The common rooms at Hogwarts were always abuzz with gossip, and Ravenclaw's was no exception. However, Ian wasn't particularly interested in idle chatter unless it involved firsthand experience.
A group of younger students gathered around, eager to share the latest scandal with him. But Ian, far more interested in his alchemy research, deftly brushed them off. Before they could finish their excited storytelling, Ian had already slipped away.
Watching him disappear into the dormitory corridor, the younger students exchanged glances, looking somewhat dejected. They huddled together to analyze why Ian had been so dismissive.
In the end, they reached a unanimous conclusion— they must have fallen out of Ian's favor. Thus, a new discussion began: how to regain the little professor's good graces.
"Time to be disciplined!"
Ian had no idea he had sparked such a dramatic misunderstanding. As soon as he returned to his dorm, he eagerly dove into his books. He had already absorbed a wealth of knowledge on alchemy.
To be honest.
The wizarding world and the Muggle world had been separated for too long. Perhaps only alchemy still preserved the remnants of the once-thriving relationship between magical theory and Muggle science.
"If the enchantments used in broomsticks could be applied to build flying carriages or airships, we'd be looking at a whole new age of magical transportation! Even Muggle environmental groups would have to reconsider their stance." Ian mused, feeling more convinced than ever that Muggle innovations held untapped potential for wizardkind.
He might not have been the most imaginative wizard himself, but in a world teeming with magical minds, there was no shortage of genius and boundless creativity.
Beyond drawing inspiration from Muggle's ingenuity, Ian had an idea— what if he could set up a magical notice board, using Galleons to solicit inventive suggestions from others?
Standing atop the shoulders of many, he might just have a chance to carve his name into history as one of the great alchemists of the wizarding world.
Muggles could dream up fantastical concepts.
He would bring them to life with magic.
Wasn't that the very essence of an alchemy master's wisdom? The wizarding world had seen few true alchemical innovators over the centuries, and their creativity, while remarkable, surely couldn't outmatch the collective imagination of an entire populace.
Just look at the contrast between the wizarding and Muggle worlds. With the combined efforts of countless individuals, Muggles had devised hundreds of methods to wage war.
And wizards?
They are still stuck on the same curses and the Killing Curse.
What a waste of the boundless potential magic offered by innovation! The fact that no one had developed a long-range cursing projectile was, in Ian's mind, a testament to the magical world's resistance to progress.
"Take the Marauder's Map, for example. It's been around for ages, yet only next year will Harry Potter finally get his hands on it. Keeping such things locked away for personal use? That's outdated thinking."
Ian voiced his thoughts aloud.
He pulled open the drawer of his desk, rummaging through a stack of parchment before selecting one. Today, he would begin his alchemy experiment: the creation of a low-cost, mass-produced alternative to the Marauder's Map— so that every student at Hogwarts could have one.
Could he ask the Weasley twins for theirs?
Or keep it for himself?
Absolutely not.
Ian's aim was to line his pockets while also arming Hogwarts students with a map of their own. After all, wouldn't this help refine the night-wandering skills of young wizards?
"That's how progress is made!"
Ian began scrawling furiously, inscribing the enchanted parchment with magical circuits linked to the appropriate runic texts. Despite it being his first practical attempt, his hand was steady and confident.
[Ancient Alchemy (Level 3) 76/400]
After all, he had already mastered the theory. This kind of meticulous crafting process only served to deepen his understanding, increasing his proficiency even more than simply reading alchemical tomes.
Of course.
Practice inevitably led to refinement, and the knowledge he gained in the process added layers to his skill, albeit more gradually than absorbing wisdom from the great alchemists of history.
[You are crafting an Alchemical Artifact, Proficiency +1]
[You are crafting an Alchemical Artifact, Proficiency +1.5]
[You are crafting an Alchemical Artifact, Proficiency +1]
…
At one point, he even gained 0.5 proficiency— a sign that his thought process had momentarily stalled. This was a new experience for Ian, but one he quickly overcame, completing the fundamental engravings on the first parchment.
"On to the second one!"
He pulled out another sheet.
This was part of a stash he had discovered in the Room of Requirement, along with various rare writing materials for magical inscriptions. The hidden chamber truly was a treasure trove of forgotten artifacts.
Ian had already considered moving his little classroom there once he no longer needed to keep it a secret. There was no reason for the Room of Requirement to remain untouched for seven years when it could serve a greater purpose.
It existed, yet it was left unused.
What difference was there between that and a miser hoarding Galleons in a Gringotts vault, letting them gather dust? Ian believed that the students who consistently attended his little study sessions deserved to know about and make use of such an invaluable space.
Of course.
Even if they weren't prodigies, Ian was confident he could mold them into something more.
The only question was how much they were willing to pay.
"Everyone's progress fuels the progress of the era. I've already been blessed with knowledge— why should I fear others catching up to me on the road to discovery?"
Ian had never been one to hoard knowledge in his private lessons.
That said, he wasn't entirely selfless.
For instance, he had no intention of mass-producing his enchanted flying cloak. While the others soared through the air on brooms, he would glide effortlessly in style.
After all, there can only be one Doctor Strange at Hogwarts.
"Third one!"
"Fourth one!"
…
The initial creation of the Marauder's Map wasn't particularly complicated— at least in Ian's eyes. For most other Hogwarts students, however, replicating such an artifact would be an insurmountable challenge.
After all, even Harry Potter's father, James Potter— whom Snape would no doubt sneeringly refer to as an Idiot— a privileged troublemaker, had to collaborate with other talented individuals and dedicate significant effort to producing the original Marauder's Map.
In other words—
Most wizards without a deep family legacy in magical craftsmanship would struggle to accomplish such a feat alone. Ian hadn't seen the version the Weasley twins possessed, but he had his own methods of constructing a new Marauder's Map.
"The most crucial element is the real-time display of names and locations. I'll have to finish that part tonight— it's far too crowded to work on it properly during the day."
Ian planned to create only fifty copies in the first batch, and then make adjustments based on user feedback. He wasn't concerned about completing the most intricate and labor-intensive enchantments.
(To Be Continued…)
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