“In the 15th century, over a hundred years after the Black Death decimated Europe, began humanity’s darkest age. The Witch Trials.”

A voice came from behind as a woman giving a lecture made her appearance. Her powerful, attention-demanding voice silenced the auditorium. The students’ gazes followed her as she leisurely made her way down toward the podium while speaking.

“Religion has twisted superstitious people and their own ignorance in the difficult times of uncertainties sow the seed that spread like a fever and conquered Europe.”

As the woman made her way through the rows of students, she passed near Maya who noticed she carried a smell of sweetness reminiscing of the burnt scent of lavender.

“Its victims are predominately innocent women and their crime — being a witch. And under the wrongful prosecution fell countless humans and witches alike. It didn’t matter that true witches were unlike their twisted perverse definitions, it shackled us with fear and restricted our own nature.

At those times it was easiest to blame witches for everything. The Plague, the cows not giving milk, and that cute widow next door not giving you any attention. Must be a witch if she is so able to resist your charms.”

Surprising student laughter at her last remark roared through the auditorium, as the imposingly elegant woman gracefully arrived at the podium for everyone to gaze upon her.

Appearing to be in her late thirties to early forties, she had an air of a benevolent mother figure. Her formal and professional black attire with her chestnut hair in an elaborate French twist, and the way she carried herself like a noble, evoking respect, suggested she was a person of high status.

“In those turbulent times, a single man seized the opportunity, ascribing himself falsified approval of the Inquisition to increase his credibility and spread misogynistic panic to rectify his own hatred for women through the work named Malleus Maleficarum. Known as the Hammer of Witches or Witch Hunter’s Bible.”

Maya listened intently to the lecture, puzzled as to why she’d never encountered this information in her previous schooling.

“Hundreds of thousands of people were burned at stakes. Mostly women, and from them, widows who had nobody to vouch for them. It was a cruel procedure as anybody could be accused of anything and no proof was truly needed.”

The woman paused for a moment, her eyes gently closing as if she felt the pain and desperation of those times. When she continued, her voice didn’t lose its power.

“Simply being put on the trial would already mark the end. From there, a series of obscure and cruel tortures would force you to confess. If the confession wasn’t extracted, followed death. And if you confess to whatever vile crime they put in your mouth, a most brutal punishment would ensue and, often times, an execution.”

Maya knew the Inquisition was brutal, but these stories seemed like an exaggeration.

“The grass is greener in your neighbour’s garden? They must be a practitioner of black magic. If your wife only gave you daughters? It must be that old hag at the edge of the village’s sorcery, she had always been giving you strange looks with her lazy eye. And there were the true mages, caught in the crossfire of that madness and robbed of any sense of safety.”

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Her gaze swept across the auditorium, taking in the sea of attentive faces.

“Now, imagine being alive in those times, and imagine receiving a blessing that saves your life being seen as vile and unholy. Being chosen by the Elements would seem like a curse. Our way of life, culture and society where a woman was seen as the leading figure and powers unexplainable to man were threatened. And most importantly, we were unable to fulfil our calling in aiding humanity. Rejected and unfairly prosecuted, was there any choice but to flee?”

It seems witches hold a strong grudge toward religions, especially Christianity.

‘But we all came from the world without magic. There must be half a thousand students sitting here. Some had to be religious.’

Maya wondered how they were facing this sudden change.

“Under these conditions, in the year 1514, the history split… Mages have power. There was no reason why we couldn’t build our own haven. Since magic was declared an abomination, we can simply take it away. And therefore, Mellgrah was created. A world of our own, where we can prosper better than humanity ever could.”

“Yet, ther’s still no internet,” Elena shouted.

This time it was a student’s remark that caused a couple of laughs. The lecturer didn’t seem to appreciate the interruption.

“What use is the knowledge if you don’t put an effort into acquiring it? The Internet is a pollutant. An aspect that you miss about it, you are better off without. It seems certain individuals are not yet familiar with the concept of gratitude, but it is okay, we are all still learning. Here, there was no plague, no famine, no wars, and on top of it all, you received a gift of magic.”

The lecturer skilfully dodged the criticism. She seemed like a strict woman but had a level of patience that comes with an experienced teacher. But the look she directed at Elena was of warning not to challenge her again as her tolerance has its limits. Staying composed in such a situation evoked reverence.

“And what about the ‘monsters’ behind the walls?” Elena refused to be put in place.

The room got unsettled. Nobody liked to be reminded of danger. Elena was glaring back at the lecturer, confident, calm, but spiteful. Maya admired her bravery but thought it to be foolish. You don’t want to taunt people who are in charge of your life now.

Pulling on Elena’s sleeve Maya made an effort to make her back down, but Elena ignored her. She seemed to enjoy infuriating the authority. Glaring back at the lecturer with spiteful glee as if she had an equally good reason to do so.

“As we took the condemned magic from the human world, we also took the burden of magical creatures. You can call it being a bigger person, as we have the power to defend ourselves. Something we can’t say for the small-minded humans.”

She composed herself and continued with scary calmness.

“You have nothing to fear as long as you respect the measures put in place to protect you. It is but a minuscule price to pay for greatness.”

The lecturer paused, her gaze gracefully landing at the audience. Her expression softened slightly as she spoke again:

“Children, don’t succumb to arrogance, as thus far, you don’t have a full grasp of this world. We have your best interest in mind. Respect the elders and you’re bound to succeed. We are a small nation, we thrive as a community. You must first learn how to crawl before you can run. I promise all you’ll ever need is patience.”

A gentle smile appeared on her face, gracing everyone with its beauty.

“You have all been chosen by the venerable Elements and bestowed power upon you. You are all of equal worth. This is but a start for you, and your first step for achieving greatness. With our guidance, you will become the next leaders, warriors, entrepreneurs; bright young minds who will carry our culture and society into an even brighter future. Just as you were always meant to be.”

Something about her voice was so powerful and it filled Maya with hope. It was clear she was passionate about her role and saw potential in each and every student in this room.

“My name is Amanda Lefebvre, the Headmistress of the Amellan Academy as well as the town of Amellan. I am your highest authority here. Welcome to the academy.”