"I could use the Misty Illusion Realm for smuggling!"
Only those who have lacked money can truly understand its importance.
This was Ian's first bold thought that popped up in his mind. If he could use the Misty Illusion Realm for smuggling, then who else could earn Golden Galleons if not him?
Those Aurors and the police of the Muggle world, even if they knew he was a smuggler, would probably be useless. They don't have the ability to chase after smuggled goods in the Misty Illusion Realm!
The more he thought about it.
Ian felt it was truly a good idea! Of course, entering the Misty Illusion Realm only once a week isn't very efficient; he would probably need to choose some high-value goods.
Dragon eggs?
Giant Dragon corpses?
Or even the vaults of Gringotts!
Ahem.
This seems a bit too tough and off track... Despite being tempted by this money-making method, Ian was still quite rational before blurting it out.
He opened his mouth.
Knowing full well that what the witch referred to as a more significant matter wasn't this. Despite Ian considering it a great cause, it was clear that most wizards weren't concerned with Golden Galleons.
"It's not about bringing outside things in to hide... But clearly, I can't take things from here outside either." Ian furrowed his brows and began to ponder deep in thought again.
And at this time.
"Alright, my apprentice, you're not strong enough yet, and your time here is very limited. I don't want to watch you squatting there as if you're holding in a poop,"
It's hard to imagine such crude words coming from a witch with such noble temperament, to the point where a mocked Ian couldn't help but feel embarrassed.
"I was just thinking about what you said, Teacher Mara,"
Ian defended himself a little.
"Return to the real world. You have plenty of time to think," the witch gently raised her hand, and a corner of a picture frame on the nearby wall flowed towards Ian like clear water.
He instinctively raised his hand.
The liquid-like metal solidified into a wooden magic wand in Ian's hand.
"Come now, show me,"
The witch first turned towards the kitchen, and a squealing roasted pig flew out—it was indeed a roasted pig, still squealing as if it were alive.
Ian was dumbstruck as he watched.
"I hope you haven't been slacking off,"
The witch rested her chin on her hand, lazily reclining on a dazzling ornate bench.
Her words were quite clear.
Ian immediately understood and pointed his wand at the "living piglet."
"Fear Descending!"
This spell works similarly to Legilimency, though less difficult. Its main purpose is to awaken the target's deepest direct fears.
Everyone's fears are different.
But everyone's subconscious definitely knows their fears.
Hmm.
Perhaps the roasted piglet is the same?
As a beam tinged with grey shot out, the piglet, as if alive, immediately let out ear-piercing, panic-stricken screams.
The noise.
Even caused the furniture to tremble.
"Not bad at all,"
The witch seemed very pleased with Ian's performance, her smile becoming even more pronounced.
"It's all thanks to your teaching, Teacher,"
Ian promptly flattered.
The witch was quite appreciative.
"Rune Language is not something simple. The fact that you learned this spell in seven days is considered quite remarkable, even in my time,"
The witch's praise was always unreserved.
Ian liked this very much.
"An excellent wizard needs an excellent wizard to guide them. I'm very fortunate to have met you, Teacher Mara," Ian was not overly modest while flattering.
By observing.
He noticed that Teacher Mara didn't seem to care about whether students were humble or not.
After all.
"Of course,"
The witch herself was not a modest wizard.
"When I first learned this spell, it only took me two days. I knew I was destined to become a powerful wizard, and facts proved I was right,"
The witch proudly recounted her story.
"..."
Ian opened his mouth.
Hesitated to speak.
However.
The witch didn't notice.
"In the information I left for you, I used some small tricks. If you can learn this magic, it means you have at least mastered the application of the Runic language,"
"This will save you a lot of trouble in your future studies,"
The witch raised her hand again, and the screaming roasted piglet seemed to lose its vitality, returning to a fragrant state, and swooshed back to the kitchen.
This scene amazed Ian once more.
"Compared to learning magic, truly understanding the knowledge behind the magic is what's most important, and the Runic language is the best key for wizards to comprehend the essence of magic,"
With a slight pause.
The witch added.
"At least, with me, it is,"
She didn't make her statement overly sure.
Perhaps.
Only when it comes to learning knowledge does this witch rarely show a humble side.
"Okay, I get it,"
Ian nodded seriously for once.
"Regarding magic potions, I need to do some learning first, and before that, what you need to do is..." The witch was about to start her formal teaching for Ian this time.
"It's him!"
"He's here again!"
"Quick, notify the master! Ah! I've been cut in half again!"
Outside the castle.
Suddenly came a burst of knocking sounds and chaotic noises.
"Hmm?"
Ian was suddenly startled.
Quickly looked at the witch.
Only to see.
The witch, who was just smiling, now looked as if she had just had a crash course from Snape, her expression terrible to the extreme, as if her eyes were about to shoot out flames.
Ian was about to cautiously ask.
Outside the house.
The noises that followed made him realize what was happening.
"Pandero, is Ian really here?"
"Little Anna! Trust me! Ian has definitely been captured by this evil woman!"
"I think that lady isn't a bad person, but her armor is really scary!"
"Don't be afraid, actually these things are just paper maché. Watch me skewer three... no, four of them with one sword!"
"Oh my gosh! You're so strong!"
"Hahaha, the front is the main gate! With one kick, it will shatter into over seven hundred pieces, I tried last time."
...
The voices came from Ian's very familiar friends.
Perhaps.
It was precisely Pandero, whom Ian remembered as so spontaneous, whose last words seemed to have broken through Mara the witch's defenses a bit; she quickly cursed and waved her hand, making the door automatically swing open to the sides.
Ian immediately looked over.
"Ah, the door's open? Hmph, such a pity, you little girl, you couldn't see my gallant figure,"
As expected.
A boy dressed in a simple burlap outfit, leading a slightly pale-faced girl, strode in proudly, it was the heroic Pandero and timid Ariana.
Looking at these two.
Ian was both delighted and astonished.
And the witch's reaction was the exact opposite.
"Damn butcher! You think I'm afraid of you?!"
The witch roared angrily.
Though.
Ian had the feeling that this roar... lacked some confidence.