Once the four of them were seated around the campfire, Shade did not speak immediately. Instead, in front of the three women, he took off his coat and covered the hand holding Mia's cat plushie. When he removed the coat, the tiny orange cat appeared, hugging Shade's arm.
The scarlet-gold campfire illuminated Mia's orange-and-white fur. Having arrived in the forest, the pet cat looked nervously at the unfamiliar surroundings, then let out a "Meow~" at the three women by the fire as a threat.
The Witches all smiled at the tiny orange cat. A cat's charm worked just as well in the Fifth Epoch, but Little Mia only liked Shade.
Shade removed the cat clinging to his arm and placed it on his shoulder. He scratched beneath its chin with a finger before finally looking up at the three unfamiliar women.
They all wore similarly styled gray robes with hoods. All three women were absolutely beautiful by Shade's standards, as extraordinarily charming as Miss Galina, and they did not appear very old. But their true ages certainly did not match their appearances; high-ranking Supernatural Beings had many ways to preserve their youth.
"May I ask how I should address you?"
Shade asked. Beneath the quiet Giant Tree, the firewood crackled, and in the firelight, everyone's faces seemed slightly distorted.
"Moon Witch, a Twelfth Order Witch."
The Witch on the right answered without hesitation. She was clearly the sort of person who was rigid and serious at a glance.
"Giant Tree Witch, a Twelfth Order Witch."
The Witch on the left thought for a moment before answering, her voice gentle.
"I am their Teacher, a Thirteenth Order Witch. You may call me 'Teacher'; I like that form of address. Also, since you come from the future, let us not reveal our