At this moment, Lin Mei lay on the plush sofa in Dumbledore's office, surrounded by the concerned gazes of several professors. Though Mrs. Pomfrey had been asked to keep her distance for the time being, her watchful eyes never strayed far from him.
"Headmaster, the magic fluctuations around this child appear to be stabilizing," Professor McGonagall observed, noting how the previously chaotic and violent energy was now settling into a delicate balance.
"Indeed, and his ability to recover is remarkable. There seems to be an untapped potential within him," Dumbledore remarked with a thoughtful smile, his eyes glinting with curiosity and expectation.
As one of the greatest wizards in the magical world, Dumbledore was deeply intrigued by the changes occurring in Lin Mei. Moreover, based on Lin Mei's appearance and the strange aura surrounding him, Dumbledore had a strong suspicion—Lin Mei was not of this world.
If Lin Mei had been conscious, he would have undoubtedly grumbled about this old man's uncanny ability to see through him.
A bold idea took root in Dumbledore's mind—Lin Mei could become a safeguard, a force that could stand against the dark presence looming over the magical world. But before that, Lin Mei needed to wake up.
"Alright, it's getting late. Off you go now. Only with proper rest can we face the mischievous little troublemakers tomorrow," Dumbledore declared, gently but firmly dismissing the gathered professors.
Understanding they could do no more for the time being, the professors bid their farewells and left the office, leaving only Professor McGonagall behind.
"You're planning to take this child into Hogwarts, aren't you?" she asked knowingly.
"Indeed, Professor McGonagall, I am considering it," Dumbledore confirmed, his voice gentle yet filled with conviction.
"His arrival is not just about his magic. There is something else—an unusual aura that sets him apart. I believe he will become an integral part of Hogwarts and, in time, the entire magical world."
McGonagall frowned slightly. "You do realize how complicated this is? We know nothing about his origins, his background, or why he appeared in our world."
Dumbledore's eyes twinkled with certainty. "It is precisely these unknowns that affirm my belief in this choice. At Hogwarts, we don't just teach magic; we guide young minds toward courage, friendship, and sacrifice. I trust that this child will find his own path here, and in doing so, he may bring a new light to Hogwarts."
A moment of silence passed before McGonagall finally nodded, a glimmer of agreement in her eyes. "Then we shall wait and see. But first, we must ensure his safety and help him integrate into our world smoothly."
Dumbledore gave a reassuring nod. "I will make the necessary arrangements to ensure he fits in. At the same time, I'll send someone to investigate his origins, though I suspect it will be no easy task. Perhaps we'll find nothing at all."
"Do you need my assistance?" McGonagall offered.
Dumbledore smiled. "Your support is always invaluable, Minerva. But for now, I will handle this matter personally. You should focus on welcoming the new students."
With a final glance at the sleeping Lin Mei, McGonagall bid Dumbledore goodnight and departed.
The Next Morning
Bang! Bang! Crack!
A series of cracking noises echoed through the headmaster's office as Lin Mei stirred. Groggy and stiff, he pushed himself up from the sofa.
"Ugh… That was too much. I didn't expect the side effects to be this severe," he groaned, twisting his neck to relieve the stiffness from his prolonged sleep.
Crack!
The satisfying pop of his joints reminded Lin Mei that he was not alone. His senses sharpened as he realized something—or someone—was watching him.
His pupils narrowed. Inside him, Elein, the presence he had long been familiar with, had awakened. He could feel her gaze fixated on a corner of the room.
Lin Mei turned his head cautiously and froze.
A majestic phoenix stood nearby, its three fiery-red tails swaying gently. Its intelligent eyes observed him curiously.
"I really want to eat bird eggs. A phoenix egg would surely help me grow faster," Elein murmured within Lin Mei's mind, licking her lips.
Before Lin Mei could scold her, the phoenix let out a sharp cry. Perhaps it had sensed Elein's thoughts, for it suddenly breathed a thin stream of fire at him.
Lin Mei groaned inwardly. He had barely woken up, and he was already under attack.
However, he reacted instinctively. Instead of dodging, he extended his hand and caught the flames, absorbing them without hesitation.
The phoenix had not intended to harm him. Rather, the fire carried restorative magic meant to aid in stabilizing his internal energy.
As the warm flames coursed through his body, Lin Mei felt a surge of power. The once chaotic magic within him began to harmonize, flowing smoothly through his limbs.
His eyes brightened, reflecting the twinkling light of newfound strength. He could feel it—his magic was evolving.
At this moment, Lin Mei's magic flowed in an unprecedentedly harmonious way. Every strand of energy felt like a meticulously crafted masterpiece—each one distinct yet seamlessly interwoven into a vast magical network.
"This... this is..." Lin Mei murmured in disbelief, overwhelmed by the newfound balance and power coursing through him. He hesitantly tried to channel it, and with a simple flick of his fingertips, gentle ripples spread through the air—visible traces of pure, stable magical energy, far more refined than before.
"Lin, it seems we've turned misfortune into fortune this time," Alein's voice resonated in his mind, laced with excitement.
"Little one, it seems you accidentally ruffled Fawkes' feathers just now."
A warm, knowing voice interrupted his thoughts. Lin Mei turned sharply to see an elderly yet vibrant figure stepping out from a side chamber of the headmaster's office.
Dumbledore observed him with even greater curiosity. He had witnessed the entire event—Lin Mei catching and absorbing Fawkes' flames effortlessly.
Lin Mei's gaze locked onto the man before him—an old wizard with flowing silver hair, a long, silvery-white beard reaching down to his chest, and deep, wise blue eyes glinting behind half-moon spectacles.
"Who are you?" he asked cautiously.
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