Violet Marshall, the Witch Emperor of the late Fifth Epoch. Shade had actually met her before—just minutes after obtaining his current Time Key at the seal on Sikar Mountain. After touching the handprint on that well connected to death, Shade had not only obtained the Witch Echo: Violet, but had even seen this lady's phantom.
Even earlier, when Shade had obtained the Night Watchman at the Flame Demon's seal, he had also seen the battle memory this lady had left behind.
"Greetings, Your Majesty."
Shade greeted her very respectfully while sizing up the ladies around him.
Though the six genuine Witches were acting as maids, they were clearly taking orders from this Witch Emperor. And Miss Schulz Tres, a tenth-year student at Serkses Higher Medical Academy, was most likely a Tenth Order Witch.
In fact, students of the Three Great Arcane Academies were allowed to submit their graduation theses for assessment and apply to graduate after entering ninth year, though they could also continue their studies. In theory, they could even study until thirteenth year, but no one did that.
"A traveler from another land?"
The Witch Emperor looked at him suspiciously, then noticed Shade extending his hand toward her.
Thus, this Thirteenth Order Witch, like every Witch Shade had met in the past, reached out and grabbed his wrist. After holding it for several seconds, she released him and examined her own palm in the firelight.
"You're a man?"
Her tone was somewhat calm, but her expression was anything but.
"Of course. A god once proved that."
Shade had lost count of how many times he had said that.
"Relax a little. Let me examine you."
As she spoke, she waved a hand at Shade. A strange power emerged, and red light flickered across the surface of his body.