Ian's sudden arrival clearly disrupted the Witch's meal. Not only did the table and utensils before her disappear, but even the food on the plates vanished with them.
In the entire hall, as resplendent as a cathedral, even the chandelier hanging from the ceiling disappeared, and the knife and fork the Witch was holding grew little wings and flew away.
"So—sorry."
Unprepared Ian recognized the Witch not far away, who was the mysterious woman he had talked to in the town earlier, still wearing that incomparably sumptuous black gown.
Like a shadow quietly arriving in the night, she was surrounded by an indescribable aura of mystery and depth.
"Although this entrance caught me by surprise, I did once extend an invitation to you, so there's no need to feel so rude about it."
A napkin appeared in the Witch's hand, and she elegantly wiped her red lips. As she moved gently, the grace and poise of ancient nobility naturally unfolded.
This was not an affectation.
But a demeanor that seemed to have long been integrated into her every move.
"I did not intend to disturb your meal."
Ian still couldn't collect himself; he actually wanted to say he hadn't considered responding to the previous invitation, but he also knew that would be too rude.
"Souls in the Misty Illusion Realm do not need to eat. I merely follow the habits I formed in life, and that food cannot provide me any joy."
The Mysterious Witch chuckled softly, looking Ian over with interest. Her words made Ian swallow nervously, his inner tension and apprehension becoming even more apparent.
Food can't provide joy?
Then what can provide joy to this woman?
Playing with young boys?
The Mysterious Witch's gaze wasn't particularly intense, but Ian felt increasingly as if ants were crawling on him, standing there awkwardly.
Fortunately, the Mysterious Witch broke the awkward silence again.
"It seems you have embarked on the path of pursuing magic."
How the Mysterious Witch could discern this was unknown, for Ian hadn't brought a magic wand into this world, yet she spoke with complete certainty.
"Yes, ma'am."
Facing the Mysterious Witch's gaze, seemingly deeper than Dumbledore's, Ian nodded truthfully; this wasn't a secret worth hiding.
In the face of such an unknown soul.
Trying to conceal a lie would likely bring unnecessary trouble.
This was an intuition.
From the Thought Perception. Ian couldn't sense the emotions of this Witch, just like facing Dumbledore, but this Extraordinary Trait could affect his sixth sense.
Sure enough.
Hearing Ian's honest reply, the Mysterious Witch looked very satisfied.
"You should call me... teacher."
It was unclear whether the Mysterious Witch misunderstood Ian or did it on purpose; she corrected Ian's address with a slightly emphasized tone.
"I... I..."
Ian thought briefly and chose to speak the truth: "Actually, I don't know why I suddenly ended up here with you."
"Every time I appear in the same place, it's the meadow outside the village." The fact that he is living couldn't be hidden.
Whether it was Ariana or Pandro, they had known right away that Ian was not a dead soul, and the Mysterious Witch before him would certainly see this as well.
"So what?"
The Witch stared deeply at Ian.
Ian steadied himself and carefully initiated, "I have indeed considered learning magic from you, but I haven't decided, and this time I just wanted to see if my friends have returned."
Ian attempted to make his smile appear more innocent as he genuinely felt the Mysterious Witch before him was not like a White Wizard; he could only adopt a more cautious approach.
"They haven't returned; only three days have passed since you last left," the Mysterious Witch rested her right hand on the edge of her seat, supporting her face with her palm.
Her other hand tapped lightly on the other armrest, speaking to Ian with a slightly lazy tone, "The Misty Illusion Realm is a very peculiar place. It responds to people's truest desires and obsessions within, which is why the places where you appear change."
She was clearly addressing Ian's confusion.
However.
"Uh, sorry, I still don't get it."
Ian furrowed his brow.
"Such a dull little pig."
The Mysterious Witch's eyebrows lifted slightly with a beautiful face showing a bit of helplessness, "I never thought I would eventually welcome an apprentice as slow as you."
Though the mocking tone was much less than Snape's, the Mysterious Witch's aloofness surpassed his, speaking with an air of superiority.
Not overbearing.
Yet it clearly made one feel she was superior—how to deal with such people, Ian had gained a bit of experience with Snape.
"Should I leave then?"
Despite feeling somewhat cautious, Ian's simple question seemed to momentarily stump the Witch sitting opposite him, just like Snape, making her eye twitch.
"Such a sly kid."
The Mysterious Witch shook her head speechlessly.
"In the past, you craved friendship, now, you crave magic."
Eventually, she gave an answer.
Ian pondered.
Considering his current situation in reality, Ian felt it somewhat made sense. But why does longing to learn magic bring him here in the Misty Illusion Realm?
"Because deep down you know, I can teach you powerful magic and those pieces of knowledge schools refuse to impart, enabling you to quickly gain the power to counter crises."
The Mysterious Witch unexpectedly replied.
As if responding.
Yet.
Ian clearly hadn't voiced his inner doubt.
"You can read minds!?"
Ian's eyes narrowed.
He felt a moment of empathy with Snape earlier.
Is this the Wizarding World's boomerang?
"That's not a difficult magic, but in the Misty Illusion Realm, I no longer have the powers I gained in life, nor the magic I possessed then."
The Mysterious Witch laughed joyfully.
"I'm just good at observing."