So I Became a Witch and Started Doing Daily Quests

Chapter 220: Defense Against Dark Magic

[At this point, I hope readers will note our domain Taiwan Fiction Web → twkan.com] Orıginal content can be found at N()velFire.net

After leaving the dining hall, the two who had been chatting the whole way finally arrived at the Combat Training Field just before class started.

"Janna, look over there."

Hearing Vivian suddenly whisper in her ear, Janna’s gaze followed the direction Vivian was pointing toward.

"Third-year apprentices?"

Seeing Hugh Stone and Lo Silverfox—two familiar faces—among the crowd, a look of mild surprise surfaced on Janna’s face. Beside her, Vivian frowned and muttered,

"Professor Grace doesn’t intend to have us spar with them, does she?"

"Quite possibly."

"Janna, over here!"

"Good morning, Miss Janna!"

Before Janna could even steady her stance, several enthusiastic voices came from different directions simultaneously.

At a glance, aside from Hugh Stone, whom Janna had first noticed, there were also long-time-no-see acquaintances like Maro Heigel, Bell Moonshadow, and many classmates she only knew by nodding acquaintance—all greeting Janna in unison.

"Good morning, everyone—"

At this point, Janna no longer needed the deliberate control of the [Muscle Control] talent. With her wealth of social experience, she could now respond to every enthusiastic greeting with the most appropriate smile, without letting the conversation fall flat.

"Long time no see."

Finally, under everyone’s watchful gaze, Janna made her way to Bell Moonshadow and Maro Heigel with Vivian in tow.

"Long time no see, Janna———"

"Mister Maro, if you don’t want to be murdered by glances, I suggest you not stand so close to Janna."

Before Maro Heigel could finish his greeting, Vivian slipped between the two with a seemingly casual but clearly intentional gesture, offering a “kind-hearted” reminder.

"Doesn’t matter. Worst case, I just get beaten up———haha, I’m joking."

Even as Maro Heigel clearly felt the burning eyes of "envy, jealousy, hatred" from those around him, he simply shrugged nonchalantly at Vivian’s warning, flashing a carefree smile.

"Is that so——then you better be prepared ahead of time for the upcoming Wizard Combat class."

Hearing the deeper meaning behind Vivian’s words, Maro Heigel’s relaxed expression froze for a moment.

Then he recalled: today’s Defense Against Dark Magic class was apparently a joint session for both second and third-year students. That meant he might very well have to face challenges from third-year apprentices.

"Also—Bell, you haven’t forgotten our previous duel agreement, have you?"

"I remember."

Just moments ago, Vivian had still been gossiping as usual on the way over, but now, it was as if someone had flipped a switch on her personality. A sharp edge radiated from her entire being.

Especially in front of Bell Moonshadow, even Janna could clearly sense that Vivian’s tone was no joke.

"It seems Vivian’s recent closed-door cultivation has indeed yielded results——"

Seeing Vivian’s half-smiling expression toward Bell Moonshadow, Janna couldn’t help but sigh inwardly.

In truth, Vivian and Bell Moonshadow had never gotten along since the very beginning. Even though they had once teamed up in the Marsh Secret Realm, the camaraderie born from that cooperation had only slightly eased their relationship.

Janna knew that Vivian’s attitude stemmed from Bell Moonshadow publicly questioning her abilities during the group effort to exterminate the Shadow Creatures. That incident had left the proud Vivian holding a long-standing grudge.

Moreover, Janna had once told Vivian that Anthony-Rook intended to have her participate in the Dordogne-White Tower Trial.

These interwoven events had made Vivian keenly aware that if she didn’t put in more effort, the gap between her and Janna would only grow wider—until they had no connection at all. So, from mid-last year until now, Vivian had been immersed in closed-door training.

Even though she briefly emerged during the final exams, it wasn’t long before she returned to her cultivation retreat.

And since her reappearance, Janna could clearly sense a change in her.

Though Vivian was still warm and friendly toward Janna, she no longer carried the genteel demeanor of a noble heiress when interacting with others—instead, the aura she exuded was one of indiscriminate hostility.

Besides the change in temperament, Vivian’s appearance had also undergone significant transformation.

When she first emerged from closed-door training, Janna noticed several striking white strands mixed in with Vivian’s previously pale-gold long hair.

By the time her second retreat ended, her hair had turned completely snow-white. Even the baby fat on her face had quietly vanished over the span of a few months.

In its place was a slender, delicate, pale-as-snow face—a stark contrast to the Vivian Janna had originally known.

Fortunately, such transformations weren’t particularly unusual at White Coral Academy, where [Bloodline-Side] wizard apprentices were common.

Take Soro Flare, for example. Before awakening the [Lava Dragon Lizard] bloodline, his hair was a perfectly normal dark brown. But after his awakening, within just a few weeks, his hair turned a flame-like crimson.

Along with it, his height shot up from under 180 cm to nearly 190 cm, and his muscles became visibly more defined.

"Professor Grace is here——"

As the figure approached from the sky, a flurry of whispered discussions broke out. Grace Eva, with her bat wings outstretched, quickly landed on the ground.

"Good. All punctual."

Retracting her wings, Grace Eva remained expressionless as she scanned the gathered students. Only when her eyes landed on Janna did her expression shift slightly.

"Perhaps some of you have already guessed it. I called the third-year apprentices here today to turn up the pressure for some of you. Of course, you’re welcome to challenge the strongest students in your own year."

With a wave of her serpent staff, Grace Eva triggered a scarlet barrier to appear around the perimeter of the Combat Training Field.

"Anyone want to step up and initiate a challenge?"

As she finished speaking, Grace Eva’s gaze drifted toward Janna with an amused look.

"Professor, I’d like to issue a challenge."

Hmm?

To everyone’s surprise, the one who took the initiative to apply for a Wizard Combat duel wasn’t one of the usual battle fanatics, but rather Vivian Rose, who typically stayed close to Janna.

At those words, Grace Eva turned with interest to look at Vivian beside Janna.

"Who do you want to challenge?"

"Janna Roland."