I and the Witch of Time Who Seeks the Past

Chapter 3 – The Magic Association (2)

December 24, 1920 – 9:31

"We're late."

"It's fine, only a minute. We're right on time."

I spoke with Mr. Ken. Then he turned to Anna and Jona.

"So? Having fun?"

"Very much, Teacher Ken! We even bought you a gift. Did you prepare one for us?"

Jona, as lively and innocent as ever. Ken smiled and replied.

"Yes, I bought gifts for you two. But as for Miss Lijedahl and Mr. Will, I wasn't sure what you'd like, so I didn't prepare anything. My apologies."

"Oh, it's fine."

Both of us understood well enough—we hadn't gotten him anything either. Let's just call it even.

"Alright, back to business. Let's head to the Association's assembly hall. Bring out the invitation."

Lijedahl drew out the letter and held it up in the middle of our group.

"Alright, everyone, place your hands on it. Once my magic is activated, the teleportation will trigger."

"But... this is a hallway. Won't anyone see?"

"Don't worry. Everyone on this floor is a mage."

Ken raised his hand and cast his spell.

A sharp white light engulfed us. The glare forced my eyes shut, wind tugged at my clothes, and the sound of rushing air surrounded me until, suddenly, everything went still.

When I opened my eyes again, we had arrived.

The Magic Association.

The sight before me once again overwhelmed my senses.

It was a palace of staggering scale.

Darkness stretched endlessly above us. Massive stone pillars of an open-air palace rose from the ground, their smooth slabs inscribed with mysterious sigils glowing with a dim, eerie light.

In the far distance stood a towering spire, a lighthouse piercing the black void, its light—along with the palace's glow—the only sources of clarity in this abyss.

But calling this place a palace almost felt inadequate—it was far too vast.

Five concentric rings of stone seats, each etched with magical runes, filled the chamber in perfect symmetry.

As Ken had described, a wide road cut through the hall, leading straight to a round table at the center.

That table, however, was unlike anything else. Though the surroundings were shrouded in gloom, the center shone in immaculate white—so pure it seemed untouched by the slightest speck of filth. The radiance spread outward through the lines of runes carved in the floor, which converged upon it. Where they met, their light too turned white, amplifying the brilliance.

This was the first sight that struck me—overwhelming grandeur.

"This... this is incredible."

"Wow! Anna, it feels like a dream!"

Lijedahl, however, looked deep in thought.

One after another, people appeared through teleportation, each finding their place to sit. I was about to ask where we should go when an elderly man approached.

"Mr. Igell, it's been many years."

The man wore a beige suit beneath a pale gray coat, a black wolf-headed cane in hand. He stood tall and straight despite his age, his steps steady. Perhaps around 175 centimeters in height, with snow-white hair and a thin, frail frame—but his gaze was unyielding. The moment one looked at him, his presence exuded a natural authority.

"It has indeed been a long time. You haven't changed."

"Mm. I'm glad you could come. And those with you—they're the ones you brought along?"

"Yes. These two are my apprentices, Anna and Jona. And here we have Miss Lijedahl and her assistant, Mr. Will. Miss Lijedahl is one of the most talented mages of her generation. I believe her abilities will surprise you."

"Oh?"

The man turned his eyes to Lijedahl. She smiled and offered him a graceful bow. I followed, bowing in turn.

"Miss Lijedahl, Mr. Igell speaks of you with such high regard that I cannot help but wonder—what kind of ability do you possess to earn such praise?"

Lijedahl maintained her polite smile as she lifted the invitation letter in her hand.

"May I ask—has your teleportation spell ever been broken?"

A flicker of surprise flashed in the old man's eyes.

"You know that the teleportation spell was set by me?"

"Yes. I could tell—your flow of magic has been constantly channeled into this letter."

The old man chuckled, intrigued.

"Impressive. To notice the current of my magic proves you are indeed a powerful mage. But that alone isn't enough to warrant Mr. Igell's high praise. There are five hundred others who could see through the same thing, yet he dismissed them all."

Lijedahl gestured toward the invitation.

"Then tell me, has anyone ever broken your spell?"

The old man thought for a moment before replying.

"There was once someone who nearly reached the truth. But in the end, he still failed. He is now my most gifted student in teleportation magic. Why do you ask?"

"Because."

Lijedahl said calmly, "I know the secret behind your magic."

The old man's expression brightened with interest.

"Oh? Truly? If that's the case, then perhaps you are one of the very finest mages in this entire Association."

Lijedahl fell silent. She gently placed the invitation on the ground.

"The answer is simple—something most mages would never even consider."

She stood and pointed toward the great round table.

"The truth is, this entire palace is one vast magic circle. You've drawn its power into these letters, and the round table serves as the source."

Her smile never wavered. Anna and Jona looked stunned by her deduction. Mr. Ken's face showed little change, but in his eyes, I could see a glimmer of expectation.

I looked back at the old man. The corners of his mouth curved upward as he asked.

"Very close... but not the full truth. Is that the extent of your power?"

"Of course not."

Lijedahl snapped her fingers.

The invitation flew from her hand toward the round table, landing on a rune, then shot off again, dropping onto another symbol.

"I've imbued the letter with air magic. It moves with the flow of your spell, landing on the corresponding runes. This way, I can obtain the most basic incantations of the circle."

She paused deliberately. The old man's expression shifted. Noticing this, she continued.

"Of course, the secrets of magic cannot be revealed carelessly. They are to be passed only to those deemed worthy, not broadcast to the world."

As her words faded, the invitation glided back into her hand.

"If I were to connect all the runes together and extract the incantation, I could fully unravel your teleportation spell."

Suddenly, applause rang out.

The old man closed his eyes briefly, clapping in genuine admiration.

"Remarkable. You came close to unraveling a spell I've devoted my life to studying. Truly remarkable."

Lijedahl tucked the letter away, stepped back to my side, and bowed.

"You flatter me. It was nothing but a little trick."

"Hah! 'A little trick,' you call it—placing air magic on an object and making it move of its own accord."

The old man laughed, then turned to Ken.

"Mr. Igell, this is extraordinary."

"Indeed. Astonishing."

The old man looked back at us.

"Allow me to introduce myself. My magic alias is Wolf, and I am the current president of the Magic Association."

Exactly as I had guessed, I stepped forward and introduced myself first.

"An honor. I am Miss Lijedahl's assistant."

"I am Jona, Mr. Igell's apprentice."

"And I am Anna, his second apprentice."

The two girls quickly followed suit, bowing politely.

After the introductions, I noticed Ken giving me a meaningful glance. Taking the hint, I said to the apprentices.

"Alright. Mr. Igell, Mr. Wolf, and Miss Lijedahl have serious matters to discuss. Let's head to our seats."

"Eh?"

Both girls voiced their confusion in unison.

"Your seats are at the 500th position in the fifth ring."

I heard Ken say this quietly to me.

"Understood."

I took the two of them with me toward that spot.

"They'll be discussing important matters. It's not for us to listen in."

Once we were far enough, I explained.

"Oh... I see."

Jona sighed and waved her hand helplessly.

"Nothing we can do then. Let's just sit and wait."

Anna agreed, her wariness toward me easing away.

Good. Seeing that they understood put me at ease as well.

And yet, I couldn't shake the feeling that things weren't so simple.

But there was nothing I could do now. All I could do was wait.