In the memory scene, the Raven's words exploded in Ian's mind like a thunderclap. Within this dreamlike, illusory memory, Ian's heart instantly churned like storm-tossed seas.
It had to be said.
The shock this memory scene brought Ian far surpassed anything else he had experienced. His pupils seemed to contract violently in an instant.
His heart felt as though it were being tightly gripped by an invisible hand, and even his breathing grew rapid. He instinctively turned to look at Merlin, trying to find an answer in his expression.
He saw that—
Merlin's face remained calm as still water, as though everything in this memory had nothing to do with him. Yet Ian could sense that Merlin's emotions surged like undercurrents, nearly breaking through that surface calm. The intense emotional fluctuations around him spilled out recklessly, like those inferior wizards riddled with openings.
This was clearly because Merlin was extremely sensitive inside, and this scene stirred up enormous emotional turmoil in him. That was why even he could not conceal his feelings before a Young Wizard. It could not be helped. Perhaps Merlin had gone a step further, but there were definitely not many wizards who stood far above Legendary Status.
With the slightest carelessness, flaws in one's mind could be perceived by a Legendary Wizard like Ian—not to mention that Ian was the outstanding sort even among Legendary Wizards in this regard.
Almost the moment he sensed Merlin's emotions, Ian immediately realized why Merlin had tried to brush him off earlier.
This was the secret Merlin had tried to hide!
Having realized this.
Ian's throat went dry, and he could not help swallowing. Although he felt he had guessed the answer, that answer was so unimaginable that even he found it absurd and fantastical.
"This... what did the Raven