Chapter 143: Bloodline of the Wizard

Madame Flamel seemed somewhat disappointed by Xivan's answer. She shook her head and turned back to her own tasks.

Flamel smiled faintly and asked Xivan, "Well, shall we continue practicing the engraving of rune circuits today?"

Xivan gently shook his head and said to Flamel, "I would like to understand blood magic now. Can you teach me?"

"Better not! You have only been at school for two years, and the subjects you want to learn are far too complex," Flamel said earnestly. "Instead of merely dabbling in so many different branches of magic, it is far more effective to thoroughly master a single one!"

"However, both my friends and Dumbledore's family are in dire need of the help of blood magic right now," Xivan looked at Flamel and said solemnly. "And although I haven't been studying magic for long, I do have some unique insights into certain magical knowledge. Perhaps I can be of some help?"

"More importantly, I simply cannot bear to watch those around me suffer under the torment of a blood curse and do nothing!"

"Ah, I should have known. You have always been so opinionated, Xivan," Flamel sighed softly, looking at him. "I know I cannot talk you out of it, but I still hope you will proceed within your abilities."

Xivan slowly nodded and looked at Flamel with a serious expression.

"Before learning blood magic, you need to understand the specific role that blood plays for a wizard," Flamel said.

"I have a rough understanding of it," Xivan replied. "Magical blood is the source of a wizard's power, and the magic within a wizard's body accumulates gradually as the blood continues to grow. Therefore, a wizard's level of talent can usually be judged from their bloodline."

"Well said," Flamel nodded in agreement. "That is why, sometimes, the notions held by you pure-blood families are not entirely without reason. Preserving the purity of wizarding blood may indeed pass on magical talent more effectively."

"However, that is not entirely the case in reality. I once conducted research on pure-bloods and half-bloods. While the overall talent of pure-blood wizards tends to be slightly better than that of half-bloods, their upper limit is not necessarily as high."

"History has proven that extremely exceptional members can emerge among half-blood and Muggle-born wizards alike. Conversely, pure-blood wizards—especially those from families with close familial ties—are more likely to produce children whose intelligence and comprehension are severely lacking."

Xivan nodded and said, "It is quite similar to Muggle medical theory: inbreeding drastically increases the incidence of recessive genetic disorders, whereas half-bloods, by combining the advantages of two different gene pools, might actually possess a higher upper limit. Is that what you mean?"

"Yes, exactly that!" Flamel looked at Xivan in amazement, exclaiming, "You are remarkably well-versed in Muggle knowledge."

Xivan gave a slight shake of his head and smiled at Flamel.

"Yet, do you know? A wizard's talent is not entirely unchangeable," Flamel said gravely. "Blood magic involves modifying the blood within a wizard's body, thereby achieving the result of altering their bloodline talent."

"So, if blood magic is researched to a certain extent, could one even reach the level of Dumbledore and Grindelwald?" Xivan asked somewhat doubtfully.

"Theoretically, yes, but practically speaking, there is little possibility of that," Flamel said with a light chuckle. "Albus and Grindelwald are supreme geniuses who combine bloodline talent, comprehension, and hard work. They are utterly unique even in the vast history of the magical world, and this is certainly something that cannot be rivaled simply through the methods of blood magic!"

"Furthermore, I must tell you that blood magic is extremely dangerous! Its peril surpasses even that of the Dark Arts. The slightest carelessness will inflict harm upon the recipient of blood magic modification. At best, their bloodline will be damaged and their magic will drain away; at worst, the blood magic will turn them into a Squib, or strip them of their life entirely!"

"So, do you still wish to learn blood magic?" Flamel stared deeply into Xivan's dark blue eyes and asked solemnly.

Without much hesitation, Xivan nodded heavily.

"I am ready, Mr. Flamel!" he said solemnly.

...

The day passed quickly. Throughout the day, everyone in Flamel's safe house was extremely busy, to the point where they barely had a proper lunch.

Miranda spent the entire day discussing spell-casting experiences with Professor Hicks; Xivan studied the basics of blood magic for the entire day; and Flamel spent the entire day teaching Xivan the precautions associated with blood magic.

As for Madame Flamel, she cradled a picture frame and enjoyed miniature theatrical performances inside it all day long...

Xivan and Miranda bid a fruitful farewell to the Flamels, stepped through the dimensional doorway leading back to Hogwarts, and returned to their room in the castle dungeons.

"Will I still have the chance to visit the Flamel household again?" Miranda asked wistfully, watching the golden aperture gradually close. "Today I was so absorbed in discussing problems with Lally that I barely exchanged a few words with the alchemical master who has lived for six centuries."

"If you can hand over the second edition of *The Book of Spells* for me to read sooner, then I might just be willing to act as your heartless door-opening machine and take you to the Flamels' to study every weekend!" Xivan said with a corner of his mouth curved into a smile.

"What, have you already finished learning the spells from the first edition?" Miranda raised an eyebrow and asked in surprise.

"Not quite; how could anyone finish learning so many spells in such a short time?" Xivan shook his head and said. "However, the newly revised version might contain some interesting new content—just like that spell you used last time to search for the locations of books in the library, which was quite fascinating!"

"Alright, it's a deal then!" Miranda nodded with a light laugh.

...

The night passed peacefully.

The next day was Monday, and the young wizards were finally about to formally enter the rhythm of school life.

For Xivan and the rest of the Slytherin second-years, the first class on Monday morning was Herbology.

Mobley and Abraxas were still feeling gloomy on the way because the final class on Friday had also been Herbology. Consequently, their Herbology assignment from Friday had to be completed over the weekend and handed in on Monday morning.

Fortunately, since last Friday was the first day of school, Professor Sprout hadn't assigned any homework. Otherwise, the common room would surely have been thrown into chaos with everyone borrowing assignments from one another!

As for Xivan, he never worried about homework; after all, he possessed the Herbology notes of Miranda, the Ravenclaw top student.

Yet, thinking of this, Xivan suddenly halted his steps.

"What's wrong, Xivan?" Abraxas turned his head to look at him in surprise and asked.

Xivan's expression froze.

"Oh no, I forgot to borrow Miranda's second-year Herbology notes!"

...