Chapter 21: The Wish

The day to cast the spell to “alter the concept of witches” had arrived.

I woke up as usual, got ready, and left my room to head to the kitchen to prepare breakfast.

Today’s breakfast menu was bacon and egg toast with a mountain vegetable salad.

Even though it was technically our last meal together, I kept it simple and ordinary.

After all, even if discrimination against witches was resolved, the famine would remain, so conserving food was still essential.

Once breakfast was ready, I went upstairs, calling, “Everyone, breakfast is ready!” to wake up my sisters.

Soon, Istos and Hecate emerged from their rooms.

“Good morning, Istos, Hecate.”
“Mm… Good morning, Nee-san.”
“Good morning, Woolgear Nee-san.”

Istos and Hecate made their way downstairs to the dining area, leaving only Demeter still fast asleep.

Even on a day like this, her unchanged behavior was almost admirable in its consistency.

“Demeter, get up. You haven’t forgotten what we’re doing today, have you?”
“Mm… Just wake me up when it’s time to start.”
“You know you’re useless right after waking up.”

Despite her grumbling, I grabbed Demeter’s hand and dragged her out of bed.

Well, this is the last time, so I suppose a little indulgence won’t hurt.

Afterward, we all sat down together to eat breakfast.

Naturally, today’s plan dominated the conversation.

“Alright, let’s go over today’s schedule. The spell to change the concept of witches will be cast around noon. We’ll need to finish preparing the magic amplification tools by then. Does everyone remember their roles?”

“Yes. I’ll be instructing the magical creatures and helping Woolgear Nee-san with the cooking.”
“I’m in charge of checking the inventory of magic amplification items!”

“I’ll be rechecking how to use the magic amplification items.”

Their answers reassured me that there wouldn’t be any major issues.

“Good. It doesn’t seem like I need to repeat anything… Istos, is there something on my face?”
“…No, it’s nothing. I was just staring because you’re as beautiful as always.”
“What are you saying? Come on, let’s get started on the final preparations once we finish breakfast,” I said, brushing off his unusual remark.
“Yes!” they all replied in unison.

After finishing breakfast, we began the final preparations.

My role today was to prepare the food-based magic amplification items.

As discussed earlier, Hecate assisted me with the work.

Since my stomach has its limits, I had to compress the ingredients to consume as much magic-enhancing food as possible.

The tea brewed from Magicaweed had to be as concentrated as possible, while meats like the heart of a mimic were dried to reduce their volume.

Hecate and I worked tirelessly, boiling and squeezing the Magicaweed over and over, while the pre-dried meat was carefully placed into the smoker, one piece after another.

“Woolgear Nee-san,”
“What is it?”
“Cooking is a lot more difficult than I thought…”
“Well, you wouldn’t normally do something like this for home cooking. But in a restaurant, this is probably how it is everywhere.”

There wasn’t any fantastical elegance to be found—just grueling, sweaty physical labor.

Truly, even at the very end, the struggles never ceased.

Thankfully, with Hecate’s help, we managed to finish the cooking by around noon.

It seemed Demeter and Istos also completed their tasks without any issues.

With the preparations nearly complete, our next step was to move to the designated location.

We had chosen a field near Polis, the commercial city, as the site for the spell.

There wasn’t any special reason for the choice—just practicality. With Hecate’s magical creatures numbering around thirty, we needed as much open space as possible.

Carrying the magic amplification items and accompanied by the magical creatures, we set off toward the field.

As expected, the townspeople greeted us with cold stares and harsh words, but I didn’t have the energy to care.

My mind was completely focused on ensuring the success of the spell to “alter the concept of witches.”

…Fortunately, no one dared to physically confront us, so at least there was no harm done.

When we finally reached the field, we immediately began the process of amplifying magic.

“Hecate, instruct the magical creatures to cast their enhancement spells on me. Demeter and Istos, keep an eye on the surroundings. Once the creatures finish casting their spells, Istos, I’ll need you to use a magic amplification spell on me.”

At my instructions, my sisters nodded silently and began their tasks.

Under Hecate’s direction, goblin shamans and sirens cast enhancement spells, their effects already beginning to course through me. Meanwhile, I started consuming the magic amplification items I had prepared earlier.

The smoked magic-enhancing meat, dried until brittle, and the overly concentrated Magicaweed tea were nearly inedible.

The meat was tough and tasted like chemicals, while the tea was so bitter it was almost unbearable.

Still, the taste was a trivial concern compared to the challenge of consuming it all.

Thanks to compressing the meat into a single platter and the tea into a 500ml thermos, I barely managed to fit everything into my stomach.

Just as I finished eating, the magical creatures completed their spells. Istos approached me.

“Nee-san, are you ready?”
“Yes, everything’s fine.”
“Then… here I go.”

Istos cast the magic amplification spell on me with full force.

I felt my already enhanced magical reserves swell further, a tangible sensation of power building within me.

Finally, everything was in place.

Ah, at last… I can restore everything to its proper state.

I can fulfill expectations.

I can complete my role.