Perhaps it was the impending new life that made her both expectant and nervous. Or maybe it was the infidelity and pregnancy that made her feel guilty towards her legitimate husband.

The thoughts of a noblewoman.

Who can really fathom them?

Ian didn't invade the mind of his teacher's mother, nor did he intend to continue eavesdropping. After observing for a moment, Ian brushed the pollen off himself and prepared to leave.

"This thing..."

Faced with the still-glowing chess piece, Ian could only temporarily put it away.

He turned away silently, just as he had come, unnoticed by anyone, and followed the stone-paved path back to the ancient castle.

Now, night was approaching, but the castle was brightly lit, with opulent candelabras illuminating every corner, starkly contrasting the tranquility and dimness outside.

Various portraits adorned the walls, but they didn't move or speak, failing to pique Ian's interest as he walked straight to Riddle's room.

There was a connection between master and servant.

The Little Wizard could clearly sense Riddle's condition.

He pushed open a heavy wooden door and entered Riddle's room. Inside, Riddle stood by a stone table, holding a bottle of deep purple Magic Potion.

"Gurgle gurgle~"

This wasn't the sound of Malfoy drinking a Magic Potion, but Riddle pouring it down Malfoy's throat. Unconscious, Malfoy even had a tube inserted into his stomach by Riddle. Riddle looked a bit impatient, but his movements were unusually gentle, as if afraid of hurting him.

"Tsk tsk, you're quite attentive to your servant," Ian raised an eyebrow, with a playful tone, as if no one would believe a Black Demon King would have such patience in serving someone.

"It's necessary, it's necessary." Riddle looked up, seeing Ian enter, a hint of surprise flashed in his eyes. He put down the Magic Potion bottle and couldn't help but glance outside.

"Where's Merlin? 𝘧𝓇𝑒𝑒𝑤ℯ𝑏𝓃𝘰𝑣ℯ𝘭.𝘤ℴ𝘮

The Black Demon King's voice held a trace of nervousness.

"Of course, I scared him off." Ian never missed a chance to boast, especially when it was served on a silver platter, so he tried to make his voice sound nonchalant.

As if defeating the legendary Wizard King was as simple as eating or drinking.

How to say.

This manner might seem somewhat pretentious, but since it was true, it did shock the young Black Demon King, Riddle's pupils shrank slightly, showing an expression of disbelief.

"What did you say? You defeated Merlin?"

Upon hearing this

Ian nodded.

With a dismissive tone.

Riddle clearly paused for a moment, then swallowed hard.

"You really are a terrifying monster..." It was uncertain whether this statement was meant to be praise or a curse, but Riddle indeed looked quite shaken emotionally.

His voice carried a mix of astonishment and a certain complex relief, perhaps feeling that if Ian could defeat Merlin, losing to Ian didn't seem unlucky.

"If Merlin can't beat you, I'm no match for you either, so it seems that I am on par with Merlin." Riddle didn't know if he was mocking himself or consoling himself.

This method of rounding off was very much in Ian's style.

The Black Demon King seemed to have learned something too.

"To be honest, you should really watch our battle, that way you could spread some history in Azkaban." Ian genuinely regretted this.

"Heh."

Riddle only shook his head, not responding, having already prepared himself for the possibility of being imprisoned in Azkaban. In fact, he now wanted to move into Azkaban.

There, everyone was talented, eloquent, without encountering any monsters, much better than being stuck in ancient times—not everyone could adapt and integrate into such a terrifying era like the Little Wizard in front of him!

"When are you going to find the Time Converter?" Riddle was eager to return home, unaware of the bet between Ian and Merlin, so he asked impatiently.

"I've already acquired it from Merlin." Ian smiled slightly, pulling out a shining object from his pocket, which was the Ancient Time Converter.

At this era, the control over such Alchemy Props wasn't strict yet, perhaps because the Mysterious Affairs Department hadn't been established, or it was established but not yet developed.

"Give me some time to study this thing." Ian looked at the Time Converter in his hands, noting that ancient alchemical gear differed greatly from what he knew.

Understanding its principles would indeed take some time. Of course, it wouldn't be too long, as, after all, many principles in Alchemy are fundamentally connected.

"No rush, stay a few more days, I still have an apprentice to mentor." To be honest, if he weren't also longing for home, Ian would quite like to stay longer in this era.

Not just to uncover hidden history, but also to experience ancient culture and magic. He even wanted to see whether the Fierce Goddess had already sunk with the Ancient Country.

Of course.

There's no rush.

The future holds many opportunities.

"You're really quick!"

Riddle's eyes lit up as he stepped forward, trying to get a closer look at the Time Converter in Ian's hand. However, his attention was drawn to the chess piece still being weighed in Ian's other hand.