While the twins were busy with their mischievous adventures, Katarina sat in a cozy living room, sipping tea at a small round table inside Aunt Albedo's cottage. The porcelain tea set, pristine white and elegantly crafted, steamed gently with a fragrant herbal brew. The graceful woman, dressed in a white gown, cupped her teacup with both hands as though trying to warm herself—despite the summer heat still hanging in the air.
Her gaze lingered on the window, beyond which sprawled the thick, impenetrable forest. It seemed she was trying to see something hidden among the dense, violet-hued leaves.
Across from her sat the tall, masked elder witch, robed as always in her deep violet cloak. Reclined comfortably against the backrest, Albedo stirred her tea with a silver spoon in a slow, rhythmic manner.
Then Katarina finally spoke.
"I traveled to Wallachia, hoping to find the Vampire King, but it was all in vain. Neither the nobles nor the royal guard have any idea when he'll awaken from his slumber."
"We warned you to give up on that fool's errand," Albedo replied sternly. "He may sleep through the next century, and no one would dare disturb him—not even the gods. Even Constantine and Constance, his earliest followers, can't reach him. What made you think a girl your age could?"
"Frankly, you're lucky none of the noble houses noticed your presence. You could have triggered another war. If it weren't for that married pair tailing you in the shadows, you'd already be chained up in some dungeon."
"Don't get arrogant just because you're a Celestial," Albedo scolded, her tone cutting. "Vampires are the longest-living race for a reason. That title is no empty sound. They're all unhinged—and most of them are deviants. A powerful beauty like you showing up on their land is like a dessert platter placed neatly before a starving predator."
"I know, Aunt Albedo," Katarina replied quietly. "But what other choice do I have? Becoming a vampire seems to be the most viable way for Gray to begin his development. I don't want him to end up as a lowborn ghoul—I need help from their progenitor."
"That might not be an option at all," Albedo shot back. "Don't forget, the boy still has remnants of the Light within him. That power is the nemesis of all nocturnal creatures. If we try to turn him into a vampire—or a werewolf—his body might just explode from the clash of opposing forces."
"Then what am I supposed to do?" Katarina asked, frustration boiling beneath her calm exterior. "He has no magic core. The Light burns away any runes we try to inscribe on his body. Even training as a specialist failed—he can't even manifest a weapon aura."
"I have another idea. But you're not going to like it," Albedo said after a pause. "I want to make him a witcher, like Roberta. I've improved the potion formula. The risk of death is significantly lower now. I'm confident Gray could withstand the pain of the mutation."
"What? Absolutely not!" Katarina slammed her cup down. "Aunt Albedo, you know better than anyone that the mutation process for witchers ends in agonizing death ninety percent of the time. Even with your improved concoctions, the success rate can't possibly exceed twenty percent. How could I ever let my child go through something like that? I've already watched his life slip through my fingers once—I'm not ready to go through that again."
Albedo didn't respond immediately. She sat in silence for a full minute, unable to refute her niece's words.
Witchers had long been the closest allies of witches. While witches specialized in trade and arcane research, witchers were their blades and scouts. They were the ones tasked with exploring unknown territories, hunting beasts, and subduing supernatural threats.
A witcher's development relied on controlled mutations, brought about by potions and grueling training. But the instability of the process meant that most did not survive—or emerged crippled.
Grandpa Robert, whom the twins would meet later, was one such witcher. Though he now lived a peaceful life in the Village of the Abandoned, teaching survival, tracking, and monster hunting, his past was far from idyllic.
Born a noble child in the Magic Empire, he had been abducted by witches and trained from a young age as a witcher candidate. Raised under their supervision, he was taught to despise his homeland. Out of a dozen children in his group, he alone survived the mutation and earned the title of witcher.
Transformed from a frail child into a full-fledged warrior, Robert faced bitter ostracism from the people of the Empire. When he gained fame, his former family severed all ties and branded him an enemy. After such betrayal, his hatred for the Empire matched that of any true-born Velnoran.
"You're right, little Katya," Albedo finally said. "I don't want Gray to go through that either. But do we have another option? You said it yourself—we're running out of time and choices. If we don't act soon, you'll end up watching his light fade out anyway."
"I heard that Grandpa Joseph went to Yggdrasil," Katarina murmured. "Maybe, if fate is kind, he'll find a way to heal Gray. The elves do specialize in life magic, after all."
"I support you, Katya," Albedo said with a gentler tone. "But remember, we have only six more years before that method becomes useless. Go and think over what I've proposed. It might end up being our last hope."
The old witch stood and walked her niece to the door. The conversation had reached its end.
Once outside, the worried and weary mother returned to her home, preparing to greet her children and cook them dinner. Her mood was thoroughly soured.
When the twins burst through the front door, Katarina nearly dropped her ladle at the sight of them. Their backs were covered in dirt and leaves, while blue smudges streaked their faces, arms, and clothes.
Cassia couldn't help herself and burst into uncontrollable laughter. The twins looked like street mutts returning from a back-alley brawl. Though Katarina's lips twitched with the effort of holding in a laugh, she kept her composure.
"What happened?" she asked, her voice even but sharp as a blade.
Sensing imminent sandal-based punishment, Grace bolted up the stairs with a yell: "Little brother, I'm off to wash up! Explain to Mother what we were doing!"
Abandoned to his fate, Gray sighed and prepared himself to recount the day's escapades.
When Katarina learned what they had done to Lucky, her usually stoic face began to twitch uncontrollably. She simply couldn't fathom how a lecture from the blind grandfather about maintaining elegance had somehow led to this chaos.
The verdict, handed down by a judge, prosecutor, jury, and executioner all rolled into one firm mother, was simple: one full week of soap-and-scrub duty for the culprit. Caught red-handed and sentenced without appeal, Gray trudged upstairs after his escaping partner-in-crime.
"You betrayed me, little big sister," he muttered ominously. "Prepare yourself for severe punishment."
Before Grace could react, Gray grabbed her by the waist from behind and began tickling her mercilessly.
"AHAHAHAHA! Mercy, mercy! AHAHAHAHA!" she shrieked, curling into a ball to shield herself from his mischievous fingers.
"Deserters on the battlefield face harsh consequences! Didn't you know that abandoning your brother means facing disciplinary action? How will you buy your freedom this time?" he teased, moving from her waist to her sensitive underarms.
"AHHAHA! I'm guilty! I've got nothing to offer! AHAHAH!"
"Think carefully, little big sister. I haven't even tickled your tiny feet yet."
"I'll do your public speaking homework! Okay? AHAHA!"
"And I'll copy your herbalism notes too. Deal?" he said, fingers poised threateningly at her ankles.
"That's just cruel... AHAH... not the feet... FINE, FINE! You win! Herbalism notes too! You're such a bully, little brother!" she gasped, catching her breath.
Once the deal was sealed with a solemn pinky promise, the two of them began changing clothes.
Soon after, they came downstairs and sat at the kitchen table, their noses twitching as the delicious aroma of freshly cooked food wafted from the oven.
Katarina hummed a tune softly, finishing up dinner prep. Although she had scolded them earlier, the twins' antics had clearly lifted her spirits. Meanwhile, Cassia calmly set the plates and cutlery.
"Fu-fu-fu~ Dinner's ready! Dig in. So, how was your day, my darlings? Aside from tormenting poor Lucky, of course?" Katarina asked, already knowing the answer but eager to hear it from them anyway.
The twins immediately launched into an enthusiastic recap, speaking over each other in their eagerness. They recounted all the trials and silly moments of the day in vivid detail. No light in the world could outshine their bright, smiling faces in that moment.
Watching them, Katarina felt as though their carefree laughter was music from the heavens pouring directly into her soul. These peaceful evenings, spent together as a small family, brought her a sense of joy and fulfillment she hadn't felt in years.
She firmly believed that bringing them to the village had been the best decision of her life. Here, at last, she could relax… and focus solely on raising her children.
4o