Harry Potter, the savior of Night City

"Completely separating the soul from the body, and using it for one's own purposes regardless of the soul's willingness, is the most crucial step for a soul alchemist. When we cannot reach the level of creating souls, soul plundering becomes a skill we must learn. In this respect, Eastern soul alchemy is the best. An Eastern friend of mine once gave me a flag that could be used for soul alchemy, but Western magic repels the magic in that black and purple flag called the Human Emperor Banner, so it cannot be used... Now, let's begin the explanation..."

Hermione was reading Soul Alchemy in an abandoned classroom, hoping to learn the third chapter as soon as possible. However, the third chapter's soul-stealing technique was too difficult for a second-year student, even with the blessing. The book even judged that her knowledge was not yet sufficient and did not include her in the curriculum.

Hermione slumped on the table, looking utterly defeated. Her eyes were practically lifeless. It was too difficult; she couldn't understand it at all. She had no idea what the new technical terms in the book meant, and she couldn't even take it to the library to look them up.

"Self-nature, furnace, what are these things?!"

Hermione ran her fingers through her hair, pressing her forehead against the table, completely bewildered by what it all was.

"Self-nature refers to the integrity of one's personality. In the soul-plundering of Soul Alchemy, it is necessary to maintain the integrity of the soul's personality. In this way, when the alchemist uses it to strengthen himself, his spirit will not become extreme due to multiple incomplete personalities."

A voice rang out, and a pale, aged hand rested on Hermione's shoulder. The voice continued to explain:

"The Furnace is the process by which Soul Alchemists refine the souls they wish to utilize. The soul is likened to pig iron, and the Furnace refinement uses extreme pain to temper its resilience, ultimately turning the pig iron into steel. Every soul that passes through the Furnace will no longer be torn apart. In fact, a soul refined to the extreme can see the soul torn apart by the Killing Curse as nothing."

Hermione turned around in surprise and saw a thin, old face smiling kindly at her. His hair had turned completely white due to his advanced age, but it had not fallen out because of the elixir of immortality. A white robe was wrapped around his body, and although the robe was the thinnest style, it still looked loose in front of him.

"You, you are..." Hermione looked at the old man before her, as if she suddenly knew his name. "You are Mr. Nicholas Flamel, I, I really..."

Seeing Hermione so excited she could barely speak, Nick Flamel smiled, slowly raised his hand, and waved it towards the side of the classroom. A chair floated down behind him, and he sat down, smiling as he said, "Just call me Nick, kid."

Nick glanced at the Soul Alchemy book spread out on the table and said to Hermione, "You've just learned the third stage of Soul Alchemy, right? So, I want to ask you, child, what do you want to do after you've learned Soul Alchemy?"

Hermione listened to Nick's question and then told him about Serena's problem. Halfway through her story, she suddenly realized that the person in front of her was a legendary alchemist who had lived for more than six centuries. Why couldn't she ask him to heal Serena?

"Mr. Flamel," Hermione said, looking into Nick's eyes, "may I ask you to treat Serena?"

Nick had already anticipated this question, smiled, and answered directly, "I won't save her."

Hermione was stunned for a moment, then realized that this matter had nothing to do with Nick Flamel. Even if Voldemort really rose to power, it would not affect his life in the slightest. The letter that Dumbledore had that could find Nick Flamel was written by Nick Flamel himself. If even Dumbledore could not find Nick Flamel, then Voldemort would be even less likely to find him.

"Then, I would like to ask you to teach me Soul Alchemy," Hermione said.

Nick said nothing. He had already scanned Hermione's soul with his Soul Eye. It was pure white, clean, and without a trace of filth. Apart from some powerful blue soul energy, there was nothing else. That powerful soul energy was just enough to give Hermione an even stronger soul alchemy talent.

“I can teach you.” Nick nodded, then continued, “However, the souls you have plundered must never choose the kind. I believe your soul eye can tell who is kind and who is wicked.”

"I..." Hermione was about to agree immediately when Nick grabbed her forearm.

"Then let us make an unbreakable vow, hold my forearm, my child."

Hermione grabbed Nick's forearm with her other hand. In order to learn Soul Alchemy and to save people like Serena, she was also going to make this vow.

"Hermione, from this day forward, your soul alchemy must not steal the souls of the good. Do you agree?"

"I agree."

A golden ribbon appeared and wrapped around their hands.

"From this day forward, your use of soul alchemy must not violate the laws of nature. Do you agree?"

"I agree."

A second golden ribbon wrapped around their hands.

"Now it's your turn to state your terms, kid." Nick looked at Hermione.

"Huh, me?" Hermione was a little confused. "I, what should I say, I..."

Tell me if I'd like to become your mentor.

"Ah, then, Mr. Lemaître, would you be willing to be my mentor?"

"I agree."

The third golden ribbon wrapped around their hands signifies the establishment of an unbreakable oath, from which anyone who breaks this oath will be punished.

"Very good, child." Nick looked at Hermione with satisfaction. "Soul alchemy is one of the three taboos of alchemy. I don't want to train a dark wizard."

"Forbidden? Taboo?" Hermione was a little confused. Although the power of Soul Alchemy was indeed very evil and might be forbidden, she did not expect it to be such a high-level taboo.

"Let's leave that taboo topic aside for now. Every alchemist who isn't too rigid has some taboos, just like the Animagus, there are only seven on the surface." Nick waved his hand, and the book floated over. "Alright, the most important thing now is for me, your teacher, to teach you some knowledge. Alchemists who have purified their souls are practically nonexistent these days."

Hermione was about to ask something else, but was interrupted by Nick Flamel and could only devote herself to learning Soul Alchemy.

With a teacher, these things seemed to become instantly simple. You could ask about any unclear concepts at any time, and you could directly observe any techniques you didn't know. Nicolas Flamel's body was like a treasure trove, able to produce all sorts of necessary props.

This reignited Hermione's love for learning, leaving Nick speechless.