[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-born-as-a-witch":3,"chapter-born-as-a-witch-born-as-a-witch-chapter-180":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},1702688,2172,"Chapter 180: Returning back to home","born-as-a-witch-chapter-180",180,"\u003Cp>The journey back stretched over several days, each one a blend of sky and wind, the sun rising and setting over vast forests, rivers glinting like silver ribbons below, and distant mountains carved into jagged silhouettes against the horizon. Lira leaned forward on Serelyth’s broad back, the dragon-lady’s strong muscles flexing beneath her with each beat of her massive wings. Her hair whipped around her face, mingling with the scent of wind, earth, and faint traces of lake water still clinging to her. The air element in her veins, enhanced by her recent mastery underwater, lent her a faint buoyancy, a thrill that made her feel as if she were dancing alongside the dragon rather than merely clinging to her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Each day, they glided over different landscapes. At dawn, they flew above valleys where mist curled lazily between the hills, and Lira watched her reflection in the winding rivers below, seeing the sky, the clouds, and the glimmering earth merged into one endless tapestry. At midday, Serelyth would soar high, cutting through the thermal currents, letting them ride the winds with minimal effort, and Lira felt the raw freedom of altitude, her lungs and senses harmonizing with the dragon-lady’s steady rhythm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Evenings brought softer light, the sun setting in a blaze of pink, orange, and violet across the skies. They sometimes paused at high cliff edges or wide open plateaus, Serelyth folding her wings to let them coast, catching the cool evening currents. Lira would point out the patterns of rivers, the movement of deer, or the glimmer of distant lakes, and Serelyth would hum softly, a low, vibrating sound that carried through her human form even underwater, and now, in the air, resonated like a living wind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On the fourth day, their excitement grew. From a high altitude, Lira spotted the familiar spires of the academy rising from the forest canopy. Her heart leapt, and she pressed forward instinctively, her hand brushing against Serelyth’s neck in exhilaration. The dragon-lady’s red eyes, glowing faintly even in daylight, glimmered with a mixture of pride and amusement at Lira’s enthusiasm. \"Patience, little flame,\" she murmured. \"The homecoming is near, but we must descend carefully. Let us honor the skies before we return to earth.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Slowly, they began to spiral down, the wind growing warmer and scented with the familiar mix of flora surrounding the academy. Lira’s gaze swept over the familiar grounds—the stone paths winding through gardens, the sparkling fountain at the center of the courtyard, and the glint of glass windows catching the afternoon sun. The grove came into view, the ancient trees standing tall and protective, their roots twisted around remnants of old ruins, moss and ivy curling along the stones like living lace. The sense of home, of belonging, washed over Lira, making her chest swell with relief and joy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Serelyth arched her wings wide one last time before folding them, descending gracefully toward the grove. As their massive bodies cut through the treetops, birds scattered in flurries of white and brown, startled by the approach of the giant dragon and her rider. Lira tightened her grip, feeling the steady beat of Serelyth’s wings slow as they prepared to land. Branches brushed against the dragon-lady’s body as she swooped lower, her descent smooth and majestic. The tips of her wings skimmed leaves, carrying a faint rustling song through the grove.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Finally, with a soft thud and a ripple through the soil, Serelyth touched down on a flat clearing near the old ruins. Lira felt the ground solid beneath her feet again, the familiar scent of earth, moss, and water filling her senses. Serelyth lowered herself, folding her wings carefully around them like a protective cocoon, and Lira slid off her back, legs a little unsteady after days of flight but strengthened by her elemental adaptation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From the shadows of the ruined stone walls, two familiar figures stepped forward—Renkai and Thalanir. Their eyes widened in delight and relief at the sight of Lira, and the sight of Serelyth in her magnificent form, though now folded in protective repose, drew a low, awed murmur from them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Lira!\" Renkai exclaimed, running forward with arms outstretched. \"You’ve... you’ve returned!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lira’s face broke into a radiant smile. \"I’m here,\" she laughed, throwing herself into his embrace. \"And Serelyth made sure I came back safely.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thalanir approached with a soft, reverent bow, then enveloped her in a warm hug. \"It is good to see you safe, Lira. We were worried... the stories of your travels reached even here.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Serelyth, now in her human form with porcelain skin and white hair, stood behind Lira, her red eyes sweeping over the ruins and the grove with a watchful intensity. She stepped closer to Lira, resting a hand lightly on her shoulder, a subtle warmth that reassured the multielemental as the friends reunited. \"She is stronger than any current or challenge,\" Serelyth murmured softly, her voice tinged with awe and care. \"And she has grown even since our journey beneath the lake.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lira grinned, brushing herself off. \"We had quite the adventure, didn’t we? But now... home.\" She gestured toward the ruins, where sunlight streamed through gaps in the stone and overgrown vines, casting dancing shadows on the moss-covered floor. \"I think this grove is the perfect place to rest a little before we decide our next steps.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Renkai’s eyes sparkled as he looked around. \"And we’ve kept things in order here, waiting for your return. There’s much to show you, and... celebrations may be in order, wouldn’t you say?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thalanir nodded, the corners of his mouth curling in a quiet smile. \"Yes. The grove has missed its guardians. And we’ve missed you, Lira.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Serelyth looked down at the two, then at Lira, a faint curve of a smile on her lips. \"Then rest first,\" she advised. \"The world is wide, and your path is just beginning. But here, in this place, you are safe.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As Lira leaned against Serelyth, the warmth and security of the dragon-lady’s human form surrounding her, the grove seemed to exhale around them—the rustling leaves, the gentle trickle of water from a nearby stream, the soft hum of life in every corner of the ruins. Days of flight and adventure melted away, leaving only the joy of return, of friendship renewed, and the quiet anticipation of what their next journey together might hold.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As the four of them approached the portal, the soft glow of its surface rippling like liquid glass, Lira glanced back at Serelyth. The dragon-lady, still in her human form with porcelain skin and white hair, had already found her place beneath the giant tree. She stretched her long limbs, letting the warmth of the sun filter through the leaves, and lay down with a quiet sigh, folding her wings around herself in a protective arc. Even in rest, there was an aura of power, a subtle reminder of the immense presence that had carried Lira through storm, water, and trial.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Renkai and Thalanir turned toward Lira, their eyes wide with curiosity and anticipation. The stories of the underwater ruins, the trials, and the mermaids had sparked a thousand questions in their minds, and Lira felt the weight of retelling every moment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She began slowly, letting her voice carry the rhythm of the water and wind. \"The lake... it’s unlike anything we’ve seen before,\" she said, her hands gesturing as if she were shaping the shimmering currents themselves. \"Mermaids of all kinds, from children to elders, guiding and testing me. There were illusions... visions of my past, fears I thought I had buried. And the shard... it’s not just hidden. The waters themselves are alive, aware. They test you, learn you, before granting passage.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Renkai’s brow furrowed, leaning closer. \"And Serelyth... she—she stayed with you the whole time?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lira smiled faintly, looking over at the dragon-lady who had closed her eyes but occasionally shifted under the shade of the tree. \"She was there in every moment, though at times I had to face things alone. But her presence... even just knowing she was nearby, gave me strength. She’s... more than a guardian. She’s my bond.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thalanir nodded slowly, absorbing each word. \"And the air and water elements... you’ve mastered something extraordinary there, Lira. To navigate that lake, survive the currents, withstand the illusions... it’s not just courage. It’s skill beyond what we imagined.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lira shrugged modestly, though her cheeks glowed with the memory of the trials. \"I didn’t do it alone. The potion of air helped, yes, but... it was the combination. The lake’s guidance, Serelyth’s watchfulness, my own instincts... all of it. The shard... the water shard responded, but it was teaching me, preparing me for the next steps.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Renkai smiled, his eyes reflecting both pride and relief. \"We’ve waited for your return, and to hear this... it’s more than we expected. The lake must have recognized you... the multielemental. The return of someone who can harmonize all the elements—it’s a rare thing indeed.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thalanir added softly, \"And the mermaids... they celebrated your journey, didn’t they?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yes,\" Lira said, a small laugh escaping her. \"They threw a celebration of sorts. Lights glowing from underwater plants, music that felt like the water itself, dishes and fruits I had never seen. They welcomed the return of a multielemental with joy... it was... humbling.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She paused, taking a deep breath, letting the fresh air of the grove fill her lungs after days submerged beneath the lake’s depths. \"And now... we’re back. Serelyth rests. The lake, the shard, the trials—they’re behind us, for now. But I feel... I feel like I’ve only just begun to understand what comes next.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Renkai placed a firm hand on her shoulder, grounding her. \"We will be here, every step of the way. You’re not alone, Lira. Your bond with Serelyth... with all of us... it’s stronger than anything you’ve faced so far. Rest a little. Let your mind catch up with all that you’ve done.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lira nodded, her gaze drifting to Serelyth lying beneath the towering tree, wings spread in a gentle protective embrace. The dragon-lady’s breathing was steady, rhythmic, almost meditative, a beacon of calm in contrast to the excitement and exhaustion that still coursed through her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Together, the three of them stood in silence for a moment, letting the grove’s serenity wrap around them—the rustling of leaves, the distant murmur of the forest, the gentle sway of vines brushing against ancient stone. Each element seemed to hum softly in harmony, echoing the lessons Lira had learned in water, air, and fire, and promising that the spirit shard, the final challenge, would require all of this and more.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Finally, Lira broke the quiet. \"We’ll need to prepare. Strategize. The spirit shard... it won’t be simple. But for now... we rest. And I want to hear more about the grove, the ruins, and what has happened here while I was gone. You two... fill me in.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Renkai and Thalanir smiled, eager to share their knowledge, and slowly, Lira felt the tension of her journey ease. Beneath the giant tree, with Serelyth’s quiet strength shielding her, she allowed herself a deep breath, knowing that while the final shard awaited, the bond, the courage, and the wisdom she had gained were already hers.\u003C\u002Fp>",1874,"2026-06-06T14:30:21.780Z",1,"novelbin.me","4380e1774d442ad9adb0f116eca3e5dc9395f418c6f58b35570027b0c067b7b3","born-as-a-witch-chapter-236","born-as-a-witch-chapter-382",479,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fborn-as-a-witch-cover.jpg"]