Candlelight flickered, casting moving shadows on the wall, like the suddenly trembling heartstrings of Vid.
Unconsciously, he tightened his grip on the quill, his voice slightly trembling: "I... I don’t understand, sir... the gift you ntioned is referring to..."
It wasn’t that he didn’t understand, but the "surprise" was too great and sudden, making Vid unable to help but suspect if there was so hidden danger behind it that he hadn’t discovered.
Beyond his parents’ love and care, Vid never felt there was anything he could get for no reason—
Admiration and care from elders, respect and praise from peers, reverence and adoration from house-elves—all of these were earned through his effort and dedication in showing his worth.
Amidst the cold wind, during that night trapped outside on the windowsill platform to avoid being discovered by Voldemort, the fear from the invisible tightening noose around his neck was sothing Vid never forgot.
So at this mont, faced with this enormous windfall from the sky, Vid wasn’t excited or thrilled; his first reaction was caution, as if a chill quietly climbed up his spine.
"My collection of books, my notes, and of course, my private collection room."
Flal rely thought he was overwheld with joy, unsure how to react montarily, so he said with a gentle smile on his face, even his eyes hidden a warm smile.
"Albus has a very heavy burden. His passion for alchemy was replaced by other things many years ago."
"I initially thought the books I’d left behind would beco part of the Hogwarts library. Perhaps, many years later, a child would open them, full of curiosity, venturing into the world of alchemy."
"But Albus recomnded you to ."
"He said... rather than waiting for soone unknown in the future, it’s better to choose the most outstanding and youngest alchemist of the present."
"Dear Vid, before you accepted my invitation, I’d already heard a lot about you from Albus... I’ve learned and studied every single one of your inventions."
"I must say, very imaginative. But what surprised more was the reflection in your works—your love and reverence for alchemy."
"I am dying, Vid. But if my research can be inherited by a child like you, then I have no regrets."
Vid felt as if a warm current was rushing through his body, from his cheeks to his limbs, as if they were burning with a scorching heat. His heart pumped violently, his eardrums humd, and he felt slightly dizzy.
He knew he should imdiately agree, but what ca out instead was: "Sir, I... I don’t know what to say, this is too..."
"No need to answer now, child." Flal smiled forgivingly, "I understand, sotis unexpected gifts can make one anxious, like being pushed to the edge of a cliff."
Vid’s age wasn’t even a fraction of Nicolas Flal’s; to him, the child before him was just young and naive, so not yet worn down by the world.
Rather, such a student made Flal even more fond of him.
"Follow , Vid." Flal turned around, saying: "Let show you what you will inherit first."
Vid instinctively followed, hurrying his steps and nearly stepping on Flal’s shoes.
It was apparent that Flal was trying hard to walk quickly, but his "swift strides" were at a pace Vid could keep up with without overtaking him.
Luckily, Flal’s collection room wasn’t far.
In fact, he was heading toward the gigantic chanical pendulum clock standing in the corner.
The body of the pendulum clock was crafted from deep brown walnut wood, with brass edging on the corners. The face was also golden, with finely detailed markings on the edges, and the copper hands moved steadily and forcefully.
Every hour, the pendulum clock’s hamr would strike the copper tube, emitting a graceful sound. If soone approached, this clock would enthusiastically report the ti and sotis ask for help to dust its top.
Vid had been here a few days, seeing this clock daily, always thought it was just like most of the wizarding family’s furniture, infused with so magic, but not much.
At this mont, as Flal approached, the clock spiritedly said: "Good evening, Mr. Flal. It is now nine twenty-one, the night tonight is very..."
Before the clock could finish speaking, Flal pinched the minute hand, turned it clockwise twice, counter-clockwise three tis, then tapped with a magic wand on the numbers [6651382].
With a crisp tap, the brass clock’s casing slowly opened, Vid held his breath, almost forgetting his heartbeat.
Just like his wardrobe space, Nicolas Flal’s collection room was hidden in the latter part of the pendulum clock’s space.
It was a vast hall, with countless bookshelves stretching from the floor to the do, nurous books, scrolls, manuscripts stacked layer upon layer, daunting anyone who approached.
Furthermore, so shelves held sealed boxes with unknown functions, the magic patterns upon them radiating a warm glow under the light from magical globes.
"Oh my..."
Vid couldn’t help but exclaim, montarily unsure what to say.
He felt that everything he’d ever wanted in life, this collection room could satisfy more than half.
"I’ve always been organizing these things, but the workload was much larger than I thought, so I’m afraid I can’t complete it. The rest can only be entrusted to you."
Flal led Vid, slowly walking through the bookshelves, casually picking up a scroll to look at, then closing it again.
"Oh, ancient alchemy books... honestly, most of the content is outdated, or the species have gone extinct, so not much aningful use... but since they are rare copies, they hold so value."
"These books..." Vid asked with reverence, "Have you read all of them?"
Nicolas Flal blinked.
"Of course," he said, "If they hadn’t been carefully selected, how could I’d let them enter my collection room? Of course, Pelle also helped with a lot of the selection work."
Vid nodded slightly with suspicion, his gaze landing in the distance.
There were so bookshelves over there, wrapped in chains, most books also bound with magical chains, alongside many sealed boxes.
"Ah, you’ve noticed... There’s dangerous knowledge in there, even just opening the books is hazardous. Although I’ve left them for you, I hope you never open them," Flal said earnestly.
"If they are so dangerous, why haven’t you destroyed them?" Vid asked curiously.
"Because those are the wisdom left to us by those before us," Flal said quietly, "Even though they are dangerous, perhaps there will be a day when they are needed."
"When will they be needed?" Vid asked.
"In Nordic mythology, to gain supre wisdom, King of gods Odin gouged out one of his eyes and threw it into the spring guarded by Mimir."
Flal looked at Vid, saying: "If there’s ever a day you wish to acquire certain knowledge at the cost even greater than his, then and only then may you open those books."
Vid felt slightly eerie, looking at the heavy chains, cautiously suppressing his curiosity.
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