Wendy, Scroll, and Speel were sitting in the main hall on the first floor of the castle, sharing some high-quality black tea from Glow City.

Taking the steaming kettle off the hook above the fireplace, she poured the boiled well water into the teacups, watching the water gradually turn into a clear orange-red. A rich fragrance wafted from the swirling white mist, and Wendy felt herself becoming lazy. Blowing away the heat from the rim of the cup, she gently sipped a small mouthful. After the slight bitterness came a lingering sweetness on her lips and tongue, and a warm current surged into her stomach, making her hum with satisfaction.

On the other side of the hall, White Paper was still struggling with the Divine Will Sigil. She had now mastered the technique of injecting magic power into the sigil and could also control the output of magic power relatively accurately, but no matter how hard she tried, she could only light up the first magic stone on the sigil.

"Seeing her, I can't help but think of the days in the Assistance Society," Scroll said with emotion. "At that time, I'm afraid no one would have thought that we could live the life we have now."

"If we could have foreseen it, Hakala wouldn't have gone her own way." Wendy put down her cup. "Fortunately, the sisters who awaken in the future won't have to go through the hardships we suffered." Speaking of this, she smiled. "I guess we are the last batch of witches to suffer the most."

"Also the oldest batch, with the shortest time to enjoy the good days," Scroll said, supporting her forehead. "Sounds like we've taken a big loss."

"So you came back so early today, just to take the opportunity to enjoy some leisure time?" Wendy joked.

"I left after finishing my official duties," the latter shrugged. "With Roland Your Highness away, there's even less to do. I'm not used to it."

"Is that so?" Wendy raised her eyebrows. "When His Highness returns, I will relay these words to him verbatim."

"Well... then the next time you take the exam, I can't guarantee that you will understand every question."

"Your relationship is really good," Speel said with a soft laugh. "Although I'm not young either, I don't feel it as deeply as you do... I should be considered lucky among witches."

"Of course, not every witch has a high-ranking father," Scroll said, taking a sip of tea, "who will pass on everything to his daughter—even among nobles, such people are rare."

"By the way, how is the City Hall?" Wendy looked at her. "I heard you've been running there whenever you have time recently."

"Very rewarding," Speel breathed a sigh of relief. "I saw for the first time such a well-separated and closely connected department management system. Compared to letting several ministers manage one thing alone, having the City Hall bear the employees' salaries can avoid the difficulty of replacing people and allow capable commoners to join without obstacles... I really don't know how His Highness came up with these ideas."

"She was also chatting happily with Barov," Scroll said, covering her mouth.

"Cough, he just asked me about some noble laws, which I happen to be familiar with," Speel shook her head. "And the new laws formulated by His Highness are very unique. Maybe they will be implemented in Dragonfall Ridge in the future, so I couldn't help but discuss them with him a little more."

"Oh? What's unique about them?"

"For example, the definition of people in this part..."

"Sister Wendy, when can I light up the second magic stone?" White Paper came over at some point, waving the Divine Will Sigil and shouting.

"When you grow up a little more," she reached out to the little girl. "Come on, let me hug you."

White Paper grabbed her hand and climbed into her arms, using both hands and feet.

Wendy stroked White Paper's head, watching the two people discussing the new laws, feeling a sense of peace in her heart.

If only this kind of life could continue forever.

Just then, a guard walked into the hall. He looked around for a while, then walked towards the four of them hesitantly.

"Is something the matter?" Wendy recognized him. The visitor was one of His Royal Highness's personal guards.

"Ms. Wendy, a town resident has come to the castle, claiming that her daughter has just awakened as a witch..." He saluted with his hand on his chest. "His Highness instructed that if he is not here, you should handle such matters."

"What?" The three were stunned. "A newly awakened witch?"

"That's what the person said."

"Take me to see her quickly," Wendy said immediately.

...

At the gate of the castle district, she saw two town residents waiting in the cold wind. One was about forty years old, with half of her hair already white. The wrinkles on her forehead were deep and long. She was wearing a rather old padded jacket, and her body was slightly hunched. The other was much younger, probably only seventeen years old, standing next to the old woman with a restrained expression.

"This is Ms. Wendy of the Witch Union," the guard introduced.

"Madam... hello." The two bowed respectfully.

"They said they were migrants from the Southern Territory, moved into the inner city community a month and a half ago. I also checked their ID cards, and they basically match the information on them."

"You are the witch?" Wendy looked at the young woman and asked in as gentle a tone as possible, "What's your name?"

"The madam is asking you a question." The woman tugged at her sleeve.

"Asha." The latter said in a low voice.

"Are you her... mother?"

"Yes, yes, yes, her father is still working in the kiln area, so I sent her over first," the woman nodded repeatedly. "Madam, what His Royal Highness said in the announcement... the witch has a salary of one gold dragon every month, is that true?"

"If she is willing to join the Witch Union, that's right."

"I..." Asha opened her mouth.

"She is willing, she is of course willing to dedicate everything to His Highness," the mother interrupted her daughter. "Do we need to sign a contract? When can we get the money?"

The other party's words made Wendy frown. It was not difficult to hear from the tone that the woman obviously regarded her daughter as a commodity for sale and regarded the Witch Union as a place for His Royal Highness to have fun.

She suppressed the unhappiness in her heart and replied in a calm voice, "His Highness is currently handling government affairs in Longsong Fortress. I don't know when he will return. In addition, an audit and test are required before joining the alliance. You can first place your daughter in the castle and sign the contract after His Highness returns to Border Town."

After all, Asha was always innocent. She didn't want to spread her anger at the ignorant to the innocent—although most of the original residents of the town had accepted the witches, these refugees from all over the West Territory who had come after the Evil Moon still had deep misunderstandings about the witches.

"Then I'll leave it to you, madam." The woman bowed again and patted her daughter's head. "Perform well, don't disappoint His Highness."

"Mom, I—" Asha wanted to say something, but the other party had already turned around and walked towards the departing slope.