Albert was sitting in a corner of the library, resting his chin on his hand and casually flipping through the catalog of the Elegant Wizard Clothing Store, intending to pick out a suitable Christmas gift.
He originally planned to make a talisman for Nia himself, but after reading several books on alchemy, he temporarily gave up the idea.
Albert realized that his initial idea was very impractical. Although wizards could cast spells on objects and give them some magical properties, the magic on objects usually could not last for long and would disappear over time.
In Albert's opinion, it would be more meaningful to buy Nia a scarf than to make a talisman that would soon become useless as a birthday gift.
Creating a powerful and durable magical item is by no means an easy task.
First, certain items inherently possessing magical properties are needed as raw materials. Throughout the manufacturing process, these materials must be infused with magic. After completion, there's a final enchantment process. The power and skill of the enchanter determine the magical item's strength and durability.
In ancient times, wizards would carve runes onto magical items to further enhance their effects. However, very few wizards today can do this, and most of these ancient techniques have been lost.
Using this complex and tedious process, the result is usually a powerful and durable magical item.
Of course, in some places they are called alchemical items.
To be honest, the British magical community doesn't pay much attention to alchemy.
The concept of alchemy originated in the region of ancient Greece and Egypt and was introduced to Western Europe in the 12th century.
Early wizards had a very vague concept of alchemy and didn't even know what it was.
Albert had read the famous ancient Egyptian book, the Emerald Book, in the library, but he couldn't understand its meaning. The first sentence, when translated, meant:
As it is above, as it is below; thus accomplishing the miracles of the One.
The second sentence is: All things are originally the One, and through differentiation, they were created from the One...
After forcing himself to finish reading and memorizing the text, Albert closed the Emerald Book and put it back on the shelf. Ancient books are often filled with complex and profound concepts, making them difficult to understand.
Albert's only understanding of those two sentences in The Emerald Book was whether it was talking about the universe or something. He really didn't try to figure out the meaning of the book anymore. Maybe one day when he learns alchemy, he'll suddenly have an epiphany?
In any case, early alchemy involved multiple fields.
It explored the mysteries of magic, the forms of matter, and early cosmology—basically a whole bunch of things were incorporated into alchemical theory.
Later alchemy became obsessed with metalworking, which is why some metalworkers were later called alchemists, even though they might have preferred to call themselves metalworkers.
After centuries of development, alchemy, through the research of great alchemists such as Albertus von Aquinas, Roger Bacon, and Arnold von Willenova, established the concept of matter transformation.
Raymond Slule even proposed the Philosopher's Stone, or Philosopher's Stone, based on the theory of "understanding, decomposition, and reconstruction".
This hypothesis was then made by Nicomeyer.
Through the Philosopher's Stone, also known as the Magic Stone, the early concept of adding "seeds" to "transformation" was realized, successfully creating the elixir of immortality, and also able to turn any metal into pure gold.
Nicomel, who created the Philosopher's Stone, is therefore regarded as the founder of European alchemy, standing at the pinnacle of alchemy and looking down on all alchemists.
However, through generations of development, the concept of material transformation eventually leaned towards potion-making.
Although metalworkers were also given the title of alchemists, they clearly lacked that awareness, and the branch of alchemy fell into the mysticism.
Metal craftsmen often create magical items, as they are skilled at using magic to process metal and create magical tools that contain hidden magical powers.
Fairies are among the best, skilled in crafting pure silver artifacts using fairy magic, which in this world is similar to mithril in the magical world.
However, after some time, the fairy forging technique for pure silver was also lost, and only a small number of fairy craftsmen can forge fairy ironware.
After the profession of metalworker gradually disappeared, alchemy turned completely towards the mystical. However, most alchemists did not recognize that items that had been simply enchanted could be called alchemical items.
However, some people call it modern alchemy, and Albert once read a book called "Simple Alchemy," which is one of them.
After gaining a deeper understanding of alchemy, Albert had a new plan for creating amulets. He needed to find a group of magical materials that contained protective meanings and put them together to create an amulet. The resulting amulet would greatly enhance the protective magic that Albert would ultimately cast on it.
For example, the magical guardian tree or yew tree, the garnet known as the stone of life and the stone of protection... Using the Avarzrune, a rune symbolizing protection and defense, in combination with other runes can enhance the protective power of the amulet.
Unfortunately, while the idea was excellent, reality was harsh. Albert needed more knowledge to help him complete this framework, and he himself had virtually no understanding of runes, the ancient magical script.
Records about ancient runes focus more on interpretation and understanding, rather than delving into deeper aspects. Perhaps Dumbledore studied these things, but very few wizards today truly know how to use them.
Albert put the idea of making amulets as gifts out of his mind; in fact, he already had a more suitable option, and it was almost finished.
A griffin, the symbol of Gryffindor.
This was inspired by Albert's practice of basic movement magic, using wood, gears, and magic to create a moving griffin.
The reason he was asked to work on it was to create a life-size model of the fire dragon on the Goblet of Fire, a model of it swinging.
Indeed, ever since he leveled up his economics skills, Albert has started to have all sorts of crazy ideas pop into his head, such as selling models of various magical creatures and maybe making a fortune.
After all, he could find someone to partner with, start a company, and then invest and provide the relevant technology.
In order to sculpt the griffin, Albert even went to the spiral staircase of the principal's office on the third floor to observe a griffin statue for a long time and took several photos from various angles.
He also leveled up his carving skill and used the wood from the Guardian Tree provided by Hagrid to assemble a griffin. Basic movement magic could even make it flap its wings, but whether it could actually fly was, of course, impossible at the moment.
As for the future, Albert believed he could do it and perfect it completely. After all, he had the panel; how could he lack confidence!
As for who to collaborate with, Albert even had a shortlist, such as a certain unlucky guy who had been squeezed out of the market.
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