Witchess Journeyman

"You've been waking up much earlier this week. Earlier than me as well." DeVici murmured as she walked downstairs and glared at me. I nodded to her, before getting back to my book. "Tired of porridge?"

"We have it every day." I replied, glancing up. "What is wrong with toast?"

"Nothing. It is just not as filling as porridge." DeVici stepped to the stove, putting her preparations out for her porridge. "What is it that you are studying?"

"Maestro Yinnimon's Guide to Sigils." I replied, taking note of a sigil of warding. "It has a few good ones."

"I remember that book. I'd advise learning his Overseer Sigil."

"That one just allows you to see things out of it."

"Incorrect. It allows you to see anything out of it." She corrected, stirring the pot of her breakfast. "That includes invisibility. That includes seeing past illusions. That includes seeing intruders where they shouldn't be."

"Hm. I see." I said, flipping to the place. I examined the markings for a moment. "I saw a few of these on the trees I cut down."

"Yes. Another reason to make me angry about your renovations. Though I simply drew them on the next line of trees. Next time you intend to do that, I'll have you draw them." She warned, walking over with a bowl. She set one in front of me. I stared at it, then looked at her. "Toast is hardly a worthwhile breakfast. It is one of the most important meals, you know."

"I don't understand how you can eat porridge every day. When did you start that tradition?"

"I brought it into my routine about a decade ago. And perfected my recipe." She replied, bringing a spoonful to her mouth. "How are you feeling, Holly?"

"I am well. I've got plenty of rest."

"I meant after everything." She replied.

"What do you mean?"

"You killed your best friend and your father in the same hour. That may've been three weeks ago, but nonetheless it's still recent."

"I've been fine. I've hardly thought of any of them." I pouted a bit. "You're the reason why I keep having to think of them."

"You know, it's okay to think of your father. Even if it is just what he once was."

"I respect his memory, ma'am." I replied, taking a spoonful of the porridge. "I just don't want to think about something that can't change... it wasn't him at the end."

"Perhaps that is true. The incubus charm is of an intense design. The destruction of one's willpower has unending consequences in who they are." DeVici murmured. She sighed. "I worry for young Xiomara everyday."

"You do?" I asked, glancing up at her in shock. "You said not to worry about the downfalls of others."

"Xiomara is much different than most others." DeVici replied, looking down into her bowl. "Her downfall is not of her own actions nor her own choosing. She had no way of knowing not to go against Glisten. And she had no chance of beating the incubus curse."

"Why didn't you teach her about it?"

"I didn't want anyone to learn of it. Much less an apprentice." DeVici muttered. She glanced up at me. "It's why I didn't teach you it until it was too late."

"I understand, DeVici." I murmured. "What is my goal for this year? Prepare for the tournament?"

"No." DeVici replied. She looked away for a moment. "You are quite beyond such a tournament... and it will be more difficult to manage the Bastion match this year."

"I can handle it."

"It matters not."

"Then what am I to do?"

"You will find out soon." She replied a short grin on her lips. "We will be heading to Zeronica's keep this week."

"We will?" I asked, uncertain of whether I should be excited or worried. "Another meeting?"

"No. It will just be you and I, and her and Magnolia."

"T...Then what are we discussing?"

"The future. The past. The present. As much as we need. Not to mention, it is good for you and Magnolia to have each other to work with." DeVici advised, she looked at me softly. "In spite of your earlier comments on Zeronica, you should recognize that she is nothing like Glisten or myself."

"I...I suppose it would be nice to have someone to talk to." I murmured, staring at my porridge. "And someone I can get help from after you go."

"Good. I'm glad you understand to some degree."

"Is she intending to become a lich still?"

"Yes. Though that does not mean she will be evil by nature."

"I don't understand, but I will take your word for it."

"What you know of lichdom is that it is a vile means of living forever... and true, the means to achieve it is easily under any definition of evil. But after said evil has passed, the lich can become a decent being."

"What do they have to do?"

"Her process requires murder."

"Then I don't believe she can become a decent person afterward. Ends do not justify the means."

"In some cases, they will and they should." DeVici replied. She got up, setting her bowl in the sink. "It matters not. My goal remains to ensure you are the most capable mage in this world."

"Does that mean you're the best mage?"

"Don't be silly. You can't describe a magician as good or bad."

"Then how would you describe yourself?"

"Too old." She grumbled.

"Nothing about your power?"

"Age is a good indicator of power, wouldn't you think?"

"I...I suppose it is."

"Indeed, the difference between a thirty year old mage and a thousand year old Witchess is menacing."