Deep and silent, in the depths of the cave, Tiyi opened her eyes.

Under the faint reflection of the softly glowing crystals, she looked down at her cold, pale hands.

Her chest was still rising and falling. A trace of purplish blush crept across her face. “I didn’t expect that to be my real elemental perception.”

An elemental sense like a star‑filled sky…

As a former Holy Temple Knight, having such outstanding Witch talent was hardly something glorious. But for Tiyi’s plan, it was a huge advantage.

“The two key foundations of magic training, elemental affinity and perception, are no longer a problem. As for mental control…”

Tiyi’s will had long been tempered. Her mindset had been forged again and again in trials and battles, growing tougher each time. To stand at the peak of the Empire—how could her mental strength be lacking?

Even being turned into a woman hadn’t really shaken her spirit or her soul.

When it came to mental strength and control, Tiyi was full of confidence.

And after that turbulent episode of elemental insight, her resolve to study magic had become absolutely firm.

“With a foundation like this, plus all my years of training and learning experience, I’m sure I can break through in magic, even with only a few months.”

“As for swordsmanship and martial skills, that goes without saying.”

Back when she was Yedi, she’d naturally had an extremely unusual teacher leading her. But Yedi had only needed a few years to become the strongest in the vast Empire, leaving countless rivals far behind. How could his own talent, comprehension, and willpower be anything a normal competitor could compare to?

Here, she might also have to face some unusual genius Witches. But in the end, they were only competitors from a single secret shelter, one among many Witch strongholds across the Empire.

The only thing she’d ever feared was that she had no talent for magic.

Now, with both sword skill and magical aptitude in hand, that was no longer a concern.

What else could possibly stop Tiyi?

“The Witch selection…” Tiyi curled her pink yet truly powerful fist with a boyish kind of confidence, golden eyes gleaming faintly.

…

From here on, Tiyi began her magic training in this place—began her new life, willing or not, as a rookie Witch hiding in this dark Underground Witch Church.

On each so‑called “daytime,” which in this underground world only meant the cathedral grew a bit brighter under lamps and rose‑window magical lights, she studied magical theory. She hugged thick tomes in her arms, put on glasses that didn’t do much except help one focus on reading, and listened to the Witch instructor’s lectures together with the other Witches.

Tiyi had never been that good with book learning, but somehow, after becoming female, she found it easier to quiet down in this area. She gradually became interested in those mysterious things. Sometimes, deep in the quiet of night, she would sit by candlelight, open dust‑covered old volumes, and immerse herself in strange, ambiguous knowledge that felt like a world apart, right or wrong unknown.

Xialda’s classes were always a blend of depth and a certain playful touch. She often cracked risqué jokes, making the Witches laugh even in this oppressive place. But whenever the joke targeted Tiyi herself, all she could do was blush harder and sit there awkwardly in that magic classroom.

At night, she lay on her bed, whispering the theories and incantations she’d studied beneath the deep blue glow. Tiyi was exceptionally good at learning and training—otherwise Yedi would never have achieved what he had. She had her own ways to focus, her own methods. That focus even let her temporarily forget she was wearing black lace nightwear.

Day and night in this underground world slipped past, and she had no idea what time it was in the outside world.

Gradually, she couldn’t help feeling excited over the dazzling elemental world she perceived. The first time she condensed a glow of elemental magic in her palm, she was genuinely thrilled—because it meant she’d taken one step closer to her goal.

She never forgot her martial training. Her experience and talent in swordsmanship let her modify her old style into one more suited to a female body. Tiyi refused to admit, from beginning to end, that she was truly a woman. But when it came to swordsmanship and battle, she was a born pragmatist.

Sword practice drenched in sweat let her fully feel how different a female body was when pushed to its limits. It troubled her, but she didn’t reduce the intensity of her training because of it.

Swallowing her shame, she even practiced ballroom dance with a woman’s posture, learning the etiquette and bearing of an elegant lady of the Empire.

She even managed to challenge herself to bathe in the women’s bath. Of course, she always chose times when no one else was there. No one had actually seen her completely naked. That alone turned into a favorite little gossip topic among the Witches of the Church.

Naturally, except for her, no one knew she couldn’t avoid seeing her own female body. As a former Holy Temple Knight, she felt like she was breaking all the rules again and again. But she’d long since gotten used to the gods ignoring her.

Outwardly, Tiyi was constantly learning and mastering new magic. The beautiful magical light in her hands shone against her face. The spells she cast began to attract attention and praise from the Witches around her.

Her swordsmanship was also steadily improving, adjusting more and more to this body…

Maybe there was nothing left that could block her steps forward. Nothing that could shake her absolute determination to seize that Witch selection spot.

Day and night alternated. Seven‑colored magic and flickering candle flames rose and fell endlessly… As a Witch, Tiyi endured shame, guilt, and confusion, training hard in the dark, just like every other Witch.

Falling from holy light, walking on through the night.

…

The many candles of the underground cathedral flared to life. The Witches gathered in the center of the hall, their eyes all focused on the broad, dark orange‑red altar. Their faces were filled with their own sense of fate, and a few of them looked a little nervous.

After months of training and cultivation, today was the day of the official Witch assessment.

At the same time, one outstanding candidate would be chosen from them as the executor of the Witches’ revenge plan.

Many Witches had stepped onto this path in pursuit of mystery, either by choice or without even realizing it. But there were also many Witch organizations like the Underground Witch Church, secretly connected and stratified.

That was one of the hidden secrets of the Witch race.

Witches were classified according to identity, strength, contribution, and other factors. Of these, strength mattered most—unless someone had made a special contribution or held a special status. The ranks were:

Apprentice Witch

Witch (Official Witch)

High Witch

Dominion Witch

In fact, most of those sheltered and trained here in the Underground Witch Church were still Apprentice Witches in terms of rank.

Only a few “old hands” like Dilovei were actually official Witches. As for High Witches, there was only one in this Church—the chief Witch, Xialda.

“Next, Isercy and Lusa will step up for their assessment,” Xialda announced from a small high balcony to one side of the altar.

“Sis Isercy, do your best.” Yolea clasped her hands together.

“Lusa… you won’t let me down, will you?” In Filini’s eyes, there was only the short‑haired girl with light blue hair.

“Then, the trial assessment… begins.” Xialda’s voice rang out. The black cat on her shoulder fixed the field with its sharp gaze.

“Isercy, you’d better be careful,” Lusa said, her expression settling into focus. Isercy had once been the most powerful and well‑rounded in magic among the Apprentice Witches.

The rules of the trial were simple: the official Witches ranked the Apprentices by overall strength and training results, then paired the closest two in power to fight. The point wasn’t victory or defeat, but each girl’s performance. The chief Witch and the others would judge if they were qualified to become official Witches.

“Heh heh, Lusa, magic isn’t all about having a body like a milk cow, you know,” Isercy said lightly, tilting her chin with one finger on purpose.

“What did you say, you big‑boobed bookworm who sucks at sports?” Lusa grinned.

She immediately started chanting. “Second‑Circle, Zealia Handmaiden’s Blessing of Wind…”

Pale, green‑white currents wrapped around Lusa’s body, fluttering like the mysterious veils of a nature goddess’s handmaidens.

“Lusa can already use the old goddess handmaidens’ lineage of magic so smoothly? That’s way stronger than a normal second‑circle Wind Acceleration. She really is smart. Isercy, who’s so bad at close combat, is in real danger…” Qinna’s face grew tense as she thought to herself.

“Second‑Circle, Flames of the Gate…”

Lusa continued to cast offensive buffs on herself.

“Hmph, so you only know one old lineage spell. You think I’m just gonna stand here and watch you finish every combat buff on your list?” Isercy suddenly began chanting at high speed. It was the same spell circle rank, but it was obvious that Isercy’s chanting and thinking were much faster.

A red magic circle formed between her hands, the spell text swirling. Coconut‑sized fireballs shot out from the circle, roaring toward Lusa.

“Not good! That fast?” Lusa had no choice but to abandon her second buff. But she’d already cast the crucial one: speed. Her feet flashed. She sprinted, dodging two fireballs in a blur. The fireballs that flew off toward the corners of the cathedral were all absorbed by a magic barrier, jointly cast by several robed, masked Witches stationed around the altar, to keep the hall from being damaged.

However, with just a slight tilt of her hands and a gentle flick of her jade‑like fingers, Isercy showed her control. Her mental control was very strong. Even after the fireballs left the circle, they still responded to her will, their trajectories curving to chase Lusa.

Lusa used every inch of the altar’s edges, maximizing the space to weave and accelerate, dodging the fireballs as she pushed in toward Isercy.

Under the moonstone, the purple flame in the silver goblet burned wildly.

“Isercy, watch out!” Lusa finally closed in. She thrust her long halberd straight for Isercy. Choosing a halberd, plus the limited space of the platform, made it easier to reach Isercy from a distance.

Bang!

The halberd struck Isercy’s second‑circle Ice Crystal Barrier. Shards of frost burst into the air.

“What?” Lusa had expected a barrier, but not one this sturdy.

“Servant Whip of Gameci…” Isercy opened her hand. In front of her, a crackling magic circle of lightning unfurled. A bright blue, snake‑like bolt of lightning lashed out.

“Not good!”

Lusa didn’t care that she’d just crashed head‑on into the barrier. She hit the ground, rolled, and jumped up to run.

Zzzzt—crack!

Crack!

Isercy whipped the lightning serpent through the air. It lashed toward Lusa. Lusa could only run for her life, looking a bit battered as she fled. Stray sparks tore at her clothes, ripping them open in several places. The electric shocks left her legs tingling and numb.

Servant Whip of Gameci—blinding lightning flicked down at her from above.

“Ah!” Lusa couldn’t dodge in time. She could only raise her halberd to block.

“Stop!”

All of a sudden, Xialda, standing high above, released a spherical clockwork familiar about the size of a watermelon, with leathery membrane wings. The familiar flew between the falling lightning and Lusa, its wing‑flaps creating lift as it opened its wide mouth, forming a new magical barrier.

Light flashed as the familiar’s barrier absorbed Isercy’s lightning whip.

“As expected, Sis Isercy’s still a cut above,” Yolea said, clenching her small fists in excitement.

“In this match, the second‑ranked Isercy wins. The third‑ranked Lusa unfortunately loses. Next, we’ll evaluate both of their Witch aptitudes,” Xialda announced. “Judges, please give your assessments. First, Isercy.”

Around the altar, the eight masked Witches in charge of barriers and protection all released spell sigils representing their judgments. Eight magic sigils flew toward Isercy and revolved around her, blooming into a gorgeous rose. Petals unfurled one after another, then scattered, drifting down and adding a brief burst of color to the dim cathedral.

“All eight judges are in complete agreement. As the second-ranked among the apprentice Witches, Isercy performed excellently in the trial. Her promotion to full Witch is beyond dispute.”

Xialda stood with her hips cocked, raised a pale hand, and announced.

The Witches broke into a long, melodious cheer.

“Awesome! Sister Isercy’s a full Witch now!” Joreya clapped excitedly.

She and Qinna had already taken their own trials earlier. Naturally, the intensity of those duels couldn’t compare to the battles for second and third place.

Qinna scraped through with four votes in favor and advanced by a hair.

Joreya, however, failed this time and would have to wait for the next trial. But given her current level, she’d never pinned much hope on passing anyway, so she wasn’t too upset.

Next came Rusa’s evaluation.

Although Rusa had lost her match, the fact that she could already use an Old One–lineage heretical magic was impressive enough.

The result: Rusa passed with seven votes and advanced to full Witch.

A few judges simply didn’t appreciate her style of close-quarters, martial combat.

“Newly promoted Witches, and all you apprentice Witches—

for most of you, the trials end here. Only one person hasn’t been tested yet.”

Xialda thrust out her proud chest, looking down from on high.

“Next will be the final bout of this trial. Maybe you’re wondering—there’s only one person left, so how do we conduct a combat assessment?”

Xialda gave a deliberately mysterious smile.

The black cat on her shoulder twitched its whiskers with interest, gazing at the rows of Witches below.

“That’s because, among all the apprentice Witches, there’s no one who can stand against her. So we had to send out a seasoned and powerful full Witch. That will be Miss Dilovei, who’ll serve as her opponent in this trial.”

Light rippled in Xialda’s violet eyes. She extended a slender arm and pointed into the darkness, her voice echoing clear and bright.

“I believe you’ve all already guessed who she is—”

“Yalan Tiyi!”