As a Transmigrator.
He might lack the usual... reincarnation that those other Wizards have?
"Can the dead return to the world of the living? As a Wizard?" This was both Ian's way to change the topic and also something he found incredibly unbelievable.
"Exactly so."
The Witch gently nodded.
"Reincarnation? Is that even possible?"
Ian still found it somewhat surreal.
"Yes... is that even possible?" The Witch seemed somewhat speechless at Ian's repeated confirmation. She gazed at Ian with an inexplicable odd expression.
"To be honest, you're the last person who should ask that question..."
An utterly baffling statement.
Before Ian could continue his barrage of inquiries.
The Witch glanced at Ian's bulging satchel, "You should ask the next question, and after that, you need to leave half of your food from your luggage. Some people don't deserve to eat, you can only bring a portion to the little girl. If I find out that you've given that executioner any benefit..."
"Hehe."
The Witch didn't finish her sentence.
But the cold sneer on her face made Ian understand perfectly well.
After knowing the identity of this Witch, and once again feeling the Witch's genuine disgust and disapproval for Pandro, he felt as if he had solved some identity mystery.
Perhaps?
Maybe?
"The second question is actually quite simple. Teacher, you're deeply invested in Magic Potion research. Was there ever a potion in your era that could make someone feel infinite joy?"
Ian hadn't forgotten that his friend could not perform the Patronus Charm. He had already realized that the Half-blood Prince couldn't possibly brew such a shortcut Joy Potion.
If that were the case,
he would have used it on himself long ago.
Why else would he be frowning all day like someone going through menopause?
"A potion that makes people feel happy?"
The Witch looked Ian up and down, without even asking why, suddenly showing a look of realization before she started to happily tear up her gown once more.
"Uh... Teacher, can't you write it down in those old books I brought? Although I can't take things out from this world, the things I brought in should still be taken back, right."
Ian had wanted to ask this question for a while.
"Are you belittling my things?"
The Witch's voice was displeased.
Seeing the Witch's smile fade and her looking up at him, Ian quickly continued to explain, "I just think this method should also be a kind of consumption to you? After all, your gown has never grown back again, if possible, I don't want you to suffer any harm for my sake either."
His words were quite considerate.
Making the Witch's expression soften a little.
"You will understand the meaning of this, but not today... perhaps you should trust your teacher a little more, and this will eventually make you grateful to me."
The Witch's tone was full of profound feeling, handing another fragment of her gown to Ian.
"Of course I trust you, just as I trust my mother." Ian had collected two fragments of the gown today, and he thought that at this rate, he would eventually see this Witch shivering with cold.
"How come I remember you saying you were an orphan?"
The Witch glanced sideways at Ian.
Not an insult.
But almost like one.
"..."
Ian didn't even dare to curse inwardly, he looked down at the fragment of gown in his hand, on which a very complex potion brewing recipe was recorded.
"After reading your textbooks, I roughly understand what materials are left in your era. I think you should be able to find the materials listed above in your time."
"I've modified some materials that might have become uncommon, and I've also made adjustments to the effect of the potion. It will be a very, very long-lasting... Joy Potion."
The Witch's gown was already missing a large section, but she didn't seem to care.
"How long-lasting?"
Ian casually stuffed the gown fragment into his robe.
"Don't keep your friend waiting too long."
The Witch didn't respond, she just turned and walked toward the depths of the castle — Ian looked at her somewhat lonely back, thinking that when repairing the guards, he should have also made a few Magic Pets for the Witch. Perhaps time in the Misty Illusion Realm is truly hard, a few interesting pets might help pass the time.
An Alchemy Cat that can weave stories automatically might be the kind of pet the Witch would like.
"My Alchemy is the most meaningful alchemy, it can benefit the living and help the dead too!" Ian didn't dare defy the Witch's previous warning, he left a heap of snacks on the long table, only taking Ariana's portion, then quickly sprinted out of the deserted and somber Ancient Castle with a much lighter backpack.
"Pandro might blame me, but Morgan could really turn me into a pig to punish me." In choosing between friends and his own safety, Ian opted for the latter.
He continued down the dim ancient path.
Up ahead.
The quiet yet bright sky of the forest wasn't far.
Every part of the Misty Illusion Realm is actually interconnected, but just like how animals define their territory, the souls residing here have long lived within their exclusive areas.
Every soul influences the area where it resides, so the boundary between territories looks very distinct, and with just a step out, Ian immediately felt a significant change in temperature.