Golden letters began to shimmer and dance across the once-blank pages before Lyra. She leaned in, her breath hitching as the words formed one by one.
"[Lyra]"
"[Age: 13]"
Her eyes widened as more lines appeared, each one more astonishing than the last:
[Elemental Magic Talent: Unlimited]
[Alchemy Magic Talent: Unlimited]
[Healing Magic Talent: Unlimited]
[Blessing Magic Talent: Unlimited]
[Curse Magic Talent: Unlimited]
[Prophecy Magic Talent: Unlimited]
[Summoning Magic Talent: Unlimited]
[Space Magic Talent: Unlimited]
[Psychic Magic Talent: Unlimited]
[Necromancy Talent: Unlimited]
...
She could hardly believe her eyes. "Unlimited... in everything?" she whispered, her heart pounding like a drum.
Lyra recalled the ranking system she'd studied: Apprentice, Low, Intermediate, High, Peak, Super Peak, and at the very pinnacle, Unlimited. A level so rare it was almost mythical.
"This can't be real," she thought, a mixture of disbelief and exhilaration swirling inside her.
Suddenly, new words materialized:
[All magic talents have no upper limit. Meets the characteristics of a witch. Confirmed: You are a saint witch.]
Her hand flew to her mouth. "A witch? Me?" she murmured, her voice barely audible.
Before she could process this revelation, the text continued:
[Magic Power Test Terminated]
[Initiating Magic Power Measurement]
[Test Successful]
[Magic Power: 998 Mana]
[Talent Manifestation Summoning in Progress]
[Summoning Successful]
A surge of energy welled up from deep within her, warm and electrifying. It felt as if a dormant force was awakening, ready to burst forth. She gasped, gripping the edges of the book.
In an instant, a large, ornate tome materialized in her hands. Its cover was adorned with intricate golden patterns that seemed to shimmer and move. At its center was a blank rectangular groove.
She stared at it in awe. "A... card book?" she thought, instinctively understanding its purpose. "But how do I know that?"
She tried to delve deeper into this newfound knowledge, but it was like peering through a dense fog. "I need more inspiration," she decided, her curiosity ignited.
A sudden hush fell over the hall, quickly replaced by excited whispers.
"Did you see that?" someone exclaimed.
"A saint witch! A new saint witch has appeared!" another voice rang out.
"The fifth saint witch since Lilith!" an older student shouted, eyes wide with amazement.
"Lyra, is that her name?" a girl nearby asked, glancing at her with a mix of awe and admiration.
"Her talent manifestation is a book, just like Master Tracy's!" an instructor noted, her gaze fixed on Lyra.
Lyra looked up to find every eye in the room upon her. Faces reflected shock, excitement, respect; even a hint of reverence.
Heat rushed to her cheeks. "This is really happening," she thought, a whirlwind of emotions swirling inside her.
Even Ms. Amisha, the esteemed headmistress known for her composed demeanor, approached with a radiant smile. "Congratulations, Lyra," she said warmly. "You have achieved something truly extraordinary."
Murmurs of agreement rippled through the crowd.
Lyra swallowed hard, trying to steady herself. "Thank you, Ms. Amisha," she replied softly.
The other students began to applaud, the sound filling the grand hall. Some cheered; others exchanged excited glances.
"Another witch among us!"
"This is a sign of great things to come!"
"The witch clan grows stronger!"
She felt a surge of pride mingled with humility. The gazes around her held no envy or malice, only admiration, hope, and genuine joy for her success.
"After all," she reminded herself, "witches are born from witches. The more witches there are, the stronger our clan becomes."
The Chapter of Talent finalized her assessment, and a parchment bearing her results floated gently into her hands.
She took a deep breath, her fingers trembling slightly as she unrolled the parchment. On the surface, she maintained her composure, but inside, her heart soared.
"I am a saint witch," she thought, a smile spreading across her face.
Images flashed through her mind: standing tall against angels, facing down demons, commanding dragons to bow. Until now, there had been only three witches in existence.
"And now there's a fourth," she mused. "Me."
She glanced around, meeting the eyes of her peers. Some smiled encouragingly; others nodded in respect.
"This is just the beginning," she whispered to herself, determination lighting up her eyes.
As the applause subsided, Ms. Amisha addressed the assembly. "Let us all congratulate Lyra on her remarkable achievement," she announced. "May this inspire each of you to reach new heights in your own magical journeys."
The students nodded, the atmosphere buzzing with newfound energy.
Lyra took a seat, the ornate book resting in her lap. She traced the golden patterns on its cover, wonder and curiosity bubbling within her.
"Welcome to the world of witches," a soft voice said beside her.
As the testing continued for the other students, Lyra allowed herself a moment to reflect. The path ahead was uncharted, filled with mystery and potential, but one thing was certain: her life had changed in the most extraordinary way.
She opened the book, its blank pages seeming to beckon her. "Time to discover what being a witch truly means," she thought, excitement tingling in every nerve.
From across the room, Ms. Amisha watched her with a thoughtful smile. "The future holds great things for you, Lyra," she whispered.
And as the golden letters faded from the air, Lyra knew deep in her heart that this was the start of an incredible journey; one that would shape not just her destiny, but the fate of the entire magical world.
"Lyra, congratulations on becoming the fifth saint witch!" Ms. Amisha announced, her voice ringing clear across the assembly hall. The students erupted into murmurs, eyes turning toward Lyra with newfound respect and curiosity.
Lyra blinked, her brows knitting in confusion. "The fifth one?" she echoed, looking up at Ms. Amisha. "But I thought... I was the fourth?"
A gentle laugh escaped Ms. Amisha's lips. "Ah, I see the confusion," she said kindly. "Witches are indeed a rare blessing to our clan. But just last year, another saint witch joined our ranks." She turned her gaze toward the group of upperclassmen gathered near the front. "Lilith, would you come forward, please?"
Lyra's eyes followed, landing on a striking figure with vibrant red hair, the same senior who had seemed a bit intimidating earlier. Lilith stepped forward gracefully, a friendly smile softening her sharp features.
"Wait, she's a witch too?" Lyra thought, her surprise evident.
Lilith caught her eye and gave a small wave. "Nice to officially meet you, Lyra," she said warmly. "Welcome to the coven."
A blush crept up Lyra's cheeks. "Thank you," she replied softly.
Ms. Amisha continued, addressing the crowd. "As you can see, our family of witches is growing. It's important we support one another, especially as we nurture our gifts."
Lyra felt a swell of emotion, pride, excitement, a hint of nervousness. It made sense now why she hadn't heard of Lilith before. If she hadn't graduated yet, the outside world wouldn't know about her. Keeping such powerful potential under wraps was a necessary precaution until they were strong enough to defend themselves.
Ms. Amisha regained her composed demeanor and resumed the admission ceremony. "Now, please review the enrollment contract before signing," she instructed, handing out parchments sealed with a wax emblem.
Lyra unrolled the scroll in her hands, her eyes scanning the elegant script:
---
'We are witches who have awakened from suffering, and we will always remember the past.
Under the witness of the contracted witch Carmella, I promise:
Never to actively harm any human woman, witch, or demon for the rest of my life.
To keep the information of the Witch Academy confidential; to keep the information of the wilderness confidential; to keep the information of underage witches confidential and never disclose it.
If I violate these regulations, I will voluntarily give up my witch bloodline, bear the mark of betrayal, and will never enter the wilderness for the rest of my life.
The Promiser: ________**
---
"So that's why Shana's mother wouldn't tell me anything about the academy," Lyra mused. "She must have signed the same contract."
The clauses were straightforward, a commitment to secrecy and a pledge to do no harm. There was no hesitation as she dipped the quill into the inkwell, signing her name with a flourish.
"Junior Lyra, over here!" called a cheerful voice.
She looked up to see Lilith beckoning her from the side of the hall. Lyra glanced at Ms. Amisha, who gave an approving nod. Gathering her book, she made her way over.
"Congratulations again," Lilith said as Lyra approached. "It's not every day we welcome a new witch."
"Thank you," Lyra replied, smiling shyly. "It's all a bit overwhelming."
"I can imagine," Lilith said sympathetically. She eyed the ornate book in Lyra's hands. "Is that the manifestation of your talent?"
Lyra nodded, holding it up slightly. "Yes, but it's a bit of a mystery. It's a card book; a book that holds cards, but I haven't figured out what it does yet."
Lilith's eyes sparkled with interest. "Fascinating! Talent manifestations can be quite enigmatic at first. They'll reveal more of their abilities as your magic power grows."
"Have you fully discovered yours?" Lyra asked.
Lilith grinned. "Not entirely, but it's been an interesting journey." She opened her palm, and with a subtle glow, an object materialized; a sleek instrument that caught the light.
Lyra's eyes widened. "Is that... a syringe?"
Indeed, it was. Crafted from an otherworldly metal that shimmered between silver and gold, the syringe was adorned with intricate engravings and small gemstones that pulsed with energy. It had all the components, a needle, barrel, plunger, and even delicate measurement markings along the side.
Lilith chuckled at Lyra's astonished expression. "Yes, it is. When it first appeared, I was as surprised as you are now."
"But... what does it do?" Lyra asked, her curiosity piqued.
"I've named it the 'Bloodthirsty Needle,'" Lilith explained, twirling it deftly between her fingers. "It has the ability to extract and manipulate the essence from magical creatures, including their abilities. It's more than just a syringe, it's a conduit for tapping into other forms of magic."
"That's incredible," Lyra breathed. "But why call it that?"
Lilith gave a wry smile. "Well, calling my talent manifestation a 'syringe' doesn't exactly sound... impressive, does it? 'Bloodthirsty Needle' has a better ring to it."
Lyra laughed softly. "I suppose you're right. It does sound more... formidable."
Lilith winked. "Exactly. Sometimes, we have to own what we're given and make it our own."
Lyra looked down at her own book, running her fingers over the intricate golden patterns on the cover. "I wonder what secrets mine holds."
"You'll find out in time," Lilith assured her. "And if you ever need help or just want to talk, I'm here. Us witches have to stick together."
A warm feeling spread through Lyra's chest. "Thank you, Lilith. That means a lot."
"Anytime," Lilith said, tucking her syringe away with a flourish. "Now, have you settled into your dorm yet?"
Lyra shook her head. "Not yet. Everything happened so quickly."
Lilith gestured toward the hallway leading deeper into the academy. "Come on, I'll show you around after the ceremony. There's so much to see, and it's easy to get lost if you don't know where you're going."
"What's it like being a witch here?" Lyra asked, taking in the surroundings.
"It's an adventure," Lilith replied thoughtfully. "Challenging at times, but rewarding. We learn not just magic, but about ourselves, our strengths, our limits, and how to push beyond them."
Lyra nodded, absorbing her words. "Do you ever miss the outside world?"
"Sometimes," Lilith admitted. "But the academy becomes a second home. And the friendships you make here are like no other."
She set her book down on the desk, running her fingers over the cover once more. "Time to start unraveling your mysteries," she murmured.
Opening it, she found the pages still blank, but she felt a faint hum of energy, as if the book were alive, waiting.
"Let's see," she thought. Reaching into her pocket, she pulled out a small card that had appeared during her earlier test, a simple, unmarked card. Tentatively, she placed it into the rectangular groove on the book's cover.
A soft glow emanated from the book, and faint lines of script began to appear on the first page.
Her heart raced. "It's working!"
The words were faint, but readable:
"Unlock your potential, and the cards will reveal their power."
A smile spread across her face. This was the beginning of something extraordinary.
"I need to give my talent manifestation a proper name," she mused. "Calling it a 'Card Book' is just too plain and ordinary!"
After all, a witch's gift is a reflection of her identity, a symbol of who she is. The Book Witch wields the illustrious Book of Omniscience, the Contract Witch carries the solemn Pen of Oath, and the Fireworks Witch dazzles with the vibrant Fireworks Wand.
"So what should mine be called?" Lyra wondered aloud, her eyes scanning the room as if inspiration might be hiding in the shadows.
Suddenly, her eyes lit up like stars. "I've got it!" she exclaimed. "I'll call it the Book of Cards! Yes, that's perfect!"
A book that carries cards, it was simple yet elegant, and it had a certain ring to it that she loved.
Beside her, Lilith grinned widely, her tiny fangs peeking out adorably. "What a splendid name!" she praised. "It suits you perfectly!"
Lyra felt a warm glow of satisfaction at her friend's approval. She could already imagine the awe and respect in people's eyes when they heard the name of her gift.
But before the two young witches could continue their conversation, a sudden gasp rippled through the hall. They turned their attention back to the stage.
There stood a round-faced, black-haired girl with wide eyes. From her stomach, she drew out a flesh-colored, crescent-shaped pouch that seemed almost otherworldly.
"That looks familiar," Lyra thought, squinting slightly. Recognition dawned on her. It was the shortest girl among this year's candidates. What was her name again?
"Vashida!" Ms. Amisha announced, her usually composed voice quivering with excitement. "Congratulations on becoming the sixth saint witch!"
The hall buzzed with astonishment. Two witches had appeared in one day!
All eyes that had been fixated on Lyra now shifted entirely to Vashida. The poor girl's cheeks turned as red as ripe apples under the weight of everyone's gaze.
Lyra exhaled softly, a mixture of relief and happiness washing over her. As thrilling as it was to become a witch, the sudden spotlight was overwhelming. It was comforting to have someone else share the attention.
After Vashida signed the enrollment contract, Lilith waved her over enthusiastically.
"Come join us!" Lilith called out, her eyes sparkling mischievously.
Vashida approached hesitantly, her hands clasped nervously in front of her. Lilith grabbed Lyra's left hand and Vashida's right hand, pulling them close.
"The three of us can form the Second Generation Witch Trio!" Lilith declared with a grin, her fangs gleaming.
Lyra raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "The Second Generation Witch Trio?"
"Exactly!" Lilith nodded vigorously. "The first generation was made up of the Book Witch, the Fireworks Witch, and the Contract Witch. Now it's our turn to make history!"
Vashida's eyes widened. "You really think so?" she asked softly.
"I know so!" Lilith affirmed confidently.
The atmosphere in the hall was electric. The emergence of two new witches had ignited a wave of excitement among all the candidates.
The remaining girls, who had never even dreamed of becoming witches, now felt a flicker of hope ignite within them. They watched eagerly as one by one, the tests continued.
But as each candidate stepped forward, the coveted manifestation of a witch did not appear.
Finally, Ms. Amisha called out the last name on the list. "Number twenty-seven, Sylph!"
All eyes turned to the final candidate. She stepped forward gracefully, her dark green hair cascading over her shoulders like a waterfall. Her demeanor was calm and composed, exuding a gentle confidence.
As Sylph stood before the Witch Clan Book, the hall fell into a hushed silence. Everyone watched with bated breath.
Suddenly, a dark brown wooden box materialized in her hands, shimmering softly.
Gasps echoed throughout the hall.
"Another saint witch!" someone whispered in awe.
Ms. Amisha's eyes widened in disbelief. She took a moment to compose herself before announcing, her voice filled with emotion, "Sylph, congratulations! You've become the seventh saint witch!"
The hall erupted into cheers and applause. The excitement was palpable.
Lyra felt her heart swell with joy. Three new witches in one year, it was unprecedented!
Lilith was practically bouncing with excitement. "This is incredible!" she exclaimed. "Since Lady Carmella, there hasn't been a year like this in three centuries!"
Vashida smiled shyly. "I'm just grateful to be part of something so special," she murmured.
Lyra nodded in agreement. "It feels like the beginning of a new era," she said, her eyes shining with anticipation.
The three of them watched as Sylph was surrounded by well-wishers, her gentle smile never fading.
Lilith turned to Lyra and Vashida, her expression earnest. "Together, we're going to achieve great things. I just know it."
Lyra smiled, feeling a surge of determination. "Agreed. Let's make history together."
Vashida nodded, her eyes filled with newfound confidence. "Yes, let's."
As the celebrations continued around them, the three young witches stood together, ready to embrace whatever the future held.
Ms. Amisha looked over at them, her eyes softening. "I thought having just one new witch last year was astonishing," she mused quietly. "But three in one year... Perhaps the tides of magic are turning once more."
The echoes of excitement and hope filled the hall, marking the start of an extraordinary journey for the new generation of witches.