The rosy nails softly pressed against Leon's hand back, reminding him to keep his focus. The Cat Queen continued teaching, somewhat exasperated:

"Feel the Crystal Ball in your hand. It's a mineral that grows only a few centimeters or even millimeters in diameter each year, requiring at least millions of years to form, and it almost doesn't react with anything. As long as it doesn't shatter, it can last indefinitely.

Such things from a past immeasurably long and a future just as endless, naturally form the best carriers of time's Secret Technique... I know what you want to say, stones are the same, but they're not transparent like crystals, so they can't be used as your eyes. Don't drift off! Focus!"

Imitating the manner her mother had once taught her, and blocking Leon's questions before he could speak, the Cat Queen, holding Leon's hand back, spoke softly in a slightly drifting tone:

"Very good, you're slowly understanding this crystal, and have felt the unique rhythm of time within its existence. Now, adjust your rhythm so that your being aligns with the crystal... Align with the crystal, not with me!"

She nudged her head forward, repelling Leon who subconsciously leaned towards her, and ended up aligning their foreheads. In a soft, distant tone, she guided:

"Once your rhythm and the crystal's rhythm unite completely, you'll find that time isn't entirely untouchable. Though you belong to the present, you have possessed the past and will inevitably exist in the future.

Good, learn to detach yourself from the present, let your consciousness advance towards the future along the crystal's rhythm, but a step faster than its rhythm... Yes, just like that!"

Under her earnest guidance, Leon's body appeared slightly with a "shadow", and his consciousness advanced half a second into the future, making the Cat Queen's eyes flash with surprise.

He actually learned it...

When he had told her before, wanting to learn Witchcraft Secret Techniques, she felt he was daydreaming. Someone with neither time talent nor royal blood couldn't possibly learn the witch line's Secret Technique, not even that freckled Prince had a bigger chance of learning it than Leon.

But unexpectedly, he picked it up so quickly, in just over two days he successfully learned the basics. This learning speed and adaptability feel no worse than her own past!

"Hmm..."

Sustaining the detached state from the "now" for a while, and increasing the "time difference" from half a second to a full second, Leon's consciousness slightly scrambled. The hazy light around him then re-integrated with his current body, breaking free from the witch Secret Technique state.

He shook his head subconsciously, withdrawing from the strange feeling of progressing simultaneously along two different timelines, and looking at the smiling Cat Queen before him, Leon, somewhat dazed, said:

"Does this mean... I've learned it?"

"Yes, you've officially begun."

Looking at the exceptionally talented Leon before her, the Cat Queen smiled brightly and said approvingly:

"Your talent isn't much worse than mine; it feels like it won't take long before you truly master the witch Secret Technique."

Mastering... Only mastering it isn't enough!

Raising his hand to open the badge panel, glancing at the requirements for advancing the [Half-Witch Blood] to Gold level, Leon couldn't help but ask:

"If I want to master the witch Secret Technique to 'proficiency', or even reach the general 'Great Witch' level, approximately how long would it take?"

"That would take a very long time."

The Cat Queen thought for a moment, then replied:

"From initial learning to skilled handling, it is still considered an apprenticeship in Secret Techniques. Once you can freely apply and initially understand the essence of the mystical powers within, that's the level of 'Witch'.

And 'Great Witch' is my level before receiving the royal heart, requiring not only a thorough understanding of the essence of royal Secret Techniques but also the ability to modify the techniques to create a unique one suited just for you."

"..."

Learning to the Great Witch level is that difficult? Can my badge ever advance?

After hearing the Cat Queen's explanation, Leon spoke with a slight headache:

"Does it mean I have to study until I'm over a hundred, like you?"

"Bah! Who's over a hundred?"

Facing Leon's question, the Cat Queen couldn't help but get angry, her eyebrows shooting up:

"Who told you I was over a hundred? I'm only twenty-seven this year! I'm not that old; I'm basically as young as you!"

"I'm seventeen."

"..."

"..."

"Well... there's not much difference..."

Facing the youthful man in front of her, brimming with energy, the Cat Queen couldn't help but turn away, speaking somewhat insecurely:

"Though now there's over half difference, but when we're both over a hundred, there'll only be a tenth of difference, so it's not too much... "

"Alright, if you say it's not much, it's not much."

When seeking help, Leon was generally agreeable, directly accepting the Cat Queen's "not much" theory, then somewhat curiously inquired:

"Catherine, can I ask a slightly presumptuous question?"

"It is indeed a bit presumptuous, but you've already asked me in several different futures..."

With a hint of helplessness, the Cat Queen nodded and explained:

"I'm the child my mother bore at thirty, but to ensure the royal heart's legacy, my time has been frozen since birth. It started officially moving only after she turned one hundred and twenty-three..."

I see...

After hearing the Cat Queen's explanation, his curiosity satisfied, Leon nodded knowingly, then hesitantly said:

"Could you..."

"What do you want to do?!"

Seemingly seeing something in the future, the Cat Queen leaned back sharply, then crossed her arms protectively over her chest, shaking her head in horror.

"No! I won't say anything about being conquered by you! Pervert! Irredeemable dead pervert! You really have that kind of thought about me!"

"..."

Honestly, it's not that I have thoughts about you, but the badge's advancement is in such a bind...

Glancing at the [Half-Witch Blood] advancement route, Leon blinked helplessly, then tried to explain his motivations.

To advance the [Half-Witch Blood] to Gold level, one must either master all eighteen royal Secret Techniques to the 'Great Witch' level, or completely conquer the last Witch King's bloodline.

Currently, he has dealt with the other seventeen great societies, only missing the witch Secret Technique to complete the advancement. Plus, with the upcoming "disaster" of the Realm of the Dead, having an extra hidden golden badge might change the situation completely, so there's really no reason not to try the badge advancement.

After psyching himself up and finding reason to pursue the badge advancement, under the Cat Queen's fearful gaze, Leon directly sprang up.

"Then I'm afraid I have no choice!"