[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-born-as-a-witch":3,"chapter-born-as-a-witch-born-as-a-witch-chapter-126":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"english","Born as a Witch",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},1702607,2172,"Chapter 126: Council and Patricia","born-as-a-witch-chapter-126",126,"\u003Cp>Gradually, the relentless tumble of rocks slowed. Smaller boulders had been smashed or diverted, larger ones cracked and shattered, and the mountainside fell silent except for the occasional rumble of settling stone. Dust and smoke hung in the air, coating the academy grounds in a fine layer of ash and grit.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Students were scattered across the courtyard, many collapsing to the ground in exhaustion. Some leaned on each other for support, breathing heavily, faces streaked with dirt and sweat. Even dragons, their wings still trembling from exertion, curled their massive bodies onto the stone floors, tails wrapped protectively around themselves as they rested. A few emitted low, rumbling breaths, smoke curling faintly from nostrils, their eyes half-lidded in weariness.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lira sank onto the edge of a low stone wall, her palms still tingling from the fire surge, vines retracting slowly back into the earth. She wiped sweat and dust from her brow, heart still racing from the adrenaline. Around her, students whispered in awe and excitement, recounting moments of bravery, skill, and miraculous saves.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She glanced toward Lady Thalyris, standing a short distance away with calm authority, observing the aftermath.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The moment Lira caught her gaze, Thalyris’s lips curved in a slight, acknowledging smile. She began moving toward the academy’s main tower, and Lira quickly rose, following closely behind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Most of the teachers were already converging toward the same path, their robes fluttering in the lingering wind, hands still occasionally gesturing to manage minor tremors or residual dust clouds. Lira fell in step with them, feeling the weight of the day’s events pressing on her shoulders but also a flicker of determination sparking within.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As they walked, some students gave nods or murmurs of congratulations, but Lira barely registered them, her mind was focused, heart still pounding, fire element simmering faintly beneath her skin.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They reached the tower, the carved doors massive and decorated with dragon motifs. Lady Thalyris led them inside without a word, the air cool and still after the chaos outside. The hallways echoed softly with their footsteps, the quiet broken only by the distant rumble of settling stones.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Finally, they arrived at Thalyris’s office. The room was spacious, with high ceilings and walls lined with ancient tomes, scrolls, and mystical artifacts. Light filtered in through stained glass, painting patterns on the polished stone floor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lira stepped in hesitantly, eyes flicking over the room, but her gaze returned quickly to Lady Thalyris. The older woman’s expression was serious yet measured, a mixture of authority and concern.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Lira,\" Thalyris said, her voice calm but firm, \"come forward. We need to discuss your fire element. What happened today was extraordinary, and dangerous. It cannot remain uncontrolled, nor can it remain a secret for long.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lira nodded, swallowing hard, her hands still faintly glowing with residual heat. She felt Maelin’s presence beside her briefly in memory, giving her courage. She stepped closer to Thalyris and the teachers, ready to face the discussion, aware that this was only the beginning of mastering what had just nearly overwhelmed her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The moment Lira stepped into Lady Thalyris’s office, the teachers’ concern was palpable. Eyes darted nervously, hands gesturing, voices overlapping. Some teachers muttered about the dangers of a multielemental wielder, others fretted about secrecy and control.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lira perched on a nearby chair, vines subtly shifting beneath her fingertips, trying to stay calm as the older, more experienced figures debated in hurried tones. Her ears picked up snatches: \"uncontrolled power... too dangerous... what if...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then the office doors opened with a soft creak, and Grandmaster Elion stepped inside. Silence fell like a stone. Every voice faltered mid-word. The tension in the room thickened as he scanned the assembly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What are we discussing?\" he asked calmly, though his presence alone commanded authority.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Immediately, voices erupted again. \"It is far too risky, she has multiple elements!\" one teacher shouted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"She could destroy the academy if she loses control!\" another added.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"We don’t know how strong the fire is, or what else might awaken!\" yet another worried.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The room turned into a cacophony of overlapping concerns. Lira shifted in her seat, heart pounding, feeling the weight of their anxiety pressing down on her. She wanted to speak, to defend herself, but the older teachers’ voices made her small.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Elion stepped closer to Lady Thalyris, his calm presence cutting through the chaos. She raised a hand, and instantly, a wave of silence swept over the room. Every teacher froze mid-word, eyes fixed on her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"We will decide,\" Thalyris said, her tone measured yet commanding, \"but first, we must think of Lira’s safety above all else.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lira swallowed and sat straighter, her gaze fixed on the two leaders, listening intently.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Elion’s voice broke the quiet, steady and resolute. \"We cannot hide this. A multielemental student... it has been long since one was discovered. We do not know if groups hunting them still exist. We must be careful. We must gather ourselves and protect her. And above all, we must teach her as much as we can, prepare her for every possibility.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Murmurs ran quietly through the assembly as teachers considered the weight of his words, some exchanging worried glances, others silently nodding.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thalyris’s eyes swept across the room. \"Who disagrees with this plan? Raise your hand.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not a single hand moved.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Fine,\" she continued, voice firm. \"Then we guide her and protect her. We cannot hide her powers if fire bursts from her. The moment it manifests, it will be visible.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>All eyes turned toward Lira. Elion stepped forward, his gaze steady and kind. \"Lira... do you want to ask anything? Say anything?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lira hesitated, feeling the eyes of every teacher upon her. Her throat was dry, her fingers curling nervously around the chair. Slowly, she breathed in and said, voice soft but steady:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I... I don’t have just earth and fire.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The office erupted into audible gasps. Eyes widened, jaws dropped, and even some teachers leaned back in shock. Only Grandmaster Elion remained composed, though his brow furrowed slightly, sensing the gravity of her words. (He knew.)\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lira’s heart pounded as she watched their reactions, realizing that this revelation, her third element, was no longer a secret. The murmurs of awe, concern, and incredulity swirled around her. For the first time, she felt the full weight of her potential, both terrifying and exhilarating, pressing on her shoulders.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thalyris stepped closer to her, her expression unreadable but calm. \"Very well,\" she said. \"Then we will need to understand it fully, and guide it carefully. You are no ordinary student, Lira. And now... the work truly begins.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As Lira stepped out of Lady Thalyris’s office, her mind still whirling from the discussion, the long corridor of the tower seemed unusually quiet. The sunlight slanting through the high windows cast long shadows along the polished stone floor. She walked slowly, hands loosely at her sides, still feeling the residual warmth of her fire element humming faintly beneath her skin.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ahead, leaning casually against a stone wall, stood a figure she instantly recognized. The dragon-shifter girl from the rock defense, her muscular frame relaxed yet radiating strength, crimson-tinted horns glinting in the sunlight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Here you are,\" the girl said, voice calm but confident. \"My name is Patricia. You remember me, right?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lira’s heart skipped. Relief, gratitude, and lingering awe surged through her. She hurried forward, a slight stumble in her steps, and nearly tripped over the edge of the floor before steadying herself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I—I was scared I wouldn’t get the chance to say thank you,\" Lira stammered. \"This academy is huge... finding you would be like finding a needle in a haystack. I’m really grateful you blocked that incoming rock. You... you saved me.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Patricia waved a hand, brushing off the praise with casual ease. \"Ah, it’s fine. Anyone would do it. What about your fire control? That... is new, isn’t it? You need to find the border—let it flow but keep it under your command. Do you want help with that?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lira paused, considering. The weight of her recent loss of control, the surge of power that had both saved the academy and terrified her, pressed on her chest. Finally, she nodded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yes,\" she said, voice small but firm. \"I need it more than ever. I can’t... I can’t risk burning everything down.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Patricia’s expression softened slightly, though her posture remained strong and steady. \"Your name is Lira, right? Everybody’s been talking about you since that rock... the explosion. Whispers everywhere.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lira swallowed, cheeks warming at the mention of the gossip, when suddenly a familiar frantic voice broke through.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Lira!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Maelin came rushing down the hall, her arms flailing slightly, feet almost skimming the floor. She jumped forward and wrapped herself around Lira in a tight, panic-driven hug. Her words tumbled out rapidly, almost incoherent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Are you okay? I was so worried! I didn’t know if—if—oh Lira!!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lira’s hands pressed gently against Maelin’s shoulders, trying to calm her. \"Maelin, breathe... it’s okay. I’m fine.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Patricia stepped forward, her stance firm, and spoke with an authority that made the hallway seem smaller, her voice carrying calmness like a weight against chaos.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Will your fire spark if she hugs you like that? Calm down,\" she said, eyes steady, tone both strong and protective.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Maelin slowly released Lira, blinking up at Patricia, a mixture of surprise and curiosity on her face. \"Who... who are you?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Patricia looked at her with a quiet self-respect, a small smirk tugging at her lips. \"Well... well, we should ask politely, not so rushed,\" she said, her voice gentle but firm. \"I am Patricia. And you are...?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Maelin’s jittery energy softened a little, but her eyes sparkled with curiosity and awe as she responded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I’m Maelin. Lira’s friend...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Patricia nodded once, sharp and approving, yet her presence remained commanding. \"Good. Now, the three of us will need to manage your... Lira’s fire, carefully. Step by step. Understand?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lira’s pulse quickened, a mixture of excitement and nervousness washing over her. Since the rock incident, she felt a glimmer of guidance and protection, someone who understood strength and control, someone she could trust to help her harness what had just awakened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Patricia extended her hand slightly in a gesture that was both formal and inclusive, her crimson-tipped horns catching the light as she waited.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lira glanced at Maelin, then back at Patricia, and nodded. \"Yes... I understand. Thank you.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Patricia gave a brief, approving nod. \"Good. Then let’s begin. Carefully.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That very evening, Lira found herself standing once again in the hidden training chamber, the familiar carved stone walls flickering under the glow of fire-crystals. But this time, she wasn’t alone with Maelin or Lady Thalyris or teacher Sagirus. Patricia stood there too, arms crossed, her crimson-tipped horns gleaming faintly, her eyes steady and sharp like molten iron.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"First rule,\" Patricia began, voice low and commanding, \"fire does not forgive hesitation. If you let it go wild, it consumes everything — your enemy, your friends, even you. Control means survival. Do you understand, Lira?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lira swallowed, her palms already damp with nervous sweat. \"I... I think so.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Patricia’s brow arched. \"Not enough. Say it like you mean it.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lira straightened her back, forcing strength into her trembling voice. \"I understand.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Good.\" Patricia stepped closer, the air around her carrying a faint heat, as if her body itself pulsed with fire. \"Show me what you can do. Don’t think. Just act.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lira took a deep breath and raised her hand. The energy came almost too quickly, a flare sparking to life in her palm before bursting outward in a stream of fire that scorched the training floor. The flames flickered out of her control, crawling higher than she wanted, licking dangerously close to the ceiling.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Stop! Breathe!\" Patricia barked, and in that moment, her own fire flared out, a controlled, disciplined flame that enveloped Lira’s chaotic burst and snuffed it out like a candle in the wind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lira gasped, her knees weak, heart hammering in her chest. \"I-I can’t... it’s too much—\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Patricia’s hand was suddenly on her shoulder, firm but grounding. \"Listen to me. You are not weak. The fire is. It always tries to be stronger than you. Your job is to remind it who holds the leash.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The words cut deep, sharp as steel. Lira lifted her gaze, meeting Patricia’s fiery eyes. There was no doubt in them, no hesitation. Only strength and certainty.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Again,\" Patricia ordered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And so they tried again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For hours, the chamber echoed with bursts of fire — sometimes wild, sometimes small sparks. Lira stumbled, fell, coughed on smoke, even burned her sleeve once. Each failure made her want to cry, but each time Patricia’s voice snapped her back into focus.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Stand taller, Lira.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Don’t flinch — fire is no friend to the fearful.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You panic too soon. Trust yourself.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The contrast between them became clearer with every attempt. Lira was emotional, trembling with each mistake, tears brimming when the fire lashed out of control. Patricia, on the other hand, was steady as stone, her voice a whip of discipline, her presence unshakable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At one point, when Lira collapsed onto her knees, clutching her hands as smoke curled from her fingers, Patricia crouched in front of her, expression softer but still firm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You think you’re failing,\" Patricia said. \"But this... this is progress. Every scar the fire leaves on you is a lesson. You learn, you adapt, and then you burn brighter, without losing yourself.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lira blinked through the blur of exhaustion. \"...How are you so strong?\" she whispered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Patricia gave a small, humorless smile. \"Strength isn’t given. It’s earned. Every day. Through pain, through discipline. Through not giving up when the fire wants you to break.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Something in those words lit a different kind of flame inside Lira — not destructive, but steady, like a lantern in a storm. She stood again, shaky but determined.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Again,\" she said this time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Patricia’s smile deepened, a rare warmth breaking her iron composure. \"That’s better. Now, let’s teach your fire who’s master.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And so, under Patricia’s sharp guidance, Lira trained late into the night. Maelin watched from the sidelines, wide-eyed, torn between worry and awe. Where Lira’s fire had once been wild and dangerous, now, slowly, she was learning to shape it, to hold it in her palm like a weapon, not a curse.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>By the time the session ended, sweat drenched Lira’s clothes, her body trembling with fatigue. But there was also something new in her eyes: resolve.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Patricia helped her stand, one hand firm on her arm. \"Not bad for your first real lesson,\" she said. \"You’re still a long way from control... but I’ll admit, you’ve got potential.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lira’s lips curved in a tired but genuine smile. \"Thank you, Patricia. Really.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Patricia nodded once, releasing her. \"Don’t thank me yet. Fire only respects those who fight for it. Next time... we’ll push harder.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As they left the chamber together, the bond between them was clear: Lira, the raw flame struggling to find its shape, and Patricia, the tempered fire, unyielding and strong, leading her toward mastery.\u003C\u002Fp>",2512,"2026-06-06T14:30:21.781Z",1,"novelbin.me","8b7ae035b0a830b745923dab98472d853575bd78de3abff746cd611e57bad50b","born-as-a-witch-chapter-160","born-as-a-witch-chapter-159",479,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fborn-as-a-witch-cover.jpg"]