Chapter 515

It was clear enough.

As a legendary wizard, Ian had blended into the world of ordinary people remarkably well.

He casually tucked the painting beneath his arm. In truth, his fingertips moved slightly as he silently cast a tiny Shrinking Charm and Reinforcement Charm upon it. The painting shrank to the size of a postcard and became as hard as a thin wooden board, allowing him to slip it easily into his inner pocket. Such effortless, meticulous control over magic

was a natural manifestation of the legendary realm.

"Mulled wine! Anyone want some mulled wine?"

As he passed a stall selling mulled wine, its sweet, steaming fragrance was especially enticing in the cold evening air.

Ian bought a cup and held it in his hands, warmth spreading from his palms. Leaning against the stone railing by the river, he took small sips of the mulled wine infused with cinnamon, cloves, and orange, watching sightseeing boats drift slowly along the water. The lights aboard stretched into long, wavering ribbons across the river's surface. A young couple passed by him. The girl excitedly pointed at the lights across the river, while the boy had an arm around her shoulders and whispered something to her. Their faces brimmed with simple happiness.

"Showing off your love, damn it."

Ian's gaze swept gently over them, and his heart was at peace.

Once he had finished the hot drink, his body felt even warmer.

Afterward, Ian left the riverbank and headed toward a larger square nearby. A fountain stood in the center, though it was not running in winter, while benches and patches of green surrounded it.

Though it was already late autumn, the grass still retained a trace of green. Quite a few pigeons had gathered there—gray and unafraid of people, pacing about the ground