Chapter 12: The Witch’s Qualifications
In the deep, silent cavern, Diye opened her eyes.
Under the faint shimmer of the crystals, she looked at her pale hands.
Her chest rose and fell, a faint purplish-red blush creeping up her face. “So that’s my true elemental perception.”
An elemental perception like a starry sky…
Although possessing such exceptional witch aptitude wasn’t something to be proud of as a former Temple Knight, it was a tremendous boon to Diye’s plan.
“The two key aspects of magic training, elemental affinity and perception, are no longer a problem. As for mental control…”
Diye’s will had been tempered through countless trials and battles, her mental fortitude honed and strengthened. Having reached the pinnacle of the Empire, how could her mental strength be weak?
Even transformed into a woman, her mind and soul remained largely unaffected.
Diye was confident in her mental strength and control.
Moreover, after this breakthrough in elemental perception, Diye’s determination to learn magic had solidified.
“Magic training, with this foundation and the experience I’ve accumulated over years of cultivation and training, even with only a few months, I can definitely make a breakthrough!”
“As for swordsmanship and martial skills, there’s no need to mention them.”
Yedi had been guided by an extraordinary teacher, but it was Yedi’s own talent, comprehension, willpower, and other qualities that allowed her to become the strongest in the vast Empire in just a few years, leaving countless competitors in the dust.
Here, she might face other exceptionally talented witches, but they were merely competitors in a secret sanctuary, one of many witch havens within the Empire.
Her only concern was her lack of magical talent.
But now, with both swordsmanship and magical aptitude, that was no longer an issue!
What else could stop Diye?
“The witch selection…” Diye clenched her delicate yet powerful fists, a confident, masculine gesture, her golden eyes gleaming.
…
And so, Diye began her magic training, beginning her life, whether willingly or not, as a novice witch hidden within this dark, underground church.
During the so-called days, when the cathedral was illuminated by lamps and the magical glow of the rose windows, she studied magical theory, poring over large books, wearing glasses that, though not particularly effective, aided in focusing on the texts, listening to the witch instructor’s explanations alongside the other witches.
Diye wasn’t particularly adept at book learning, but after becoming a woman, she found it easier to focus, gradually developing an interest in these mysterious subjects. Sometimes, late at night, by candlelight, she would open dusty, ancient tomes, immersing herself in the arcane, morally ambiguous knowledge of another world.
Shartha’s lessons were always profound yet humorous, often punctuated by risqué jokes, bringing laughter to the witches in this oppressive place. But whenever the jokes were directed at Diye, she could only blush and fidget in the magic classroom.
At night, lying in bed, under the dim blue light, she would silently recite the knowledge or spells she had learned. Diye was highly skilled at learning and cultivating; otherwise, she wouldn’t have achieved what Yedi had. She had her own focus and methods. And this focus allowed her to temporarily forget that she was wearing black lace sleepwear.
Days and nights passed in the underground world, unaware of the passage of time above.
Gradually, she couldn’t help but feel excited as she sensed the vibrant elemental world, thrilled as she first conjured elemental magic light in her hand, because it meant she was one step closer to her goal.
She didn’t neglect her martial skills and swordsmanship. Her experience and talent allowed her to adapt her former swordsmanship to her female body. Although Diye refused to acknowledge herself as truly female, when it came to swordsmanship and combat, she was a pragmatist.
The sweat-drenched sword practice made her realize how different a woman’s body felt during intense exertion. This troubled her, but she didn’t reduce the intensity of her training.
She even practiced ballroom dancing, unashamedly embracing her female form, learning the etiquette and grace of an elegant Imperial lady.
She even successfully braved the women’s bath, always choosing times when it was empty, ensuring no one saw her fully naked, which became a topic of conversation among the witches.
Of course, she couldn’t avoid seeing her own female body. As a Temple Knight, this was a repeated violation, but she had long grown accustomed to the gods’ indifference.
Diye seemed to constantly learn and master new magic. The beautiful magical light in her hands illuminated her face, her spells drawing the attention and admiration of the other witches.
Her swordsmanship also continued to improve, adapting to her current body…
Perhaps nothing could stop her progress, nothing could sway her determination to win a spot in the witch selection.
Day and night alternated, the multicolored lights of magic and the flickering candle flames constantly shifting… Diye, as a witch, enduring shame, guilt, and confusion, trained diligently in the darkness, just like every other witch.
Fallen from the holy light, walking in the night!
…
The candles in the underground cathedral were lit. The witches gathered in the center, their gazes fixed on the large, dark orange-red altar. Their expressions held a sense of destiny, some tinged with anxiety.
After months of training and cultivation, today was the time for the official witch examination.
And from among them, the most outstanding would be chosen as the executor of the witches’ revenge plan.
Many witches embarked on this path of pursuing the arcane, either voluntarily or unknowingly. But there were also many witch organizations like the Underground Witch Church, with secret connections and hierarchies.
This was one of the secrets of the witch clan.
Witches were classified based on identity, strength, contributions, and other factors, but strength was the most crucial (unless there were special contributions or status). The ranks were:
Apprentice Witch
Witch (Official Witch)
High Witch
Ruling Witch
In fact, most of the witches sheltered and trained in this underground church were still Apprentice Witches.
Only a few, like Diluowei, who were “veterans” of the church, were considered Official Witches. And only the chief witch, Shartha, held the rank of High Witch.
“Next, Isesi and Lusha, please step forward for your examination,” Shartha announced from a small platform above the altar.
“Sister Isesi, good luck!” Yoleya clasped her hands together.
“Lusha… you won’t disappoint me, will you?” Philine’s eyes were fixed on the girl with short, light blue hair.
“Then, the trial examination… begins!” Shartha announced loudly, the black cat on her shoulder alert.
“Isesi, be careful,” Lusha said, her gaze calming. Isesi was once the most skilled and versatile magic user among the Apprentice Witches.
The rules of the trial examination were as follows: Official Witches ranked the Apprentice Witches based on their strength, training results, and other factors, then arranged for pairs of similar strength to compete. The key wasn’t victory or defeat, but individual performance and demonstration of skills, evaluated by the chief witch and other witches to determine their eligibility to become Official Witches.
“Hehehe, Lusha, magic isn’t about brute strength,” Isesi said, lightly tapping her chin, deliberately provoking her.
“What did you say? You, the unathletic, big-chested woman who thinks she’s a know-it-all,” Lusha grinned.
She immediately began chanting, “Second-level Celia’s Blessing of Wind…”
Pale blue-white streams of air, like the mystical veil of a nature goddess’s handmaiden, swirled and danced around Lusha.
“Lusha, she can already skillfully use magic from the lineage of the ancient Goddess’s handmaidens? This is far more powerful than the same level Wind Acceleration spell. She’s truly clever. This is dangerous for Sister Isesi, who isn’t good at close combat…” Qinna thought, her expression serious.
“Second-level Flame Gate’s Wrath…” Lusha continued to cast offensive magic, enhancing her power.
“Hmph, so you only know one ancient lineage spell. Did you think I’d wait for you to finish casting all your support magic?” Isesi suddenly began chanting rapidly. For spells of the same level, Isesi’s chanting and thinking speed were clearly much faster.
A red magic circle formed in her hands, its runes swirling. Fireballs the size of coconuts shot out from the circle towards Lusha.
“No! So fast?” Lusha had to abandon her second support spell. But she had already cast the crucial speed enhancement. She moved swiftly, dodging two fireballs. The fireballs that flew towards the corner of the cathedral were absorbed by masked witches in uniform robes standing around the altar, who jointly cast a magical barrier to protect the cathedral.
However, Isesi flicked her fingers, subtly manipulating the fireballs with her strong mental control, altering their trajectory to follow Lusha.
Lusha, using the edge of the altar area, maximized the use of space, maneuvering and accelerating, dodging the fireballs while closing in on Isesi!
Beneath the Moonstone, the purple flames within the silver chalice burned fiercely.
“Isesi, watch out!” Lusha finally closed the distance, thrusting her halberd directly at Isesi. She chose the halberd, combined with the limited space, to increase her chances of hitting Isesi.
Clang!
The halberd struck Isesi’s second-level Ice Crystal Barrier, sending shards of ice flying.
“What?” Lusha had anticipated the barrier, but its strength exceeded her expectations.
“Gamyxi’s Servant’s Whip…” Isesi extended one hand, creating a crackling electrical magic circle. A bright blue, snake-like lightning bolt shot out.
“No!”
Lusha, ignoring the impact against the barrier, rolled away as she fell, quickly getting back on her feet and running.
Crackle—Snap!
Snap!
Isesi manipulated the lightning whip, lashing out at Lusha, who could only run desperately, her clothes torn by the electrical discharges, sparks causing her legs to go numb.
Gamyxi’s Servant’s Whip, the blinding lightning, lashed down from above.
“Ahh!” Lusha couldn’t dodge in time, raising her halberd to block.
“Stop!”
Suddenly, Shartha, from her high vantage point, released a watermelon-sized, spherical mechanical familiar with leathery wings. The familiar flew in front of the descending lightning, flapping its wings and opening its large mouth, creating a new magical barrier.
The lightning flashed, its energy dissipated by the familiar’s barrier.
“As expected, Sister Isesi is a cut above,” Yoleya said excitedly, clenching her small fists.
“This match goes to Isesi, ranked second overall, with Lusha, ranked third, unfortunately defeated. Next, we will conduct their witch aptitude evaluations,” Shartha announced. “Judges, please give your evaluations. First, Isesi.”
The eight masked witches surrounding the altar, responsible for the magical barrier and protection, each released a magical rune representing their judgment. The eight runes flew towards Isesi, swirling around her and forming a brilliant rose. The rose petals bloomed then scattered, adding a touch of brilliance to the dimly lit cathedral.
“All eight judges agree. Isesi, ranked second among the Apprentice Witches and having performed exceptionally well in the examination, is undeniably promoted to Witch,” Shartha announced, her hand outstretched.
The witches erupted in cheers.
“Wonderful, Sister Isesi has become an Official Witch!” Yoleya clapped. She and Qinna had already undergone their examinations. Naturally, the intensity of their battles couldn’t compare to this clash between the second and third ranked apprentices.
Qinna had barely passed with four votes, achieving promotion. But Yoleya didn’t pass this time and would have to wait for the next opportunity. However, given her level, she hadn’t held much hope, so she wasn’t too discouraged.
Next was Lusha’s evaluation. Although she was defeated, her ability to use ancient deity lineage magic was impressive.
Lusha passed with seven votes, becoming a Witch. Some judges didn’t appreciate her close-combat, martial-focused style.
“Newly promoted Witches, and Apprentice Witches, most of your examinations have now concluded, with only one remaining,” Shartha said, her ample chest held high. “Next will be the final match of this trial examination. Perhaps you’re wondering, with only one person left, how can a battle be conducted?”
Shartha smiled mysteriously, the black cat on her shoulder twitching its whiskers, looking at the assembled witches below.
“That’s because, among all the Apprentice Witches, no one is capable of facing her. Therefore, we must send a senior and sufficiently powerful Official Witch, our very own Miss Diluowei, as her opponent in this trial.”
Shartha’s purple eyes shimmered. She extended her arm, pointing towards a figure in the darkness, her voice melodious and resounding.
“I’m sure you’ve all guessed who she is—?”
“Yalan Diye!”
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