Extraordinary Trait: Butcher's Instinct

Ever since Dumbledore had personally invited him to Hogwarts to study magic,

the half-month wait had felt especially unbearable.

However, after setting out himself to take an early look at The Leaky Cauldron and encountering the mysterious Black Robed Woman, he had abandoned that idea and shut himself away in the Orphanage.

Whenever Ian thought of the darkness that might exist in the wizarding world, he could not help but tremble.

He had the soul of an adult.

But he was a college student... How could he possibly handle something like that?

All he could say was that he had behaved himself.

Successfully read Latin. Language Mastery proficiency +1

Successfully read Latin. Language Mastery proficiency +1

Successfully read Roman. Language Mastery proficiency +1

At the desk, Ian flipped through the books laid out before him. From time to time, he Frowned in thought, repeatedly writing words from memory into his notebook before softly pronouncing them.

Self-study always required immense self-discipline.

Even possessing the Attribute Panel could not change that.

Every increase in proficiency meant that Ian himself had learned something. Each increase could be seen as a small Epiphany.

But the prerequisite for such an Epiphany was still serious study.

Of course.

When leveling up, he really did experience a kind of understanding similar to a major Epiphany.

Ian was studying.

And just then.

Knock, knock, knock.

A knock Sounded outside the door. Ian's rhythm was interrupted, and he turned toward the door. "Come in."

Click.

The door was pushed open. Catherine was the one who had knocked. She leaned against the doorway, her eyes gleaming brightly.

"Ian, do you want a chicken drumstick? The cook said there are extra drumsticks tonight!"

She held a drumstick in her hand and offered it to him as though presenting a treasure.

At Catherine's feet, a white short-haired cat darted in. With agile movements, it leaped onto the desk and crouched halfway down.

Catherine was startled and staggered to a stop. Once she saw the cat clearly,

"Lucky! You little rascal!"

Ian lightly smacked the cat's backside, picked up the crouching cat from the desk, and comforted Catherine. "All right, Catherine. I've already taught it a lesson."

Catherine nodded aggrievedly. Looking at the cat, she was still somewhat annoyed.

Ian smiled and comforted Catherine.

"Lucky didn't do it on purpose, Catherine. Relax."

"All right, Ian."

Children's tempers always came quickly and went quickly.

Catherine finally could not hold back her curiosity. "Ian, when can we go to Magic Academy?"

Ian smiled at the little girl.

Indeed.

No one could resist the allure of magic, but he still had to remind Catherine.

"Catherine, we promised each other. Remember to keep it secret."

Catherine immediately covered her mouth. "Ian, I..."

Ian said with a smile, "Of course, it's fine if you only tell me. But if you want to study magic, you may still need to wait a few years based on your age."

"Mm-hmm, I'll eat more and grow up quickly. Ian, let's go play with Norn and the others!"

Facing the little girl's expectant gaze,

Ian shook his head with a smile and glanced at the language books on the desk.

Originally, he had wanted to raise Language Mastery to Level 5 as well and comprehend an Extraordinary Trait.

But after being interrupted by Catherine, he was no longer in the mood to study. If he forced himself to continue, his efficiency would probably not be very high.

He checked the Attribute Panel.

Name: Ian Prince

Class: Bloodline Sorcerer

Magic Power: Level 4

Skills: Language Mastery (Level 4): 500/800

Biology Dissection (Level 5): 64/1600

Free Fighting (Level 3): 85/400

Psychology (Level 6): 42/3200

Psychology Extraordinary Trait: Mind Perception

Biology Dissection Extraordinary Trait: Butcher's Instinct

After several days of frantic study, Language Mastery had reached Level 4. He only needed another three hundred proficiency points to reach Level 5.

As for the others,

because he had not gone out to tell fortunes for people these past few days, Psychology had not increased. The same was true for Biology Dissection. That was why his language skill had improved so quickly.

After all, a person's time was limited.

"Let's go."

Ian put down the cat in his arms.

The white cat immediately scampered out of the room, and Ian left with Catherine as well.

When they reached the courtyard, the Children were playing football. Upon seeing Ian, they were all delighted—although Ian was often not much older than them, he had taken on part of a parent's role. He was not overly strict, yet he gave the Children plenty of care.

"Hey! Ian, come join our team!"

"No, Ian hardly ever comes out to play. He should be on our team so we can win!"

Unexpectedly, the Children nearly started fighting over him.

Ian smiled helplessly. "All right, all right. I'll be the goalkeeper!"

There were only a few days left before he would leave the Orphanage to study at Hogwarts. Ian had developed an indescribable reluctance to part with the people and many things here.

At night, the stars were sparse in the dark sky.

After washing up, Ian lay down on his bed. Although the day had been very fulfilling, he still could not forget the thing he had always longed for.

When will I finally be able to practice magic skills?

Soon,

drowsiness swept over him.

He fell into a deep, sweet dream.

The clear sky was like a freshly washed sapphire, crystalline and transparent. The white clouds, like carefully sculpted cotton candy, were fluffy and pure as they drifted leisurely overhead. Sunlight streamed through gaps in the clouds, scattering mottled shadows like playful sprites and adding a touch of liveliness to the tranquil scene.

He had entered the Misty Illusion again!

Ian spread his arms and took a deep breath, enjoying the peace of this world.

Beneath the picturesque sky, he saw a Fairytale Forest stretching out before him.

The Trees were lush, their green leaves rustling in the breeze as though whispering ancient secrets. Small animals darted through the undergrowth, while butterflies and bees fluttered among the flowers. A winding stone path led deep into the forest, where darkness lay at its end.

This time, he did not see Ariana.

Ian had already grown used to it. After all, time had always flowed very differently between the two worlds.

Only seven minutes had passed in the real world, while in the Misty Illusion, it felt like nearly half a day had gone by.

Each time he entered the Misty Illusion, several days had passed within it. Sometimes, there would even be a discrepancy of several months. There was no exact rule governing this passage of time.

To be fair, it had actually been a coincidence that he had run into Ariana last time.

Ian stepped across the grass toward the path. Strange animals occasionally burst out of the bushes in the forest, glanced at him curiously, then vanished again. Ian followed the winding path forward as sunlight filtered through gaps in the leaves, falling in scattered specks across the ground.

After walking for an unknown amount of time,

he arrived at a small town hidden within a valley.

Though the town was small, its facilities were fairly complete. An ancient Post Office stood quietly, the tavern's sign swayed gently in the breeze, and the church steeple pierced the clouds, solemn and imposing.

Everything appeared ordinary, yet the seemingly harmonious town lacked the feeling of life. Every shop was tightly closed, and there was No One inside.

It was like one of those strange towns from horror films, except it lacked that eerie, sinister atmosphere.

"Town of the Dead."

The sight of this town reminded Ian of what Ariana had once said: people had lived here before, but gradually they had all left. Perhaps these souls had forgotten their obsessions within the Misty Illusion, or perhaps they had fulfilled them and moved on to another, even more mysterious adventure.

"You can really feel that desolation in a place without people." Before long, Ian crossed the deserted streets and arrived at the little house where Ariana lived.

"Hm? Where is she?"

The door to the house was tightly shut. Ian stepped forward and peered through the equally closed window. It was silent inside, without the slightest sound or movement, just like those shops.

Ian found it strange.

Over the past few years,

Ariana had never left the vicinity of this town.

This was the first time Ian had been unable to find Ariana.

He had wanted to ask Ariana what the mark she had given him last time meant! Could her disappearance have something to do with the gift she had given him?

Ian began to worry.

Just then, a voice suddenly Sounded behind him, breaking the silence of the street. It was elegant but somewhat cold, with the rich, commanding voice of an Older Sister Type.

"Oh, heartbroken Little Boy, are you waiting for that poor little girl?"

Startled by the voice, Ian hurriedly turned around.

A woman stood before him. Her eyes were like deep Black Gems, the corners slightly upturned, while thick lashes fanned over her beautifully curved eyes.

She was an elegant, breathtakingly beautiful... married woman? She wore a completely black robe trimmed with gold thread, her bearing cold, lofty, and solemn.

Yet such a gorgeous face and extravagant attire seemed utterly out of place in this simple little town.