Marvel Magic Case Files

Chapter 642 The Witch's Path (First Update)

This is indeed a penthouse, but it's far more luxurious than a typical penthouse.

The small balcony, not too large, was formed by three slender, delicate marble Ionic columns along its outer edge and an elegant arched vault, the swirling eddies giving it a relaxed and lively, graceful feel. Clearly, the apartment's design had taken the occupant's gender into account; Wanda knew whose idea it was. The sun shone through, and the living room floor was covered in smooth black and white marble tiles, the seams so small you couldn't even insert a piece of paper. A yoga blanket was rolled up and placed aside, ready to be used when the sunlight streamed onto the balcony. This was her third week in the apartment, and she had already bought several cropped gray athletic bodysuits that accentuated her figure. Currently, her favorite thing to do was wake up in the morning light, walk onto the balcony, enjoy the delicious breakfast prepared by her invisible servant, overlook Manhattan, and exercise amidst the morning hustle and bustle. Wanda watched with satisfaction as Salomon busied himself under the warm balcony lights and the brilliant afterglow of the grey-red city skyline.

It didn't take her long to transform from a country girl from Eastern Europe into a New York city woman. She quickly adapted to this new life. Besides Pietro frequently visiting her, Agent Natasha Romanoff was also a regular at the apartment. The Avengers' affairs didn't bother her much. Salomon helped her take over a restaurant and a clothing store in Manhattan as her future source of income. She had always wanted to own a restaurant and a clothing store, and now her dream had come true.

Salomon set up a delicate, small charcoal stove, summoned a miniature fire elemental to ignite the flames, brushed oil onto a frying pan, and used a sharp knife to cut beef, lamb, lobster, onions, carrots, and other ingredients. The sheer curtains of the white French windows fluttered gently in the summer breeze, and a few streaks of deep red sunset light fell on Salomon's hair against the grey horizon. The warm breeze tousled her hair, and Wanda took a deep breath, letting the gentle intoxication of the summer night fill her body. She couldn't help but smile.

This is the life she's always dreamed of; nothing could be more perfect than this.

Such a life is too beautiful to be real.

Salomon had agreed to have dinner with her tonight, and she had already prepared the ingredients before his arrival. The alluring aroma of caramelized fat was mouthwatering; the steaks, fresh from the oven, already had a nice caramelized layer and a crisp crust. "These are Provençal spices," the sorcerer said, flicking his finger, and one of the countless bottles and jars on the kitchen's rotating spice rack jumped to his side. "After enjoying the roasted lobster and roast beef, we can try the lamb chops. It's a delicious dish I learned in France; I'm sure you'll like it. I prefer cooking myself to ordering invisible servants around."

"Rosemary, hyssop, thyme, fennel seeds, sage, tarragon, and maybe a little citrus peel." Wanda opened the spice jar and carefully examined the ingredients. She took a gentle sniff and smelled many herbs she had learned to identify, which greatly lifted her spirits after her recent shopping trip.

"I love this spice, its sweet, woody aroma. Oh, and maybe a touch of basil too!"

“Absolutely right, Wanda, you have a real talent. Many magical herbs are spices themselves; learning to cook is learning herbalism. First, wipe the lamb chops clean, then marinate them with Provençal spices. I'll prepare the black pepper mashed potatoes. After pan-frying the lamb chops for a while, they can be put in the oven. I'll teach you how to make the sauce.” Salomon looked at Wanda, who was leaning back on the minimalist white sofa. He didn't particularly like this overly simple decor; there were no crystal chandeliers, no mistletoe, no brown leather armchairs or dark wallpaper, and in the fireplace disguised with mortar, an electronic screen flickered with orange-red flames.

Only the alchemy table he set up himself could satisfy him, even though it looked no different from a chemistry lab.

"I suspect you graduated from Hufflepuff, Salomon."

"I didn't know you'd read Harry Potter!" the sorcerer laughed. Wanda took over the task of marinating the lamb chops. Compared to the machines in the kitchen with their thick instruction manuals, unclear operating methods, and the kind of equipment only found in Michelin-starred restaurant kitchens, she preferred this simple and direct method of preparing food. Salomon, like a big boy, was fascinated by the new machines. His last attempt at making salmon ice cream wasn't well-received, which saddened the sorcerer for a long time—at least outwardly. Then he experimented with many strange and unusual foods.

"It's a pity our world isn't that simple. There are many beings more powerful than the Dark Lord, and those are the enemies we will face. But that doesn't stop us from enjoying the present. Oh, aren't you going to look at your cabbage roll? I feel like it's going to burn."

Wanda opened the pot lid in frustration, and the white steam rushed straight to her face, as if she were in a sauna.

While the charcoal fire burned, the thick tomato sauce in the pot nearly dried up, leaving a faint, pungent smell of burning. She carefully slipped the tongs in and flipped the cabbage roll over. "One roll is burnt. I wrapped it too thin, but the filling should be cooked. I can smell the onions." She was as annoyed as a cat realizing its tail had misbehaved. This was her carefully prepared hometown dish, and now it seemed she hadn't done a good job. "Perhaps I can solve this with magic."

"It's no big deal. Don't try to solve everything with magic, Wanda. That's not something a spellcaster should do."

"You don't understand," Wanda said dejectedly.

"I don't understand, but that doesn't stop us from eating those poor cabbage rolls. I'm sure they taste pretty good." The sorcerer clapped his hands. "Let's enjoy our dinner tonight; we still need to explore the Witch's Path!"

The Witch's Path is a very special dimension, a branch leading to great magic. Like all outer dimensions in the astral plane, it is a place that cannot be accurately described in words. Time has no meaning in the Witch's Path; those of the past and those of the future meet under the pull of fate. Wanda Maximoff has now acquired knowledge of this, knowledge far more profound and dangerous than what she learned in the castle—to explore her origins, to deconstruct herself at the soul level, and to tap into her own power without external help. Salomon and Wanda are both created beings; their souls share certain similarities. Deconstructing Wanda is also deconstructing Salomon himself.

A skilled spellcaster will settle their debts promptly, and Wanda will inevitably do the same in the future. Before that, she needs to understand the nature of her own magic and, like a sorcerer, comprehend all the outer dimensions. This is a secret learning process; no one except the two of them and the Venerable One knows the dangerous things they are doing.

This is because it could very well touch upon the very essence of their respective magic. Wanda is in contact with Sithon, while Salomon is in contact with an ancient god from beyond this universe, the creator of Gnosticism, the origin of all pantheons, more powerful than Asgard or Vishanti. Those titles alone are enough to terrify a group of spellcasters; contact with them is an incredibly dangerous undertaking.

The silver key, the final guarantee for the path of exploration.

It's better to incur another debt or suffer mental anguish than to lose your life.

Please vote for me!

This chapter is a re-creation based on the Scarlet Witch solo publication.

(End of this chapter)