The Old Ones of Hogwarts

Chapter 19: The Witch! Teacher!

Ian's sudden arrival clearly disrupted the witch's meal. Not only were the table and utensils in front of her gone, but all the food on the plates was also taken away.

In the entire hall, which was as magnificent as a palace, even the chandeliers hanging from the ceiling had disappeared, and the knife and fork that the witch had been holding even grew small wings and flew away.

"I'm...sorry."

Unexpectedly, Ian recognized the witch not far away as the mysterious young woman who had spoken to him in the town earlier, still wearing that incomparably luxurious black dress.

Like a shadowy figure descending silently in the night, it exudes an indescribable mystery and profundity.

"Although this way of making an appearance was unexpected, I did extend an invitation to you, so you don't need to feel that it was impolite."

A napkin appeared in the witch's hand, and she elegantly wiped her red lips. With each gentle movement, the refinement and poise of an ancient noblewoman were naturally revealed.

This is not some kind of posturing.

Rather, it is a kind of inherent quality that seems to have long been integrated into every action.

"I didn't mean to disturb your meal."

Ian was still in shock. He actually wanted to say that he hadn't considered responding to the previous invitation, but he also knew that such a statement would be extremely impolite.

"The soul in the dreamlike realm does not need to eat. I am simply following the habits I developed in my previous life, and those foods cannot provide me with any pleasure."

The mysterious witch chuckled softly, scrutinizing Ian with interest. Her words made Ian swallow hard, his nervousness and trepidation intensifying.

Can't food provide pleasure?

What can bring pleasure to this young woman?

Are you toying with little boys?

The mysterious witch's gaze wasn't particularly intense, but Ian felt increasingly like ants were crawling all over him, and he stood there blankly, his expression and posture slightly awkward.

Fortunately, the mysterious witch spoke up once again, breaking the awkward silence.

"It seems you have embarked on the path of pursuing magic."

I really don't know where the mysterious witch got that idea from. Even though Ian didn't bring the wand into this world, she still spoke with such conviction.

"Yes, ma'am."

Facing the mysterious witch's gaze, which seemed even deeper than Dumbledore's, Ian nodded truthfully. This situation wasn't a secret that needed to be hidden.

Faced with such an unknown soul.

The lies he attempted to conceal would likely bring him unnecessary trouble.

This is an intuition.

Intuition stemming from [Thought Perception]. Ian struggled to sense the witch's emotions, much like he did with Dumbledore, but this extraordinary ability also influenced his Sixth Sense.

This is not.

Hearing Ian's honest answer, the mysterious witch seemed very satisfied.

You should call me...teacher.

Whether the mysterious witch genuinely misunderstood Ian or did it on purpose, she corrected Ian's way of addressing her in a slightly emphasizing voice.

"I...I..."

After a moment's thought, Ian chose to tell the truth: "Actually, I don't know why I suddenly came here."

"I always end up in the same place, on that grassy area outside the village." The fact that he is a living person cannot be hidden.

Both Ariana and Pendro discovered immediately that Ian was not a dead soul, and the mysterious witch in front of them would naturally be able to see this as well.

"so what?"

The witch's deep gaze was fixed on Ian.

Ian steadied himself and carefully chose his words:

"I have indeed been considering learning magic from you, but I haven't actually made up my mind yet. This time, I just wanted to see if my friend had returned."

Ian tried his best to make his smile appear innocent. He genuinely felt that the mysterious witch in front of him was not a white witch. Knowing only a few minor spells, he could only choose to be a cowardly way of dealing with her.

"They haven't come back. Only three days have passed since you left." The mysterious witch braced her right hand on the edge of the chair and cupped her face with her palm.

With her other hand, she gently tapped on another armrest and said to Ian in a languid tone, "The Mystic Realm is a very peculiar place. It responds to people's deepest desires and obsessions, which is why the location where you appeared changed."

This was clearly an attempt to answer Ian's questions.

just.

"Um, sorry, I still don't understand."

Ian frowned.

"What a stupid little pig."

The mysterious witch raised an eyebrow slightly, a hint of helplessness on her beautiful face. "I never imagined I would end up with such a slow-witted apprentice as you."

Although her sarcasm was much milder than Snape's, the Mysterious Witch was clearly more arrogant than Snape, speaking with a superior attitude throughout.

They were not arrogant.

But she clearly gives people the impression of being superior to others—Ian had actually learned a little bit about how to deal with this type of person from Snape.

"Should I leave?"

Although Ian was being somewhat cautious, his words alone caused the witch sitting opposite him to visibly choke, her eyes twitching as if she were Snape.

"What a sly little brat."

The mysterious witch shook her head speechlessly.

"In the past, you longed for friendship; now, you long for magic."

She eventually gave an answer.

Ian seemed to be deep in thought.

Considering his current situation in reality, Ian felt there was some truth to it. But why did he yearn to learn magic, and why did the Enchanted Realm bring him here?

"Because deep down you know that I can teach you powerful magic, as well as the knowledge that schools are unwilling to teach you, so that you can quickly gain the power to fight against crises."

The mysterious witch suddenly spoke.

It's like a response.

just.

Ian clearly did not voice his doubts.

"You can read minds!?"

Ian's eyes narrowed.

He felt a certain empathy for Snape at that moment.

Is this the boomerang of the Wizarding World?

"That's not some difficult magic to learn, but in the illusionary realm, I no longer possess the powers I had in my previous life, and naturally I will also lose the magic I had in my previous life."

The mysterious witch laughed heartily.

"I'm just good at observing."