When class ended, it was already six o'clock, time for dinner. The little witches, tired and hungry from their cooking attempts, headed straight to the food collection area.
"Black bread is impossible to eat!" one witch complained, wrinkling her nose.
"I need some real food. Where's the steak?" another demanded, scanning the area.
"Why don't we just cook here?" someone suggested. "The cooking classroom is right next door, and we could eat before heading back. Saves us from lugging everything back to the dormitory!"
"Good idea! I'm starving," a witch agreed, and soon most of them decided to stay behind, eager to whip up a proper meal.
However, Lyra and Amy were the exception. The two of them, baskets in hand, started walking back to the dormitory. Having already eaten the food they prepared in class, which turned out far better than the others', they weren't hungry.
As they strolled, Amy peeked into Lyra's basket. "Sugar, honey, pumpkin… What are you planning to make with all this?" she asked, curious.
"Breadfruit cake," Lyra replied simply.
Amy blinked. "Breadfruit cake again? I saw you gathering breadfruit not too long ago. You've already used it all up?"
Lyra smiled. "Yeah, I eat it whenever I'm busy."
Amy frowned, a thought forming. "Wait… you don't eat breadfruit cake three times a day, do you?"
Lyra laughed lightly. "Only when I'm busy."
Amy wasn't convinced. "And when are you 'not' busy?" she pressed.
Lyra hesitated. "Uh... well, I guess I'm busy pretty much every day... But I do try to cook something special on weekends!"
Amy gave her a look of deep concern. "Lyra, you 'love' food just as much as I do, and you're surviving on fruit cakes every day? That's basically like chewing on tree bark!"
Lyra shrugged. "It's fine. It's quick and keeps me full, which gives me more time to study. The course load is heavy, and if I don't squeeze in extra time, I won't be able to read everything."
Amy's expression softened. She knew Lyra had incredible potential as a witch, much broader than her own, as Lyra could excel in multiple fields of magic while Amy dreamed only of becoming a food witch like her mother. Their study pressures were worlds apart. Seeing her friend so focused and sacrificing her love of food to keep up with her studies, Amy felt a pang of pity.
When they finally reached Lyra's dormitory, Amy set down her basket and began rummaging through her pockets. "Here, take these!" she insisted, pulling out bundles of dried meat and small packages. "And this too! I wanted to try cooking something different tonight, so I made extras. These snacks are easy to eat and won't take up your time. You can't just keep eating breadfruit cakes!"
Without waiting for Lyra's response, she quickly unloaded all her treats; dried meats, meat candies, and other goodies, until Lyra's basket, pockets, and shoulder bag were full.
"Hey, that's more than enough!" Lyra laughed, trying to stop her. "You're giving me too much!"
But Amy, with her pockets emptied, looked noticeably lighter and skinnier. She quickly picked up her basket and darted off before Lyra could protest, calling over her shoulder, "Just make sure you eat them!"
"I will!" Lyra shouted back, waving helplessly. She watched her friend run off, feeling both touched and amused.
To her, there was nothing wrong with eating breadfruit cake. It was nutritious and practical, perfect for a busy witch. But somehow, in Amy's eyes, she had become a pitiable figure who needed to be "fed."
Back in her dormitory, Lyra set the snacks Amy had given her in a separate basket, placing it next to her own stash of breadfruit cakes. She took a small plate and put a sample of each snack on it; dried meat, meat candies, and a piece of breadfruit cake; then poured herself a glass of fresh breadfruit juice. Bringing everything to her desk, she sat down and opened her witch book.
"Let's see… Volume 7 of 'Valen Continent'…" she muttered, flipping through the pages. As she read, she picked up a piece of the dried meat Amy had given her and took a bite. Her eyes widened slightly. "This jerky is so tender… What kind of meat is this?" she wondered aloud, savoring the flavor.
Lyra continued to read, alternating bites of the snacks Amy had prepared and sips of her juice. She had to admit; Amy really had a talent for cooking. The simple meal felt luxurious compared to her usual routine, making her study session more enjoyable.
As she chewed, she delved deeper into the book, reading about the extraordinary abilities of various creatures that roamed the vast lands of Valen. It was information she'd seen before, but it felt more vivid tonight. Maybe, just maybe, a good meal really did make all the difference.
The book began with an explanation of the extraordinary abilities possessed by the creatures of Valen, categorizing them into two main types.
The first category was the extraordinary abilities where energy enhances the physical body. This included enhanced strength, speed, agility, and defense, traits often found in creatures like dragons, monsters, and orcs. These abilities were referred to as extraordinary physical abilities, as they allowed the creatures to perform feats far beyond the capabilities of ordinary beings.
The second category involved extraordinary abilities where energy is projected outside the body, which is where magic comes into play. Magic, Lyra read, was the defining power of all spellcasting races, though the source of energy and methods of casting varied greatly among them.
When Lyra reached this part, she felt a spark of clarity. Her thesis was practically writing itself. Excited, she skipped over the chapters that delved into physical abilities, she knew she wouldn't need those for her paper and resumed reading the section she'd started earlier at noon. She began to take detailed notes, summarizing the critical points as she went.
"The energy of witches is called magic power, while sorceresses use mana. Both forms are derived from their bloodlines. Witches and sorceresses channel their will and emotions to manipulate the magic within their veins," she read, jotting down the essentials.
The text continued to break down the energy types for various races:
- "Angels wield angelic power, which stems from faith. They draw upon the power of belief to cast their spells."
- "Demons, on the other hand, harness demonic power derived from the soul. By sacrificing fragments of their soul, they cast dark magic."
- "Dragons use dragon power, a force tied to their ancient bloodline. They channel it through sound, using roars and chants to unleash their magic."
- "Humans rely on spiritual power, which is born of knowledge and wisdom. By using spiritual energy as leverage and knowledge as a tool, they manipulate the elements of nature to perform magic."
Lyra carefully noted down each example. By the time she finished reading the section on magical powers, she had filled an entire page with information. She felt a newfound understanding of how different races wielded magic, and she could already see how this would tie into her thesis.
Ms. Amisha had specifically recommended this book, so Lyra knew she could draw directly from it. She skillfully integrated the key points she had summarized into her essay, crafting it into a cohesive analysis. As she finished, she blew gently on the ink to dry it and read through her work from start to finish, ensuring everything was in order.
Her homework for the Basic Theory of Magic class was done; a full week ahead of the deadline. Pleased, Lyra clipped the essay to the assignment section in her Witch Book, making sure it was securely placed. She knew she'd be using her witch book frequently, so keeping her work organized and accessible was just practical.
Feeling accomplished, Lyra let out a contented yawn. The evening's study session had been productive, and with her assignment complete, she climbed into bed, satisfied with her progress.
The next morning, as the clock struck six, Lyra stirred awake. With her eyes still closed, she reached for the breadfruit hanging in the bag beside her bed, took a bite, and winced as the tangy flavor jolted her fully awake. "Huh, nothing like a bit of sourness to start the day."
She brushed her teeth, her mind already ticking. 'What should I read on the walk today?' she wondered. 'Should I continue with "What is Magic" or maybe preview "A History of Witches"?' After a moment's thought, she nodded to herself. 'Better to get a head start on "A History of Witches."'
Her witch book, as if responding to her thoughts, flipped open automatically to the page she needed. She read the first line as she finished getting ready: "Witches originated from human women…"
Walking out the door, she continued reading, fully absorbed in the text.
On her way to school, she was greeted by fellow witches. "Lyra! Vasida! My bellflower just grew another leaf!"
"Congrats!" Lyra smiled.
"If it keeps going like this, my wind chime flowers will be blooming in no time!" the witch beamed.
"That's great!" Lyra replied.
"Lyra, what are you reading today?" another witch asked, peeking over her shoulder.
"'A History of Witches'," Lyra answered.
"Oh, I read a bit last night. It's way more interesting than the magic theory textbook!"
"Really? I've just started!"
As they chatted, the excitement of exploring new knowledge spread through the group.
The little witches, with their witch books open, continued reading as they walked, all focused on 'A History of Witches'. They knew they had the history class coming up soon, and after their experience with the theory class, they didn't want to be caught off guard again. Despite the early hour, they were already thinking critically, anticipating the challenges of the day ahead.
Though there was still a hint of nervousness about the upcoming theory lesson, the witches were determined to be prepared this time. As they read, they shared their thoughts, discussed theories, and encouraged one another. It was a journey of learning, and they were in it together.