Gray-Black Snow

The next day.

Hekate was still utterly baffled by the changes in the magic power within her body, and Star could not give her any answers either, so she decided to find an experienced senior to ask.

Among the people she knew, only Elisa from the Ice Snow Empire in the north was at the God of Magic Level. Asking her should yield an answer, and it had been over a year since they had last met. Hekate rather missed that cool, icy pillow.

Elisa treated her like a pillow, so why could Hekate not treat Elisa like one too? It was the same either way.

After telling Natasha and Furia that she would be heading out for a while, she set off north.

"Twenty thousand kilometers away. Good thing I have a long enough lifespan." After learning the distance, Hekate sighed. This world was truly vast. According to Star's description, the magical world was roughly seven to nine times the size of Earth Star.

She Blinked continuously toward the north. Three minutes later, she entered a world of ice and snow. Stopping to look around, she saw nothing but white in every direction. Without Star guiding her, she had no doubt she would get lost here.

She Blinked three more times.

The falling snow changed color.

The snow was gray-black, and the land was equally lifeless. Many withered branches jutted out from the ash-like snow, yet Hekate could not sense the slightest trace of life in them.

Moreover, when those black snowflakes landed on her, they caused a faint burning sensation, as though she had been splashed with hot water.

"This place is a little eerie."

This is where the Calamity Witch resides. Star quickly gave her an answer.

The Calamity Witch?

The Calamity Witch from the history books, the one who had brought disasters upon countless nations?

She had heard that merely living in the same city as her would bring bad luck upon someone. As long as the Calamity Witch did not leave, the bad luck would remain.

"I'm a Witch. I shouldn't be affected by another Witch, right?" Hekate was startled.

Her luck was already that of an ordinary Asian. If the Calamity Witch affected her too, she would immediately turn into an African. Then she could forget about drawing anything good from the Gift of Fate for the rest of her life.

You will not be affected.

"Then that's fine."

Reassured, Hekate flew toward the center of the black snow.

She wanted to see what this Witch looked like.

Elisa was devastatingly beautiful, and though Furia had yet to fully grow up, it was already clear she would become a stunning beauty in the future. This Calamity Witch would surely be beautiful too.

Hekate landed on the ground and slowly walked toward the small cabin ahead, stepping through the thick gray-black snow.

The gray-black snow gave off faint crunching sounds beneath her feet. A mysterious, frigid air unique to this place surrounded her. In the distance stood an ancient yet exquisite cabin, its orange light like a beacon of hope amid the endless black.

As Hekate approached the cabin, a gentle breeze brushed past her, and gray snowflakes drifted down onto her magic robe. At that moment, the wooden door slowly opened, and an elegant, noble figure appeared in the doorway—the legendary Calamity Witch.

The Calamity Witch wore a long black magic robe. Her smooth, ink-black hair cascaded over her shoulders, forming a striking contrast with her skin. Her features were distinct, yet carried a hint of mystery and detachment. Those deep black eyes quietly watched Hekate.

"Welcome, Witch from afar." The Calamity Witch curved her lips slightly, her voice as crisp and pleasant as morning dew falling upon flower petals. "Please come in. It is cold outside, and I have prepared hot tea for you."

Hekate was surprised. The other woman seemed to have known she was coming. She wanted to turn around and leave, just to see how the Calamity Witch would react, but beneath that calm gaze, she abandoned the idea and slowly entered the cabin.

The cabin was warm, and it did not contain the assorted furnishings Hekate had imagined an old witch would have. Instead, it was filled only with cute, cozy utensils.

Inside the stove, a burning magic crystal released light and warmth. Fragrance drifted through the room—the blended scent of tea leaves and spices—and eased Hekate's mind.

"Please, sit."

Hekate sat beside an old wooden table. The two sat facing each other without speaking, quietly drinking hot tea and listening to the wind and snow outside.

Hekate spoke. "How did you know I was a Witch, and that I had come looking for you?"

The Calamity Witch smiled faintly. "This is my territory. I know of everyone who enters it. Witches possess all sorts of miraculous abilities, do they not?"

Hekate took a sip of tea. She was right. With just the Star Witch talent, she had gained four more powerful abilities than others.

"Aren't you curious why I came looking for you?"

The Calamity Witch gave a soft hum. "Then do you think I should be curious, or not curious?"

Hekate: "..."

The other woman smiled. "Fine. I am very curious."

Hekate did not answer. She simply continued savoring her tea.

Time quietly passed. When the last cup of tea had been drained, the snow outside had stopped as well.

Hekate rose to say goodbye, while the Calamity Witch stood quietly at the door. Unable to hold back any longer, she asked, "What exactly did you come here for?"

Hekate smiled. Finally curious, huh? "Guess."

After saying that, Hekate used Blink and vanished from the spot.

Standing amid the black snow, the elegant and beautiful Calamity Witch gave a soft chuckle. "Mischievous Little Witch."

Hekate soon entered the human settlement of the Ice Snow Empire. Flurries fell from the sky, coating the entire city in white. People dressed in all kinds of colors were like colors on a canvas, breathing lively energy into the city.

She had no intention of stopping. After only a few glances, she followed Star's directions and Blinked onward.

At last, she stopped before an enormous Ice Palace.

Auroras danced high in the sky, their mysterious and fantastical colors shrouding the capital of the Ice Snow Empire.

She exhaled a cloud of white mist, landed before the crystalline city walls, and took out the Ice Snow Token.

The soldiers immediately saluted solemnly.

"Take me to see your Empress."

"Yes!"

The soldier walked ahead, and she followed behind until they arrived at a magnificent palace hall.

Hekate admired the palace's interior design in awe. Massive, towering blue ice pillars stood throughout the hall, surrounded by translucent ice sculptures and snowflake decorations that glimmered with blue light. Exquisite, dazzling ice-crystal chandeliers hung overhead, while the floor was paved with large, crystal-clear blocks of ice. Every step produced a faint yet distinct echo.

Is this the foundation of an empire? Elais Palace simply cannot compare to this Ice Palace.

They passed through the palace and arrived at the administrative hall in the rear.

Elisa sat before a desk, draped in a magic robe adorned with silver patterns and flowing with a delicate blue radiance. Her white brows were furrowed, yet it did nothing to diminish her nobility and coldness. Her eyes, deep and clear like frost-covered lakes, projected an unapproachable, imposing air.

She felt completely different from her previous incarnation. That incarnation had been as lively as the girl next door.

Elisa waved a hand and dismissed the officials reporting beside her.

Only after everyone had left did her expression soften. With a huff, she said, "It's been over a year, and only now you come to see me. I was starting to wonder whether you had forgotten me."