Calytrix's Journey

Chapter IX: The Witch's Guild

"Dona mihi aqua!" the enemy witch chanted a water spell.

"Dona mihi fulminis tonitura spiritus." I concentrated on my magic, driving back the witch's water and sending thunderbolts at her.

The witch stopped the spell before I hit her and started chanting again: "Donna mihi motus terra spiritus."

A violent shaking of the ground caused me to lose my balance. I tumbled and saw Leo also fall.

"Dona mihi crustallum!"

Though brief, the earthquake gave the witch time to unleash freezing bolts on me. I averted freezing by rolling to my left. Leo was still on the ground, but the witch didn't focus her attacks on him. It would be best if he stayed on the ground so I can focus on my attacks and defending without worrying about him.

Rising and looking up, I saw the witch worn out from her magic. She was panting, but I couldn't relax because I still felt a dreadful menace coming from her. Although our magic was equal, her voice revealed a significant age difference. Her magical experience must have far surpassed mine.

"Dona mihi flamma ignis spiritus."

I called forth flames to encircle the witch, but she quickly dispelled it and called forth water. 

"Dona mihi potens amnis aqua spiritus!" she immediately cast another spell.

The heavy water she conjured overwhelmed my defenses and soaked me. I got soaked to the bone like a field mouse. Water spells were my weakness, and I hated how easily others could use them against me. She probably expected this when she saw my red lock.

Unlike her, I needed breaks between spells. Although it was perilous, running away wasn't an option. Attempting that would result in an immediate, decisive spell from her, ending things swiftly.

"Dona mihi magnus crustallum spiritus!" she started chanting a spell for heavy ice crystal attacks.

"Ignis!" I quickly called forth my flames to melt the ice.

I melted some ice crystals, but it was not enough. The sharp ice tore at the skin of my shoulders and hands. It hurt so much, but I couldn't call forth any magic to protect me in such a short time.

"Dona mihi..." the witch started chanting again. 

I was going to lose to her at this pace. I had to change the course of events, but all I could think of were various spells. I focused intently on a new, difficult spell, but I just got a tremendous headache and I couldn't get any spell to work.

"Spiritus!" the witch finished her chant.

She was too quick, so I embraced myself for the worst. I anticipated a dreadful outcome with my eyes closed, yet nothing happened. I heard a loud thud and noticed that Leo was standing behind the witch, holding a large, thick book. The force of the impact knocked her unconscious.

"Did you just hit the witch with that book?" I asked with my eyes wide open because I hadn't expected such a conclusion.

"Yes, mistress," Leo answered.

"Well, that was an effective way of solving the problem," I said.

"Thank you, mistress. I'm glad I was helpful," Leo said happily. "But you're bleeding a lot, mistress."

Approaching cautiously, he checked my wounds, concern etched on his face, but the pain was almost gone. There was nothing to be concerned about.

"Curatio!" I chanted a spell to heal my wounds.

My spell flawlessly erased all wounds and blood, leaving no signs.

"Amazing... it looks like you were never hurt!"