"Mom… can I become a witch like you?"
Alicia gently tugged at the hem of the woman's dress beside her. Her small fingers clenched the fabric tightly, as if afraid it would slip away the moment she let go.
The woman stopped.
She looked down.
Her gaze settled on Alicia's face—a small face still far too innocent to understand the world. For a brief moment, a soft light shimmered in her eyes, before a warm smile slowly curved her lips.
"Of course, my dear."
Her hand lifted, then came to rest atop Alicia's head.
Pat… pat…
She stroked the little girl's white hair with tender care.
"You'll become a wonderful witch."
Her voice was gentle… so warm.
A warmth spread through Alicia's chest.
She looked up at the woman with sparkling eyes, then nodded firmly.
"Yes!"
Alicia clenched her tiny fist.
"I'll definitely become a great witch… and make you proud, Mom!"
The woman's smile deepened.
And from that day on, Alicia always dreamed of—
becoming a witch.
---
Aether.
Pure energy that had existed since ancient times.
The energy that formed the very foundation of all witches in this world.
When Aether was absorbed into the body, it didn't simply remain there.
It flowed…
It seeped…
Moving through invisible pathways, gathering at a single point known as the inner core.
---
Nine years had passed since the promise Alicia made with her mother at the age of five.
"Mom, I'm heading out to look for medicinal herbs!"
Alicia called out as she stepped out of their small shop.
Kring—
The little bell above the door swayed gently, chiming with a familiar sound. The building was simple—aging wooden walls, shelves lined with bottles of potions in every color imaginable, and the ever-soothing scent of herbs.
A place she could call… home.
From inside the shop, her mother's voice followed.
"Mm, alright. Just don't go too deep into the forest."
"Okay~!"
Without looking back, Alicia headed toward the forest on the outskirts of town.
Her purpose was clear.
To gather medicinal herbs to be turned into potions.
Her name was Alicia Seraphine.
She was fourteen years old.
She lived in a small town of the Kingdom of Nordel—a border town lying between the Empire and Nordel. In that modest place, she lived alone with her mother.
Her mother's name was Kalia Seraphine.
A witch—and also an alchemist. She was fairly well known in town, not for her magic, but for her potions. They were inexpensive, yet never failed in quality.
Because of that, their little shop was almost never truly quiet.
Alicia and her mother lived a simple life. Sometimes Alicia helped gather herbs in the forest, other times she stayed behind to mind the shop and serve customers.
Not luxurious.
Not remarkable.
And yet…
For some reason, a life like this was more than enough to make Alicia happy.
As for her father—
Her mother once told her that he was gone.
Alicia never pressed for details.
Not because she wasn't curious…
but because she was afraid.
Afraid of seeing the light fade from her mother's eyes whenever that name was mentioned.
And as long as she could keep smiling beside her mother like this,
it felt as though… she didn't need to know the answer.
---
The weather was brighter than usual today. Winter had ended, and the snow that once blanketed the roads had melted away.
Thanks to that, Alicia could enter the forest freely without worrying about slipping.
As she reached the forest entrance and stepped inside, she passed by a townsperson.
"Oh? Alicia, off to gather herbs again?"
"Yes, sir," she replied with a smile. "Now that winter's over—and Mom gave me permission."
"I see. Be careful in there. Lately, some folks say they've run into monsters."
Thump… thump…
Alicia's heart skipped a beat.
But she quickly nodded.
"Yes, thank you. I'll be careful."
Waving goodbye, Alicia ventured deeper into the forest.
After searching far and wide, she eventually came upon a clearing. Lush green grass spread out before her, with medicinal plants growing abundantly here and there.
At the sight, Alicia's eyes lit up.
She trotted over and eagerly began picking the herbs one by one.
"Hehehe… there are so many," she murmured, unable to hide her excitement.
Her hands moved deftly, stuffing each plant into her bag. Before she realized it, the bag was already full.
Alicia stood up and brushed the dirt from her hands.
And that was when—
she looked around.
"…Huh?"
The forest around her felt unfamiliar.
She couldn't remember the way back.
Maybe she'd been too focused on gathering herbs…
or too delighted by the abundant harvest.
A slight tightness gripped her chest.
Alicia began walking through the forest with hesitant steps. Fear slowly crept in, and the words of the townsperson echoed in her mind.
Be careful in there. Some folks say they've run into monsters.
She swallowed hard.
To be safe, Alicia used the small knife she carried to scratch marks onto tree trunks, leaving signs of the path she took.
Time continued to pass.
About an hour later—
"…Huh? Seriously? Am I really lost?"
Her face drained of color. Her hands began to tremble.
She walked slowly—so very slowly—
Auuuu—!!
The howl of a wolf echoed through the forest.
"?!"
Alicia froze for a split second before panic surged through her.
Without thinking, she ran.
The farther she ran, the more unfamiliar her surroundings became.
"Mom… Mom…"
"P-please help me…"
Tears streamed down her face. Her entire body shook violently.
And when she stopped for just a moment—
two Snow Wolves appeared before her, one large and one smaller.
Monsters known as the rulers of the forest.
"…!"
Alicia stepped back slowly, one step at a time.
Crack—
The sound of a snapping twig rang out beneath her foot.
Both wolves turned toward her.
Their eyes locked onto her—sharp and cold as ice.
"—!"
Alicia ran.
Without direction. Without a plan.
Her legs moved faster than her thoughts. Branches lashed her face as she tore through the underbrush.
Behind her, the wolves gave chase—their gaze that of pure predators.
Hah… hah…
Her breath came ragged. Her heart pounded violently.
"No… no… no…"
Her lungs burned. Her vision narrowed. The world shrank until only the sound of her footsteps and the howls behind her remained.
And as she ran without thinking—
—ugh!
She tripped.
Her body slammed hard into the ground.
Before she could get back up, the wolves had surrounded her.
Alicia's survival instinct took over.
With trembling hands, she pulled out the only weapon she had—a small knife.
She held it out in front of her.
"D-don't come any closer…"
Her face was pale. Her entire body shook. Cold sweat trickled down her back.
The wolves snarled, baring their claws and sharp fangs.
Alicia lunged at one of them—
and stabbed its eye.
Grrr—!!
Blood sprayed. The wolf howled in pain—but it didn't fall.
Instead, it counterattacked.
Alicia tried to dodge—
Slash!
Its claw tore into her leg.
"Arghh!!"
She screamed in agony. Tears spilled uncontrollably.
With what little strength she had left, she ran again.
Her breathing was ragged, her leg screamed with pain.
Behind her, the sound of pounding steps and snarls drew closer.
She looked around frantically, searching for somewhere—anywhere—to hide—
and that was when she saw it.
A cave.
Without a second thought, Alicia rushed inside.
The entrance was narrow, but just wide enough for her body.
Behind her, the wolves tried to force their way in, their large frames scraping against the stone at the mouth of the cave.
Grrr…
Seeing this, Alicia pressed on deeper, biting back the pain in her leg.
When she felt she was far enough—and the sounds began to fade—she finally stopped.
Her body slumped against the cave wall.
Hah… hah…
Cold sweat continued to pour down. Her breathing was uneven.
She lowered her gaze to her leg.
The gash from the claw was still wide open. Blood kept flowing, dripping onto the rocky ground below.
"…!"
Her chest tightened.
Her bag… was gone.
That was when Alicia realized it.
She had dropped it while running.
Inside were the medicinal herbs.
Her supplies.
And… an emergency healing potion.
Her head felt light.
Panicking, Alicia tore the hem of her clothes.
Rip—
She used the fabric to bind her wound, tying it as tightly as she could.
"—gh…"
The pain nearly forced a scream from her lips. Tears fell once more.
Her body trembled.
Her vision blurred.
She had no strength left to move.
Leaning against the cave wall, Alicia's breathing grew weaker and weaker.
And finally—
from exhaustion and blood loss,
her consciousness faded away.