277: In Front Of Me, You Are Nothing

In Front Of Me, You Are Nothing

Simple? As if a basin of cold water was poured over her, Oriana's earlier excitement for the lesson was extinguished. She was already expecting this woman to act troublesome, but now that she was personally experiencing it, she realized she was not as patient as she thought she was.  2

However, Oriana chose to lower herself. It was an unreasonable command, but it was true she failed to accomplish it.

"Apologies for not being able to finish the task, but I assure you that I have covered the basics and committed a third of the book to memory. Ask me a question, if you must. I promise you I will not disappoint." 

"Not disappoint?" Rosetta repeated slowly, tauntingly.

Oriana ignored that as she continued, "I ask that you extend the deadline and lend me the book for another two days. Later, I will—"

The black-haired witch sneered. 

"Later? In the world of magic, there is no 'Later'." Rosetta clapped her hands, and before Oriana could react, the book on the table vanished into thin air. "I didn't know I had accepted a good-for-nothing bum as my student. If I had known…"

Oriana's heart sank as she stared at the empty table. Rosetta took the book back. Did this mean that she would be unable to read the rest of the book? 

"I-I am not lazy! I just had too many things to deal with. Besides, you still have to teach me as we have made an oath of blood. If you won't teach me, I don't have to fulfill my end of our deal."

"Oath of blood?"

Rosetta chuckled, and soon, that chuckle turned into wicked laughter. She then looked at Oriana with a gaze that looked down on her. It was not spoken out loud, but it was as if she was calling this young witch an idiot. 

"My dear Oriana, though we have made an oath, it's up to me when and how to fulfill those conditions. I said I will teach you, but did you specify the scope of teaching? Did you give a time frame? I can teach you after a year or a decade, or maybe even a century. You must have read it in the book—the life span of witches depends on their energy core. Even the least talented warlock can live for two hundred years. As for you, you are bound to survive for at least several centuries."

Oriana was stunned, before a red-colored haze covered her sight. 

This wicked woman! 

How could she be so evil?!

She clenched her fists to control her anger. From her interactions with Rosetta, she had a decent gauge of her personality. There was a high chance the black-haired witch was merely riling her up. 

There were urgent reasons she wanted to learn witchcraft. She could not wait any longer. 

'It's difficult, but I need to be in her good graces if I want her to teach me properly.'

Calming herself, Oriana spoke, "Lady Rosetta—"

Rosetta raised a brow in question. 

"—I mean, Teacher, we won't be staying in Nefer for a long time. Today is the tenth day of the conference. The summit will officially end in less than a week, and we will be returning to our own kingdoms soon. I know you are powerful, but won't meeting after this be difficult? Should we not make good use of our remaining time together?"

"Difficult? I can bend the rules of space anytime and go anywhere in a moment as per my will. I am not a useless witch like you, who has pathetic mortal worries."

Oriana had no doubt in her words and sighed. It seemed like there was no other choice but to humble herself. 

"This might be nothing more than an entertaining game to you, but for me, my future depends on this. I wish you to keep your word. Please, teach me. Make me a proper witch."

Seeing Oriana's submissive attitude, Rosetta faintly smiled, feeling better after achieving her goal. She walked up to the younger woman and stood in front of her. She held Oriana's chin, slightly tilting it up to stare into her eyes. 

"Remember your place, my apprentice. This is how you should be, obedient and submissive. It is you who needs me more than I need you. From now on, do what I tell you. My words are law—absolute and unbreakable. Do not act tough in front of me when you are the one on the losing end of the rope. You are a useless person, a lowly witch more ignorant than a child, a beggar who covets my wealth of knowledge. Do not, for a moment, think you are my equal." 

An evil smirk graced Rosetta's lips. "In front of me, you are nothing."

Rosetta never spared Oriana's dignity. She put her in her rightful place, and Oriana had to understand and accept the cruel reality. 

Each of her words was like a thorn in her throat, but Oriana had to bear with all the insults coming her way. 

"I will make sure to not upset you again, Teacher," Oriana spoke humbly. 

Rosetta's expression didn't soften at all as if this woman was made of stone and had no heart nor feelings. She let go of Oriana's chin. 

"As you have at least managed to think of using your powers to understand arcane runes in the book, at least you are not impossible to teach. I will spare you this time. Just this once."

"Thank you, Teacher." Oriana asked, "Are we starting our lesson now?"

There was a smirk on Rosetta's face when she heard it. "Lesson? Sure." 

Oriana could feel there was something wicked in Rosetta's mind and she looked like she was ready to play with a toy. 

Rosetta offered her hand. A little wary, Oriana placed her hand in Rosetta's and heard her say, 

"Have you read about the chapter on spatial magic? The teleportation spell?"

Oriana shook her head. 

The smirk on Rosetta's lips widened. "Brace yourself then."

"What—"

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