It was morning already.
The hearth had gone cold in the night as Brunhilda pulled the blanket tighter around her shoulders.
She hadn't slept a bit.
The bestiary lay open on the bed beside her as she'd read until her eyes stung, but every time she closed them, visions of a house-sized wolf with burning red eyes lurked in the darkness.
"Ughhh..." Brunhilda groaned, rising from the mattress.
Her hair stuck out in chaotic tufts, and her glasses were crooked from dozing off against the book.
From the kitchen came the clatter of pans, causing Brunhilda to blink and rub her eyes.
"Mom's already up...?"
Standing up from the bed, she peeked around the corner of her door, and it wasn't Elen bent over the stove.
It was Seraphina.
The witch was humming an old tune under her breath with her staff leaned against the wall, useless in cooking, but still close by.
Brunhilda's jaw dropped.
[Wait... wait wait wait. The witch—THE witch, is making breakfast in our kitchen? Did Mom let her? Is this a hostage situation or the start of a really weird fairy tale?!]
"Good morning, little Blackwood."
Brunhilda squeaked and nearly toppled when Seraphina's voice came over.
The witch didn't even turn around, she just kept cooking like she'd lived there her whole life.
"Y-You... why are you—what are you?!"
"Cooking." Seraphina glanced over her shoulder with a smirk. "Your mother was kind enough to share her kitchen. It seemed only fair I return the favor with a meal."
Brunhilda stumbled into the living room, whisper-shouting.
"But witches don't cook! You're supposed to, like, cackle and summon frogs, not fry eggs!"
Seraphina raised a brow.
"And where do you think frogs come from, child? Thin air? Even witches must eat."
Before Brunhilda could argue, Elen entered, tying her hair back with a rag.
She looked oddly calm, though her eyes moved toward Seraphina.
"She insisted." Elen muttered, seating herself at the table.
Brunhilda was evidently confused about the whole situation. Her mother hated the idea of having a sorcerer stay with them and now she's letting them use their kitchen.
"So we're just... having normal family breakfast with a witch now? Like, you really don't mind?"
Seraphina plated food—eggs, bread, and even a little garnish of herbs on top before placing it gently before Elen.
Then she set a plate before Brunhilda.
"Eat." She said simply. "You'll need strength for what comes next."
Brunhilda sat down at the table, confused as she grabbed her fork.
"...What does come next?"
Seraphina took her own seat, folding her hands with a knowing smile.
"Lessons."
Brunhilda nearly choked on her bread after she put it in her mouth.
"L-Lessons?! You mean magic lessons? Grimoire lessons?"
Elen slammed her fork down.
"Absolutely not."
The kitchen went silent.
Elen's face was pale with fierce eyes.
"She's not touching magic, witch. I told you last night. You won't drag her into whatever schemes you're planning, Magic has torn down this village too many times."
Brunhilda swore she could feel her stomach knot.
"M-Mom..."
Seraphina didn't flinch under Elen's glare.
She simply sipped from a cup of tea she'd brewed with a calm composure.
"And yet... your child already seeks answers in books, while the world moves forward without her. You may wish to protect her, but protection and stagnation are often the same thing."
Elen stood so fast her chair scraped the floor.
"Don't you dare lecture me about my daughter!"
The air grew tense as Brunhilda cringed in her face, staring between the two women—the mother who wanted to shield her and the witch who offered her a path.
[Oh no... oh no! This is escalating way too fast. If I don't do something, breakfast is about to turn into a duel, and I'm gonna lose both my omelet AND my chance at magic!]
Brunhilda held her breath as the tension in the kitchen seemed like it would split into lightning between her mother and Seraphina.
But before either woman could speak another word, a deep voice reached their house from outside.
"Gather up, men! Today, we rid ourselves of those goblin filth once and for all!"
Elen's head snapped toward the window.
Brunhilda nearly fell from her chair trying to get a peek.
Outside the cottage, the early morning was broken by the heavy sound of boots and the rattling of spears and makeshift swords with a rising crowd of voices.
Roderick stood tall at the front, his axe resting against one arm like a banner.
"After what happened yesterday... we cannot wait for them to strike again. We finish it on our terms. Goblins won't cause any more harm in Galister with their magic!"
A cheer went up from the gathered men who were rough but full of fear hiding behind bravado.
Brunhilda leaned against the window with wide eyes.
[S-Seriously?! Breakfast was tense enough, now the whole village wants to go monster-slaying? And Dad's leading them? This is either really brave or really stupid... probably both.]
Elen ambled to the doorway with a frown.
Seraphina remained seated, sipping her tea, calm as ever, but Brunhilda could see her watching the scene unfold.
[Oh no. This is spiraling faster than I can keep up. If Dad charges into goblin territory, if Mom keeps clashing with the witch, and if I just sit here eating eggs... this whole village might not even be here tomorrow!]
Elen's voice was audibly angry.
"Roderick is going to get himself killed. He told me nothing about this decision!"
Seraphina finally set her teacup down.
"Or he might stumble onto something far worse than goblins."
Brunhilda clutched her fork tight—she didn't like either of those options.
"Um... Seraphina." Muttered Brunhilda, glancing at the witch.
"Yes, what is it?"
"Y-You can use magic right? C-Can you possibly help my dad? If what you say is true, then we can't possibly take the risk of getting him hurt!"
Seraphina stared a long time at the young Blackwood before averting her gaze, closing her eyes.
"Hmm." She tilted her head down in contemplation.
"P-Please! I-I know the villagers and people here hate magic, and worship Ezbrand, but all human life is equal! Set aside cultural things for a second!"
Elen widened her eyes at her daughter's words. For someone so young, she said something witty that caught her off guard.
"Yes, you're right young Blackwood."
"Ah?!" Brunhilda widened her eyes with hope.
"And it's my fault for riling up all the villagers yesterday. The least I can do is help."
Brunhilda grinned from ear to ear.
"Thank you!"
Outside, the men standing in front of Roderick seemed determined, despite their obvious fear.
"For many years, this village has been raided by goblins, so we learned how to fight and become stronger, but now, they have learned how to use magic. Needless to say, they've also gotten stronger." He proclaimed, scowling at the thought. "But Ezbrand, the God of Strength, won't allow magic to be our downfall! Together, we can overwhelm sorcery, and prove that strength is superior! Who needs fancy spells when we have numbers!"
"Yeahhh!"
"Hell yeah!"
"You're right!"
The men all shouted, lifting their weapons high into the sky.
"We may be in the territory of the Marginglo Kingdom, but they don't care about us. They're corrupt fools who only come to take our taxes and raise us as cattle for future wars!"
Everyone hardened their glares, nodding their heads.
"We don't need their help, anyway. We get things done, together, as a village. That's how we've always done things!"
Roderick's voice carried over the crowd, but before the villagers could rally again, the cottage door creaked open.
Seraphina stepped outside with her staff in hand, and a witch hat nestled on her head.
Brunhilda poked her head from behind the doorway, chewing her lip nervously.
[Here we go... either this ends with cooperation or with the witch roasted on a pitchfork spit.]
"Roderick Blackwood." Seraphina's voice carried weight across the crowd. "I owe this village a debt for yesterday's... chaos. Allow me to help you drive the goblins back. Let me lend you magic where your strength alone may falter."
The crowd all turned to face her, frowning.
"Magic?" One farmer spat in disgust.
"She'll curse us the moment we turn our backs!" Another shouted.
A third waved his crude spear toward her.
"We don't need her tricks!"
Roderick lifted his hand, silencing the rising shouts.
His expression was hardened, but his eyes shifted toward his daughter peeking from the doorway. Brunhilda waved frantically in return, mouthing; Please!
"Witch." Roderick said. "We've fought goblins long before you set foot in Blackwood. My men and I don't need spells. We need steel, courage, and Ezbrand's blessing. That is enough."
The crowd cheered again, stamping their boots into the dirt.
Seraphina didn't flinch at his words and only tilted her head, pressing her staff into the ground like a walking stick.
"Steel and courage are admirable things." She replied. "But goblins who wield magic do not fear numbers. They will burn your courage. They will shatter your steel. Will Ezbrand stop a fireball? Will he catch an enchanted poisoned arrow mid-flight?"
Mutters of uncertainty went through the crowd as fear rubbed their bravado.
Roderick's grip tightened around his axe.
"I would sooner fall than bow to sorcery."
"And if you fall?" Seraphina's gaze cut sharp as a knife. "What will your wife do? Your daughter? What of Galister itself? Pride may warm the heart, but it does not guard the flesh."
Brunhilda winced.
[Ohhhh no. She went straight for the family angle... Dad's not gonna like that!]
Sure enough, Roderick's jaw clenched.
Then, unexpectedly, Elen appeared in the doorway beside Brunhilda.
She crossed her arms with her eyes sharp as daggers.
"Seraphina's right."
The entire crowd froze.
Even Roderick turned, stunned.
"Elen?"
"You think I like saying this?" Elen's tone was bitter. "I despise magic. It's torn this village apart more than once. But... goblins wielding it? That's not the same fight you've always faced. This time, you're outmatched."
The men exchanged worried looks.
The bravado shattered even further.
Brunhilda could practically feel her heart hammering as she clenched her fists at her sides.
[Yes! Finally, Mom's siding with logic! Now Dad just has to...]
"No."
Roderick's voice cut like a blade with his eyes brimming with fire.
"No magic. Not from her. Not from anyone. People of Galister Village will win this fight the way it always has—through strength, through blood, through Ezbrand's will." He raised his axe high again. "Let the world say what it will. Galister bows to no sorcerer!"
The men roared again as fear gave way to fire.
Brunhilda's heart sank in her chest.
[Dad is being too stubborn! No matter what Seraphina or Mom says, he won't accept it. And if he charges in like this... this won't be a fight, it'll be a slaughter.]
She looked desperately toward Seraphina.
The witch merely folded her arms, mildly disappointed.
"Very well." Seraphina said. "Let strength prove itself against sorcery, then."
[You can't be serious! Dad is way too prideful for his own good when it comes to proving strength over magic!]