Lyra clutched the shimmering envelope to her chest, her heart pounding with excitement. Bursting through the cottage door, she waved the letter triumphantly. "It's here! It's finally here!" she exclaimed, her eyes sparkling like stars.
Her mother Elara, looked up from the pot she was stirring, a knowing smile spreading across her face. She glanced at Lyra's seemingly empty hands and chuckled softly. "Hold onto it tightly," she advised. "The admission notice is infused with the magic of the Contracted Witch. Only an aspiring young witch like you can see it!"
Lyra's jaw dropped in amazement. "Really? I had no idea it had a privacy spell!" She gazed at the envelope, now noticing the faint glow of runes etched along its edges. "That's incredible!"
Elara wiped her hands on her apron and stepped closer. "So, when is your entrance ceremony scheduled for this year?"
"In three days, at eight o'clock in the evening," Lyra replied, her voice a mix of excitement and apprehension.
"Three days?" Elara raised an eyebrow. "That's earlier than usual. The ceremonies typically start between June and August."
"I know," Lyra sighed, glancing around the cozy room filled with the comforting scents of herbs and spices. The thought of leaving Valencia, the place she'd called home for thirteen years, made her chest tighten. "I'm going to miss this place."
Noticing the flicker of sadness in her daughter's eyes, Elara gently touched her shoulder. "Every young witch feels this way when they leave home for the first time," she said softly. "But think of all the adventures awaiting you."
Wanting to lighten the mood, Elara lifted a woven basket from the table, a playful grin spreading across her face. "Guess what I found at the market today? Your favorite, Doodlebird eggs! How about I make some steamed egg custard to celebrate?"
Lyra's eyes lit up like lanterns. "Doodlebird eggs? Really?" She practically danced with joy. "I'll go pick fresh green onions from the backyard!"
The Doodlebird was a peculiar waterfowl native to Valencia. While its meat was tough and unpalatable, its eggs were a rare delicacy cherished by witches across the continent. Most preferred to fry them, but Lyra believed that steaming them into a silky custard was the ultimate way to savor their rich flavor.
She dashed outside, the morning sun casting a golden hue over the lush garden. The air was filled with the sweet fragrance of blooming flowers and the gentle hum of bees. Kneeling beside the herb patch, Lyra carefully selected the freshest green onions, envisioning the dish: a smooth custard drizzled with a spoonful of sesame oil, a splash of soy sauce, and topped with finely chopped green onions; salty, fragrant, and utterly delicious.
The soy sauce was a special ingredient. Her mother had recreated it using her cooking magic and memories from a previous life, a secret recipe that existed nowhere else on the entire Valen continent. It added a depth of flavor that made their dishes incomparable.
Returning to the kitchen, Lyra found Elara expertly cracking the Doodlebird eggs into a bowl, the yolks gleaming like small suns. "You know," Elara remarked, whisking the eggs with practiced ease, "Doodlebirds mostly lay eggs in early spring. It's getting harder to find them this time of year."
"I haven't had Doodlebird egg custard in over a month," Lyra admitted, handing over the green onions. "This is such a treat!"
Elara winked. "Well, it's a special occasion. My little witch is preparing to spread her wings."
They worked side by side, the kitchen filled with the comforting aromas of their culinary magic. Elara wasn't particularly skilled with freezing spells, but when it came to cooking magic, she was unparalleled. The steamed eggs she crafted were even more delectable than those Lyra remembered from her previous life.
As the custard steamed, they set the table, and soon enough, they were savoring the creamy dish. "This is heavenly," Lyra murmured between bites. "I'll miss your cooking so much."
"Don't worry," Elara replied with a twinkle in her eye. "At the Witch Academy, you'll learn all sorts of magic, including cooking spells. You might even surpass me!"
After breakfast, the enchanted dishes cheerfully lined up and hopped into the sink, washing themselves with soapy splashes and jingling tunes. The mother and daughter settled into their favorite rocking chairs on the porch, watching the world awaken around them.
Lyra gazed out at the shimmering lake nearby, where water birds danced across the surface. A thought suddenly crossed her mind. "I wonder if they'll have Doodlebird egg custard at the academy," she mused aloud.
Elara laughed softly. "They might not serve egg custard exactly, but I'm sure there will be plenty of Doodlebird eggs. And like I said, if you learn some cooking magic, you can recreate all the dishes you love."
Lyra turned to her mother, hands on her hips, eyes narrowed playfully. "Mom! Are you reading my mind again?"
Caught, Elara smiled sheepishly. "I'm sorry, dear. My magic has been a bit unpredictable lately. My control isn't what it used to be."
"It's okay," Lyra sighed, rolling her eyes affectionately. "I guess I can't keep any secrets from you."
Elara reached over and squeezed her daughter's hand. "Being a Mind Witch has its perks, but it can be a nuisance at times," she admitted. "I don't mean to intrude."
"I know," Lyra said softly. "Besides, it's kind of comforting. It means you understand me better than anyone else."
Only witches who specialized in mental magic and reached an advanced level earned the title of Mind Witch. Elara's abilities were so potent that even the water birds nearby were drawn to her, often bringing her small tokens, a shiny pebble, a stray feather, as if compelled by her unintentional charm.
Lyra had grown accustomed to her mother's occasional slips into her thoughts. Living together in such close proximity, it was bound to happen. She leaned back in her chair, recalling a distant memory.
"When I was born," she began thoughtfully, "you tried to use magic to understand my baby babble, didn't you?"
Elara chuckled. "Guilty as charged. I was a new mother eager to know what my little one needed."
"Except you discovered I was a reincarnated soul from another world," Lyra finished, her eyes meeting her mother's.
"Yes," Elara replied softly. "It was quite a surprise."
"I was so scared back then," Lyra admitted. "I thought you might reject me or think I was some kind of imposter."
Elara's gaze was tender. "But instead, I thought, 'A reincarnated little witch is much easier to take care of than one born naturally.' You were so alert and aware. It was a blessing."
Lyra felt a warmth spread through her chest. "You've always accepted me for who I am. I can't thank you enough for that."
Elara smiled, her eyes glistening just a bit. "You've brought nothing but joy into my life, Lyra. Watching you grow into the wonderful young witch you are has been the greatest gift."
They sat in comfortable silence for a while, the gentle creaking of the rocking chairs and the distant chirping of birds filling the air. The sun had climbed higher, casting a warm glow over Cuixiyuan.
"Mom," Lyra said suddenly, breaking the silence. "When you go back out into the wilderness after I leave, promise me you'll be safe."
Elara nodded. "I promise. I've been on many journeys, but knowing you're pursuing your dreams will make this one even more special."
Lyra took a deep breath, feeling a mix of excitement and nervousness about the future. "Three days," she whispered.
"Three days," Elara echoed. "And a whole new chapter begins."
They watched as a pair of Doodlebirds soared across the sky, their wings catching the sunlight. Lyra smiled, her worries easing away. Whatever awaited her at the Witch Academy, she knew she carried the love and support of her mother with her.
And that, she thought, made her feel ready for anything.
Later, Lyra discovered that in the realm of Valen, various forms of magic existed that allowed for reincarnation with one's memories intact. This revelation both fascinated and comforted her; she wasn't as alone or as strange as she once thought.
However, Valen was a land steeped in tradition and, at times, extreme xenophobia. Its inhabitants clung tightly to ancestral customs, placing immense value on the purity of a newborn's soul and the unbroken lineage of their races. Yet, witches stood apart from these prejudices. They were exceptions in a world bound by rigid norms.
Even her deepest secret, that she was a time traveler from another world; was known to her mother, Elara. With such openness between them, Lyra felt a profound sense of relief. She had nothing to hide.
During one of their many heart-to-heart conversations, Elara had told her tales of the Well in the Sky, a mystical place said to grant access to any point in time and space. Intrigued and inspired, Lyra conceived a grand ambition: to study magic diligently so she could one day return to her original world, the Blue Planet Earth, before the Big Bang, and prevent the catastrophic end of the world.
Unfortunately, the customs of the witches dictated that young witches under thirteen should enjoy a carefree childhood, free from the burdens of rigorous study. Formal education began only after thirteen, when the Witch Academy would provide all the necessary knowledge and skills to the young witches at no cost.
This tradition was so deeply ingrained that Elara steadfastly refused to teach Lyra any advanced knowledge or magic ahead of time. To prevent her from secretly studying, Elara even removed all the magical texts from their home. She left only ordinary books from other nations in the living room, but unfortunately, Lyra couldn't understand a single word, as they were written in unfamiliar languages.
The only book accessible to Lyra was the "Young Witch Book Series," a standard collection that every young witch possessed. Written in the witch language; a tongue innate to all witches from birth; Lyra could understand it effortlessly and had read it countless times over the past thirteen years. However, the book contained only basic common knowledge about witches, with minimal information about the Witch Academy itself.
Up until now, she knew almost nothing about the Witch Academy beyond what was mentioned in her admission letter. She didn't even know where it was located. She desperately wanted to leverage her mental advantage as a time traveler to learn and accumulate knowledge ahead of time but found herself unable to get ahead of her peers. Her innate advantage of being a time traveler felt completely squandered. At this point, she was no different from any other ordinary young witch.
The Well in the Sky was a place accessible only to the most powerful beings in Valen. If she couldn't get a head start by studying in advance, she would just have to work even harder once she entered the academy.
---
Three days later, Lyra found herself lounging on the worn sofa, flipping through the dog-eared pages of the first volume of the "Young Witch Book Series." She sighed heavily, her eyes darting frequently to the enchanted clock on the wall, its hands moving at what seemed like a snail's pace.
"Tonight is the night I start school," she thought, her heart fluttering with a mix of excitement and impatience. Time had never crawled so slowly.
Just then, Elara appeared, carrying a cloth bag slung over one shoulder and her magic wand in the other hand. "Little Lyra, time to get up!" she called cheerfully.
Lyra groaned softly but rose to her feet. Elara waved her wand with a graceful flick, and the sofa Lyra had been sitting on shrank swiftly, folding in on itself until it was the size of a small pebble. Elara caught it deftly and slipped it into her pocket.
Glancing around, Lyra pointed to a rickety wooden stool leaning against the wall. "Are we keeping that old thing?" she asked.
The stool had been carved by Elara herself years ago using rudimentary magic. It was rough around the edges, its legs uneven, and it wobbled dangerously when sat upon. Still, it held sentimental value; Lyra had spent countless hours perched upon it during her childhood.
Elara glanced at the stool and shook her head. "No, it's too battered. Even the second-hand shops wouldn't take it," she said with a dismissive wave.
Lyra shrugged and settled herself onto the stool, its familiar wobble bringing a small smile to her face. She watched as her mother bustled around the house, moving in and out as she packed and prepared.
Ever since she had received her admission letter, Lyra had found herself with little to do but wait. Elara, on the other hand, was busy with packing and preparations.
"What could she be packing?" Lyra wondered. After all, everyone knew that the Witch Academy provided all the study materials and living necessities for the young witches. Enrollment required only the wearing of the standard-issue school robe.
Lyra herself had no luggage to prepare, so it was clear that the packing was for Elara's own journey. She realized that once she left for the academy, her mother would also be departing from their home in Valencia.
"Are you leaving too, Mom?" Lyra asked softly, a hint of sadness in her voice.
Elara paused, looking up from her tasks. "Yes, dear. It's time for me to return to the wilderness and continue my journey," she replied gently.
"Will you be okay out there on your own?" Lyra's eyes searched her mother's face, a mix of concern and understanding.
Elara smiled reassuringly. "I've traveled far and wide before you were born. Besides, you're starting a new chapter in your life. It's only fitting that I do the same."
Lyra nodded slowly, trying to digest the reality that awaited them both. The cozy home they'd shared for thirteen years would soon be empty.
"Don't worry," Elara added, noticing the glimmer of worry in her daughter's eyes. "We'll keep in touch through the witch communication spells. And holidays aren't that far away."
"Promise you'll be safe?" Lyra whispered.
"Always," Elara assured her, reaching out to tuck a stray strand of hair behind Lyra's ear. "And you promise to study hard and make the most of your time at the academy."
"I will," Lyra replied earnestly. "I have big plans, you know."
"I know," Elara said with a wink. "Just remember, even if you couldn't get a head start, there's nothing stopping you from excelling once you're there."
Lyra felt a surge of determination well up inside her. "You're right. I won't let anything hold me back."
The magic clock chimed softly, signaling that it was time to depart. Elara handed Lyra her school robe, a garment woven with threads of starlight and moonbeams, shimmering subtly in the light.
"You look just like I did when I first went to the academy," Elara mused, a touch of nostalgia in her voice.
"Did you feel as nervous as I do?" Lyra asked, slipping into the robe.
"Perhaps even more so," Elara admitted. "But it's a good kind of nervousness. It means you're ready for the adventure ahead."
They stepped outside, the evening air cool and crisp. The path leading away from Cuixiyuan stretched before them, illuminated by floating lanterns that appeared as if summoned by magic.
"Well, this is it," Lyra said, her voice barely above a whisper.
Elara pulled her into a tight embrace. "I'm so proud of you," she murmured. "Go, and make your dreams come true."
With one final smile, Lyra set off down the path, her heart filled with anticipation. She looked back once to see Elara waving, the familiar figure growing smaller as she walked away.
As she journeyed toward the unknown, Lyra felt a mix of emotions, excitement, fear, determination. The Well in the Sky awaited, and with it, the possibility of fulfilling her grand ambition.
"Time to write my own story," she thought, a newfound resolve settling within her. And so, with each step, she moved closer to the destiny that awaited her at the Witch Academy.