Chapter 133: Melisandre Iceberg

After Faye’s nonstop talking while she fed him his medicine, Magna learned a few useful things.

First of all, the Witch’s name was apparently Melisandre Iceberg, a 13th Trial Witch from the Tower.

Magna wasn’t surprised to hear about her high rank. He had actually expected it to be even higher.

For one thing, the speed at which she could cast spells was one reason.

One of the Witches’ greatest weaknesses was their need to chant incantations to cast spells, yet that seemed almost like a problem Melisandre didn’t have.

Magna even wondered if all Witches beyond the 13th Trial could chant this fast.

If that were true, then they wouldn’t even need Shadows to protect them in battle.

As for the real reason behind the golden line on her Witch Hat, it was apparently awarded for achievements accomplished in the Tower. Each time a Witch accomplished one of them, she earned another golden line on her hat.

According to what Faye and Renna had told him, these achievements weren’t exactly small things either.

Finding a completely new kind of spell with a new function, discovering a new type of resource or a new way to cultivate one, crafting a new kind of artifact, or becoming a Master-level artifact crafter. The list went on and on.

Among them was even discovering and exploring new realms.

Accomplishing just one of these things was enough to earn a Witch a single golden line.

So whatever had earned Melisandre Iceberg that line had to have been something big, making her something of a genius.

"I also heard she was quite impressed with you," Renna joined the conversation, finding a chance to speak between Faye’s nonstop talking.

That didn’t make Magna feel particularly happy, though. If the price of receiving one compliment was nearly dying, he would rather not receive any compliments at all.

While the two girls continued talking and feeding him his medicine, a knock came from the door.

After receiving permission to enter, the head maid, Victoria, opened the door and informed them, "Young Lady Faye, Lady Celeste is expecting you in her study."

Hearing that, Faye seemed to tense up slightly. Even the hand holding the spoon trembled a little, spilling some of the medicine onto Magna’s face.

"Relax. There’s nothing to be this tense about." Renna took the bowl and spoon from her hand before adding, "Go and just show her your mastery of your bloodline trait. I wouldn’t even be surprised if they moved you directly to the 3rd Trial after seeing it."

She said it half jokingly, half seriously.

The Tower’s missions for the Trials were similar to school exams, meant to measure whether a Witch was ready to advance to the next level.

So when someone showed extraordinary intelligence or talent, moving them directly to a higher Trial wasn’t unheard of.

Especially when an 8-year-old had mastered her bloodline trait before even completing her first Trial. That was definitely a sign of genius.

"Yes," Faye answered in a trembling voice as she started walking toward the door.

"You don’t plan to go there like this, right?" Renna called after her, pointing at the gloves on her hands and the cotton balls stuffed in her nose.

She was starting to wonder if this little girl would be alright at all.

—

"So you found him in a goblin cave, huh? That’s quite interesting." Melisandre sat calmly behind the study desk where Celeste was supposed to sit.

Her emerald eyes scanned the papers and books spread across the desk. Every item was carefully arranged in almost mathematical order, just like the books on the shelves.

Guessing that the executive would be coming around this time, Celeste had spared considerable time to arrange the study room and clean it properly so she could welcome such an important guest.

Of course, hiding the important reports and books from view was also part of the preparation.

"Yes. He looks like he was raised by a deviant goblin. I made sure to write that in the report," Celeste answered from the couch, matching her calm tone.

Rowena was sitting beside her as well. The current matter had nothing to do with the Cinder Family. Since she was currently staying with the Winterborne Family, however, it was her duty to greet a higher-Trial Witch when one came to visit.

Melisandre simply nodded, showing that she had already read the report.

"You wrote that Azelith checked his background and found out that he is connected to some ancient family."

Looking at her slightly furrowed brow and dark-skinned face, it was apparent that she was asking to make sure the report had been accurate.

Ever since she arrived, she seemed to be trying to corner Celeste with questions like this, hoping that she might let something slip that differed from what she had written in her reports.

Celeste didn’t break her composure as she answered calmly, "Yes. I contacted Lady Azelith through my mother. She should have already submitted a separate report about that."

"Seraphina, right? You two really look alike. There’s no doubt you’re mother and daughter." She chuckled before suddenly changing the subject. "Where is your daughter? I’m quite curious to see if she inherited the family traits as well."

As she asked that, the study door suddenly opened, and Faye entered with small, meek steps.

She first looked around the room, her eyes going straight to the study desk in the hope of finding her mother sitting there. However, when she saw another face looking back at her, she immediately felt tense.

Her eyes quickly landed on Rowena before turning toward Celeste sitting on the couch.

"Mother, you asked for me?"

Seeing her daughter’s tense expression, Celeste smiled warmly and reached out her hand, motioning for her to come closer.

"Yes, darling. Come inside."

Faye didn’t feel the slightest bit more relaxed, but she stepped inside and closed the door behind her.

Despite her nervousness, she still knew the proper etiquette. She took a few steps forward, stopped in front of the study desk, lowered her head in a graceful greeting, and said, "Lady Melisandre."

She raised her head again without making eye contact and quickly walked over to her mother.

"What a cute little girl." Melisandre chuckled as she watched Faye’s nervous behavior. "Faye, right?"

Faye nodded.

"Do you know why I’m here?"

Faye nodded again.

Melisandre kept her smile as she shifted her attention to the other two women.

"Celeste, Rowena, give us some privacy, please."

Neither woman objected. They immediately got up and prepared to leave the room.

Celeste only patted her daughter’s head to help her relax before leaving and closing the door behind them.

Only then did Melisandre slowly get up from her desk and walk over to the couch.

She sat down first, then pointed to the space beside her.

"Come sit. I have a few things I want to talk about. Let’s have a little chat, just girl to girl."