[Dear friend, I sincerely congratulate you on your outstanding achievements at such a young age—Friendship Book, Poppet, Communication Pea, and, of course, my favorite, the Soft Light Badge.]
[These inventions not only demonstrate your talent and hard work but also show the world your love and dedication to this field of study, which brings me great comfort.]
[Nowadays, too many young people are caught up in ancient magic, chasing after so-called 'artifacts' from antiquity, while neglecting the exploration and application of their own wisdom. Yet, you dare to try new technology, demonstrating a unique creativity, which is truly a rare quality and fills me with expectation for your future.]
[I think you must have already realized that studying Alchemy is a long and arduous path, often misunderstood and exploited by others. Many believe our pursuit is turning stone into gold and achieving immortality, but that is not the case.]
[We pursue a longer life merely to have enough time to reach the shores of knowledge. The true pursuit of Alchemy is to find the power that can guide the Magic World toward peace, to explore the mysteries of the world, to understand the essence of life, and to help those who are in need.]
[When ancient wizards first melted metal in a Cauldron, the firelight reflected humanity's yearning for eternity and truth. Thousands of years have passed, yet we still ask: where is the boundary between matter and consciousness? How can magic and flame change the world?]
[Dear Vid, perhaps you might want to visit my manor this July during your vacation? We could sit by an oak table and discuss the mysteries of Alchemy together. I am more than happy to hear your concerns and share my experiences, and I believe your young mind will certainly surprise an old scholar like me.]
[Yours sincerely, Nicolas Flamel]
...
Vid read the letter over and over, about five or six times, a feeling of indescribable excitement surging through him, and he couldn't help but clench his fists tightly, wishing he could fly to Nicolas Flamel's manor right now.
Even without considering the other person's achievements and reputation in Alchemy, just thinking about the other person's age made the meeting something he greatly anticipated.
Nicolas Flamel is now 667 years old; when he was born, the Great Ming Dynasty in the East hadn't even been established yet. This person is practically living history.
Vid excitedly paced around the room twice, then sat at the table and carefully wrote a reply—
[Dear Mr. Nicolas Flamel: Receiving your letter is an immense honor and excitement... I am very eager to have the opportunity to visit your manor... Thank you again for your encouragement and support...]
When he put down his pen, Vid pondered over the letter he had written, feeling that his excitement was evident, and the handwriting was lively, perhaps even a bit too spirited.
Uh... does it come off as a bit fawning?
Vid hesitated for a moment, then rewrote a more formal reply, this time with a more steady tone.
[Respected Mr. Flamel... I am deeply honored by your invitation and full of anticipation... Thank you for your willingness to share your valuable experience and wisdom with me. I will arrange my schedule properly to ensure I can arrive at the manor on time... Looking forward to your insights and guidance...]
While waiting for the letter paper to dry, Fiona came in with a plate of freshly cut fruit.
As she put down the plate, she casually popped a piece of apple into her mouth and asked, with her mouth half full, "Vid, and you haven't even started school yet, have you already got homework?"
"No, I'm writing a reply to Mr. Nicolas Flamel." Vid picked an envelope and said while writing the address, "He invited me to visit his manor during the summer vacation."
"Nicolas Flamel?" Fiona thought the name sounded familiar, but she didn't recall immediately. She tilted her head and looked at the two sheets of paper Vid placed on the table, then suddenly reached out and said, "This one is better."
She was referring to the first reply.
Vid was momentarily surprised, then explained the reason for rewriting the letter:
"I feel that the tone of that letter is too buoyant and the expression is too casual, making it seem less composed. An excellent Alchemist should be calm and meticulous. If one acts like a child, how can people trust them?"
"But you are indeed still a child!" Fiona thought for a moment, then nodded to affirm her thought: "Anyway, if it were me, I would prefer to receive the first reply."
Vid asked, "What about if they received the second letter?"
Fiona pondered for a moment, then instead asked, "This Mr. Nicolas Flamel, he must be an extraordinary person, right?"
Vid nodded: "One of the greatest Alchemists in the world."
"Then he might be a bit annoyed?" Fiona mused: "Because he surely receives too many similar letters."
Vid slightly furrowed his brow and pursed his lips, seriously comparing them.
"Vid, expressing your thoughts and feelings in the most genuine way is much better than tedious formalities."
Fiona said with a smile, "Moreover, if a person likes you, they will like you no matter what, regardless of how you phrase your writing. "
Vid sighed: "We have yet to meet; first impressions are very important."
"The person has already sent the invitation. How could their first impression of you be this letter?"
Fiona laughed: "Your inventions, your experiences, he must have already heard about them long ago, which is why he thinks you are a person who can discuss issues together. Isn't that right?"