Witches. Great beings of unimaginable power and chaos; forces of nature feared by mankind since time immortal. Feared, hunted, allied and slain, it is these wonderfully curious woman that see to the fate of the end.

It has been centuries since the first wars started raging—some yet ongoing—but those with compelled hearts, by fear or otherwise, have taken it upon themselves to remain in a neutral or otherwise tentatively friendly position.

There are few witches which still roam the country side, presumably discovering yet ever greater secrets of the cosmos and aligning it with their life-force, fettered to their breathtaking forms though free to fly the unknown and breathe its mystery. It is this same fortuitous mystery and knowledge however, which makes them unfortunately unapproachable, undecipherable, and unpredictable.

I oft drempt of what it would be like, to be like them. Solus and melancholic feelings like the weather; to live through the complete cycle of a loved ones life in its entirety.

It could be the stars above, their grace, or even the empty space in between which drew me towards them some time ago. I wanted to see the heavens for what they're worth and experience more than this mere body's body has to offer. And I know its them—the witches—they're my key. There can be no other way. They reflect, nay mirror even, such lofty principles and contain the greatest holiness I've ever seen. Beyond that of the dark-light churches and empty words. To be whole in and of itself; complete and unfazed, with apparent effortlessness, knowing where all the pieces go and that nothing can take such knowledge from you, and that you'll be fine, no matter what. I've yet to see or hear of any such instance when they could not masterfully solve the problems of us mortals. It's probably just beyond them to try. Unceremoniously handing us but crumbs of wisdom without contempt, only to watch as we fight fist for foot in cold blood or vengeful spite.

We could probably learn more looking up than any other direction, if you ask me. It's a consequence of life that our fate is being down, and it only serves us one direction every time. But not now, I have things to do, and a soul desire to fulfill. Today, I meet a witch!

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I'm ashamed to state that I am unaware of her name after all this time, but I've decided after careful consideration, and maybe, well, some due emotion that she be my guide.

It was a long trek to her abode by carriage, bless my fortune, but there was a line... A long line, outside her hut. Perhaps I didn't make the best decision? Oh well, I will see it through at the least.

A couple hours pass and it would appear as though she's waiting for something near the entrance, staring off into the distance. I check behind me and only see the sun, now swiftly falling. What could it be? So many questions...

Oh? what's this? She's turned around and people are walking into her hut! Finally! But wait, aren't there too many people here? How will we all fit? We're walking in by the tens now! Ah! If only I knew... Must be some form of magic, how exciting!

Well, here I go. The entrance ahead is dark, pitch black, empty, even. But before I go, I turn towards the sky to see the stars one last time. The darkness there not much from here, I wonder where it leads...

I can't help stifling a yawn. I've been traveling for some time now, and I'm sure I'm not the only one. Well, actually, looking at the line here, I am completely correct. Where our northward march originated, there comes an abrupt horizontal wall of counter and chair; like a tavern bar that extends east to west incredibly far. I can't even begin to wrap my head around how it's possible, or even how this whole place stays well-lit without a flame.

Since every other colorful figure was walking towards a seat I figured that was the destination. I had to walk some distance much further to the east to find a spot, but I did eventually, and it was welcome. I'm tired, very tired. I rested my head and arms upon the cool wooden counter before me; it was nice.

In my half-lidded state, I'm happy to see the witch now walk before us behind the counter somehow. She gazed imperiously from one end to the other before I assume gathering her breath. Her features were too far from me to discern, but there's no mistaking the one who I chose.

A buxom, pale shaded woman, with long, straight, purple hair cut even at her lower back. Complemented with a violet robe and wide-brimmed pointed hat, matching her eyes that'd make flowers of the same color jealous, with flecks of yellow-gold.

Her dangerously soothing thick voice magically permeated the space between us, as well as I'm sure further down the line,

"Congratulations, to everyone who's made it here. To be here means that you passed all of the supplementary tests required of you to become my apprentice—except for this. What I unfortunately must tell you, however, is that I will only be choosing one.

"I know past the silence that's been enchanted upon you, that many of you might not appreciate that, because you've worked hard and feel you've deserved it, and in a sense, you do. You all do.

"Though fate would have it, if I pick any more than one, there would remain none. So I am sorry, if you've got this far to be let down, but don't give up. Never, give up. Have patience.

"And with that, I will now begin the choosing." She said, as she gently took off her hat and began walking to the opposite end of the counter.

Ah, shoot. That's it for me then, I guess.

Haaaaahhh... What a waste.

Looking in either direction, I can't even see the end. How long is this going to take? I could probably leave... I see a lot of people already got up and left. Maybe I should too?

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Nah. I'm too tired. Besides, this spot isn't too bad! I'm struggling just to keep my eyes... Open...

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Mmmmhhhhmmmm! I lean back and stretch with my arms straight up, fists clenched, and yawn.

Suddenly, I feel a gentle weight upon my head. What was that? I pat the object with my right hand, left still half-contorted in the air. Leather? No, soft leather? A hat of some sort? Wait. Hat? Hat!?

I jerk back a smidge with now fully open eyes and immediately look about, slowly lowering my arms.

Many of the seats left before me on either side were empty, bar few hopeful individuals whose crushed souls now bore at me. But this can't be right? I wasn't even paying attention! I probably don't deserve it, even if deep down I feel I do.

I turned my head to the left as I hear the only set of footsteps that make noise here walk beside and then past me.

And there she was... The witch. Arms crossed below, unconcernedly displaying her wonderful bust, a small smile growing wide as she turned to face me on the other side.

I... I don't know what to say. Words have left me, stranded.

That was, until at least, my ghosts came back to haunt me.

"Huh- but, miss, I haven't even done any magic! None! Not a single test from you!"

I'm fearful, what if she gets angry? I had to say something, anything, to ward me of my thoughts. People were staring, now moreover than before.

Was she going to banish me? Make fun of me? Time had no comparison to the speed of my thought. And then-

She spoke. Playfully,

"No magic? No test? You're a funny one~."

"Heheh, this itself was the test. The only one that mattered, anyway. The others were just getting here."

I stumbled, still shocked,

"Bu- but what about the magic then?"

"Why, you casted the greatest magic of all, one of the best I've ever seen."

I was confounded. By now it was just us, and the few curious remaining till the end; not that it bothered her at all.

But how though? There's no way. How did I cast? What did I cast? Did I do it in my sleep? Confusion with a hint of sadness must have mired my face, because she humored me once more, gesticulating with a free hand,

"You see, magic, real magic—the most potent kind of all—is effortless; natural, even."

"As soon as my hat graced the spot above your head, you awoke with arms raised, blocking the advancement of its journey. Nobody did that but you. You chose the hat, as the hat chose you.

"Sure, many others showed some entertaining tricks in an attempt to earn it, but those were just that—tricks. What you showed was natural, unadulterated, magic."

I can't believe it.

"How can you be sure it wasn't just your footsteps that awoke me? Or that I just-so-happened to have awoken right as you went by?"

Though her smile might have faded to a smirk, she kept on as her enchanting voice flowed out in reply,

"I can't. But it's my decision in any case."

Wow. This can't be real. So I did get chosen...

I looked once more at those who came before me, mostly gone, now. Then I looked to those after me, there were more there. It brought a question to my mind.

"But what about all those people?" I asked, pointing towards everyone on the right she had yet to 'test'.

She briefly looked to the side before speaking to me once again,

"What about them? Would you rather me take back the hat and continue testing, possibly giving it to someone else?" She queried.

I don't know. Was I right to accept it? Do I deserve it? What if someone else was better suited for it?

Why didn't I think of any of this before? Surely I wasn't the only one who wanted to be successful, have such an amazing partner, erm, friend... Teacher?

A simple word broke me from my machinations,

"Well?"

I frowned a bit looking at the others and sighed.

I had to do it. It was what I wanted... For a long time. It was selfish, but I was more afraid, envious even, that someone else might have the possibility of taking this chance away from me.

I think she was right, earlier, when she said something about everyone here deserving it. And she did choose me, just as I chose her, after all...

My face was hot when I replied.

"No. I'll take it, thank you..."

She stepped back, and twirled; her hair fluttering like her robe as she started a low cackle that increased in volume.

"HehhehehhehHEHEHEHEAHAHAHAHHAA!! Very well!"

Her voice boomed as the room began to shake with nebulous energy and shrink from either direction,

"You shall be the first wizard of this world!!"

"and maybe more~." She whispered right after.

I could hear people now, shouting, whispering, and talking; running and walking, as the walls fell in.

But I couldn't pry my eyes away from the woman in front of me. I wouldn't dare. She was beautiful- no, marvelous. Like the beauty of disaster or creation; words alone could not describe it.