Qilin

"Qilin?" Hearing Xiwen mention the name, Newt froze. "The ancient auspicious beast of China, the Qilin?"

Xiwen began to carefully observe the Fantastic Beasts in Newt's arms.

She had a body like a deer, a tail like a calf, four hooves like a cow, and a curved horn embedded in her forehead.

Its entire body is covered with fine scales that faintly shimmer with a greenish luster. Orange-red fur extends down from the top of its head, across its neck and back, all the way to the end of its tail, resembling a long cluster of burning flames, which is quite beautiful.

Newt gently soothed the little Qilin in his arms, nodded to Xiwen, and said, "It is indeed Fantastic Beasts from China."

However, he disagreed with Xiwen's description, quietly explaining the origins of the Qilin: "Although Qilin are extremely rare, they have always lived in secluded places in China. Therefore, I think it is not a mythical beast unique to ancient times."

"The International Confederation of Wizards has always followed an ancient tradition— the Qilin Way —which involves selecting the International Confederation of Wizards's president through the Qilin," Newt explained to Xiwen. "The Qilin is Fantastic Beasts with precognitive abilities. They can see into a person's soul and thus determine whether their heart is pure."

"The International Confederation of Wizards uses this characteristic of the Qilin to select a president with a pure heart."

"That sounds a bit hasty," Xiwen muttered, pursing his lips. "Besides, being elected president probably requires more than just a kind heart. What if Qilin chooses someone who has no other merits besides kindness?"

"Xiwen, you underestimate the Fantastic Beasts, the Qilin," Newt said with a laugh. "A person with only kindness but no ability won't be favored by the Qilin. It can be said that any wizard who receives the Qilin's respect is not only exceptionally capable but also possesses a strong sense of justice."

"The Qilin Way ritual rarely goes wrong. If it weren't for the extreme rarity of Qilin in this world, the Qilin Way ritual would probably still be passed down."

"I see." Xiwen nodded.

Then he thought of something and asked, "So what is Grindelwald trying to do by having his men steal the little Qilin? Does he want to be elected Supreme Mugwump as a wanted criminal?"

As he shared his thoughts, Xiwen laughed.

However, his smile quickly faded as Newt and Flamel's expressions turned serious.

"He can really be elected president of the International Confederation of Wizards?" Xiwen asked, his mouth agape in shock.

"Theoretically impossible, but what if he persuades the current president to clear his name?" Flamel said gravely. "We all know that Anton Vogel, the current president, isn't very reliable."

Xiwen frowned and suddenly asked, "Wait, if Grindelwald could know the location of the Qilin because of his ability to foresee the future, then why did Newt suddenly ask me to send him to Guangxi more than a month ago? How did Dumbledore know the exact location of the Qilin when he assigned Newt his mission?"

"I told Albus, Xiwen," Flamel said, looking at Xiwen. "Actually, he had me Divination the approximate location of the Qilin before."

"Well, it really is the ability to Prophecy..." Xiwen sighed, rubbing his forehead. He felt as if the plans of both sides couldn't proceed without the ability to Prophecy.

Newt then recounted his experiences in Guangxi to the three people present.

"... After I helped the Qilin mother give birth, Grindelwald's men suddenly arrived. I saw Credence, Carrow, and Rozier."

Speaking of Rozier, Newt glanced at Xiwen.

"I know, it must be my aunt." Xiwen shook his head helplessly, gesturing for Newt to continue.

"They killed the mother Qilin with several Killing Curse, then knocked me unconscious with Stunning Spell, and took the baby Qilin that was born first," Newt said dejectedly. "Fortunately, they overlooked one thing: the mother Qilin gave birth to twins."

Newt pointed to the little Qilin in his arms, and his expression became somewhat relieved.

"I was afraid Grindelwald's men would turn back and find this later-born little Qilin again, so I contacted Flamel to ask him to help me find you," Newt said, looking at Xiwen. "It just so happens you're here too, so you opened a portal for me."

"So, was it a case of both Albus and Grindelwald being negligent this time?" Flamel frowned and said softly. "Albus didn't anticipate that Grindelwald would foresee the matter of Qilin little Qilin and send his men to snatch it from Newt; while Grindelwald didn't foresee the fact that there were two little Qilin, thus giving us a chance."

"I don't quite understand. It's extremely rare for either of them to make a mistake, so why did they both happen to be so coincidentally careless this time?" Xiwen was also very puzzled by this.

So he opened the Dimensional Gate the office of the Director of Transformation.

Dumbledore stared at the diamond-shaped pendant in his hand behind his desk, completely unaware that Xiwen and Newt had entered the office.

"Albus, I brought the little Qilin with me," Newt said, holding the Qilin, interrupting Dumbledore's thoughts.

"Ah, you did very well!" Dumbledore, interrupted, silently tucked the Blood Pact back into his sleeve and greeted Xiwen, Newt, and the Flamel behind the Dimensional Gate.

"Nick, Perenelle, would you like to sit here? You haven't been to Hogwarts in a long time!" he said warmly.

The Flamel declined Dumbledore's invitation and did not come to Hogwarts through the Dimensional Gate.

Now, Newt and Xiwen are sitting in two chairs that Dumbledore conjured with Conjuration, and they are asking their questions.

"Because the Qilin isn't the most important factor; Grindelwald himself is!" Dumbledore explained to the two. "The Qilin might help him win people's hearts, but his ideals, his strength, and his eloquence are what truly win them over."

"Newt, Xiwen, you must understand that external factors can never play a decisive role; only we ourselves can make the final decision!" Dumbledore said solemnly, looking intently at Xiwen and Newt.

"So why do you still want me to go to China and bring the Qilin back?" Newt asked, puzzled.

"Of course, we should strive for any external factors that can be won over," Dumbledore said softly, looking at the diamond-shaped pendant on his wrist.

"Not taking action personally is merely the last tacit understanding we've maintained."