I thought back on it several months after I had left the Country of
Mages.
Six months, to be exact.
About half a year has passed since I met that girl, lost my brooch, and got it back—wow, time sure does fly. Truly.
I had traveled to another country so far away that people would ask,
"Huh? Country of Mages? Where's that?"
The reason I was reminiscing was that I happened to catch sight of her name as I was browsing through a bookstore.
APPRENTICE WITCH ADVANCEMENT EXAM PASS LIST
Printed on a sheaf of really cheap-looking straw paper was the newspaper put out every month by the mysterious organization known as the United Magic Association, which was responsible for conducting the apprentice witch advancement exams, among other things. The results for the exams given all over the world, plus a few words from the passing candidates, were displayed on the front page.
Her name was there.
"Hey, no reading in the store." The shop owner appeared from the back and yanked away the newspapers.
"…Ah—" But I wanted to keep reading.
"You wanna read? You gotta pay."
"How much?"
"One copper."
I paid, then stuck the paper under my arm and went back to my inn, humming all the way. I pulled my chair up to the window and continued reading. In the article, the girl talked about her most difficult days and her hopes for the future.
According to the article, she had moved to the Country of Mages with her little sister several years ago. Her sister—and only her sister—quickly became an apprentice witch and returned to their hometown without her. Then she met a certain traveler who gave
her the courage to fight on her own, as well as one incredibly stylish hat. She attempted the exam many times after the traveler had left, but it proved too difficult. However, she kept trying and never gave up, and eventually, finally, she earned the rank of apprentice witch.
Now she was going to return home, with plans to train hard and become a witch.
I couldn't help but smile.
Her very long story concluded with one sentence: "After I return home and become a full-fledged witch, I'd like to pay a visit to my favorite traveler."
I put the newspaper down on the desk and looked up at the sky.
Somewhere out in the endless expanse of that clear, pale-blue sky, she was there.
"I'll be waiting for you—Saya."