Ilere

She will need to learn the same as I did. I have created the shack to keep her safe. I've also made certain the chest will provide all she needs to grow strong enough not to require direct guidance, so that I may teach from the safety of the shadows. This will not only ensure similar variables to my own development, but also will be far easier to manage his curse's effects. He will not win this time.

She's immediately taken to potion making; this is a good first step toward magic and witchhood. Her first attempt was, of course, a failure, but that is to be expected. She is motivated to save her townsfolk; this will be a useful way to keep her going. However, she does cry often, and I am unsure how to quell this.

Her frustration is understandable, but it is her resilience that surpasses my expectations. At first, I thought I should at least let the chest provide her with ingredients for a short time, but in the long run, it would have done her an injustice. She perseveres nonetheless and studies with little to no outside push from me. I will allow the focus on saving her family for now, as it is a good motivator and keeps her spirits up a slight degree, but we will need to move on eventually.

I can sense great fear each time she enters the forest to collect ingredients. I find myself wishing I could reassure her that I will not let any harm come her way, if only to hasten the outings, of course. There is also still so much sorrow within her. It is far too risky for a myriad of reasons for me to make myself known, but perhaps there is another way to provide comfort so that she may focus on her studies. I know solitude was a key feature in how I grew in my power, but time has a way of making one forget the pain it caused. Seeing that pain within her now, I am wavering in my certainty that this is how to make a powerful witch.

I kept my distance at first to ensure it would not give rise to any potential issues. But, since she is unaware that it is I within this form, it seems within the rules of the curse, and I do not foresee it affecting any variables in my plan. This was indeed a risky workaround, but any opportunity to stick it to him is quite satisfying. While we still can not speak to one another, it is surprisingly pleasant to be in close proximity to her. Just in this short time, she has grown exponentially, and to see that up close is more vital than I had anticipated. If she takes to magic the way she takes to her other studies, she will surely be even greater than I. He will lose.

Her laugh must be filled with pure magic. I ingested the potion only intending to showcase its effects, but then I could not stop myself from continuing to run around, for I did not want to cease what started her smiling. I thought I was long past this; I have never been one to enjoy the company of others. That is, after all, what led to this curse in the first place. It has been this way for so long that the possibility of defeating him should be my only priority. But where I once saw a pupil to mould into my image, I now see a child.

There is only so much to be done within the confines of the shack. I knew, and even planned, for her to one day start traversing farther, but I find I'm not ready to let her go, and yet what right do I have to stop her? Her drive to learn is formidable, and even with me doing my best to protect her from afar, she will not stop until she has what she wants. As much as I wish to take it back, she seems so inclined to follow my original path for her without ever knowing what I had laid out. I can not, must not, reveal myself to her now. If it would only affect me, I would throw myself at the curses wraith, but I fear my misguided loophole has not only dug my own grave but would most certainly drag her down with me. Any hint of our connection, no matter how one-sided it may be, could be the catalyst, and I can not risk her safety. At this rate, I know what lies ahead, and it feels as though a dagger pierces my chest each time I think of the future. There must be some way I can guide her away from my image.

It pains me each time I look back on what I've done. For what hurts most of all is that I can see how much she has changed. With every trip outside the shack or every visitor that knocks on its doors, I can sense her disdain for others growing. A melancholy I, too, have held. She would not be able to feel the same, but I curse the proverb of like mother, like daughter. With every attempt I've made to take her off my path, she has fought that much harder to stay on it. Perhaps this is my true punishment, that she has in some way inherited my curse. When I look upon her now, all I see is the pain I have caused. I have tried everything I can think of to undo what I have done, but perhaps the common denominator is me. The only way I can see to, at the very least, keep her away from eventually crossing paths with him, the only way so that he will never get near her, is for the one who selfishly gave her this life were to leave.

I have made another fatal error. I see now my leave has only darkened your heart faster. Seeing you walk through my foyer, almost as tall as me, with such contempt in your eyes, not even a hint of recognition. I know it is for the best. That is why I said those harmful words, though it broke me. That is why I truly do wish for you to fail. My dear child, though I have no right to call you that, please turn back from this path. For if you meet with the Spirit of Slumber, you will surely be cursed, just as I.