The Virtuous Dark Witch

Chapter 2

She traced her features with her fingers. Although her eye color was not the black she preferred, Elara was still very satisfied with her appearance in this life.

She had large European-style eyes with thick, curly lashes, capable of looking both deep and lively, without overly deep eye sockets. Her eyebrows extended past her outer eye corners, neatly shaped and full. Her nose was straight, though not as sharp as most Westerners'. Her lips were cherry-shaped, with a distinct philtrum.

Apart from her eyes, her face was actually quite similar to her past life—only more three-dimensional. Combined with her waist-length black curls, she exuded a mysterious aura. Yet her mother, Merlyn, had never been fully satisfied with her looks.

Pinching her plump cheek, Elara smiled helplessly. She picked up the tattered Book of Witchcraft Initiation from the table and walked to the corner to grab a copper lamp.

Leaving the attic, she descended a steep wooden staircase. The wood was old and rotting, creaking as if it might collapse at any moment. Elara held the lamp, ignored the steps, and hurried down to the library on the third floor of the ancient castle.

Passing through the barrier outside the library, she opened the door, walked straight to a corner, and placed the Book of Witchcraft Initiation back where she had found it.

Though only a handful of Dessey Dark Witches remained, their family heritage was ancient, and their collection of books was vast.

She had learned to read from her father at age three, and could barely read with his guidance at five. Now ten years old, she had only covered a tiny corner of the library. Glancing at the small section beside her, no bigger than a washbasin, she sighed deeply.

Living thirty-nine years across two lifetimes, she had truly learned the meaning of "no end to learning."

Returning to her second-floor room, she took the Herbal Cleansing Paste and a small pig-bristle brush and went to the well platform in the castle backyard to wash up. Afterward, she set an empty wooden bucket on the well platform and whispered a spell.

"Mali hon…"

The still water in the well began to ripple, as if pulled by an invisible force. It twisted into a stream, shot out of the well, and poured into the bucket. Only when it was full did Elara stop chanting and leave with her toiletries.

The castle home of the Dessey Witches was nearly two thousand years old. Though reinforced with Witch Power every year, time had left its mark. The mottled gray walls exuded age. Black crows perched on the eaves, dozing, letting out harsh cries now and then. Even bright sunlight could not hide the desolation.

After putting her things away, Elara trotted to the stairs, jumped onto the handrail, and slid down to the first floor. Entering the dining room, she smiled brightly at the elderly woman sitting at the head of the table.

"Good morning, Grandma Kelly."

The wrinkled old woman was Kelly Dessey, the current head of the Dessey Dark Witches.

"Good morning, good morning, little Elara." Her pupils were nearly dark brown. She smiled kindly and beckoned. “Hungry? Come sit beside Grandma."

Elara greeted everyone at the table, then dragged a chair next to her grandmother.

David Dessey immediately placed a plate and cutlery in front of his sister.

"Thank you, David." Her childish voice was sweet. Elara did not want to act so delicate, but in front of her grandmother—who was deeply bound by class ideas—it was necessary to show how much she loved her two mortal brothers. She hoped Grandma would love them too, for her sake.

"Let's eat." Kelly Dessey placed a piece of bread on her granddaughter's plate and personally cut a thick slice of Barbarian Beef.

Staring at the meat still slightly pink in the middle, Elara picked up her knife and fork and began cutting the bread. Mond, sitting beside his wife Merlyn Dessey, frowned slightly at his daughter's behavior. He poured a bowl of goat's milk and handed it to her.

"Eat slowly."

Elara quickly stood and took it. "Thank you, Father."

Ten years in this world, and she still thought the food needed serious improvement. If she were not too young to act abnormally, she would have cooked for herself long ago.

After finishing the bread, she divided the large piece of undercooked beef into four portions. As usual, she picked up the smallest, well-cooked corner piece, closed her eyes, opened her mouth, and swallowed it whole without chewing. Even so, nausea rose in her throat.

Seeing her struggle, Kelly, Merlyn, and Merlyn's sister Thea all frowned.

Elara finally forced down the discomfort, her eyes glistening with tears, looking utterly pitiful. She cast a pleading glance at her father and brothers.

"Eat just one more piece." Mond, blond and bearded, sighed helplessly, filled with worry. His beautiful little Elara was still young. How could she grow strong if she could not eat meat?

"I'm full." Elara tilted her head up at her grandmother. "I really can't eat any more."

Barbarian beef had a strong, fishy odor, yet it was a luxury not every family on Mal Continent could afford. Her brothers rarely got any.

Kelly sighed softly and stroked her granddaughter's smooth black hair. "Very well."

As if granted amnesty, Elara's pitiful expression vanished. She jumped down from her chair, carried her plate, and gave the three remaining pieces of beef to her father and brothers. She bowed politely to those still eating.

"Please enjoy your meal." I shall take my leave first."

Before Kelly could speak, she ran to the storage room and took out a bright red apple. She was about to go upstairs when Merlyn called her name.

"Elara. Tomorrow, Mother is going to Anastas City. Would you like to come?"

Anastas City? Elara froze, her eyes darting. She hugged her apple and turned around.

"Mother, what are you doing there?" Why would she suddenly want to take her out? She had barely left the West Sea Forest since birth.

"The lord of Anastas City has just had a son. We're going to congratulate him." Merlyn smiled gently, her gaze flicking over the apple in her daughter's arms. Not hungry anymore, I see.

Elara stared at her mother for a long while, then blinked. "They actually invited our family?" She was genuinely surprised.

Anastas City was not far from the West Sea Forest. Its lord, Rocky Anastas, was a proper vampire. Though his father was turned, his mother's blood was extremely noble among the Andros. Why would they invite the Dessey Witches to a celebration?

"We weren't invited. We're going anyway." Merlyn smiled. "The West Sea Forest and Anastas City are neighbors. It would be rude not to offer our congratulations."

Did she hear that right? Elara stared at her mother. If she had not been born from her, she might have been fooled by this gentle act.

"Is the family grain store really empty?"

"It's not only about the supplies." Merlyn adored her daughter's sharp wit. "Mostly, you're growing up. I think it's time to show you the outside world."

Elara puffed out her cheeks, looking like a little steamed bun. She was being taken to learn the Dessey Dark Witches' bandit ways, wasn't she?

"Can I refuse?" She felt she needed more nurturing before turning "evil."

Merlyn shook her head softly. "No." Though firm, she wanted her daughter to go willingly. "Anastas City is the largest and most prosperous city nearby. Your aunt Thea used to love going there."

"Sigh." Thea, with her loose linen-blonde hair, cut a small piece of beef, lifted it elegantly, and chewed slowly. "Elder sister, must you bring up old glories?" She had not left the West Sea Forest in nine years.

"I'm afraid you've forgotten." Merlyn turned to her sister, her warm expression toward her daughter gone, her tone colder. "Nine years. How much longer will you take to move on?"

She had never imagined her sister would fall for a slave. If he had been a good man, it would have been different. But when forced to choose between the Andros and the Dessey Witches, that lowly slave had bowed his neck and begged to be turned without hesitation.

Thea curled her lip, a flash of sharpness in her blue eyes. "Elder sister, I forgot him long ago." I haven't left the forest for nine years only because what happened back then was too humiliating. It was the truth. She valued her reputation above all. "I might as well use the time to practice and avoid embarrassing myself outside again."

"If that's the case, you'll come with us tomorrow." Merlyn was satisfied with her answer.

"Sure." Thea smiled. "I'm getting bored anyway."

Elara watched the two sisters intently. Were they planning a big heist together?

"They won't welcome us," she protested. After ten years, she had learned one thing: the Dessey Witches were terrible at everything except being unreasonable. They could have lived by skill and talent, but instead relied on brute force.

According to her father, in the past millennium, the Dessey Witches had opened eighteen shops. Not one had lasted a year. All because their rules were… tyrannical. Once customers stepped inside, they had only one choice: complete the transaction, pay, and leave with their goods.

"All visitors are guests." Thea looked at her lovely little niece. "Why wouldn't they welcome us?" Even if her sister had not invited her, she would have gone. Rocky Anastas was related to someone she knew. How could she miss the fun?

Elara gave up. She silently mourned for the unknown victim for three seconds.

“Fine. Wake me up tomorrow." With that, she went upstairs. She needed to prepare properly in her attic.

Merlyn watched her daughter disappear into the stairwell and sighed softly. Her little Elara was too innocent, too kind. If she stayed this way, she might not survive once she left the West Sea Forest.

What Merlyn did not know was that as soon as her "kind little Elara" returned to her attic, she did not even bother eating her apple. She pulled a Treasure Chest from under her bed—handmade by her father—and opened an Oak Box inside.

Lying within were one hundred and eight Silver Needles of varying lengths and thicknesses.

She had saved silver coins for ages to ask her father to forge them.

She held one up and examined it closely, frowning. "I wonder if what they said in those old movies is true?"

She had never heard that vampires disliked silver. If given the chance tomorrow, she would test driving a Silver Needle into a vampire's body.

Her twenty-four years of studying in her past life could not be wasted. Being a healer required perseverance and exploration. The dreams she had failed to achieve before, she would pursue in this life.

She was determined to become the greatest healer on Mal Continent.