Some scholars once said that the ancient civilization of magic is the ancient civilization of mankind. Although this argument is quite one-sided, it also illustrates some problems from a side perspective.
During the heyday of magic in ancient times, the establishment and demise of many civilizations were inseparable from the rise and fall of magic itself. And wizards all over the world, just like the civilizations that emerge in endlessly like stars, have various forms and backgrounds.
Alchemy, a science that once flourished in ancient times, can be said to have been almost shattered by the torrent of history. But if compared with modern magic, which has repeatedly undergone twists and turns to adapt to the changes of the times, the remaining fragments of knowledge have actually retained the style that originated from ancient times.
And now, when Maka looked at these alchemists who came to Hogwarts from all corners of the world, he couldn't help but secretly sighed, "It's an eye-opener."
The so-called "alchemy" is actually the theory and practice of studying the conversion between "matter and matter" and "matter and spirit". It may be too abstract to say this. It would be much simpler and clearer if we gave examples of each of them using modern magic.
For example, the transformation between matter and matter is actually a permanent version of transfiguration; while the transformation between matter and spirit can be roughly equated with spiritual magic.
Of course, this is just an example. In terms of practical application, according to the specific knowledge in the above two general directions, potions, astronomy, arithmetic divination, etc. can even be included.
That's why it is said that in the period when the knowledge of alchemy was the most complete, it could even be divided into a major magical theoretical system, instead of being a mere subject now.
However, even if Nico Flamel is still alive today, he may not be able to complete it into a "magic system". From ancient times to the present, how many things that have been crushed by the wheels of history can be put back together intact
Only a handful of the residue under the wheels were lucky enough to stick to the wheels, and they were mixed with other things as the times progressed. Just like modern potion science, some of the theoretical formulas were inherited from alchemy and have been passed down from generation to generation to this day.
"Everyone from the African magical community, please follow Mr. Filch inside. Hogwarts has prepared a rest room for you..."
Maka is standing in the front yard of the school, greeting the members of the African delegation who arrived today. Most of these members graduated from Wagadu, the only remaining magic school in the African magic world, but it seems that there are some strange guys among them.
This is actually very easy to distinguish for Maca.
Ajinbad, the current president of the International Federation of Wizards, was a student of Wagadu Magic School. Before in France, he had shared some recent developments in the African magic world with Maka and others at the dinner table.
Most of the students from Wagadu today are in line with international standards. The difference between them and British wizards is not very big. But when it comes to the scattered tribal wizards, it can only be said that there are all kinds of weird ones.
Just like the guys in front of me among the delegation:
One had a lot of feathers stuck on his head, and his body was covered with red mud; one only wore a rag apron, but wore an oversized wooden mask on his face; and the other wore a He was covered in colorful and weird clothes, and not even an inch of skin could be seen.
What Maka felt most concerned about was an old witch wearing a big brown cloak. Her face was smeared with fine and colorful natural pigments, and she was holding a similarly colorful cane in her hand. There was also a string of scary things hanging on the cane that were obviously skulls.
Maka could sense that the old witch was spreading a strange, chaotic, yet powerful, magical energy fluctuation.
At this moment, the old witch who had followed the crowd towards the castle seemed to be aware of Maka's induction, and suddenly stopped and turned around.
"Ancestor, what's wrong?"
Next to the old witch, a young wizard who was almost naked also stopped immediately, and then asked in a low voice in some African language.
After hearing this, the old witch took her eyes back from Maka, turned around and continued to follow the crowd.
"Speak in English!"
She spoke in quite fluent English. Although there were some problems with her pronunciation, it was not a problem for people to understand her.
"... If you still want to inherit the tribe from your father, then adapt as soon as possible."
"I understand, ancestor..." The young African wizard changed his words and said in broken English, "So, what was ancestor looking at just now? It was the British boy who greeted us from behind. ?"
"Hmph, didn't I teach you how to call wizards from other countries when you were in the tribe?" The old witch said, with a genuine cold murderous intent flashing in her eyes, "Don't underestimate that one. Young man, I feel the majestic soul power in him... "
"Majestic soul power?" The young wizard's eyes suddenly widened. While he was surprised, he forgot to answer in English, "How many? Is it enough for you, ancestor, to have a meal?"
This time, the old witch did not blame him, but glanced at him coldly again.
"Have you forgotten all the instructions I gave you before setting off?" the old witch said slowly in her old voice, "If you don't want to die, immediately forget about the life-sacrifice rituals that violate the covenant..."
To be honest, the old witch was also full of greed at this time. But after all, she is the most unfathomable wizard in the tribe. Only she who can use spiritual detection can understand that the young man standing on the lawn is anything but simple.
"My ancestors," the old witch murmured in the tribal language, "What kind of power is that?"
…
Not to mention the unusual confusion on the old witch's side, but on Maka's side, she was still standing in the vestibule of the castle, waiting quietly.
In addition to the African delegation expected to arrive at Hogwarts today, there is also a joint team of representatives from Mesopotamia.
The composition of this delegation is too complex, and this time it was integrated thanks to the assistance of the federation. Otherwise, in the completely shapeless chaotic magic world over there, the number of individual participants in this competition would probably be several times greater.
Because although the modern wizards in Mesopotamia are extremely messy, they were quite outstanding in the ancient magic world. Just like the rise of the particularly brilliant Babylonian civilization, the local ancient wizards of that period naturally played an important role.
And alchemy is one of their foundations.
This time, since the wizards in Mesopotamia were organized by the International Federation of Wizards, the people who led this joint team this time were of course dispatched by the Federation.
At this point, I think I have to mention how the two delegations arrived today.
The appearance of the African wizards just now was very dull, because this time they were mainly Wagadu graduates, and they all appeared outside the school gate with portkeys.
The next group of "miscellaneous troops" from Mesopotamia appeared in a way that irritated Maka's nerves.
At a certain moment when Maka was basking in the sun boredly, he suddenly noticed a trace of magic fluctuation in the open space in the vestibule. The fluctuations went from shallow to deep, from small to large, and then gradually spread.
And at this moment, Maka immediately understood that the Mesopotamian team was coming.
However, Maka quickly smiled bitterly.
"No one from the Wizards' Union came to ask for the door key before, so I thought there might be a problem." He stared at the empty space and thought speechlessly, "They probably won't be able to get through this time..."
Although Maka didn't know what method the other side was trying to use based on the magic power fluctuations alone, he knew that the space within the school had been reinforced by the Four Giants. If you want to reach it through space movement, it is simply a dream.
A few seconds later, Maka vaguely saw some columnar outlines in the open space. The large pillars were arranged in a circle, looking like some kind of ancient altar.
But while those pillars were still translucent, with a slight vibration at the spatial level, all the looming images disappeared.
It was obvious that the movement's intention there had completely failed.
"It seems that the Mesopotamian joint delegation will be late this time..."
Maka shook her head slightly, then turned around and planned to write a letter to contact the International Federation of Wizards and ask them to quickly send someone to get the door key and send it over. But just as he took a few steps, a wave of magic power similar to before appeared again behind him.
"Still not giving up?" Maka turned around with a subtle expression and looked over there, "Are you going to be so stubborn? Why are the organizers sent by the federation gone?"
This time, the force seemed to have increased, and even the pillars were a little clearer. But it's just a little bit, and it can't change the fact that it can't be overcome at all.
And when the opponent failed again and tried again for the third time, Maka was completely convinced.
"Leaving aside strength, at least the wizards in Mesopotamia must be very resilient..." He couldn't help but sigh, "If you can hold on a little longer, for the sake of your perseverance, I won't. Would you mind pushing back on the specific location of your side... "
As Maka said this, she took out the manuscript paper and sat down on the spot, intending to analyze the opponent's magic power fluctuations on the spot.
It's not like Maka has never done this kind of time-grabbing work. He had tried to deduce the location of Greenwald, although he failed because of lack of time.