[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-hogwarts-learning-panel":3,"chapter-hogwarts-learning-panel-hogwarts-learning-panel-chapter-281":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","Hogwarts Learning Panel",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},2250519,4210,"Chapter 281: The Boundary and Alanna (3k)","hogwarts-learning-panel-chapter-281",281,"\u003Cp>After the old wizard walked over, the black panther gave Xiang Xiang Xien a shocked, profound look, as if unwilling, then took several steps away from the mist.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiang Xiang Xien’s consciousness also grew hazy as the black panther departed; he saw himself standing on a cluttered street, before him a sign reading “Children’s Home,” and his final glimpse was Headmaster Dumbledore making silent lip movements to him, saying…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It’s Saturday, child—”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Perhaps only Xiang Xiang Xien understood what Saturday meant; in Headmaster Dumbledore’s approved stay-on-campus permission, Saturday meant…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Additionally, if you choose to remain at school, you may come to my office for tea every Saturday morning.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Morning arrived, the sky gray and pale.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The distant mountains were blurred outlines; the mist clung to the ground, and a lone owl suddenly appeared in the corridor ahead.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiang Xiang Xien had rarely seen owls since the young wizards had all gone home, and most owls had ceased their busy flights.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The owl with gray-and-white tail feathers circled the tower spire, passed Xiang Xiang Xien as he walked down the corridor, and finally vanished into a certain room.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiang Xiang Xien’s gaze followed its disappearance to the massive stone gargoyle, which this time did not leap away but simply watched him quietly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Cockroach Cluster.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiang Xiang Xien ventured cautiously.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was something Headmaster Dumbledore had once told him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The stone gargoyle swiftly leapt aside; Xiang Xiang Xien followed the automatically ascending spiral staircase to the door.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After pushing open the door, Xiang Xiang Xien saw Headmaster Dumbledore standing before the window, his back turned; only when the door made a sound did the greatest wizard who had driven away Bajide Akinba turn his head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You’ve come, Mr. Green. Come, sit here.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Headmaster Dumbledore.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiang Xiang Xien said, then sat on the chair beside the fireplace as the Headmaster indicated.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only then did Headmaster Dumbledore draw his gaze from the distant, hazy horizon and sit before Xiang Xiang Xien, blinking his eyes:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I imagine you have many questions, but it doesn’t matter—we have plenty of time to address them.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiang Xiang Xien indeed had many questions; after Headmaster Dumbledore nodded in encouragement, he spoke quickly:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Where exactly am I, Headmaster? Is what I saw in ‘The Dream Story’ real?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiang Xiang Xien chose the most central question: Where had he been? And what strange magical forces existed there?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You always know what matters most. Compared to you, many wizards never grasped this in their long lifetimes.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Headmaster Dumbledore’s long, silvery beard trembled slightly,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“We call it the Boundary Between Life and Death. As for its powerful forces… I must tell you, child, they exist in a realm unknown and untrodden by any.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It is exceedingly dangerous. For a thousand years, even wizards from Vagado have dared not venture deep.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Too many lessons have taught wizards what price they pay for underestimating magic’s deepest, most hidden aspects…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After speaking, Dumbledore’s eyes beneath his thick silver brows gazed thoughtfully at Xiang Xiang Xien; the Headmaster seemed… nervous.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiang Xiang Xien fell silent for a moment; he had indeed experienced many impossible things there.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had seen multiple versions of himself; witnessed bizarre, shimmering scenes hidden in the mist; encountered Bajide Akinba, who sought to drag him to Vagado—he had even managed to leave Xiang Xiang Xien in the Boundary for a while.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This is what makes magic beautiful.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiang Xiang Xien heard a voice speaking.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Headmaster, what are those strange, shimmering mists? Why did I see the orphanage at the end? Why could Bajide Akinba find me—can he do this always? If you all can speak, why couldn’t I? How did you get there?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With each question, Headmaster Dumbledore nodded slightly; but by the time Xiang Xiang Xien finished, his kind smile had brightened fully.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Good, good. Let me answer them one by one…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His voice was deep and strong, like an elder guiding the young.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The orphanage—how interesting. I never expected it to be this place, but for you, its meaning was sufficient to fulfill its role.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yes, that too was a Boundary.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiang Xiang Xien showed no emotional change; he asked curiously:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Between magic and Muggles?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Very clever, child.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dumbledore’s words eased Xiang Xiang Xien slightly; when the Headmaster mentioned the Boundary, he should have realized it was not merely the divide between magic and non-magic, but also… between death and rebirth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“As for the strange scenes you saw… let me explain: In ancient Scandinavian belief, the soul does not adhere to the principle of singularity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gazing directly at the soul will mislead you into dangerous paths—those places are the most perilous temptations. Those who cannot keep their soul pure and mind clear will inevitably be ensnared, and may never return—it is worse than death.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“As for Bajide Akinba, it was merely an accident. Vagado wizards do possess many magics we do not know, but clearly, he cannot succeed every time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When your will is strong enough, he cannot enter your dreams.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“My… dreams?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiang Xiang Xien was confused; wasn’t that the Boundary?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Oh, child, you’re not confused, are you? How rare…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dumbledore smiled, his expression shifting from solemn to playful.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiang Xiang Xien thought briefly:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Dreams allow spirits, ghosts, and doubles to move freely; distance imposes no barrier.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This freedom of movement refers to the Boundary—so it is my dreams that connect to the Boundary.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As for you, I believe I called you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The Empty Sigil, the Soul Relic’s function may lie precisely here—it helps wizards achieve connection. It is a medium, a powerful alchemical artifact capable of this purpose.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dumbledore’s teasing jolted Xiang Xiang Xien’s thoughts; he quickly sorted it all out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Oh, oh, does Terra often give you such headaches too?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dumbledore sounded slightly exasperated.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiang Xiang Xien did not hear Dumbledore’s quiet, light words; he had understood many things.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Why had Headmaster Dumbledore appeared?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Soul Relic was not the Resurrection Stone of the Deathly Hallows; if it could bring Xiang Xiang Xien, why not also bring Headmaster Dumbledore?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When Bajide Akinba arrived, Xiang Xiang Xien, unwilling to go to Vagado, had unconsciously called for Headmaster Dumbledore—just as the black cat had cried out unconsciously…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If you think it was the Soul Relic’s doing, you’re being far too modest… In truth,”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Headmaster Dumbledore suddenly spoke,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I once immersed myself in studying Vagado’s Soul Relics. Their power is too profound; among all who studied them, I was the most insignificant, the most unremarkable, the most ordinary.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No one has ever succeeded in bringing a wizard into their own ‘dreams.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Vagado wizards can easily perform transformations and make true astrological prophecies, like those you saw in the Centaurs.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet they still believe only those who can bring souls in or out are true masters of the Soul Relic—and the eldest son of the Supreme God Kattanda.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This surprised Xiang Xiang Xien; he had assumed he had called Dumbledore. But he preferred to believe Dumbledore could be summoned—not that he could summon any wizard at will.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Why me?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiang Xiang Xien was puzzled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Child, that is the key. Perhaps the one best suited to wield this power is someone who never sought it—like you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Headmaster Dumbledore looked down at Xiang Xiang Xien.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The thin mist outside had dissipated; the morning light, though faint, now touched the windowsill.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>An owl flew past the window before the Headmaster’s office, hooting softly, its claws tightly gripping symbols of longing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Child, could I ask you a favor?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Headmaster Dumbledore spoke slowly after a long silence; his entire beard trembled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Say it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiang Xiang Xien understood.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Exploring the Boundary is an immensely dangerous endeavor—even Vagado wizards dare not linger long.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If you think I say this out of selfishness, I could not agree more.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Headmaster Dumbledore’s sincere eyes revealed a shadow of darkness.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I want you to explore as much as you can—and when you feel ready, I need you to do something even more dangerous…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“To pull out a soul?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiang Xiang Xien naturally knew why—but he acted as if he had only just realized it after deep thought.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“We people are always busy corrupting our own souls, loading them with greed, desire, violence—never taking time to understand the incomparable power of a pure, whole soul…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When you possess this power, I can only speak such greedy words—perhaps this is why I am never accepted…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What is disappointing is that I once did something terrible…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiang Xiang Xien had never seen Headmaster Dumbledore in such a conflicted, low state.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had always been open and kind; now he looked like a lost man.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I will try.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiang Xiang Xien felt inexplicably downcast.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What kind of person was Headmaster Dumbledore?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Judging solely by his actions, he seemed both good and bad.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But when this old man stood before Xiang Xiang Xien, revealing his confusion and unease, Xiang Xiang Xien realized even Dumbledore was merely an elderly man who had never known love until his final years.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He could tire, make mistakes, regret—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He spoke endlessly of love as the greatest magic—yet how much of it had he ever felt?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The past… holds no weight anymore. Please stop judging your former self, Headmaster—it’s unfair.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>You know, he was just as lost in the mist back then.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wizard Sean said.\u003C\u002Fp>",1542,"2026-06-19T10:00:41.888Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","7f89b20066482b14ec40abd7c8c4e53ef75b6c83023cc92c264d6162c900f31c","hogwarts-learning-panel-chapter-282","hogwarts-learning-panel-chapter-280",526,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fhogwarts-learning-panel-cover.jpg"]