Simultaneously traversing: the pinnacle of all realms

On the last day of his vacation, Xavier sat in the stairwell, reflecting on what he had gained during the holiday.

His notebook was filled with his thoughts—

Methods of enhancing the body with magic, speculations about the knight system, historical data on medieval witch hunts, and a longer-term goal.

Alchemy.

He had read about Nicolas Flamel in "A Directory of Important Wizards of the Twentieth Century".

The alchemist, who was over six hundred years old, created a Philosopher's Stone and gained the ability to live forever.

The magic stone can turn lead into gold and can also be used to create elixirs of immortality.

In the shared space, Rainbow Cat Lu Ze and Martial Arts Lu Ze only have the lifespan of ordinary people.

If he could create an elixir of immortality, perhaps he could extend their lives?

Even if he couldn't, at least he could live longer—hundreds of years would be enough for him to do many things.

"But Nicolas Flamel's Philosopher's Stone?" Xavier thought. "That's his stuff. I shouldn't touch it, and there are too many eyes on it."

Countless people are drawn to the Philosopher's Stone, including wizards and Muggle elites...

What he wanted to learn was alchemy itself.

"If I could learn alchemy, I might be able to make my own Philosopher's Stone."

He wrote down the goal and then drew a long arrow.

The road is long.

Alchemy is one of the most profound branches of magic. It took Nicolas Flamel hundreds of years to master its secrets, and most wizards could only look on in awe of his work.

"Build a solid foundation first," he wrote.

"Study hard at Hogwarts. Find an alchemy tutor after graduation. Or—go directly to Nicolas Flamel? If he's still alive…"

He closed the notebook and tucked it under his pillow.

-

On the day he returned to school, Xavier said goodbye to his parents at King's Cross Station.

Beth's eyes welled up with tears again, and she stuffed a large bag of homemade cookies and cakes into his suitcase.

"Share it with your friends," she instructed.

Xavier looked at the bulging box, and his desire for the Unseen Stretching Charm intensified.

Darren patted him on the shoulder and said, "Be careful, write back."

Xavier nodded and dragged his suitcase through the brick wall.

On the express train, he ran into Ernie and Justin.

The three of them sat together and shared their experiences from the holiday.

Ernie said he met a "real Veela" in France, and Justin said he fell while skiing and hurt his leg, but was healed quickly with magic.

"And you?" Ernie asked.

"Go shopping in Diagon Alley, stay home with my parents," Xavier said.

-

Back at Hogwarts, everything was as usual.

But Xavier noticed that Harry, Ron, and Hermione had become busier.

This was unusual—Harry rarely ventured into the library unless it was exam week.

They appeared at the library more and more frequently, and each time they had an expression that said, "We're doing something very important."

They always huddled around a table, flipping through various thick books, their expressions serious, talking in hushed tones, and occasionally being scolded by Mrs. Pince for being too loud.

Xavier knew what they were investigating.

About Nicolas Flamel, about the Philosopher's Stone, about the secret hidden in the fourth-floor corridor.

He sat at his desk, quietly reading "Higher-Order Deformation Theory," without moving closer.

-

Until one day, Harry found him with a worried look on his face.

"Ethan," Harry hesitated for a moment, "do you know who Nicolas Flamel is?"

Xavier glanced at him. Harry's glasses were dusty, and his green eyes were filled with confusion and anxiety.

"Of course I know," Xavier said without hiding anything.

He turned and walked to the bookshelf, skillfully pulled out a heavy book from the third row, turned to the Nicolas Flamel entry, and handed the book to Harry.

"Nico Flamel, the most famous alchemist in history," Xavier said calmly.

"It is said that he had an ancient book called 'The Art of Abraham the Jewish People,' which was not written on paper or parchment, but made of fine, smooth young tree bark."

The book is covered in brass and engraved with text and symbols. It is divided into three groups of seven pages each. The first page of each group is the first page, and the seventh page of each group is blank.

But on the seventh page of the first set, there is a drawing of a magic wand being swallowed by a giant snake.

Harry's eyes widened as he quickly flipped through the pages.

"He later deciphered the ancient book and created the Philosopher's Stone," Xavier continued.

"He gained immortality through that stone."

That stone possesses boundless magic; it can turn stone into gold and also create elixirs of immortality.

He is said to be over 600 years old and now lives with his wife, Perenall, in Devon.

Harry's eyes widened as he quickly flipped through the pages.

"The Philosopher's Stone..." he murmured, repeating the word over and over.

Just then, Ron came running up, panting, holding a chocolate frog card in his hand.

"Hey Harry! I've found Nicolas Flamel! You'll never believe it—"

"Ron," Harry interrupted him, turning the page.

"I know what that person is going to steal."

Ron leaned over for a look, his mouth agape in an "O" shape.

Hermione also peeked over from the side, and the three of them huddled together, their faces showing the excitement of discovering a major secret.

"Shh—" Mrs. Pince cast a stern glance through the gap in the bookshelf.

Harry nodded to Xavier, then pulled Ron and Hermione away from the library in a hurry.

Xavier put the book back on the shelf, picked up the book he was reading, and continued flipping through it.

-

A few days later, Harry came to see him again.

This time, Harry's expression was more serious, and his voice was even lower: "Ethan, I have a secret for you—we know the Philosopher's Stone is hidden at Hogwarts. Someone wants to steal it—we suspect Snape."

Xavier was silent for two seconds.

He didn't expect Harry to tell him this.

"The Philosopher's Stone? Professor Snape?" Xavier asked.

Harry recounted how Snape's leg was bitten by the three-headed dog on Halloween, and how Snape chanted spells during the Quidditch match.

Xavier listened without refuting or agreeing.

"Although this is just your speculation," Xavier added, "if you need help, you can come to me."

Harry's eyes lit up: "Really?"

"Really," Xavier said.

-

Xavier watched his figure disappear among the bookshelves and sighed silently.

He had no interest in the magic stone itself.

That's not something he should touch.

Moreover, Nicolas Flamel lived for hundreds of years, and his alchemical achievements should not be taken away by an eleven-year-old child—regardless of whether that child is a "savior."

But he was interested in alchemy itself.

"If one day," Xavier thought to himself, "I could learn alchemy and create my own Philosopher's Stone..."

That would be a different path.

A path that requires no dependence on anyone and no involvement in any disputes.

-

Days passed, and Xavier continued his regular routine.

Attending classes, exercising, spending time in the library, and returning to the common lounge.

Occasionally, I would go to the kitchen to ask my house-elves for some food. Oh, and I also gave them the recipes I brought during the holidays.

Amidst the joyful, tearful eyes of the little elves, Xavier became their food taster—trying different things every day.

His magic enhancement training continues.

Every night before bed, he would spend time allowing magic to circulate within his body, consuming magic to nourish his body.

Although progress is slow, he can feel his body changing little by little—becoming lighter, more coordinated, and more resilient.

Some movements that used to be difficult are now much easier.

"Maybe in a few years," Xavier thought, lying in bed, "I'll be able to do what some magical creatures do, without fear of simple spells."

Bobo stood on the windowsill, tilting its head to look at him, making cooing sounds.

Xavier handed it some jerky, reached out and stroked its feathers, then closed his eyes.

There's a potions class tomorrow.

Snape won't become more amiable just because Harry is investigating the Philosopher's Stone.

But Xavier wasn't in a hurry.