Chapter 103: Checking In for the Philosopher's Stone

"The Book of Abraham" was originally called "The Book of Abraham the Jew." This ancient tome had quite a legendary and mythical origin. It was said to have been a gift from angels, recording within it the secrets of immortality. Nicolas Flamel had relied on "The Book of Abraham" to refine the Philosopher's Stone, also known as the Sorcerer's Stone. The Philosopher's Stone could not only transmute base metals into gold and create the Elixir of Life but could also produce true immortality. Nicolas Flamel had thus lived for over six hundred years, finally choosing to destroy the Philosopher's Stone and abandon immortality by his own will. Now having obtained the method to create the Philosopher's Stone, Kael was extremely excited. Immortality! Although he was still young, he had already developed some sense of urgency about lifespan. There were many long-lived species in Middle-earth. Elves had eternal life, and there were beings like Gandalf who, though appearing old on the surface, had actually remained unchanged for thousands of years. Even dwarves had lifespans of several hundred years. For instance, Thorin Oakenshield, though appearing middle-aged, was already 195 years old. There were also unique races among humans, like the Dúnedain, whose average lifespan was over two hundred years, three times that of ordinary humans. Even hobbits lived longer than ordinary people, not to mention that Bilbo also possessed the One Ring. Though the One Ring corrupted the mind, it could delay aging. Like Gollum, who had lived for over five hundred years. When Bilbo celebrated his 111th birthday, it was because his appearance hadn't changed for decades that Gandalf became suspicious, confirming the Ring was in his possession and beginning the quest to protect it. The current time was 2941 of the Third Age, while the War of the Ring would occur in 3018, a span of 77 years. Since his transmigration plus his previous life's age, Kael was not yet thirty, but if he lived to when the War of the Ring began, he would already be a centenarian. Though as a wizard he should be able to live until the end of the War of the Ring, he didn't want to be alive then in a decrepit, aged state. But the appearance of the Philosopher's Stone showed him hope for longevity. Though in his memory, the immortality granted by Nicolas Flamel's Philosopher's Stone had drawbacks. It could only prevent death, not aging. But this was still a method of longevity and currently the only path to immortality he could access. Though thrilled about obtaining the method to create the Philosopher's Stone, now wasn't the time to focus on this matter. Kael put away the book and joined the others in preparing to deal with Smaug the dragon. Kael's Conjunctivitis Curse hadn't held Smaug for long. When Smaug regained his sight, he became even more furious, smashing through stone walls and continuing to pursue Kael and the others. But this time Smaug was obviously more cautious, covering his eyes with a semi-transparent protective membrane. When Kael used the Conjunctivitis Curse again, it no longer affected the dragon. Kael rode his flying broomstick, constantly dodging Smaug's attacks while leading him into the acid pool the dwarves had prepared. However, the acid the dwarves had pinned their hopes on had no effect. The corrosive liquid that could easily dissolve metal and ore couldn't break through the dragon's hard scales, instead giving him an unwanted bath. As for the explosives the dwarves had prepared, they weren't even as powerful as Kael's Blasting Curse. Not enough to even tickle the massive beast. Seeing this, Kael continued leading Smaug into the forge. As Gandalf struck the furnace with his staff, releasing the molten metal within, the liquid fire surged toward Smaug like an overwhelming tide, burying him completely. "Did we succeed?" Dwarf Balin looked at the bottomless molten metal below, asking hopefully. "I'm afraid you'll be disappointed, Mr. Balin. Dragons can breathe scorching flames themselves. This molten metal probably can't kill him," Kael said, riding his broomstick and hovering in mid-air, looking down and shaking his head. "But this is also a chance to trap Smaug!" As Kael spoke, he pointed his wand toward the molten metal below. "Glacius Maxima!" Extremely cold air shot from his wand tip, causing the scorching molten metal below to rapidly cool and solidify. The surrounding air temperature plummeted rapidly, and everyone's breath turned to visible frost. The molten metal had been formed from melted gold, and now as it rapidly solidified on the ground, it became a solid prison cast from precious metal, trapping Smaug the dragon inside. "He shouldn't be able to get out now, right?" Balin shivered from the cold, looking at the golden ground covered with a layer of frost, asking uncertainly. Kael stopped casting and stared intently at the ground below with furrowed brows. He hadn't sensed any movement from the dragon, but didn't believe the dragon would just stop struggling. "Gandalf, what do you think?" Gandalf also frowned and observed carefully, shaking his head. "We still can't let our guard down. We have no idea what other methods the dragon might possess." But at this moment, Thorin could no longer contain himself. "Since the dragon is trapped, let's go find the Arkenstone! Only by obtaining the Arkenstone will the seven dwarf clans heed my call; only then can I reclaim everything I've lost, only then can I have my revenge!" He was about to step across the golden ground to search for the Arkenstone he'd been obsessing over in the treasury. "Don't move, Thorin!" Gandalf suddenly seemed to sense something dangerous, his face changing as he loudly stopped Thorin's advance. But Thorin turned a deaf ear, only wanting to reach the treasury and his precious stone. The next moment, the originally solidified golden ground began radiating high temperatures, becoming redder and redder. The next second, the ground erupted like volcanic lava, rapidly expanding and bulging, spraying golden molten metal and scorching flames. The scorching golden molten metal splattered in all directions, with Thorin, who was closest, bearing the brunt and nearly being doused by the deadly liquid fire. "Kael, save him!" Gandalf shouted urgently. Kael waved his hand, and Thorin instantly flew backward, dodging the molten metal and crashing heavily into a stone wall, falling unconscious. Smaug's massive dragon head burst from the molten metal, breathing scorching dragon fire to melt the surrounding gold. He climbed out of the golden molten metal like a creature reborn from flame, spreading his enormous wings and charging toward the main entrance. "Revenge! I'll show you what revenge means! I'll ignite the entire earth with dragon fire, bringing death and destruction to everyone! And all of this was caused by your own hands!" Seeing this scene, Gandalf's face drastically changed. "Kael, quickly stop him! Don't let him leave!" Kael quickly pursued on his flying broomstick, and as the dragon broke through the mountain's stone wall, he used all his strength to cast his most powerful curse. "Crucio!" The spell instantly struck the dragon's back. The dragon's movement immediately stiffened as soul-deep pain spread throughout his body, as if bones were being drilled through, organs ripped out, and soul pierced by needles. The extreme physical and mental agony made the dragon emit an extremely shrill roar. The sound was so loud that even Lake-town and Mirkwood, thousands of miles away, could hear the dragon's anguished cry. The residents of Lake-town fearfully emerged from their homes, looking toward the Lonely Mountain with terror in their eyes. The Elven King in the forest had an even more grave expression, his sharp gaze seeming able to pierce through the forest to see the scene unfolding at the Lonely Mountain. [Chapter Complete] *** Want more? Check out my Patreon for: ✓ Advanced chapters of all my stories ✓ Exclusive novels & fanfics ✓ Early access content [email protected]/meowthtl ???? Community Goal: 500 Power Stones unlocks a bonus chapter! Thanks for reading and supporting the story!