[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-born-as-a-witch":3,"chapter-born-as-a-witch-born-as-a-witch-chapter-235":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},1702684,2172,"Chapter 235: Time to Group Up","born-as-a-witch-chapter-235",235,"\u003Cp>The next morning came quickly, golden light pouring through the high windows of the academy’s stone halls. Lira walked side by side with Maelin and Patricia, her heart steady but her mind racing with what lay ahead. The three of them moved quietly toward the Grandmaster’s office, their steps echoing faintly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Inside, Elion was already waiting, seated behind his desk, a scroll open before him though his sharp eyes lifted immediately when they entered. He seemed as if he had known they were coming.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lira stepped forward first. \"Grandmaster Elion... we wish to ask for your permission. I want to search for other multielement users, and I would like Maelin and Patricia to come with me. I cannot think of anyone better to stand beside me.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For a moment, Elion only studied them in silence. His gaze moved from Lira’s determined expression, to Maelin’s eager, bright smile, and then to Patricia, who stood tall with quiet confidence. At last, his mouth curved into the faintest approving smile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I thought you might ask me this,\" he said, leaning back slightly. \"And yes... I will allow it. In fact, I prefer it. Protecting each other will make your path stronger, and I would not have you walk into the unknown alone.\" He folded his hands on the desk and leaned forward. \"But Lira, you must promise me one thing. Send me a message bird often. I need to know you are safe—and so the academy knows where its brightest hope walks.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Relief and gratitude filled Lira, and she bowed her head deeply. \"I promise, Grandmaster.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Maelin and Patricia exchanged a glance, excitement sparking between them like fire catching kindling. Their adventure had begun.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As the gates of the academy came into sight, Serelyth waited in her dragon form, her scales glimmering softly in the morning sun. Maelin and Patricia stopped in their tracks, but instead of fear, bright smiles spread across their faces.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Serelyth!\" Maelin called, her voice ringing with delight. \"You came to see us off?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The dragon let out a low, affectionate rumble, lowering her head just enough for them to reach and touch her warm scales. Patricia laughed softly, brushing her hand along the smooth armor. \"I’ll never get used to how beautiful you are.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before their joy could fade, two figures stepped from the forest’s edge—Renkai with his usual confident stride, Thalanir following with quiet grace.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Maelin’s eyes widened, and Patricia tilted her head curiously. \"Lira... you didn’t say there would be more.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lira smiled, stepping forward to bridge the gap. \"Yes. These are my dearest friends too. This is Renkai—\" she gestured toward the fiery-eyed warrior, who smirked and gave a dramatic half-bow, \"—and this is Thalanir.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thalanir inclined his head politely, his voice calm. \"It is an honor.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Maelin blinked, then smiled, her natural warmth shining through. \"I’m Maelin. And this is Patricia. We’re... well, we’ve been at Lira’s side since the beginning.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Patricia nodded, offering a small bow of her own. \"If you are her friends, then you are ours too.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Renkai chuckled. \"Straightforward. I like that.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The tension eased as introductions settled, and soon all six of them—Lira, Maelin, Patricia, Renkai, Thalanir, and Serelyth—stood together at the border of the academy grounds.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lira’s voice softened as she looked at them, her heart full. \"You’re the ones I love the most. I want you with me when we travel. With you by my side, I know we can face anything.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lira lifted her small package and carefully fastened it onto Serelyth’s side, making sure it sat balanced between the gleaming scales. Then she paused, glancing up at the dragon’s towering form.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Are you certain you can carry all of us?\" she asked softly, almost hesitant.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Serelyth snorted, a puff of warm air stirring Lira’s hair, and her golden eyes gleamed with pride. \"I am an almighty dragon. Your weight is nothing to me. You could all climb on with your belongings and I would still soar as freely as the wind.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lira’s lips curved into a smile. \"I thought you’d say that.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She turned then, her gaze resting on the academy that had been her home, her refuge, her place of change. For a moment her throat tightened, emotions mixing—nostalgia, gratitude, and anticipation of what was to come. She cupped her hands around her mouth and called gently, \"Fluffy!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A familiar white blur darted from behind the gate. Fluffy bounded across the grass, tail flicking, mewing in delight. It ran straight to Lira, curling around her legs, rubbing insistently against her boots.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"This is Fluffy,\" Lira said, kneeling to scoop the little creature into her arms. Its soft purr rumbled against her chest as she smiled at her friends. \"This time, it’s coming with us.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Renkai stepped closer, his usually sharp expression softening. He crouched and reached out, rubbing the cat’s silken fur. \"I remember you,\" he murmured, almost with fondness. \"You defended Lira before... always walked close by her side.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fluffy leaned into his touch, eyes narrowing in bliss. Patricia giggled at the sight, and Maelin’s smile turned tender.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Then it seems even Fluffy has chosen the path with us,\" Thalanir said quietly, his voice carrying a certain weight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lira hugged the small white cat tighter, her heart swelling as her gaze swept over all of them—Serelyth, Maelin, Patricia, Renkai, Thalanir. Her circle was complete.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With their bundles secured and each friend settled into place, Serelyth lowered her body gracefully, her wings folding in so the others could climb onto her back. One by one they did—Patricia clutching Maelin’s hand in excitement, Renkai steadying Thalanir with a chuckle as they found their balance, and Lira at the center, Fluffy nestled safely against her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just as Serelyth rose, stretching her wings wide in preparation for flight, a piercing cry rang out across the sky.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lira lifted her head quickly. \"A phoenix...\" she whispered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From the distance, a radiant bird with blazing feathers of crimson and gold cut across the blue, trailing a faint shimmer of fire. Its wings caught the morning sun, casting ripples of light across the academy walls. The phoenix circled once above them before gliding down, landing with majestic grace before Lira.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It tilted its head, eyes glowing with ancient wisdom, and extended one claw. In its grip was a rolled parchment sealed with the crest of the academy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lira took the letter with reverence. She knew the handwriting even before she broke the seal.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The message was short, yet it made her chest tighten with warmth:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Good luck, and be careful, Lira. I wish you and your companions a safe journey.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>—Grandmaster Elion\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her eyes lingered on the words, her heart swelling with gratitude. She stroked the phoenix’s feathered chest gently. \"Thank you,\" she whispered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The bird bowed its fiery crown, gave a soft, melodic call, then launched itself back into the sky, vanishing in a streak of golden flame.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lira turned to her friends, holding the letter close. \"He’s watching over us.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Serelyth rumbled in agreement, her wings flexing. \"Then let us not keep fate waiting.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And with that, the mighty dragon lifted from the ground, carrying them into the vast sky, toward the unknown path that awaited\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The wind roared past them as Serelyth surged into the sky, powerful wings cutting through the morning air. Lira leaned forward slightly, gripping the dragon’s scales, while Fluffy nestled snugly in her arms, ears twitching with curiosity at the rush of air. The world below shrank rapidly—the academy buildings, the cobbled paths, the gardens—all blending into a patchwork of color as they ascended.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Renkai let out a startled laugh, his voice almost lost to the wind. \"I—this is insane! I never expected to fly!\" His hands clutched the harness Serelyth had offered, knuckles white with exhilaration.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thalanir, seated beside him, chuckled warmly, his hair ruffling wildly in the breeze. \"Calm down, Renkai. This is what adventure feels like!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Maelin stretched her arms wide, letting the wind whip through her hair, a grin plastered across her face. \"Oh, I’ve waited for this since I first met Lira. Flying with Serelyth... it’s amazing!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Patricia laughed softly, holding onto Maelin’s arm, but her eyes sparkled with delight. \"I knew this would be thrilling... but it’s even better than I imagined. Look at the forests, the rivers... it’s like the whole world has opened up for us.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lira leaned close to Serelyth’s head, speaking just above the roar of the wind. \"Where should we turn first?\" she asked, her voice calm but excited.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Serelyth’s massive head tilted, eyes scanning the horizon. \"There is a ridge to the east where the wind currents are steady. It will make our ascent smoother, and the forests beyond contain markers I’ve sensed—spirits, hidden pathways, and currents of elemental energy. That is our best route for now.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lira nodded, whispering, \"East, then. Keep us steady, Serelyth. We’ll need to conserve energy for the journey ahead.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The dragon arched gracefully, banking toward the ridge. Renkai let out a low, awed whistle. \"Look at this view... the mountains, the lakes... everything seems... alive.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thalanir leaned forward slightly, eyes narrowing in focus as he tried to memorize the terrain below. \"It’s incredible. I didn’t know the world could look like this from above. I feel... small, yet part of something huge.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Maelin leaned close to Patricia, her laughter mixing with the wind. \"I could fly like this forever. Just imagine the things we could see, the places we could reach!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Patricia nodded, her eyes wide. \"And with Lira guiding us... we’ll find them. Other multielement users, hidden places, secrets that were lost.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lira smiled, looking at her friends, then down at the sprawling land beneath them. The Spirit shard pulsed gently against her chest, a comforting rhythm amid the roaring winds. We are ready, she thought, feeling the weight of the shards she carried—the key to hidden rooms, to forgotten knowledge, and perhaps to futures waiting to be shaped.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Serelyth’s wings beat in steady rhythm, carrying them higher. The wind tugged at their hair, their clothes, and even at Fluffy’s fur, but the dragon’s strength was absolute. They soared over jagged cliffs and sparkling rivers, forests stretching like green oceans below, the sunlight scattering in brilliant patterns across the land.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Renkai shouted again, laughter mixed with disbelief. \"I can’t believe I’m flying! This... this is incredible! Lira, I—thank you... for letting me be here.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lira reached back, resting a hand on his shoulder. \"We’re all here together. And we’ll need each other, every step of the way.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thalanir nodded in agreement. \"She’s right. Whatever comes next, we face it as a team.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Serelyth’s wings adjusted, tilting as they caught a stronger current. \"Steady yourselves. There may be turbulence ahead, but we are prepared. Trust in me, trust in each other, and the journey will carry us where it must.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The group leaned in, feeling the wind, the pull of the currents, the thrill of soaring above the land they had known. It was a moment of pure freedom and anticipation, a prelude to the adventures that awaited beyond the horizon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And in that moment, Lira knew—the path ahead, though uncertain, was theirs to shape together.\u003C\u002Fp>",1861,"2026-06-06T14:30:21.781Z",1,"novelbin.me","9309301bf26052964ace6af4bc29d3c882e293cf392d2909298c4c49d348b044","born-as-a-witch-chapter-144","born-as-a-witch-chapter-234",479,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fborn-as-a-witch-cover.jpg"]