Looking at the elegant and noble stranger before him, Ian couldn't help but feel a bit nervous.
Although he had the gift to enter the Misty Illusion Realm, he had only encountered two people in this world.
This woman was the third.
This is the deceased world.
Who knows what identity and past this woman possesses?
"Who are you?"
Ian discreetly prepared to run away.
Faced with Ian's inquiry, the woman raised her eyebrow slightly.
"That poor girl is following your wanderer friend to look for the ridiculous Golden Apple. How could such a ghostly place have a Golden Apple?"
Her words clearly carried a hint of sarcasm.
Wanderer friend?
Ian quickly realized that the person the mysterious woman spoke of must be his other friend, a wandering soul like Ariana.
Pandro Nateg.
An ordinary name, a boy passionate about exploration; perhaps that's why the mysterious woman called him "wanderer."
Even in the Misty Illusion Realm, Pandro had tirelessly explored this world for many years. According to him, he couldn't remember the time.
Despite being a soul surviving for at least a thousand years, his face miraculously remained around fifteen years old. Perhaps the magic of the Misty Illusion Realm was part of this. According to Ariana, the first time she met Pandro, he already had that youthful appearance.
It was uncertain if Pandro had ever offended the mysterious woman.
A connection?
What kind of connection?
Ian's curiosity couldn't be contained.
He didn't know much about Pandro Nateg either, his impression was of someone who possessed the wisdom of an elder and the enthusiasm of youth.
Sometimes, he also seemed a bit silly.
One might think he wasn't someone from any original tale, as Ian had never heard of this name from history or his understanding of the originals.
Uncertain emotions?
These emotions had kept Pandro Nateg in the Misty Illusion Realm for so many years.
Things like "searching for the Golden Apple" seemed like the type of adventure Pandro would undertake, and pulling Ariana in as a partner fit his style.
Ian remembered Pandro eagerly taking him as a five-year-old, saying he wanted to look for the despicable Helbo... the most notorious Dark Wizard in the Wizarding World.
Me?
Five years old?
Defeating the despicable Helbo?
Whenever Ian thought of these past experiences, he still found them absurd.
"Is this Golden Apple the fairy tale one I understand?"
Facing the noble woman in a black dress, Ian tried to take a humble approach, using his youthful advantage to give an innocent look.
"Fancy but useless things; do you hope the Golden Apple Tree could bloom in this world?" The noblewoman continued her sarcastic remarks, looking at Ian like he was an idiot.
"The last apple tree was cut down by me while I was alive, let alone in the Misty Illusion Realm. There's absolutely no Golden Apple here." Her tone was very certain.
"Are there Golden Apples in the current world?"
Ian was somewhat stunned.
At this moment, the mysterious woman turned her head, her flawless face suddenly moved closer to Ian, even taking two steps forward. A scent of roses wafted over.
Ian quickly backed away.
The mysterious woman brought an overwhelming sense of pressure in every aspect.
"What do you think fairy tales are? Do witches count?"
As she said this.
Ian was left speechless.
Looking at the woman in front of him.
The mysterious woman suddenly laughed.
"Though you are indeed a fool, as dumb as a pig, you are different from the rest." She raised her white fingers to point at the faintly visible castle within the distant woods.
"If you want to learn magic, you can find me there."
Following her fingers, Ian saw the castle whose appearance was eroded by time, appearing ancient and eerie, suddenly having a realization.
So this woman was indeed the witch from the castle, as often mentioned by Ariana!
Indeed.
His impulse to run wasn't cowardice! It was just the instinctive response to a wizard! Yes! This was surely a natural sensing ability towards powerful wizards!
"What do I need to give up?"
Ian gave himself this explanation, and was very cautious with the witch's offer, since there's no such thing as a free lunch.
"Hmm?"
The witch looked at Ian with surprise, even taking steps around him, allowing her black robe to glide over the muddy ground.
Yet it remained untouched by any dirt.
"Seems like you aren't aware of your own uniqueness.."
The witch sneered.
Then.
She whimsically changed her expression.
"Of course, you young one, understanding the rules of the Wizarding World suggests your current foolishness is temporary, which isn't a bad thing in the current world."
The witch stopped her steps, gazing into Ian's eyes.
"If you truly wish to follow the principle of equivalent exchange, then bring my Magic Mirror back to me."
After she said this, Ian saw a trace of reminiscence in her beautiful eyes, but soon her tone returned to coldness.
The hint of nostalgia vanishing without a trace.
"Find my mirror, bring it to me... and you'll learn the most powerful magic from me."
"Mirror?"
Ian frowned, a bit puzzled.
The witch didn't respond, just showed a meaningful smile.
"Actually, even if you don't find the mirror, you can come to me for learning." She smiled with an air of mystery, possibly trying to tease Ian.
"Who doesn't love playing with little boys?"
Her words carried slight mischief.
Just as the witch finished speaking.
Ian sensed his time had come, his final vision was of the elegant witch, calmly watching him gradually turn transparent and then disappear.
With the loss of their conversation.
The entire town returned to silence.
The witch's expression gradually turned lonely, turning towards the cobblestone path leading into the silent forest, heading back to her castle.
Standing amidst the forest clearing, it was entwined with vines on its stone walls, marked with the ravages of time, its sharp spires piercing the overcast sky.
The weather here.
And over by the town, were complete opposites.
Sombre and heavy, but upon pushing the heavy door and stepping inside, the interior of the castle revealed a majestic scene — a spacious hall where that intricately carved marble table stood, draped in a bright red silk cloth, scattered with golden-edged tableware, a roaring fire in the fireplace casting shadows of exquisite murals on the walls.
The story of knights and princesses seemed to revive within the flames.
The witch walked gracefully, and the moment she entered the castle, everything around began to operate automatically.
Candle lights ignited one by one, the tablecloth flew from the air settling on the table, automatically setting itself, the utensils arranged neatly, various foods emerging from the kitchen, positioned on plates, flew orderly onto the dining table.
Among them was a golden brown roasted piglet.
The witch only glanced at it, then suddenly murmured, "I've already seen a foolish pig today, don't want to see another.."
Upon saying this, the piglet returned to the kitchen, soon replaced by a lamb in the same manner, flying onto the dining table.
The witch's clothes sparkled with unseen magical starlight, becoming incredibly clean and tidy. She didn't eat, but slowly headed into the bedroom.
"Magic Mirror, Magic Mirror, who is the fairest of them all in this world…"
Inside the empty room, the witch seemed to be talking to herself, sitting at the dressing table missing its mirror, murmuring with a voice both ironic and complex.