I and the Witch of Time Who Seeks the Past

Chapter 3 – The Magic Association (1)

December 24, 1920 – 6:30

I woke up. Lijedahl was still asleep.

Today we were supposed to go to the Magic Association with Mr. Ken, so I needed to prepare in advance.

I got out of bed and put on my formal clothes, then habitually checked to see if my outfit had been tampered with. After confirming it was fine, I checked my concealed weapons, making sure nothing was damaged or missing.

Once everything was in order, I went to wash up in the bathroom, trying to make as little noise as possible. I didn't want to wake Lijedahl.

I knew her habits well: unless it was for work or something important, she usually slept until eight or nine. Then, half-awake, she would often curl up with her pillow for a while before finally getting up. At least, that's what I had seen countless times back at the Morory Manor.

If she were woken too early, she would definitely refuse to budge.

Thinking about this, I couldn't help but sigh. She really was like a child.

After finishing everything I needed to do, I sat down on the sofa and pulled the curtain open just a crack—enough to see London's scenery without disturbing her sleep.

Since I never had the habit of eating breakfast, all I needed to do was quietly wait for Mr. Ken and the others. Just as I was thinking that, I heard Lijedahl yawn behind me.

"Mmm... ah, Will, you're up way too early."

"It's not even seven yet. You should go back to sleep. Mr. Ken and the others haven't arrived."

"... Aren't you going to eat breakfast?"

I turned to look at her. She was still curled up in bed, her eyes barely open.

"You know I don't eat breakfast."

"That habit... haah... I think it's not very good," she said between yawns.

"Then why don't you get up, wash up, and we can go see if there's something to eat together?"

"No... It's cold outside."

She burrowed even deeper into the blanket. From where I sat, she looked just like a curled-up kitten.

"Alright, alright, keep sleeping. I'll just watch the view."

"... Mm, okay."

With that, she drifted back to sleep.

I spread my hands helplessly and chuckled.

Looking out the window, I finally saw the hidden chill of this city.

Those who woke earlier than anyone else were also the lowest in this city's hierarchy—workers and vagrants.

As I thought, in 1920, the aftermath of the Great War had left the working class struggling even harder, just to earn food they weren't even sure they could afford.

On the streets of London, they wandered in rags, their bodies filthy, their faces etched with exhaustion, uncertainty about the future, and disillusionment with reality.

Some workers even raised fists against beggars slumped on the ground, while everyone else ignored them and walked on.

It was just survival. I understood them completely.

What other way was there for people at the bottom to live? I had no right to pity them, nor to judge them.

When the sun finally rose high, its bright rays would mask this darkness. The prosperity of the wealthy would push the city's shadows beneath its glow. False sunlight concealing true darkness—that was the real face of London.

Having seen what history had only described, I drew the curtains shut.

It was time.

December 24, 1920 – 8:30

We met Mr. Ken and the others in the hotel corridor.

"Looks like you've already had breakfast."

"Yes, we have. Are we heading to the Magic Association now?"

"Not yet, Mr. Will. The meeting won't start for another hour. Before that, I should explain some of the rules."

Mr. Ken smiled politely, then took out a notebook and drew a series of concentric circles with a straight line cutting through the middle.

"This will be the seating arrangement at the meeting. There are five rings in total. The innermost ring is reserved for the highest-ranking figures. The second ring is for those of lesser importance, and so on. The outermost fifth ring is where apprentices or assistants sit."

... So apprentices and assistants were considered the lowest in status.

"Understood."

I said.

"So, does that mean Anna and I will sit with Mr. Will in the outer ring?"

Jona asked.

"Yes, you and Anna will sit with Mr. Will."

"Uh... what about me?"

Lijedahl asked, sounding a little confused.

"I'll be in the outer ring too, right?"

"No, Miss Lijedahl."

Mr. Ken replied with a mysterious smile.

I looked at Lijedahl, and she looked back at me, her brown eyes filled with questions.

"Miss Lijedahl will be sitting with me in the first ring."

"Eh?"

"Huh?"

"What? What?"

The four of us all voiced our confusion at once, turning to look at Mr. Ken.

He chuckled and said.

"No need to be so surprised. Miss Lijedahl is a magic mentor who has mastered the oldest form of air magic as well as the long-lost time magic. That alone is enough for the Association to pay a high price to keep her here."

"Eh? That... sounds a little exaggerated, doesn't it?"

Lijedahl clearly hadn't expected herself to be held in such regard.

"No, no, no. I really think I'd rather just sit with Will."

"Haha, I'd listen to you if it were possible. But the moment you step into the Association, the top mages will immediately sense the unusual nature of your mana. Explaining it away then would be troublesome. It's better if I explain first, and you sit by my side. That way, others will assume it's because of my recommendation and your uniqueness, which will cut down on unnecessary speculation."

"... But gossip will still be unavoidable."

"That can't be helped. Time magic is far too unique."

"Lijedahl, it doesn't matter. Idle talk is endless, but if you don't listen, it's as good as silence."

I spoke up, reminding Lijedahl of this truth.

"... You're right, Will."

"Oh, what an interesting saying, Mr. Will. Where did you learn that?"

"It's an old proverb from my homeland. Anyway, we understand what to do now. Anything else?"

"Hmm... the rest can be handled once I speak with them. Nothing more for now. Oh, by the way, do you have that invitation letter with you?"

Lijedahl patted her pocket.

"Yes, I do. Why?"

"That letter is the key to the Magic Association. With it, I'll be able to take you there."

"... With it? Mr. Ken, what exactly does the invitation do?"

Anna asked the very question I had in mind.

"You'll see soon enough."

Mr. Ken gently patted her head, looking more kindly than ever.

"Is it teleportation magic?"

Lijedahl caught on quickly, naming a new spell.

"Aha, you guessed it. I was hoping to keep some suspense."

"It can actually transmit across long distances using a medium?"

"Not long distances, no. It only works within the caster's range. Still, being able to pull it off at all is top-tier magic."

"Yes... I've never even heard of such a thing before."

"That spell belongs to the President of the Magic Association. He is among the oldest living mages. I hope his disciples have learned it from him."

"You said it works within the caster's range? Then that means he's here in this hotel too?"

"Yes, exactly. Miss Lijedahl, you could make quite the detective."

Mr. Ken seemed in high spirits, joking more than usual.

"So the other mages are here as well?"

"Yes, about a hundred thousand in total—important mages, not counting apprentices or assistants."

"That number... is enormous."

"In truth, it's much fewer than it used to be. In recent years, with circumstances being so dire, the Association has lost many of its members."

Suddenly, Mr. Ken's expression grew more serious. He gripped his cane, then continued.

"... Well, this meeting will probably have much to do with that. There's no point in discussing it now. For the moment, let's do this—the Savoy Hotel offers all kinds of services, including shopping. Tomorrow is Christmas, so Anna and Jona, enjoy yourselves. I'll go find the President and explain the situation. We'll meet back here afterwards."

At the mention of fun, Jona instantly lit up.

"Hooray, let's go!"

"Hey, Jona—ah, honestly..."

Anna hurried after the girl who had already run off.

"Mr. Will, Miss Lijedahl, why don't you join them for a little stroll?"

After saying that, Mr. Ken gave us a smile and walked away.

"Uh... Lijedahl, what do you think?"

"Why not? Let's go take a look. I'd like to see what curiosities they have."

"Alright, we'll do it your way."

We caught up with Anna and Jona, then asked a waiter to guide us.

"Of course, sir. Please, this way."

The waiter led us politely, while we followed and observed our surroundings.

The hotel's main hall was dazzlingly opulent, but once we reached the shopping area, the atmosphere shifted entirely. It became fresh and refined, almost like the free-spirited style of the Renaissance. Christmas trees decorated every corner, with carefully arranged gift boxes forming a pathway.

Many elegantly dressed men and women passed by us. Although the shopping area was crowded, it was far from noisy. Everyone displayed impeccable manners. In contrast, Jona stood out as the odd one.

"Wow! What a beautiful hairpin!"

She paid no attention to the atmosphere around her, revealing her truest self before us.

"... I don't even know what to say to her anymore."

Anna muttered helplessly to Lijedahl, who also gave a helpless smile.

Some passersby noticed Jona's excitement. They simply smiled politely and walked away. They were gracious, and we weren't met with any strange looks.

Still, that was no excuse to indulge her behavior.

So I patted her shoulder, leaned down, and said.

"We should keep our voices down."

"Oh! Sorry, Mr. Will."

... Why apologize to me?

"Uh, well... alright."

I straightened back up.

"Alright, alright. Let's talk more quietly and go buy some gifts."

Lijedahl gently patted Anna and Jona on their shoulders, smiling warmly at them.

"Yes, Miss Lijedahl!"

With a cute grin, Jona grabbed both Lijedahl's and Anna's hands and said.

"Let's go look around?"

"Sure."

"Fine—but just don't make Mr. Will angry again."

Huh?

Anna's sudden remark left me puzzled. I was about to ask her what she meant when it hit me.

Right—just now, while I was lost in thought, my expression must have looked so stern that they thought I was upset.

I couldn't help but laugh awkwardly. So, instead of walking beside them, I decided it was best to follow behind.

Just then, Lijedahl glanced back at me. The look on her face was one of awkward helplessness.

I understood. She was exasperated by how poorly I got along with these two girls.

But what could I do about it? I just gave her a wry smile.

There was no point in dwelling on it. Better to think about how to gather information on the Witch of Memory, Frisse.

... First, let's consider this. Matters involving witches are probably known only to the high-ranking members. Maybe there are legends I could dig into, but that would take far too much time and effort. We have only two months—no, barely a month and a half. Searching by rumor alone is unrealistic.

Perhaps Mr. Ken could help. But who knows what's going on in his mind? If we walked into a trap, it would be disastrous.

That means Lijedahl and I have to use our connection with Mr. Ken to probe the higher-ups. But... how could we possibly get them to speak about the witch? Not only would that raise suspicion, it might also expose our own secrets.

I'd already known from the start that such a plan was almost impossible. And now that the opportunity has come, it brings immense risks along with it.

We can't afford to make a single misstep. Falling into a trap would be one thing—whether we even survive is another. After all, our lives right now depend entirely on Mr. Ken.

That's when I realized our real problem: Mr. Ken has been controlling the pace all along.

... Enough. Stop overthinking.

When I came back to myself, the girls had already finished shopping. Each of them carried a small bag in their hand. I'd been wandering around absentmindedly and didn't even know where we'd gone.

But seeing how excited they looked, I decided to hold my tongue. I could always ask a waiter for directions back later.

"Anna... didn't notice..."

"I... but... what does Miss Lijedahl think?"

"Should we ask him?"

The three of them suddenly huddled together whispering, but I couldn't make out a word of what they were saying.

After a moment, Lijedahl came over to me. Pointing at the bag in her hand, she asked.

"Are you not going to buy anything?"

I froze for a second, scratching my head.

"I've never celebrated Christmas before, so... I honestly don't know what I'm supposed to do."

I told the truth, though it somehow felt strange to say.

"Ah..."

The atmosphere turned awkward.

"Uh, but... when in Rome, right? I guess I can celebrate Christmas too. I just... don't know how."

I had no guard up with them. I gave them my most genuine thought.

"Well... really, all you need to do is buy gifts and exchange them with each other."

"I see. Then... what do you want?"

The moment those words left my mouth, I regretted them.

"... Mr. Will, don't you think it's a little strange to ask a girl what kind of gift she wants?"

Anna said awkwardly.

Lijedahl was trying her hardest to stifle her laughter beside her, but in the end, she couldn't hold it back.

"Hahaha."

I scratched my head, embarrassed. Jona, too, burst into laughter.

"Haha, so Mr. Will is really this clueless about such things!"

"Hey! Don't say that!"

Anna quickly covered her mouth.

"Uh, Miss Anna, actually... I think she's right."

I smiled. After all, it was true—I was hopeless at these things.

I had never really taken part in festivals. The last time I joined one was when I was still a teenager. Honestly, I'd never cared for them. What you're supposed to do for this or that celebration—I had no clue.

Anna looked into my expression, then slowly lowered her hand from Jona's mouth.

"Are you two still afraid of Will?"

Lijedahl, now done laughing, asked them meaningfully.

"Ah, no, no!"

Anna quickly denied it.

"He's a good person, you know. He still feels guilty about threatening you before. He really does want to get along with you."

"Yes, that's true."

I answered honestly.

Anna looked a little surprised. Jona, too, seemed intrigued.

"So that's how you really feel, Mr. Will?"

Jona asked, and I replied.

"Yeah. When I don't have an expression on my face, I look a bit intimidating. Sorry about that."

"I knew it! See, Anna?"

She shot Anna a playful smile.

"Mr. Will, actually, Anna was still worried earlier—"

But Anna clamped down on her again.

"Don't say it."

"Alright, alright, fine, I won't! Just stop strangling me!"

That was enough. At least now the distance between us didn't feel so wide anymore.

Afterwards, I continued strolling with them and racked my brains to pick out three gifts—one for each of them—for Christmas Day.

As for Mr. Ken... I had no idea what to buy. Even when I asked Anna and Jona, they didn't know either. So I gave up on that.

When the time was about right, we returned to the same corridor as before.