Witch! Teacher!

Ian's sudden arrival had clearly interrupted the witch's meal. Not only did the table and utensils before her scurry away, but even the food on the plates was carried off with them.

In the dazzling hall that resembled a grand palace, even the chandelier hanging from the ceiling vanished. The dinner knife and fork the witch had been holding even grew tiny wings and flew away.

"Sorry... sorry."

Caught completely off guard, Ian recognized the witch in the distance. She was the mysterious young woman who had spoken to him in town before, still dressed in that incomparably luxurious black gown.

Like a phantom quietly descending in the night, she radiated an indescribable air of mystery and profundity.

"Although your manner of arrival was beyond my expectations, I was the one who once extended an invitation to you. There is no need for you to feel that you have been particularly rude."

A napkin appeared in the witch's hand, and she elegantly wiped her red lips. As she moved with a gentle sway, the poise and bearing of ancient nobility naturally revealed themselves.

This was not an affectation.

It was a refinement that seemed to have long since seeped into her every gesture.

"I did not mean to interrupt your meal."

Ian still had not quite recovered. What he had really wanted to say was that he had never considered accepting her earlier invitation, but he knew such words would be far too rude.

"Souls within the Misty Illusion have no need to eat. I merely continue the habits I formed in life. That food cannot bring me even the slightest pleasure."

The mysterious witch gave a soft laugh and sized Ian up with interest. Her words made Ian swallow, his nervousness and unease becoming even more apparent.

Food could not bring her pleasure?

Then what could bring this young woman pleasure?

Playing with little boys?

The mysterious witch's scrutiny was not particularly heated, yet Ian increasingly felt as though ants were crawling over him. He stood there blankly, his expression and posture both somewhat awkward.

Fortunately, the mysterious witch spoke again, breaking the awkward silence.

"It seems you have already embarked upon the path of seeking magic."

Who knew how the mysterious witch had seen that? Ian had clearly not brought his wand into this world, yet she still made the judgment in a tone full of certainty.

"Yes, ma'am."

Facing the mysterious witch's gaze, which seemed even deeper than Dumbledore's eyes, Ian nodded and answered honestly. This was not something that needed to be concealed.

Before an unknown soul like this,

a lie intended to hide the truth could very likely bring him unnecessary trouble.

It was an instinct.

An instinct born of Mind Perception. Ian found it difficult to sense this witch's emotions, just as he did with Dumbledore, but this Extraordinary Trait could also affect his sixth sense.

Sure enough.

Hearing Ian's honest answer, the mysterious witch looked extremely pleased.

"You should address me as... Teacher."

Whether the mysterious witch had truly misunderstood Ian or was doing it deliberately, she corrected his form of address with a hint of emphasis in her voice.

"I... I..."

After giving it some thought, Ian chose to be honest. "Actually, I don't know why I suddenly came here."

"Every previous time, I appeared in the same place—the meadow outside the village." The fact that he was alive was likewise impossible to hide.

Whether it was Ariana or Pandora, they had both immediately realized that Ian was not a dead spirit. Naturally, the mysterious witch before him could see that as well.

"And?"

The witch fixed Ian with her deep, shadowy gaze.

Ian steadied himself and chose his words carefully.

"I have indeed been considering learning magic from you, but I have not actually made up my mind yet. This time, I only wanted to see whether my friends had returned."

Ian tried to make his smile seem more innocent. He truly felt that the mysterious witch before him did not resemble a white wizard. Since he only knew a few minor spells, he could only respond more cautiously.

"They have not returned. Only three days have passed here since your last departure." The mysterious witch braced her right hand against the edge of the chair, supporting her face with her palm.

Her other hand lightly tapped the opposite armrest as she slowly said to Ian in a somewhat languid tone, "The Misty Illusion is a very peculiar place. It responds to people's truest desires and obsessions. That is why the place where you appeared changed."

She was clearly answering Ian's question.

Only—

"Uh, sorry, I still don't understand."

Ian frowned.

"What a dull little pig."

The mysterious witch's brows rose slightly, and helplessness appeared on her beautiful face. "I never imagined that I would ultimately receive such a slow-witted apprentice."

Though the mockery was much milder than Snape's, the mysterious witch was clearly even prouder than Snape. From beginning to end, she spoke with the attitude of someone in a superior position.

She was not overbearing.

Yet one could clearly feel that she regarded herself as above others—Ian had actually gained a little practical experience from Snape on how to deal with people like that.

"Then I'll leave?"

Though he sounded somewhat cautious, Ian said only that one sentence. The witch sitting across from him visibly choked, and just like Snape, the corner of her eye began to twitch.

"What a slippery little brat."

The mysterious witch shook her head speechlessly.

"In the past, you desired friendship. Now, you desire magic."

In the end, she still gave him an answer.

Ian fell into thought.

Considering his current circumstances in reality, Ian felt that it did make some sense. But why, when he desired to learn magic, had the Misty Illusion brought him specifically here?

"Because deep down, you know that I can teach you powerful magic, as well as the knowledge those schools are unwilling to teach you—knowledge that can swiftly grant you the power to withstand crises."

The mysterious witch suddenly spoke.

As though in response.

Only—

Ian clearly had not voiced the question in his heart.

"You know Mind Reading!?"

Ian's gaze sharpened.

He felt as though he could somewhat empathize with Snape from before.

Was this the wizarding world's boomerang?

"That is not particularly difficult magic to learn. But within the Misty Illusion, I no longer possess the powers I acquired in life, and naturally lose the magic I possessed in life as well."

The mysterious witch smiled with great delight.

"I am simply good at observing."