Sonder sat outside the exam hall, leaning back against the stone wall, arms crossed loosely over her chest in a very unladylike fashion.
The past month had brought warmer days, though she barely noticed. Her mind wasn't on the heat—or anything in particular.
Her thoughts drifted, circling between the tests the witches had to endure. She wasn't nervous. Vell had made sure they were ready. But waiting wasn't exactly easy for someone her age.
Near the hall, a door led outside. She stood, stretching her legs before wandering through it.
Above, the sky stretched endlessly, soft clouds drifting without care for exams, expectations, or the weight of proving oneself. Sonder just watched them. It was nice to.
Eventually, she made her way back.
The door to the exam hall creaked open, pulling her from her thoughts. Students spilled out in clusters, some whispering anxiously, others rubbing their temples as if trying to scrub the test from their minds.
The witches followed soon after, walking in a loose group. None looked remotely worried.
The Fire Witch cracked her knuckles as she stepped outside, stretching her arms as if shaking off the stiffness of sitting for too long.
Vell emerged a moment later, his expression somewhat bored.
He walked over without hurry.
Sonder didn't move as he approached.
"How was it?" she asked, tilting her head.
"I think they did well."
She waited for him to say more. When he didn't, she pressed as she was curious, "That's it?"
He shrugged. "What more is there to say? The witches are better prepared than half the students here. Maybe we overdid things. If they don't pass, the test was rigged."
Sonder laughed quietly.
Vell gave her a pointed look. "You would have aced it easily."
"You really think so?"
"You're asking that like you don't already know."
She smiled a little.
The group made their way toward a shaded area near the courtyard, where other students sat resting. Stalls lined the edge, offering simple but free meals—warm bread, roasted meat, fresh fruit. Herow was a prestigious academy, but at least they understood no one could perform on an empty stomach.
They grabbed food and settled onto the stone benches. Vell remained standing, as there was no space left for him, leaning against a pillar, watching the other students.
"So," the newly named Green Witch—who had chosen botany—asked between bites, "Did you ever take the entrance exam here?"
The others perked up at that.
Vell took a sip from his cup before answering. "I did. A long time ago."
"How was it?"
He arched a brow. "Different. Much more practical. Less paperwork. A lot more blood."
That silenced the group for a moment.
They continued eating, talking about their answers, dissecting the test, and laughing over the parts they had been unsure about. Before they knew it, a bell rang from the academy tower, signaling the end of their break.
Students began to rise, gathering their things and stretching before heading off in different directions.
Vell brushed crumbs from his hands. "Guess that's your cue. You'll be splitting up for this next part. Each of you will be tested based on your chosen field of magic."
The witches exchanged glances. After training together for so long, the idea of separating—even just for a test—felt strange.
"Don't overthink it," Vell said, as if sensing their hesitation. "Do what you've always done, and you'll be fine."
One by one, they turned to their respective paths.
Sonder watched them disappear into the crowd until only she and Vell remained.
Then Vell stretched, glanced at her, and asked casually, "You want to get dessert?"