dark witch

Chapter2

Lifting her hand to touch her features, she admired her bright blue eyes, straight nose bridge, and perfectly curved lips—neither too thick nor too thin. Her skin was fair and smooth. Haiyin was quite satisfied with her appearance in this life.

One could say that except for her eyes, her current appearance was closer to her previous life, yet her facial features were more pronounced than before. Combined with her long, waist-length, golden curly hair, she inadvertently exuded a sense of mystery. However, her mother was never quite satisfied with how she looked.

Pinching her chubby cheeks, Haiyin sighed and chuckled helplessly, picking up the worn-out "Witch's Awakening" from the table and walked to the corner to fetch a copper lamp.

Exiting the attic, a wooden staircase sloped downwards at a steep angle. Due to age, the wood was severely decayed, creaking alarmingly with each step. Haiyin, holding the copper lamp, swiftly descended to the third floor's library.

Crossing the barrier set outside the library, she opened the door and headed straight to a corner, returning the "Witch's Awakening" to its original spot.

Nowadays, the DeXi dark witches numbered only a few, but their family's legacy was long and distinguished, hence their substantial collection of books.

She began learning to write at three under her father's tutelage, barely managing to read with his guidance at five. Now at ten, she had only explored a tiny corner of the library. Glancing at the small section to her right, Haiyin deeply sighed. Living for 39 years across two lifetimes, she truly understood the depth of "learning is endless."

Returning to her room on the second floor, she took some Qinghua grass ointment and a small brush made from pig bristles to the well in the castle's backyard to wash up. After washing, she placed the empty bucket on the well platform and softly chanted, "Marili hong…"

The still water in the well began to ripple and, as if drawn by something, twisted into a rope and flew out towards the bucket on the platform, filling it up before Haiyin stopped chanting and left with her ointment and brush.

The DeXi witch family's current residence, a castle, had a history of nearly two thousand years. Despite annual maintenance using witchcraft, signs of age were evident on its mottled grey walls. Black crows perched atop, dozing and occasionally emitting unpleasant cries, unable to mask the desolation even in bright sunlight.

After putting her things away, Haiyin jogged to the staircase, leaped onto the railing, and slid down to the first floor, heading to the dining room with a bright smile, greeting, "Good morning, grandmother."

The elderly woman seated at the head of the table, KellyDeXi, the current head of the DeXi dark witches, replied affectionately, "Good morning, my little Haiyin," with a wave of her hand, "Hungry? Come sit by grandma."

After greeting everyone present, Haiyin dragged a chair next to the old woman and sat down.

David DeXi, seeing this, immediately brought his sister's plate and cutlery to her.

"Thank you, brother," Haiyin said sweetly, though she didn't wish to appear so delicate. However, in front of her grandmother, who was deeply entrenched in classist beliefs, it was necessary to show affection towards her two human brothers, hoping to endear them to their grandmother.

"Let's eat," KellyDeXi placed a piece of bread on her granddaughter's plate and cut a large slice of barbarian beef for her.

Looking at the barbarian beef on her plate, still red in the middle, Haiyin picked up her knife and fork to cut the bread. MerlinDeXi, sitting next to her daughter, frowned slightly and handed her a bowl of sheep's milk, saying, "Eat slowly."

Haiyin stood up immediately to take the milk, "Thank you, father." Having lived here for ten years, she still found the local cuisine lacking. If not for the need to blend in, she would have prepared her own meals long ago.

After finishing the bread, Haiyin divided the large piece of undercooked barbarian beef into four, picking up the smallest, more cooked piece with her fork, closing her eyes, and stuffing it into her mouth without chewing, swallowing it whole. Even so, she felt nauseated.

Seeing the young girl struggle, Kelly, Merlin, and her aunt Xiya all frowned.

Haiyin managed to suppress her nausea, tears welling up in her eyes, looking pitifully at her father and brothers for help.

"Eat another piece," Mond, with his blond hair and beard, also felt helpless and worried. His beautiful little Haiyin was still young and couldn't handle meat.

"I'm full," Haiyin turned her head towards hergrandmother, "I can't eat anymore." The barbarian beef had a strong gamey taste, but it was a delicacy not commonly available to ordinary households; her brothers rarely had a share of it.

Kelly sighed lightly, caressing her granddaughter's smooth, dark hair, "Alright then."

Haiyin, as if granted amnesty, instantly shed her pitiable look, smiling as she hopped off the chair and took her plate to divide the remaining three pieces of barbarian beef among her father and brothers, then respectfully bowed to the dining members, "Enjoy your meal, I'll excuse myself."

Before Kelly could respond, Haiyin ran off to the storage room, grabbed a bright red apple, and was about to head upstairs. However, she was stopped at the staircase by Merlin, "Haiyin, mother is going to Anastar City tomorrow, would you like to join?"

Anastar City? Haiyin halted, her eyes spinning as she turned around, clutching the apple, "Mother, what business do you have in Anastar City?" It was unusual for her to leave the Western Sea Forest, where she had rarely ventured out since birth.

"We're going to congratulate the lord of Anastar City on the birth of his son," Merlin smiled gently, her gaze briefly passing over the apple in her daughter's arms, thought to be too full to eat anything more.

Haiyin eyed her mother for a moment, then blinked, "They actually invited us?" This was quite a surprise.

Anastar City wasn't far from the Western Sea Forest. Its lord, Loch Anastar, was a legitimate vampire, though his father was turned and not of noble blood, his mother's lineage was prestigious in Androsi. The fact that the DeXi witches were considering attending his celebration was intriguing.

"No invitation, we'll go on our own," Merlin explained with a smile. "Being neighbors to Anastar City, it would be rude not to offer our congratulations on such an occasion."

Haiyin stared at her mother, half-jokingly accusing, "Is our pantry running low?"

"Not entirely because of that," Merlin admired her daughter's wit, "It's mainly because you've grown up. Mother thinks it's time for you to see more of the world."

Puffing her cheeks, Haiyin displayed a reluctant acceptance, suspecting the real intent was to introduce her to the DeXi dark witches' way of plundering. "Can I refuse?" She felt she needed more exposure to grow crooked properly.

Merlin shook her head gently, "No," hoping her daughter would willingly accompany her, "Anastar City is the largest and most bustling nearby. Your aunt loved going there."

Xiya, slicing a small piece of beef and elegantly chewing, sighed at the mention of past glories, having not left the Western Sea Forest for nine years.

"I'm afraid you might forget," Merlin's tone cooled as she addressed her sister, challenging her to move past her long-held grief.

Xiya's lips curved in a bitter smile, her pride hurt by a past love affair gone wrong. Yet, she agreed to accompany Merlin, eager to break the monotony.

Haiyin, observing the sisters, wondered if they were planning something big. Despite her efforts, she knew the DeXi witches' reputation for bungling tasks yet excelling in aggression. Their history of failed businesses underscored a preference for force over finesse.

"Visitors are always welcome," Xiya reassured, suggesting their uninvited presence wouldn't be an issue. Haiyin conceded, asking to be reminded tomorrow, then ascended the stairs to prepare.

Merlin sighed as her daughter disappeared, worried her innocence and kindness might endanger her outside the Western Sea Forest.

Unbeknownst to Merlin, Haiyin, upon reaching her attic, quickly pulled out a chest her father had made for her, searching for a small oak box containing 108 silver needles of various lengths and thicknesses. These were forged from her carefully saved silver coins, a testament to her determination to explore and persevere in medicine—a dream unfulfilled in her past life but one she was resolved to pursue in this one, aiming to become the most skilled healer in the land of Mar.