The Witch of Calamity

06

Headmadster Haythem reached into his robes and pulled out a fist sized crystal, "First off I would like to offer an apology on behalf of both the professors and staff for allowing this to happen. It was due to our negligence that you ended up in this state. We sincerely apologize."

"It's alright the fault lies with Finlied and if Professor Estain hadn't set up the mana dispersing barrier things would have ended up much worse. If anything I'm at fault because I noticed the gathering mana but failed to alert Professor Estain who was just outside the room," Cecil bowed her head in apology ready to take on any punishment for her part in the incident.

"The matter has been settled with Young Lord Aini and Lord Aini so there is no need to worry about taking any fault," Headmaster Haythem reassured the young witch before handing the crystal over to her. "As thanks for protecting his son Lord Aini requested that you take this mana crystal as a reward."

Cecil's eyes lit up as she inspected the mana crystal. It would be considered a medium size which was quite hard to obtain unless you were wealthy or had found one in a dungeon. It had already been cut and polished into a fist sized orb however it had yet to be engraved with mana conducting runes. In the hands of a normal caster it would be a good gift so that they could engrave runes into it and use it as a mana storage crystal or put it in a catalyst. However to a witch it was invaluable, "I will gladly accept, please extend my humblest thanks to Lord Aini."

"I apologize for putting you, Towa, and Aini in danger," Professor Estain stepped forward to offer his piece. "You displayed superior mana control and thanks to your efforts I had enough time to cast the barrier but it put you three in danger. Please tell me if there is anyway to show that both my gratitude and apology are meaningful?"

Cecil gave it some thought before she got an idea, "May I commission the Catalyst Research Group to make me something?"

"I can do that," Professor Estain was a bit confused since Cecil could have asked for anything. If she wanted a new catalyst the school would have provided her one but why ask to commission a student group to make one. "As long as you can provide me the blue prints and any additional notes I can get it done within a week or two."

"I'll have the request ready by tomorrow," Cecil could hardly contain her excitement as she began to think of all the possibilities that would come with her new catalyst.

This time the half-naked woman Cecil assumed was Professor Wyntry stepped forward, "Well kid I'm sorry to say this but you won't be able to do anything for the next few days until we have your mana circuits stabilized no worries though since classes have been temporarily suspended until we can find your class a new room."

"I'm fine though?" Cecil quickly let mana flow throughout her body and was weirded out that something was wrong with her mana circuit since she couldn't find anything wrong with it.

"You have an unusual gathering of mana around your heart so until it disperses you won't be able to return to class, at least ones that concern magic and I won't let you take any combat classes in case you pull another mana explosion and the mana gathered around your heart explodes," Professor Wyntry huffed with annoyance at the fact that Cecil would be unable to take her class for the next few days.

Cecil looked around the room to find her uniform on the bedside table and she quickly dug out a small pendant from one of the pockets. It was a different one than the one her master had given her which was the necklace she was currently wearing. This one was just a normal necklace with a small seal as the only decoration that her master had prepared in case she had to explain anything that might have been hard to otherwise. The seal was that of a moon with a red eye in the middle of it, the mark of a witch in training under one of the rare witch covens that took in orphans and raised them to be witches and wizards. This particular seal was belonged to the Blood Moon Coven which was known for its secrecy even among other witches and wizards. Professor Estain and Professor Wyntry were shocked for a moment but composed themselves since the seal did provide reasonable evidence as to Cecil's strange behaviors they had witnessed. That also meant that they had no need to worry about the mana gathered around her heart since it was part of becoming a witch. 

"First time I've seen a mana heart but if it means you're alright to go back to class then I'm all for it kid!" Professor Wyntry let out a hearty laugh as she slapped Cecil on the back.

After some small talk regarding schedules the Headmaster and the two Professors left Cecil to gather her things to return to her dorm. When she was sure the trio could no longer monitor her in anyway she let out a small sigh of relief. Headmaster Haythem's gaze pierced right through her as if searching her very soul for the smallest of imperfections like she was an item being appraised. No wonder her master said to avoid the Headmaster as much as possible during her time at the academy. Cecil could tell right away that he was someone who liked to "collect" useful people and have them under his thumb and all the Professors and staff must have owed a debt to him in some way or form. The Professors were a bit more straight forward with their intentions despite them trying their best to hide it. Professor Estain was apologetic but was more interested in pushing Cecil to her limits to reveal what cards she had hidden which made him another person to avoid. Professor Wyntry was a similar case but much more driven by the fact that she just wanted to see how strong Cecil was of a warrior more than anything else. One who wanted to "collect" her, one that wanted to study her, and one who simply wanted to test their own strength against her due to warrior's pride. They were the most dangerous people when it came to threatening Cecil's peaceful time at the academy. Similarly as the Headmaster walked down the hallway away from the medical ward with the two Professors in tow they were appraising Cecil just as she was of them. 

"I haven't heard of the Blood Moon Coven allowing its students to wander outside their domain until after they've completed their ascension perhaps she's a special case with how skilled she seems to be," Professor Estain pondered over the pendant Cecil had shown them. "I'm not sure if she's even aware of the fact that she cut off her mana signature and closed off her mana circuits the moment she sensed us approaching. If she's skilled enough to do that subconsciously then that would make her better than most of the fourth year students and staff, maybe even some of the Professors."

Professor Wyntry was holding back her excitement at what she had seen in the medical ward, "She also hid her aura from me the moment I stepped into the room, I would have missed it but that kid is definitely stronger than most of the other combat Professors! Her aura is that of a seasoned veteran who's survived many life threatening situations, I can't wait to fight her!"

"The Blood Moon Coven hasn't taken in any orphans for the past few decades due to the agreement between them and The Nine so she must be a student of another coven or a powerful witch or wizard," Headmaster Haythem couldn't quite place his finger on the feeling Cecil gave him it was as if he had met her a long time ago but he would have remembered someone with her unique features. It was when he looked out the hallway window at a small group of students walking together with training catalysts in their hands that a memory dawned on him. An unpleasant memory judging from the frown on the Headmaster's face. "Do you two know of the Ashen Witch?"

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Cecil took a deep breath outside her dorm door as she prepared herself for whatever was on the other side. She was honestly confused as to why Rei had gotten mad at her and ran off but it worried her that she had left while crying. No one had been seriously injured during the incident and Rei herself was uninjured so what would have been the issue?

"Rei?" Cecil slowly opened the door and peaked into the room to find her friend curled into a ball underneath the blanket on her bed. "Hey I'm sorry if I upset you in the medical ward."

"It's fine I overreacted," Rei kept her back turned as Cecil sat across from her. 

Cecil hesitantly knelt next to Rei and awkwardly half hugged the sulking girl, "No you were just worried about me that's all. I would have been upset if you had put yourself in danger and gotten hurt to."

"Just promise me you won't do it again," Rei was glad that Cecil was unable to see her face turn scarlet.

Little did Rei know that Cecil was grateful for the same thing, "I promise."