Ever since he was personally invited by Dumbledore to study magic at Hogwarts.
This half-month wait has felt particularly excruciating.
However, when he was about to set off personally, intending to get an early look at the "Broken Cauldron Bar," a meeting with a mysterious figure in a black robe made him abandon the idea, and he shut himself inside the orphanage, not going out.
The thought of the possible darkness in the Magic World made Ian shiver a bit.
His soul is that of an adult.
But a college student... how could handle such a situation?
All he could do was stay honest.
[Successfully read Latin, Language Skill +1]
[Successfully read Latin, Language Skill +1]
[Successfully read Roman Language, Language Skill +1]
...
At the desk, Ian was flipping through the books on the table, occasionally furrowing his brow in thought, continuously transcribing words into his notebook and then softly pronouncing them.
Self-study always requires a strong sense of self-discipline.
This, even with an Attribute Panel, cannot be changed.
Every increase in Skill Level represents Ian has learned something, every increment can be considered a minor epiphany.
But the premise of such epiphany relies on learning seriously.
Of course.
Indeed, leveling feels like grasping a major epiphany.
Ian was studying.
And just at that moment.
Knock knock knock.
A knocking sound resonated from outside the door, interrupting Ian's rhythm. He turned to look at the door and responded, "Come in."
Click.
The door was pushed open, and the one knocking was Catherine. She leaned against the door, her eyes sparkling brightly.
"Ian, do you want a drumstick? The cook said there's extras tonight!"
She held out the drumstick like she was offering a treasure.
At Catherine's feet, a white short-haired cat darted in, its agile figure leaping onto the table, half-crouched down.
Catherine was startled, but after seeing the cat clearly, she paused.
"Jili! You annoying little thing!"
Ian patted the cat on the rump and picked up the half-crouching cat from the table to comfort Catherine, "Alright, Catherine, I've already admonished it."
Catherine nodded reluctantly, still a bit annoyed as she looked at the cat.
And Ian smiled to comfort Catherine.
"Jili didn't do it on purpose, Catherine, relax a bit."
"Alright, Ian."
A child's temper comes quickly and goes just as fast.
Catherine couldn't help but ask curiously, "Ian, when can we go to the Magic Academy?"
Ian smiled looking at the little girl.
Indeed.
No one can resist the allure of magic, but he still needed to remind Catherine.
"Catherine, we agreed to remember to keep it a secret."
Catherine immediately covered her mouth, "Ian, I.."
Ian smiled and said, "Of course, it's okay to tell me, but if you want to learn magic, considering your age, you might have to wait a few more years."
"Alright, I'll eat more to grow up fast. Ian, let's go find Noen and the others and play!"
Facing the little girl's expectant eyes.
Ian shook his head in amusement, turning to take a glance at the language books on his desk.
Originally, he wanted his Language Skills to reach Level 5 and comprehend Extraordinary Traits.
But now, after being interrupted by Catherine, he no longer had the mood for studying. Forced learning would likely not be efficient.
He glanced at the Attribute Panel.
Name: Ian Prince
Profession: Bloodline Mage
Magic Power: Level 4
Skills: Language Mastery (Level 4): 500/800
Biological Anatomy (Level 5): 64/1600
Free Fighting (Level 3): 85/400
Psychology (Level 6): 42/3200
[Extraordinary Traits in Psychology: Thought Perception]
[Extraordinary Traits in Biological Anatomy: Butcher's Instinct]
After days of intense study, Language Mastery has risen to Level 4, just three hundred skill level away from reaching Level 5.
In other aspects.
Because I haven't gone out for divination in recent days, Psychology hasn't increased. It's the same for Biological Anatomy, which is why Language Skills have improved so quickly.
After all, time is limited.
"Let's go."
Ian put the cat in his hands down.
The white cat immediately and nimbly left the room, and Ian also left the room with Catherine.
In the yard, the children were playing soccer and were very happy to see Ian—many times, Ian, whose age was not much older than theirs, took on a parental role. He was not that strict, but he provided a lot of care to these kids.
"Hey! Ian, come join our team!"
"No, Ian finally came out to play; he should be on our team so we can win!"
Unexpectedly, this almost caused the kids to start a fight.
Ian smiled helplessly: "Alright, alright, let me be the goalie!"
There are only a few days left before leaving the orphanage to study at Hogwarts, and Ian has a hard-to-express reluctance for the people and many things here.
.....
Nighttime, the stars sparse in the sky.
Ian finished washing up and lay down on the bed. Although today had been very fulfilling, he still harbored an unwavering desire for something he had always pursued.
"When can I start practicing Magic Skills?"
Soon.
Drowsiness overtook him.
He fell into a deep, sweet dream.
The clear sky resembled a freshly washed sapphire, crystal clear and so transparent that clusters of white clouds looked like meticulously sculpted cotton candy, fluffy and white. They lazily drifted through the air, and sunlight streamed through the gaps in the clouds, casting dappled shadows as if elves were frolicking, adding vivacity to the serene scene.
Here again, the Misty Illusion Realm!
Ian opened his arms wide, taking deep breaths, savoring the tranquility of this world.
Before him, beneath this picturesque sky, stretched a fantastical forest.
Trees were lush, leaves rustled in the breeze as though whispering ancient secrets, small animals scurried about, and butterflies and bees danced among the flowers. A winding pathway of stone slabs led deep into the forest, ending in a darkness.
This time, he did not see Ariana.
Ian was already accustomed to this, as the passage of time always differed greatly between the two worlds.
In the real world, only seven minutes had passed, but it felt like half a day in the Misty Illusion Realm.
Every time he entered the Misty Illusion Realm, several days seemed to pass there, and sometimes the time discrepancy could even be a few months. This flow of time lacks any precise standard.
To be honest, the last encounter with Ariana was actually just a coincidence.
Ian stepped onto the grass and headed down the path, and strange animals occasionally darted from the trees, curiously glancing his way before disappearing. Ian continued to walk along the winding pathway, with sunlight filtering through leaves, casting spots of light on the ground.
Not knowing how long he walked.
He arrived at a small town tucked within a valley.
Though small, this town had fairly comprehensive facilities; an ancient post office stood silently, the bar sign swayed gently in the breeze, and the church steeple pierced the sky with gravitas and solemnity.
Everything seemed normal, yet the apparently harmonious town lacked the vitality of life. Every store had its doors shut, all empty inside.
Just like some eerie town in horror movies, but lacking that spooky and sinister vibe.
"Town of the Dead."
The scene made Ian recall that Ariana once mentioned that people used to be here, but gradually they all left. Perhaps these souls just forgot their obsessions in the Misty Illusion Realm, or completed their obsessions and moved on to an even more mysterious adventure.
"In a place devoid of life, you can distinctly feel that loneliness." Soon, Ian crossed the deserted street and reached the small house where Ariana lived.
"Hmm? Where is she?"
The house door was tightly closed, and Ian stepped forward, peering inside through the similarly shut window. It was quiet inside, just like all those shops, devoid of the slightest sound or movement.
Ian felt a bit bewildered.
All these years.
Ariana had never left the vicinity of this small town.
This was the first time Ian couldn't find Ariana.
He still wanted to ask Ariana about the sign she gave him last time! Could her disappearance have something to do with the gift she once bestowed upon him?
Ian felt some concern rising in him.
Just then, a voice suddenly broke the silence of the street behind him. It was elegant, yet slightly cold; a rich, mature woman's voice.
"Oh, heartbroken little boy, are you waiting for that poor little girl?"
The unexpected sound startled Ian, and he quickly turned around.
A woman stood before him, her eyes as deep as dark gemstones, slightly upturned at the corners, and her thick lashes fanned out like curtains over her beautifully curved eyes.
She was an elegant, stunningly beautiful... mature woman? Wearing a full-length black robe with gold trim, she exuded a cold yet dignified aura.
Her splendid appearance and attire seemed utterly out of place with this simple little town.