Hogwarts: A Chinese-Style Professor

Chapter 36 Magic is a Miracle

"When we first left home, both Jowell and I were a little unaccustomed to it. The unfamiliarity brought a strong stimulus, and Jowell's spell level changed almost every week during that period."

But for me, only the first three days were somewhat enjoyable.

Once you get used to it, those so-called adventures and journeys are just another form of cycle, well—maybe it's because I don't really like traveling.

I visited the mithril mines in France and studied the resonance between ancient runes and ley line magic, trying to find commonalities in the magic. However, I discovered that these commonalities were already hidden in the hundreds of spells I had learned.

Later, I had conflicts with some ancient wizarding families in Northern Europe—I saw their magic, and apart from their outdated concepts, it had no unique features whatsoever.

As for what happened next, the Bulgarian dragon was quite imposing, but since hunting dragons was strictly forbidden, I didn't want to cause myself trouble, so I didn't engage it in direct combat.

When this part came up, Li Wei's thoughts wandered a bit—upon reflection, it seemed that very few things in his past fourteen years were worth remembering.

Even the various sights and experiences he had on his journey now seemed utterly incapable of touching his heart.

"I used to proudly believe that even without learning black magic, as long as I had a transcendent understanding of magic, I could still reach unprecedented heights through spells and transfiguration. I thought that black magic, being such an unstable thing, was not worth the risk of learning."

But after wasting several years going around in circles, I've only come to realize one thing more and more clearly: magic is completely illogical.

Beyond spells, goals, beliefs, and imagination, there must be something else I have never foreseen.

To get to the heart of the matter, I have to take risks.

Explore deeper and more difficult places, even the most dangerous and forbidden areas.

A glint shone in Li Wei's eyes.

Two years ago, I made up my mind to secretly lead a group of students back to England to formally start learning black magic from scratch.

But due to a lack of understanding of dark magic and some unforeseen circumstances, my student was caught red-handed by the retired Mad-Eye Moody, after which he went on a rampage against us.

"And then—you came."

At this point, the light in his eyes dimmed again, and he helplessly spread his palms out to Dumbledore, looking quite resigned.

Dumbledore, who was still immersed in his earlier description of his quest for enlightenment, suddenly saw him make this gesture, and a gentle smile involuntarily crept into the corner of his eye.

"I must say, Li Wei, you've had a truly remarkable life since you graduated."

"Isn't it amazing? Fourteen years of that time were basically spent practicing magic."

"No—absolutely brilliant."

Dumbledore shook his head, his attitude unwavering.

"On the surface, it may seem, as you said, that what you are experiencing is just a cycle that repeats itself day after day."

But in my opinion, what's truly precious isn't this perseverance—though it's certainly remarkable—but rather your reflection and exploration of magic during your studies.
"Li Wei, to have reached your current level of magical skill in just twenty-one years of study is undoubtedly a remarkable achievement, and you have every reason to be proud."

"Thank you for your recognition, Professor."

To receive such affirmation from the strongest wizard of our time would be incredibly hypocritical for Li Wei to claim he felt nothing at all.

Admittedly, his past efforts had neither required nor needed an audience.

But this belated but valuable cheer came at just the right time.

However, Li Wei felt more caution than joy at this moment—because Dumbledore had not yet finished speaking.

Considering their initial topic—how to enhance magic power—the more crucial point is clearly yet to come.

Sure enough, just as Li Wei was thinking this, Dumbledore suddenly uttered a crucial "but".

"However, you are missing something extremely important."

Boom! ! !
Li Wei felt his heart suddenly clench.

His throat suddenly became unbearably dry and itchy in a short period of time, as if the hot cocoa he had drunk earlier had turned into dry powder and was stuck there, desperately trying to block his throat.

"What is it—"

He looked at Dumbledore, his mind racing.

But Dumbledore, as if seeking revenge for a previous insult, deliberately whetted Levi's appetite at this moment. "In my opinion, as a wizard, you have indeed achieved remarkable things, but Levi, have you noticed that it is precisely because of this perfection that you have lost something even more precious?"

"What do you mean?"

Li Wei's brows furrowed tightly, and he felt a throbbing pain in his head.
What is he lacking?

Since arriving at Hogwarts, all the fragmented and vague insights I had had were stirred up by Dumbledore's words at this moment, yet they still lacked that final touch, like scratching an itch through a boot.

He seemed to realize something, but no matter how hard he thought about it, he couldn't find the answer.

At that moment, Dumbledore solemnly tapped on Livy's confused thoughts.

"Li Wei, you are undoubtedly a remarkable wizard."

But I must say, outside of wizards, outside of magic.

As a person, as a student, as a complete individual, you have completely failed yourself! Just by looking at you, I can tell how much effort you have put in and how many people who have shown you favor have you rejected along the way.

You suppress your emotions, ignore your own needs, and surrender everything to magic under pressure.

That's excellent; you've undoubtedly done it perfectly!

"But what's the price?"

"Li Wei, have you thought about the price you'll pay for this power?"

boom! ! !
At that moment, it felt as if a thousand electric currents surged through every cell of Li Wei's body!
Dumbledore's question completely blew his mind away at that moment.

Amidst the tremors of the soul, dust-like particles of information frantically converged in the mind, and past conversations echoed repeatedly, gradually transforming into fragments waiting to be pieced together.
He suddenly heard many voices.

"Li Wei, you're supposed to be an interesting guy. Stop messing around with those basic spells all day. Join us, and you'll definitely discover more fun in magic."

[James Porter, thank you for the invitation, but I happen to be the most boring person imaginable, and I have absolutely no interest in the kind of fun you're talking about. Please don't bother me anymore.]

"Your name is Li Wei, right? I've been observing you for a long time!"
You are different from them, and you are also different from those idiots who just laugh or scream all day long.

You know what is truly most important!
Let's join forces, just you and me!
Together we can study those powerful spells and master powers they could never attain in their lifetime! We'll make those arrogant and foolish bastards pay the price!

Severus Snape? I'm sorry, but I'm probably completely different from what you imagine. I have absolutely no interest in the powerful magic you speak of. Please don't bother me anymore; I don't want to be mistaken for someone connected to you.

"Li Wei, I like you. Would you like to come to Hogsmeade Village with me this Christmas?"

Sorry, I don't have time for dating.

"Li Wei, I'm giving you special permission, this half-blood, to join our Quidditch team. We Slytherin will always be number one!"

Thank you, but I hate Quidditch.

"I never imagined you would actually become a teacher at Hogwarts—ha! What a loneliest freak!"

Of course, you can just ignore everyone and immerse yourself in your own world, as you've always done, haven't you?

【.】

"Professor, you seem to be in a good mood?"

Yes, perhaps, deep down, I've longed to return here.

"Professor, regarding the fifth stage you mentioned today, I actually already have the answer: it's emotion, right?"

"So I think... shouldn't wizards also experience different things and feel different emotions? Wouldn't that be better than them just staying behind closed doors researching spells?"

The words of the past struck my heart like a curse, and my previously vague thoughts suddenly became clear.

Amidst the tremors in his brain, Levi's gaze passed over Dumbledore, pierced through Hogwarts Castle, and he saw his eleven-year-old self.

The first time those eyes lit up when they received their Hogwarts acceptance letter.

Back then, magic was a gift.

It's a miracle.

(End of this chapter)