Chapter 462: Merlin (3k)

Professor Professor Sineipu's loathing for Professor Qiluo was plain to see; after returning from Spider's End Alley, there was not a moment in which he did not want to find the man.

"If I were you, after doing those hideous things, I'd have rolled myself far, far away—"

He said coldly, swept a glance at Professor Professor Qiluo with the look one gives a dead man, and walked into the shop.

There were plenty of Duo De Mo Fa that could make a wizard vanish without a trace, and he happened to be well-versed in them…

Professor Qiluo's face went a little pale; this was a threat from a top-tier wizard. He looked toward the young wizard outside the shop, and his dazed gaze grew firm once more.

He could not die yet—this life was not his alone.

After Professor Professor Sineipu rushed into the shop, Xiang Xiang Xien fell behind. To his surprise, he saw Professor Professor Taila. At this moment she was, with great interest, buying every single Chocolate Frog card.

This left Luo En and Harry, who were in line, dumbfounded.

"I hope she pulls a rare Cornelious Agrippa."

Luo En muttered; the card he spoke of was the rarest of all—up until last month.

But now, pulling a Cornelious Agrippa no longer let one say whether the luck was good or bad.

After all, wizards' goals had, without their noticing, undergone some change.

"Let's go buy some raspberry ice cream."

Harry noticed Luo En's mood had dropped, and said.

"Professor."

Xiang Xiang Xien said softly from behind the crowd.

"Oh, how glad I am to see you, my dear disciple—before Abigail finishes picking out her fairy-tale biscuits, let us look at these marvelous Chocolate Frogs."

Professor Professor Taila snapped her fingers, and every Chocolate Frog box was opened, revealing card after card.

The cards floated in the air, then circled Professor Professor Taila one by one; with a lift of her finger, a "Hermes" flew out.

"An invitation—looks like decent luck—I thought my luck had been squandered the moment I met you—"

The corner of her mouth lifted, and she stuffed the invitation into Xiang Xiang Xien's hand.

By now the crowd outside had erupted; they stared dumbstruck at the invitation in Xiang Xiang Xien's hand.

"Mr., I am willing to offer one hundred Jin Jialong for that invitation in your hand!"

A shrewd merchant was the first to run over.

"Don't listen to him, Mr. —I'll add thirty more!"

Someone else caught on at once.

Reporters snapped photos frantically, but could only capture Xiang Xiang Xien shaking his head and walking into the shop, his back to them.

"It's Xiang Xiang Xien! He's here too! He got the invitation!"

Harry looked utterly astonished, thrilled by his friend's good fortune.

"Ah—Xiang Xiang Xien got it, Xiang Xiang Xien got it—really—"

Luo En was listless; missing out on the invitation left him deeply vexed.

How could the host themselves step in like this… then what did all their queuing count for…

It counted as being played.

……

Inside the shop.

Xiang Xiang Xien followed Professor Professor Taila and found that witch, Abigail.

She was staring at Xiang Xiang Xien with a face full of respect and eagerness:

"Mr. Hermes, may I ask when the Cerberus Biscuits will be restocked—I mean, going forward? What is your direction from here…"

Her expression turned very poor after Professor Professor Taila stepped between the two of them.

"Professor Taila, I have already kept my word and brought you the secret tome. And yet you have the nerve to still want the Sacred Stone—you had better remember what the Sacred Stone means to Wagadu, you had better remember the reason we last rose up to fight!"

"Of course I haven't forgotten—the Sacred Stone must not leave Wagadu—but truly, won't you reconsider?"

Professor Professor Taila said with great interest.

"What did Hogwarts give you? To make you so utterly devoted!"

Her angry gaze went past Professor Professor Taila and landed on Xiang Xiang Xien,

"I'm sorry, Mr. Unless the Elder Council agrees, even if it is you, we will not accept."

Xiang Xiang Xien watched the corner of Professor Professor Taila's mouth curve into an arc, then she produced a parchment that looked like a contract:

"I think the Elder Council doesn't seem to object."

Abigail took the contract in disbelief and read it over and over, her voice going hoarse:

"How is it possible—how could you possibly have obtained it—such a thing has never happened—what on earth did you do?"

"It wasn't me."

Professor Professor Taila said with a beaming smile and led Xiang Xiang Xien away.

In the booth.

Xiang Xiang Xien heard Professor Professor Taila say softly:

"The Sacred Stone absolutely cannot appear outside Wagadu's control, and only Wagadu's students have the qualification to obtain it.

Otherwise it would become an ordinary stone bearing a curse; only the twenty-four special Sacred Stones can be taken out of Wagadu and exert an even greater effect.

One of them is this one…"

A stone was placed in Xiang Xiang Xien's hand—called a stone, it was in fact more like a slab.

"When you are unfamiliar with it, I will keep it for you first. Remember—use it once a month. When you use it, remind yourself: do not lose yourself in false, beautiful dreams. Within the dream, no matter how much power you wish to possess, no matter how long a lifespan you wish to gain, you can have your wish fulfilled.

These two things are what humans desire most—the problem is, humans happen to love choosing what benefits them least.

She finished with great meaning in her words, then took the stone back.

"I understand, Professor."

Xiang Xiang Xien looked at it curiously for a few seconds. According to the professor's words, the dream linked to this stone did not seem so simple.

This made him think of the words in that book, "Dream Stories":

"He had many adventures here, adventures that made him linger on, reluctant to leave…"

The description of that place in "Dream Stories" was the world behind the veil, while Professor Professor Taila's understanding was the world behind the veil of death.

Could there be a connection between them?

"Professor, have you read this book?"

Xiang Xiang Xien chose to ask directly.

"A very interesting book. You actually found it. Read it well, my disciple. His prototype is a very famous person — you lot are always talking about him…"

Professor Professor Taila said with a smile.

"Merlin?"

Xiang Xiang Xien asked.

"The bad thing about having a clever disciple is right here — I can never enjoy the joy of a teacher resolving doubts—"

Professor Professor Taila seemed a touch wistful.

"Sorry, Professor."

Xiang Xiang Xien lowered his eyes.

"Oh — child, what I mean is, not having to always enjoy such joy is precisely what Lian Jin Shus most desire."

Professor Professor Taila looked even more gratified,