That afternoon, the two received a reply from the magical world.
The letter said that Headmaster Dumbledore would arrive at ten the following morning.
The next day, after breakfast, Allen took his leave of his father, and the two went to their respective studies.
The king had some state affairs to attend to, while the crown prince needed to finish his schoolwork.
Allen's study was next to his bedroom.
Balmoral Castle had stood for over a thousand years. Its many renovations had never spoiled its original character, and the studies and bedrooms still retained much of their old charm.
Everything in this study was made from precious walnut wood.
The furniture gleamed with a rich, subdued sheen. Three full rows of towering shelves were filled with books, and even the air seemed imbued with the beauty of knowledge.
At present, the curtains were wide open, letting in plenty of light, and three hardcover books were neatly stacked on the desk.
Today, Allen needed to finish an essay on "Understanding quantum mechanics" and send it to his physics teacher.
He sat in a high-backed chair with his back straight, a book open beside him and a fountain pen in his hand.
Even the arrival of a guide to the magical world was no excuse to skip homework!
At half past nine, Dumbledore arrived in Allen's study. Concealing himself, he watched the diligent young prince for a while with a warm smile.
He studied Allen's notes closely for a time, but the mass of physics terminology left him utterly bewildered, and he eventually decided to stop watching.
After noting down the book titles, he returned to the door, lifted his Disillusionment Charm, and raised a hand to knock on the inside of it.
An elderly man with silver-white hair and a beard, both reaching his waist, appeared out of thin air in Allen's study. Startled, Allen reached for the security alarm on his desk.
Without seeming to move, the old man instantly appeared beside Allen and stopped his hand before it reached the alarm button.
Facing the wary Allen, he raised his eyebrows slightly and gave a playful wink.
"Don't be nervous, my boy.
I'm Albus Dumbledore, Headmaster of Hogwarts, and I've come to guide you into the magical world.
Given your position, I thought knocking at the castle gates might be rather inconvenient, so I came directly to your study."
Allen studied him for several seconds, then relaxed and half raised his hand in acknowledgment.
At the same time, the old man released his hand.
Allen straightened, adjusted his clothes, then rose and pulled out an armchair for Dumbledore. "Please have a seat, sir."
Dumbledore paused in surprise, then smiled fondly. "Ah, it's been many years since anyone pulled out a chair for this old man! Thank you, my boy."
"Please give me a moment."
Allen inclined his upper body slightly toward Dumbledore, then went to the low cabinet beside the study's sofa, took out some tea and cups, and began brewing it.
Soon, he returned with a tray bearing two cups of black tea, a small bowl of sugar cubes, and a plate of delicate teatime treats.
He set down the tea and treats, put the tray away, slipped a bookmark into the page he had been reading, and carefully set his book and notes aside.
Only then did he look at Dumbledore with a gentle smile. "Please forgive my earlier rudeness, Headmaster Dumbledore."
Dumbledore waved a hand, looking somewhat wistful. "Not at all. If anyone was rude, it was this old man!
There aren't many young people these days who treasure books as you do."
Allen's eyes curved slightly with his smile. "Thank you for the compliment. This is the finest black tea from China. Please try it."
The old man's blue eyes behind his half-moon spectacles were clear and bright, yet when Allen looked into them, he could not see their depths.
The old man smiled, added five sugar cubes, and obligingly lifted his cup to taste the tea. Along the way, he also took a treat with evident interest, not forgetting to offer his opinion.
"The finest black tea really does taste different. Still, I'm partial to sweets. You see, this little treat would be even better if it were a bit sweeter!"
Allen was taken aback by his reckless addition of sugar and silently glanced at his own cup. Then, hearing his appraisal of the treats, he briefly wondered whether he had brought the wrong ones.
He picked one up and took a bite. It had the same familiar, intensely sweet taste, leaving him thoroughly impressed by this sugar-loving old man.
Out of a younger person's concern for his elder, he said, "Sir, eating too many sweets is bad for your health!"
Dumbledore gave him a playful wink. "Everyone who knows me says that! But I have a Potions Master's tooth-strengthening potion, so there's no need to worry!"
He raised the little treat. "Oh, that Potions Master is Hogwarts' Potions professor, Severus Snape-
He may have a sharp tongue, but he's a very brave man who deserves respect!"
Allen's eyes widened slightly. He was impressed by the old man's robust health, and also developed some curiosity and goodwill toward this Mr. Snape.
Still, he said nothing more and quietly waited for the old man to finish.
The two waited patiently for each other.
Even after Dumbledore had finished his treats and tea, the visitor still showed no intention of speaking.
As the host, Allen could hardly let this continue, so he could only ask, "Then, would you please tell me about the magical world?"
Dumbledore leaned forward with interest. "My boy, why do you ask me about the magical world rather than Hogwarts?"
Allen smiled. "Hogwarts is a school that teaches magic and provides the magical world with trained talent, isn't it? Of course, if you would prefer to introduce Hogwarts first, I would be happy to listen."
Dumbledore gave a brief introduction to the wizarding world, then described Hogwarts in detail before winking at Allen.
"Hogwarts is the finest school of magic in Britain! Children grow up there, spending their youth within its walls!"
The old man turned his teacup into a goblet, then into an owl, followed in turn by a spider, a mouse, a book, a cat, and a filthy hat, before finally turning it back into a teacup.
Watching these transformations with astonishment and delight, Allen could not help sitting straighter. "That was truly astonishing, sir. I must say, it was completely beyond anything I expected!"
Dumbledore nodded. "So, my boy, would you be willing to study at Hogwarts?"
Allen's eyes curved with his smile as he asked, "Sir, you know who I am.
Then you must know that my agreement alone cannot settle this. The final decision rests entirely with His Majesty.
Yet since your arrival, you haven't asked about my parent at all."
"Oh, my boy!"
Dumbledore leaned back with exaggerated emphasis. "You know, adults are always harder to persuade than children!"
Allen smiled and shook his head, then rose and walked to Dumbledore's side. "Then, please allow me to introduce you to His Majesty the King."
"It would be my honor." Dumbledore rose with a smile.
Before you continue