Beyond a small door on the side of the underground cathedral, a tunnel led to a dimly lit cavern. Soft light glowed from mineral crystals scattered around its walls.

After the initiation ceremony, Dilovei brought Tiyi here to begin learning magic.

"These magic crystal ores lose mana easily when shaken by external forces," Dilovei explained to Tiyi. "Only witches trained in specialized techniques can mine them carefully. We use them ourselves or sell them to nearby underground dwarves. This is one of the main income sources for our Underground Witch Church."

"Oh, is this environment better suited for learning element-related magic?" Tiyi asked, standing behind Dilovei.

"It’s more suitable for practicing elemental attunement," Dilovei turned around. "The first step in magic cultivation is elemental attunement. Elements come from nature—they’re almost everywhere and fuel most magical power. People vary in sensing and absorbing different elemental attributes. We call this elemental affinity."

Tiyi memorized her words but felt a wave of doubt. If magic’s power came from nature, did that mean mana wasn’t divine? Praying to the Goddess of Night offered only guidance for attuning to elements, not god-given strength. This heresy was the Holy Church’s core criticism of witches.

But, blasphemous as it sounded, could magic still work when abandoned by faith, when gods stayed silent?

"Next, let me check your elemental affinity," Dilovei said, walking toward Tiyi. She didn’t hold back, closing the distance until less than half a meter separated them.

For Tiyi, celibate for over twenty years, being this close to a girl made her deeply uneasy.

"Lady Dilovei, h-how do we check elemental affinity?" Tiyi clasped her hands in front and instinctively stepped back half a step.

"There are many methods. The most effective uses the white Luoying stone for testing affinity, but I forgot to bring it," Dilovei said, turning her head away without a trace of guilt.

"Huh?"

"No problem. Let me think..." Dilovei paused, raising two fingers. "Ah, we’ll use the touch-probe test."

"The touch-probe test?" Tiyi didn’t know what that was. Though she had no experience with girls, her natural sensitivity made her uneasy. She sensed something unsettling.

"The touch-probe test relies on ‘like attracts like, opposites repel’ to detect your elemental affinity—" Dilovei began.

"Wait, Lady Dilovei, didn’t you get it backwards?" Tiyi was bewildered. Was this petite, silver-haired witch reliable? Her hair even held a faint hint of light blue.

"Call me Teacher Dilovei. Remember that?"

"This..." Tiyi lowered her head helplessly, conflicted. She’d been a teacher for years—low-key but respected. Even Qingruo, Yedi’s top student, showed her unusual warmth despite her aloof nature. The word "teacher" brought bittersweet memories.

"What’s wrong?" Dilovei stepped closer, her doll-like face tilted up. Her light blue eyes shimmered brighter than the cavern’s crystals.

"Nothing," Tiyi hugged one arm with the other, shaking her head to dismiss the thoughts.

"Ah, as your teacher, I didn’t say it wrong—you’re just overconfident," Dilovei said. She removed one glove, revealing a slender, fair hand. A short chant made her fingertips glow faintly. "I meant elemental attributes. A skilled mage concentrates an element, makes contact, and checks for attraction. No pull means no affinity."

"I see..." Tiyi nodded vaguely. Wait—contact?

Before she could dwell on it, Dilovei closed the distance again, now within fifty centimeters.

"For example, I’m channeling wind element now. Let’s test your wind affinity first," Dilovei said, pressing two fingers just below Tiyi’s collarbone.

Tiyi had been a girl less than a day. She hadn’t yet developed instinctive modesty about her chest—but now she realized it. Dilovei’s hand was far too close. Though no noblewoman’s upbringing taught her shame, she didn’t want attention on her feminine traits.

"Lady Dilovei..."

"Hmm? Say it wrong again, and you’ll be punished. Call me Teacher!" Dilovei’s pink lips moved, her voice soft yet firm.

Tiyi’s long lashes lowered. She turned away, eyes shadowed with melancholy. "I’m sorry, Lady Dilovei. I can’t call you Teacher. That title... means too much to me. Truly, I apologize." She pressed her lips tight, offering no more.

Dilovei gazed quietly at Tiyi’s profile, sensing complex resolve in her avoidance. A silence stretched between them.

"Fine. It’s just a title to me. Call me what you like," Dilovei said calmly. "Now, let’s continue the test."

"Hmm, you’re attracting it," Dilovei murmured, feeling the warmth of Tiyi’s chest.

"Huh? What did you say?"

"The water element glow on my fingers is drawn to you. Your water affinity seems strong. Let’s try again," Dilovei said seriously, sliding her fingers down earnestly. A subtle pull seemed to answer her touch.

This shamed Tiyi more. Was she, a Holy Temple Knight, less composed than a witch? She should control herself—no overreacting, or she’d lose dignity.

"Dilovei... Lady..." Tiyi barely let her chest rise, lips pressed tight. She scolded herself inwardly: *Control it. How can a guy be this sensitive, this shy?*

Tiyi wasn’t naive. She sensed Dilovei’s hidden intentions—but they were both women, so it couldn’t be... right? Anyway, the method had valid reasons. She’d endure it, as long as it wasn’t excessive.

*Wait! What am I thinking? "Endure if not excessive"? Since when do I set boundaries like a woman?*

*I’m not a real woman! Rationally, any method works if it checks my affinity. Isn’t that correct?*

*She’s just a petite girl. Why am I acting so protective of my body?*

How unbecoming!

Tiyi abandoned restraint and boundaries. Bravely, she straightened her chest to cooperate with Dilovei’s examination.