Capital library

On the following day, Seraphine departs with Anna Welsh, her new personal maid and magic apprentice, to the capital library in an effort to seek information on witches and the chaos order. Despite not being able to perform magic herself, she can still impart her knowledge to Anna with Alice's guidance.

As Anna Welsh grew increasingly attached to Seraphine, Damian became slightly frustrated, feeling that they were growing apart.

Their newfound rivalry, though initially unpleasant, soon proved to be beneficial as they both sought to become closer to Seraphine and assist her in any way possible. Despite their occasional tension, the pair shared a common goal of standing by Seraphine, and in the end, their feelings of antagonism gave way to a deeper understanding and appreciation of each other.

Damian would have liked to accompany Seraphine, but he has many matters to attend to and must make preparations for the upcoming hunting ceremony, which takes place in just over a week.

With a skip in her step, Seraphine steps into the humongous library, her gaze quickly taking in the intricate architecture and countless shelves of books. A sense of wonderment and curiosity washes over her as she marvels at the sheer volume of knowledge inside these hallowed walls.

Regardless of the bustling crowds and noise, she feels an undeniable thrill at the thought of exploring such an amazing place. Anna also followed closely, her eyes wide with wonder at the grandeur of the place. Seraphine smiled, happy to share this experience with her newfound companion.

As she searched for information on witches and chaos order, Seraphine noticed a young woman standing beside her, engrossed in a book. The woman had long, flowing blonde hair and an air of mystery around her. Intrigued, Seraphine decided to strike up a conversation.

"Hello," Seraphine greeted warmly. "Are you interested in the history of witches as well?"

The young woman turned to Seraphine with a smile, her eyes glinting with curiosity. "Indeed, I am. The secrets of the coven and its ancient history have always fascinated me."

"Since you're interested in history too, do you have any suggestions on what I should read?" Seraphine asked a young woman standing beside her. The woman's attire and aura were very distinctive, and she wore a white mob hat seldom seen in current fashion.

"Well, I have one suggestion that might actually be useful to you, Seraphine," the young woman replied, closing her book and turning to look into Seraphine's eyes with an uncanny feeling. Seraphine suddenly realized that the woman knew her name, leaving her puzzled and intrigued.

"Wait, how do you know my name?" Seraphine started to ask, but before she could finish her sentence, the young woman snapped her fingers, and Seraphine felt herself sinking into a mysterious abyss, disappearing from the library altogether.

Floating in the air, the young woman continued to speak, her voice echoing with an otherworldly charm. "I would advise you to ask a real witch directly, not just randomly pick a book like this."

Confused and disoriented, Seraphine found herself in a void, not knowing how to respond to this enigmatic encounter. It was as if she had stepped into another realm, confronting a being of magic and mystery.

Suddenly and without warning, Seraphine finds herself in a small, private room, seated on a plush chair. The table before her is already arranged with a set of afternoon tea and delicate pastries.

Surprisingly, the room has no exits or windows, giving it a simple, yet refined appearance in old fashion style. She can't believe how the room changed so rapidly, it was as if the space had been shifted to another realm altogether.

Not long after, the mysterious woman gracefully descended from the gap above the chair, landing elegantly on the seat opposite Seraphine. She observed Seraphine, who was visibly nervous in this peculiar situation. With a warm smile, the woman reached for the teapot on the table, ready to pour tea for both of them.

"I suppose you already know my name, right?" the young woman said gently as she poured the tea.

"Are you Iris Mauve, the witch of darkness?" Seraphine guessed, her mind racing as she considered the possibilities. The only beings capable of performing such mysterious magic were witches like Iris.

"That's correct! You are quite clever, aren't you?" Iris praised Seraphine, handing her a cup of tea. The tea was a rich red, without any milk or sugar, the kind usually favored by older people.

"I'm sure you must have many questions, but let me clarify one thing first: I am on your side, not with those Chaos Order scumbags," Iris reassured Seraphine.

Relieved to know that Iris wasn't aligned with the Chaos Order, Seraphine couldn't help but feel a mixture of curiosity and caution. She took a sip of the tea and found it surprisingly soothing.

"I'm glad to hear that," Seraphine replied, trying to maintain composure in the presence of this powerful and enigmatic witch. "But how did you know about me, and why did you help me in the library?"

Iris leaned back in her chair, her expression thoughtful. "I have my ways of keeping an eye on certain individuals, especially those who possess unique talents and potential. You, my dear Seraphine, are one such individual."

As Seraphine listened, she couldn't help but feel a sense of both awe and trepidation. It was clear that Iris possessed knowledge and abilities beyond her understanding. Yet, there was something about Iris's demeanor that made Seraphine feel a glimmer of trust.

However, there was one burning question that Seraphine couldn't shake off: Why had Iris decided to take actions different from the original story? What was her intention behind it, and did she possess knowledge of the novel's content?

"I believe it's time for me to introduce myself properly. My name is Iris Mauve, the witch of darkness. As you've witnessed, I have the ability to manipulate boundaries," Iris explained, taking a delicate sip of tea.

" You might wonder why the incident occurred differently from the story you've read before," Iris continued, gently placing the cup back on its small tea tray.

Seraphine was filled with anticipation, her nerves and curiosity intertwining as she waited for Iris's answer.