I'm a proper student; I only take nine kinds of potions every day.

"Those witches from ancient times were the truly pure witches; they had a serious and rigorous research attitude!"

"But these witches of today have changed!"

"They actually believed those ridiculous prophecies and pinned their hopes on more than a hundred years from now."

Ivan was taken aback: "What prophecy?"

Professor Byron scoffed, "The prophecy says that in a hundred years or so, witches will become the mainstream."

"People will gradually lose their sense of gender, and at that time, everyone could potentially be a witch!"

"That's utter nonsense!"

"Pfft~"

Upon hearing this, Ivan choked on a mouthful of tea.

Byron frowned slightly, and asked with displeasure, "What's wrong?"

Ivan coughed as he said, "Thank you, I'll ask someone else!"

He then quickly left Byron's office.

Byron, seeing the water droplets splashing on the table, frantically took out a handkerchief and wiped his table over and over again.

He even turned on his eyes, scanning every corner of the table inch by inch, and only breathed a sigh of relief after confirming that there were no water droplets left.

But as soon as he leaned back in his chair, he noticed a few water droplets still clinging to the edge of the table, so he immediately jumped up and wiped them clean.

"Damn it! With such a careless attitude, how could you possibly concoct a perfect potion!?"

Byron was wiping and cursing at the same time.

……

After leaving Byron's place, Evan quickly got into his car and drove home.

On the tram, as he looked out the window at the rapidly receding snowscape, Ivan was somewhat shocked.

"Who spread this prophecy? Was it just a wild guess, or did someone truly foresee the future?!"

Others might take this as a joke, but Ivan knew all too well what would happen to this land a hundred years from now.

Dozens or even hundreds of different perceptions of one's own gender are prevalent, with biologically males identifying as females, gender fluids, and those who don't consider themselves human...

They start inducing children to undergo sex reassignment surgery as early as elementary school, and they even have to build several different types of toilets in a single school.

"Dr. Byron just kept emphasizing that these witches are freaks, and that they even have expectations for what will happen more than a hundred years from now..."

"Holy crap! No way!"

Thinking of this, Evan suddenly felt a sense of despair.

"I'm also thinking of having a deeper conversation with those elegant and beautiful older women..."

"Don't tell me this place is also full of potions and assassins!?"

Thinking of this, the anticipation I had for that hazy and elegant woman at Hill's house instantly vanished.

After returning home, Evan fed the kitten and then headed straight to the dock.

Aiden, who is here now, is his last hope.

If he couldn't get any answers here, he planned to try his luck with Erdin.

Aiden was delighted to see Evan arrive and enthusiastically led him to a private office on the third floor.

The interior was much more presentable than the warehouse downstairs, with emerald green wallpaper, an exquisite walnut wood table, a neat floor, and several portraits of women of different appearances and elegant postures hanging on the walls.

Instead of revealing the truth directly, Ivan asked curiously, "Do you have any rituals here that allow one to meet a witch?"

Hearing this, Aiden was quite pleased: "I'm really happy for you, Mr. Arkham!"

"I never imagined that you would understand the witch's perfection and charm in just a few days!"

Ivan nodded in agreement: "So, is there some kind of ceremony? I'm in a bit of a hurry right now."

Over the past few days, Evan has been inquiring about the so-called Witch's Guild from Richard and Gray.

Richard's side stated that this was a rather naive organization with almost no social harm.

Gray, on the other hand, was filled with envy and jealousy: "Why doesn't that bastard come and steal from our special operations team?"

"Do you know that he hired thieves to steal those bronze incense burners from the church, and then those guys at the church demanded a lot of money in compensation?"

"A copper incense burner that cost about two dollars to make, and those charlatans asked him for ten dollars, and the kid just stupidly handed over the money!"

Gray said with envy, his eyes red: "Those charlatans really got lucky!"

After confirming that neither side had any objections to the witch's association, Evan's side was no longer concerned about continuing their interactions with him.

After all, this guy is really quite generous!

Aiden exclaimed happily, "Of course!"

Then he excitedly said, "It is said that through this ceremony, whoever is chosen can go to a fairytale world."

"There, you can not only meet witches, but also have the privilege of witnessing their growth and selection!"

After a pause, Aiden's voice was filled with deep longing: "Even, to become a witch!"

Aiden then looked at Evan with the eyes of someone who had finally found a kindred spirit, his gaze growing increasingly fervent.

"Friend, you've come to the right person!"

Ivan felt a chill run down his spine, but still asked, "Is there anything I should be careful about?"

Aiden said, "It's said that there are special rules inside, and time flows very quickly."

"You must act according to the role you are playing. You play the role during the day and complete some special trials at night, and you cannot be suspected by others."

"Only those who have undergone baptism are worthy of the witch's approval."

Ivan's eyebrows rose higher and higher as he listened: "Why does this sound so familiar..."

Then it suddenly occurred to him: "Escape from a ladies' school... a murder mystery game!?"

Chapter 194: The Cunning Eldin, Twilight Rose Sanatorium

Aiden became quite excited and happy to see how concerned Evan was about the witch.

Without any hesitation, he then proceeded to explain in detail all the aspects related to the ceremony.

This includes precautions, related offerings, the drawing of magic circles, and so on.

Finally, Aiden said with a serious expression, "Witches like innovative potion makers."

"Therefore, during the ritual, you take a potion that no one else has used before. Being under the influence of this potion will increase your success rate."

"Of course, if you can also offer this potion as a sacrifice while taking the medicine, the success rate will be further increased."

At this point, Aiden sighed, "I've had similar thoughts before, but they're far too dangerous."

"An unknown potion with no known main side effects—taking it is no different from suicide."

Evan quickly recorded the whole process, then immediately stood up and said, "Thank you for your help, Mr. Aiden."

"If I find any information or traces related to witches later, I will let you know."

Aiden nodded happily after hearing this: "Thank you so much! If you have any difficulties, you can tell me anytime!"

"I will support you without hesitation!"

Evan grinned: "Then if my ritual is successful this time, please sponsor me some potion ingredients!"

Aiden immediately patted his chest and said, "Absolutely no problem!"

After saying goodbye to Aiden, Evan thought for a moment, then finally boarded the tram and headed to Lighthouse Hill.

At one o'clock in the afternoon, Ivan, dressed in a sharp black suit, arrived at the outside of a spacious and magnificent aristocratic estate.

Looking around, the vast estate is centered around a fountain, surrounded by exquisite trees and lawns.

Although it has withered now, it still gives people a sense of grandeur and luxury when combined with the pure white snow.

Behind the fountain is a huge U-shaped standalone building, five stories high, with the main structure facing south and backing north, and two slightly protruding wings, each with a pointed tower.

The building is a typical example of Neo-Gothic style, with its dark gray granite walls exuding a sense of stability and weight.

Each tall, slender arched window is inlaid with stained glass, shimmering with iridescent colors in the sunlight.

The entire building exudes an understated yet imposing aura, typical of old-money families.

At this moment, male servants and female servants hurried past on all the main roads of the manor and in the square in front of the buildings.

They were either carrying various plates or various tools.

As Ivan approached the door, a burly young man with a cold expression walked out of the guardhouse.

The young man had a cold expression and an arrogant demeanor, with one hand subtly resting on his waist: "Who are you? Do you have an appointment?"

"If you don't have it, get away immediately!"

Ivan grinned, his bright smile shining in the snow, and said, "Brother, I'm looking for Mr. Garp."

Upon hearing Garp's name, the burly man frowned slightly: "What is your relationship with Mr. Garp?"

Just as the two were talking, another voice came from inside the gatehouse: "Who wants to see Garp?"

At this moment, the burly man turned to the side, his voice softening considerably: "Boss, a student who looks like an innocent idiot."

Then Evan saw a familiar face, the blond security guard who had previously looked down on him and flaunted his car: Jack.

Jack came out and was overjoyed to see the honest-looking Evan. He laughed heartily and gave Evan a hug.

Merry Christmas, dear Arkham!

The two didn't meet often, and Jack had previously held Ivan in considerable contempt.

But after the incident in New Haven, Jack had a very high opinion of and high respect for this student.

After all, he was one of Garp's trusted confidants, and he knew a lot about what happened back then, as well as Ivan's true strength.

Ivan smiled and offered his holiday greetings, then tentatively asked, "Dear Jack, I have some urgent business to attend to, and I was wondering if I could meet with you, Miss?"

"It won't take long, just ten minutes."