A/N: I’ve been researching Chinese mythology and culture for this mini arc, doing my best not to contradict established Harry Potter lore.

The next day, Simon explained the potion-making practices of the alchemy sects to Aaric, who was thoroughly intrigued by the concept.

“We can get a flame for you too,” Aaric offered thoughtfully.

Simon considered.

“Do you wish to reveal your flame to the elder?”

“They’ve been more than forthcoming with us. I don’t think it would cause harm,” Aaric said after a pause.

They were guests of an ancestral spirit—mythical and godlike figures in Chinese culture—and trusted that the sect wouldn’t dare cause offense.

“About the flame,” Simon added, “I think I already have one. It just needs a catalyst to awaken.”

Having once bonded with an ancient and powerful dragon through ritual, Simon had focused on learning its ice-based magic—but it was still a dragon, and dragons breathe fire.

From nearby, Shenlian spoke quietly.

“I might have just the thing. I once took a Crimson Yánhuā Lotus from a volcano and planted it in the courtyard. It’s been nourished by me for the past two hundred years.”

She returned moments later carrying the lotus: deep red, its aura sizzling like living flame. Aaric infused it with moonlight essence and offered it to Simon—to awaken the dormant fire within him.

—

In Elder Huo’s courtyard, the elder sat reading with a furrowed brow. He looked up when a maid bowed before him.

“Our guests are here to meet you, Elder.”

He nodded.

“Please, lead them in.”

Simon and Aaric entered behind the maid. Simon smiled warmly and offered a greeting.

“Good morning, Elder. I hope we aren’t disturbing you.”

“Not at all, my lord. I would never miss the chance to exchange knowledge with a skilled potioneer such as yourself,” Elder Huo replied with a wave of his hand.

They chatted while Aaric sat off to the side, appearing completely disinterested in the chatter of adults.

“The little lord has a flame too, you say?” Elder Huo asked in surprise when Simon mentioned it.

Taking the cue, Aaric lifted his hand and summoned his flame. The elder examined it with astonishment.

“This is powerful. Superior, even. And you’ve such great control… Do those in Britain know how to harvest beast flames—and a superior method at that?”

Simon chuckled.

“No. We have… unique methods.”

Elder Huo didn’t press further.

“Would you wish to be my disciple, little lord? I’ve never had any—but I believe you have great potential,” he offered, stroking his white beard.

Aaric bowed, having learned the custom.

“I accept, Master.”

Elder Huo nodded, visibly satisfied.

“I’ll provide you with my personal notes and the sect’s accumulated knowledge. Study them carefully, and come to me whenever you have questions.”

A maid escorted Aaric to the elder’s personal library, guiding him through the resources.

—

Edwina, meanwhile, was immersed in her own studies. The sect’s techniques—using fire, light, and dark elements for healing—offered rich innovations. One of the clan’s ancestors had been a powerful Parselmouth, and Edwina had learned new spells and methods from that legacy. She was now focused on integrating Parselmouth healing and the sect’s approach. She, too, would soon acquire a flame.

—

A week passed. Aaric’s progress in alchemy was astonishing—so much so that Elder Huo nearly pulled out his beard.

“This took me months to master and you needed only a day? Sigh… the gods truly are partial,” he muttered.

The elder, jovial and generous once familiar with someone, withheld nothing from Aaric and bragged shamelessly to the other elders about his disciple’s accomplishments.

—

An elder meeting convened later that week.

“Lady Hawthorne was the best healer we’d seen—but now she is simply miraculous, having acquired a flame and studied our techniques,” said the elder from the Healing Pavilion.

“And the lord is a master of sword and magic. I hear he’s learning our methods quickly as well,” sighed the elder of Flameheart Pavilion.

Elder Huo huffed.

“My rebellious disciple is a monster. He’ll surpass me in no time—what face will I have left?” he lamented in mock indignation.

The other elders’ brows twitched. Some visibly resisted the urge to smack him.

“The potion you created for the sect master stabilized his condition—but the poison remains. Should we consult Lady Hawthorne for the cure?” one elder asked Elder Huo.

“I’ll ask her for help,” he agreed.

—

“Today,” Elder Huo announced in class, “we’ll learn the states of matter and how to manipulate them.”

Alchemy, like Transfiguration, dealt with the transformation of matter—though its changes were permanent.

“We use fire,” the elder continued, “to weaken the bonds of an object and rearrange them to change its state and structure.”

Aaric listened intently, practicing with focus.

—

“Master,” Aaric asked quietly, “do you know of the creation of the Philosopher’s Stone?”

Elder Huo hummed thoughtfully.

“Yes. It’s considered the pinnacle of alchemy, isn’t it? It follows the law of equivalent exchange—absorbing death energy to create life and gold. Its creator used the plagues and deaths of his time to forge the stone.”

He scoffed.

“But why would anyone choose to grow old forever?”

“Some sect ancestors did seek immortality through similar methods. But there are far better paths—like sacred treasures and fire-aligned essence.”

And with that, Elder Huo launched into one of his famously long lectures.

A/N: This chapter was mostly setup. Please share your thoughts! I crafted the method myself, though the concept of flame inheritance is inspired by a Chinese novel I read.

Stones please, people—let’s climb the rankings!

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep