Chapter 180: The Science of Witchcraft

The notification appeared before Luke’s eyes. He had gained a profession. It was a defining choice, one that could alter the course of his entire journey. He still didn’t know whether it was possible to change professions later, and just like with classes, he suspected it wasn’t.

Samael was watching him closely.

“Before I give you the answer,” he said, “what was the line of reasoning that led you to this decision?”

Luke didn’t look away.

“You said witchcraft is the deep study of the mystical arts of the universe. A way to understand how things work… and then make that understanding work for you. So technically, any profession could become that, right?”

Samael’s expression remained neutral, but for the briefest moment, a faint smile tugged at the corner of his mouth.

“You’ve solved the riddle. Well done. Any profession pursued with true dedication, pushed to the edge of mastery, is a mystical study. A personal effort to understand how one facet of the universe works. That, in essence, is witchcraft.”

His gaze remained fixed on Luke.

“Witchcraft and the science of your world are essentially the same. Both seek to understand the underlying mechanics of reality. The difference is that a witch doesn’t stop there. He tries to transform that knowledge into something magical, something manipulable. Witchcraft, then, is science… but engaging with magic.”

A small glass vial appeared in Samael’s hand, the kind used in laboratories.

“The first scientists in your world were called witches or sorcerers by many cultures. And here, under the system… science and witchcraft are one and the same.”

Luke looked again at the notification still glowing in front of him.

[Congratulations. You have acquired the Profession: Herbalist]

Samael continued.

“What I wanted was for you to choose a profession based on genuine interest, something aligned, of course, with the spirit of witchcraft. Something that would bring you into direct contact with the magical essence of reality. That was Master Azazel’s suggestion.”

Luke raised an eyebrow.

“That Darkness came up with this challenge?”

“But of course. Master Azazel made a significant investment when he granted you his bloodline. Now, he wishes to observe where that decision will lead. Whether you’ll follow in his footsteps… or carve a path of your own.”

Luke made a mental note: Azazel likes riddles.

The Forgotten Temple dungeon had been more of a logic trial than a battle test. It was all starting to make sense now.

“For Master Azazel, mental battles are far more interesting than displays of brute strength,” Samael explained. “For a being who can erase anyone with a snap of his fingers, levels are meaningless. He sees no value in them. In the realm of ideas, it doesn’t matter whether you’re level one or one hundred.”

He paused.

“The winner is the one who thinks best.”

Samael glanced toward the pile of books Luke had carefully selected, those he believed were connected to witchcraft. Then his gaze returned to him.

“Now tell me… why Herbalist?”

Luke sat in thoughtful silence for a moment. Then he picked up a cup of tea from the table. He slowly turned it in his hands before answering.

“In my view, the first witches were those who learned how to use magic… without magic. They understood nature, and shaped it to their will.”

He took a small sip. His voice, when it came, was calm, yet firm.

“A tea can calm you. It can energize you. It can keep you awake,” Luke said. “Anyone who works with plants knows how to extract everything from them. From medicine… to poison.”

He lifted his gaze to Samael.

“Those people… they were the first witches. And that’s what I want. To learn how to use nature to my advantage, especially if magic can be part of that process.”

“Very good. Excellent answer,” Samael said with a short laugh as he eased back into his armchair.

“Want to know something interesting? Master Azazel belongs to the generation that emerged with the system’s earliest universes, ages ago.”

Samael paused for a moment.

“Do you know what his specialty was back then?”

“What?” Luke asked, genuinely intrigued. Samael was speaking of a time older than anything he had ever imagined, a prehistory of the universe.

This novel’s true home is a different platform. Support the author by finding it there.

“My master learned to work with plants. That’s how the first witch was born,” Samael replied, watching Luke for a moment longer, as if satisfied with how everything had played out. “Very well. I hope the investment made in you yields good results.”

Luke’s interface blinked with a new notification:

Herbalist: The Herbalist is a specialist in plants, possessing vast knowledge of herbs, flowers, and roots. In harmony with nature, this profession is devoted to understanding the healing and magical properties of plants, using that knowledge to treat illnesses, craft potions, and even prepare antidotes for deadly poisons.
(Attribute bonus per level: +2 Intelligence, +1 Vitality, +1 Perception, +1 Free Point)

Luke read the description carefully. Among all the professions he had studied, this was the only one that truly called to him. It wasn’t flashy. It wasn’t obvious. But there was something about it, something instinctive, something vast and untouched, still waiting to be explored.

If he was going to dedicate himself to a path, it had to be one that opened doors. And this seemed to be one of the widest. But there was another reason, too. Before killing Paul, he had learned that Bartholomew was the one who had supplied the poison used on Angelica. If Luke wanted to survive the rest of the tutorial, he would need to be ready for people like that. Having antidotes would be essential.

A new notification appeared:

[You have acquired a Profession Skill: Herbology]

He tapped to open the skill:

[Herbology (Common)]: You have acquired deep knowledge of the herbs and plants found throughout the multiverse. An herbalist learns to identify their healing and magical properties, as well as key characteristics such as optimal harvest times and native environments. This knowledge allows you to craft medicines, potions, and antidotes, and to recognize rare or dangerous plants.

Luke was impressed. All that knowledge had been injected directly into his mind. For a moment, a sharp headache pulsed behind his eyes, like he’d read a thousand books in seconds. But when the pain faded… he simply knew. He could identify a plant by its scent. By touch. By the color of the leaf and the sheen of the stem. It felt as though he’d spent a lifetime studying them.