Chapter 88 The Alchemist
The so-called alchemy is not an independent subject.
This is an elective course for sixth- and seventh-grade students, and the threshold is extremely high - after fifth-grade students take the owls exam, only students who meet the requirements in potions, spells, and transfiguration can take it.
Generally speaking, these three subjects must have at least two O (excellent) and one E (good). In special periods, the requirements will be lowered a bit, so you still need one O and two E, or you may have taken the ancient magic text as an elective. If you go to school and get O, you can also lower the requirements a little, and you can enter the class with two E and one O.
"The threshold for this class is so high, Professor."
After listening to Professor McGonagall's introduction, Andrew was a little shocked - he had seen the transcripts of the past three years. The assessment of these three courses has always been strict, and there are not many students who can meet the requirements.
Let's put it this way, if he doesn't change his current allocation of study time, he will definitely not be able to get into this course...
"So every time Professor Singed sees good students, he will give them some alchemy gadgets to arouse their interest."
Professor McGonagall smiled. There was a reason for the high threshold for alchemy - it was a money-burning subject. The Ministry of Magic even had a special subsidy fund for alchemy, and the professor was really strong, so he didn't burn Galleons. The burn is so severe that if an average student goes in, just by becoming an experienced student, he can burn a hole in the school's finances.
Moreover, even poor students cannot learn this lesson. This is a subject that is far more dangerous than potions. The two branches of alchemy, potion making and item making, no matter which one, wizards die every year.
Compared with the precise research on magic potions for use by wizards alone, alchemy's potions have a wider range of applications and have a variety of effects - insecticides, shampoos, alchemical gases, fertilizers, soil modification potions...
Not to mention item manufacturing, basically all magic items involve alchemy, and there are too many examples to list.
The introductory course of alchemy itself only lasts for half a semester. After roughly talking about how to apply the knowledge already mastered to alchemy, Professor Singed began to lead the students to do those commissions-to develop new Insecticides, environmental modification agents for the growth environment of certain herbs, what kind of Muggle machinery the Ministry of Magic suddenly wants to copy and start to make magical, etc...
It sounds very messy and sounds like a job, but it is actually the accumulation and mixed application of multiple courses - it is a top-level research and development course that is selected from the best. If you can choose it and have an E score or above, you don't have to worry about employment after graduation, and you can guarantee your life in the Ministry of Magic. The outstanding ones are directly hired with high salaries to develop new things.
The only drawback is the student pool. Poor students are not accepted, but top students who meet the requirements may not necessarily choose alchemy - Hogwarts graduates are too young, although working as soon as they graduate makes this seem like they are just a little younger. , the order remains unchanged, but being young means that there are too many people who are too motivated, and there are fewer people who can study alchemy there with peace of mind.
In order to ensure that there are enough students to assist in the experiment, Professor Xingjid has to carry some interesting alchemy gadgets with him every day. When he sees a good idea, he will share it, hoping that the other party will be interested in studying this subject in the sixth or seventh grade. A very lucrative course.
The professors are also happy to see the results - alchemy is indeed a good place to go. Even if you can't refine the magic stone, other things are not much worse than refining gold, and the elective courses for sixth and seventh grade students are not considered to steal students. , it’s like allocating the good seedlings taught...
To be honest, if the Philosopher's Stone that Professor Singed planned to get this time was not too involved, and it was replaced by some other project, as long as it was reliable, Professor McGonagall would reluctantly approve it, and use this application form to start from The Ministry of Magic will get a batch of special funds.
Of course, the funds can be negotiated, just kidnap the assistant into alchemy. As for Andrew's talent for transfiguration, if he maintains this learning momentum before graduation—no, until fifth grade, Professor McGonagall can write a letter of recommendation for him when he graduates.
Moreover, judging from Andrew's spell and potion results, there is no need to worry about this matter.
…
"Let's discuss alchemy-related things next time. If you are interested, you can learn more about it and then practice more on the corresponding subjects."
After briefly describing the alchemy courses and graduation trends, Professor McGonagall looked at the clock. "Okay, put that thing away, Mr. Taylor, and start today's work."
"Yes, Professor."
Andrew nodded, sat down at the table, and started working - today's work content made him quickly forget about alchemy-related things, and he began to curse himself.
Well, a list to deal with the reports of Peeves' damaged items and the consumption of healing items in the school hospital during these times.
There are also Mr. Filch's speculations and applications for anti-Peeves measures and Madam Pomfrey's application for the hospital to replenish medicines.
‘Why did I provoke it? ’
——
"Well, that's interesting..."
Andrew, who was liberated from the information that was two cents thicker than before, played with the lighter - every time he pressed it, a stream of smoke came out, and then mixed with dots of glitter to form a star model. .
But it comes out the same every time - Andrew guesses it will change every day, because there is a line of small words written in gold wire under the lighter-like shell, "Divination can guide us to find the direction of the future, but the most important thing is our own decision." ”
"Probably a daily random fortune teller that uses astrology to predict encounters?"
Although Andrew didn't know too much about the specifics, the general routine was too clear - when he was in the fifth grade of elementary school, he had seen classmates who were holding astrology books and making noises...
‘Some transformation spells were used, it should be two simple ones, and a few spells were engraved on them... Are the stars fixed and random every day, or is there some divination stuff mixed in? ’
He doesn't understand this thing - just fixing a spell on an object is not something that lower-level students can do stably. Until now, he has been unable to cast even the simplest permanent transformation spell due to insufficient magic power.
'But it's good news - I met a very powerful alchemist. Although there is no way to establish a relationship with him, students can always do it. The things made by seventh grade students will definitely be a little worse, but they are not unusable. ’
Find a reason to sneak in, and the other party will definitely not get bored if you only visit once or twice, and then take the opportunity to get to know the students and get some alchemy items - just don't explode.
It’s not yet clear what is needed, but the path is there.
He put down the things in his hands with satisfaction and planned to go back to the lounge first, have lunch, and then go to the basement to catch up on work.
(End of chapter)