[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-born-as-a-witch":3,"chapter-born-as-a-witch-born-as-a-witch-chapter-140":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},1702668,2172,"Chapter 140: Recognition","born-as-a-witch-chapter-140",140,"\u003Cp>The mornings had grown warmer, and the academy’s grounds were alive with practice. Lira and Patricia moved through the training fields, their focus on elemental exercises, while Maelin worked diligently at her forging station. The rhythm of hammer on metal, the sparks flying, and the faint hum of magic in the air had become a daily symphony of learning, growth, and quiet joy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One morning, as Lira and Patricia returned from the greenhouses, they noticed Maelin walking toward the courtyard with a spring in her step and a light in her eyes that they hadn’t seen before. Her usual focused expression had been replaced by something brighter, more radiant, and both girls immediately sensed that something important had happened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Maelin!\" Lira called, quickening her pace. Patricia followed closely. \"What is it? You look... amazing!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Maelin’s smile stretched wider, almost lighting up her face. \"I... I have news,\" she said, cheeks flushed with happiness. \"It’s incredible, really.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lira and Patricia exchanged excited glances. \"Tell us! What happened?\" Patricia pressed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Maelin laughed softly, shaking her head in disbelief. \"Lady Thalyris invited me to speak with her yesterday. I wasn’t sure why at first, but...\" She took a deep breath, her eyes sparkling. \"They—Lady Thalyris and Grandmaster Elion—offered me a position here at the academy. They recognized my potential as a forger, said I could have all the resources I need to practice, to refine my craft... to stay here permanently.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lira’s jaw dropped slightly. Patricia blinked, astonished. \"That’s... huge!\" Lira said, trying to process it. \"So... you could live here, with all the resources and support?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Maelin nodded, still grinning. \"Yes! But...\" Her voice softened, thoughtful but resolute. \"I couldn’t accept it. Not completely. Because... because I want to stay with you, Lira. That’s more important to me than a permanent position, even with all the privileges.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lira’s heart swelled. Patricia smiled warmly, sensing the depth of Maelin’s decision. \"You... you chose us?\" Lira asked softly, touched.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Maelin nodded again, the smile never leaving her face. \"Yes. But I spoke with Lady Thalyris about it. I explained that I need to be with Lira and continue my training with the academy’s guidance as I can manage. We came to an agreement: they will provide materials for my practice, and I can visit often, learn, and improve without being tied here permanently.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lira felt tears prick at her eyes, her chest tightening with joy and relief. \"Maelin... that’s... amazing. I’m so happy!\" She stepped forward, hugging her friend tightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Patricia laughed softly, joining in the embrace. \"This is wonderful! Everyone wins. You get to stay with Lira, keep practicing, and the academy still supports you.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Maelin laughed, the sound bright and carefree. \"Exactly! I couldn’t believe how understanding they were. They truly value both skill and personal choice. And... well, I’m just thrilled. I’ve never felt so happy walking away from an offer before.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lira’s fingers brushed against Maelin’s, squeezing gently. \"You’re smiling like the sun,\" she said softly. \"I’m so glad you’re here with us.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Maelin tilted her head, her eyes warm. \"And I’ll keep improving, not just for me, but for us. For everything we’re doing here. And now... I have the best motivation in the world.\" She glanced at Lira, her gaze affectionate and full of quiet determination.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The three friends lingered in the courtyard for a while, the sunlight painting gentle patterns across their faces. Around them, the academy moved with its usual rhythm, but for a moment, the world felt still—full of possibility, happiness, and the quiet assurance that they were exactly where they were meant to be.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Patricia chuckled softly. \"I can’t wait to see what you’ll create next, Maelin. With all this support, it’ll be incredible.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Maelin winked. \"Just you wait. And... maybe some of it will even help Lira with her plants and elemental training too.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lira laughed, heart full. \"I don’t doubt it. We’ll all grow together.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And in that sunlight-filled morning, the three of them felt the bond of friendship, trust, and shared purpose stronger than ever—an unspoken promise that no challenge, no test, and no obstacle could break.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The mornings had grown calmer now that the forest test was behind them, but the energy at the academy remained alive with magic. Lira carried a quiet anticipation each day, eager to visit the hatchling she had met weeks ago. The little dragon’s light blue scales glimmered softly in the sunlight, and every touch seemed to pulse with life, echoing faintly with the dragons’ ancient energy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One crisp morning, Lira walked toward the dragon enclosure, the hybrid plants in her spatial bag humming faintly, as if aware of the dragon’s presence. Maelin and Patricia followed closely, their own excitement evident in quick, whispered chatter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You’ve been glowing all morning,\" Patricia teased lightly. \"Can’t wait to see the little dragon again, huh?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lira laughed softly. \"It’s... more than just seeing it. I feel like it’s waiting for me to learn something new, to help it grow.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As they approached, the mother dragon lifted her head and sniffed the air, amber eyes locking onto Lira. She stepped back slightly, creating space between herself and the hatchling. The small dragon lifted its wings in excitement, a faint shimmer of magical energy dancing along the edges of its scales.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lira knelt beside the hatchling, extending her hands slowly. The little dragon sniffed her fingers, then nudged her gently, curling slightly against her palm. She felt the familiar pulse of energy traveling between them—the faint thrum of fire and earth, the subtle hints of dragon magic resonating in harmony with her own.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Today,\" Lira whispered softly, \"we’ll try something new.\" She focused, letting her elemental energy ripple outward in small waves, gently guiding the dragon’s wings to lift slightly, testing their strength. The hatchling responded almost immediately, small wings flaring and shimmering, lifting just an inch above the ground before settling back down.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Maelin leaned closer, eyes wide with admiration. \"That’s incredible. You’re really teaching it... without even speaking.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Patricia nodded. \"It’s like you’re speaking through the energy itself.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Encouraged, Lira tried a subtle experiment. She sent a gentle pulse of fire-and-earth energy into a patch of soil near the dragon. Tiny sprouts of hybrid plants emerged instantly, curling and twisting as if alive, shimmering faintly with the same blue hue as the hatchling’s scales. The dragon blinked, then pawed gently at the sprouts, intrigued.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"See? It’s learning, too,\" Lira whispered, smiling. \"It’s responding to the environment and to me.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Over the next hour, Lira guided the hatchling through small exercises: lifting tiny pebbles with its claws, nudging light embers to roll along the ground, and responding to subtle movements of her hands. Each time, the dragon grew slightly stronger, more confident, and the connection between them deepened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Maelin and Patricia took turns observing, sometimes offering tips on control or encouraging Lira to experiment with more complex movements. At one point, Maelin whispered, \"You know... I think it even recognizes your energy as something familiar. The way it reacts—like it trusts you completely.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Patricia laughed softly. \"You’ve always had a way with life around you, Lira. Plants, animals... now dragons too. It’s like it’s drawn to you.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The mother dragon watched quietly, eyes narrowed in curiosity but never aggressive. Every so often, she shifted closer, sniffing the air, subtly nudging the hatchling toward Lira or stepping back when Lira’s hands hovered near the tiny dragon. Lira realized the mother’s behavior was almost like guidance, silently approving the lessons and connection she was forming.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>By afternoon, the hatchling had learned to follow her gestures with surprising precision, its wings flaring and retracting almost as if mimicking her energy pulses. Tiny sparks of light flickered along its scales, each shimmer syncing faintly with Lira’s elemental aura.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As they packed up to leave, the hatchling pressed close to Lira one last time, nuzzling her palm with a soft, almost imperceptible rumble. Lira felt warmth and trust radiate from it, a quiet acknowledgment of the bond they were forming.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Thank you,\" she whispered, smiling at the little dragon. \"We’ll keep practicing... together.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Maelin and Patricia flanked her as they walked back toward the academy, their own smiles reflecting the joy of witnessing something extraordinary.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You’re really incredible, Lira,\" Maelin said softly. \"Not just for the dragons, but... everything. You bring life to everything you touch.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lira blushed slightly but felt her heart swell. \"I just... listen. That’s all.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Patricia laughed. \"Well, whatever you’re doing, keep it up. The hatchling isn’t the only one learning—it’s inspiring the rest of us too.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As they returned to the academy grounds, the sun glinting off the treetops, Lira felt a surge of determination. The connection she had with the dragons was just beginning. With each practice, each pulse of energy, and each subtle interaction, she could feel her power—and her role in the dragon lands—growing stronger.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And somewhere, beneath the shimmering leaves and quiet soil, she sensed that the stone dragon’s awakening was drawing closer, aware of her presence, and quietly watching the bond she nurtured with the new life she had touched.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The academy was quiet that afternoon, the usual hum of training softened by the warm light filtering through the trees. Lira wandered toward the courtyard where the stone dragon statue had always stood—an imposing figure carved from dark, veined rock, its eyes glinting faintly even in shadow. She had passed it countless times, admiring the craftsmanship, but today something felt... different.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At first, it was subtle. A glint in the stone eyes caught the sunlight in a way she hadn’t noticed before. A shimmer, like a ripple of energy beneath the surface. Lira stopped, her breath catching, her palms tingling faintly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She leaned closer, studying the statue. The light seemed to dance across the contours of the dragon’s face, moving almost like it were breathing, a subtle pulse of life trapped within solid stone. The air around her hummed faintly, and for a moment, she felt the pulse in her chest synchronize with the rhythm of the statue.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Strange...\" she whispered, unsure if anyone would hear. The hum grew stronger, faint vibrations traveling through her fingers as she brushed them along the base of the pedestal. The shimmer intensified, spreading across the eyes of the dragon, casting tiny sparks that reflected in her own.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And then it happened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A voice. Strong. Clear. Female.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I am the dragon in stone... and soon, it will be time. We will meet.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lira’s heart leapt. She staggered back slightly, clutching at her chest. The voice wasn’t loud in the physical sense—it echoed directly inside her mind, resonating with her thoughts, her energy, as if the statue itself had found a way to bypass the world around her and speak to her alone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I... I...\" Lira whispered to herself, trembling. \"It’s... talking to me?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The statue shimmered again, a faint glow emanating from the stone eyes, the pulse now almost like a heartbeat. Lira felt warmth radiate from the statue, a grounding presence mingled with an ancient fire. It was alive, somehow aware of her, and undeniably powerful.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The voice spoke again, gentler this time, almost like a caress against her mind:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Do not fear, little one. I have watched, I have waited. Your energy... your fire and earth... they reach me. Soon, we will meet. You will see, and together, we will awaken the land.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lira sank to her knees, overwhelmed but awed. The tingling in her palms spread through her body, and she felt a strange mix of excitement and responsibility. This was no ordinary dragon. This was ancient, aware, and it had chosen to reach her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her mind raced. \"The stone dragon... it’s alive... somehow... and it knows me?\" She swallowed hard, glancing around to see if anyone had noticed, but the courtyard was empty. Just her, the shimmering statue, and the faint hum of magic in the air.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The voice returned, firmer this time, almost playful:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Prepare yourself. Soon, you will understand. Listen to your hands, your heart, and the earth beneath your feet. They will guide you to me.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A surge of warmth and power coursed through her chest. Lira felt a profound connection—like a thread linking her very soul to the dragon’s presence, an ancient bond awakening slowly. Her palms tingled as if echoing the dragon’s heartbeat, and for a fleeting moment, she thought she could feel the stone itself pulse in response to her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She stood, brushing her tears of awe from her cheeks. Her mind was spinning, filled with the dragon’s words, the shimmer of its eyes, and the certainty that something monumental was approaching.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Soon... we will meet,\" she whispered aloud, the words trembling but certain. \"I will be ready.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The statue’s eyes glimmered once more, then returned to their calm, stone-like stillness. But Lira knew—the dragon was there. Watching. Waiting. And for the first time, she felt that the future of the dragons, the forest, and her own powers were all intertwined with that ancient presence in stone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A shiver ran down her spine, not of fear, but of anticipation. The awakening had begun.\u003C\u002Fp>",2185,"2026-06-06T14:30:21.781Z",1,"novelbin.me","cb0407b7d1d1017ca7760b56e5186867ea62c29ec66affd971a7f0abbde978f6","born-as-a-witch-chapter-377","born-as-a-witch-chapter-175",479,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fborn-as-a-witch-cover.jpg"]