The Super Male's Friend, The Timid Her

"I could use Limbo for smuggling!"

Only those who have been short on cash truly understand the importance of money.

This was the first bold thought that popped into Ian's mind. If he could use Limbo to conduct smuggling operations, who else would be raking in Galleons if not him?

Those Aurors, or the police in the Muggle world, would be useless even if they knew he was a smuggler; they certainly didn't have the ability to chase contraband into Limbo!

The more he thought about it, the more Ian felt this was truly a brilliant idea. Of course, since he could only enter Limbo once a week, the efficiency wasn't high, so he would likely have to choose high-value goods.

Dragon eggs?

Dragon corpses?

Or perhaps even a vault in Gringotts!

Ahem.

That was a bit too difficult, and perhaps a bit off-track... Although he was very tempted by this path to riches, Ian still possessed enough reason before blurting it out.

He opened his mouth.

He knew deep down that the "more impressive thing" the witch spoke of was likely not this. While it seemed like a grand undertaking to Ian, it was clear that most wizards didn't care solely about Galleons.

"It's not about bringing things from the outside to hide them... but I clearly can't take things from here out, either." Ian frowned and began to rack his brain again.

Just then.

"Alright, my apprentice, you aren't strong enough yet, and your time here is very limited. I don't want to keep watching you squat there like you're trying to pinch a loaf."

It was hard to imagine a witch of such noble temperament could utter such vulgar words, leaving Ian feeling quite awkward after being mocked.

"I was just pondering your words, Teacher Mara."

Ian offered a defense.

"You'll have plenty of time to ponder once you return to the real world." The witch lightly raised her hand, and a corner of a picture frame on the nearby wall flowed toward Ian like clear water.

He instinctively raised his hand.

The liquid-like metal solidified in Ian's palm into a wooden wand.

"Come now, show me."

The witch first turned her head toward the kitchen, and a squealing roast suckling pig flew out—yes, a roast suckling pig, still squealing as if it were alive.

Ian watched, dumbfounded.

"I hope you haven't been slacking off."

The witch rested her cheek on one hand, leaning lazily against an exquisite, shimmering bench.

Her meaning was self-evident.

Ian immediately understood and pointed his wand at the "living suckling pig."

"Fear Descent!"

According to the principles of this magic, it shared similarities with Legilimency, though it was much lower in difficulty; its primary function was to awaken the most direct fear buried deep within the target's heart.

Everyone's fears were different.

But everyone's subconscious absolutely knew what their own fears were.

Hmm.

Presumably, a roast suckling pig was no different?

Accompanied by a beam of slightly grayish light shooting out, the roast suckling pig, which had seemed to come to life, immediately let out a shrill, terrified shriek.

The sound was so piercing that even the furniture began to tremble.

"Not bad at all."

The witch seemed very satisfied with Ian's performance, the smile on her lips becoming more pronounced.

"It's all thanks to your teaching, Teacher."

Ian hurriedly offered some flattery.

The witch seemed to enjoy it.

"Runes are not simple or easy things to grasp. For you to learn this magic in just seven days, even in my era, would be considered quite excellent."

The witch's praise was always blunt and unreserved.

This was something Ian liked.

"An excellent wizard requires an even more excellent wizard to teach them. I am very fortunate to have met you, Teacher Mara." Ian didn't hold back on his flattery, nor was he overly modest.

Through observation, he had discovered that Teacher Mara didn't seem to care whether her students were humble or not.

After all.

"That goes without saying."

The witch herself was not a humble sorceress.

"It only took me two days to learn this magic for the first time. I knew I was destined to become a powerful wizard, and facts have proven that to be true."

The witch recounted her own story with pride.

"..."

Ian opened his mouth.

He stopped himself from speaking.

However.

The witch did not notice.

"I used a few little tricks in the message I left for you. The fact that you were able to learn this magic means that you have at least mastered the application of Runes."

"This will save you a lot of trouble in your future studies."

With another wave of her hand, the still-screaming suckling pig seemed to lose its vitality, returning to its fragrant state before zipping back toward the kitchen.

This scene once again left Ian clicking his tongue in wonder.

"Compared to learning magic, truly understanding the knowledge behind it is the most important thing, and Runes are the best key to help a wizard understand the essence of magic."

She paused for a moment.

The witch added another sentence.

"At least, that is the case for me."

She still did not state her words too definitively.

Perhaps.

Only when it came to learning knowledge would this witch rarely display a quality of humility.

"Alright, I'll remember that."

Ian also nodded with rare seriousness.

"Regarding potions, I need to study them first, and before that, what you need to do is..." The witch was just about to begin her formal instruction for Ian this time.

"It's him!"

"He's here again!"

"Go notify the Master! Ah! I've been cut in half again!"

Outside the castle.

A sudden, clattering commotion erupted.

"Hm?"

Ian was startled.

He quickly looked at the witch.

He saw that the witch, who had been smiling just a moment ago, now wore an expression as if she had taken an advanced course from Snape; it was ugly to the extreme, and her eyes seemed to be spitting fire.

Just as Ian was about to ask cautiously.

The sounds coming from outside the house made him realize what was happening.

"Pandero, is Ian really here?"

"Little Anna! Trust me! Ian must have been kidnapped by this evil woman!"

"I don't think that lady is a bad person, but her suits of armor are really scary!"

"Don't be afraid, these things are actually made of paper. Watch me skewer three... no, four with one sword!"

"Goodness! You're so strong!"

"Hahahaha, the gate is right ahead! I'll kick it and it will immediately shatter into over seven hundred pieces; I tried it last time."

The voices belonged to friends Ian knew very well.

Perhaps.

It was the final remark from the impulsive Pandero that caused Mara to lose her composure; she cursed and waved her hand, causing the gate to automatically swing open to both sides.

Ian quickly looked over.

"Ah, the gate opened? Tsk, what a pity, little girl, you won't be able to see my heroic figure now."

Sure enough.

A boy dressed in simple burlap clothes walked in with his chest puffed out, leading a girl whose face had turned somewhat pale. It was none other than the aggressive Pandero and the timid Ariana.

Looking at the two of them.

Ian was surprised and taken aback.

The witch's reaction, however, was the exact opposite.

"Damn you, Butcher! Do you think I'm afraid of you!"

The witch roared.

However.

Ian couldn't help but feel that this roar... lacked a bit of conviction.