysterious thing.
A parent's love for a child
A child's love for a parent.
A love between men and women.
Even a grand love for the world.
If love really had power, then that power would have been discovered long ago.
Of course, Hermione didn't hold any particular strong views on love.
She just felt that this stuff wouldn't suit Andy's character.
"Sigh," Andy sighed.
He had no clue whatsoever about the power of love.
He wasn't sure whether he wanted to learn alchemy or not.
The study plan that had been set out had run into obstacles before he could even start.
Seeing that Andy wasn't joking, Hermione asked, as if to confirm, "Andy, are you serious?"
"Of course!" Andy rolled his eyes.
"Okay! You must have your reasons."
Hermione thought for a moment and said in a serious tone, "What you study mainly depends on what your goals are."
"Didn't you say... you want to live a long life using magic?"
"If you can really find a way to achieve this, you can learn all the knowledge in the world. But before that happens, Andy...you must make a choice."
This was the same as saying nothing!
Using magic to live a long life, apart from Horcrux, Andy had not yet found a viable method.
But Andy didn't want to split his soul.
So the Philosopher's Stone was currently the only available method.
But once he devoted his energy to learning alchemy, he would inevitably have less time to learn magic.
This is not a problem in itself, but alchemy is a magical discipline that relies on external forces... This goes against Andy's beliefs.
"You're right, you're right!"
Andy suddenly realised.
When he planned to learn alchemy during the summer holidays, Andy thought that alchemy was just a method of crafting magical items, but he still planned to study it.
Why is he hesitating now?
----
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