“A-Apprentice?” stammering, it took me a second to process what she said. Anyone like me would feel the same; Apprenticeship is our dream, for it guarantees a place to sleep and food to eat. Yet I was still skeptical. Noelle already had a butler, and since I couldn’t read or count high, I wouldn’t be of much help in a noble's duties. Well, if I was an apprentice, she would probably teach me what I needed to know, but there were likely far more favorable candidates than me…

“You never cease to interest me,” the woman laughed in delight as she watched my solemn attitude, which only worried me even more. Why? Was I mistaken in thinking she was a noble? But she had a butler, and lived in a house filled with expensive articles. Sure, a wealthy merchant could probably achieve the same, but I saw no indication of the characteristic obsession with gold those types have. She sniggered a bit at my wavering eyes before chatting once more, “You still cannot figure it out, huh. Just to be clear, have you heard of witches before?” Her laughing wore away, and she simply stared at me with a smile.

“Do you mean a sandwich?” I asked hesitantly. I knew it must be the wrong answer, but I didn’t understand what she meant.

“At least that answers my question… albeit poorly,” She sulked, her enthusiasm deflated.

Seeing his master appearing so downtrodden already, the butler, Luther, took action, “Remember Ms. Deru, witches are not as widely known as the other types.” With those words, Noelle recovered a bit, while Luther turned to look at me from his master’s side. “Ms. Fina, you do know what magic is, correct? The ability to command the elements and request the aid of nature itself?”

“Magic… I’ve never heard of it. Is it similar to miracles?” I thought about what he said, yet my failure of a brain came up with nothing. I had never heard of such a thing, although Miracles were similar to his description, they could only be used by members of the clergy, or so I had heard. In fact, one such priest was summoned to the house once and asked to perform something called an exorcism on me. Even though I was scared at first, nothing happened except the man throwing salt and water at me, much to my confusion. Even my parents were confused by the result, which made me feel happy on the inside, not that I dared to show that to them.

“”Where did you find this girl again?” Luther whispered to Noelle, although it was loud enough for me to hear, not that I minded.

“That would explain it,” Noelle replied with a sigh. “I found her wrecked wagon near the border of the Holy Dukedom of Ramparc, therefore she has likely only been told of miracles of the clergy.” Luther sighed as well, and backed away since he no longer needed to explain. All the while, I looked on in confusion. Not only did there seem to be something like Miracles, but it seemed I was no longer in my country. Then… where was I?

“Now, I guess a moderate explanation is in order then,” the madam looked bored, seeming to stem from what she had to do. “What I am about to tell you will likely seem absurd to you, as you came from a land without this. Will you listen with an open mind?” I nodded to her question, after all I had already come to trust her. Not even for a second did she appear to be lying, so even if it was weird, it was likely the truth. She smiled at that, happy to be trusted so dearly. That smile made me feel nice as well, as if something missing had come back to make me whole…

“Now.. where do I begin… um… right, there would be good!” She murmured, her hands holding her head above the table. “If you know of miracles, you know gods exist. In general, gods do not come down to this world, so other beings must manage it. These beings are called spirits.” With a clap from her hands, a small lizard appeared upon the table, its coloring black and red. Suddenly, as if it was burping, small flames shot out of its mouth, raising a flinch from me. “This is a Salamander. He controls fire and heat, albeit weakly. Do you understand?” Still frightened, I nodded, the salamander looking at me with questioning eyes. Once the fright was over, it actually looked somewhat cute, and unconsciously I reached my hand out to it. It happily walked over to my outstretched fingers, and climbed on top. “Aw… it took me at least two weeks of snacks to get him to warm up to me…” Noelle pouted, a feeling of guilt taking hold in my chest. Although, that guilt did not outweigh the salamander who had curled up in my palm. Overall, I started feeling cozy, an emotion I had never felt before.

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“Regardless… There are countless spirits, controlling every facet of nature. Some are explosive like volcanoes, while others seem to be not but motes of dust. Witches, which is what I am, give offerings to them, and receive their power in turn. That is called a pact.” She paused there, contemplating something as she tapped a finger against the side of her head. “You still understand, correct?” I nod. “Good, now, I hope you do not mind, but I peeked at your soul while you slept. It shone brilliantly, probably the finest soul I have ever seen too!”

“Really?” I asked hesitantly, tears welling in my eyes as my emotions got the better of me. Ever since I was born, I had been told my soul was disgusting, or that I had sold it to a demon. For her to tell me it was wonderful seemed to cut deep into myself. She accepted me, even though I was a cursed child. I was being welcomed even… it hurt, my heart hurt…

“Yes,” she smiled warmly, trying to comfort me it seemed, “the proof is right in your hand. People with good souls are loved by the spirits; they know they are safe around them. Spirits are easily affected by emotions, even if there are some exceptions. If one is near a person who is harboring strong hate or malice, that spirit will be hurt. Additionally, I have always wanted a cute apprentice like you. This is why I am asking you to be my apprentice, for your innate talents as a witch, and for your kindness. Will you accept?”

“Def-definitely!” I exclaimed, my heart reaching a breaking point as tears started pouring out of my eyes. “Thank you!” With my blurred eyes, I was unable to tell that the woman had left her seat, but her warm arms wrapping over my shoulders did as she embraced me. I could feel my mind fading, as a mountain of stress melted away, leaving only peace. I cannot tell you how long I was crying, though I can tell you my brain went dark after a bit, leaving my sleeping form laying at that table.

“You noticed too, right Luth?” Noelle whispered, careful not to wake the sleeping girl up. Her mind was racing with a million thoughts, a rare sight to behold of “Sloth of the Vibrant Woods”. Something unknown to her… was very interesting, filling her with excitement. She stood there tapping her foot and chewing the inside of her cheek while Luther laid a blanket over the dreaming figure.

“Correct, there is not a blemish on her outer soul, yet its core is tainted. In my existence, I have never once seen such a concept before, not even when one of the seven meddled with a soul,” The black clad man murmured, he too was lost in thoughts.

“The weirdest part of it was that her soul, even its core, was pure when I found her. Yet as soon as you brought her to me earlier…”

“Yes, it is as you say. Regardless, her power is stable, and the atrophy on her soul… well there isn’t even a particle of it. In my opinion, it seems that oddity is not corruption, but rather… a bond, a strong one at that. You really are quite the lucky lady… finding such a rare creature.”

“That ‘creature’ is part of the family now, so please treat her well,” the lady sighed, sitting down at the table. Her whole body hurt, even though she had only moved for a small amount of time. That was her burden to bear, one she had grown accustomed to over the years.

“So, are you actually planning on teaching her?” Luther asked promptly, glancing at the small girl. “I do not really see you as that type…”

“I know, but she is so cute!” Noelle said a bit loudly, causing Fina to stir. After a brief silence, waiting for the girl to return to normal, the witch let out a sigh. “Additionally, I just have a feeling about her, just hugging her felt so good~” The woman let out a breath of happiness, although it seemed to disgust Luther.

“Please keep your feelings in check,” so said the breath of an exasperated butler. “My time is almost up for today, so please take care of yourself. I don’t want a repeat of last time…”

“Yes yes, now please take her to bed before you go, I’ve hit my limit for today.”

“That pact really is troublesome,” Luther sighed. “Well, I will do my duty till my time runs out. Please provide ample sustenance this time though, otherwise I may not appear for as long.”

“Yes…” Noelle sighed as Luther whisked Fina out of the room, leaving Noelle alone. As she sat there, she pondered once more before shrugging and heading to her bedroom.

“Magic without a pact or blessing… she really is intriguing…”

“I wish she would think about her actions once in a while,” Luther shook his head. “Sure, this girl may be a blessing, but a curse might be brought forth instead.” He glanced at the girl who was resting in the bed as his body leaned against the door. She was small, frail, and likely had very little stamina. It would be hard to bring her up as a witch, that was for sure, but the madam was excited at the thought, an emotion rarely seen those days.

“Please, for the sake of Noelle and myself, be the former and not the latter,” The man sighed as he left the room, lightly shutting the door behind him.