A Journey That Changed The World.

As Archer exchanged blows with Valencia, her unwavering focus remained on him as she launched a kick in his direction.

He skillfully deflected it and asked, his voice filled with curiosity, "Are you a combat witch?"

With a grin, the black-haired girl leaped back before replying, "I specialize in close combat, Dragon."

After speaking the battle witches launched a simultaneous attack, Amaryllis and Scarlett unleashed their spells while Valencia used her physical prowess in unison.

Their combined assault pushed Archer to the edge, and an unmistakable annoyance crossed his features.

Determined to confront them head-on, Archer's expression grew more focused, and he intensified his efforts, fighting with even greater determination and seriousness.

Archer's tail lashed out, his fists moved with precision, and Eldritch Blasts erupted from his hands targeting each girl.

The battle intensified, but just as the four separated, an unseen force seized hold of the Archer and the three witches, rendering them immobilized.

Despite their relentless efforts, the three girls remained trapped by the mysterious force.

Amaryllis turned her head, desperation in her eyes, and pleaded, "Cousin! We were merely having fun. The boy wanted a challenge."

At that moment, Archer spotted Ophelia, who suddenly materialized in the middle of the field while looking around.

She fixed an annoyed gaze upon him and scolded, "Why are you causing trouble already, young man? You shouldn't be fighting with Battle Witches!"

Archer, wearing an indignant expression, voiced his protest, saying, "They attacked me first! I was merely defending myself. You can ask my girls or Professor Ashguard."

Ophelia shifted her attention to the three girls who observed the scene with enthusiasm, their smiles wide.

She approached Jade, the bear lady who appeared shocked, and questioned, "Jade, is what the boy said accurate?"

The older woman nodded in confirmation and replied, "Yes, he was demonstrating a spell, and they attacked him unexpectedly."

Ophelia let out a sigh upon hearing this revelation, realizing that her cousins had indeed started the confrontation.

However, she couldn't muster any anger, seeing how the students seemed to enjoy the spectacle. Archer watched as the headmistress turned around and she released him.

She admonished him, "Mr. Wyldheart, if you wish to engage in combat on college grounds, please make the necessary arrangements for the arena rather than the class training fields."

Archer looked at her with narrowed eyes before approaching her with a grin and the three trapped witches started giggling.

Ophelia silenced her cousins with a stern glance, before Archer arrived in front of her, leaning in to whisper in her ear, "You'll pay in bed for scolding me when we marry, Ophie. I will have you squirming underneath me."

He grinned mischievously before proceeding to walk over to Hemera, Leira, Nala, and Lioran, leaving the headmistress standing there in bewilderment as she felt her cheeks growing red.

As she overheard her cousin's hushed gossiping, a sense of curiosity and perhaps even amusement crossed her features.

[Ophelia's POV]

Ophelia observed Archer's departure as the bell rang, signaling the end of the class. The rest of the students began to file into the building.

Jade bid her farewell and departed, leaving her alone with her three mischievous cousins, who were still suspended in the air while indulging in even more gossip.

Approaching them, she inquired, "What was all that about, girls? Mother sent you here to assist with security, not to engage in fights with my students."

Valencia spoke up with a small smile on her face, saying, "He shouldn't be a student here. The boy is too strong to belong here."

Her two cousins nodded in agreement that's when Scarlett chimed in, "Well, Auntie Vespera said we had to test the boy to see if he could help in the war against the dragons."

She regarded the pink-haired girl with a perplexed expression and corrected her, "Firstly, it's Queen Blackfire, and second, why would a dragon fight against his kind for witches?"

In response to Ophelia's query, Scarlett provided an answer. "The queen has heard the rumors, and the Avalonian Emperor has also told her that he can be paid to help, and he won't do it for free."

Upon hearing this, Ophelia nodded in understanding and released the three girls from their suspended state.

She then gave them a directive, saying, "Follow me, my cousins. We have matters to discuss with the queen."

Ophelia took the lead, with her three cousins following closely behind, as they proceeded to her office.

Scarlett caught up to her and inquired innocently, "Amaryllis mentioned that the queen might propose a marriage alliance with you and the boy in exchange for his assistance. Is that true?"

She stumbled for a moment upon hearing Scarlett's words, and then she fixed her narrowed gaze on the girl.

In an angry tone, she demanded, "Where did you hear such a ridiculous idea?"

Scarlett yelped in response to Ophelia's stern voice and promptly revealed her source. "Isabella told me on HexChat."

Amaryllis and Valencia couldn't help but giggle behind them, much to Ophelia's exasperation.

She decided to let go of the matter and led her cousins to her office. Once there, she sat down and activated her communication device, channeling her mana into it.

Minutes passed before a seductive voice emanated from the other end. "My little witch! How have you been?"

Ophelia couldn't help but roll her eyes upon hearing the endearing nickname her mother used for her.

Nevertheless, she replied, "Hello, Mother. What's the mission you've assigned to these girls?"

A giggle came through the device, prompting Ophelia to release a sigh. Her mother's voice then followed, filled with amusement. "What have they done?"

Hearing her mother's question and the attempt to stifle laughter, she explained, "They challenged the white dragon to a duel, and he held his ground. But it happened with dozens of students as witnesses."

Vespera's voice came through the communication device, and she explained, "Well, Ophie, I requested the girls to evaluate him and assess his combat abilities. Rumors can often be exaggerated, so I felt it necessary to verify."

Intrigued, Ophelia inquired, "So, why did you want to test him? Scarlett mentioned the dragons. Have they taken action?"

Her mother responded, "No, my dear. But they've been sighted flying along our borders and launching raids on some of the towns there, which is quite infuriating. We've managed to bring down quite a few of them, thanks to your aunt Eulalia, who is now patrolling the borders."

Upon hearing this, Ophelia's concern deepened, and she inquired, "Do you want me to return to Arcadia and help?"

Vespera reassured her, saying, "No, my little witch. Your presence is needed where you are. Your grandmother has stated that she'll intervene if the dragons become more troublesome."

She chuckled and continued, "You know that old woman. She's liable to explode and incinerate them with her black flames."

When she heard her mother talk about her grandmother, it brought a smile to her face, fondly recalling the woman.

Her grandmother was a free spirit who had willingly relinquished her role as queen when Vespera decided to cease her explorations and take up the mantle of ruling.

Instead, her grandmother had chosen to embark on new adventures and explore the world.

Ophelia couldn't help but ask, "How is Grandmother? I haven't heard from her in a while."

Vespera chuckled and shared the news, "She's doing what she loves best—exploring the southern continent of Avidia. She's assisting the Fire Elves with a significant beast problem they've been facing."

She couldn't help but notice her mother's momentary hesitation before Vespera shared some interesting news.

"She's rather intrigued by the white dragon's presence. You know her passion for our family's history. She's been persistently urging me to arrange a meeting with him, as our ancestor had once encountered the last white dragon, and something significant occurred between them. She firmly believes she possesses valuable information about the boy, thanks to her extensive knowledge of our lineage and history."

Ophelia couldn't help but chuckle at the thought of her grandmother's enthusiasm for their family's history.

But when she thought of the two meeting she let out a loud sigh which caused Vespera to ask. ''What's wrong Darling?''

She responded swiftly, her voice carrying a mix of exasperation and amusement. "The boy is a perverted dragon, claiming he'll 'punish' me once we're married, which is utterly preposterous!''

Ophelia suddenly recalled the boy's words and carried on. "He's just seventeen years old, whereas I've roamed this planet for over a thousand years, and I was here long before he emerged from his father's useless balls!"

She turned away and directed her gaze out the window as she continued to rant. "I was here long before his family even came into existence, and this empire wasn't even a notion in anyone's mind when I was studying the lost ruins on Primordia."

Following her passionate outburst, there was a brief silence, but it was soon broken by sniggering, and eventually, full-blown laughter erupted as Vespera joined in with hearty cackles.

Amaryllis, Valencia, and Scarlett found themselves rolling on the floor, thoroughly amused and teasing Ophelia, as they had never witnessed her in such a state.

"Hey, big sister, Ophie has fallen in love," Scarlett remarked to Valencia, eliciting more laughter.

"Cousins, just look at her cheeks; they're all red," Amaryllis pointed out, clutching her stomach from the laughter.

[A/N - Leave some comments, power stones, and gifts. It all helps support the book. Artwork in the comments or discord]