A Witch in the Making

Three months had passed since the Final Selection, and life at Allegria had settled into a steady rhythm. The air buzzed with magic, a constant hum of spellcasting echoing through every corner of the school. I had learned that everyone who passed the second phase of the Final Selection had been accepted as students. But those who triumphed in the final phase were placed in a prestigious special class, reserved for the most exceptional talents—those who had proven themselves in ways most could only dream of.

Dion, Farrah, Tabitha, Caine, Magnus, Mira, Amon, Jared, Elara, and I were among the chosen, our names etched into the roster of Allegria's brightest. This elite class was designed to hone our unique strengths and affinities, pushing the boundaries of magic and challenging us to reach new heights.

I had been focusing on refining my healing magic, a skill I had always struggled with, especially under the pressure of battle. Fortunately, my Master—known throughout Allegria as Ice Wizard Eisen—was committed to helping me improve. When I first learned of his title, I couldn’t resist teasing him.

“You have code names? That’s so lame,” I said, my voice dripping with mock disdain.

“It wasn’t my idea,” he replied with a smirk. “The people here came up with it. Don’t worry, though—once you graduate, I’ll be calling you Troublemaker Valkyrie.”

“Damn you,” I muttered under my breath, though I couldn’t help the grin tugging at my lips.

Despite his teasing, Master’s teaching was nothing short of extraordinary. His methods were patient yet hands-on, guiding me through the delicate art of channeling mana for restorative magic. He taught me how to heal others without draining my own energy and how to walk the fine line between destruction and restoration.

“Magic is balance,” he would remind me, his voice steady as ice. “Mastering it isn’t about choosing between offense and healing—it’s about harmonizing the two.”

It was a lesson I was still learning, but under his guidance, I could feel myself growing stronger every day. Slowly but surely, I was discovering not just how to wield healing magic but how to integrate it into my identity as a witch.

Dion once told me that healing spells were rare in the Enchanted Forest, yet many mentors like Master possessed the ability to use them. Those with similar affinities trained together under the same mentors. Farrah, with her wind affinity, trained under Gale Master Soren, an expert who emphasized not only combat and movement but also the use of wind for communication and support. Farrah excelled in versatility, while I focused on incorporating wind magic into restorative practices. Soren was another mentor who had healed me after the Battle Royale, alongside Master Eisen.

Caine and I, both possessing earth affinity, should have studied under Stonekeeper Adara, a master of earth magic specializing in defense and support. However, Master Eisen insisted on being my mentor, and after a heated debate, he won an anonymous decision. Adara taught Caine how to create barriers and weapons from the terrain.

Magnus, with his lightning affinity, trained under Stormcaller Zephyr, an expert in lightning magic—and Magnus’ older brother. Their lessons were intense, focusing on harnessing the raw power of lightning and the unpredictability of storms. Zephyr pushed Magnus to master both offense and defense, using storms to disorient enemies and lightning for precise, devastating strikes.

Mira and Dion, both with water affinities, trained together under Wave Summoner Seraphine, a calm and serene expert in water magic. Seraphine’s teachings focused on the purifying properties of water, guiding Mira toward precision in her spells and helping Dion create both defensive and offensive water-based techniques. Seraphine also helped in healing me after the Battle Royale.

Tabitha and Amon, both with fire affinity, were mentored by Red Witch Winona. Winona’s lessons refined their control over fire, teaching Tabitha to wield flames with precision and Amon to explore fire’s dual nature as both a destructive force and a tool for creation.

Jared, with his poison affinity, studied under Venom Master Aldric, a master of toxins and venom magic. Aldric’s lessons were focused on crafting toxins to incapacitate foes and antidotes to counteract poisons. Jared was also learning how to use his magic to weaken enemies and disrupt their spells.

Elara, with her celestial affinity, trained under Witch Queen Hecate, the near-mythical figure who had mastered every magical affinity. Hecate pushed Elara beyond her limits, guiding her in harnessing the light of the stars for both destructive power and restorative magic. Elara learned to summon protective constellations and amplify her allies’ abilities in combat.

Despite the challenges we faced, we trained side by side, attended classes together, and drew strength from one another. Each of us brought something unique to the table, and our mentors were relentless in shaping us into the best versions of ourselves.

Though many still resented me for being human, I found acceptance in Tabitha, Dion, and Elara. After the Battle Royale, Magnus tried to speak to me.

“Who told you to save me from that attack, stupid!” he shouted, before quickly running away. “Thank you for saving me,” I realized he meant to say. It was surprisingly cute.

After that, he started avoiding me, and I couldn’t figure out why.

Others, like Amon, continued to distance themselves from me... even some of the mentors, like Aldric. One day, in the middle of his class, he began openly criticizing me, declaring that I was just a human who could one day bring trouble to Allegria. His words were sharp and pointed, meant to remind me of my place. But I refused to give him the satisfaction of seeing me crumble. Instead, I chose to ignore him.

I knew better than to provoke him—he had toxins and venom magic, and retaliation would only put me at risk of being poisoned. He was in charge of teaching us potions and other dangerous arts, and he wielded that power with a cold, detached cruelty.

But there was one moment when I couldn’t stay silent. It happened when I made a small mistake during one of his lessons, a seemingly harmless error in a potion's timing. Aldric, always eager to humiliate me in front of the class, seized the opportunity to accuse me of not taking my studies seriously enough. "Humans like you," he sneered, "couldn’t even brew a basic potion without causing chaos. You’re a walking disaster waiting to happen."

I couldn’t hold back anymore. With a cold, hard glare, I shot back, “At least I’m not the one poisoning the class with bitterness and incompetence.” The words slipped out before I could stop them, but I didn’t regret them.

Enraged by my defiance, Aldric gave me the worst punishment he could think of: I was ordered to brew a Love Charm potion, a notoriously difficult brew known for its delicate ingredients and intricate steps. It was the kind of potion designed to be both time-consuming and tedious, forcing one to prove their patience and discipline.

The task was a nightmare, far more complicated than I had anticipated. I had no time to sleep, eat, or even comb my hair. It was a week of constant failure and frustration. In desperation, I turned to my Master for help—my first and last time doing so.

When I asked him, his response was dripping with disdain. “A Love Charm potion? Who are you trying to seduce, you half-wit girl?” His tone was condescending, disgusted with the very idea.

“You’re useless, Master.” My words were as cold as his. I kept my face impassive, though inside, I felt the sting of his judgment.

In the end, I somehow managed to perfect the potion, but it came at a serious cost. I hadn’t had a chance to rest or even look in a mirror. I looked like a walking disaster—my hair was a tangled mess, my skin was as pale as a ghost, and I probably could’ve used a week’s worth of sleep. Maybe that’s why witches in movies always look so haggard and miserable. They’re too busy brewing chaos to bother with shampoo or basic hygiene.