Chapter 62 - Bad News!

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The following day.

Olga woke up to a bright new day.

She rushed to the window and opened it. In fairness, the place is spectacular!

The hut was surrounded by towering trees, rich greenery, fresh air, a beautiful lake, and above all it's located at the top of the mountain.

Compared to Laswich Mountain, this place comes first when it comes to the total package although the previous was her beloved home. She would like to live here if given the chance and be surrounded by powerful witches, magnificent landscapes, all day and all night long.

She heard from Mother before that the castle offered top-notch school for the new and old witch alike.

But the school required high standard performance from their students. If you slacken then you will get kicked out easily from the place.

She was wondering if the tournament is still ongoing or has already finished?

Maybe it's still ongoing because everyone is busy and no one has bothered to talk to them yet.

She looked at her companion still sleeping soundly on the hard floor.

She was itching to leave the hut and explore the surrounding area but she recalled that the guard told them not to leave the hut and explore the area without permission or else they will be heavily punished.

Yeah... even if she will ask permission the guard won't still allow her to roam around unchaperoned. She released a deep sigh and sat on the chair facing the table.

She tapped her hands on the table, thinking what to do next...

If no one will see them again today, she needs to take action and seek Mother's presence, ASAP!

She stood up and went to the window and looked outside, admiring the crystal clear water of the lake situated on the right side and the green scenery on the left.

Her eyes feasted on the wonderful blessing of mother nature.

Half an hour later.

She saw a guard walking on the path approaching the hut. He was carrying a food box in his right hand.

She left the window and walked towards the door, opening it to receive the guard.

The guard finally arrived at the hut.

"Good morning, guard!"

"Good morning, Grandma!" the guard replied.

Olga sighed, a grimace appeared on her face for a few seconds, hating to be called Grandma all the time, when the truth is - she isn't! She flashed her most charming smile to the handsome guard. "Um... did you bring good news to us? I hope somebody from the castle can finally see us this morning. We've been waiting for too long already..." she complained a bit.

"Yes. Someone from the castle will see you soon! I brought the breakfast early so that when they arrive - you and your companion have already eaten breakfast," the guard said.

"Wow! So very nice of you, young man! Can I take you home?"

"W-what?"

Olga giggled wickedly, admiring an eye candy. "Nothing... just kidding!"

The guard scratches his head, he'd never meet such an old woman flirting with him openly. Only now!

"Thank you so much for the food, we appreciated it very much!" Olga said cheerfully.

"You're welcome. Enjoy your meal. I'll take my leave now," the guard said. He placed the box on the floor, turned around, and left.

Olga watched the handsome guard leaving the area going back to the guardhouse.

The guardhouse was located near the suspension bridge.

The long bridge connects the place between the guardhouse and the mountain where the castle was located. Without the guard's permission, no one can pass the bridge. Everyone will be killed without mercy if they trespass on the bridge without a special pass or permission from the people who managed the castle.

If visitors arrived at the Holybel Summit, they are going to wait on the three wooden houses erected around the lake that were specially designed to house visitors that have no pass. It's called the waiting area.

Olga picked up the food box and placed it on the table, then she lowered herself on the ground and gently wake up her companion. "Azere, wake up!" She repeated her actions three times.

Azere's eyelids fluttered and opened her eyes. "Why? It's morning already? I still want to sleep!" she mumbled and close her eyes again.

"Wake up! Hurry up! The guard come here a while ago and brought us our breakfast, he told me that we should eat our meals before the personnel from the castle will arrive to see us!" Olga said.

After hearing Olga's news, Azere rubbed her eyes and sit upright. She folded the blanket and the mats, then arranged them neatly in the corner.

Olga went to the table and began removing the dishes from the wooden box. The dishes consisted of rice, fried fish, and vegetable stew with plenty of meat tidbits. She smelled the dishes. "Hmm... smells delicious! I'm hungry!"

She looked at her companion that was standing on the window, staring at the castle located at the top of the mountain. "Azere, hurry up! Let's eat our breakfast before they arrive!" she urged her.

Azere left the window and sat on the chair facing the table.

Olga put a hefty serving of the food on the two plates and picked up the spoon and fork. "Let's eat!" she said and began eating her meal with gusto.

Azere followed suit and devoured her meals in silence.

"In fairness, they have a good cook here. Their food taste delicious!" Olga commented casually.

Azere nods her head in agreement.

Half an hour later.

The women finished eating their breakfast and washed the dirty dishes on the sink, drying them on the dish cabinet afterward.

After they finished in the kitchen, they retired to the terrace, enjoying the beautiful scenery while waiting patiently for the arrival of the representative from the castle.

Olga looked at the unusually quiet Azere sitting on the chair beside her. "Why does it take them so long to inform Mother that her disciples are here?" she asked, confused.

"Maybe because they are busy... I dunno..." Azere replied, shaking her head.

Olga sighed deeply. "I can't wait to see Mother again!" she declared excitedly.

One hour later.

A woman in her early 50's, wearing a white flowing cloak can be seen walking on the path leading to the hut.

The moment Olga and Azere saw the visitor approaching their location, they rose to their feet excitedly.

"Here she comes! So white like the snow!" Olga murmured to herself.

Azere looked at the visitor's serene face.

The visitor arrived at the hut and looked at the two women. "Good morning, ladies!" she greeted them pleasantly. "My name is Hilda, I am the assistant of Maera the Witch of the South Wing. It's our duty to assist, help and answer inquiries from the visitors who arrived to the Holybel Summit without the special pass... May I know your names? And what are your purpose in coming here?" she asked.

"Hello Madam! Let me introduce our names. My name is Olga and my companion's name is Azere," Olga said. "We are apprentices of Betty aka Mother... we fondly called her by that name. We're here to seek her presence to discuss an important issue with her. I hope you can tell her about us and our purpose in coming here. Please?" Olga said politely.

Hilda cleared her throat. "Girls, I'm sorry to inform you that your teacher, Betty, along with other three contestant perished three days ago..." she said casually and calmly.

Hilda's words take a long time to sink in Olga and Azere's heads.

And when it did...

The women's faces turned paper-white in shock.

Azere's eyes widened in astonishment and disbelief, her body turned cold instantly. "W-WHAT DID YOU SAY!? Can you please repeat it?"

"Oh, shiit! You mean, our teacher passed away three days ago!?" Olga's heart sank to the ground.

Hilda nods her head. "Yup! That's right!" she replied.

Olga was shaking her head vigorously. "B-but why? Why would she passed away when she left for the tournament she was in good health! Can you please tell us what is the reason of her sudden death?"

"Okay. Listen carefully... because I won't repeat this information again. During the tournament, the contestant were required to retrieve a powerful diamond medallion inside the cave guarded by a dangerous dragon. Three contestant perished during that time, Betty, your teacher was among them. That's all I can say..."

Olga and Azere's spirit and morale sank very low. Despite Mother's strict nature, it can't be denied that she raised them to become the best version of themselves. Betty become their mother the moment she fostered them as her own.

The women began sobbing hard, lamenting the unforeseen tragedy that befalls their teacher.

Deep inside, Azere was busy analyzing the whole situation. She was doubting Hilda's claim. She cleared her throat. "C-can we see mother's grave? Please?" she begged.

Hilda shook her head. "I'm sorry, the White Coven Castle at the top of the mountain does not allow outsider to step into it's ground, unless you have the special pass. You can't see Betty's burial ground. Before the tournament, we made all the contestant signed a weaver that no matter what happens in the tournament, be it an accident or death, they will be treated and buried here in our cemetery. That's a rule that we implemented throughout the century. I hope you can respect our tradition..." she elaborated further.

Olga glared at Hilda. "Are you kidding me!? What kind of tradition is that!? Why can't we see our teacher's grave? What a horrible tradition you have here!" she retorted in dismay.

Hilda's eyes darkened instantly.

Azere saw the spark of anger flashing in Hilda's eyes. "I'm sorry for my friend's rude attitude, Hilda. Please forgive us, we are just feeling emotional right now because we didn't expect that our teacher will pass away unexpectedly and tragically. We are very sad and depressed right now. That's why our words leave our mouth quickly, please don't be angry. We're very sorry if we offended you... please forgive us!" she pleaded for mercy.

Hilda threw daggers into Olga's enraged eyes. She pointed a finger at Olga. "Watch your mouth! Or else...!"

Hilda left the hut, feeling annoyed and offended.

Azere shut her eyes feeling relieved that Hilda was able to control her temper and leave right away... or else they will be in a dire situation right now.

The possible showdown between Olga and Hilda died instantly the moment Azere begged for mercy and apologized to Hilda.

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