Another year has passed, and though there are no more conflicts, Mattheus and Est’s life isn’t the same anymore.

It wasn’t happy or easy before... but all the smiles and peaceful moments are mere shadows now.

After leaving the safe haven of fairies and other supernatural creatures, Mattheus and Est continue living a secluded life.

At first, the two of them wandered in some areas, cluelessly searching for a place to belong...

... only to realize that there is no such thing.

In the end, they decided to stay away from other fairy domains... or any inhabited place...

And they found their home in a hidden corner of the world, far away from everyone. They settled down in the abandoned shelter of a witch.

It’s merely a cave that got turned into a place to live through some changes.

However, it does turn into a home with a bit of warmth after the two move in and make it their own place.

A bright fireplace... fluffy blankets... warm meals made by Mattheus... drawings and toys made by Est’s small hands...

That's all it takes and the bare shelter is filled with some life.

And as winter arrives, Est starts to feel at peace.

Many catastrophes led here. And the little one is still hurt by the scars. But Est has everything that she needs to heal slowly...

And that's obvious. After all, the little witch moves around more freely, exploring her new place and life with childlike curiosity.

However, there is still something missing from this home.

And that shatters every moment of this new life.

Even now, when Est sits by the fireplace, wrapped in blankets and playing with her favorite bunny doll, her eyes keep glancing at the door.

“Sigh... when is Mattheus coming back?”

She shudders as a deep sigh leaves her mouth, and it’s not the first time this day... or this week...

“He is... still sad... right, Ms. Bunny?”

“Maybe he doesn’t like it here... He misses his friends...”

“I think I get it... After all, I would be sad if I lost you too.”

“.....”

“And he coughs a lot too... maybe he is sick...”

As the little witch keeps mumbling to her bunny, her mind wanders back to old memories.

Memories of how they were kicked out... the conflicts beforehand... she even remembers how she heard Mattheus laugh with his friends one day...

He never laughs like that anymore...

“Nghhh... I hope he doesn’t disappear... like mom and dad... and everyone else...”

“I don’t want him to leave...”

Est is on the verge of tears as she whimpers.

However, at the same time, other different thoughts take over her heart.

“Sniff... I-it’s because of me, right?” she asks her bunny, pulling its arms desperately.

“It’s because the others hate me... because I’m a monster, just like they said, right?”

“Sniff... Sniff...”

For a while, she keeps sobbing and sniffing like that.

However, a few moments later, she suddenly stands up and shakes her head.

“No. Nonono!”

“Mattheus said I can’t think like this!”

“He said it’s wrong, and I should focus on other good things!”

“Right! He said I should focus on learning and controlling my magic!”

“Nmmm... I will do that!”

“Don’t worry, Mattheus! I will make you happy!”

And Est really does her best.

She spends every day practicing and getting better. And she possesses quite a bit of talent, so her effort pays off.

By now, she has gained a high level of control over every kind of magic, even the most dangerous black magic. And it doesn’t run wild anymore, not even when she’s upset or scared.

The daily training and other instructions given by Mattheus don’t pose the smallest of problems for her at this point.

But Est keeps working and practicing, perfecting every move and trick as much as possible.

“Ack!” she even goes overboard, using too much power.

Est did everything perfectly... so perfectly that the little storm she created has managed to knock down a cupboard.

“Nghhh...”

“I’m still not good enough yet. I have disappointed Mattheus again... he will be sad when he comes home...”

The little witch winces as she kneels down, looking at the mess she created.

“What should I do, Ms. Bunny?”

But her frustration is replaced by surprise and wonder as she spots a strange black box.

It seems to have been hidden behind the cupboard that she knocked down.

And Est starts to feel strange as she crawls closer.

“What... is this?”

She whispers while cautiously opening the box... which is filled with strange books.

“Guide book...? High level... black magic?”