Witch Training Manual: My Water Magic Is Wrong

Time quickly passed to the next day.

Because of Aya and Calvin's arrival, the church had limited rooms, so Ella slept with Wayne last night.

When Wayne came to his senses, the blankets next to him were already empty.

Ella is not here.

He sat up, glanced around the room, and then his gaze fell on the bedside table, on which sat a glass of warm water.

He knew that Ella went to get her hair washed.

Wayne picked up his water glass and took a sip.

Everything was normal last night.

That was true for Ella herself. After all, it was the Odrian Church, not her own place, so she felt somewhat constrained. But in the morning, everything that was expected was there.

The chirping of birds came from outside the window.

The early bird catches the worm.

The same applies to people.

So Ella went to wash her hair early.

After breakfast.

Wayne was already sitting in the confessional early on, and he stretched his stiff right wrist.

Today is the last day.

The convoy will continue towards Bellino early tomorrow morning, so there are even more people here today than yesterday.

Most of the civilians were turned away—not at Wayne's behest, but at Charman's behest. The old bishop's exact words were: "Father Wayne will end his confession this afternoon; let those who truly need it come in first."

The so-called "people who are truly in need" naturally refers to those who can afford to donate money.

Wayne did not intervene.

Spending time in such a place makes one realize that the Papacy's operations are inseparable from the nobility's money. Charman's approach, though snobbish, is pragmatic.

Wayne saw off wave after wave of penitents.

It was noon.

Wayne welcomed a special guest.

The door was pushed open and then closed again.

The footsteps were light, and the sound of the skirt trailing on the ground was restrained. The newcomer did not sit down immediately, but stood in the center of the confessional for two seconds before taking a seat in the chair opposite Wayne.

The panel popped up at this point.

[Character Information]

[Name: Isabella Antep]

[Identity: The youngest daughter of the former King of Wiggins, and the youngest half-sister of the current King Antep III.]

[Note: Cecil mentioned you to her, so she's always been curious about you, this mysterious senior. In a sense, she's your junior.]

[Note 2: She came to see you because of your crush.]

[Note: The protector accompanying her possesses fifth-tier strength.]

Isabella Antep.

Wayne's gaze lingered on the panel for a moment.

He had heard of that name before.

The youngest daughter of the former King of Wiggins, and the half-sister of the current King Antep III.

Among the peripheral figures in the royal family, she is one of the most low-profile, almost never appearing in public or participating in any political activities. There are very few rumors about her; most people only know that this princess exists, but almost no one has ever seen her.

At that moment, the princess was sitting opposite the confessional.

With her gray-green hair, plain-colored long dress, and no royal insignia, she looked like any ordinary young lady from a noble family.

She didn't rush to speak.

Neither Wayne nor anyone else.

After a few seconds of silence, she spoke first:

"Father Wayne, it's an honor to meet you."

Her voice wasn't particularly special, but her enunciation was clear, carrying just the right amount of politeness. Neither cold nor overly enthusiastic.

"Professor Cecil often mentions you to me."

Wayne nodded slightly.

"Bishop Cecil was my mentor. It is an honor for me to be praised by him."

Isabella's lips twitched slightly.

"The teacher doesn't praise many people, you're the only one."

Wayne got straight to the point.

"Speak, my dear princess, what brings you to me?"

Isabella's expression visibly froze for a moment.

She looked at Wayne, a hint of surprise in her eyes.

"We've never met before, do you know me?"

Wayne's tone was flat.

"The goddess told me of your arrival."

Her gaze lingered on Wayne's face for a long while, as if assessing the truthfulness of his words. She wasn't the kind of person who was easily fooled. As a member of the royal family, she had seen far too many charlatans and sorcerers. Nine out of ten of those who claimed to be able to hear divine will were frauds.

But her trip was kept absolutely secret.

She personally arranged the entire trip, without involving any court attendants. Her escort was a fifth-tier archmage who used magic to conceal their movements. Not only ordinary people, but even the Holy See's intelligence system would have no chance of detecting her whereabouts.

Wayne couldn't have known in advance that she was coming.

unless……

Unless the person in front of you has truly received divine favor.

Isabella's gaze shifted slightly.

But she didn't dwell on the topic; instead, she changed the subject and went in a different direction.

"I heard some noises when I came in."

Wayne did not respond.

Isabella's tone carried a hint of probing.

"I heard the ladies who came out one after another say that you allowed them to meet the goddess and receive her nectar. Some even said that their souls went straight to heaven."

She paused.

Is that really true?

Wayne did not answer immediately.

Isabella added:

"Also, why are so many vases broken in the confessional? Is this some kind of new confessional ritual?"

Wayne's lips twitched almost imperceptibly.

Their souls ascended directly to heaven.

Of course he knew what was going on.

But he dared not say it aloud.

Wayne paused for two seconds, then decided to use Charman's version of events.

"Breaking a vase during confession is an ancient ritual of psychological release. When believers pour out their pent-up sins, they symbolically peel away their sins by breaking an object."

He spoke without batting an eye.

Isabella listened and nodded thoughtfully.

"I see... I thought it was some other kind of ceremony."

She paused, then looked directly at Wayne.

"What about the 'water magic healing' those ladies outside were talking about? They said your water magic can make people feel the goddess's grace, and even... ascend directly to heaven?"

Wayne remained silent for a moment.

"Water magic does have a purifying effect. It can remove impurities from the body and soothe mental agitation. Some people experience a strong sense of relaxation during the purification process, which is a natural reaction as the body sheds its burdens."

He paused, then added a sentence.

"As for 'ascending directly to heaven,' that's a rhetorical exaggeration. After experiencing profound relaxation and relief, believers will use the most beautiful words they can imagine to describe that experience."

After listening, Isabella looked very interested. She tapped the table lightly and stood up.

"I want to try it too!"