Chapter 210 - Past Masters

"Who was your master?" Vell, asked the green witch.

Since she and the other witches were merely practicing their control over their own mana, it seemed like a fitting time to talk.

The witch narrowed her eyes, but it seemed that there was no harm in telling him.

"My former mistress was the witch of Castle Askefise," she said, rolling her shoulders as she focused on the flickering light in her palm.

Vell studied her carefully. "I think I've heard that name before. And where is she now?"

The green witch hesitated, then clenched her fist, snuffing out the light. "Dead."

Sonder, who had been helping another witch refine her mana flow, paused and looked up. "What happened?"

Her jaw tightened. "A year after I was cast out, a noble hired her to break a curse on his estate. Supposedly, it was dark magic—dangerous, the kind you don't touch unless you know exactly what you're doing. But she thought she could unravel it. Just like she could unravel everything." She swallowed hard. "She was wrong."

"I'm sorry," Sonder murmured, unsure what else to say.

The green witch let out a bitter laugh. "It's just what happens when you're not strong enough."

Vell's gaze was steady. "No. It's what happens when you mistake power for wisdom."

Her eyes snapped to him, anger flaring. "She was powerful."

"She was foolish." His voice was calm, unwavering. "And she died because of it."

Sonder shifted uncomfortably. "Maybe—"

But Vell wasn't finished. "Tell me," he said, tilting his head. "Did she ever teach you control?"

The green witch hesitated. "She taught me spells. Techniques."

"That's not what I asked."

Her silence was answer enough.

Vell sighed. "Then she set you up to fail."

"Did you ever consider that maybe you weren't talentless?" Vell continued. "Maybe you simply had a bad teacher. Casting spells doesn't mean understanding magic. Even those who can wield it don't always have the talent to teach it." His gaze darkened. "Your master thought power alone would be enough to break a dark curse. It never is."

Her hands trembled, and for a moment, Sonder thought she might lash out. But instead, she took a slow, steady breath and sat down.

"Then tell me," she said quietly. "What should she have done?" 

Vell considered it for a moment. "She should have known her limits. You still respect her, even after being cast aside, but at the end of the day, she was just a person. Like anyone else."

He stood, sweeping his gaze over the gathered witches. "If you want to avoid her fate, you have two choices: You can keep casting spells you don't fully understand, hoping you won't make the same mistakes." His staff pulsed faintly, as if emphasizing the point. "Or you can actually learn magic—like you are now."