Chapter 288: Chapter 288: Wanting to be the Protagonist Again
In truth, many things can change when you alter your fixed way of thinking.
In an instant, Ino thought of many things.
At the same time, a slightly absurd but somewhat reasonable conjecture flashed in his mind.
If this conjecture is correct, maybe he can experience the treatment of a protagonist once again.
Although the fantasy world cannot be chosen, he possesses a tool that can accurately enter the world, which was also his means of livelihood in the past.
Thinking of this, a faint smile appeared on Ino's lips.
The Brothers Grimm's world was the one from which he had gained the most so far.
Not only did he completely integrate the flame of redemption into himself, turning the once-consumable matches into an unlimited-use flame, but he also obtained two epic magical books in the tower.
One book was about resurrection, and the other about time.
And this is the treatment of a protagonist.
...
While Ino was lost in thought, Nicolas Flamel looked kindly at the little puppets on the table.
"Years and time are always fair. While Perenelle and I gained long life, we also lost many things."
"In the long years, only these little ones could keep me company…"
Nicolas Flamel sighed softly, his words filled with nostalgia for the bygone years.
"You are right, indeed!" Ino agreed wholeheartedly, then sighed:
"When one gains immortality, it becomes impossible to make friends with ordinary people because it's not just about parting ways; it's like a curse bestowed by time."
Naturally, he thought of Middle-earth, of the little girl Lily who became a grandmother, of the aging Théoden, and of the three young men from Rohan...
Perhaps the next time he enters Middle-earth, his old friends might have passed away, and the young men might have grown old.
However, what Ino didn't know was that his heartfelt sigh deeply resonated with Nicolas Flamel.
"A curse bestowed by time…"
Nicolas Flamel murmured softly.
These words touched him deeply. In nearly seven hundred years, he had seen too many friends pass away, to the point where he had to live in semi-seclusion.
Nicolas stretched out his hand. The pale skin and fragile body seemed to affirm the curse.
"Perhaps my curse is about to end! But…"
Nicolas Flamel gently shook his head, looking meaningfully at the person across from him.
"Haha, then let me wish you a pleasant journey in advance!" Ino responded with a light laugh.
He sensed that Nicolas Flamel seemed to have figured something out.
But there were things he didn't plan to hide carefully, otherwise, he wouldn't have sighed about the passage of time.
Of course, not hiding didn't mean being transparent; his words and actions were just him being his true self.
As for what Nicolas would guess, Ino didn't mind at all. What if he guessed it right?
There might be wizards he couldn't defeat in the magical world, but none could threaten his life now.
"Thank you for your blessing!" Nicolas Flamel responded with a smile.
If at first it was just a guess, the calm demeanor of the young man in front of him made him realize his guess was probably correct.
With that in mind, Nicolas's gaze once again shifted to the puppets on the table. They were now lining up, each one skiing on the icy surface.
The spilled tea earlier had become a playground for these little ones.
Following Nicolas Flamel's gaze, Ino also noticed this amusing scene.
He tapped the table with his finger again, and the entire coffee table instantly turned into a snowy world, with a one-foot 'high' slide, exquisite carousel, and a dozen pairs of seesaws...
A miniature amusement park was completed in an instant.
Seeing the newly appeared play facilities, these three-inch-tall puppets rushed over in a swarm.
...
Nicolas Flamel looked dotingly at the puppets, then lifted his head again after a moment.
"I thought this meeting would be a guidance session for the younger generation, but I didn't expect to make a new friend just before I leave."
"It is my honor!" Ino responded politely and humbly said:
"However, seeking guidance in alchemy is also my purpose for this visit."
Hearing this straightforward statement, Nicolas Flamel clapped his hands with a smile.
The cabinet in the room opened automatically, and two ancient-looking books floated out lightly, then landed on the table.
"These contain knowledge about the Two-Way Mirror and the Mirror of Erised. They were supposed to be sent to Beauxbatons, but after receiving a letter from Albus, I changed my mind. You might want to copy a set for yourself."
"Thank you for your generosity!" Ino promptly took the books.
The Movie Mirror, after all, was derived from the Two-Way Mirror and the Mirror of Erised. Although he deciphered the final alchemical formula with the help of the bronze oil lamp, he didn't understand the specific details.
It's like seeing the answer to a Muggle math problem without understanding the process of solving it.
This also caused the Movie Mirror to only be capable of storing and playing images, rather than becoming a true television-like product.
Ino felt a slight ripple in his heart.
Meanwhile, Nicolas Flamel was also a bit surprised.
In the long years, he had hosted countless alchemists, but each one, upon seeing lost knowledge, would invariably be overjoyed.
However, the young man in front of him seemed to be overly calm.
"Hogwarts also has related books?" Nicolas asked curiously.
"Hogwarts?" Ino was taken aback at the question.
But seeing Nicolas's expression, he quickly understood.
"This is just my talent! It allows me to see some hidden knowledge, so I prepared many things."
Under Nicolas's gaze, Ino took out a prepared piece of parchment from his suitcase.
Once, on a Halloween pumpkin carriage, he had taken a photo of Hermione holding the Time-Turner, and then he had replicated it exactly.
The choice of this over the more practical Ravenclaw's diadem was entirely due to the uniqueness of the Time-Turner.
Probably, only by understanding the nature of time could one read that book about time magic.
With a long life, many other things can be accumulated slowly.
...
Taking the parchment, Nicolas Flamel's eyes immediately became deep.
He had thought the claim of seeing hidden things was just a small trick, but the content in the photo forced him to reassess the young man in front of him.
Circular circuits, twelve prominent markers.
At a glance, he recognized it as the alchemical formula for the Time-Turner.
"This is truly unexpected…"
...
At the same time.
Ino also noticed a change in Nicolas Flamel.
Especially after putting down the parchment, he seemed to have fallen into some kind of reverie.
Facing this situation, Ino wasn't anxious at all, his gaze once again turned to the coffee table.
The lively little puppets in front of him gave him the idea of making a movie with the Movie Mirror.
The magical special effects combined with these real little actors were far better than the awkward acting of those little wizards in the castle.