To be honest.
The concept of knowledge being toxic.
Clearly, it wasn't something originally existing in this world. After all, anyone with a keen eye can tell, such a concept is obviously out of tune with the main theme and tone of the world's existence.
One could say knowledge has weight.
Unable to bear certain knowledge without reaching a certain level, this could pass as a trait of the Extraordinary World, but this and knowledge being toxic are completely different concepts.
At the same time.
This is also completely different from the Dark Arts' effect on the soul — after all, one requires using it to affect the soul, whereas simply analyzing and researching the Dark Arts on an academic level doesn't impact a person's soul.
This fundamentally differs from just "knowing" something inherently carrying a negative impact, which is why Ian immediately realized something was amiss upon hearing it.
There is indeed a scent of "ancient ways" here.
You see.
If the concept of "knowledge being toxic" originally existed in this world, then surely history would be filled with stories of Wizards being overturned by "toxic" knowledge.
In such a scenario.
The soul-affecting aspects of the Dark Arts would no longer be the most feared taboo among wizards. The world would be full of Wizards tainted by toxic knowledge, and mad Wizards trying to taint others with it — considering this comprehensively, the toxic knowledge mentioned by Teacher Morgan is certainly a peculiar occurrence.
In other words.
Certain beings, certain lives, have placed a force similar to a curse on specific pieces of knowledge, leading to the existence of the so-called "knowledge is toxic" concept in this world.
Who then placed a curse on certain areas of knowledge?
Hmm.
It's hard to guess.
Ian chose not to guess, feeling a bit guilty.
Of course.
It might also be a change in the underlying logic of the world, but Ian thinks this possibility is obviously not great, as it would touch upon the rights of the Creator Level.
"Um... Teacher." Ian realized that as toxic knowledge, it must have troubled Morgan in the past, so he tactically coughed to deliberately change the topic.
How to say.
Since Morgan has already shared this knowledge, Ian figures he can carefully study it later to gain more insights, so there was no need to continue questioning Morgan and risk potential "retribution" in the future.
"Do you know why I ended up in that place of the Goddess of Witches, Kerke? Was it just because I dealt with the Ancient Greek gods in past time?"
This was the confusion Ian had been holding in since earlier.
However.
Faced with Ian's inquiry, Morgan did not immediately respond, instead raised her hand elegantly to lift a teacup that appeared out of thin air, allowing the silver spoon in the cup to spin on its own.
The collision of porcelain and silver spoon produced a clear sound, rhythmic, as if playing some kind of melody, but one with a peculiar tone that normal people might not appreciate.
"How interesting, it seems time does change a person." Morgan's silver eyes stared fixedly at Ian, observing every inch of his expression.
Ian was somewhat confused.
After a long moment.
Morgan chuckled softly at the bewildered look of the little Wizard.
"Actually, this question, isn't it something you should ask yourself?" Morgan's voice was as ethereal as the steam rising from her cup. After taking a sip of the hot tea, she spoke again with a teasing tone.
"Lord of the Dead, Nether God Raven, and... God Eater Medivh." Morgan set down the teacup, creating a soft sound as porcelain met the wooden table.
Each word she spoke was slow and gentle, with a touch of amusement. Clearly, she knew more about Ian's tangled identities than most Wizards.
Could this Legendary Black Witch understand Ian better than Merlin?
However.
No one knows just how many secrets lie in her heart.
Unlike before, Morgan no longer intentionally hid what she knew, nor is it clear how she accurately grasped what Ian already understands.
"Uh..."
Ian didn't know how to respond for the moment.
"Honestly, I can't figure out what all these names mean to me in detail, it feels even more tangled than a mess of strings. I only know that my Magic Wand seems to have something to do with the gods."
Ian raised his Magic Wand.
He suspected his situation was linked to the gods, perhaps even to their vanishing, as Raven already indicated a great deal.
"You are rather honest."
Morgan set down her teacup, the porcelain making a soft sound upon contacting the wooden table. She observed Ian silently, speaking only after his ears started turning red.
"Some secrets, only you have the right to seek out. The mysteries of the gods, and most matters concerning Raven, remain hidden even from me until now."
"I don't have that privilege."
The Legendary Black Witch shrugged, her voice unusually tinged with helplessness. Morgan's gaze fell on Ian's wand at his waist, her eyes reflecting complex thoughts hard to decode, "I can only provide you with some riddles concerning Medivh; perhaps your future path diverges entirely from the Divine Spirit's way."