Would Nia also feel similar pressure?
Albert had never truly considered the question.
Even when others called him a genius, he never believed it himself—knowing one's own limits was important. But after seeing Katrina's struggles, he began to worry about Nia. Growing up under someone else's brilliance could be suffocating.
The next day, Albert pushed the thought aside. Shera returned with the ingredients for the Developing Potion.
Before brewing, Albert carefully recorded the recipe in his notebook, a habit to ensure nothing was forgotten once he became busy.
He had gathered the ingredients, but brewing required a proper place. An abandoned classroom or the Room of Requirement would do. The latter was ideal—no interruptions.
On Saturday morning, Albert rose early. Carrying his cauldron and ingredients, he paced before the Room of Requirement.
"I need a room to brew Potions, I need a room to brew Potions…"
The door appeared. Inside, the layout resembled a Potions classroom, complete with a cabinet and shelves of potion books.
Albert placed his belongings on the table, opened Simple Potions, reread the Developing Potion instructions, and began.
Though classified as simple, the potion still demanded time. Preparing the ingredients alone took nearly half an hour. Albert worked carefully, step by step. The result was acceptable—the potion succeeded, though not as clear as the book described.
He poured a sample into a test tube, shook it gently, and observed.
"Not clear enough, but passable," he murmured.
He labeled the tube, stored it in his medicine box, and checked his skill panel. "Developing Potion" had been added.
"I wonder if it works?"
Albert pulled a photo from his pocket, dripped potion onto it, brushed the liquid evenly, and raised his wand. "Reveal, Appear."
At first, nothing. Then, as the potion dried, the figures in the photo began to move.
Albert watched them laugh and play. Success. He felt a surge of happiness.
He created two more magical photos, nodded in satisfaction, and checked his quest panel.
The quest Moving Magic Photo was marked complete.
Other quests lingered in the log, including one from his first year. Wizard Bloodline is a good thing, Albert thought. But skill points were a trap—if he could raise that skill to level four or five, his magic power would be far stronger.
He collected the reward for Moving Magic Photo. Nothing special happened—just excitement.
Albert searched his skill panel for Alchemy. His list of skills was long, densely packed, and it took time to find.
He used his experience pool to raise Alchemy to level one. Sitting back, he absorbed the knowledge.
But his understanding was nearly identical to what he had read in books.
He hesitated, then gritted his teeth and leveled Alchemy to two.
It cost 2000 experience. Even with tens of thousands, the expense stung.
"I hope it's worth it," he muttered.
At level two, Albert realized a serious problem: his Alchemy theory was insufficient.
It felt like knowing how to craft items but lacking the blueprints.
He suspected this explained the weakness of his protective bracelet. Powerful Alchemical tools required enchantment. Gubraithian Fire was the best example—profound magic strengthened durability and protection.
Alchemical tools consumed magic quickly. His bracelet's fading power meant it had reached its limit.
Protective items were especially prone to this. The best solution was rest—allowing the magic to recharge, like a cooldown in games.
Most defensive items were consumable; once their magic faded, they became ordinary.
Albert recorded his thoughts in his notebook, planning improvements for the bracelet later.
"Now it's the theory that lags behind," he muttered. "If only I could reach Nicolas Flamel—he could fill the gaps."
He also had inspiration for a magic lamp, but only noted it briefly. Brewing had drained his focus.
Whether his ideas proved right or wrong later didn't matter. His knowledge was growing steadily, like software evolving from version 1.0 to 1.1, and eventually 10.1.
After cleaning up, Albert checked the Marauder's Map. "I solemnly swear that I am up to no good."
No one was near the Room of Requirement. He erased the traces, packed his cauldron and medicine box, and returned to Gryffindor Tower.