Chapter 3

When I turned seventeen, my parents decided it was time for me to attend the University of Ingolstadt. Until then, I had been studying in Geneva, but my father believed that for me to complete my education, I needed to be exposed to different cultures beyond our native Switzerland. Our plans for my departure were set early, yet before I could leave, a significant and tragic event occurred—Elizabeth fell ill with scarlet fever. Her condition quickly worsened, becoming severe and life-threatening. Despite initial hesitations and advice against it, my mother couldn't bear staying away when she learned Elizabeth's life hung in the balance. She attended to Elizabeth, nursing her back to health, but tragically, she herself contracted the illness. Within days, my mother's health deteriorated, marked by alarming symptoms that led her doctors to fear the worst.

In her final moments, my mother displayed remarkable strength and kindness. She brought Elizabeth and me together, expressing her hope that we would one day marry, a wish she believed would be the comfort of my father after she was gone. Elizabeth was to take over her role in caring for the younger children. Despite the peace with which she faced her impending death, she admitted the difficulty of leaving her family behind. Her passing was calm, and even in death, her face reflected the love she held for us.

The depth of grief experienced at the loss of a loved one, especially a figure as central as a mother, is profound and complex. Initially, it's hard to accept that someone so integral to our daily lives is gone forever. This disbelief slowly gives way to a deep and enduring sadness as the permanence of the loss sets in. Yet, this is a universal experience, a sorrow that everyone must face at some point.

Following this period of mourning, my departure to Ingolstadt was rescheduled. I secured a short delay from my father, feeling it almost sacrilegious to leave the quiet mourning home for the bustling life of the university. New to such deep sorrow, I was reluctant to leave my family and especially wished to see Elizabeth find some measure of solace.

Elizabeth, in her grief, became a pillar of strength for us, taking on my mother's role with grace and determination. She was a source of comfort and light during this dark time, her smiles and gentle nature helping us to find moments of joy amidst our sorrow.

Finally, the day of my departure came. Clerval, my dear friend, wished to join me at the university but his father, a narrow-minded businessman, saw no value in the education we sought and refused his request. Clerval's disappointment was palpable; he yearned for knowledge beyond the confines of commerce.

Our last evening together was filled with reluctance to part ways, the word "farewell" heavy on our tongues. Yet, when morning arrived, my family and Clerval were there to see me off, offering blessings, handshakes, and pleas for frequent letters.

As I journeyed to Ingolstadt, I was consumed by melancholy reflections on leaving the companionship and love of my family and friends for the solitude of university life. Accustomed to a close-knit and nurturing environment, I dreaded the unfamiliarity and anonymity of my new setting. However, as I neared my destination, my spirits lifted with the prospect of acquiring new knowledge and satisfying my long-standing desire to explore the wider world.

My introduction to the university began with meetings with key professors, which would set the course for my academic pursuits. An ill-fated visit to Professor Krempe, a brusque man of natural philosophy, immediately challenged my previous studies in alchemy, which he dismissed as utter nonsense. Despite his disparaging remarks, Krempe provided me with a list of modern scientific texts, marking a pivotal moment in my educational journey.

Contrastingly, my encounter with Professor Waldman offered inspiration and encouragement. His gentle nature and passionate discourse on chemistry illuminated the vast potential of modern science to uncover the mysteries of nature. Waldman's words sparked a fiery ambition within me to venture beyond known boundaries and delve into the profound secrets of creation.

This encounter profoundly shaped my resolve to pursue a path filled with discovery and innovation. Waldman's mentorship and the vision of science as a noble pursuit to benefit humanity profoundly influenced my ambitions, setting me on a trajectory towards groundbreaking but perilous inquiries into the unknown realms of knowledge.