After thanking the two girls for their gifts, Shel felt a wave of warmth.

Just as he was about to express his gratitude, Hilna pulled out another item. "Teacher Charles, I finally met that old mage you mentioned at the market today. He took your fairy tale picture books and left this iron box. Then he flew off."

"Oh, the delivery’s finally here."

Shel took the box and gave it a shake. It held something surprisingly heavy.

Satisfied, he nodded slightly, then tapped the lid a few times.

The "iron box" melted like paper licked by flames, like thin ice held in one’s palm. It dissolved into molten metal, dripping through Shel’s fingers and vanishing into steam on the floor.

Beneath the vanished magical casing lay a thick book bound in black leather.

"Teacher, what exactly is this book?" Hilna leaned forward, curious. She’d wondered what could be worth trading over a hundred fairy tale books.

"It’s an advanced grimoire filled with dangerous spells and ritual incantations."

Shel gestured solemnly for the girls to sit. He carried his own chair to face them, the grimoire resting in his hands.

"I’ve been in Ipoli for seven or eight years now," he began slowly, his gaze steady on them. "But I still remember clearly: Hilna, soon after I arrived, I nearly turned you into a monster by teaching you magic."

"It wasn’t your fault, Teacher!" Hilna rushed to deny it. "I lost control. I rampaged through the city like a beast, casting destructive spells everywhere. I hurt so many innocent people... For years, you’ve been the one making amends with their families..."

"No apologies needed, Hilna. You were just a child—a very obedient one. I was reckless. I taught magic to a six-year-old without thinking, and that’s what caused the accident... If Lofna hadn’t found you in the Great Swamp, I can’t imagine what might have happened."

Lofna frowned slightly. "Teacher, why bring up old memories now?"

"Patience, let me finish..." Shel gathered his thoughts. "Ever since your incident, I’ve been responsible for both of you. From that day on, I made you promise to keep your magic secret. No showing it to outsiders. All these years, I’ve only played games with you, told you stories. I deliberately stopped teaching Hilna any new magic—all because I feared another loss of control."

"I understand, Teacher," Hilna nodded. "I already know plenty of magic. I can make ice for summer drinks, conjure a little house with a wave, summon fresh fruit anytime... That’s enough. I’m content. You don’t need to teach me more."

"No, Hilna. You still don’t grasp why I feel guilty."

Shel snapped his fingers. The door slammed shut. Shadows draped over the windows.

"Hilna, I’ve never told you the truth about your talent. At six or seven, using only torn pages from a beginner’s spellbook, you awakened your gift and cast dozens of complex elemental spells. Your record outshines even saints blessed by gods."

"If I hid your gift forever, letting you use magic only as a private amusement, I’d be a terrible teacher. Besides, you’re grown now. I won’t limit your future. You deserve more."

He opened the grimoire to a random page.

"So today, I begin teaching you true magic. Not just simple elemental spells—but older, deeper, more complex arts."

"This book belonged to an elder mage from a neighboring kingdom. It’s a handwritten fragment, but rich with knowledge."

"Hilna, you no longer need to hide your gift as a Mage. I’ll tell everyone: My student Hilna awakened her magic this winter. I’m honored. She’ll be my apprentice."

"I’m only a self-taught third-rate mage," he admitted quietly. "But I’ll master this book. I’ll teach you everything safely. I promise you’ll never collapse from losing control like you did at seven. And I’ll find ways to get you proper magical training later."

"Hilna. Are you willing?"

The New Year’s gift stunned her.

Hilna stared at Shel’s earnest eyes. Her face flushed crimson with excitement. She shot to her feet.

After a breathless pause, her answer burst out: "Teacher! I’m willing!"

"Good." Shel waited for her to calm down before nodding. "We’ll start lessons after the Winter Festival. Enjoy these days. No pressure."

"Thank you, Teacher!"

Lofna watched her sister’s radiant joy. She wore a look of delight on the surface, but inside, a quiet ache settled.

*So those hundred fairy tale books... bought a grimoire.*

*Of course. Teacher made them to comfort Hilna.*

*Now she’s grown. Trading them for something truly useful for her future... it makes sense.*

*Still... it hurts.*

She couldn’t show it. Not in front of Hilna or Teacher. That would make her seem petty, jealous.

So she smiled. She congratulated her sister.

Shel observed Lofna silently. He sensed the loneliness beneath her smile.

"Lofna," he said gently. "I have a gift for you too."

"Huh?"

"It’s rather large. Come with me."

He led the puzzled girl to a small door in his study. Pushing it open, he explained, "I meant to finish it sooner, but the work took longer than expected. It’s only ready today."

Lofna peeked inside—and froze.

A colossal picture book stood half her height, nearly a foot thick. Its cover, polished hardwood lacquered like a miniature door, held an oil painting of a red-haired girl in a crimson dress.

The girl was Lofna. Her painted eyes smiled back at the real one.

Beside the portrait, bold letters declared the title: *The Magical Adventures of Witch Lofna*.

"Lofna, I know you love those fairy tale books. But for Hilna’s future, I had to sell most of them. I’m sorry." Shel ruffled her hair. "I know you adore stories about witches. I know you dream of being a Mage... but I can’t grant that. So I made this for you. It’s the longest, most complete story. The heroine is you—a clever, kind witch. I hope you like it."

"Oh... thank you, Teacher Charles..."

Lofna approached the giant book slowly. She wiped her palms on her dress, then carefully lifted the heavy cover.

As the pages turned, pop-up mechanisms unfolded. A gray paper house rose from the center. Beside it, a tiny paper figure of a girl stood up.

Words beside the house began the tale:

*"In a small kingdom within the Great Darksend Region, there lived a red-haired girl named Lofna.*

*Her fiery hair flowed like sunset. Her eyes sparkled like gems. She ran freely, bursting with endless energy..."*

Shel added softly, "It’s a long journey—about Mage Lofna traveling the land, using her magic to help those in need. I packed it with moving parts and pop-ups, so it grew... large. You can keep it here. Read it whenever you like."

He’d spent months crafting it. Worked late into nights to finish before the festival.

Lofna didn’t speak. She bowed her head, tracing her fingers slowly over *The Magical Adventures of Witch Lofna*, lost in the tiny paper figure of herself.

"Wow, Lofna! This book is amazing!"

Hilna, awed by Teacher’s effort, rushed over. She leaned in eagerly, reaching to turn the next page—just like they always did with new books.

But this time, Lofna recoiled.

"Hey! Don’t touch that!" She jerked upright, slapping Hilna’s hand away. "This is mine! Teacher made it for me!"

"Eh...?"

Hilna flinched, startled by her sister’s rare outburst.

Even Shel’s brow furrowed.

"Oh! Hilna—I’m sorry!" Lofna snapped back to herself. "I wasn’t thinking... I... I hit you. Forgive me. I lost my head. We’ll read it together later, okay?"

"It’s fine," Hilna recovered quickly. "I was careless. It’s your gift."

The sisters smoothed things over. Shel decided it was just a momentary lapse. They were reasonable girls. He let it pass.

"Enough gifts," he announced, patting the doorframe. "Time to eat."

Hilna and Lofna carried their joy to the dining table, savoring a warm, hearty meal.

Afterward, Lofna showed Hilna *The Magical Adventures of Witch Lofna*.

The story stretched long as a road trip. They read until dusk, still not reaching the end.

And so passed a day that would forever matter to both girls.