This was indeed a penthouse—but far more luxurious than the average one. The small balcony, not particularly spacious, was framed by three slender, delicately carved Ionic marble columns and a graceful curved arch. The swirling volutes imparted an air of lightness and charm. Clearly, the apartment's décor had been designed with the resident's gender in mind. Wanda knew whose idea that was. Sunlight and the living room floor were paved with smooth black-and-white marble tiles, their seams so tight that not even a slip of paper could be wedged between them. A yoga mat sat rolled up off to the side, ready for use when the morning sun streamed onto the balcony. This was her third week living in the apartment. She had already bought several sets of gray, form-fitting athletic wear that showed off her figure. Her favorite part of the day was waking with the dawn, stepping out onto the balcony, savoring the delicious breakfast prepared by invisible servants, and looking out over Manhattan while getting her body moving amid the hustle of the morning. Wanda gazed with contentment as Solomon busied himself under the soft amber balcony light, framed by the reddish-gray glow of the city skyline.
It hadn't taken long for her to transition from a small-town girl in Eastern Europe to a metropolitan woman of New York. She had adapted to this life quickly. Aside from Pietro frequently zipping over to visit her, Agent Natasha Romanoff was also a regular guest. The goings-on at the Avengers didn't interfere much with her life. Solomon had acquired a restaurant and a boutique in Manhattan for her to run—her future sources of income. Wanda had always dreamed of opening a restaurant and clothing store, and now that dream had come true.
Solomon set up a small, finely crafted charcoal grill, summoned a small fire elemental to light the flame, brushed oil on the pan, and sliced beef, lamb, lobster, onions, and carrots with a sharp knife. The sheer curtain over the tall French windows swayed gently in the summer breeze. A few streaks of deep red from the twilight spilled across Solomon's hair, lifted by the warm wind. Wanda inhaled deeply, letting the heady summer air fill her chest. She couldn't help but smile.
This was the life she had always dreamed of. Nothing could be more perfect.
It was so good it didn't feel real.
Tonight, Solomon had promised to join her for dinner. She had already prepared the ingredients before his arrival. The alluring sizzle of fat was mouthwatering. The steak she pulled from the oven already had a beautiful sear and a crisp outer crust. "That's Herbes de Provence," the sorcerer flicked his fingers, and one of the countless jars from the rotating spice rack floated to his side. "After the grilled lobster and beef, we can try the lamb chops. It's a French dish I learned—you'll love it. Honestly, I prefer cooking myself over commanding the invisible servants."
"Rosemary, savory, thyme, fennel seeds, sage, tarragon… maybe a bit of citrus peel too." Wanda uncapped the spice jar, carefully identifying the ingredients. She took a gentle whiff, recognizing many of the herbs she had studied. The scent revived her spirits after a long, tiring day of shopping.
"I love this spice blend. It's got a sweet, woody fragrance. Oh—and maybe some basil too!"
"Spot on, Wanda. You're a natural. Many magical herbs are also culinary spices—learning to cook is also learning herbalism. First, pat the lamb dry, then marinate it with the Herbes de Provence. I'll prepare the black pepper mashed potatoes. After a quick sear, the lamb chops can go into the oven. I'll show you how to make the sauce." Solomon glanced at Wanda, lounging against a minimalist postmodern white sofa. He wasn't fond of such overly simple design—no crystal chandeliers, no mistletoe, no brown leather chairs or dark wallpaper. In the fireplace disguised with plaster, a digital screen flickered with reddish-orange flames.
Only the alchemy bench he had set up himself met his standards—though it looked more like a chemistry lab than anything magical.
"I suspect you graduated from Hufflepuff, Solomon."
"I didn't know you'd read Harry Potter!" The sorcerer laughed. Wanda had taken over marinating the lamb chops. Compared to the complex machines in the kitchen—ones with thick manuals, mysterious functions, and only found in Michelin-starred kitchens—she much preferred this hands-on approach. Solomon, meanwhile, played like a boy fascinated by new gadgets. His last creation, salmon ice cream, had not been well received—much to his apparent disappointment. At least, he had looked disappointed. Then he'd gone on to try a dozen other bizarre recipes.
"Shame our world isn't that simple. Beings more powerful than Voldemort are everywhere. They're our enemies now. But that doesn't mean we can't enjoy the moment. Oh—are you not going to check on your cabbage rolls? I think they're about to burn."
Wanda, frustrated, lifted the lid. A cloud of milky steam shot into her face like a sauna blast.
While the charcoal was burning, the thick tomato sauce in the pot had nearly evaporated, leaving a faint hint of scorched aroma. She carefully used tongs to flip the cabbage rolls. "One's burned. I wrapped it too thin. But the filling should be cooked—I can smell the onions." She looked like a cat that had just discovered its tail was misbehaving. She had put a lot of care into making this dish from her homeland, and now it didn't seem to have turned out well. "Maybe I could fix it with magic."
"It's no big deal. Don't rely on magic to solve everything, Wanda—that's not the mindset of a proper spellcaster."
"You don't understand." Wanda's voice dropped in disappointment.
"You're right—I don't. But that doesn't mean we can't still eat those poor cabbage rolls. I'm sure they'll taste just fine." The sorcerer clapped his hands. "Let's enjoy our dinner. We've got more exploring to do on the Witch's Path tonight!"
The Witch's Path was a very special dimension—a branch leading to great magic. Like all astral outer realms, it was an indescribable place, where time held no meaning, and past and future beings could meet under the guidance of fate. Wanda Maximoff had now begun studying this realm—knowledge far deeper and more dangerous than what she had learned in the castle. This was a journey to explore her origins, to deconstruct herself on a soul level and uncover her power without relying on external forces. Both Solomon and Wanda were beings that had been created—there was a shared nature to their souls. In unraveling Wanda, Solomon was also unraveling himself.
A true spellcaster repays their debts promptly. Wanda would one day do the same—it was inevitable. But before that, she needed to understand the essence of her magic, and like Solomon, gain knowledge of all the outer dimensions. It was a secret apprenticeship, known only to the two of them and the Ancient One. No one else knew how dangerous their actions were.
Because they might very well touch the source of their own magic. Wanda's origin was Chthon, while Solomon's involved gods beyond this universe—Gnostic creators and ancient beings more powerful than any known pantheon, greater than Asgard or the Vishanti. Even their names could strike fear into a room full of spellcasters—contact with them was a perilous endeavor.
The Silver Key—the final safeguard on the path of exploration.
Better to owe a debt or risk a touch of madness than to lose one's life.
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Fairy Tail: Igneel's Eldest Son (Chapter 256)
I Am Thalos, Odin's Older Brother (Chapter 336)
Reborn in America's Anti-Terror Unit (Chapter 542)
Solomon in Marvel (Chapter 924)
Becoming the Wealthiest Tycoon on the Planet (Chapter 1284)
Surgical Fruit in the American Comics Universe (Chapter 1289)
American Detective: From TV Rookie to Seasoned Cop (Chapter 1316)
American TV Writer (Chapter 1402)
I Am Hades, The Supreme GOD of the Underworld! (Chapter 570)
Reborn as Humanity's Emperor Across the Multiverse (Chapter 660)
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