Chapter 365

The eve of dawn.

Around the warm hearth, Ms. Ise told stories of what had once happened on this land; the cold wind rattled the windows and doors, and Wizard Sean tied his scarf securely, listening intently as her voice drifted across the fire.

“...The original cabin was built of branches and animal hides, so my love James decided to help me rebuild a stone cabin atop Mount Greylock.”

He drew a design that looked quite feasible, but when it came to construction, he was a Muggle.

I used magic and completed the design in a single afternoon. We named the cabin after my parents’ house—Ilvermorny...”

Ms. Ise’s pearl-colored eyes held memories.

“So, you’ve decided to leave?”

Wizard Sean cupped his pumpkin juice and asked seriously.

“The eve of dawn is when the lost take action.”

Ms. Ise spoke with meaning.

“Flubberworm slime, lavender, valerian, forgetfulness water, mistletoe berries...”

Wizard Sean nodded and began listing the ritual materials.

He needed to carve magical runes into the materials, then use a special incantation to complete the Resting Ritual.

Ms. Ise watched quietly as he counted the items, then cast her deep gaze toward the window.

Everything outside was white; snow still fell.

Inside, a silver owl slept on its perch beside the hearth; behind it hung photographs of all kinds, beside it stood bottles and jars—like a Victorian oil painting.

Before it, a sliver of sky leaked through the heavy curtains, cool and clear as diluted blue ink—the color between night and dawn. The silence was absolute, broken only by Bai Yi’s slow, deep breaths.

When all was ready, Wizard Sean saw Ms. Ise smile:

“This alchemical ritual is not simple. You have exceptional alchemical talent—and, of course, magical beast talent—the second child to take the Cat Bao away... Do Hogwarts wizards have a unique attraction to Cat Bao ?”

Ms. Ise looked at the rune array,

“Ilvermorny’s magical beasts are free. Take it, child. Don’t worry about anything else.

Speaking of Hogwarts—it’s a distant symbol. I’ve never been there. Three centuries... I gave everything to Ilvermorny...”

Ms. Ise murmured to herself.

Wizard Sean saw his breath turn to mist; silently, he opened the Wizard’s Book. The wooden cabin was quiet, the eve of dawn within.

He entered the cabin, took out a photograph, and placed it beside Ms. Ise’s hand.

The photo showed the majestic Hogwarts Castle during Christmas in the Great Hall.

“Ah...”

Ms. Ise paused, her smile radiant—yet the light in her eyes faded, her pupils losing focus, hollow and distant, gazing far away for a long time.

“Thank you, child.”

She tried to reach out and touch the young wizard, but her arm passed through empty air.

“You... won’t say goodbye?”

Wizard Sean asked.

“I’m not good at farewells. This is better—we never say goodbye.”

Ms. Ise said.

Wizard Sean merely glanced out the window, where snow was not the only thing there.

Beneath the beech tree stood an elderly headmaster and an ancient Pukki.

Wizard Sean nodded, preparing to begin the ritual—only to find Ms. Ise did not cooperate, instead drifting to a secluded corner of the stone cabin.

Wizard Sean followed and found a book on the ground—The Book of Ghosts.

“During the time I became a ghost, I studied myself constantly—but sadly, though my wisdom remained at first, I soon lost it...”

Ms. Ise’s expression held recollection,

“Yet I have perfected the final death of ghosts.

You will understand, dear—one cannot die as a ghost; one is trapped in the emotion of the moment of death. No joy, and over time, forgetfulness and detachment set in—this is eternal torment.

Fulfilling a ghost’s obsession can release them, and doing so will bring you unexpected benefits.”

Ms. Ise stepped into the ritual.

“Is death a great adventure?”

Wizard Sean suddenly asked.

“No one knows what has not happened.”

Ms. Ise smiled.

“Well then, goodbye, Ms. Ser.”

Wizard Sean said.

A mist rose; Wizard Sean watched it with curiosity.

“From County Kerry, Ireland, to the Comlogra Valley, to North America—all obstacles, fleeting clouds.

I had a lover’s quarrel with this world...”

Ms. Ise’s form grew ever more ethereal; finally, she hummed an ancient tune:

“Ilvermorny of Massachusetts, we chose it. We chose it.

Noble magical academy, your walls protect us.

Days with you were but a dream.

You taught us all there is of magic.

Now one thing is certain: wherever we are, wherever we go;

Our true home, our one and only home;

Is Ilvermorny—”

The cabin fell silent.

Wizard Sean heard someone crying; he was not surprised. When someone leaves, someone cries.

Ms. Ise was undoubtedly a worthy headmistress and an outstanding witch.

Now, dawn had come.

Wizard Sean must prepare to expand the second space of the Wizard’s Book—he would first extend the book, then bring in the natural space, cast separation and weather spells, and finally form a snowfield region.

More importantly, today’s Cat Bao affection task remained incomplete.

Ms. Ise told him not to worry about the Cat Bao , which actually helped—he now only needed to inform Professor Terra.

As Wizard Sean gently tapped the Wizard’s Book to summon its entrance, a voice interrupted him.

“Wizard!”

A Pukki knocked on the door.

Wizard Sean froze, then felt utterly at a loss.

This was clearly William, the Pukki—Ms. Ise’s friend of three centuries—and he had just sent her away...

“Mr. Hermes.”

Another voice spoke.

Clearly Headmaster Herrera, Ms. Ise’s beloved student—they had both witnessed him sending off Headmistress Ise...

Wizard Sean’s expression slowly calmed, and he opened the door in silence.

A three-foot-tall Pukki with a terrible complexion entered.

It glanced at Wizard Sean, then placed several Mayflowers in the center of the ritual circle.

“I’m leaving.”

Pukki William said to Headmaster Herrera, who had just entered.

Then he turned to Wizard Sean:

“Wizard, you have earned my respect. I will repay you—even though Pukkis despise humans.”