Chapter 235 - Tick Tock

Vell trained the witches, day in and day out. There wasn't much else to do, really. Magic was their focus, and if they wanted to get anywhere with it, they had to practice.

At first, there was hesitation and failure—embers that fizzled out, illusions that barely held together, vines that lashed out unpredictably. It was frustrating, sometimes discouraging, but it got better over time.

Little by little, their failures turned into lessons, and their frustrations turned into steady progress.

Sonder, eager to learn everything, quickly found herself overwhelmed. Unlike the others, who stuck to one school of magic, she tried to learn them all and, as a result, fell behind.

What started as an advantage—with her broader knowledge and previous training—soon melted away. She watched as the others improved faster than she did, growing more confident while she struggled.

It stung to watch them succeed where she floundered.

But Vell reminded her, "We have time. They don't. This isn't just about us—it's about their future, and that drives a person."

That changed how she saw things. Instead of competing, she helped where she could, sharing what she'd learned, making sure none of them fell into the same traps she had. It was hard, but it felt right.

There were also the growing pains of becoming a real magician, pushing themselves too hard sometimes, burning out, and exhausting their bodies and minds. There were nights when frustration boiled over into tears, and uncertainty crept in like an unwelcome guest.

Still, they kept going. The Green Witch, of all of them, found her rhythm the quickest. She wasn't the strongest, but she was the most precise. She didn't waste energy or rush. She just worked at it until she got it right.

The others followed their own paths—each witch carving out a place in magic where once they had been told they had none.

They were supposed to be failures and rejects.

But under Vell's guidance and patience, that title no longer fit them.

They were witches, through and through.

Every now and then, they left the house for a break. Sometimes Vell went with them; other times they wandered off alone. It was good to step away from the books and training, even if it was just to breathe fresh air for a while.

Sometimes, they left just to leave—to escape studying and the stuffiness of the house. It always felt like a long time had passed, even when it hadn't.

And so, life continued—training, studying, taking breaks when needed—until their time ran out.