Witch

“	The history of witches originally dates back to before 2500 BC. Being a witch is a profession, and magic is a skill that can be learned after birth, so there is no such thing as a race called a witch, but aptitude is necessary. Some people can't acquire magical powers no matter how much they train. Magic is no longer considered a practical skill due to the development of science and technology, and has become more of a traditional art. Misuse of magic was strictly prohibited, and cruel sanctions were imposed on violators.	”
—Description of witches from Witchpedia.

A Witch (魔女, Majo) is a female human who studies and practices witchcraft. They use magic to perform supernatural feats.

Description

A woman capable in the usage of magic is called a witch (meanwhile a man capable in the usage of magic is called a wizard). Witches have existed since time immemorial, passing on their knowledge from generation to generation. While witchcraft is usually an inherited tradition, with almost all witches being descended from past witches along the female line, a girl born from non-magical family can also become a witch.

From an early age witches are taught magic and will later go to magical schools to refine their skills. Witches born with a magical inheritance learn magic quickly, while Akko Kagari, a first-generation witch, showed a much slower development initially. However, not all magical skill is cultivated through study or inherited by blood — Akko herself has a natural magical talent which allowed her to wield the Shiny Rod. As one's magical aptitude vary between individuals, some may barely, but not necessarily incapable of using magic at all despite already underwent conventional training thus forced to compensate for their limited options and abilities as demonstrated by Akko back when she still affected by Dream Fuel Spirit.

Even in modern times, those schooled as witches usually take it up as their profession. By acquiring magical licenses in their preferred field, witches can use their skills for different jobs, whether as a teacher of magic, fortune teller, magic item seller, forensic investigator, etc.

A custom among witches was leaving behind one of items they cherished at wherever they must return to as sort of charm every time they go somewhere. It didn't have to be magical or bewitched, but the presence of the item in question there should be enough to incur feelings of wanting to return in its owner.

History

The history of witches dates back to megalithic times and earlier. In the Great Age of Magic witches got their infinite magic from the legendary tree Yggdrasil, whose branches covered the cosmos with magical energy. It was they who developed earlier forms of magic and Luna Alphabet, latter which through styudying moon and stars. However, as time came, the presence of the tree disappeared from the world, and the branches that still remain of the tree came to be known as the Ley Lines. After the end of the Great Era, the witches lost their place in the world and their community fell from decline.

Things changed in the 5th century where the legendary Nine Olde Witches appeared. With their power and wisdom, they managed to stop the decline. Around this time, they found the Grand Triskellion and sealed it away in Arcturus Forest, having foreseen another decline in the future and ensured only a worthy wielder of Claiomh Solais who have found all Seven Words of Arcturus that can utilize it to end such decline.

In the Middle Ages witches were despised and witchcraft was seen as an evil practice, leading to the persecution of witches and the repression of the art. Traces of this resentment remain in some people to this day, Appleton Academy was founded and is run by people who hate witches.

After the medieval Witch Hunts and before the industrial revolution, approximately 200 years before the present, the Golden Age of Magic occurred. In this period of time, humankind relied on magic for almost everything and witches became honored as the epitome of human knowledge. Some magical families such as House of Cavendish are known to use their revitalization magic to heal people regardless of their allegiance. Few witches even involved in annual ghost-hunting event known as Wild Hunt.

In the present period of science and technology that saw the rise of new sources of power and technology far more convenient than magic leading to humanity stopped believing in the power of magic, the unknown, and things beyond the realm of normality, witchcraft has ceased to be perceived as a practical art, and instead as a relic of the past doomed to obsolescence. Magic around the world continues to weaken signified by gradual diminishing of Ley Lines (remnants of Yggdrasil), and the number of witches decreases more and more. Social status of magical families, even affluential ones, became less relevant than it used to, which didn't help by their recent generations being less interested with magic than they realized. Witches and other magic users' distribution of magic power among themselves and magical creatures under their employment became increasingly unreliable that a strike was inevitable because of the same decline. Efforts to stave off the decline were made from development of Sorcerer's Stones and Magic Batteries to Magitronics pioneered by Croix Meridies which greatly improve the use of magic and magic energy drawn from Ley Lines, but neither of them provide permanent solution. Even magic-related business sectors such as magic shops (ex. Last Wednesday Society and L Kiosk) were forced to diversify in order to keep them going in face of the decline, but even many of them were less fortunate and had to close down in the end. Although major countries' mundane government such as England played their part in ensuring magic community's continued existence, they could only do so much due to both dwindling faith in its future and own political issues at hand. Some of politicians in said countries even less keen of allowing magic community to thrive. Little did they knew the growing tension among said countries in the light of latest controversial soccer match between England and its rival nation would provide an unlikely opportunity for witches to make a difference for everyone before it's too late, especially with countries in question already developed weapons of mass destruction and would likely resort to use them.

The decline was further exacerbated by witches from older magical family who firmly dismissed the fact that magic is a power to inspire as much as being part of their community's tradition, the same reason they criticized Ursula during her tenure as Shiny Chariot to begin with. Elitists among them even went so far twisting certain parts of legends in their community to condone their outdated, conservative mindset (ex. they erroneously depicted Sifla the 1st's relationship with Fairy King of Doras Hill to be not unlike a witch who proved her worth before a mythical being she made contract with as her familiar while others before her failed while in reality, she merely befriended both first kings of Cat-Sith of Doras Hill and Cu-Sith of Doras Hill and convinced the two to work together to protect the Hill with her as their guide). These old, conservative magical families' stubbornness also made them blind to the fact Shiny Chariot's approach in inspiring people, however it left much to be desired (using magic as part of flashy shows she famous for at different parts of the world despite better, more appreciated means were available), made a difference as not only she inspired young generations to become witches like her, but also leading to two of said new witches, Atsuko Kagari and Diana Cavendish, saved the world along with magic itself.

Guided by Chariot, the young first-generation witch Atsuko Kagari used the Claiomh Solais to awaken the Seven Words of Arcturus and break the seal on the Grand Triskellion. With the help of friends and worldwide encouragement, Akko and Diana harnessed its ultimate power to make the world into a place where all mankind could live happily together. The power from humanity's believing hearts united to support the witches' success became a new Yggdrasil, restoring its infinite magic to the world and saved witches from obsolescence.

Abilities and Equipment

Through the channeling of the magical energy of the Ley Lines, witches can perform their magical abilities. While some spells and enchantments are simpler than others, each witch's individual ability allows her to exploit magic to a greater or lesser extent. There are various types of magic that witches can master.

Formerly, witches were able to use magic by tapping into the magical energy that radiated from Yggdrasil from the dawn of creation. However, as the magic slowly began to weaken, a source of power and a tool to channel that power is required in order for magic to be properly used. The Magic Wands are the traditional means of channeling magic through their batteries, but since wands alone can only handle a limited amount of magic energy, this prevents the magic from being used continuously. Because of that, there are objects like the Sorcerer's Stone that store magical energy for it to be used freely.

In addition of casting spells through wands and fly with special brooms, witches can also conduct mystical feats through other methods such as using potions with varying effects, calming and appeasing faeries and spirits alike with special songs, etc. Some methods in question require minimum to none amount of magic, allowing them to better conserve their magic and stamina.

See Also

• Wizard (witches' male equivalent)
• Magic