Chapter 100: The Witch Council’s Secret

Oh, are you referring to that? Is there some issue?

Vivian ate her potato chips, not even glancing at the Secretary.

The Secretary felt a pang of awkwardness, well aware of the Principal’s disdain for any mention of the Witch Council.

After all, the organization’s reputation worldwide was far from stellar, even tarnishing Vivian’s own standing.

Despite this, the Witch Council’s formidable power remained undeniable.

Though comprised of only five Witches, their strength and influence were in no way inferior to that of larger organizations.

“It’s about the Witch of Creation, my lady,” the Secretary began, “She wishes to use that allocated spot to have a student join the academy.”

The Secretary’s voice trembled, and she dared not meet Vivian’s gaze as she spoke.

Vivian, however, paid her no mind.

“Join the academy?” Vivian scoffed. “Does she take this place for a refuse dump, where any trash can be thrown in? What qualifications does an eighteen-year-old, incapable of even reaching the Fourth Tier, possess to enter here?”

Vivian uttered with utter disdain.

Her guiding principle was ‘better to lack than to have in excess,’ a strict condition she upheld at all costs.

This rigid stance occasionally led to entire years passing without a single qualified applicant for admission.

As for Vivian’s frequent lament that ‘each generation is worse than the last,’ it was likely nothing more than a casual adage she uttered without much thought.

Indeed, she found it quite novel that so many individuals had even been gathered this year.

After all, every student admitted to Lugos Academy received a personalized learning and development plan.

As for graduation, each individual faced a unique assessment.

The academy meticulously evaluated students based on their distinct talents, determining their potential to become an absolutely elite Arcanist.

Consequently, any attempts at backdoor entry were utterly impossible within Lugos Academy.

Given the immense influence of the Witch of Creation, a member of the Witch Council herself, it was a testament to the academy’s strictness that even her organization was granted only a single, coveted admission slot.

However, this particular spot required a vote from all members of the Witch Council; it was certainly not something that could be arbitrarily decided.

“Enough,” Vivian stated.

“You may leave. I will find time to contact that Witch of Creation.”

Vivian waved a dismissive hand, gesturing for the Secretary to depart.

The Secretary bowed respectfully before slowly exiting the office.

Once the Secretary had gone, Vivian’s expression instantly shifted.

Her previous air of disdain vanished, replaced by a look of intense seriousness, devoid of any complacency.

‘I can’t afford to slack off on this matter,’ she thought. ‘I must sit up and address it with proper diligence.’

Vivian lowered her feet from the desk, then focused her spiritual core energy, gathering it within her fingertips.

Guiding her finger, she drew a precise circle in the air.

In an instant, a dark trace lingered in the space, within which a surface appeared, shimmering like water.

The reason for employing an arcane art instead of a phone call was the fear of information leaks.

Although all communications at their level were encrypted, she deemed it essential to take this precaution, just in case.

This was an intuition honed by centuries of experience.

Soon, a woman’s voice echoed from beside the shimmering surface.

“Oh, Vivian, of all people,” the voice drawled. “What prompts this sudden contact?”

Within the circle, the image of a woman clad in black robes materialized.

Her face remained obscured, yet she spoke to Vivian with a discernible smile.

“Spare me the pleasantries,” Vivian interjected. “What is this about? Has a new Witch emerged? Do the others not know?”

Vivian, her excitement barely contained, fired off the questions at the figure opposite her.

“Calm down, now,” the black-robed woman chuckled. “So even you have moments like these. Is it because your time is running short, and you’re desperate to find a successor? Heh heh.”

The black-robed woman across the divide mocked Vivian with malicious glee, clearly holding some animosity towards her.

“I advise you to silence yourself at once,” Vivian retorted, her voice sharp.

Vivian’s expression immediately turned frigid, bordering on menacing.

“Whoa, whoa, whoa, don’t get angry,” the woman quickly interjected. “I was only joking! You want to know about that admission slot, don’t you? I can tell you.”

The black-robed woman hastily changed her tone.

Should Vivian truly unleash a dying counterattack, she knew she would suffer greatly, even if it didn’t claim her life.

A Witch nearing death was, to all, a ticking time bomb.

“Who is it?” Vivian demanded, cutting straight to the point.

Vivian asked no further questions; her mood was far too sour for pleasantries.

“Do you recall the project I’ve been developing?” the black-robed woman inquired.

The black-robed woman gazed at her long, flawless fingernails, a detail that made her appear particularly sinister and alluring.

“Are you referring to the Artificial Witch?” Vivian erupted. “You’re insane! I’ve told you countless times that’s utterly impossible!”

Vivian’s shout was immediate and furious.

If she could have, she would have reached through the arcane art and slapped the woman opposite her.

“Don’t rush, don’t rush,” the black-robed woman soothed. “It’s true, just as you said. An Artificial Witch cannot succeed by any means.

The soul of every living being is determined from its very inception; no amount of manipulation after birth can alter this immutable, ancient law.”

The black-robed woman spoke with a hint of resignation, even shaking her head.

Concurrently, she shifted the arcane art’s focus towards a monster standing nearby, allowing Vivian a clear view.

“What in the blazes is that thing?” Vivian exclaimed, her voice laced with disgust. “Get it away from me, now!”

Vivian’s brow furrowed deeply.

The sight of such a creature, presented to her so abruptly, was profoundly affecting her mood.

“Don’t be cross,” the black-robed woman purred. “This is merely a typical example of forcefully transforming a human into a Witch. Ultimately, they devolve into such grotesque forms.”

The black-robed woman spread her lips into a wide, unsettling grin.

Vivian found the black-robed woman’s deranged ideas utterly incomprehensible, and she swiftly changed the subject.

“So what exactly is the truth about that admission slot?” Vivian pressed. “If it’s not an Artificial Witch, then why…”

Vivian abruptly trailed off, as if a sudden realization had dawned upon her.

“The Witch of the End’s Grimoire?”

The name escaped Vivian’s lips in a sudden whisper.

“You guessed correctly,” the black-robed woman chirped, “but there’s no prize for it!”

The black-robed woman made a gesture of affirmation, giggling mischievously.

This only fueled Vivian’s anger further, for such a situation implied the involvement of more than just the Witch of Creation.

“That Prophecy Witch,” Vivian uttered in disbelief, “She actually agreed to your scheme?”

Vivian spoke with utter incredulity, given that among all the members of the Witch Council, their two personalities were the most divergent.

“Of course,” the black-robed woman replied, “After all, for the revival of the Witches, I am prepared to make any sacrifice.”

The black-robed woman smiled, a hint of madness flickering in her eyes.

“Who else knows about this?” Vivian demanded. “And where is this Witch now?”

Vivian was practically vibrating with excitement.

This was a true Witch, not merely a counterfeit like themselves, who had only awakened a spiritual core.

In essence, they were still human, their powers merely approximating those of Witches.

Yet, the inherent instinct of their spiritual cores compelled them to draw closer to, and ultimately become, true Witches.

“For now, only you, I, and that Prophecy Witch are aware,” the black-robed woman shrugged. “I haven’t informed the other two.”

“So, you should thank me for being the first to tell you,” she added with a smirk.

“Enough with the idle chatter!” Vivian snapped. “Where is this Witch? What are her specific details? I want all her information!”

At that moment, Vivian, overcome with agitation, sprang directly from her chair.