Darkness

"I've been watching you, i never stop watching over new magic students. They are frail, weak and naive. Magic is like air, we can breathe the available air, filling up our lungs. Something similar happens with magic. I said it takes years to learn it, it has to be done in moderation." She fixed her glasses.

But Sophia didn't care about the warnings. Magic was her only chance.

"I can learn this," she muttered to herself as she flipped open the book. "I will learn this."

The librarian watched her from across the room, her eyes fixed with an intensity that made Sophia uncomfortable. She hadn't left since Sophia had begun reading, and now, the older woman's gaze felt heavier than ever. 

"You need to be careful," the librarian's voice was soft but insistent, pulling Sophia from her thoughts. She looked at the book with only 4 pages left and then at the librarian, but she had disappeared into the shadows.

"Ok, i'll read this 4 pages and stop. I need to go home either way. This world seems to function as mine, the concept of weekends is relevant. I'll ask to bring another book home to read on the weekend.

She kept reading the big tome, as usual, nothing big was revealed. It seemed as if the contents of the book only made sense after reading big chunks of it. 

The tome never told me anything about the principals of verbality, even if it was mentioned repeatedly.

She looked for a book of the same name, when she found it, carried the book to the closest receptionist and got to sign her first form. She wrote with excitement and confidence: "MINERVA" It was like reaching adulthood for a second time.

I need to start getting in character. From today onward, i shall only refer to myself as Minerva the Witch.

Walking through the cobblestone road, the gas lamps illuminated her steps. There was still people around, but almost none. Minerva heard steps coming from behind, she hastened without looking back. The rythm of the steps increased, getting closer. Minerva's heart was beating like crazy, she didn't know how to act. In her world, she would scream for help to people around, but there was no one on the street. 

Minerva would never scream. 

The steps got closer to her and she prepared to punch anything that was following her.

The steps ceased.

Minerva looked back, there was nothing behind her, only the multiple dancing shadows made by her own body and the row of gas lamps on the side of the road.

Minerva got home.

The creak of the tavern's wooden door was like a familiar song to Minerva now. She had spent the last few days working here, serving food and drink to the locals, earning a few coins to keep herself afloat. Though she hated the idea of being stuck in this place, it was the only option for now. Every copper coin earned was a step closer to getting back to her own world. She would earn 5 silver each day, plus any spare change that the customers would tip. Sometimes she could earn up to 6 silver. Each Silver coin was 100 Copper coins. Today was "Saturday" It should be a resting day for her, nonetheless, she still wanted to help Mr. Mike and Mr. Bartender.

The tavern, The Twisted Branch, was a cozy little establishment tucked away in the heart of the village. Its dark wooden beams and crackling hearth made it feel inviting, but the conversations, raucous laughter, and occasional clink of mugs filled the air with an energy Minerva had yet to get used to.

Minerva left the tavern at 10 AM, she wanted to get back before 1 PM so she could work until 5 PM. She went to the nearest clothing store to finally buy whatever was cool and dandy for a girl like her around this place. Her eyes gleamed with excitement and her heart pounded when she saw a cute dress, the top part was white with brown leather straps, on top, two large straps that connected to the bottom part of the dress. Seemed like a brown skirt that had a frilly rim on the edge. The dress included boots that looked almost as the ones in Sophia's world, brown long boots that reached just below the knee with a thick black platform, but not to a point that it would be hard or difficult to get accostumed to.

Looks like people here sure love leather straps. 

"I see you're interested in the new arrival, miss..." The store owner approached.

"Minerva."

"And this dress really suits your name."

"I'm a little short on money, i'm just looking for options. People say my clothes look like funeral attire for dead people." 

"O-Ok."

Minerva might have overshared, scaring the owner of the store a little.

"This dress costs 15 silver."

Damn, that's almost everything that i have... But it's so cute! I need it.

After a quick lapse of time, Minerva got out of the store wearing cool new attire that didn't resemble dead people clothes. She was so happy she came out of the store dancing. People around even stopped walking and turned to look at the strange foreigner having the time of her life.

I spent all of my money on this, i better be happy about it.

Minerva got back to the tavern and got ready for her shift, Mike tossed her a new apron he was keeping for himself, she pulled the heavy apron over her dress, tying it behind her with a quick tug. The bar was already busy with the lunch rush. Mike, a tall, scruffy man in his late twenties, was behind the counter, wiping down the mugs and chatting with the patrons. He had become one of the few people in the tavern who spoke to her without suspicion, though she couldn't quite figure out why.

Minerva had spent several shifts now helping serve the customers, always staying in the background, keeping her head down. But Mike always seemed to notice her. Maybe it was the quietness about her, the fact that she didn't talk much. He wasn't one to gossip, but he always had something to say to her, some remark or question to break the silence.

"Hey, Minerva!" Mike called out as she made her way to the back to fetch a fresh tray of ale mugs.

Minerva paused mid-step. "Yes?"

Mike flashed a grin. "You're getting pretty good at this. Thought you'd spill that tray all over the place on your first day."

Minerva's lips twitched into a small smile. "I would never."

Mike chuckled, tossing the rag he'd been holding onto a nearby counter. "Smart move. You'd be surprised how many people forget to pour properly. And the boss would have my head if you ruined his best ale."

Minerva rolled her eyes. The boss, the bartender, was an older man with a permanent frown. He ran The Twisted Branch with an iron fist, making sure everything ran like clockwork. Minerva hadn't figured out much about him yet, other than that he was intimidating and didn't like to be disturbed when he was busy with his work behind the bar.

Speaking of which, Minerva turned to glance at him now. The bartender, who had introduced himself as Rolf during the past days, was busy preparing a new round of drinks. He had a thick beard and eyes like steel, and his gruff demeanor made it clear he didn't put up with nonsense. He had barely spoken a word to her since she started working here, except to bark orders.

"I'll get these drinks," Minerva said, picking up the tray of ale mugs and giving Mike a quick nod.

"You're a natural, Minerva. Keep it up." Mike's voice was lighthearted, but Sophie could sense the genuine approval behind it.

She gave him a small wave and made her way toward the patrons sitting at the far end of the bar. As she approached, she could hear snippets of conversation about the recent harvest and the troubles the village had with the local wildlife, but she tried not to get too involved. She wasn't here to make friends. She was here to earn enough to survive, and then, hopefully, find a way back home... Or was it too late to submit that essay? Minerva was experiencing a life she didn't have the option to live, she was actually having fun. Forced to study something she didn't like as inverting for a future that she wasn't sure to enjoy. Minerva almost felt pity for Sophia.

The patrons greeted her with the usual gruffness. A few lecherous smiles, a couple of grumbling requests for more ale, and some complaints about the food. But Minerva had learned how to smile politely and serve the drinks without responding to the comments.

Oh when i learn how to do magic...

After serving the drinks, she turned to head back to the bar. Mike caught her eye as she passed by, raising an eyebrow.

"You seem a little quieter than usual," he remarked. "Everything all right?"

Before Minerva could respond, Rolf suddenly called over to her in his gravelly voice. "Minerva! Get those mugs washed and ready for the next round! And don't take all day!"

Minerva winced, but she nodded and hurried off to the small kitchen area at the back. The clinking of mugs against the washbasin was a rhythm she had quickly grown accustomed to, though she couldn't help but wonder if the work was ever going to get easier.

As she scrubbed the mugs clean, her thoughts drifted. The tavern was just a stopgap, a temporary solution. But even with the constant pressure of needing to fit in, to be accepted in this strange world, there was something about the routine that gave her a little peace of mind. The faces, though unfamiliar, were starting to blend into a sort of background hum. And Mike's easygoing presence, even if he was a stranger, made things feel less isolating.

After her shift, Minerva got to her room, took off her boots and launched herself on the bed.

Time to read.

Minerva changed into her white dress to get more comfortable and grabbed her book. She went downstairs and left through the back door. The tavern seemed to be busy at night but only on weekends. 

She sat on a wooden seat and started reading her book. As if she had opened a stream of water, she didn't stop. There was no meaning on the written words of the book, she needed to keep reading to decipher it. As if she was consuming a stimulant, her pupils dilated as she kept reading, eager for more information, she flipped the pages of the book, mumbling the contents of the book without context, complete nonsense. Something covered her eyes before she could react.

"No more."

Minerva felt an ache to keep reading, as she tugged to free her head and panted, the grip became tighter and tighter. 

I need more...

Minerva came to her senses instantly after 10 seconds of madness.

"I told you to wait a week."

The hands softly released Minerva's face, letting her turn back and looking at the imposing tall librarian behind her back. "Wait a week." Miss librarian put a finger on her lips as she disappeared blending into the shadows. "Shhhh"

She's a Witch... She knows a lot about magic, i should have supposed... I thought i was special, different, powerful.

Minerva closed the book and returned to the tavern, the customers were already gone. She went upstairs and back to her room, it probably was very late. Mike and Rolf were not in the bar anymore.

Looking at the ceiling, Minerva started to think about Sophia's life. She didn't have many friends, almost all of them she met on social media. She recalled those all-nighters playing FPS with the boys, eating pizza and falling asleep on call. Getting on private calls, telling them about her problems and being comforted in response. Her vision got blurry and felt liquid running on her cheek.

I need to go back.

Minerva grabbed her book and left the tavern to find a peaceful place outside the village and continue her studies.