A Dead Summer

TRES: WITCHCRAFT

"Train your mind to see good in every situation..."

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[Santa's]

Witchcraft and witches are common news to Earth back into 14th to 15th century. They are widely publicize that governments grew scared of their popularity.. Thus the well known witch hunt.

The distribution of the practice of witch hunt in separated societies since 1960's has triggered interest in anthropological background of this practice. The ise of magic and divination to influence a well being are a cultural universals.

The punishment for alleged witches starts in the Code of Hammurabi, way back 18th century BC, then in 451 BC, in the Twelve Tables of Roman Law. But what really became a big news is the 'Salem witch trials' between February 1962 and May 1963 in colonial Massachusetts.. They found thirty guilty so called witches, nineteen of whom were punished by being hanged.

Well I never thought that I'll experience the witch hunt trial first hand. Well I love Malleus Maleficarum, Kramer and Sprenger wrote but I never wish on feeling the same feelings those alleged witches felt before. But yeah, here I am standing in front of this kingdom's council, together with their grand prince I cured an hour ago and that weird king.

I don't know if I have to thank fate that I was saved from my previous predicament or curse it for my current situation. I might die in so much brutal ways here. Apparently this kingdom have a huge grudge for witches and witchcraft. And the moment their head enchant confirmed that my body contain an unexplainable amount of mana (that's how they call their magical energy)the issue is settled. I was proclaimed as a witch. And now I am in my own trial. (Sucks right?)

"Your name, witch?" Lord Camriot asked. He's one of those council s**t and luckily the soldier that put me into this, brief me about them.

"Santa Bellisima Ismael." I answered calmly though the around me actually irks me. A lot.

"What a weird name huh... Which clan did you came from?" Lord Severius said sarcastically.

I secretly huffed after looking around the whole place. There are seven members of the council corresponding each classification of the ability in this kingdom. Aside from them there is the grand prince whom I didn't asked the name, the king that I care less and the soldier that I wanted to actually hate. Practically, I am surrounded.. So what's the use of the rope, really?

"Why aren't you answering? We're asking you a question, you are to answer it. Don't you have manners." Lord Severius spat at me again angrily.

"Speaking of manners when you didn't even show one, eh? I'm not a witch, my lord. I don't do magic. So tying me here is really uncalled for." I uttered nicely though I really wanted to spit on his face.

"Don't trick us on this lady.. Caviroti even check on you. None in this kingdom contain mana like yours.. The only clan who has the ability to restore such amount of mana are witches. So there's no possible way to trick us." Lord Jasob calmly speak..

I sighed heavily. How can I even convince them on this, eh?

"Okay. Let me make this clear. The mana in my body don't have anything to do with my lineage. I'm not a witch. I am a f*****g chef. And funny it may seems but I am not from here. I am supposedly dead. But in whatever miracle happens I am here alive and kicking. Those herbs or plant or whatever I used to your grand prince are safe so you don't really have to do this to me. So please, let me go and find my way home." I helplessly explained them. But yeah, I guess its not a good move. Cause they look at me like I'm crazy s**t.

"We can prove your so called innocence in time. But in the meantime, you have to stay in the dungeon. But need not to worry Santa, I am making sure of your safety." I was shocked when the grand prince suddenly speak. But the dungeon thing really bothers me.

"I am not staying in a dungeon!! f**k this really, eh?!!! What did I even do wrong? I just f*****g save you! And what? You're locking me up in a cell? The hell? Let me go!! I want to go home! " I angrily shouted at them trying hard to untie or break the rope around me. But what am I doing? They didn't tie me just to let me go.

I'm so absorb in my breakdown that I didn't even feel the attack that Lady Icelet gave me. I just felt so weak and sleepy.

Before I even lost my consciousness I saw that same gray eyes. Its just that it gives different chill. The first one shadow care and hope but this one is cold and void. A dead one.

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[3rd]

The moment the guards send the unconscious Santa, the king followed. But the three of the council namely; Lady Icelet, Lord Hamilot, and Lord Jasob stay at the hall with the grand prince.

The prince is in deep thought. Through to Santa's claim, for him she feels normal. Though her mana exceeds to normal she doesn't give a vibe that can harm. On the contrary, she's warm. Her eyes are dead cold but her presence is really calming. And three council member felt the same.

"She's maybe saying the truth. I can't feel any ill intention from her. She's calm and so innocent." Lady Icelet uttered.

"Yes. She's not even sporting a witch vibe you know. She can't even cut those ropes. She's so normal." Lord Hamilot sheepishly uttered.

"I owe her my life. She saves me. I just can't believe that a mere herb can close such deep wounds." the grand prince confusely ask.

"Its possible. Her mana can boost the herbs effect. Without even converting it to magic she's able to channel her mana in different way." Lord Jasob explained.

But the prince is not convince. There's something familiar to that girl but he can't explain it.

"Did you send some messenger to Reeve, Lord Jasob?" the grand prince ask the shifter.

"I did. In no time they will be here. Don't worry Asseure they will be fine. The witches will not hurt them." the shifter assured the prince.

The grand prince just nod. He can't help but think about the girl earlier. She speaks like a total grown up but he can clearly see ghat she's just a teen. But what confuses him more is what she had said.

A world aside from Rever.

Is there anything like that?

*******Belle