Kingdom of Magicians, morning.
Soft sunlight filtered onto the shifting blankets, as an orange-and-white-haired girl poked her head out, letting out a drowsy yawn before slowly opening her hazy eyes.
“What time is it…?”
Hilxi muttered, glancing to the side. After a moment’s pause, a sudden wave of emptiness washed over her.
She lay back down, eyelids heavy, staring blankly at the ceiling. She placed her warm arm across her forehead, lost in thought.
So that’s how it is—I hadn’t even realized it yet, but they already left.
She idly stared for a while longer before sighing, pulling back the covers, propping herself up on her arm, and getting out of bed.
Why does everyone like to leave without saying goodbye? Does it look cool?
Grabbing the clothes hanging on the nearby rack, she rustled into them.
Soon, fully dressed, Hilxi stood before the mirror and gently patted her cheek.
“Even your melancholy is so cute.”
She smiled with a hint of vanity, quickly straightening her scattered blonde hair. After a simple wash-up, she opened the door and stepped into the hall.
The scent of food immediately greeted her.
Hilxi looked toward the source. On a nearby table rested a steaming bowl of porridge, alongside sandwiches and milk.
“Looks like they just left.”
She pulled out a chair and sat down to enjoy her breakfast.
Outside the Kingdom of Magicians.
In the hilly terrain, a girl flew on a broomstick. Her black hair fell to her shoulders beneath a pointed hat, and a black cloak hung at her waist. Cradled in her arms was a book with a deep brown cover.
She glanced back at the country now out of sight, then turned decisively and flew off toward the horizon.
“Sorry, Hilxi-san. If I said goodbye, I might not have the courage to leave…”
We’ll meet again—definitely.
Far away, in a distant country.
The streets bustled with crowds of pedestrians and the continuous calls of merchants. It was an ordinary yet lively nation.
At an open-air café sat a girl holding a newspaper. Her sleek gray hair fluttered in the breeze. Wearing a pointed hat and a long robe, she was both a witch and a traveler.
The coffee in her cup was nearly finished. Smiling softly at something in the paper, she muttered to herself with a tilt of her head:
“Saya-san, I didn’t expect you to become an Apprentice Witch so quickly…”
She glanced curiously, continuing:
“I wonder how Hilxi-san is doing. I really want to see her expression after being outpaced by Saya-san. Hehe~”
This was Ireina, traveling alone.
After flipping through the newspaper a few more times, she set it down and looked toward the white ship docked at the harbor, chin in hand as she pondered.
Since earlier, she’d noticed many wealthy people boarding the ship. This piqued her curiosity.
Where are they headed? Could it be… a country for the rich?
“Sounds intriguing. Well, there’s nothing else to do right now. Why not check it out?”
After a brief hesitation, she decided. Leaving money for the coffee, she rose and headed toward the ship.
A mischievous smile spread across her face:
“A country for the rich must have lots of money, right? Hmm hmm hmm, I’m definitely going to make a fortune! Then I’ll be a millionaire, heh heh!”
With that thought in mind, Ireina found a secluded spot, transformed herself into a mouse, and snuck aboard the ship.
As for the ticket? Paying is overrated. Naturally, she’d save wherever she could.
After finishing breakfast, Hilxi lazed around for a while before heading out, casually picking up a newspaper to skim.
The next Magic Examination was in three months.
Three months…
Her grip on the paper tightened. Her expression was complicated.
What if I regret it? Three months is such a long wait!
Sigh. Well, it’s like this now, so it’s fine.
Since there’s three months, I might as well make full use of them.
Over the following days, Hilxi spent her daylight hours at the library, poring over books on Magic and potions.
At night, she donned her black cloak, transforming into a Dark Overlord to practice mimicry Magic under cover of darkness.
Occasionally, she took on a few Commissions to earn some small change, just enough not to starve. Honestly, it felt pretty fulfilling.
But her nighttime escapades weren’t always flawless. Sometimes she slipped up.
Like the time she was holding hands halfway and the person suddenly woke up.
Both parties were startled, especially the victim—imagine waking up in the middle of the night to find someone standing by your bedside. Just thinking about it was terrifying.
In such cases, Hilxi’s response was naturally to coax them back to sleep. Quite considerate.
However, as the number of victims grew, a chilling rumor spread throughout the Kingdom of Magicians.
At dead of night, a figure clad in black robes would appear beside your bed, holding your hand. If you woke up from this, something terrible would happen.
No one had ever seen her face or knew her true intentions.
“Rumors, all rumors!” Hilxi had been furious at the time. She was only holding hands, not harming anyone!
She heard the story became quite popular, and the mastermind behind it didn’t dare to ‘operate’ at night anymore, fearing she might slip up and be caught and tortured by witches lying in wait.
Indeed, this matter drew the attention of witches. But since the victims suffered no real harm, they only conducted a symbolic investigation before dropping it, much to Hilxi’s relief.
In this delicate atmosphere, time flew by quickly.
As expected, with her knowledge and power already well established, Hilxi passed the Magic Examination with flying colors, becoming an Apprentice Witch—above Magician but below Witch.
If she looked back on it, well… basically, she obliterated her competition. Her proficiency in fundamental Magic was so high that no Magician could stand against her.
Though she was only an Apprentice Witch now, through her own efforts (cheating a little), her strength was close to that of a Witch.
Three months later, still in the Kingdom of Magicians.
Inside the Magic Unification Association.
A clean, spacious room. A girl with golden hair tied in a bun sat at the Commission Desk, humming cheerfully.
“As soon as this month’s salary comes in, I’ll finally get that long-dreamed-of Aisiri Bag. Hehe~”
At that moment, the Association’s door was pushed open, footsteps tapping rapidly.
“Jinlan, any high-paying Commissions today?”
A girl in a gold-and-white long robe entered, her orange-and-white hair casually draped over her back, taking a sip of coffee as she spoke.
“Oh~ Hilxi-san, you’re so hardworking. Your dark circles could rival a panda’s!”
“Gotta earn money, no choice.”
Hilxi expertly sat down at the Commission desk, her blue eyes fixed on her.
Her living expenses were fully supported by Association Commissions.
Jinlan, the bun-haired girl, turned her head and waved her hand dismissively:
“Looking at me won’t help. High-paying Commissions aren’t always available, and you know… those require Association membership.”
“So, none today?”
“Hm, there are some under one gold coin, but they’re all troublesome. I don’t think you’d take them.” Jinlan shrugged but leaned in and whispered:
“By the way, since you became an Apprentice Witch, have you thought about choosing a Witch Master?”
A master, huh… Hilxi thought for a moment. She wanted one who could… how to say it… help her become a Witch quickly—in other words, someone with connections.
After all, she had a schedule. She hoped to become a Witch within a year.
“I’m currently thinking of apprenticing under the Witch of Ink.”
Hilxi said this not for any other reason but simple profit.
Just casually doing Divination and fooling people would fatten her wallet in no time. How wonderful.
Before becoming an Apprentice Witch, she had visited Yedo’s Fortune Telling House, though mostly trying to freeload Magic rather than pay for Divination.
Yet somehow, every time she left, her purse was lighter. Apparently, Yedo’s skillful talk would coax her into a minor Divination session, yielding vague and useless results.
She was annoyed but more eager to learn these money-making… cough, highly skilled language techniques and marvelous Divination Magic.
“I hear the Witch of Ink doesn’t have any disciples yet. Maybe you could become her first.”
Jinlan said dreamily.
She was also a Magician but currently only the lowest rank.
“Maybe…”
Bang!
The Association door was pushed open again, and a voice rang out.
“Hilxi! Didn’t you say you wanted to be my apprentice!?”
A grown woman with short, pale red hair and fiery eyes stormed in, her fierce gaze fixed on Hilxi.
Jinlan was startled and nudged Hilxi, who was calmly sipping her coffee:
“The Flame Witch Aiyan is here!”
“I know.”
Hilxi set down her coffee with a sigh, then said to Aiyan as she approached:
“Yeah, but I want to apprentice under someone else too.”
At this, Aiyan, clad in a crimson Magic robe, grew even angrier:
“You want to keep two boats afloat!?”
“…”
Hey, isn’t that a bit harsh?
Hilxi’s expression turned awkward, and she said nothing.
“Say something!” Aiyan leaned in, causing Hilxi to take a step back and bump into the Commission desk.
Bad luck—running into her here. Better just apologize first.
When in doubt, just chicken out.
Hilxi’s serious face fell:
“Ah, sorry.”
A completely insincere apology.
Seeing her compliance, Aiyan’s anger softened just a little. She crossed her arms and looked down at her, snorting:
“What exactly are you sorry for?”
“That I shouldn’t… uh, I mean, I… I…”
Sss… what’s the right thing to say? I don’t think I’m wrong. Yeah, I’m right.
Suddenly speechless.
Aiyan’s eyes narrowed, then she laughed and waved a hand:
“Forget it, I’m off to take on a Commission. One hundred gold coins still… waiting…”
“Ah, don’t go, master~ Good master, good master.” Hilxi immediately changed her tune, her smile brighter than any flower as she clutched Aiyan’s arm.
“Hmph, all about the money.”
“No, I just think you can’t handle a one hundred gold coin Commission alone. I genuinely want to help!”
“…”
Pushing away Hilxi’s arm, Aiyan’s gaze turned serious:
“This Commission is very dangerous.”
“I will not refuse.”