Chapter 382

Along with good news came bad news.

The black cat clearly felt the mist growing denser, signaling that its time was steadily running out.

Yet at its current pace, it would likely fail to reach Ms. Iso before leaving the borderland.

According to The Dream Stories, wandering souls might at any moment forget their obsessions and take up adventure; and since these souls remained perpetually adrift, it meant the black cat could not always be lucky enough to find them nearby.

The difficulties were greater than it had imagined, yet they did not cause its frantic pace to pause for a moment.

It was not accustomed to stopping.

As the mist grew thicker, as the borderland emitted its gentle farewell signal, its steps grew lighter—and even lighter still.

In the end, only the howling wind remained in its ears.

The mist clumps, too, sped forward, transforming into a flowing tapestry of color.

Just before reaching Ms. Iso Ser, it suddenly turned to look back at itself.

Its paws had grown larger, its whiskers longer, its body expanded more than tenfold.

The black cat had now become an animal resembling a cougar.

Its eyes were emerald green, more brilliant than gemstones; its body sleek and powerful, leaping across vast distances in mere bounds.

The Cat Bao Reformation had appeared! This was likely because its soul transformation had reached expert proficiency…

【You have mastered a unique soul transformation. Expert proficiency +100】

【A special form has been unlocked. Please check.】

Wizard Sean was astonished—a hundred points; this time, the soul reformation granted an unusually high increase in proficiency… He could hardly wait to open his panel.

【Name: Wizard Sean Green】

【Unlocked special forms: Cat Lizi , Cat Bao .】

【Animagus form slots have been increased accordingly.】

【Unlocked: Unknown】

A new Animagus?

Wizard Sean felt excitement surge—he had never heard of any wizard possessing multiple Animagus forms, save Merlin.

Not to mention Animagus forms resembling magical beasts.

As he pondered when to explain to the professor and use ritual magic to unlock the Cat Bao Animagus form again, he looked further down:

【Transformation Classification:】

【Magical Transformation: Beginner (60/900)】

【Material Transformation: Expert (10/3000)】

【Soul Transformation: Expert (150/3000)】

【Evaluation: Wizards who reach mastery in transformation display initial combat prowess in their field, possessing magical foundations in transformation beyond the imagination of lesser wizards.】

Initial combat prowess… magical foundations beyond the imagination of lesser wizards…

Wizard Sean thought silently, slightly bewildered; after defeating the basilisk, his understanding of his own magical strength had once again become unclear.

He was certain he could face off against Aurors—whether he won or lost, he could always escape unharmed.

But could he defeat Aurors easily?

If the number of Aurors increased, could he still escape unharmed?

What could he achieve if he faced off against the professors?

The mist grew denser again, and Wizard Sean slowly set these questions aside.

He looked ahead, where a familiar yet unfamiliar figure stared at him in wonder.

“Good day, Ms. Iso Ser.”

The black-furred, cougar-like creature spoke.

“Hello, dear Cat Bao —”

Ms. Ser rushed forward with large strides.

She had never seen such a Cat Bao : its flowing ink-black fur adorned with silver-white patterns like cloud embroidery, and most striking of all, its emerald eyes radiating a dazzling brilliance that seized the soul.

As she drew closer, Ms. Ser suddenly spoke:

“Mr. Green?”

The Cat Bao nodded.

“You’re dead?!”

Ms. Ser gasped.

Cat Bao : “…No, Ms. Ser.”

“Just joking, dear—truly unimaginable that the current holder of the Empty Sigil could achieve this.

Tell me, dear, finding me wasn’t easy—what do you need?”

Ms. Ser smiled brightly.

“Have you found Mr. James Stewart, and Mr. Chadwick Boot and Mr. Webber Boot?”

The Cat Bao asked.

“No, but since our meeting has become inevitable, waiting has turned into a festival.

Mr. Green, let me tell you an ancient human joke.

People always feel happiest just before happiness arrives.”

Iso smiled.

Though her face bore more wrinkles, her smile radiated vibrant life.

“Then, have you met anyone else?”

The Cat Bao said after a few seconds.

“Of course. I’ve been here for some time. When James, Chadwick, and Webber crossed the bridge of love to join me, I explored this place with curiosity.

Naturally, I encountered some wandering souls… but dear, who is it you’re looking for?”

Iso asked curiously.

“Ariana Dumbledore, Rita Lestrange, and Lily Potter…”

The Cat Bao listed them.

“Well, it seems you don’t miss anyone named Green?”

Iso was intrigued.

“Green?”

The Cat Bao ’s eyes filled with confusion.

“Like, Grandfather Green, Grandmother Green? Oh, forgive me—are they still alive?

I’ve lost all sense of death for so long.”

Ms. Ser stepped across the white expanse, dodging a mist clump.

“I don’t know.”

The Cat Bao said.

“Then Mrs. Green and…”

Iso fell silent for a long while before asking slowly.

“I don’t know.”

The Cat Bao sat upon the white expanse, its expression unreadable.

“I’m sorry.”

Ms. Ser’s voice grew softer.

“It’s fine. Have you seen the people I mentioned? If you meet them, please tell me.”

The Cat Bao ’s ears twitched naturally.

“Of course—”

The corners of Ms. Ser’s lips slowly curved into a smile.

“You mean—”

The Cat Bao was surprised.

“No.”

Ms. Ser’s smile brightened further.

“Do you think it’s easy to encounter a correct, wandering soul?

If wizards failed to do something or say something in life, does that make it easier to accomplish in death?

The borderland is vaster and more dangerous than you imagine.

Next time, you may not find me again. Know this: two souls’ paths do not easily cross, even if you possess a Soul Relic.”

Iso’s words plunged Wizard Sean into deep thought.

It seemed Headmaster Dumbledore’s theory was merely a guess, and this made Wizard Sean understand even more clearly that shortcuts were never advisable.

If he remained in the borderland long enough—until just before dawn—his chances of success would surely rise considerably.

“Thank you for telling me.”

The Cat Bao gazed at the rising mist and spoke.

“Still, I did meet another wizard I most wished to find—”

Ms. Ser suddenly changed the subject.

"Who is it?"

At the very last second before leaving, the Cat Bao asked.

"The revered Rowena Ravenclaw."

Iso's voice drifted out, dreamlike and ethereal.