Prologue: An Ominous Prophecy

Diana Sol was a witch. To be precise, she was a young witch of nineteen who had finally graduated from being a trainee just two days ago. It was customary in the world of magic for those with talent to become independent at eighteen, when they came of age, but those who only graduated after turning nineteen tended not to become anyone big in the future. Diana Sol was not an exceptionally talented witch, but thankfully, she wasn’t exceptionally untalented either.

“Oh, Diana. I thought you would be staying for a little while longer,”

said Diana’s teacher, Barbara Jiles, in her worry. She was a renowned witch, and she was also the head of <Cunning Jiles>, a typical household of magic in Ingram. Diana was an orphan, and she had been fortunate to learn from Barbara for so long.

“I’m sorry. I promised my sister that I’d meet her in Wokingham.”

Diana lowered her eyes gently in a show of regret. Barbara squeezed Diana’s hand and reluctantly asked,

“Cedric is supposed to be here in two days. He’s purposefully freed up his schedule to see you off —won’t you at least see him before you go?”

“I’m sure you know how much I’ve missed my sister.”

“Well……. I suppose that’s only natural, since she’s your only family.”

Disappointedly, Barbara added,

“I know how stubborn you can be. You won’t listen no matter what else I say at this point.”

“I know that I was a disciple far too lacking to match your fame, Teacher, but please don’t think I’m being ungrateful. I will never forget the kindness you’ve done for me by looking after me all this time,”

Diana said resolutely. Barbara smiled wryly.

“I know. I know best that you’re one of the kindest children the world has to offer. Don’t mind me, and go. You’ll be late for your train.”

“I’ll be sure to write once I’ve arrived at Wokingham.”

“All right.”

Barbara placed her thin hand over Diana’s head one last time.

“May the bright light of Callisto be with you always.”

Diana left ever so readily from Barbara Jiles’ arms. She had been apprenticed to Jiles when she was seven, and she had finally become independent only twelve years later. It had been delayed by a year due to her lack of talent, but she had finally managed to become a proper witch this year. And now, she could finally be with her beloved sister, just as she had always wanted.

Her footsteps grew lighter as did her heart. Daisy, the wily cat that Barbara was raising, followed after her as she practically flew down the path.

“Where’re you going, Ginger?”

the cat asked with a wide yawn. Dianna quipped back at her without so much as turning around.

“To see my sister.”

“When are you coming back?”

“I’m not.”

The shocked cat stopped in her tracks.

Barbara Jiles was not the type of person to stay in one place for very long, and Diana did not have many memories of the manor in Tuxbury, which they had only resided in for about two months or so. Diana was carrying one large bag for her clothes and one small bag across her shoulders for her other miscellaneous items.

Nothing weighed on her mind anymore now that she had said her farewells to her teacher who had looked after a young child with no relatives for over a decade. The very thought that she might never have to deal with the three awful Jiles siblings ever again made Diana so happy she thought she could fly.

Tuxbury was a town located in northeast Ingram, and it was decently noisy. It was much quieter than Bennevis, where musicians played on the streets regardless of the time of day, but there was more hustle and bustle here than Nettleton, where there was at least a two-hour walk between houses. As fitting for a decently noisy town, the only problems arose when disorderly people did not know how to be properly considerate toward pedestrians.

“Oh my gosh!”

Diana, who had nearly collided into a newspaper delivery man on a bike as soon as she had turned onto the street, sulked as she glared at his retreating figure. The way he leisurely proceeded to leave her field of vision without a single word of apology was rather offensive, but she felt like would get caught immediately if she used magic for no reason in her teacher’s front lawn.

“Witches forgive at least thrice.”

Diana forced down her ire as she recalled an age-old proverb. She normally had a twisted view of the world, but today was her day of freedom that she had been dreaming of all her life. A little offense meant nothing to her.

The sky was particularly clear today. The weather had been great these past several days, but it was Diana’s first time enjoying the sunlight in a truly long while because witches did not leave their homes very often. Diana put down her heavy bag and stood still to stretch. Her features went languid, like a cat’s, as satisfaction clouded her countenance.

A suspicious carriage stopped right in front of her just then. The gorgeously carved door opened automatically.

“It’s been a while, Diana. I see your hair is still as red as ever,”

said a honey-like and glamorous voice from within the carriage. Diana, who had taken a step back in caution, narrowed her eyes as she glared inside the carriage’s dark interior.

“Chesterty?”

“Why don’t you come inside? Your stuff looks heavy.”

Diana furrowed her brows. Chesterty Jiles was her teacher’s adopted daughter and the second of the three awful Jiles siblings whom Diana despised. Normally, Diana would have never lent her ear to Chesterty’s offer.

But the current situation made that a little difficult. Not only was her bag heavy, as Chesterty had pointed out, but it was also still a long way to the train station. Besides, Diana wasn’t familiar with Tuxbury’s geography, and she might miss her train entirely if she wasn’t careful. Diana hesitated for a moment and estimated how much time she had left before climbing into the carriage.

The inside of the carriage was as dark as night because a thick curtain was covering the window. Diana squinted as she glanced at Chesterty, who was sitting opposite of her.

“What brings you all the way out here?”

“And you’re just as coy as ever too, I see.”

The door closed when Chesterty gestured to it. Then, the carriage clattered as it began to move. Chesterty continued,

“I heard that you finally passed the promotion exam. So I’m here to congratulate you, obviously.”

“Did Teacher tell you?”

“Of course not. Even you should know that my mother isn’t nearly meticulous enough for that.”

“Then who did?”

“Who else would it be? It was our cute little Cedric, of course.”

Chesterty laughed silently. Diana’s eyes opened wide.

“Nonsense. Why would that snake tell you?”

“It’s up to you whether you want to believe me or not. But in any event, I’m here to congratulate you for finally becoming independent.”

“I don’t believe that either,”

Diana frigidly continued,

“You’re not the type of person to do anything without some kind of underlying motive. And you’re being so nice to me right now that I’m sure even the dogs are laughing as we pass them by.”

“I’m only trying to be nice to my little sister who’s finally learned how to stand on her own two feet —don’t make too light of my sincerity.”

“Your sister? I’ve never been sisters with the <Cunning Jiles>.”

Chesterty grinned when Diana grumbled.

“I know. Your one and only sister is ‘Hester the Wise.’”

“……What do you want?”

Diana did not hide her unease. Chesterty took in a breath from her pipe and lethargically got to the point.

“It’s nothing special —I just happened to have a strange dream recently.”

Diana’s face immediately grew stiff. Chesterty was infamous for her dubious origins and foul temper, but she was also infinitely more famous for something else.

Chesterty Jiles could see the future. That was why she was also called the Witch of Prophecy.

“W-wait. That’s enough. I don’t want to hear any more.”

“But I’ve already come all this way, so why don’t you hear me out?”

“Nothing good’s ever happened to me after hearing one of your prophecies. You’re just here to curse me again, aren’t you?”

“Curse you? That’s quite harsh.”

Chesterty giggled. Diana narrowed her eyes as she used her hand to waft away the smoke from Chesterty’s pipe. Chesterty continued,

“Most people would pay a million gold just to hear the future. And, who knows? It might even help you this time.”

“It’s not like I can do anything anyway even if I do hear your prophecy. I thought you said the futures you see are fixed.”

“Hmmm, I suppose that’s true. But I can only see glimpses of the future. Even I don’t know what exactly will happen in your future.”

Chesterty brushed back the short hair by her ear as a strange light entered her eyes. She continued,

“……For example, I have no idea what’s about to happen on the train you’re about to board.”

“Hey!”

Diana erupted in anger as she thoughtlessly heard the prophecy. Chesterty grinned wickedly as she breathed in another breath of her pipe. A strange voice flowed through the white smoke she breathed out.

“Your trip might be a little long.”