She Is Not a Witch

“Hello, I’m Gena.”

After settling into their seats on the airship, the short-haired girl introduced herself. Her hairstyle resembled an apple, wider in the middle and tapered at the bottom. Though she took the initiative to introduce herself, it was clear she was somewhat nervous and not very skilled at it, seeming more like she was trying hard to overcome her shyness.

“Hello, I’m Loranhi…” She instinctively wanted to say the last two syllables but managed to hold back. Loranhil continued,

“(Hi) Actually, I’m also a new student at Emenas, from eastern Cransia.”

“That’s great, we’re going to the academy together. I’m from Vitz in the Black Rock Duchy.”

Black Rock Duchy, Loranhil thought. This country was near the northern part of the Sigh Mountain Range, with most of its land consisting of mountains and lakes. Food production was low, so many citizens worked as mercenaries abroad.

These Black Rock mountaineers, with their fierce customs, bravery, and emphasis on keeping their word, quickly gained favor among the Western Wind nobles. Later, they could be seen in many places across the Snow Flower Seven Countries. Even when the Western Wind capital was under siege, there were many Black Rock mercenaries in the city.

Though being a mercenary was dangerous, it was also more free and highly paid, so most Black Rock people lived relatively well, neither rich nor poor. Moreover, with many people working as mercenaries, they gained broad knowledge and occasionally dabbled in small businesses.

“How is it in Cransia? I heard some uncles say that after Western Wind was replaced, things changed a lot there, causing many of them to lose their jobs,” Gena curiously asked the black-eyed, long-haired girl beside her.

“It’s still in the post-war recovery stage, I suppose, focusing on maintaining public order and developing roads. They’ll probably concentrate on agriculture after spring.”

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After some thought, the girl gave a general answer. This wasn’t really a secret; many cities had posters directly announcing recent policies and guidelines.

“Loran, you know so much,” Gena said admiringly, listening to Loranhil describe what she had seen and heard along the way.

“It’s nothing, I was just curious about how this new country would be, so I paid a bit more attention.”

“You’re being modest again, Loran. Are you from the East? Your way of speaking is very similar to easterners. I’ve heard uncles say that those eastern people are all very humble.”

“Well…”

Although her current appearance didn’t reveal her origins, Loranhil’s ingrained habits and thought patterns were still greatly influenced by her previous life. It was indeed hard to refute being called an easterner.

“I’m not sure myself. I was adopted by a teacher when I was young, so I don’t know where I’m originally from. But now, I suppose I’m a Cransian,” Loranhil said, feeling proud of the people who had struggled to establish this country with their ideals.

“Cransia, the land blessed by starlight. It’s a beautiful name. Our country’s name is much simpler—Black Rock, just black rocks.”

“By the way, Loran, have you ever seen your country’s Great Sage? Their name is very similar to yours. You’re not also a student of that Sage, are you? I’ve heard people say the Sage lives in seclusion in the Tisilan Mountains. Many people want to see their true appearance. Some rumors even say the Sage is a beautiful young girl, but many believe this is false and that the Sage should be an old man with a white beard.”

“After all, such a powerful figure who has imparted so much rich knowledge should be an elder, right?”

Gena blinked, guessing curiously.

“The Sage? Well… I’m not very clear about that,” Loranhil lied against her conscience, her eyes looking out the window a bit embarrassedly.

The evening glow filled the sky, with purple and dark red clouds appearing between distant mountains. The sun’s last rays pierced through the mountains, coating the ground outside the window with a faint golden hue.

As the sun gradually set, the airship slowly started up. The sound of propellers turning came from above and to the sides, gradually growing louder. A slight thrust could be felt in the backrest and seats.

As the airship continued to ascend, the city outside the window became shorter and smaller, eventually appearing as an irregular block nestled among the mountains. The scenery outside turned into a pure blue-purple. Away from the noisy city, everything became very quiet, with only the sound of the propellers turning.

After flying for a while, the airship’s course stabilized. At this point, staff members came to inform everyone that they could move around a bit, and dinner would be provided later.

Loranhil and Gena left the enclosed cabin and went to the deck with some other passengers in small groups. Being at the rear of the airship, the airflow was blocked by the hull in front, so it wasn’t very strong, gently brushing against their sides.

“It’s so beautiful~”

Gena stood by the railing, looking at the vast mountains and rivers below. Part of the verdant peaks were illuminated by the setting sun, reflecting a faint golden color, while most appeared in shades of blue-green.

The great river winding through the mountains meandered to the horizon. The water reflected the sky, mirror-like blue and orange, with an occasional large ship visible sailing on the river.

The two girls stood by the railing, admiring the beautiful scenery and chatting casually.

“What does Loran plan to do in the future?” After talking about their respective thoughts for a while, Gena asked.

“The future? First, I’d like to travel this world thoroughly, then eat good food and make good food?” Loranhil thought for a moment before answering.

“Oh, that doesn’t seem like you. I thought Loran would become a great scholar or a great mage, since you know so much. Now it sounds like you’re going to choose the Dragon Sequence, solitary and powerful.”

“Hehe, well, that’s not wrong. There’s an eastern saying that goes, ‘Reading ten thousand books is not as good as traveling ten thousand miles.’ Personal experiences are far richer than books.”

“That’s true. I’ve heard from some elders that the High Tower College at Emenas specializes in the Magic Sequence and Dragon Sequence.”

“These two sequences are actually opposites in style, aren’t they?” Loranhil said.

“Yes, the Magic Sequence values knowledge, experience, thinking, and calmness, while the Dragon Sequence is about power, savagery, instinct, and anger.”

“The Sages say that when cultivating the Magic Sequence, one shouldn’t be overly obsessed with knowledge and experience, but understand the directness and power of savagery. Similarly, those cultivating the Dragon Sequence should know the role of thinking and wisdom, not relying too much on violence.”

“Indeed. What about you, Gena? What are your thoughts about the future?”

“I want to cultivate the Nature Sequence. Many of my family elders are mercenaries, and quite a few have silently disappeared in various places after parting, never to be seen again. I want to improve the local environment, develop some orchards or estates, so that people can make a living from that instead of risking their lives for money.”

“That’s great, developing peacefully.” Loranhil heartily agreed.

“Yes, I’ll definitely work hard to achieve it.”

Gena looked at the setting sun in the distance, the wind gently lifting her hair. She stretched out a hand to shield the sunset, as if trying to grasp it, softly humming a folk song that had spread among the people.

[Do you want to be a hero?]

[Then go to Emenas]

[High towers, bridge piers, temples, fortresses]

[Give my regards to every Sage there]

[They taught me courage and love.]