Nanami stood at the edge of her village, her heart fluttering with excitement and nervousness. The dirt path before her stretched far into the unknown, leading to places she had only read about in books. Today, she would leave home and begin her journey as a roaming witch.
Her mother, once a traveler like her, adjusted the strap of Nanami's bag and gave her a warm smile. "You have everything?"
Nanami nodded, patting the satchel sling over her shoulder. Inside, she carried her favorite books, dried herbs, a few foods, and a journal to record her travels. "I'm ready."
Her father placed a hand on her head, his expression a mix of pride and concern. "Be careful. Not everyone will welcome a witch."
"I know," she assured him. "But I want to help people, just like Mother did."
The villagers had gathered to see her off. The baker handed her a fresh loaf of bread, the tailor gifted her a scarf, and the children who often listened to her stories ran up to hug her one last time. Though magic was often feared in other places, here, Nanami was cherished.
Taking a deep breath, she turned toward the road. The morning sun cast a golden glow over the fields, and a soft breeze carried the scent of earth and flowers.
She didn't know what awaited her—new places, new faces, new challenges. But Nanami was ready.
Her journey as the Roaming Witch will begin now.
The village was soon out of sight, a distant smudge on the horizon as Nanami soared high above the trees, her broomstick gliding smoothly through the evening air. The wind swept past her, carrying the scent of pine and earth. For the first time, Nanami felt the full freedom that came with the open sky.
Her heart beat faster with each gust of wind. She wasn't afraid—not yet—but the uncertainty of the future made her pulse quicken. What if no one needed her help? What if the magic she had been practicing since childhood wasn't enough?
"Stop thinking like that," she whispered to herself, her fingers gripping the broom tightly.
The view below was breathtaking. She could see the winding roads, the fields stretching out toward the horizon, and the village growing smaller as she climbed higher. The air felt different here, fresher, and as she flew farther from home, Nanami could feel a sense of adventure stirring in her chest.
She flew through a dense forest, the trees seeming like mere specks beneath her. Sunlight filtered through the canopy, casting dappled shadows across the ground below. The path was narrow from this height, but she could see enough to guide herself.
After some time, Nanami spotted a clearing beside a bubbling stream and decided it would be the perfect spot to rest. She gently landed on the soft grass, setting her broom beside her as she unpacked her food.
As she ate, she gazed up at the stars starting to twinkle in the sky. The world felt so vast, so full of possibility.
Tomorrow, she would continue her journey, flying farther than she ever had before.