First Unity Coven was down south, while High Sanctum of Archmagi was way up north.
The two were separated by a vast distance.
55 vouchers
Laura flew for three days and three nights, carrying three people and a beast, before finally crossing the Iron–Root Highlands and reaching the territory of First Unity Coven.
Now that they were back on their own turf, Laura and Craig both looked a lot more relaxed.
They camped out in the trees for the night, giving Laura a chance to recover her essence. To help her out, Craig pulled out a hundred sandwiches.
“Laura, eat up,” Craig said, handing her the sandwiches.
Laura finished them all in just half an hour.
At the break of dawn the next day, Laura led the three of them through the mountain barrier and headed straight for the First Unity Coven.
As they flew in, a vast range of mountains stretched out before them, a breathtaking sight.
Unlike the elegant peaks of High Sanctum of Archmagi, the mountains of First Unity Coven were grand and imposing. Their snow–capped summits dominated the landscape.
Even though it was the off–season and there was little greenery, just lots of gray and white, it only made them look even more towering and rugged.
Before they even reached the main peak, a furious roar echoed through the air. “Who’s been digging up my herbs again? Who is it?!”
Craig’s heart sank. “Oh no, I forgot to tell him. I dug up some of Laurence’s herbs to cover our travel expenses when we left in a hurry.”
Laura shot Craig a teasing look. “You’re so dead.”
Craig darted forward on his sword, yelling, “Laurence, it’s me.”
All hell was breaking loose up on the peak, the commotion barely audible over the wind.
Linda glanced down from her sword and saw endless mountains stretching below, spiritual currents flowing, and the earth’s energy hanging heavy in the air. But the peaks themselves were a barren red.
It wasn’t the fiery red of flames, but the red of sheer destitution.
Rafael looked crushed. “If they haul us in, that’s it for us. Game over for the rest of our lives.”
Linda gave him a look that said, “What do you mean?”
One look at her, and Rafael could tell she was totally clueless.
“Wait, you don’t know First Unity Coven?” he asked.
“Yeah, I know,” Linda replied.
1/5
4:33 pm
Chapter 8
“So, do you know what they’re famous for?” Rafael pressed.
“Geniuses,” Linda said.
“No, it’s because they’re dirt poor,” Rafael said bluntly.
Linda was left speechless.
55 vouchers
Rafael clutched his chest, looking heartbroken. “I’ve never seen a coven this poor in my life. They’re so broke, even getting a meal is a struggle. Seriously, how can anyone stand living in a place like this?”
Rafael muttered to Linda, “If you see a chance to bail, take it.”
Linda didn’t say a word.
She hadn’t planned on sticking around in the first place.
‘But does Rafael really know how to train with the fivefold affinities?‘ she thought to herself. ‘Did I come here way too early?‘
Laura flashed ahead on her sword, and before they knew it, she’d landed on the main peak with Linda and Rafael tagging along.
They’d flown so fast that Rafael was still dizzy when they touched down, stumbling around and puking his guts out for a solid fifteen minutes.
Linda, on the other hand, looked completely unfazed.
Linda watched them, her doubts just piling up.
“You’re both in the Mana–Stoking Phase, and your rank’s even higher than hers. How come you’re so weak?” Laura said, sounding totally casual, but her words hit Rafael hard.
Rafael gritted his teeth and shot her a look. “What level are you in the Mana–Stoking Phase?”
“Tier one,” Linda replied.
‘How the hell can some tier one neophyte use a Mending Script?‘ Rafael wondered, totally stumped.
But Linda didn’t even acknowledge his doubt, her face completely calm.
‘What’s the big deal about being a tier one neophyte?‘ Linda thought, a hint of defiance in her mind. ‘Even at tier one, I can use Mending Scripts.”
Laura suddenly paused, as if receiving a voice transmission, then turned to Linda and Rafael. “Come with me. The headmaster wants to see you.”
Linda hesitated. “Can I not go?”
“No, you can’t,” Laura replied flatly.
Linda had no choice but to tag along with Laura, while Rafael was basically hauled away by her.
They figured they were headed for the main hall, but Laura suddenly veered off toward a lodge on one of the side peaks.
Soon enough, the smell of food wafted through the air.
2/5
Chapter 8
55 vouchers
Linda guessed, “Is this the kitchen or something?”
Laura said matter–of–factly, “Yep. Students who haven’t hit the Condensation of the Primal Core still need to eat, so First Unity Coven has a mess hall.”
Linda got it, thinking to herself, ‘But isn’t it kind of weird for the headmaster to show up in the mess hall?‘
“It’s breakfast time, and usually it’s the senior students who do the cooking, though sometimes it’s the headmaster,” Laura explained.
As for Laura, she couldn’t cook to save her life.
She walked into the kitchen.
“Lucien’s out, so I’m on kitchen duty today,” the cold–faced man announced as he stepped out from the back, carrying a big bowl of pasta.
There wasn’t a single green in sight.
Laura didn’t bat an eye when she saw him. She greeted Byron with the usual respect.
Rafael, who was usually all swagger, instantly straightened up and gave Byron a proper, formal greeting.
“Hi, M–Mr. Kelly…” he stammered, suddenly meek.
Linda wasn’t a member of First Unity Coven, but since she was young, she followed Laura’s lead and gave Byron a bow. “Greetings, Mr. Kelly. I’m Linda Barber.”
Byron fixed his gaze on Linda, his eyes flashing with sudden interest. “Hmm, this kid… Is she the new student?” he asked.
“Yep,” Laura replied.
Linda was stunned, thinking, ‘Wait, what?‘
Byron’s eyes lit up. “Has she picked a mentor yet?”
“Nope, just brought her in,” Laura said.
“Oh? Not yet, huh…” Byron set down the bowl and fixed Linda with a long, hard stare.
His gaze was so intense, it felt like he could see straight through her. Linda frowned, refusing to back down, and stared right
back.
Then, Laura moved to shield Linda from Byron’s intense gaze. “Byron, you’re scaring her,” she said.
Byron grunted, pulling back his gaze. “Sit down.”
The three of them sat down.
Rafael, resigned to his fate, grabbed plates and started serving some pasta. Then, he handed one to Linda. “Eat up. Or there won’t be any left.”
Linda stared at the pasta, her appetite nowhere to be found.
Laura served herself a plate of pasta, set it down, and with a loud clank, pulled the whole bowl over in front of her like she was staking her claim.
3/5
4:33 pm
Chapter 8
Seeing Linda eyeing her, Laura raised an eyebrow and asked, “Want some more?”
She was generous, cramming a huge forkful of pasta into Linda’s plate until it was overflowing.
Then she kept the whole bowl right in front of her, guarding it like a dragon with its hoard.
Linda was left speechless.
Byron and Rafael didn’t even bat an eye; they’d seen this plenty of times before.
55 vouchers
They didn’t start eating, as the group wasn’t all present. The portion Laura had dished up could only be for Craig.
As for the plate Byron had set aside, no one knew who it was for.
From the kitchen, a cheerful voice rang out, “Laura, you’re back.”
Laura nodded in greeting. “Yeah, Kermit.”
Kermit Vaughn, the headmaster of First Unity Coven, came in carrying two huge platters of meat and set them down in front of Laura and the group. Spotting Rafael, he beamed and said, “You did a great job.”
Rafael just hung his head, looking totally defeated.
Kermit laughed warmly. “Hey, kid, cheer up. Sticking with First Unity Coven, you won’t get ripped off or played for a fool.”
Rafael gritted his teeth. “Yeah, as if.”
He’d lost count of how many times he’d gotten screwed over since joining the coven a month ago.
Kermit glanced at Rafael, then looked genuinely surprised when his eyes landed on Linda. “And who’s this young lady?”
“Our new member,” Laura said.
The whole table went silent. Only Byron kept staring thoughtfully at Linda, not saying anything to contradict it.
Laura said, “I brought her in. She’s one of us now.”
Linda couldn’t hold back and spoke up, “Laura, I…”
She’d just come along to find out what that omen was all about.
‘How did I suddenly become one of them?‘ Linda wondered, utterly lost.
Laura tilted her head and looked at her. “Do you not like me?”
“No, it’s not that,” Linda replied.
Laura asked again, “Do you not like First Unity Coven?”
“No, it’s not that either,” Linda said.
Laura grinned. “Alright, Kermit, she agreed to stay.”
Everyone at the table just stared in stunned silence.
That blunt back–and–forth made Kermit chuckle. “Alright, then you’re staying.”
4/5
4:33 pm PPD.
☐
Chapter 8
Linda was stunned, thinking, ‘Wait, did anyone even ask me if I wanted to stay?‘
With just a few words between the headmaster and his student, her fate was sealed.
Linda didn’t even get a chance to say a word.
EX 55 vouchers
Craig rushed in, out of breath. “Did I miss breakfast? Oh man, Laurence made me promise to replant all the herbs I dug up. Looks like I’m gonna be busy starting tomorrow.”
As soon as he stepped inside and saw Kermit and Byron at the table, Craig snapped to attention. “Kermit, Byron, I swear, I’ll help Laurence replant his herbs every single day from now on.”
Kermit grinned. “Craig, come over and meet Laura. She’s one of us now.”
“Huh?” Craig blinked, totally confused. He glanced at Rafael, then at Linda, his eyes wide.
“One of us? Wait, since when?” he blurted out, looking baffled.
Laura and Byron answered together, “Just now.”
Craig stared, completely confused. ‘Did I just miss a whole plot arc while I was gone?‘ he wondered.
5/5
Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland’s breathtaking cold.
