[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-born-as-a-witch":3,"chapter-born-as-a-witch-born-as-a-witch-chapter-387":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},1702709,2172,"Chapter 387: Playing in snow","born-as-a-witch-chapter-387",387,"\u003Cp>Snow settled thickly on the branches as they walked, a white veil softening every sound. Lira breathed in the cold air, watching her breath drift like smoke. Outside the grove, winter ruled—yet she felt strangely calm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She looked back once toward the grove’s boundary. Inside it, the colors remained vibrant, untouched by frost, its own gentle climate protecting every leaf and blossom.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Good, she thought. None of the plants will suffer. Nothing I worked for will wither.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The contrast was soothing in its own way: winter behind her, perpetual spring within.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As they moved deeper into the forest, even the fog that normally wrapped itself around the trees had thinned. Snow seemed to chase it away. Silvery light reflected off the pale ground, painting everything with soft glow. The trees stood tall and quiet, their trunks dark against the blanket of white. Every few steps, a branch released a clump of snow that fell in muted, gentle thumps.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fluffy bounded ahead, leaving a chaotic trail of pawprints. Renkai walked beside Lira, close enough that his arm brushed hers from time to time. Thalanir kept muttering about frozen eyelashes, while Serelyth walked calmly, as if snow were merely an accessory meant to complement her appearance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lira lifted her hand again, catching another snowflake.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It’s beautiful,\" she whispered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Renkai nodded slightly. \"And quieter than usual. Even the forest spirits are sleeping.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lira smiled faintly. The world looked peaceful in ways it rarely was—like nature was holding its breath, offering her a moment of stillness. The cold bit gently at her cheeks, but she didn’t mind. The soft light reflecting off the snow made everything around them feel softer, lighter, almost otherworldly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For a long moment, none of them spoke. They simply walked through the pale forest, letting the snowfall guide their path.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Serelyth stretched her wings wide, silver scales catching the dim winter light.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Should we take a look from up there?\" she asked, already shifting into her full dragon form, long and graceful, like frost shaped into life.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The others didn’t hesitate. Thalanir climbed first, muttering something about finally seeing the forest without all that fog. Lira followed, settling herself between two warm ridges of shimmering scale. Renkai climbed last, his tail fluffing up to twice its size the moment Serelyth crouched to leap.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Just... don’t tell me when we’re taking off,\" he said, gripping a spine like his life depended on it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Serelyth laughed—a low, rumbling sound that vibrated through her entire body. \"Oh, we already have taken off.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Renkai’s ears shot straight up. \"What—??!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Too late. With a powerful beat of her wings, Serelyth surged upward into the white sky.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The ground sank away beneath them. The snowy forest unfurled in every direction: great swaths of treetops dusted with glittering frost, rivers frozen into silver ribbons, distant hills rolling like white dunes. The fog was gone, swept aside by winter’s hand, revealing the world in clean, clear lines.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lira leaned forward, fingers brushing the smooth scales.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It’s... breathtaking.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Below, the landscape sparkled like a blanket of crushed stars. Snowflakes caught in Serelyth’s updraft rose and danced around them, tiny shimmering crystals swirling in the air.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thalanir laughed freely, hair whipped by the wind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I’d forgotten how beautiful winter can be!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fluffy, tucked in Lira’s cloak, poked its head out—then immediately hid again when it realized how high they were.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Meanwhile, Renkai had both arms wrapped tightly around Lira’s waist, eyes squeezed shut.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I’m not panicking,\" he whispered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You’re panicking,\" Lira murmured back, amused.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He cracked one eye open, then froze.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The treetops below shimmered like faceted gemstones, each branch edged with moonlit silver. Serelyth turned gently in the air, giving them a slow circle around the grove’s boundary. Snow glittered as far as they could see, a vast, peaceful world painted in white.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Renkai swallowed. \"Okay... maybe... maybe it’s worth it. A little.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lira smiled. She could feel his heartbeat against her back—fast, nervous, but steadying as he stared at the beautiful scene below.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Serelyth’s voice echoed through the wind. \"Hold tight. I’ll take us higher.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Renkai immediately squeaked out a \"NO—!\" but it was lost in laughter as Serelyth tilted her wings and carried them upward into the shimmering winter sky.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Serelyth landed with surprising gentleness, wings folding neatly at her sides as everyone slid down from her back into a thick blanket of untouched snow. The moment Lira’s boots sank into it, a soft whumpf sounded beneath her feet. The snow was light, sparkling—each flake shimmering like tiny crystals in the pale morning sun.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For a breath, all of them just stood there, looking around at the winter-painted clearing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then Fluffy bolted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With a delighted squeal, the little creature dove headfirst into a pile of snow, wriggling until only its twitching tail stuck out. Snow flew everywhere as it scrambled out again, racing in circles with more energy than physics should allow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thalanir rubbed his hands together.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Well,\" he said, \"this is the perfect time for—\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A snowball hit him directly in the face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He froze. Slowly wiped the snow from his eyelashes. Turned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lira was grinning at him, forming another snowball in her mittened hands.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Oh,\" Thalanir said darkly. \"So that’s how we’re playing today.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He lunged for the snow, scooping up a handful.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Renkai yelped and jumped behind a tree. \"Don’t involve me!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Too late—Serelyth, back in her humanoid form but still with silver hair sparkling like frost, scooped up a massive snowball and tossed it with terrifying precision. It splattered across Renkai’s shoulder, sending him spinning.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"This is WAR!\" he shouted, grabbing snow with his bare hands—only to immediately squeal because it was cold. \"AAAAH—cold! Cold cold cold!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thalanir laughed so hard he bent over.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The battle escalated instantly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lira darted behind a bush, giggling as she packed snow into neat rounds. Renkai made the mistake of trying to ambush her—only to step into a deep drift and sink waist-deep, flailing like a startled goose.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"HELP—this is a trap! The snow is swallowing me!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lira leaned over him, eyes sparkling. \"Nature is merciless,\" she said solemnly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then she dropped a tiny snowball onto his head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Serelyth transformed just enough to sprout wings again, leaping into the air and sending cascades of snow raining down over everyone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"This is refreshing,\" she said. \"I should do this more often.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thalanir was chasing Fluffy, who kept stealing his snowballs and burying them elsewhere like they were treasure.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At one point Renkai managed to make a truly impressive throw—but his aim was off by a full meter, and the snowball smacked into a tree with a pitiful pffft.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Your accuracy is still terrible,\" Thalanir called.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"IT’S THE SNOW!\" Renkai protested.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lira was laughing so hard tears gathered in her eyes. Her cheeks were cold, her hands pink, but her heart felt light—lighter than it had in a long, long time. Every breath came out in misty puffs that vanished into the bright air.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Finally they collapsed into the snow, panting and smiling. Renkai flopped down beside her, tail spread out across the snow like a fluffy banner.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lira looked up at the pale sky, flakes drifting gently down like falling stars.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Serelyth sighed contentedly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Sometimes,\" she said, \"a quiet moment with friends is all the magic one needs.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And in the delicate silence that followed—broken only by Fluffy burrowing happily nearby—Lira felt warmth blossom deep inside her chest, steadier than any fire and softer than any snowfall.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The moment their breathing steadied and the cold began to settle pleasantly into their cheeks, Thalanir suddenly sat up with a spark in his eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I have an idea,\" he announced. \"Let’s make snow sculptures.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Renkai blinked. \"Of what?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thalanir smirked. \"Of each other, of course.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Serelyth groaned dramatically. \"This will end in chaos.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lira grinned. \"Perfect.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They divided into pairs—sort of.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thalanir decided he would sculpt Renkai.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Renkai immediately regretted every decision in life that led to this moment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What are you doing?\" Renkai asked as Thalanir began packing snow into an extremely lumpy shape.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Capturing your essence,\" Thalanir said with artistic seriousness.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lira walked past and squinted at the sculpture.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Why does it have... four arms?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That’s not arms,\" Thalanir replied. \"It’s his dramatic aura.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Renkai let out a long suffering groan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Renkai tried to sculpt Lira next, determined to redeem himself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He started off well... until he decided to make her hairstyle \"more majestic\" and created a snow-Lira with giant, crown-like hair spikes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lira stared at it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Renkai... I don’t look like that.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You could,\" he insisted proudly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Serelyth leaned close. \"It looks like she’s being electrocuted.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Renkai gasped. \"IT’S ART.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lira set to work sculpting Serelyth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Carefully, gently, with meticulous attention...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Serelyth kept shifting her position, examining herself from every angle, and offering commentary.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Make my hair sleeker.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Add more elegance to the wings.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"My cheekbones are more defined.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Oh no—no no—my tail is not that short!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Finally Lira stepped back, completely exasperated but trying not to laugh.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The sculpture looked gorgeous for about three seconds—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>—until Fluffy decided it was a toy and tackled it at full speed, sending Serelyth’s carefully modeled wings flying in separate directions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Serelyth’s jaw dropped.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"FLUFFY!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fluffy popped out of a snowdrift with a piece of snow-wing in its mouth like it had won a trophy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Serelyth attempted to sculpt Thalanir next.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She actually did great at first—sleek, tall, expressive.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then she tried to add tiny details like eyebrow angles... and the whole thing snapped off at the neck.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thalanir clutched his chest dramatically.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You decapitated me!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It was an accident,\" Serelyth hissed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"THIS IS HOW MY LEGACY ENDS?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Finally, they all worked together to sculpt Fluffy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Which resulted in a masterpiece: a perfectly round snowball with tiny sticks for legs, pine cones for eyes, and an enormous puff of snow on top.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fluffy looked at it...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Looked at them...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then rolled into the sculpture and merged with it like an enthusiastic little avalanche.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Renkai burst out laughing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It’s perfect! He became one with his portrait!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lira couldn’t stop giggling, leaning against Renkai for balance as she wiped tears from her eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The forest around them was silent except for their laughter—warm, bright, echoing through the cold air like bells.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Snowflakes drifted down onto half-finished, crooked sculptures and the joyful chaos they’d left behind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In that moment, surrounded by friends, warmth, and laughter, Lira felt something deep and simple bloom in her chest again...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A feeling that maybe—just maybe—life could be soft and fun, even in the coldest winter.\u003C\u002Fp>",1749,"2026-06-06T14:30:21.781Z",1,"novelbin.me","243a30ed78416dc37fb56d01b27fcf39bddaf42381ed3c452e7117ebde72f534","born-as-a-witch-chapter-388","born-as-a-witch-chapter-242",479,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fborn-as-a-witch-cover.jpg"]