Hearing the intelligence that Salvatore disclosed—or rather, relayed, a flash of insight struck Annan’s mind.
If Nicholas Flamell hadn’t died... it seemed completely possible.
Annan remembered that there was such a person in another world... just like Michelangelo. His other name was Nico Leme.
In that world, Nicholas made a living in Paris by selling books, copying articles, and teaching students to copy paintings. But later, he suddenly acquired a huge, mysteriously sourced fortune, enough to fund the construction of fourteen hospitals in Paris... It was said that this was because he had created the Philosopher’s Stone and used its power to generate gold.
In the end, his coffin was found empty. It was rumored that he had not died but had achieved eternal life through the power of the Philosopher’s Stone...
In this world, however, the scenario was similar yet different.
Just as in this world, the old wizard also named Michelangelo was likewise a master sculptor...
This world’s Nicholas Flamell was a true alchemist.
And indeed, he had actually created the Philosopher’s Stone—
The Philosopher’s Stone... could it really grant him eternal life?
Immediately, Annan received a positive answer in his mind.
The three vessels of the Transcendent’s path also symbolize the essence of each stage.
Bronze, as a metal, signifies "corruption" and "calcination" within the transformation school. Just like every Transcendent embarking on the path... they must absorb a great deal of curses, gradually altering their physique and the essence of their soul.
Silver, on the other hand, signifies "consolidation" and "purity."
Just as a Transcendent advancing to silver needs to solidify their soul and expel redundant impurities. At the bronze stage, there are still some Transcendents who cannot wash away their mortal dispositions.
Upon reaching silver and possessing a pure soul, their willpower gradually becomes strong. Their brains become more intelligent, their bodies extremely healthy, nearly impervious to all illness, and their natural lifespan, exceptionally long.
In Annan’s understanding, this means that when advancing beyond the silver stage, one’s "will" attribute also increases.
So far, Annan had not found any effective method to increase the will attribute. This might be the reason why...
Gold signifies "stigmatization" and "eternity."
That is to say, after the soul reaches gold, it undergoes a true transformation. If they completely abstain from using Transcendent powers from that point on... they would obtain eternal life.
But that was impossible.
Annan had seen a few mentions in Salvatore’s notes: without a strong "desire for metamorphosis," one could not have an eternal soul.
After advancing to silver, there would be no more chaotic and miscellaneous desires. In other words... only those truly devoted to their faith could reach gold.
How could such individuals forgo using their Transcendent powers just for the sake of lifespan?
Only by burning such an eternally pure golden soul, could one extract equally eternal "elemental power." In other words, the elemental power could be seen as another expression of a golden rank Transcendent’s soul.
And in the Ascension ceremony, the Philosopher’s Stone could act as the "perfect essence of elements," substituting the consumption of one’s soul.
Just like Michelangelo’s recent Ascension ceremony. If he were interrupted at the last moment, he would be doomed.
The Philosopher’s Stone could substitute any element in its perfect form. And only those who had reached the Truth Rank could possibly extract the "perfect form" of elements. For ordinary golden rank Transcendents, after refining the elements to the limit, they must completely burn their souls, reduce them to residue, to extract a bit of this "perfect element."
If successful, they would be reborn from the flames.
If they failed in the process—souls utterly consumed with no attaining of a divine name—meant irrevocable and complete death.
That was the significance of the Philosopher’s Stone.
In the era without the Book of Truth, it could replace the soul of the one ascending, allowing a trial Ascension. Even in failure, it would not bring any negative consequences... and a second chance would be available.
And it was the life of an Eternal One who had stepped onto the path of ascending to godhood.
Therefore, the complete Philosopher’s Stone was undoubtedly one of the most precious substances in this world—even just gifting it to someone else could very likely earn you "the friendship of a True God".
So, could the Philosopher’s Stone possibly bring eternal life?
At least for Transcendents of the Gold Rank, it was entirely possible.
Since the reason for the significantly shortened lifespan of Gold Rank Transcendents was due to the abuse of Elemental Power, and the Philosopher’s Stone itself was the perfect essence of elements. It could even be used in sublimation rituals... there was no reason it couldn’t be used daily.
If Nicholas Flamell used the Philosopher’s Stone to extract elements instead of his own soul, it meant he could attain true immortality.
Without needing to reach the throne of godhood.
Just by continuously consuming the Philosopher’s Stone, he could attain eternal life and powerful strength...
...But there was a problem.
Annan and Salvatore exchanged a glance.
Their gazes grew serious.
Indeed, they both immediately realized where the problem lay.
—The Hermes school’s Philosopher’s Stone required "Wizard’s marrow" as its main ingredient.
If Nicholas had feigned death a hundred years ago and achieved immortality through the Philosopher’s Stone... it meant he would need to continually hunt Wizards in order to extend his own life and enhance his power.
"...I think that this Nicholas is a very dangerous person."
Salvatore spoke stiffly to the fourth prince, "Your Highness Albert, I strongly suggest that you do not provoke him and would be better off pretending to forget about him.
"If he truly is the same Nicholas from a hundred years ago, then it means he has accumulated a whole century of strength.
"And Master Nicholas, aside from having been the strongest transmutation Wizard of his time, is also proficient in Decree, Prophet, and Shaping schools. If he wants to hide, you won’t be able to catch him... If you plan to target him, he will certainly be able to detect it immediately; but retribution from a Gold Rank transmutation Wizard who has been accumulating power for over a hundred years is definitely something you can’t withstand."
Salvatore’s words were blunt, but they were also the truth.
The transmutation school believes that "time is the fundamental root of power." All transmutation spells adhere to the fundamental rule that "the longer the theoretical time, the stronger the effect," and proficiency and optimization only serve to shorten the actual application time.
Besides, the age of a transmutation wizard is also a main criterion for assessing strength.
Just like Salvatore’s black fire wouldn’t sell, but it would easily do so under the name Benjamin—people were more willing to trust an older transmutation Wizard.
And Benjamin was only a little over fifty years old.
"...All right, I’ve noted that. I understand the severity of the issue," said Prince Albert with a pained expression, knowing Salvatore’s identity, "but after listening to you, I can’t forget this name. What if I subconsciously develop animosity towards him? Do I need a Soul Reaping wizard to help me clean this part of the memory?"
"If you think it’s necessary," Annan replied softly. "But I actually don’t think it’s needed.
"Since targeting Nicholas—as well as the Hermes school could be dangerous.
"Then why not try to talk to the other party?"
Annan’s lips curled slightly upward.
"Since he has appeared in the Royal Capital, he must want something. Therefore, before prematurely classifying an individual of unknown allegiance as an enemy... I suggest we first inquire about the ’enemy’s’ own opinion."