His tone was slightly exaggerated, which was extremely rare for the old man. Vid found it amusing but was also visibly moved.
He was silent for a moment, needing time to digest the weighty affirmation, then he said:
"You're not quite right, Professor... calling it 'guidance' is too light. I should say—all my achievements in Alchemy are proof and extension of your thoughts, knowledge, and research."
Professor Morry was stunned, his eyes unexpectedly a bit moist.
Legacy...
He had long regarded Vid as his successor, carefully guiding this extraordinarily talented young man in his exploration down the path of Alchemy, but it wasn't until this moment that Terence Morry truly and profoundly felt the significance and comfort of having someone to carry on his legacy.
This emotion transcended the worldly meanings of family love, friendship, and romantic love, beyond the natural ties of blood connection. It was a purer spiritual legacy and resonance—
as if the spark he had pursued and cherished all his life would not only not extinguish with his death but would burn even more brilliantly in another's hands, and it would illuminate the distant places he had never reached.
This joy and satisfaction were enough to console all the solitude and sacrifices on the academic road.
Professor Morry took a deep breath, suppressing a slight choke in his throat, and in the end, all he could say was a trembling appreciative murmur:
"Good... good... wonderful..."
...
As they exited the passage, a slender and upright figure stood ahead—
Ms. Seraphina Picquery slightly raised her head, like a black swan anchored in the center of a lake, and Vid could almost imagine her youthful elegance and capability.
Seeing the two of them come out, Ms. Picquery's lips curled into a faint smile, teasing, "You two are walking so slowly, I almost thought you got lost in a straight passage and was about to send someone in to look for you."
"Ah, teachers always have endless things to talk about with students..." Professor Morry tugged at his tie and said, "If you're envious, why don't you take a few students at Ilvermorny?"
Ms. Picquery slightly squinted her eyes, glanced at the subtle, show-off expression on Morry's face, and recalled what he had said to Fontana Versailles before, vaguely understanding something.
So she didn't pick up Morry's words, just shook a colorful brochure in her hand.
"Speaking of which, a young man just gave me an interesting flyer. It mentioned a 'Little People Country Adventure', and Vid's name?"
"Oh?"
Morry glanced over the colorful booklet—the cover featured a thumb-sized little figure jumping among giant flowers and plants in a dynamic picture.
He turned to Vid, silently asking, "When did you get involved in this?"
"It's a project I'm working on with Machioni, but really I just contributed a few ideas." Vid explained, "Although they do use a harmless method that can shrink people to beetle size instantly."
Because Ms. Picquery was also present, Vid didn't explain too clearly.
Professor Morry immediately understood, realizing that the so-called "safe method" wasn't Vid's invention, and his questions and expectations then transformed into disdain for another name:
"Machioni? I knew it, it must be his doing! That guy with his mind full of Galleons!"
He turned to Vid, his tone softened, "Vid, I know you can balance things, and occasional games are fine, but don't let Machioni lead you astray..."
"Alright, Terence, stop criticizing your former student in front of me," Ms. Picquery said with a smile, "Or the next time I see Machioni, he'll think I'm stirring up trouble behind his back."
She joked, then looked at Vid, "I'm very interested in this game, Mr. Gray, can you really shrink anyone?"
"Certainly." Vid confirmed, "Absolutely."
Ms. Picquery smiled warmly, "I'd love to hear about the design concepts and technical details of this project. If you're free this Sunday, I'd like to invite you to my house."
Before the competition, Vid had expressed the desire to visit Ms. Picquery. Now that she invited him, it was not only logical but also seemed approachable.
"Thank you for the invitation, I'm free all day on Sunday. It would be an honor to visit your home." Vid replied promptly, "What time would be convenient?"
"Hmm... three in the afternoon." Ms. Picquery said with a smile, "That time is perfect."
Professor Morry actually didn't want Vid to get too close to Ms. Picquery—the situation of the American Magic Congress had always been more complex than the British Ministry of Magic, and although Ms. Picquery's term as Congress President was half a century ago, she had never completely detached from the political center.
However, before Morry could express any reservations to Vid, he heard Vid's straightforward acceptance, so the words at the tip of his tongue were swallowed, and he frowned instead:
"Seraphina, I'm not trying to dampen the mood, but... isn't it a bit too adventurous for someone our age to play this adventure game?"
Upon hearing this, Ms. Picquery not only was not offended but instead let out a pleasant low laugh.
"Terence, precisely because we're at this age, we must experience things we've never tried before!"
She raised her chin slightly and said, "Isn't it because death is waiting ahead that you lack the courage to try new things? If that's the case, I think you're not suitable to teach someone like Vid anymore, you should leave this student to me!"
Professor Morry, who had privately approved of her free spirit, immediately bristled upon hearing her latter words!
"Ha! I knew you were coveting my student! In your dreams! That will never happen in this lifetime!"
"Hahaha..."
Ms. Picquery burst into laughter again, waving her hand, "Morry, you're too tense about your student, even losing your usual grace? And Vid, Sunday at three... don't forget."
She waved goodbye, and Vid saw two people who had been following Ms. Picquery at a distance immediately follow her.
Even a few others discreetly emerged from the corners, dressed in common black uniforms, quickly blending into the escort lineup that surrounded Ms. Picquery as she left.
Vid couldn't help but whisper, "Is this fanfare... protection or surveillance?"
"Both, perhaps?"
Professor Morry sighed, not as optimistic as before, with a knowing yet complex expression.
"She is not an ordinary president... Seraphina Picquery, the position she holds, the secrets she knows, the political power she represents, and the influence she can wield even after stepping down make her an extremely special and sensitive existence."
"But don't worry."
The old professor consoled his kind-hearted student, "Ms. Picquery's children all work in the Magic Congress, and several heads of important departments were her confidants, not to mention she's also a close friend of Dumbledore."
"Even many in the Magic Congress who have never met her trust her abilities and character. They believe that if one day the American Magic World faces another major crisis, it would still need someone like Seraphina Picquery to lead."
"So those people won't overly restrict her freedom... In such figures, the line between protection and surveillance is often very blurred, but that's a norm that position cannot escape."
Professor Morry shook his head, unfazed, saying, "So, what I'm trying to say is, although Sunday's visit is agreed upon, you'll need to learn to maintain an appropriate distance with her afterward; it's best for both of you."
Vid heard this and silently nodded.