Chapter 413: Soul's Anchor Point

Late July.

Dumbledore suddenly sent a letter.

He invited John to go to Hogwarts.

Originally John wanted to go with Hermione.

But on that day Hermione received an interview notice from the Ministry of Magic, so she couldn't go together.

In fact, as soon as Hermione's graduation transcript came out, she immediately submitted an application to the Ministry of Magic.

Her grades were all O, and the positions the Ministry of Magic opened were basically up to her to choose.

However, some positions don't rely solely on grades, so an interview is required for a second review.

The positions in the Magical Law Enforcement Agency are even more like that.

John wasn't worried about Hermione's interview; after all, with her abilities, passing it is just a matter of time.

So John went to Hogwarts alone.

Headmaster's Office.

"How was the holiday, John? I heard you and Hermione have moved into a new home. I'm happy for you both,"

Dumbledore sat at his desk, pouring tea, and said with a cheerful smile.

"Thank you, Headmaster. When the two of us get engaged, we'll set you a second table."

John took the teacup and laughed casually.

"Oh, that would truly be my honor," Dumbledore blinked.

The first table, of course, is for both families.

Titus also arranged a separate table; after all, he's the matchmaker for the two of them.

"Alright, let's get down to business."

"I called you here today about the Artificial Human matter."

After a few bits of idle chat, Dumbledore finally got to the main point.

He waved his hand, and an Artificial Human body floated out of a nearby cabinet, hovering beside the desk.

An Artificial Human doesn't need to eat, breathe, or sleep, so this body is like a mall mannequin.

But unlike a plastic mannequin, this "model" has simulated skin and lifelike features, even its eyelashes and pores are clearly visible.

Its face was fashioned after Yueer's appearance, but the eyes are hollow and lifeless, lacking any sense of vitality.

"This is a recent alchemical product crafted by Nicolas Flamel,"

Dumbledore looked at the Artificial Human and began his introduction.

"It is specially designed as a soul container, but we cannot freely control souls for experiments, so whether it can reliably ensure stable soul attachment still requires your own verification,"

"As for the concern you raised earlier—whether your souls, once separated, can return to this body—Grindelwald gave me some clues,"

"He believes the key to a soul's existence lies in the 'anchor point.'"

"Once a soul loses its anchor point, it dissipates."

"Take the Killing Curse we know; its true effect is to exile the victim's soul, not to destroy it."

"When a soul is exiled, the body serving as its anchor loses its function, and the soul quickly dissipates."

Dumbledore paused, his gaze returning to John.

"But you are special; you naturally share a single body, which serves as the shared anchor point for both of your souls, so even brief separation allows the souls to reunite."

"Put simply, Yueer can return to this body at any time, as naturally as going home,"

After speaking, Dumbledore nudged the Artificial Human forward.

"You only need to verify whether, once a soul enters this Artificial Human, it can be freely controlled and whether the soul can stably attach without rejection,"

After listening, John nodded thoughtfully; it sounded quite plausible.

As for the Artificial Human, it is an alchemical creation personally crafted by Nicolas Flamel, so it should pose no risk.

Moreover, fundamentally, as long as it's confirmed that the soul won't dissipate after attaching, that's all that matters.

Because even if the Artificial Human has issues and can't be controlled, or can't return to this body,

as long as the soul still resides within, there remains room for remedy.

Thus, it's an attempt worth trying.

"Yueer, what do you think?" John asked the Yueer inside his own body.

【No problem!】

Yueer looked full of fighting spirit.

"Then let's begin right now,"

John stood up and approached the Artificial Human.

He closed his eyes and placed his hand on the Artificial Human's shoulder.

Before letting Yueer's soul enter, he first used his soul ability to scan the Artificial Human.

The soul's power faced no obstruction inside; it moved in and out freely.

After confirming there were no issues, John allowed Yueer to attempt entry.

"Yueer, go try it, and leave a 'tail' for me; I can pull you back at any time,"

【Okay】

Yueer responded, and the soul drifted out of John's body like water, slowly flowing into the Artificial Human's form.

The process was very smooth, encountering no obstacles.

The Artificial Human's body seemed inherently designed to house a soul; as soon as Yueer's soul entered, a subtle connection formed with the form.

Its once lifeless eyes gradually gained a sparkle, as if a candle had been lit.

Then the Artificial Human slowly lifted its hand, spreading its five fingers before closing them again, the movement changing from clumsy to smooth.

"... bro... big brother."

Yueer's voice came from the Artificial Human's mouth, carrying a hint of probing and delight.

Finally, Yueer's soul fully merged into the Artificial Human, even the "tail" left for John was drawn in.

When that last fragment of soul merged, Yueer's control over the Artificial Human reached perfect synchronization.

She could move as freely as she controlled her own body.

"How does it feel?" John asked, his gaze fixed on Yueer's eyes, which were gradually becoming lively.

"Very good...... better than I imagined."

"It even has tactile feedback; I thought it was just a movable iron lump."

"That's good." John exhaled, but he did not withdraw his hand immediately, continuing, "Now try again to see if you can return to our bodies."

Yueer nodded and closed her eyes.

John also closed his eyes, beginning to accept Yueer's soul returning.

A moment later.

【Returned!?!】

Yueer's soul once again entered John's body, carrying a trace of surprise and excitement.

【No problem at all, as simple as walking from one room into another.】

After achieving this result, John finally put his mind at ease.

"Headmaster, no problem." John turned his head toward Dumbledore and said.

Yueer entered the Artificial Human's body once more, whimsically manipulating her own form.

Dumbledore looked at the two children before him and nodded appreciatively.

He also liked this child Yueer a lot, even though she had caused him a lot of trouble over the past year......

But to have such a lively child forever trapped inside her brother's body would be too cruel.

"Very good."

"But John, this is only a stopgap measure."

"Yueer in this state still doesn't count as truly alive."

"Although Nicolas Flamel has endowed this Artificial Human with various senses, it ultimately cannot grant it true life."

"It will not fall ill, but it may be damaged, and the cost of repair is far more troublesome than treating a disease."

"It will not age, yet it will not grow naturally, forever remaining in its current form."

"It cannot, like a true life, possess its own future."