Morning mist gathered and dispersed, asters withered and bloomed again, and time, like a gentle spring breeze, spun beneath the eaves of Sanglun Village before drifting lightly away. Other than blowing a few more hairs from the priest's head, it left no trace behind.
Another year had passed. Ivette's research into Faith Element had reached a bottleneck. Aside from the shortage of research materials, her main discoveries about Faith Element had been limited to the spiritual realm. It seemed to have little special value beyond developing spiritual potions.
That afternoon, cicadas droned as sunlight filtered through the emerald canopy, scattering broken patches of light beneath the cottage's eaves.
Reclining lazily in a deck chair and taking a nap, Ivette slightly opened her eyes after a while at the sound of footsteps. She saw Lucia rush into the yard like a gust of wind, sit on the edge of her chair, and say gloomily, "Ivette, Dad won't agree. What should I do?"
Ivette glanced at her. "Which thing are you talking about?"
It had been three and a half years, nearly four, since her transmigration. Lucia had grown from nine to thirteen, becoming much taller and more upright. The childish softness had faded from her cheeks, leaving clean, defined lines and a touch of heroic spirit.
Of course, the most eye-catching thing about her was still her vivid red hair. The purple gradient at its tips resembled a burning sunset. One red and one white, she and Ivette had become the village's most charming pair of beauties.
Yet because of the awe and wariness people felt toward a Witch, the boys who liked Lucia tended to make it more obvious. But Lucia was far too formidable, and her swordsmanship was practically unbeatable. Most boys could not even defeat her, let alone