The mist flowed slowly through the air like a tide, and that skeletal figure floated silently.
Lady Allen set down the teacup in her hand.
This level of Spirit Realm messenger, there are only a handful in the entire Wizard World who can wield it.
And among them, only one person is most likely to contact her.
In fact, the messenger had intended to communicate with her earlier, bringing the newspaper along, but it was interrupted by Lily’s sudden return.
"Hello, Lady Allen."
The messenger spoke, his voice echoing as if from the Abyss of Hell:
"I am entrusted by Master Uther to deliver an important letter to you.
The report on Ron Ralph was specially prepared as an extra by the Master for you."
Lady Allen took the envelope sealed with special runes, feeling the familiar energy fluctuations at her fingertips.
She was very familiar with this sealing method.
Only the caster or the designated receiver could open it, any attempt to pry would cause the letter to instantly turn to ashes.
"Wait."
She said briefly, turning back into the store.
Lily was still in the backyard organizing Moonlight Grass, with light collision sounds occasionally coming through.
Lady Allen walked behind the counter, carefully opened the envelope, and unfolded the parchment within.
Those familiar handwriting greeted her eyes:
"Dear Allen:
Time flies, and this old fellow has reached the final stage of life.
Though you are no longer young, you stubbornly refuse to acknowledge aging.
Regarding Ron’s achievements, you should have already seen them in the gifted newspaper.
This young man’s potential exceeds everyone’s expectations, and his balance of rationality and restraint reminds me of the young you—the same calmness, the same pure pursuit of knowledge.
But precisely because of this, I am worried he will repeat our past mistakes.
Cassandra is about to return, the influence of the Conquest Faction is expanding, and Ron’s talents destined him to not stand apart from this storm.
I need that item you kept.
Not to reopen old wounds, but to offer Ron a chance to glimpse history.
Ron has some connection with the major participants of that incident, which can provide him extra protection during historical retrospection.
I know what this request means to you.
But please believe, it is for a greater goal.
If Ron can gain enough from that lesson, perhaps he can avoid repeating past mistakes.
Time is running short, my dear student, we don’t have many choices left.
Your Mentor,
Uther"
Lady Allen’s fingers trembled slightly, the letter casting flickering shadows under the candlelight.
She slowly closed her eyes, her thoughts involuntarily drifting to the past she tried to forget but could never escape...
It was over a hundred years ago.
Selena Vestra... that close friend whose talents were only slightly inferior to hers, the partner who should have advanced together...
Lady Allen could never forget that blood-colored dusk.
Selena appeared in her laboratory wearing a strange smile, those blue eyes once clear as water, now filled with malice.
"Allen, I have finally understood the essence of truth."
Her voice remained sweet, but something within it was chilling:
"We have always pursued the wrong path. Power should not be confined within this fragile flesh, the soul is the only true home.
Let me free you, just as He freed me..."
That night, Lady Allen made the most painful yet necessary choice of her life.
Lady Allen slowly opened her eyes, looking at the broken Magic Wand in her hand.
It was a memento she used to warn herself, reminding her to never forget that bloody lesson:
In this cruel world, the most dangerous often isn’t the obvious enemy, but the betrayal of those around you and the greed within.
"Perhaps... it is time for the young to know the truth."
She uttered to herself:
"At least, prevent the same tragedy from happening again."
Lady Allen placed the Magic Wand into the specially made protective box, then walked towards the Spirit Realm messenger waiting outside the door.
"Tell Master Uther, I have agreed."
She handed the protective box to the messenger:
"But I have one condition. If that young man shows any sign of contamination during the historical retrospection, immediately sever the connection.
I don’t want to see history repeat itself."
"I will convey your words, Lady Allen."
The messenger took the box, the mist starting to gather slowly:
"Master said, this young man is worth trusting."
"I hope so."
Lady Allen said coldly:
"But in the world of wizards, ’trustworthy’ is often the most dangerous illusion."
......
Crystal Tower, North District High-rise Residential Area.
Eliot led Ron and Eve through the beautifully decorated corridor, arriving at Master Valen’s residence.
"Master Valen’s collection is truly breathtaking."
Eliot pointed at a painting on the wall depicting an Abyss exploration:
"This is a documentary record of the ’Bone Expedition’ in the early Third Era, the artist himself is one of the survivors of that expedition.
Being able to present such a terrifying scene in artistic form, this kind of courage has become a lost art."
In that painting, numerous robed wizards were battling various twisted creatures.
But most striking was not the intensity of the battle, but the edges of the painting showing those wizards seemingly ’melting’.
Their bodies seemed to dissolve like candles, yet with eerily satisfied smiles on their faces.