One word that many humans don't believe in is "witch."
Lily was an ordinary girl who lived with Emma at the edge of the village near the forest. The ten-year-old girl had always been interested in fantasy tales of witchcraft.
Wishing she too could c...
Emma and Lily stare at the letter, now fully open, as Lily reads it again, afraid she has misread the ancient-looking piece of paper. Yet the contents remain the same.
"Could this be real? Is someone playing a prank on Lily?" mutters Lily.
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"Monday, July 9th. That's only three days away, Lady," Emma says.
"Is this real? Lily has never heard of an academy called Enigma, and besides, witches don't exist. If this academy were real, people would be talking about it," Lily rambles on.
Emma stays silent. She watches as Lily studies the mysterious letter with serious intent; sometimes, Lily's brow furrows as she thinks deeply, making Emma chuckle softly.
"But don't you love witches? If this is real, wouldn't it be what you've always wanted?" Emma asks, making Lily pause.
"Of course, if this were real, Lily would be thrilled! But if it's just a joke, what then? Do you think this letter is genuine?" Lily questions.
Emma says nothing, unsure what to make of the letter. Lily, noticing Emma's unusual silence, feels puzzled too. Emma has seemed preoccupied since the letter arrived.
"Even if it is real, Lily might not go." Emma looks at Lily, confused.
"Why, Lady? This is your opportunity."
Lily sighs, clasping Emma's hand and smiling warmly. Her lavender eyes gaze at Emma with affection. "Lily doesn't want to leave you. If Lily's guess is right, this academy is very far away. Lily can't leave you here alone." She can't leave the woman who has cared for her all these years.
"Besides, Lily isn't a witch. Why would they invite Lily? If Lily can't use magic, Lily would only be bullied there."
"If you've been invited, that means you have magic, Lady Amberlyn."
Lily and Emma turn toward the door as they hear a foreign voice interrupting them. Emma immediately pulls Lily into her embrace, shielding her from the stranger who has walked into their home. Meanwhile, Lily blinks in confusion, observing the strange-looking woman.
"Oh, you don't need to be alarmed. I'm not here to harm you."
"Who are you?" Emma asks.
The stranger enters and smiles. "I am Vicky Ambolonie, sent to escort Lady Amberlyn," Vicky replies.
"Escort Lily? What do you mean?" Lily asks, stepping out of Emma's embrace.
Emma, while lowering her guard, still holds onto Lily's hand. "Are you from Enigma?"
"That's right, Lady Leywin." Lily glances back and forth between Emma and Vicky. The stranger knows Emma's last name-a rarity since Emma rarely introduces herself by her full name.
"So, if Vicky is from the Enigma Academy, then... the academy is real?" Lily asks.
Vicky smiles widely and nods. "The Enigma Academy is indeed real, Lady Amberlyn. And not only Enigma." Vicky removes one of her gloves, and fire begins to emerge from her hand. "Magic and witches are also real."
Lily's eyes widen as she watches the fire appear in Vicky's hand, her lavender eyes sparkling at the sight. Vicky then quickly puts her glove back on. "We're forbidden from using magic in the dimension of Evamile, so that's all I can show you."
"So... witches are real?!" Lily exclaims, causing Emma to look at her in surprise. "Show Lily more!"
Vicky shakes her head, smiling. "I'm sorry, Lady Amberlyn. We're not allowed to use magic here in Evamile. However, if Lady Amberlyn would like to see more, Lady can join me at Enigma Academy."
"Huh?" Lily blinks slowly and glances at Emma. Emma, smiling, simply nods. Lily turns back to Vicky. "Lily can't leave Emma. Can't Emma come with Lily?"
Emma approaches Lily. "Lady, I'm not a witch, and you're the one who's been invited. I don't mind if you choose to go."
"But..."
"Enigma holds a three-month class break each year. Lady Amberlyn can come home to see Lady Leywin then. And not just during the class break; Lady Amberlyn can come back for the New Year holiday too," Vicky adds.
Lily looks at Vicky. "But Vicky, Lily's never shown any magic, and Lily feels like Lily can't use magic. Why was Lily invited?"
"As I mentioned, if Lady was invited, that means Lady Amberlyn has magic. Sometimes, people haven't unlocked their magic simply because they're unaware of it. This often happens with witches born in the Evamile dimension," Vicky explains.
An intense silence follows as Lily processes Vicky's explanation. Emma watches as Lily wrestles with her thoughts. A part of her wants to attend the magic academy, but another part hesitates, not wanting to leave Emma alone in the house they have shared for so long.
Emma notices the uncertainty in Lily's eyes. She looks to Vicky for advice, but Vicky only shakes her head, indicating the decision lies with Lily. The academy will never force anyone to join.
"If Lady doesn't want to go, that's fine, Lady Amberlyn. But if that's the case, I'll have to erase Lady's memory of all this. We can't let anyone know that witches are real," Vicky says.
"No! Don't erase it!" Lily cries.
Emma places her hands on Lily's shoulders. "You should go, Lady. I'll always be here waiting for you."
"Are you sure?" Lily asks, seeking confirmation.
"Of course." Emma smiles. "I'll always be here, so when you return, I'll greet you with a warm smile and a hug."
Hearing this, Lily smiles, and the doubt in her heart disappears. She nods quickly and turns to Vicky. "Alright, Vicky! Lily will go with you to Enigma Academy. But could you wait a moment? Lily needs to get ready first."
"Certainly, Lady Amberlyn."
***
"Take care of yourself while Lily's away, Emma. Lily promises to come home during the break and bring friends Lily makes there!" Lily hugs Emma in farewell.
Emma nods, tightening the embrace. They hold each other for a while before finally parting. Lily waves as she walks away, calling out, "Don't forget to give Uncle Chris the cake Lily promised him!"
"Don't worry, I'll make sure he gets it!" Emma gives her a thumbs-up, making Lily smile and respond with an "okay" gesture.
Vicky takes Lily's hand, and they start walking toward the forest. Lily, confused, looks at Vicky, seeking an explanation. Vicky, understanding the look, chuckles.
"To reach Enigma Academy, we must pass through this forest, Lady Amberlyn," Vicky explains.
"And where exactly is Enigma Academy, Vicky?" Lily asks.
Vicky gazes straight ahead. "In a place far, far away-a place only witches can reach."
