The Little Witch's Wish

At long last, after countless meticulous adjustments and fits of tightening and polishing, the second and third machines stood completed beside the first, gleaming under the soft, dying light seeping through the high windows.

By now, the sun was dipping behind the distant hills, streaking the sky in hues of deep orange that bled into the encroaching violet. Subaru stood, stretching his arms high above his head, feeling every knot in his shoulders protest.

One of the machines was promptly delivered to Roswaal, while the other he would bring to the village chief the next day. Beyond that, he had also arranged a meeting with several villagers to discuss the future of agriculture and the windmill construction—a project he'd been championing tirelessly for weeks, envisioning a small revolution for the struggling community.

Exhaustion crept into his bones like a persistent chill.

"I should visit Mili..." he murmured under his breath, more to the empty hallway than himself, as if hoping the words would grant him an extra reserve of strength.

Quietly, he made his way to the library where Emilia usually lost herself in books. The room was hushed, bathed in a dim, amber glow that filtered through the windows, casting slender columns of light across the endless bookshelves. The scent of ink and parchment lingered like the breath of the past.

Emilia sat exactly where he'd last seen her, but the imposing mountain of books beside her had noticeably diminished, now half the size.

Subaru approached, keeping his voice soft so as not to startle her. "Mili."

Her head lifted slowly, heavy-lidded eyes blinking at him as if from within a fog. She looked utterly spent, her voice reduced to a faint, frayed thread.

"Subaru...?"

He knelt beside her, gently easing the book from her delicate hands. The pages were still warm, as if caught between her battle against fatigue and duty. "Mili, you need to rest. You're burning yourself out."

Emilia shook her head, defiance battling with weariness. "I can't, Subaru... While everyone else is working so hard, I can't just stand by and do nothing."

Her voice wavered on the edge of tears, a stubborn child's declaration clashing with the responsibilities she carried.

Subaru watched her silently for a moment, a smile creeping to his lips, soft and full of admiration. "That's why... I respect you so much, Mili."

And then, without hesitation, he acted. "Looks like I'll have to intervene personally."

Scooping her up into his arms, he cradled her gently as if she might crumble from exhaustion alone. "Huh?! Subaru, stop! Put me down! I need to keep reading!"

Her protests came weakly now, drained of their earlier conviction.

Subaru donned his most theatrical voice, adopting a pompous tone as if quoting some long-forgotten knight:

"I'm terribly sorry, my esteemed royal candidate-sama, but as your knight, it's my sworn duty to ensure your well-being. Therefore, I must enforce the mandatory rest decree—by any means necessary."

A blend of jest and sincerity—the signature Subaru approach.

Emilia pouted, cheeks flushed with indignation, her small hand pinching his cheek in playful protest.

"It's not fair to tease a girl like this, Subaru. You're so mean..."

Yet, despite her words, her head fell against his chest, surrendering at last to the fatigue overtaking her.

Subaru simply smiled, carrying her to her room with care. He opened the door quietly, guiding her into bed, pulling the blanket up to her chin.

He leaned in close, his voice barely above a whisper: "Good night, Mili."

But she was already deep in slumber, her breathing steady, her face serene as moonlight kissed her silver hair.

Subaru lingered for a moment, then gently closed the door, stepping back into the corridor where he stretched his arms with a sigh, rubbing the small of his back.

"Better check on Beako... before I drop dead myself."

He made his way to the entrance of the forbidden library. Even from the corridor, the faint vibrations of mana buzzed through the walls, whispering from the depths of the towering shelves.

Just as he raised his hand to knock, the door swung open with impeccable timing.

Beatrice stood before him, her small figure framed by the library's eerie glow, face locked in its usual unreadable expression.

"What do you want, I suppose?"

Subaru blinked, caught mid-motion, then managed a sheepish grin.

"I was hoping to ask your opinion on something, Beako."

Beatrice stared at him flatly, narrowing her gaze before wordlessly stepping aside, her posture betraying neither curiosity nor annoyance.

"Come in."

The moment Subaru crossed the threshold, the oppressive stillness of the library enveloped him like a living thing. The residual magic in the air clung to the shelves, to the floor, to his skin.

Beatrice settled into her throne-like chair, her tiny frame engulfed by the massive seat, waiting in silence for him to speak.

Subaru knelt down on the floor across from her, folding his legs beneath him, mirroring the gravity of an audience before a queen.

He inhaled deeply, but when he opened his mouth, no words came out.

Instead, his gaze fell to the ground. Then slowly, to Beatrice. Then back again, as if the words he wanted to say weighed too much for his throat to carry.

"..."

"If you're not going to talk, then get out of Betty's library!" Beatrice's voice cracked through the air like a thunderclap, shattering the stillness of the room.

Subaru flinched, his shoulders jerking upward, but he quickly raised both hands in surrender, forcing a sheepish smile onto his face to disarm the tension.

"Relax, Beako, I'm just… trying to sort through my thoughts," he said, his voice low but sincere. His brow furrowed as he gathered the right words.

After a pause, he added more seriously, "I've been struggling to control and store my mana properly. Or maybe I just don't understand how it really works. Either way, I feel like I'm falling short. Can you help me, Beako?"

Beatrice didn't respond at first. Instead, she turned sharply on her heel and strode deeper into the heart of the library, her expression unreadable. Her small form was soon surrounded by towering shelves, their spines glowing faintly with latent magical energy. She stretched her hand toward one of the upper shelves and pulled out a slender, blue book embedded with luminous white stones that sparkled even in the dim light.

"As far as Betty can tell," she began, walking back toward him,

"you're only pulling mana through your gate. That's inefficient—and dangerous."

She held the book out to Subaru with uncharacteristic gentleness. He reached for it slowly, reverently.

"I suppose… I can lend you my mother's book."

The words lingered in the air. Subaru looked up, startled. Beatrice almost never mentioned her mother. The weight of the gesture wasn't lost on him.

Silence fell between them, thick and meaningful.

Beatrice's eyes locked onto his with unexpected intensity. Then she added, her voice sharpened with stubborn pride:

"But don't go thinking… that Betty actually cares about you or anything!"

Subaru gave a soft chuckle and accepted the book with care, his fingers brushing over the intricate embossments on the cover. There was an ancient warmth to it, as if it had lived through generations. His eyes shimmered, filled with unsaid gratitude.

"Thank you, Beako. Truly."

He glanced around the expansive, arcane-filled space. "Is it alright if I study here? I won't be a bother."

Beatrice rolled her eyes, folding her arms, but her tone softened just enough to reveal her approval.

"Betty's library passively generates mana, so it's ideal for practice. You can stay… but you absolutely must be quiet. This is still a sacred place."

Subaru nodded eagerly, smiling. Then, almost as an afterthought, he raised his index finger.

"Actually, one more thing. I want you to come with me to the village tomorrow."

Beatrice's lips parted, a sharp retort already forming, but Subaru pressed on before she could interrupt.

"There's going to be a meeting about a new project. We're planning to construct a machine—something from my world's agricultural technology. It's related to crop processing and sustainability. Specifically, a windmill."

He watched her carefully, trying to read her expression.

"It could be the foundation for a lot of future development in the village. I thought… it might interest you. You know, from an academic perspective. You could document it, analyze its magic compatibility, or whatever you like."

He paused, then lowered his voice slightly. "I just think it would be nice to have you there."

Subaru was certain the technical details would pique Beatrice's curiosity. But that wasn't the true reason he wanted her to come.

I know... you've grown weary of solitude, Beako. He kept the thought to himself.

Beatrice stood silently, her fingers toying with the frills of her sleeve. Her eyes, often so guarded, betrayed a flicker of emotion. After what felt like a long minute, her voice came—softer than he had ever heard it:

"Betty… will come, I suppose."

Subaru's face lit up with a genuine, heartfelt smile that reached all the way to his eyes.

He sat down cross-legged on the floor and gently opened the cover of the book Beatrice had given him.

Between its pages, he could feel it—not just powerful incantations or rare magical theory, but something deeper.

Traces of a life once lived. Echoes of love, loss, and legacy.

Magic, yes. But memory too.

AUTHOR: Echidna

- The Nature of Mana Mana is one of the fundamental building blocks of the universe. It exists within all matter—whether the tiniest pebble, the grandest mountain, or the most colossal spirit beings. Mana is not merely energy; it is the very "flow" of the cosmos—an invisible, ever-moving river that links all things in existence. It weaves through creation, unseen but ever-present, binding together the living and the lifeless, the physical and the spiritual.

- Humans and Mana Only a rare and gifted few among humankind can manipulate mana. These exceptional individuals are typically divided into two major categories, based on how they interact with this omnipresent force:

➔ Enhancers: Enhancers draw mana from a natural connection point within their own bodies known as the "gate." They circulate this mana internally, channeling it through their muscles and bones to amplify physical abilities such as strength, speed, endurance, and reflexes. In essence, they turn their own bodies into finely-tuned weapons of magical potential, using mana as fuel for raw physical prowess.

➔ Mages: Mages differ from Enhancers in that they cannot circulate mana through their internal systems. Instead, they draw ambient mana from the world around them—siphoning it from the atmosphere and elemental ley lines. Once acquired, this mana is shaped into spells and magical constructs, with the specific type of magic dictated by the user's natural affinity. For instance, a Mage with a water affinity might conjure waves, manipulate rain, or freeze enemies—but would be physically frail in comparison to an Enhancer.

+ Spirits and the Balance of the World Some entities exist entirely on mana, using it not just for power, but as the essence of their being. These are Spirits. They are born spontaneously in nature—forming from dense clusters of mana and elemental resonance. No one creates them, and their arrival cannot be predicted. Yet they have a singular purpose: to maintain the balance of nature.

Through the activity of Spirits, the world shapes and reshapes itself in accordance with mana.

➔ If water spirits gather densely in one region, swamps, lakes, or misty forests may form.

➔ If fire spirits are numerous, the area may dry out, become volcanic, or erupt into wildfires.

➔ Every natural event—storms, droughts, growth, decay—can be traced to the work of Spirits.

And those rare individuals who are capable of forging pacts with Spirits, forming cooperative and lasting bonds, are known as Spirit Knights. Spirit Knights possess the unique ability to guide Spirits and channel their elemental powers, often with the Spirits choosing to serve and fight beside them.

As Subaru read these profound passages, he cast a sideways glance at Beatrice. Though she made an effort to appear disinterested, her eyes lingered on his hands longer than necessary.

He said nothing. Wordlessly, he turned the page and resumed his reading.

+The Hierarchy of Spirits Spirits exist in a structured hierarchy based on their power, intelligence, and elemental command. This hierarchy is as follows:

Small Spirit

Mid Spirit

Full Spirit

Great Spirit

Spirit King

At this point in time, only five Great Spirits are known to exist across the world:

Artificial Spirit – Guardian of the Forbidden Library: Beatrice

Artificial Spirit – Beast of the End: Puck

The Stone – Muspe

The Sacred Beast – Odglass

The Arbitrator – Melakuera

And at the apex of all spirit-kind, the origin of spirit existence and their sovereign:

Spirit King: Od Laguna

+ Mana Control and the Mana Heart Using mana effectively is no easy feat. It demands relentless training, discipline, and spiritual awareness. Without the refinement of control, even the most talented individuals cannot ascend to greatness.

➔ Some can eventually store mana inside their bodies. This is extremely rare and difficult. Those who succeed form what is known as the [Mana Heart]—a milestone that marks the transformation of a user's entire mana system.

What exactly is the Mana Heart? It is an internal, autonomous mana circuit that continuously generates and circulates mana throughout the user's body. Once formed, it removes the need to draw energy from the gate, allowing instant access to power.

This advancement leads to significantly faster spellcasting and drastically improved stamina during prolonged combat scenarios.

➔ Moreover, users with the Mana Heart can infuse weapons with mana. Doing so grants temporary enhancements to the weapon's physical characteristics—sharpness, strength, and magical conductivity.

However, this technique comes with great risk: Overloading a weapon with mana can destabilize it, causing the weapon to explode violently under the pressure—much like a magical grenade.

Subaru halted at that chilling sentence. His hand instinctively brushed the hilt of Etherfang.

"So that's why... my daggers glow so fiercely sometimes. I've been flooding them with too much mana," he thought, uneasily.

Returning his eyes to the pages, he noticed something uncanny. The book remained silent, yet the air around it seemed to whisper. Across from him, Beatrice sat still, unblinking. Subaru could feel her gaze on him—steady and alert.

He narrowed his eyes. As more knowledge flowed before him, a thought pierced through the surface of his awareness:

"This system that Flugel left for me... it's like a cheat code."

It didn't feel like something native to this world. It was as though a foreign piece of programming had been embedded into the structure of fate itself. But now, decoding and mastering it had become his duty—and his burden.

He gave his head a faint shake, casting the intrusive idea aside, and continued reading.

+ Advanced Features of the Mana Heart Among the most mysterious properties of the [Mana Heart] is how it affects weapons when combined with elemental affinity. The weapon becomes not just a tool, but an extension of the user's essence. Here are some examples of the effects:

Wind: When a weapon is infused with wind-aligned mana, the user's attack speed naturally increases. The weapon can also act as a focus for casting the wind-element spell "Fura." The strength, range, and speed of the spell are amplified based on the user's mana output.

Fire: Fire mana transforms the weapon's temperature properties. Infusion can result in burning blades or even ones cold enough to freeze through thermal inversion. At high power levels, the weapon becomes a searing flame that can melt steel—or an arctic edge that freezes blood.

Earth: Earth-based mana enhances the user's endurance and physical fortitude. The user tires more slowly, withstands more damage, and can perform the earth-based spell "Dona." Its strength scales with the user's control and output.

Water: Water mana increases the flexibility and fluidity of both user and weapon. It adds a regenerative effect to each strike—wounds mend slowly over time. At higher levels, the weapon begins to exhibit freezing characteristics, turning each cut into a slow, icy demise.

Yin and Yang: These two mana types are shrouded in secrecy. No known individuals have wielded them, and their effects are left as enigmatic footnotes in ancient tomes. Yet many scholars speculate that if ever unlocked, they could bring balance—or cataclysm—to the world.

Subaru paused as he read that part. "Yin and Yang..." Even the name carried an air of mystery, like two sides of a coin that refused to show themselves at the same time. "Almost like Karma itself," he thought to himself, the words lingering in his mind longer than expected.

He turned the last page of the book. The parchment made a soft, reluctant sound, as if it too mourned the end of its tale. There were no more words left to read — just the silence that always came after something profound.

As his fingers slowly traced the worn edges of the pages, his eyes remained fixed on the final lines, trying to absorb every last echo of meaning.

The room was steeped in silence. Dim light from the flickering lanterns cast long, dancing shadows across the library's stone floor, giving the ancient space an almost sacred stillness.

Beatrice was still seated in her chair, a fixture as familiar as the shelves themselves, but her eyes were now fixed on Subaru. She said nothing — just watched with the quiet understanding of someone who had seen too many endings.

Subaru gently closed the book. It made a soft thump, a sound that seemed louder in the stillness. He took a deep breath, the kind that carried both reflection and weight.

"Now I have a better idea of what I'm up against..."

—

Night had fallen long ago. Moonlight trickled through the small library window, painting soft silver trails over Subaru's figure and across the polished wood of the desk.

The book was closed now. But in Subaru's mind, its pages were still turning, whispering secrets and riddles with every mental revisit.

Across from him, Beatrice had begun to doze off. Her head leaned gently against the armrest, her small frame nestled into the soft cushions like a doll forgotten in a storybook room. Her breathing was steady, gentle. Yet Subaru knew better — he knew she could wake at the slightest disturbance.

He sighed and looked back down at the book before him. Though closed, it still seemed to speak to him. The words still echoed between the lines, like an invisible ink only he could read.

"So... what I need is a mana heart." His hands rested heavily on his knees. He turned his palms upward, staring at them. They weren't trembling, but... something was still missing. A connection. A spark. A thread that hadn't been tied yet.

"But even without a mana heart, I was able to apply Yin magic to Etherfang. Just for a few seconds, though. I can't maintain it while moving... And on top of that, I'm not even attuned to any other types of magic." Subaru grumbled, rubbing his temple. This was turning out to be harder than he thought — harder than any of the battles he had physically faced. This one was internal, layered, and unforgiving.

Then... a familiar whisper stirred inside his mind. Flugel's voice, drifting from the depths of his consciousness, carried by the shadows of his thoughts.

"You don't need affinity to use magic."

Subaru lifted his head in surprise, eyes darting toward the ceiling as if trying to find the source. But to an outside observer, he was just a boy, alone, reading in a dimly lit room.

"But... how?" he asked, not aloud, but within.

Flugel sighed from within. His voice echoed like that of a patient teacher... or perhaps a cunning sage who delighted in cryptic truths.

"Here's a small example: Beatrice is a Yin spirit. But have you ever wondered why she can use wind magic?"

Subaru's eyes shifted to Beatrice. She still seemed to be sleeping — or pretending, which was always a possibility with her.

Flugel continued: "Simple, Natsuki Subaru. If you supply enough mana, you can use any magic. Affinity just reduces how much mana it takes — it doesn't decide your limits."

Those words reverberated in Subaru's mind, bouncing off the corners of his doubts and reshaping his understanding. His fingers subconsciously drifted to Etherfang's hilt. "So that's how it is..." he whispered, almost reverently.

Subaru stood up, shaking off the weariness clinging to his body like a heavy cloak. Each breath steadied him more than the last.

At that moment... Beatrice opened her eyes. She had seemed to be asleep, her expression soft and unfocused, but in truth, she had been watching him closely — sensing more than she let on.

"The one speaking to you... is it your curse?" Her voice was soft, but carried a razor-sharp intuition.

Subaru froze, caught between the comfort of honesty and the safety of denial. A silence hung in the air like a veil.

"Tch... Of course she noticed," he thought, a bitter smirk curling at the edge of his lips.

With a faint, tired smile in his eyes, he nodded. "No, Beako. I'm not talking to anyone. No need to worry."

Naturally, Beatrice knew he was lying. She always did. But this time, she didn't press him. She simply shrugged, a small movement full of unsaid thoughts, and sank deeper into the chair.

"Thanks for the book, Beako. I really appreciate it."

"Hmph... well, I suppose you should." Her voice had its usual grumpiness, but there was a barely hidden warmth behind it — a reluctant fondness, as if she wanted to be annoyed but couldn't quite manage it.

Subaru opened the library door. A soft creak broke the silence. He stepped into the dim hallway. The door closed behind him with a heavy thud, echoing faintly in the corridor.

In the cool stillness of the corridor, he let out a long breath. The air filled his lungs, clearing the fog from his chest and easing the tightness that had lingered there.

"A mana heart... magic. And knowing that I'm not bound by affinity in this world... That changes everything."

He walked slowly, each step thoughtful, deliberate. The shadows in the hallway didn't seem so heavy now — not with that one truth burning in his mind like a lantern.

Yet still, Flugel's voice echoed in his head.

"You're just at the beginning, Subaru." And deep down, he knew it was true.

He walked toward the room and gently opened the door, careful not to let it creak too loudly.

The dim light from the hallway spilled inside, revealing Meili curled up on his bed, dozing peacefully. The blanket had slipped halfway down her small form, and one delicate hand was tucked under her cheek. Her breathing was slow and even, her face calm.

Subaru stepped in with quiet, deliberate movements, his footsteps almost inaudible on the wooden floor. He knelt beside the bed, close enough to feel her warmth but not close enough to wake her just yet.

His voice, when it came, was soft — more a breath than a whisper: "Meili... wake up."

She shifted faintly, sniffled a little in her sleep, and slowly opened her eyes halfway. Her lashes fluttered before she blinked up at him groggily.

"Subaru-nii... so you came..." she murmured through a yawn, her voice coated in drowsiness.

Subaru watched her struggle to stay awake, her eyelids drooping heavily. A faint, affectionate smile crossed his face. For a moment, he just watched her, the warmth in the room amplified by her presence.

But then, his expression shifted. With a serious yet gentle tone, he asked: "Why are you here, Meili? Shouldn't you be in your own room?"

Meili lifted her head slightly from the pillow, gazing at him with wide, earnest eyes. Her lips parted in a soft, sleepy pout. "You said you'd tell me a story, Subaru-nii... You promised."

Subaru blinked, then sighed. His brows furrowed slightly as he recalled the promise he'd made — and forgotten.

"Tch... I forgot about that," he muttered to himself, barely audible.

He closed his eyes for a second, then opened them with renewed resolve. Drawing a long, steady breath, he straightened his posture and seated himself comfortably beside the bed.

"Alright, then... Let's begin our story," he said, his lips curving into a small but sincere smile.

He leaned forward a little, meeting Meili's gaze directly. His voice took on the rhythm and warmth of a practiced storyteller:

"This tale... is called... The Little Witch and the Shadow King."

He glanced dramatically at the ceiling, his tone theatrical but warm.

 (A/N:A small part I read in a children's book and adapted here)

Meili tilted her head slightly in confusion. "Shadow King? Isn't that kind of scary?"

Her words came out as a soft mumble, like a thought slipping into the air.

Subaru chuckled lightly. "Maybe a little. But don't judge the ending before we get there."

He began the story slowly, his voice wrapping around the words like a lullaby:

"Once, in the loneliest forest the world had ever known, lived a little witch. She was small, with eyes that shone like the sky after rain. But no one dared come near her. The villagers whispered tales about her — they called her cursed, unlucky, dangerous.

Despite the loneliness and fear cast upon her, the little witch would lift her gaze to the stars every night and send a wish up to the sky.

'Please... someone who can understand me. A friend. A protector.'"

As Subaru spoke, his eyes occasionally flicked to Meili, watching her reaction. She was still half-awake, lips parted in a quiet breath, the beginnings of a smile forming at the corners.

He continued, his voice deepening slightly with mood:

"And then, one day, from the very heart of the forest's shadow, something stirred. A presence older than memory — a king forgotten by time. His name lost, his heart sealed in silence.

But when he heard the little witch's voice, something within him shifted. For the first time in centuries, he felt a heartbeat.

He came to her, cloaked in shadow. The little witch gasped in fear.

'Who... who are you?' she asked, voice trembling.

The Shadow King smiled gently. 'Someone from the darkness. But not here to harm you. I'm here because I heard you. Isn't that what you wished for, little witch?'

From that moment on, she was never alone again when night fell.

The Shadow King would appear when the sun dipped below the horizon. Sometimes he taught her secrets of magic forgotten by even the oldest grimoires. Other times, he sat in silence, letting her lean against him when the loneliness became too heavy.

And every single night, as the little witch drifted off to sleep, he would whisper into her dreams:

'I'm with you.'"

Subaru's voice dropped even lower, becoming gentler with every word.

"But one night... the shadows grew still. The King had grown weary. His time in the world was ending.

The little witch begged him not to go, tears falling silently down her cheeks.

But the Shadow King only smiled and pressed a hand to her heart.

'I leave you something even greater than my presence: the strength to be your own shadow. Even if you falter... even if you fear... you are never truly alone.'

And so, though the Shadow King vanished into the night once more, the little witch remained strong. And whenever she was afraid, she looked up to the sky, remembering his words:

'I'll always be with you.'"

Subaru stopped. Meili was asleep.

Tucked beneath the covers, her breathing had deepened, becoming soft and steady. Her hair fell gently over her cheeks, and the moonlight streaming through the window gave her features an ethereal glow.

He smiled, but there was a distant glimmer in his eyes — something nostalgic. Maybe even sad.

He looked out the window for a moment, his mind elsewhere. "Maybe... I was like that witch once," he thought to himself.

A long silence followed.

Then, slowly, Subaru leaned back against the wall, his limbs heavy with exhaustion. His eyelids began to droop as the warmth of the room and Meili's presence soothed the tension from his body.

Within minutes, his eyes closed.

And just like that, Subaru drifted into sleep beside her — quietly, peacefully, sharing the gentle stillness of the night.