I and the Witch of Time Who Seeks the Past

Chapter 2 – The City of Fog (1)

December 20, 1920, 17:12

Our two days at the Morory Manor had been peaceful.

As a teacher, Lijedahl proved herself to be outstanding.

She wrote down every bit of knowledge she planned to teach each day—magic diagrams, symbols, incantations, and the full sequence of methods—in detail inside her notebook. Then she made a simplified version on separate sheets of paper so her students could better understand.

"I'm worried they won't understand the complicated parts, so I simplified them. I'll explain them in more detail when I teach them."

"Huh? Then why bother writing the full version for yourself?"

We were walking back along the path to the cabin, talking about her lessons from the past two days.

"I plan to give them this notebook once I finish teaching."

"... Then doesn't that make what you're giving them now kind of pointless?"

"Oh, Will, magic can't just be explained with words—it's all about practice."

"... I really don't get it."

"Every morning in class, haven't I always used you as the demonstration?"

"Uh, I thought that was just because you didn't want me standing around awkwardly."

"What? Of course, I need to demonstrate! Do you think they'd understand just from me talking?"

Her demonstrations were all with air magic—making me float, lowering me gently, even snatching things out of my hands.

When I asked if those tricks were too simple, she said she didn't want to teach advanced magic yet. She preferred to start with the basics.

"Are you even listening?"

Her irritated face jolted me back to the moment, and I quickly looked away, avoiding her gaze.

But honestly, it made sense. It felt like a science experiment—verbal explanation could only get you halfway.

When I didn't answer, she rested her chin on her hand, lost in thought.

"What should I teach tomorrow?"

It was clear she took her teaching very seriously. She really was a genius in magic. Every day, she gave herself such heavy workloads, yet somehow she finished everything in just about an hour. Her handwriting was beautiful, too. Sometimes, after writing, she even asked if I wanted to go for a walk with her.

Genius and diligent... How many people could ever match that? For someone ordinary like me who knew nothing of magic, she seemed completely out of reach.

"Uh... so, Lijedahl, how do you think your teaching has been so far?"

"... It's my first time teaching anyone. I always feel like I'm leaving something out."

That made me recall the first lesson she gave Anna and Jona.

…

On that first day, she handed each of them a sheet with diagrams and detailed notes.

They had class in the main hall. Anna and Jona sat with notebooks and pens, looking excited about the lesson.

Lijedahl, meanwhile, was seated on the sofa, absently examining a fine fountain pen in her hand, as though she didn't care much about this "important" first lesson.

I stood by the hall entrance, observing. Mr. Ken stood with me.

"How do you think she'll teach them?" he asked.

"... I'm not sure. She didn't tell me much. All I know is that last night, before bed, she thought for a long time and finally decided to teach them air magic."

"Air magic, hmm... That's fine. I've already taught them plenty of air-magic theory, but reviewing it again won't hurt."

"Ah... I see."

That didn't sound great. It seemed her very first class would end up being plain and unimpressive—a poor way to start as a teacher.

Even some of the manor's maids had set aside their chores, sneaking over to watch from the edges of the hall.

"Haha, looks like everyone's eager!"

Mr. Ken said, indulgent of their curiosity. Then he turned to watch Lijedahl.

She glanced casually at Anna and Jona seated before her, then placed the pen down on the table in front of them.

"Are you ready?"

Her voice was gentle, as always.

"Yes, Miss Lijedahl. We're ready!"

Jona replied.

From where I stood, I could only see their profiles, but I could tell they were nervous.

Lijedahl paused, letting her eyes sweep the room—the maids, me, and Mr. Ken.

"Relax. Just listen carefully to the lesson. Now, let's begin."

She rose gracefully to her feet, a faint air of authority about her.

"You two—have you read through the summary I gave you?"

"Um... yes, Miss Lijedahl, I've read it!"

Jona said.

"I read it too!"

Anna added.

"Good. Did you understand it?"

The two girls exchanged glances, then shook their heads.

That was when I noticed Mr. Ken's smile had faded. His expression had turned serious.

"What's going on? They can't even understand this?"

Mr. Ken muttered to himself. I didn't know what was happening either, so I could only keep watching.

Seeing the girls shake their heads, Lijedahl smiled.

"It's fine. It's normal not to understand. What you're looking at is the original conceptual process of air magic."

The moment she said that, both girls gasped.

"What? The original?"

"What?"

Even Mr. Ken exclaimed in surprise. It was the first time I'd ever seen his normally steady demeanor so shaken.

Lijedahl's lips curved in a smug smile.

"Well? Do you want to know how the concept was formed?"

"Yes!"

Anna and Jona answered in unison.

"Alright then. Mr. Ken has taught you how to construct the basic magic circle, hasn't he?"

Anna was the first to answer, the nervousness gone from her face.

"Yes. First, find the center point and draw three rings. Then write the required magical symbols on the outermost ring, inscribe the necessary spells of the same type on the innermost ring, and leave the middle ring empty—either for magical tools or ritual offerings. If the spell is complex, you can add more magic release points to strengthen the circle."

As soon as Anna finished, Jona pouted.

"I was about to say that! Anna, why do you always answer so fast?"

"Haha, the two of you really have a solid foundation."

Lijedahl pulled her notebook from her pocket, flipped through it, and asked.

"But hasn't Mr. Ken taught you the form where you reinforce it by writing the full incantation?"

"Eh? What do you mean?"

"Eh?"

Even Lijedahl made a puzzled sound, and everyone stared at her.

"I mean, when you add magic release points along eight straight lines radiating out from the circle's center at forty-five-degree intervals across the three rings, then fill the outermost layer completely with the incantation."

She said this as if it were the most natural thing in the world.

But aside from her and me, everyone else in the room was utterly stunned.

"W–What? You can place release points outside the middle ring!?"

Anna was in disbelief, while Jona looked completely overwhelmed.

"Heavens... that's impossible..."

I heard Mr. Ken murmur.

He was fully absorbed in her lecture, not even noticing how out of place I felt.

... Wait, am I the only one here who doesn't understand any of this?

Even the maids had begun whispering excitedly among themselves. Apparently, they too had some knowledge of magic.

"Ladies, please don't disturb Miss Lijedahl's lesson!"

Mr. Ken said sternly. At once, they fell silent.

Lijedahl, however, looked a bit lost. She glanced my way, as if seeking help.

I shrugged helplessly.

"You're on your own!"

I mouthed silently to her.

She let out a faint sigh, covering her forehead with her hand in exasperation.

"... Alright then. We'll set aside the origins of air magic for now. Let's just start with the construction of magic circles."

What happened afterward is a little hazy in my memory. All I know is that during that class, everyone except me and Lijedahl was utterly spellbound—as if enchanted. I, on the other hand, couldn't fit into the atmosphere at all.

…

My thoughts drifted back to the present. We had just reached the cabin door.

To my surprise, Anna and Jona were already waiting outside, snow clinging to their clothes as proof.

"Ah, why are you waiting out here? If you have questions, you can always ask tomorrow!"

Lijedahl said, brushing the snow off them.

I hurried to unlock the door and ushered them inside.

"Ah, we were just..."

I quickly lit the fireplace while Lijedahl pulled the girls into the warmth.

"Are you two alright? You didn't catch a chill, did you?" she asked, concerned.

"We're fine, Miss Lijedahl. Really. More importantly, we have something to tell you."

With that, Jona produced a letter.

Lijedahl sat beside me, while Anna and Jona took the seats next to her. Anna took the letter and handed it over.

"Let me see..."

Curious, I leaned in as well.

"Dear Mr. Igell,

It has been many years. I am writing to invite you to London to attend the British Mages' Conference. It would be our honor if you could join us. Should you wish, you may bring your two apprentices, as well as any additional mages you deem appropriate. The British Mages' Association will grant you partial authority within Britain's magical community. We sincerely hope you will accept this invitation.

I hadn't read further before Lijedahl handed the letter back.

"So... they want us to go to London with you?"

"Yes!"

The two girls looked at her with sparkling eyes, full of anticipation. Once again, Lijedahl turned her pleading gaze to me.

Her eyes were brown, a sign that she was unsure what to do.

"... Alright then. Let's go."

I answered for her. Besides, this was the perfect opportunity.

"Yay!"

The two girls cheered in unison, slapping each other's hands in celebration.

I leaned closer to Lijedahl's ear and whispered,

"This is our chance to gather information. A perfect opportunity."

Only then did realization dawn on her.

"Ah, you're right. That is a good idea."

She smiled softly at Anna and Jona and joined in their chatter.

"So, when do we leave?"

"Teacher Ken said tomorrow."

"Oh, that's wonderful."

The three of them responded to each other, diving right back into their enthusiastic discussion about magic.

I didn't listen in. My thoughts drifted instead toward London.

... The “City of Fog,” was it?

And a gathering of mages, no less.

It seems something significant is about to happen.