Return to the witch's hut.

That's surprising to hear. The first time you had been to her home was on a quest with Lady Nyllia Tesgella. That was a long time ago. Back then, you were so envious of her party. They were successful and competent, while you were still struggling to survive in a party of girls who were rather hopeless. Things have changed quite a bit, though not all. Now you're all hopeless together.

Though since then, you did briefly traverse the forest a second time with Nyllia... for reasons.

You offer a hand. Vivi places hers upon it, but you swiftly grab her and heave the witch into your arms bridal style. "You ready?"

"W-Woah! What are you doing?" she asks. After a moment, she sighs. "Yes. I'm ready."

It seems she's enjoying this by the bright, blushing smile on her face. With her in your arms, you lower yourself down and prepare for blast-off. Not only has it been awhile, but her home is shrouded in trees in a forest that was actively rearranging. You remember how lost one could become if they weren't wanted there. The best you can do is think back to the camp you all set up. While it's difficult to pinpoint the exact location on a map, you remember the image of the tents, Nyllia, and your party. With that to lock onto, you take a deep breath and jump.

Bunny Hop!

After a moment of space warping past, leaves and branches suddenly buffet you from all angles. You cough and groan as you're nearly cut by the trees you're falling through, but as quickly as you're able, you activate your magic boots and slow your descent. Now the leaves simply tickle by as you eventually make your way safely to the forest floor.

You take a deep breath as you place Vivi back down.

Things are quiet now, besides the occasional sound of an animal's cry in the distance, or birds chirping high above. This part of the forest you find yourself in is even more dense than you remember. You're not even certain you're close to where to set up camp before. None of this looks familiar. You don't hear the stream, nor is there an exit in sight. Just endless trees in every direction.

"Don't worry, Kyle. Finding my home will be an easy feat," says Vivi as she starts walking between the trees. "Just don't fall behind. Remember. I was the witch of the forest here for a long time. When someone like me stays in one place for that long, it becomes their lair. This whole forest was my home. I enchanted it over time, and it became the ultimate defense. Nobody could find me unless I wanted it, or they got really lucky. It's an ancient magic. You can easily get turned around. Not even a compass will help you. However, I can bend it to my will, and--"

She speaks as the two of you move. Hardly a few minutes pass before you already see an opening ahead.

"--just like that, I'm back home again," she finishes her thought. She looks to you with a face of pride, and she offers a short bow before gesturing her hand beyond the trees into a clearing. There it is once again--a quaint wooden cottage surrounded by various plants and flowers.

Unlike last time, no smoke raises from the chimney. There's no laughter from inside.

"Nostalgic," you say.

"I know, right? Come on. I haven't been here since I left for your home, way back then." She practically dances to her doorstep. With a twist of the knob, she pushes the door open, and the two of you proceed inside. The first thing she does is make her way to the fireplace. With a flick of her wrist, the logs within burst aflame, and the room lights up and begins to fill with warmth.

You look around to see the chains on the wall. There are also shelves of magical reagents, vials--some filled, many empty--and different sized cauldrons. It reminds you of Dix's home. Though in your experience, Vivi certainly focuses less on potions than this may imply. It seems she knows more of old rituals many have forgotten in the present that require these ingredients. Though, she is quite the alchemist as well. You don't get as old as her without becoming rather good with multiple things, however old she may be.

Speaking of which, she starts grabbing ingredients, and places her smallest cauldron onto a rack in the fireplace.

You attempt to make conversation despite her buzzing around like a bee. "So you're a mage, right? You've got to be some kind of special elite class, I assume."

"Oh Kyle. You should know better than anyone that Goa's system of classes isn't everything," she replies while pouring two vials of something viscous into the cauldron. It starts to bubble immediately, and it certainly doesn't look appetizing. You're not looking forward to that. "Just look at you. Look at William. Even besides the rather unique situation the two of you are in, look at Alice or Delphi. There's magic you can learn without a level-up, just as someone can swing a sword without any class at all... but to answer your question, I am a mage, yes. My elite class is transmuter. I can bend the properties of the world around me, from shaping the earth into a giant fist, or allowing one to fly. You've seen it. But I can't deny that I'm special either."

"Whatever your story might be, I'm happy to have you with us, Vivi. Just remember that."

"... Stop. That's embarrassing." She tucks down the brim of her cap, though you despite her facing the fireplace, you can see the blush in her cheeks. "Just kidding. You can keep praising me if you want. I don't mind."

"So what's the mighty and powerful Witch of the Wilds brewing today?"

"You'll see. It's almost done."