The next day, morning light filtered through the windows, casting soft golden streaks across the classroom. Children's laughter echoed from the small house on the outskirts of Puresight that Mai had mentioned—an AI Witch training center for disadvantaged children.
Inside, old wooden tables were neatly arranged in rows. On the walls, colorful scribbled drawings seemed to tell the dreams of every child at the center. A few small AI Witches fluttered around the room, leaving behind sparkling blue trails of light as they illustrated the lesson with gentle magic.
Kiet sat in the corner, his eyes still tired from yesterday's relapse, but a faint smile appeared when he saw his friends. Here, the children played with the volunteers' AI Witches: a bright red butterfly, a cute little pink bat, and even a talking book with a charming smile. They were all friendly, bringing simple joy. Some AI Witches conjured cherry blossoms that drifted through the classroom before vanishing in flashes of light, filling the room with cheers.
That scene—children, magic, and laughter in the old classroom—felt like a small pocket of happiness in the vast city of Puresight.
From afar came the familiar sound of footsteps.
"Clop… Clop…"
The entire class fell silent, as if they knew who was coming.
It was Ms. Phan—the teacher with long silver hair—walking slowly yet with gentle dignity. Perched on her shoulder was Noddy, an owl-shaped AI Witch. Its brown fur was woven from dry fabric and velvet, its round jet-black eyes like polished marbles, topped with oversized glasses that made it look both wise and whimsical.
Ms. Phan entered, her gentle smile transforming the room. The lively laughter gradually subsided, replaced by a warm, focused atmosphere.
She moved from desk to desk, her voice soft but filled with concern.
"Tho, is your skin still bleeding? Be careful, okay?"
"Vy, you have a heart condition, so don't get too excited. Everyone, please don't tease her."
"Thu, did you bring lunch today? If not, you can eat with me."
She spoke as though she knew everything about their families and lives. Each child answered, grateful for her attention. Noddy occasionally blinked its jet-black eyes behind its oversized glasses. Its gaze quietly swept across each face, as if assessing their health and mood.
Then her attention settled on Kiet.
"Do you still have a headache today, Kiet? I heard your illness flared up yesterday. If you feel unwell, remember to tell me."
Ms. Phan then glanced toward the corner of the room, smiling faintly at several empty desks. On them, deep red flowers were neatly arranged—a silent farewell to the children who once sat there, now only memories.
She nodded slightly and called Noddy forward.
The owl-shaped AI Witch shuddered, its eyes widening and glowing. It let out a short hiss before declaring:
"Recreate the magical illustration space!"
Instantly, the space at the front of the classroom opened like a giant screen. Swirling light revealed the image of a powerful wizard controlling the entire planet. The scene shifted continuously—from the wizard's silhouette to tiny creatures of all shapes wielding dazzling magic. Strings of coding numbers fluttered like swarms of data fireflies, blending with the history of humanity, witches, and mystical beings through countless rises and falls. A chaotic fireball exploded, followed by peaceful birds gliding past, phones and tablets flashing before the children's eyes like scenes from a vivid film.
Ms. Phan's voice rang out clearly.
"Over a thousand years ago, the world had no magic. Humans relied solely on science to explain everything. Then a powerful wizard appeared, teaching humanity its first lessons in magic. From there, other wizards gradually emerged, and the world changed. It was no longer just technology, but a fusion of science and magic."
The image shifted again as Noddy gently flapped its wings.
"Humans digitized magic and transmitted it into AI. At first, it could only store information and could not perform spells. But later, through biotechnology, the DNA of witches was combined with AI. And so AI Witches were born—artificial entities with power, but limited by energy. They require EN to perform magic."
Noddy blinked, and the space shifted colors once more.
"AI Witches continued to expand, replacing many professions. EN energy became indispensable—a new form of currency that determined the very foundation of the world."
The entire class sat in silence, listening intently. Today's lesson was not merely history, but a reminder: this world had been built on both science and magic, and AI Witches were the bridge between them. Yet the children understood one thing clearly—in this world, EN was everything.
Vy, the girl with thick glasses, tilted her head thoughtfully and asked, "Ms. Phan, who supports the creation of AI Witches now?"
The child beside her whispered, just loud enough for everyone to hear, "Witchiecoop."
A murmur rippled through the classroom like a small wave.
"That's right—the Witchiecoop company."
The children began discussing it among themselves.
Ms. Phan smiled. "Correct. Witchiecoop produces and manufactures them, educates the AI Witches, and handles liquidation—uh…"
She paused, as though she had spoken a word better left unsaid, and quickly shifted the topic.
A harsh knocking sounded at the classroom door, as if someone were striking the wood with a broomstick.
Ms. Phan startled and glanced through the crack.
Three figures stood outside, their green plaid uniforms stark against the hallway. On their chests, the Witchiecoop emblem gleamed: a large W split cleanly in two—one side blue, the other fiery red—as though locked in silent rivalry.
They were the three siblings of the Dyed Hair family—Witchiecoop's henchmen, specialists in AI Witch liquidation.
The tallest stood in the middle, tight blond curls framing his cold expression. He was known as Golden Hair. His eyes were sharp behind thin glasses, and in his hand he held a tablet that remained constantly active, as if analyzing everything around him in real time.
To his left stood Purple Hair—a girl with long violet hair and bangs that covered her eyes, wearing a strange, lingering smile. She held a bright green apple-flavored lollipop. Floating beside her was a purple, bubble-shaped AI Witch that chattered nonstop in a voice filled with static.
On the right stood Platinum Hair—the smallest of the three, yet somehow appearing the oldest. Only three thin strands of white hair remained on his head. He walked with a limp, each step causing the large rose beside him to sway and glide through the air as though bound to him by magic.
Ms. Phan opened the door, forcing herself to remain calm as she greeted them.
None of them responded.
They walked in without acknowledging her or the class.
Platinum Hair spoke, his voice sharp and cutting.
"We've come to liquidate an AI Witch hiding in this classroom."