A Celestial Witch

When I regained consciousness, I felt heavy and disoriented. My body was sore, and every inch of me ached. I tried to move, but I was too weak. The pain made it difficult to think clearly, but I could feel the Master’s mana near me.

The warmth of Master’s magic surrounded me, a steady presence I could always count on. His healing light seeped into my body, dulling the pain and easing the tension in my muscles. But as the healing magic spread, I couldn’t ignore the overwhelming weight of guilt that crushed me from within.

“Master,” I whispered, my voice weak. “I’m sorry… I failed.”

I could feel his gaze on me, though I didn’t have the strength to meet it. The guilt was suffocating. I had failed not only the Final Selection but also myself, and Master, the one who had put so much trust in me.

“I failed,” I repeated, my voice trembling. “I prioritized the welfare of others over my own. I lost sight of what mattered. I didn’t complete the final phase.”

There was a long silence. I held my breath, waiting for the rebuke, for the disappointment that I felt I deserved.

Then, Master sighed deeply, a sound filled with both weariness and understanding. His fingers pressed gently on my nose, and I could almost hear the shake of his head as he spoke, “Always trying to save others before thinking about yourself. It’s stupid, Val.”

I froze. My eyes snapped open, my irritation flaring up instantly. I was about to protest when he continued, his voice much softer but still firm.

“But,” he said, “I know you acted like that because your kind enough to help every person struggling. Even if it means putting yourself at risk. You’re like that, Val.”

I wanted to argue, to tell him that I couldn’t afford to be “stupid” anymore, that I should have been more focused, more disciplined. But the warmth in his tone made me pause.

I tried to sit up, but the weight of my exhaustion held me down, my body still too weak to comply. I clenched my fists, fighting against the frustration rising within me.

“Why am I like this?” I whispered bitterly, my voice cracking. “I’m sorry for being stupid.” I cried like a child, the weight of my frustration finally breaking through.

He chuckled softly, a deep, knowing sound. “Stop crying. You’re not a child anymore.”

He tapped my forehead hard, and I winced. “Hey, that hurts!” I protested, rubbing the spot.

I shot him a teasing glare. “That’s why you never get a girlfriend. You’re barbaric, Master.”

“Good,” he replied with a smirk. “I’ll take that as a compliment.”

I shook my head and thought “He’s crazy.”

***

When I returned to the arena, my eyes immediately found the familiar faces of my comrades. Magnus and Elara were at the back, and I could see the concern in Elara's eyes as she watched me approach. Her usually calm and composed demeanor seemed to crack for a moment, a flicker of worry crossing her features. I wasn’t used to seeing Elara like this—so vulnerable, so human.

"Valkyrie..." she started, her voice soft yet laced with genuine concern. "You’re really okay?"

I gave her a small nod, doing my best to brush off the weariness that still clung to my body. "I’m fine," I replied, though I could feel my legs threatening to give out beneath me.

Tabitha and Dion stood on the sidelines, their expressions matching Elara’s.

***

The arena fell into a heavy silence as Hecate, the Witch Queen, descended from her throne. Riri was with her. Her presence was like a weight, pressing down on everyone in the place. I could feel the air grow thick, suffocating, as her piercing green eyes locked onto mine. The intensity of her gaze seemed to strip away everything around me, leaving me feeling exposed, vulnerable. Every breath I took felt like a struggle as her stare held me captive.

“Valkyrie,” she announced, her voice sharp and final, “you have failed the Final Selection.”

The words hit me like a physical blow, and my knees buckled under their weight. I clenched my fists, willing myself to stay upright, to keep the defeat from swallowing me whole.

“Yes. I lost our bet, my Queen.” I accepted my fate, my shoulders sagging as I braced myself for whatever consequences awaited me.

“Really?” Hecate smirked, her voice dripping with amusement, as if she had just caught me in a trap. Her fingers lazily caressed Riri, the small creature nestled comfortably in her arms.

I couldn’t help but sigh inwardly. I had lost, and there was no escaping that reality. But there was still something I had to say.

“But since the forest broke its curse and was returned to its normal state, everyone should be accepted. The mana can sustain everyone here, and we can share it with the forest in turns. This final selection should be stopped.” My voice was steady, despite the weight of Hecate’s presence bearing down on me.

She floated closer, her fingers trailing through my long, curly brown hair, a look of quiet approval in her eyes. But she never let go of Riri.

Does she like animals that much? I wondered, a flicker of curiosity breaking through the tension.

“Well, you’re right,” she mused, her fingers still lingering in my hair. She seemed almost distracted, as if lost in thought. “Ah, it’s been so long since I had another student. I’m so excited,” she said, her voice filled with a surprising joy that contrasted with the suffocating aura she projected.

“Wait,” Elara’s voice rang out, cutting through her happy moments. I turned my head to see her stepping forward, her movements shaky but full of purpose. “My Queen, I have earned a wish, haven’t I?”

Hecate tilted her head, her expression one of cold amusement. “Indeed, you have. Speak it.”

I froze as Elara glanced back at me, her eyes steady despite the exhaustion etched on her face. “I wish for Valkyrie to pass the Final Selection with me.”

“What?” I breathed, disbelief crashing over me.

The thought hit me like a thunderclap, making my heart race. The wish... she could have wished for her foster mother to get healed.

The crowd erupted into whispers, but Hecate silenced them with a wave of her hand. She studied Elara for a long moment before her lips curled into a sly smile. “Interesting. You would sacrifice your reward for another? Explain.”

Elara squared her shoulders, though I could see her hands trembling at her sides. “Valkyrie has done more for me than anyone else. She fought for me when I couldn’t fight for myself. She deserves to be here.”

Hecate chuckled, a sound that sent chills down my spine. “Huh, cunning brats!” She looked so pissed. With a swift motion, she let go of Riri. The cat darted back to my side, clinging to my feet in relief.

“Fine, I’ll grant your wish, but you’ll be my student instead,” Hecate said, her tone serious as her gaze fixed on Elara.

“It’s an honor, my Queen,” Elara replied, bowing respectfully.

“Tsk!” Hecate clicked her tongue in annoyance, before vanishing with a flick of her fingers, leaving a lingering sense of tension in the air.

Elara turned to me, her voice soft but firm. “You’ve stood by me. Let me do this for you.”

I swallowed hard, my chest tightening with a mix of gratitude and guilt. “You didn’t have to—”

“I wanted to,” she interrupted, a faint smile tugging at her lips.

Her smile was so enchanting. With her flickering red hair, she looked like a moon goddess—truly a celestial witch, radiating an ethereal beauty that seemed to belong to another realm.