Wizard: My skills can be upgraded indefinitely.

Chapter 548 A Wish Fulfilled

After the teleportation array's light faded, Malena stood at the foot of Mount Luna, took a deep breath, and calmed her tense emotions.

The mountain wind was strong, causing her red robe to flutter continuously, like a flame blooming in the wind.

She looked up at the small courtyard on the mountaintop, her heart beating faster than usual.

Before coming, she stood in front of the teleportation array for a long time, and Alyvia's words were still echoing in her ears.

"Some things you have to fight for yourself; you won't get results if you just keep waiting."

She straightened her cuffs, made sure her appearance was not disheveled, and then took a step.

The mountain path was flat and winding, and she walked slowly. As she approached the summit, memories of her time with Ian came flooding back.

Inside the Starleaf Potion Shop, I first met Ian. At that time, he was still wearing a worn gray robe, his eyes were calm, and he said that he could only make the most basic [Clarity Potion].

She recalled her surprise and admiration when he took out the bloodline potion he had concocted.

She knew then that Ian liked her, but the two maintained a subtle distance and did not reveal their relationship.

However, things changed, and Ian left Shadowmoon Tower for a long time.

Before leaving, he handed her the alchemical sapling and five fruits. She simply nodded and said nothing.

Years have passed, and the sapling has grown quite a bit taller, bearing more fruit. Every time she chats with Lucy and the others, she thinks of that familiar figure.

They met again after he was promoted to Morning Star Wizard.

The next day, seeing the mischievous Gaga sniffing around the room, she blushed and fled as if she had done something wrong.

He left again later, and stayed away for several years. He never used the pass he gave himself.

Now, he has become a True Spirit Wizard, an existence revered by the entire wizarding civilization, while she is merely a lowly Level 3 Wizard.

What would outsiders say if I took the initiative to meet a level seven True Spirit?

She no longer cared; she just wanted to confirm one thing.

A mountain breeze swept by, and even the longest mountain road eventually came to an end. Before she knew it, Malena was already standing outside the courtyard gate.

A creaking sound came from the courtyard, indicating someone was talking to a young woman.

As Ian looked towards the door, Gaga also sensed the presence at the entrance. Turning her head, she saw that familiar red color, and her little eyes immediately lit up.

"Marlena! What brings you here!" It nuzzled her hand with its little head. "Why didn't you tell me beforehand! I could have gone to the mountain..."

Next up!

Marlena gently stroked its head: "I missed you, so I came to see you."

"Okay, don't rush back this time, stay a few more days."

The courtyard gradually quieted down, and Kerrigan sat on the stone bench, her golden eyes looking towards the entrance.

At a glance, she understood that this woman in red was different from everyone else in the courtyard.

It wasn't the difference in strength, but the way she looked at Ian—a look she was very familiar with.

Kerrigan put down her teacup, stood up, and said, "I'm going to the fortress to check on the Zerg's rest and regrouping."

After saying that, his figure disappeared from the spot.

Azshara and Serafina exchanged a glance and smiled almost imperceptibly.

She had heard of Malena before, and knew that the woman had been around Ian when he was still an apprentice.

Azshara stood up as well: "The Silvermoon Council has some matters to attend to, so we'll take our leave." Serafina followed closely behind.

Gaga looked up at Malena, then at Ian, her little head turning quickly.

"I'm going to help Emma grill fish! She can't manage all by herself!" With that, she flapped her wings and flew away, disappearing in an instant.

After they left, only Ian and Malena remained in the yard, and the atmosphere gradually became enchanting, with the branches and leaves swaying gently in the wind.

Rodney remained standing guard outside the gate like a statue. When he saw Azshara come out, he was slightly taken aback.

Azshara nodded to him, "Lord Marcus is receiving guests." Rodney immediately understood and bowed, stepping back to a more distant position.

The courtyard fell completely quiet as the setting sun shone through the clouds, bathing it in a warm orange-yellow hue.

Malena stood in the courtyard, while Ian stood a few steps away from the stone table.

"Go ahead and make yourself a cup of your favorite honey flower tea."

"Hmm, it's rare that you still remember this one of my hobbies."

Marlena didn't sit down, but walked to the big, creaky tree and gently stroked its rough bark.

"Your yard is much simpler than I imagined."

"As long as you're comfortable living here, there's no need to make it so fancy."

Malena turned around, leaning against the tree, facing Ian.

The setting sun shone from behind her, gilding her red robe. Her face was backlit, making her expression indistinct, and her voice was faint, "Ian—"

"I am here."

"Are you still the same Ian you used to be?"

Ian paused for a moment, looking into Malena's eyes.

Marlena didn't look away. She walked up to Ian, looked up, and said, "I wanted to know the answer last time."

"Back at Star Leaf Potions Shop, all you did was bury yourself in making potions all day long, completely oblivious to human relationships."

Lost in memories, she sat back down at the stone table, picked up a cup of honey flower tea, just like she had done in the courtyard years ago.

"Later, you progressed too quickly. Level three, four, five, six—levels that others find difficult to cross, were as easy for you as eating and drinking."

"Now that I've returned, I'm a true spirit wizard. If I don't speak now, I may never be able to speak again."

Marlena paused, looking directly into Ian's eyes: "You know very well what my strength is. I'm just a level three potion master. Even if I spend my whole life, I'll never see your back."

"Perhaps others will say I'm clinging to the spirit, or laugh at my overestimation of myself, but I don't care."

Her voice was not loud, but clear and firm.

"Ian, I like you. I don't care if you're a true spirit wizard or a candidate for the Witch King."

"I want to know, are you still the same Ian you used to be?"

After Marlena finished speaking, she stopped talking and looked at Ian with a nervous expression.

She had considered that Ian might refuse, but she wasn't afraid. She had said what needed to be said, and at least she wouldn't regret it.

Ian gazed at her, looking at her cheeks flushed red by the sunset, and at her bright, unwavering eyes. Many images flashed before his eyes, and a sense of guilt welled up in his heart.

She is the only woman in the world to whom I have never paid much attention before.

She had waited too long.

He waited from his apprenticeship until now, from the Star Leaf Potion Shop to the summit of Moon God Peak, until he achieved true spirit status.

Over the years, she never took the initiative to contact him, but kept all her expectations hidden in her heart.

A soft spot in Ian's heart was gently touched.

When he was at his lowest point, Malena had given him a lot of help, and now that he thinks back, it wasn't because he was the potion maker in the shop that she lent him a hand.

"I know," Ian said softly. "I've known all these years."

Marlena's breath hitched slightly.

"Many people have helped me along my journey of growth. Some have given me important knowledge and accompanied me on adventures in other worlds—but there is only one person who stood by my side when I had nothing."

"Only you."

Malena's tears finally fell.

She never liked to cry, but this moment had been a long time coming.

She had waited from Ian's apprenticeship to this day, from Starleaf Potion Shop to the summit of Luna Peak, thinking she would never see this day again.

Ian gently embraced her without saying anything more. In the past, they had already expressed their feelings for each other.

As the sun sets into the sea of ​​clouds, atop Moon God Peak, two figures embrace quietly in the afterglow, the hems of their red and gray robes overlapping in the wind, bathed in warm light.

Marlena leaned against Ian's chest, listening to his steady and powerful heartbeat, wishing that time could stand still at this moment.

Ian lowered his head, his chin gently touching the top of her head, and lightly stroked it.

Suddenly, the shadow beside Ian stirred slightly, and Gaga emerged from the shadows, blinking its eyes and tilting its little head.

crooked.

Malena was startled and instinctively tried to back away, but Ian did not let go.

Gaga cleared her throat and said in a serious tone, "Um—the grilled fish is almost burnt, and Emma asked me to ask if you guys are having dinner?"

Malena blushed instantly and broke free from Ian's embrace.

Ian rolled his eyes at Gaga: "Is that even a question? I think you're getting dumber and dumber."

"I meant well, and you're not even grateful!" Gaga flapped its wings guiltily, hopped back two steps, and tilted its head to look at the two of them, its eyes full of excitement.

"Marlena, from now on we're really family!"

Malena was taken aback, then burst out laughing. "You little devil! You used to freeload off me, weren't you family then?"

"Uh! I knew it all along, you definitely would be one," Gaga argued earnestly.

Ian looked up at the setting sun, a faint but genuine smile curving his lips.

"Let's go eat."

With a cheerful squawk, it flew onto Ian's shoulder, then jumped onto Malena's shoulder, nuzzling her left and right before finally settling down.

Marlena proudly announced, "Gaga knows best whether or not someone can be our family! I knew it the moment you left at Shadowmoon Tower!"

Malena's face flushed red instantly, and she scooped it off her head, yelling, "You silly bird—"

"I'm not a silly bird! I'm the smartest raven!"

"Ian, how did you train it?" Malena's eyes flashed as she glared at Ian, who was watching the commotion from the sidelines.

"I was very busy recently and didn't have it with me. From now on, please help me discipline and guide it properly."

"No, I am free," Gaga retorted, still arguing vehemently.

As night deepened, the Silver Moon Highlands were bathed in starlight, and the warm lights remained in the courtyard of Moon God Peak.

In the distance, Kerrigan opened her eyes, a complex emotion flashing across her golden pupils, before gently closing them again.

On the top of the World Tree, Azshara gazed at that single light, remaining silent for a long, long time before quietly turning and leaving.

The night wind blew by, carrying away a faint sigh.

the next day.

At the foot of Mount Luna, in Edelweiss's study.

She was working on the Chamber of Commerce's financial statements, the parchment covering the table, her handwriting neat and precise.

The sun was shining brightly outside the window, but she felt that something was different today.

I felt inexplicably restless; I read two pages but couldn't absorb a single word.

She put down her quill and rubbed her temples. Just then, there was a gentle knock on the door.

"Come in."

Delia, the personal maid, walked in, hesitated, and looked somewhat strange.

"What's wrong? Speak your mind." Adele was already in a bad mood, and seeing Delia's expression, a sense of unease washed over her again.

"Miss, I was outside just now and I saw that the entire Moon Elf clan seemed to be preparing for some happy occasion, which seemed to be related to you, sir."

Edel looked up. "Good news! Is the Master going to hold a Grand Ceremony of True Spirits?"

Delia hesitated for a moment, then shook her head. "Yesterday, Lady Malena of the Shadowmoon Tower, dressed in red, went up Mount Luna."

"I specifically inquired with the wizard at the teleportation array, and Lady Malena—has not descended the mountain."

Adele's hand froze in mid-air, her face gradually turning pale.

The study fell into a deathly silence.

Delia looked at Adele, whose eyes were glazed over, and felt a pang of heartache. She called out softly, "Miss."

"I understand. You can go now. If there's anything the Chamber of Commerce needs to do in terms of cooperation, please help coordinate it."

Adele responded in a hoarse, wooden voice.

Delia hesitated, then silently retreated under Edel's gaze.

After Delia left, Edel slumped into her chair and didn't move.

The sunlight outside the window fell on the parchment and slanted across her face.

After a long while, she took a deep breath and lowered her head to continue organizing the Chamber of Commerce's reports, but she couldn't turn to the next page even after looking at them for a long time.

Two tears fell silently onto the parchment, blurring a small patch of ink.

She raised her hand, touched her face, and murmured, "Why wasn't it me—"

She recalled the first time she met Ian, that unremarkable second-level wizard who always had a strange attraction, with a peculiar raven perched on his shoulder.

Since meeting Ian, her darkest life has been completely changed.

Ian continuously displayed his extraordinary talent for potions, helping her turn the tide time and again, and ultimately helping her seize the position of clan leader.

Ian's place in her heart is becoming more and more important.

Adele once believed that she and Ian were the perfect match.

One is the youngest and most promising clan leader, and the other is a brilliant and talented potion master.

Unfortunately, Ian's cultivation speed was too fast, exceeding everyone's expectations, and things gradually took an unpredictable turn.

Although the family has been revitalized under her leadership, and even the top powers on the continent have to treat the Just family with respect, she is not satisfied.

She was unwilling to accept this, and then, when she was at her most desperate, fate brought her to meet such an outstanding man.

Unfortunately, that thought that had never died out in my heart was completely extinguished just now.

She thought that if she worked diligently to help him run the business, there would be a day, or at least one, opportunity.

Now she knows that all of this was just wishful thinking on her part.

Adele slowly rolled up the soiled parchment, set it aside, and then picked up the next one to continue reading.

What needs to be done still needs to be done.

At least she's still by Ian's side and can see him often, which is good enough.

Adele kept reminding herself that the gap between her and Ian's social status was widening and that she should not have any improper thoughts.

However, the area of ​​ink spreading on the parchment in his hand was still slowly expanding.