A Struggle Against Decline

"Compared with you gifted students who truly passed the exams and entered First University, my talent wasn't nearly as outstanding. You've always helped me study Talisman Studies, so you should understand that... In fact, over the past century or so, the proportion of Gypsy witches advancing has been getting lower and lower."

"Three hundred years ago, we could send a delegation of over a hundred Registered Wizards to attend the Wizard Alliance's general assemblies; a hundred years ago, we could barely put together a delegation of thirty... And now, no one knows how long it has been since a representative of the Witch Coven last appeared at the Wizard Alliance."

"Ever since I could remember, most Gypsy witches in Tali had been below the level of Registered Wizards in spellcasting. There were even many tricksters. It was only because we had mastered certain unique techniques over our long history that we could barely continue our legacy in today's environment... And because our ancestors reached an agreement with the Wizard Alliance a very, very long time ago, they could still remain in Tali instead of being deported to Beta Town North District."

"But it's getting harder and harder in the end."

With her back to Zheng Qing, Ilena gazed over the sparkling Linzhong Lake in the distance, staring at the little white tower in the center. Her voice grew ever thinner as the breeze tore at it. "I don't know if you've ever been to Beta Town North District... Grandma said that if our Witch Coven keeps going like this, everyone will be living in Beta Town North District within fifty years."

Zheng Qing drew in a soft breath but said nothing.

Beta Town North District was Beta Town's slum, as well as the Wizarding World's largest gathering place for tricksters.