All kinds of wizards moved through it, including many with different skin tones conversing in English.
There were seven buildings in the complex, and each dome was engraved with a different symbol.
Those symbols seemed to carry symbolic meaning—after all, the materials used to form them were all different.
Sean studied them carefully and felt as if something clicked.
"In alchemy, the seven planets are each assigned their own symbols or inscriptions.
A circle with a dot represents the Sun—this symbol was first used in the Muggle Renaissance.
The Moon is a black crescent; Mercury's symbol comes from the serpent wrapped around a caduceus; Venus is a small circle with a cross beneath it, representing female; Mars is a circle with an arrow, representing male;
Jupiter is the Greek letter 'zeta,' representing Zeus; and Saturn's symbol used to be a sickle—also written as the Greek letter 'eta'…
The seven planets also correspond to different materials:
Sun to gold, Moon to silver, Mercury to mercury, Venus to copper, Mars to iron, Jupiter to tin, Saturn to lead.
That matches the buildings' symbols, and the materials forming those symbols, perfectly."
Sean recalled what he'd read in Professor Tayra's book.
"I'm starting to believe you'll succeed," the young witch marveled. "At the very least, you're better than those 'I want to swim in an ocean of money' merchant-students."
"I'm not a merchant. Could you tell me where Professor Tayra is?" Sean repeated.
"I believe you," the young witch declared solemnly—then she snorted with laughter, grabbed the young wizard's hand, and shook it hard.
Sean actually jolted from the force.
"Having a dream is always good. But remember: True without false. Never lie, and truth will inevitably follow."
"As above, so below; as below, so above—thus the miracle of the One is fulfilled," Sean replied naturally. It was from the Emerald Tablet.
"All things were once One, and by division came forth from the One.
The Sun is its father, the Moon its mother; it is carried in the wind and nourished by the earth.
The source of all perfection in the world is here; its power is greatest on earth."
The young witch's eyes lit up.
"Separate earth from fire; draw the subtle from the coarse—carefully.
It rises from earth to heaven, then returns from heaven to earth, obtaining the power of above and below.
Thus you gain the glory of the world and banish all darkness and ignorance."
Sean cooperated helplessly.
"You've got real potential!" the young witch gasped. She'd been quoting it in runic phrasing.
"Thank you. Do you know where Professor Tayra is?" Sean asked.
"Oh, don't be in such a hurry. My name's Suya—Suya Tayra."
She stuck out her hand.
She shook so enthusiastically that Sean wobbled again.
"Suya, let go of my dear student."
A familiar voice cut in.
"Aunt Tayra—" Suya immediately shrank back, suddenly very proper.
"You two getting along?" Professor Tayra asked with a smile that was warm—and yet carried effortless authority.
"I think so, Professor," Sean said.
"Come on. Let's go to the part that belongs to you."
Professor Tayra turned away.
"Belongs to… me?" Sean echoed, confused.
"Let Suya explain," Professor Tayra said, looking at the now-stiff young witch.
Sean tilted his head slightly. Suya still looked dazed.
Disciple… Aunt Tayra just said disciple, didn't she?
But Aunt Tayra only had one disciple!
And she'd only found that disciple recently—wizard merchants had teased her about it plenty in the past.
But later everyone had tacitly shut up, because Chocolate Frog cards had updated twice in a single year.
In the alchemy world, many master-apprentice relationships were "natural": the apprentice inherits the master's honor and part of their wealth.
But with her teacher, the relationship had reversed in the least possible way.
Flora Olivia Tayra—on her Chocolate Frog card, her honors included—
Guide of the thrice-great Hermes; a sage's teacher beyond question.
"Her—Her…" Suya's lips trembled.
Outside alchemy circles, most wizards hadn't fully grasped the achievements of this future greatest wizard.
But inside the alchemy world, watching "dear Mr. Hermes" was like a mayfly staring up at the sky—Suya couldn't even read his magical circuitry, much less the seamless, intricate ritual arrays that seemed born whole.
"I hadn't heard you had a speech impediment, my dear Suya?" Professor Tayra teased.
After a moment—once Suya managed to steady herself—Sean asked softly, "Could you explain it for me?"
"Of course!" Suya snapped back to attention like she'd been shocked.
So young—no, so young—what wizard wouldn't believe he was about to change the entire magical world?
"The alchemy world has an old rule: a master's alchemy workshop is generally inherited by their disciple. Only part is left to the family's descendants.
The reason isn't complicated…"
As she explained, they walked toward the "Jupiter" building.
Sean immediately understood the key point.
Yes, all magic requires talent.
But a branch like alchemy is rarer still.
Even Transfiguration—given proper training, most wizards can at least learn the basics and some intermediate material.
Harry and Ron, for instance, were both passable at Transfiguration.
And Justin—even without focusing much on it—was still above average.
But alchemy was different.
A wizard with talent could enter the alchemy world; only a wizard with extraordinary talent could even grasp the fundamentals.
In other words: alchemy—if you can't do it, you can't do it.
Hard work and diligence don't weigh as heavily in this branch.
So rather than handing the workshop's core to a family faction that might not even be able to maintain it, most accomplished alchemists choose to pass it to their apprentice.
That was also why alchemy circles valued inheritance so fiercely—
and why Emerald Workshop was always full of Professor Tayra's students coming to visit.
"A complete workshop, and fairly broad channels—so even after I leave, it can save you precious time," Professor Tayra said, apparently in high spirits.
She handed Sean something like deed papers.
"This time, I probably won't be able to help you review the contract spells myself. But I copied a few sets with a Duplication Charm. By now, they should have appeared on Minerva's and Severus's desks."
Suya watched those contracts with frank envy. She might inherit a portion too—but as an apprentice here, she understood better than anyone:
Putting it in her hands would be sheer waste.
"Professor… this is far too valuable," Sean said, staring up at the crystal dome, genuinely at a loss.
"Oh, my dear student—when will you finally understand that I've already received a gift far more precious?"
Professor Tayra's brows relaxed.
~~~
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