To Dumbledore's surprise, Jane Yu requested to visit the Muggle streets first.

  She wanted to buy some gifts for the alchemist who had lived for over six hundred years.

  Obviously, beauty potions wouldn't be an appropriate gift for someone of that age.

  So she had some special pns in mind.

  Several hours ter, Dumbledore stared in amazement at the expensive Nintendo Game Boy in her hands.

  He knew it was some kind of Muggle entertainment device... called a game console?

  He gently reminded Jane:

  "Although Nicos and Perenelle don't reject Muggle items, perhaps this... um... game console... would be more suitable for teenage wizards."

  But Jane mysteriously shook her head.

  She believed her considerations were more thorough:

  First, her lifesaver had lived for over six hundred years and had seen everything there was to see. His life had become dull, which was why he was ready to embrace death. Since she didn't want him to die, she could only use the game console to add some fun to his monotonous life.

  Second, if the gift was rejected, she could keep it for herself. After all, apart from Quidditch, wizard chess, and some novels, the wizarding world cked entertainment. Heaven knows she had gone a whole year without a phone and was nearly going crazy!

  Seeing his persuasion was futile, Dumbledore, still puzzled, walked with Jane to the firepce.

  They would travel to France through the Floo Network, to the Fmels' secluded residence.

  He had already pnned his first step in teaching her - having the Fmels impart the correct view of life and death to her, preventing another Voldemort-like figure from emerging in the wizarding world who would try to transcend death.

  The Fmels welcomed them warmly.

  "I saw your arrival in my crystal ball," said the silver-haired old man who walked with trembling steps. "Please forgive me if I can't ugh too heartily, as my bones are rather brittle these days."

  His wife, Perenelle Fmel, had prepared lunch, though it didn't look particurly appetizing.

  The elderly woman appeared to be in the same physical condition as Nicos Fmel - skin and bones, with silver hair tied in a bun at the back of her head. When she smiled, her eyes sparkled with kindness:

  "Welcome, children," she said, waving her hand slightly to arrange the dishes on the table. "I've prepared dinner for you, but I'm afraid the taste might be cking. We haven't eaten in many years, and I've almost forgotten the spell for baking apple pie."

  Jane nearly burst out ughing. Even the hundred-plus-year-old Dumbledore was considered a child in front of the Fmels - it gave her an peculiar feeling.

  The four exchanged greetings and took their seats at the table.

  Jane presented her gifts to the elderly couple.

  "Thank you, child, how thoughtful of you," Madame Fmel accepted it, leaning forward to give her the customary kiss on both cheeks. "Let me see what this lovely little thing is... Nintendo Game Boy?"

  The gift was beyond her imagination - even after living for over six hundred years, she couldn't comprehend what it was.

  Nicos Fmel leaned over to examine the small device with his wife, both equally puzzled.

  "It's a... Muggle form of entertainment," Dumbledore expined awkwardly, touching his nose.

  "Interesting, I feel curious again," Nicos remarked admiringly, before putting the game console aside. "But first, let us enjoy this feast."

  During the meal, Nicos asked Jane about her experience after absorbing the Philosopher's Stone:

  "Albus told me the Stone vanished upon touching your body. Did you experience anything while unconscious?"

  Jane tried to answer but found herself tongue-tied, as if under a Tongue-Tying Curse.

  "I came to a forest and met—"

  No matter how hard she tried, she couldn't speak about Merlin and the Stone. She covered her mouth in frustration.

  But Nicos Fmel showed a look of sudden understanding and gestured for her to stop trying:

  "It seems you've encountered the Laws of Magic, hence the restriction."

  "Congratutions, child. A blessing in disguise."

  He cast several unnamed spells on Jane, and she noticed he didn't even need a wand.

  "The connection between soul and body is still not very stable. I'm afraid you'll need to continue taking the Soul Stabilizing Potion for a while longer."

  Like a bolt from the blue!

  She felt she was already being pickled in Snape's potions!

  She instantly defted.

  But then she suddenly remembered what Dumbledore had said about this legendary alchemist using the Philosopher's Stone to extend his life.

  "You... gave me the Stone to use, what will happen to you?"

  Dumbledore's heart leaped with joy - finally, the child had asked the right question.

  He frantically blinked at the Fmels, signaling them to expin the correct view of life and death.

  Receiving Dumbledore's signal, as they had agreed, Nicos began his discourse:

  "Oh yes - we will die."

  Seeing the guilty expression on Jane's face, he gave a serene smile:

  "You're young, child, you don't understand the value of death."

  "For us, death is actually like going to bed after a long day."

  "I've lived for over six hundred years, my memories are full of partings and losses. Endless life and infinite wealth no longer bring me joy. Living in seclusion here is merely to conduct academic research and do things that benefit wizardkind."

  He shook his head, smiling as he held his wife's hand, and concluded:

  "Immortality is a curse, death is liberation."

  After the meal.

  The Fmels happily invited Dumbledore and Jane to stay overnight.

  "Stay longer, Albus, Jane!" they said sincerely. "Keep us old folks company!"

  When they learned that Jane came from an orphanage, their eyes grew even more gentle and loving:

  "Good child, why not stay here for the summer?" Perenelle stroked her head with her withered hand. "To be honest, I'd rather see energetic young people like you than look at this old man all day—"

  Nicos gred at her, but he too hoped Jane would spend her summer here.

  "I think we can test the strength of your soul after absorbing the Stone."

  Jane couldn't refuse her lifesavers' request.

  The Fmels cleared out a small attic as Jane's room.

  Lying in bed, inhaling the sunny scent of the soft, fluffy bedding, she quickly fell asleep.

  The Fmels looked up enviously toward her room.

  "Ah, youth is wonderful - falling asleep as soon as the head hits the pillow."

  ...

  After their guests had retired.

  The Fmels exchanged gnces, beginning to feel bored again.

  At their age, they hardly needed sleep or food, making the nights particurly long.

  But today, Nicos seemed to have thought of something.

  "Nintendo!"

  His excmation startled his wife so much that she poked him with her cane in disapproval.

  Nicos was seen trembling as he took out the game console from the cabinet, examining it with the same seriousness he would apply to alchemy.

  "I don't feel any happiness flowing in... what do you think, Perenelle?"

  His wife shook her head: "Nicos, I must remind you that this is a Muggle device. It won't channel magic just by holding it."

  Nicos nodded, finding his wife's words quite reasonable.

  "'Tendo' has something to do with wings, but I still can't understand why they put 'nin' in front of it," he muttered. "Muggles have such peculiar ideas, I often can't comprehend them."

  As he fiddled with the game console, he must have pressed some button, because the screen suddenly came to life!

  Announcement AnnouncementI’m back from celebrating Chinese New Year!Coming up, each book will have 3 consecutive chapter updates, totaling 18 chapters. On Patreon, every book will receive 10+ consecutive chapter updates, with a total of over 60 chapters!

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  A new book is also in the works and is expected to be released the day after tomorrow. Stay tuned and look forward to it!

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