[Illusion Barrier]
"What…"
Mike's eyes went wide.
Christina specifically installed it to function like a locked gate. Preventing intruders and the uninvited to trespass her private property.
The barrier would melt if one traced the right words in the right place. It wouldn't melt thoroughly but it was enough to cover the ends of the whole road.
It also had a [Quick Transfer] that people who didn't know the path wouldn't find out about.
They would feel a sense of deja vu but would brush it off when they reached their desired location.
But what made Mike's jaw dropped to the ground wasn't some fancy or original magic. He had to squint his eyes several times while looking back and forth to the owner.
"Ha… haha…"
The man who didn't even flinch at Christina's change stifled a quiet laugh in amazement.
Master, how much more amazing can you be, ah?
The trickiest trap with the barrier wasn't the magic itself but rather the path after the magic.
Landscape Illusions.
It was created by ancient gardeners to create symmetrical patterns that were a trend back then. But since the previous ruler had no sense of direction whatsoever, they created asymmetrical patterns, so at least some patterns could be memorized...
Patterns that would be easy to find and identify.
But it was reported that one could only pull off such a feat on a small scale.
Yet…
"What is this..."
Christina formed patterns almost mirroring the path that they just passed by a while ago. Not too far inside, Mike saw an almost identical tree to the Tree of Offering.
When they entered the premises, Mike felt a thin layer of low tier light magic mimicking the illusion barrier. Speechless, he couldn't stop his mouth from gaping wide again and again.
One would really need to think twice if they were in the same place or have already entered inside the house's premises.
"I won't get used to this no matter what."
Christina briefly looked at Mike and ignored him. Mike felt helpless. After all, he needed to come to drop by whenever he could, since he was her disciple and she was also the Guild Master.
Seeing the roof from afar, Mike sensed that the structure was unfamiliar. u
He had lived in the same place before to be trained but he didn't recognize the same house.
At the back of his mind, Mike thought that Christina got another disciple with enormous wealth to reconstruct the place.
Mike thought that the surprise was already done but he had been wrong, very wrong.
When they arrived in front of the house, Mike went listless.
"Is this the same house…"
Christina didn't look back at Mike when she answered.
"Yes."
Rubbing his eyes several times, Mike asked.
"Am I dreaming, or this place just got WAY bigger than before?"
The original small plot of land with humble farmstead was no more. The size got larger creating gardens surrounding the house—no, a mansion.
The center of attraction, the mansion, was made of mixed wood and rock but mostly wood.
Christina opened the forest inspired double doors with gorgeous patterns.
When Mike entered, he felt as if his eyeballs would pop out at any second.
As he remembered, the place was like a house of a researcher with nothing but books to think about. But now, it changed into a mansion that was intricately designed with a native modern design.
A mix of sturdy rocks and the elven's peaceful natural culture.
Calmly coexisting with each other despite the contrast of their situations in reality.
Furthermore, the owner herself matched perfectly with the mansion in her silver hair and green eyes.
Basically, everything is one with nature.
Mike weighed that this luxury was more than a dragon's lair.
"You really embodied the word witch."
Christina carefully carried the baby from the carriage and glared at Mike.
"I'm not a real witch, can't you understand that?"
"But—"
Even if Christina made herself clear, Mike could only come up with the same conclusion. In a nutshell: a witch, she's a real living witch.
"Now I can see why Eric is better than you."
Mike suddenly had the urge to cough out blood.
You really strike where it hurts the most.
Eric Nollan, another disciple of Christina and the long-time rival of Mike.
Since childhood, qualified successors of the guilds were taught under the guidance of the Witch of the Forest. They turned out well taught and successful throughout their lives.
Nobody around the town knew of this apart from the old families of the town. They won't even share a single piece of information if not worthy. They themselves would secretly test the outsiders rewarding them with the equivalent price.
Pouting, Mike began to retaliate.
"Why didn't you take Eric out if he's much better?"
Christina scoffed at Mike's attitude.
"Aren't you having fun with your wife while Eric was working his ass off for my loot?"
Mike felt like he got attacked again.
He did not know that Eric had been tortured early on by their master.
As an apology, Mike dedicated a moment to pray for the poor cunning nerd's soul.
Comforted by the thought, Mike energetically sorted out the items and put them into place. He went to and fro, back and forth, that drained him into slumping dead through the sofa after.
Mike caught a whiff of herbal scent coming towards him.
Christina put a warm herbal tea and a bit of snack in front of the dead tired body of Mike.
He went and helped himself at the treat.
"What the—Isn't this Magic Tea?!"
Magic Tea was a rare kind of tea that sustained mana even at boiling point. It could replenish one's vigor, health and even cure some cuts and diseases at the speed of light. It was a rare treasure that even the palace only offered to their guests if deemed important.
"Don't fret on too much. I made a lot."
Mike took his time to process what he just heard.
"YOU MADE THIS?!"
"Cut it out, for God's sake!"
"B-b-but! This is an important matter. How could you not react like me?!"
Haaa…
Christina let Mike have the time of his own. After all, it was a normal reaction for original residents in this world.
Mike saw through her that she won't open her mouth and give him the answer. Therefore, he decided to shut his mouth and enjoy the treat.
"Right, how did this place get bigger than before?"
"Expansion."
With Christina's short answer, his face was full of despair. Mike expected to get a disappointing answer but didn't think that it was this bad.
I should've known.
While looking around, Mike's eyes stopped to peek in the direction of the sleeping baby inside the crib. She looked peaceful and serene as if she came back to her rightful place.
"What are you going to do now? That baby I mean."
Straightening her thoughts, Christina nonchalantly replied.
"Raise her."
Frustration took over Mike's head.
"I'm asking, what if her parents went to get her? What would you do by then? Won't you be in pain like befo—"
The murderous glint that Mike received spoke for her stead.
Christina didn't want any more nagging of what she had to do. She knew what happened before won't happen too early in the game. And…
That baby isn't someone to be trifled with. She's destined to become a protagonist one way or another.
Suffocated by the atmosphere, Mike decided to leave.
As an indirect apology, Christina stood up and pulled out several crates of potions, flaunting them in front of Mike. He wondered why but prioritized the examination of the potions.
Christina casually handed over some high-quality potions with several kinds and uses.
"Don't die."
With all seriousness, Mike nodded. He filled his carriage with the crates and went back.
Christina walked towards the baby's crib.
It was positioned near the fireplace, so she won't get cold. But Christina had complicated thoughts. She wasn't sure if what she did was the right thing to do.
Christina repeatedly cursed both of the Gods that she met.
A child couldn't be left alone in a place where neither her mother nor a nanny was present. Ultimately, she decided to use [Teleport] and moved the crib near her bed.
She watched the child peacefully sleeping and slightly smiled. A light shone from the window, it's a full moon.
How nostalgic.