Siduri.
The Iranian girl regarded the next test question with mild interest. Semiramis had indeed put effort into making the questions both challenging and solvable. Knowing her mentor well, Siduri understood just how difficult this could be for someone of such stature.
Inanna of ancient Sumer was respected by this young woman who wasn't even twenty-five. Compared to her mentor's nearly six millennia, Siduri's age was… well, less than a grain of sand in the Sahara — more like one of the endless digits in Pi.
But this youth was also the source of her challenges. Her mentor tended to measure everything by her own standards, and so Siduri constantly had to push beyond her own limits. Yes, it was undeniably beneficial… but also deeply exhausting.
Fortunately, Lady Inanna understood this and tried to make adjustments… though admittedly, her efforts fell short. Inanna had confessed as much herself, explaining that she hadn't wanted to take on an apprentice at first and had only agreed after much persuasion. So it was evident that her praise when introducing Siduri earlier had been somewhat exaggerated.
Out of this understanding, Lady Inanna preferred to live far from society, surrounded by servants whose only purpose was to fulfill their duties flawlessly. Entire dynasties had served her lady, perfecting their skills over centuries to such a degree that, had their fields been politics, economics, or even religion, they could have created a paradise on Earth.
Unfortunately, Inanna had long ceased to care about humanity.
That's why Siduri wanted to do as much as possible for people before she ended up like Inanna — or like the other great witches who, based on her observations, shared her lady's indifference.
Idealism?
Siduri didn't consider herself an idealist. She simply wanted to help. There were plenty of selfish people in the world, so why not be an altruist, at least for a change? Especially when she had all the means to do so.
The question involving the proper distribution of ingredients for a particularly rare potion, seldom found outside southern Africa, was solved without much trouble. Siduri allowed herself a moment to observe the others' progress.
Although she couldn't view all the sheets and faces from her front-row seat, she knew where to look for hints. This wasn't a school lesson with restrictions on turning around or even getting up, although no one had dared to do the latter. The great witches were seated some distance away, conversing rather quietly, at least by their standards.
The only one watching them closely was Lady Semiramis, who gave a slight smirk when her gaze met Siduri's.
Semiramis likely understood all of Siduri's motives and intentions at a glance. Pulling her eyes away from the golden gaze of her quasi-countrywoman, the young woman immediately locked eyes with a young man who was doing the same.
Not that she'd interacted much with the others, but this one intrigued her more than most. By fate's design, she was the oldest of her… colleagues in the apprenticeships to the great witches, so their conversations often struck her as a bit childish. As for the German, he seemed, like her, to engage with the younger ones just to keep up appearances.
That was what she would expect from the chosen apprentice of one of the most reasonable great witches, Lady Medea, who likely wasn't particularly supportive of this blatantly… juvenile event.
With a silent movement of his lips, the blond told her he had questions on Chinese topics.
…So she hadn't been wrong. Lady Semiramis had indeed decided to tailor questions to the apprentices' countries and then mix them up. At least, that theory seemed plausible, based on what she'd seen from her closest neighbors.
Siduri, who had never tried this before, made the effort to reply without whispering, just moving her lips to say she had questions on southern European topics.
Satisfied, the German with the long name closed his eyes briefly, then returned to his test. Siduri decided to follow his example, as she had already accomplished what she'd set out to do by pausing.
The test ended within five minutes, her talent in mathematics allowing her to measure time precisely. Incidentally, they had never been informed of how long the test would take, so the sudden end came as a surprise for some.
But before anyone could voice their displeasure, Lady Semiramis gave everyone a… predatory smile that silenced any complaints. All the sheets floated into the air, gathering in a neat stack and hovering in front of the great witch.
She scanned through them with impressive speed and, after nodding, snapped her fingers, incinerating them instantly.
"Alright, alright… We'll wait until those slackers finish up their tasks, and then I'll announce the results. In the meantime, get ready for the duels. You may use any spells except for Avada or similar ones; we won't let you kill each other, unfortunately," she sighed with a hint of mock sadness, which made Siduri's shoulders twitch slightly. However much she respected these experienced sorceresses, she had no desire to die for such a ridiculous reason.
The younger Gathering members set up the second part of the tournament's second stage quickly and began to return. Unfortunately, Transgression — what they called Apparition in Europe — didn't work here. So they had to rely on speed charms and flight spells from the Dark Magic branch, which transformed one into a shadowy form, immune to gravity.
The primary danger lay in the potential to lose oneself, as one's physical body would temporarily cease to exist. A classic twist of Dark Magic: greater power, but also greater peril. Although Siduri tried to think well of those she planned to altruistically help in the future, she acknowledged that not everyone could reasonably assess risks, so she didn't consider the magical community's restrictions on Dark Magic harmful — quite the opposite; they were necessary. Though she had to admit, the quality of their enforcement made her want to facepalm and curse rather ungraciously.
And perhaps test a few of Lady Inanna's spells on them.
"Finished?" Semiramis's rhetorical tone left no room for doubt. "Good. While you were gone, we conducted a boring test and are now ready to announce the results. So, eighth place… really, Wu, does your boy know anything at all about European magic?" She fixed her gaze on the Chinese woman.
"Europe has nothing to offer that China hasn't already perfected," the great witch responded categorically, glancing at her apprentice with what seemed like pride.
"A patriot to the core, as Yaga says… even after a thousand years. Got it, moving on. Seventh place… Sergio," Semiramis called without even glancing at the boy, instead focusing her gaze on someone sitting farther back. "Ix Chel, seriously? You too, ignoring modern practices? There's so much new and fascinating stuff."
"Your 'new' clouds the mind. It strays from my people's true teachings. Though they may have fallen, I guard their legacy and will not let it be diluted. Enough debate, headmistress; you understand well enough." The ancient American witch closed her eyes, making it clear that the discussion was over.
"Blah-blah, stubborn old conservative. Moving on. Cleo… well, at least with your girl, it's understandable." Semiramis nodded knowingly, hinting at her acquaintance's less-than-wholesome inclinations.
"If you understand, you could have held your tongue," the Egyptian witch scoffed lightly, clearly unbothered by the comment. Her apprentice also maintained a relaxed expression, perhaps genuinely unbothered, though Siduri couldn't vouch for her conclusions here.
All the other apprentices, including Siduri herself, remained silent throughout. There was no reason to get involved in a conversation between their mentor and another great witch.
"Jingū. Still training your apprentices to rule over ordinary people?" Semiramis's dark gaze shifted to another woman just as dark-haired. "You know the Russians are nearby."
"Yes, I am," the honored Jingū replied with clear disdain. "Unlike some, I haven't forgotten that I once ruled my homeland. I understand politics. But I don't expect understanding from someone who handed her lands to some invaders."
"Well, I don't expect it from someone who spends so much time worrying about non-magicals. Alright… Ma, Yaga. Given how you teach, I'm surprised you even reached fourth place."
"I didn't hear any complaints," the old witch snorted, unconcerned that her apprentice hadn't made the top three.
"Try complaining to her," Semiramis gave the Russian boy a sympathetic look before continuing a bit louder. "And now, the top three, ladies! Two of them are boys, incidentally. In third place… Izzat! Solomon knew quite a bit about Japanese magic, after all."
"And this from a former Nineveh woman," scoffed the honorable Makeda of Sheba.
"At least I was married, not swept off my feet like a lovesick fool," the head of the Gathering reminded her, leaning into this historical fact. "But we'll save that for later… Medea, well done on training your boy."
"He's not my boy," the hooded great witch replied irritably.
As for the boy standing next to Siduri… his reaction was, essentially, nonexistent. The courtesy he embodied so seamlessly remained fixed in his posture and expression, and they didn't exchange glances.
"Yes, yes, as if we believe that… And now, the day's big shock, which I think even our winners didn't expect." The long-eared witch smiled broadly, glancing from a stunned Siduri to her equally surprised mentor, Lady Inanna.
Siduri knew she was older than the others, but to be smarter? She figured she'd simply been lucky. After all, the competition hadn't been entirely fair, if she were honest. Some apprentices simply hadn't reached certain topics in their studies with their mentors, while she had.
"No claiming you won just because you share the same land…" Semiramis muttered thoughtfully, her gaze difficult to read with her eyes hidden.
"If I had even considered helping anyone for some insane reason, I'd have done it in a way you wouldn't notice until the tournament's end. Or I'd have exposed myself at the preparation stage," Semiramis sniffed with a smirk. "As if I hadn't seen you all constantly scanning your apprentices."
"Yes, yes, we're convinced of your integrity," Cleopatra waved dismissively. "Now enough self-congratulation; everyone's eager for the battles."
"Lucky for you if your girl's up against a boy," Yaga cackled loudly.
"Oh, lucky for your apprentice if he faces mine. He might at least see a beautiful girl," Cleopatra shot back.
"You flaunt your… assets so much that anyone who's wanted to see has already had their fill," chuckled the pseudo-old witch.
"At least I have something worth flaunting, so…" Cleopatra shrugged.
"Too much sweetness can be bad for you, and you get tired of it," Yaga said cryptically, though Siduri found it difficult to make sense of her words.
"Sour and dried up, thou—"
"Enough!" Semiramis lost her patience. "Get the hell out of the Tower if you want to argue at a time like this!"
"Mission accomplished. She's riled up."
"High five, old gal."
"Catch it, young'un."
Siduri was… well, surprised to say the least. The great witches had acted so convincingly they'd managed to fool not only her but also the far more experienced Lady Semiramis.
"Phew… I got a bit too relaxed there," Semiramis muttered under her breath. "Alright, onto the tournament." With a snap, she conjured a wooden box with a wide rectangular slot at the top. "Inside are slips numbered from one to eight. Got it, or do I need to explain?"
The apprentices of the great witches all shook their heads in unison. It was clear enough: they'd be drawing numbers to determine who would face whom. Siduri mentally chose the Egyptian and the Japanese apprentices as her preferred opponents, as they seemed the least like warriors. Even Makeda's apprentice was more intimidating.
They decided to draw in order of placement. Reaching into the box, Siduri pulled out the first slip she touched.
"Number eight," Semiramis announced. "Ironic, though. Blondie…"