"If there's no treasure, I'm definitely going to kick your butt with my shoe!" Ian abandoned the items on the stone table, intending to fly directly up using the magic cloak.
However.
"Not moving?"
"Give me some lift here."
Ian realized his magic cloak seemed to have lost its function—he was a bit confused, and quickly tried another magic, which worked perfectly, clearly this wasn't a forbidden magic domain.
"Only forbids other alchemy creations?"
Ian took out a [Bone Crushing and Ash Scattering Box], placing it in front of the stone table, and the next moment, the box started operating, extending a small leg and opening its small mouth, crazily nibbling on the stone table.
Evidently, this tower did not prohibit the use of alchemy items. Ian's money bag could also prove this, taking out the box was just an extra proof.
"Only forbids flight... maybe because this is an important place, needing some solemnity and respect?" Ian looked at the various complex runes carved on the tower and reasonably speculated.
His legs didn't rest either but moved towards the direction of the stairs, climbing up the winding stairs continually, approaching the top floor where the Black Phoenix was located.
Along the way.
The murals on the wall next to the stairs caught Ian's attention.
Beautiful murals were hung on the walls, depicting the prosperity of a city in the past. Though the picture was tattered and had faded colors, by careful discernment, Ian made an astonishing discovery.
"Wild Swans..."
"Flower Cat Deer..."
"Transforming Bird..."
"Hiss! I knew there must have been mermaids in the world!"
...
Even though they were badly damaged, it was still visible that the murals, once exceptionally exquisite, featured creatures Ian hadn't seen in "Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them."
Each mural seemed to be a vignette of an ancient story, silently narrating past glories and wonders. Even if Ian couldn't comprehend the text above, he could understand what they aimed to convey, still flowing... perhaps due to some remaining magic power in the tower, which hadn't completely collapsed.
Ian saw a group of elves dancing around a gigantic ancient tree, their ears pointed and figures slender, dressed in clothes sparkling with a faint light, faces brimming with joy and happiness.
On the mural depicting dwarves.
The little dwarves were busily digging treasures, surrounded by piles of gleaming gemstones and gold coins, evidently the result of their diligent labor.
Also, a graceful unicorn stood amidst blooming flowers. Its horn was as white as jade, radiating a gentle light, seemingly capable of healing all the world's wounds.
Fairies in light gauzy dresses danced in the clouds, while mermaids sat on rocks, singing beautifully and expressively about their longing and pursuit of love.
Numerous fantastic beasts, perhaps extinct, were showcased in the murals, and Ian sensed something unusual in the murals about dragons.
Every dragon depicted here possessed unique forms and powers; some soared in the skies, others lingered at sea, showcasing infinite majesty and mysterious power.
"These are the ancient giant dragons I've already contracted with!" Ian stared at the dragon murals, realizing that the era this tower originally belonged to might even precede Morgan's time.
Truth be told.
That wasn't the most astonishing discovery yet.
Had Ian not clearly observed the era of this tower's existence and the role it played, he would've doubted if those murals were merely ancient imaginations.
After all, aside from the numerous fantastic beasts whose existence couldn't be confirmed now, Ian discovered some scenes near the top murals that shattered his worldview and cognition.
"A brave and smart little tailor, defeating a mighty giant with wit... so familiar a tale."
"My gosh! A beautiful and kind princess persecuted by a wicked stepmother, ultimately finding happiness with the help of seven dwarves and a prince... isn't that Snow White!"
"A brave and naive girl, displaying cleverness and wisdom when encountering a wolf... definitely Little Red Riding Hood!"
"And this one... a girl abused by her stepmother and sisters, finds happiness through courage, kindness, and magic... if she's not Cinderella, I'll put my phoenix in the pot!"
...
Looking at the murals before him.
Ian felt as if he were watching fairy tales, rather than reviewing past histories, and this feeling of incredulity and dreaminess was somewhat hard to articulate with words.
Though he had long known that many things seemingly as stories may truly be historical happenings in the Wizarding World, these murals still hit Ian hard.
This indicates.
Those realms in the fairy tales truly existed once!
"If these indeed occurred... hiss, a historical earthquake here."
Ian pressed his hand tightly against the mural, though he couldn't successfully inject magic, he still sensed some lingering aura.
"The most ancient magic."
Ian realized the existence of these murals evidently wasn't to tell future generations stories, but they contained one of the oldest magics in human history.
Similar to the magic Harry Potter's mother used to protect Harry Potter.