The sky began to cloud over. As though the morning's clear weather had been a lie. The weather in this town is fickle. That's why everyone loves to talk about it. It can suddenly rain, or clear up as if by magic.

As I watched the clouds gather, I slowly turned Alicia's words over in my mind.

"Are there any witches in Ravensbrook?"

The pleasant moment from earlier had already vanished, and now my heart began to race. My left hand tingled. A sudden change, just like the weather. But it's alright. We've managed well so far. Calm down, Sith. Put on a smile and don't look away from Alicia.

"Witches? There's no way such people exist nowadays, Alicia."

"Nowadays? Were there some in the past?" Alicia shot back sharply.

"Sorry, I've never heard such stories. Not now, not in the past. Alicia, you do tell such interesting jokes," I said.

Feigning the need to adjust my shoe, I turned my back to her, seizing the moment to compose my face into an indifferent mask.

"I read about it in one of Father's books. About witches living in Caldoria. It said that long, long ago, there were many witches in this country."

"Alicia, that... word. That 'wit...' word. You mustn't say it out loud. You'll shock the townspeople if they hear. I don't know about where you lived before, but here, everyone avoids saying that word," I said.

"Is that so? I'm sorry, I didn't know. I didn't mean to frighten you," Alicia said in a sad voice. I felt very apologetic.

"Because, you know, I've heard that 'those people' use evil magic. Like withering crops... or transforming into cats and frogs to deceive people. And if 'those people' are found, they're caught by the authorities, put on trial, and subjected to terrible things," I said, taking slow, deep breaths that Alicia couldn't see. My heart continued to pound.

"I see. Some of the books I read described it that way too. 'Those people' made pacts with the devil, turned their backs on God's teachings, and tried to corrupt people. There are records of vigorous crackdowns to persecute 'those people' in countries outside Caldoria too. It went on for over a hundred years. Through means too horrifying to speak of... Because of that, 'those people' have almost disappeared," Alicia said in a pained voice.

At last, my heart began to calm. I turned back to Alicia and said as gently as I could, "I see. But that's good, isn't it? That 'those people' are gone."

Alicia shook her head. "But you know, there are still places where witch hunts occasionally happen. Apparently, it's been gradually increasing again recently."

A cold sweat ran down my back. The clouds in the sky spread, beginning to rumble.

"Have you ever seen them, Alicia? 'Those people'?" I asked, trying to keep my voice as steady as possible.

"No, unfortunately," Alicia denied again. What did she mean by 'unfortunately'? I belatedly regretted my own ignorance. There had been newspapers in Valentine's shop. Perhaps I should have engaged in more small talk and learned more about the world.

"In the city where I lived, we hardly ever heard such stories. They say witches are more common in provincial towns and villages," Alicia said, as if showing off her knowledge. "Especially in mountainous areas or places surrounded by forests... Come to think of it, there was a large forest near this town too, wasn't there?"

Something small hit my face. Rain had begun to fall without me noticing. Droplets of rain began to patter softly against our clothes.

"Oh my, it's started to rain," Alicia said, looking up at the sky.

Was it because of the suddenly chilled air? I felt as if my spine had frozen. The scenes of witch hunts my mother had taught me about flickered in my mind.

Witches discovered in towns are persecuted, subjected to intense interrogation and numerous tortures. This knowledge, which I had only known in words, suddenly appeared before me with a sense of reality.

What was Alicia trying to say? Why had she approached me?

"Alicia, are you," I said, forcing the words out from the back of my throat, "looking for witches? For what purpose?"

Alicia’s lips curled into a delicate, beautiful smile.

"Sith, listen. I'll tell only you. Please don't think I've gone mad or anything."

I nodded silently. If she was hunting witches. If she was our enemy, then I would... Unconsciously, I had clenched my left hand.

"Sith, I," Alicia said, taking a breath before continuing with determination, "admire witches. I have, ever since I was little..."

Her emerald eyes glimmered, their brightness shifting subtly. They were clear eyes. I don't know yet, but it might be similar to love. Perhaps when we fall in love, our eyes look like this.

The rain had stopped without my noticing. It had been just a brief shower. Like a momentary spell to create time for us to exchange words.

***

Near St. Brigid's Chapel, in a quiet corner of Ravensbrook. Walking down a narrow cobblestone path to its end.

There stand small but refined, modest cottages in a row. Their weathered facades have a colour like a patchwork of grey and brown fabric. It speaks to the age of the buildings. The windows are adorned with boxes of herbs I don't even know the names of, their fresh scent wafting on the breeze.

I looked back, checking on Alicia walking behind me. The path is narrow, I wondered if she felt cramped. But Alicia's expression showed only wonder and surprise at new discoveries. She was her usual self.

"The walls are completely covered in thick ivy. It's so small and cute, like a fairy's house!" Alicia smiled back, noticing my gaze.

"Yeah, well... It has a certain charm," I replied, thinking that the people living inside might make complex faces if they heard this.

As the sun approached its zenith, we turned the last corner. "This is Mr Edwin's house," I said, pointing to the cottage that appeared.

"It's lovely," Alicia gasped. Edwin's garden was like a child's playground. Toys scattered everywhere, never tidied up.

Unfamiliar plants, half-finished mechanical contraptions made of wood and metal, instruments of unknown purpose were strewn about, asserting their place.

"Is that... a miniature windmill? And next to it, a pendulum? My, what a charming nameplate. 'Mr Fontaine, Tutor of Natural Philosophy and Letters'. Such an intellectual name," Alicia read aloud the handwritten wooden sign in her refined pronunciation.

As she finished, the cottage door opened.

A tall man with round glasses perched askew appeared. He was trying to tie back his dishevelled hair with one hand while adjusting his crooked glasses with the other. Seeing this familiar gesture, a mixture of meticulousness and absentmindedness, I found it a bit amusing.

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"Well, hello. Today we have a lovely guest with us. Good day to you both," Edwin welcomed us with an unpretentious smile.

"Mr Fontaine, it's an honour to meet you. I’ve heard so much about your scholarly accomplishments," Alicia greeted him with a curtsy, stepping one foot slightly back.

"Miss Hunt, the honour is mine to have you visit," Edwin replied, placing one hand on his chest and bowing his upper body. Perhaps noticing me staring blankly at their exchange, Edwin quickly changed his manner.

"Well, this doesn't suit me. Let's drop the formalities. 'My words fly up, my thoughts remain below. Words without thoughts never to heaven go,' as they say. I've just acquired some rare tea. Come, ladies, let's have a tea party inside."

We ascended to the study on the first floor. The room was filled with the scent of old parchment and leather-bound books. It was a familiar sight: bookshelves twice my height, a desk so large I couldn't reach across it with both arms outstretched, and several chairs for students.

"Is this where Sith usually studies?" Alicia asked, casually looking around.

"Yes. Though by study, I mean learning how to write letters and read books," I said. Recently, I'd also been learning how to read newspapers, but I didn't mention that to Alicia.

"Oh, what's that?" Alicia's gaze fell on a display case filled with masks from distant lands and fossils.

"Hmm. Maybe he picked them up in the garden?" I said.

"Sith, are you joking or are you serious?" Alicia asked.

"Well, which do you think?" I replied.

As we were fooling around, Edwin returned with a wooden tray laden with tea things. The tea he poured had an unfamiliar, strange aroma.

"What a unique fragrance. Where are these leaves from?" Alicia delicately pinched the cup with her thumb, index, and middle fingers, taking a sip or two to savour it.

"It's tea from an Eastern country called Sinna, or so I'm told. I bought it from a merchant who came to town. It has a very distinctive taste and aroma, doesn't it? They say that one sip can make you feel as if you've travelled to that country," Edwin explained.

In the glass teapot, a pale pink flower was opening in the hot water. I don't drink tea often, but just looking at it made me feel elegant. When I took a sip, it had a strange fragrance and taste unlike any herbal tea from this country.

"Well, I've never been to Sinna myself, so I don't know what it's really like. By the way, that merchant hadn't been there either. Whether this tea is really from the East at all is questionable, ha ha!" Edwin laughed as he quickly drank his tea.

"Oh... well..." Even the usually composed Alicia stumbled over her words. Seeing this rare sight, I laughed quietly. Alicia puffed out her cheeks and glared at me with a "Hey!"

"So that's how you laugh, Sith," Edwin said.

I was startled by his words. It was the first time anyone had said something like that to me. Was he complimenting me, or teasing me? As I pondered this for a moment, he got to the point.

"So, ladies. What brings you here today? Have you come to introduce me to your lovely friend, or perhaps to view my collection, for which I'd be grateful?" Edwin turned boyish eyes towards the display case behind him.

"While that's also a very interesting topic," Alicia quietly set her teacup down on the table. The cup and saucer made a faint sound as they touched.

"Mr Fontaine, I'm interested in your area of expertise. I've heard that you're doing very valuable research. The folklore and legends of Caldoria..." She glanced briefly at the study door before looking resolutely at Edwin. "About the history of magic and witches. Could you share your thoughts with us?"

Alicia straightened her posture.

Though I had expected it, hearing the word "witch" made my body freeze for a moment. I turned my gaze to Edwin. He leaned back in his chair, thoughtfully adjusting his glasses. The cheerful atmosphere from earlier had retreated behind this.

"It's an interesting and complex topic, this. Miss Hunt, from what I can see, you've been educated in a proper and respectable household. Isn't the theme you've just mentioned at odds with such principles?" Edwin said with his teacher's expression.

"I'm aware it's improper," she quickly countered. "Sir, this is academic curiosity." As she said this, she shot a glance at me.

Despite her words, Alicia was restlessly fidgeting with her fingers on her lap. Her eyes wandered between me and Edwin. I was surprised to discover that she could make such anxious gestures. This wasn't her usual self, brimming with confidence and showing no hesitation.

But of course, it's only natural. Alicia is much smarter and more intelligent than me, but she's still a girl the same age. It's only natural to be nervous when discussing specialised topics with an adult male scholar. Thinking this, I suddenly found her anxious expression endearing.

I recalled the words she had said to me in the rain the other day. She wants to know about witches. But that might be a misguided admiration. Mother won't even utter the word "witch." Even in Valentine's shop, the topic of witches hardly ever comes up. Surely, among the people of Ravensbrook, there's an unspoken agreement not to discuss this.

If she were to talk about witches somewhere without knowing this, she might be bullied. That was a very unpleasant thought, for various reasons.

Mr Edwin would teach her the "correct" knowledge about witches. He would surely explain it well. That's why I brought her here today.

Even as I thought this, I was aware deep down that it was somewhat of a self-justification. I harboured feelings towards Alicia's interest in witches that were separate from fear. But I was deliberately pretending not to see those feelings...

"Alicia has been studying about magic and, um, witches. She's been reading books in her father's study," I said, deciding to support her after some hesitation.

"What kind of literature have you read?" Edwin asked with interest.

"The first one I read was 'The Discovery of Witchcraft'," Alicia began cautiously. "Witches who rotted crops and killed livestock were subjected to terrible persecution and torture... But as I read on, I realised the author was against such witch hunts. Many of those accused in witch hunts were poor old women, and it's suggested that much of the witches' 'maleficium' was merely herbal remedies or tricks."

"That study caused quite a stir at the time," Edwin murmured with a nod.

"How many innocent people suffered because of misunderstanding and fear. Just imagining it terrifies me. But I also became interested in why people believed so fervently in witches," Alicia's words gradually became more passionate.

"The next one I read was 'Saducismus Triumphatus'. Such unbelievable magic... While it was chilling, I found myself wondering: what if such power really existed?"

Edwin thoughtfully stroked his beard. "Those are indeed interesting materials. However, Joseph Glanvill is an author who requires careful reading. What about plays? There are some famous works too."

"I love Shakespeare. You quoted him earlier, didn't you, sir?" Alicia responded happily. "I've seen 'Macbeth' many times. The witches are so powerful, central figures that drive the story. They make terrible, ominous prophecies, yet spur people to action. Contemplating the interpretation of their actions and motives is one of my most enjoyable pastimes."

"Hey, Alicia," I asked, seizing a gap in the conversation. "Aren't the witches in these stories portrayed as villains? Why do you admire such people?" This was my honest feeling.

"Sith, it's like this," Alicia looked at me and began to explain like an elder.