Witchcraft Rising [ONC 2020]

Alkior Venit

By the time I arrived at my scouting class, I was out of breath and panting like I had run a mile just to get here.

The doors closed behind me with a sound that echoed loudly throughout the class. I winced.

"You're late, Anveya." Professor Lenaris stepped forward, parting the students gathered around her. Her steel-blue scouting gear fit her slim figure snuggly, weapons strengthened by caster magic strapped at her sides and back. For a woman in her mid forties, she certainly still looked like a mighty warrior witch. If it hadn't been for the way her cheeks were slightly hollowed with age I might have mistaken her for a teacher in training.

Yes well, attacking The Elemental; thinking of killing a Virtue and then ending up talking to her; finding out your purpose was a lie; and sharing your body with a demon would make anyone late.

I didn't say that. I almost did. Although I would have been forced to stay behind and write an essay as punishment for my loose tongue.

"Apologies, I was taking care of a personal matter."

"One that involved curling into yourself and screaming at the ground," Tenebris stated. "Yes, a very personal matter. And yes, I will shut up now."

Professor Lenaris arched a silver-gray brow, ice-blue eyes critical. "One more important than learning how to survive out there against demons?"

All of the students' heads swiveled around to stare at me. They were all armed, and with the way their eyes glowed slightly, I guessed they had already finished warming up their magic.

"Er, no. But of equal importance."

Professor Lenaris took the hint, thinking I had been seeing The Elemental. Which was true, but the truth was so much more complicated.

"Very well. Come join us then." She clasped her hands behind her back and gave me one more assessing scroll up and down my body before turning away and beginning to assign partners.

I walked over to the dummies holding the steel-blue scouting leathers, strapping the pieces on with sure fingers, used to doing it by muscle memory now. I finished tightening the brown leather vambraces, tucking a generic stiletto blade into the folds and reached for the brown shoulder armour with bronze engraving next. I strapped that on to, and began walking towards the other students.

I searched the room for a student I knew, immediately striding over to a witch with caramel skin and a golden filigree bracelet around her left wrist.

A gift from her girlfriend. E'ria had spent the entire day at the nearest market looking for one that suited her.

I sidled up next to the witch and smiled warmly. She finished tying her ink-black hair into a braid and flicked it over her shoulder. Upon recognizing me she smiled, her upturned chestnut eyes brightening. "Anveya!"