"So, can I learn your true knowledge?" The little girl Morgan was unaware of Ian's internal struggle, as Ian had once again closed off his mind.
She only showed her hand early, revealing the reason she sought to draw closer. The little girl, who had yet to really come into contact with magic, probably never dreamed of what the true truth would be; she might still feel curious because she shared a name with some powerful wizard's ancestor.
"Of course."
Ian nodded again without hesitation, "I can impart all my knowledge to you, after all, my teacher selflessly taught me everything she had learned in her lifetime."
This was what the little wizard sincerely felt.
However.
"What's the price?"
Although the little girl Morgan's eyes were filled with joy, she remained cautious and traditional in her thinking.
"You must sign a contract with me."
Ian showed his hand early.
Upon hearing this, the little girl Morgan immediately frowned.
"What kind of contract? A loyalty contract?"
She was clearly resistant to such things.
"No, it's an oath contract of never harming one another, a necessary measure. As someone from a noble family, I think you'll understand." Ian wanted to secure a true assurance for himself. He wasn't being cowardly; he just didn't wish to clash with his teacher. Yes, exactly, he was just that thorough in his considerations.
"No problem, but I don't know magic. Although I've secretly been in touch with the relevant knowledge, I've only learned some useless things. This is related to my inability to access my family's restricted bookroom."
The little girl Morgan nodded, acknowledging Ian's words. She turned her head toward the pigsty, her voice filled with yearning and fascination for magic.
And some nervousness about Ian disdaining her.
"I will guide you."
Ian was somewhat impatient.
He pointed his hand to the ground beside him, which sparkled under the moonlight, where a knight's longsword lay quietly, its glistening blade reflecting the faint moonlight.
"Transformation technique has always been one of the skills we wizards pride ourselves on the most," Ian gently told the little girl Morgan. As he stirred the magic power within him, it seemed as though an invisible force flowed through the air, causing the sword's blade he aimed at to gradually lose its metallic sheen, its form starting to twist and transform.
Yes.
Wandless Spellcasting.
This was a skill Ian had now become proficient in; the magic wand served as more of an "amplifier and stabilizer" for wizards. Unless exerting full force, he no longer needed to rely on a magic wand.
Before their eyes.
In the excited gaze of the little girl Morgan, the hilt of the sword slowly contracted, and the blade gradually shortened, finally becoming a magic wand almost as tall as the little girl Morgan.
Or rather, it should be called a magic staff.
Ian's knowledge of alchemy in history was decent, so he knew what was trendy in this era. Just as expected, when the little girl Morgan recognized the object, she immediately exclaimed in surprise.
"You turned an ordinary longsword into a priceless magic staff?!" The little girl Morgan's voice and Riddle's gasp of shock resonated simultaneously at Ian's feat.
"Truly a monster..."
He murmured while lying on the ground.
Compared to the Legendary Witch, who had yet to truly engage with magic, he was more capable of sensing the magic power contained in that magic staff. No matter how many times this violation of the Transformation Law was observed, it always felt unbelievable to him.
"Just a little trick."
Ian rarely had moments of enjoying showing off.
"Come."
Ian handed the magic staff to the little girl Morgan, who was still curiously observing the staff in her hands when Ian raised a palm and gave her a look.
"Huh?"
The little girl Morgan, somewhat bewildered, also raised her hand, aligning her palm with Ian's.
"This is an Oath Magic I modified, requiring no witnesses, but completed under the witness of destiny. It's truly an unbreakable oath."
"Thus, it will endure for a long time, until the end of eternity." Ian stated the pros and cons, choosing not to simply deceive her into signing.
He managed to improve upon such magic thanks to the "Blood Covenant" gifted by Aurora.
"Okay."
The little girl Morgan's response was crisp. Thus, Ian also pulled out his magic wand and aimed it at his palm, and the little girl Morgan immediately imitated him by raising the heavy magic staff with her other hand.
"What should I do next?"
She asked somewhat nervously.
"Just feel it."
Ian whispered softly.
The next moment.
He spoke the content of the oath and had the little girl Morgan repeat it once. As a result, a thin golden stream of light began to entwine and bind between their palms.
"This..."
Morgan's eyes were filled with amazement, not just due to the magical experience but more so because she felt her magic power within her body starting to flow under Ian's guidance.
Such a method.
Made this young girl once more realize how extraordinary the teacher she stumbled upon truly was. With the completion of the oath, an intangible force seemed to fill the air.
Their destinies had a special bond from that point on... It was a magical feeling that Morgan was still savoring when Ian already withdrew his hand, refusing to give Morgan any more opportunity to take advantage.
"Very good."
He could finally feel relieved in his heart. With this layer of insurance, he felt less apprehensive about his next trip to the Misty Illusion Realm.