(caption) Don't learn too many spells at once

He had originally been nothing more than a rule-abiding magic apprentice. His teacher constantly emphasized that one should learn only a single spell at a time and master it completely before moving on, otherwise the magical energies would interfere with each other. Yet on that day, his resolve wavered for the first time.

It began when, in a thick old book, he discovered a spell that could "enhance personal attractiveness." The illustration showed a figure full of confidence, with refined features, and he couldn't help imagining what he might look like after casting it. Then, in a brightly colored magic magazine, he came across a course on a spell that could "instantly create ideal clothing," where fabric flowed into existence like water. By evening, he received a letter from a friend who excitedly described a "subconscious confidence spell," one that could make a person truly acknowledge themselves from deep within. The three spells tangled together in his mind. He hesitated for a long time, and in the end, driven by a sense of reckless optimism, decided to learn all three.

Not long after, his teacher arrived to check on his progress. Standing before the magic circle, he took a deep breath and admitted that he intended to demonstrate three new spells. His teacher's expression immediately turned serious, warning him of the danger, but he still raised his staff and insisted.

As the first incantation left his lips, the air trembled slightly. The magic that was supposed to make his features more handsome flowed across his face, but instead of sharpening them, it softened everything. His cheeks grew warm as if caressed by fine light. The original angles of his face faded away; his eyelashes lengthened, his eyes gained a gentle glow, and his lips became lighter and fuller in color. It was as though delicate makeup had been applied, yet without any trace of artificiality.

Before he could even react, the second spell activated. A faint pulling sensation came from his scalp as his originally short, unruly hair rapidly grew. Pale blue light spread along each strand, turning it silky and weighty as it fell over his shoulders and gathered into a long braid down his back. The bangs parted naturally, making his face appear smaller and more delicate. At the same time, a circlet of pale flowers formed above his head, settling there as if placed by unseen hands.

The transformation of his clothes was even more complete. His apprentice robe was dismantled by magic, breaking apart into countless blue-and-white fragments of light that spun and recombined in midair. A white inner layer formed first, fitting closely to his body and outlining a waist that had grown distinctly slender. A deep blue dress unfolded next, layered and flowing, its hem decorated with fine stitching and details like the mingling of night sky and sea. A short cape settled over his shoulders, its edges shimmering with starlike points of light. The bow at his chest and the ties at his waist tightened naturally, clearly a set of clothing designed for a girl. Even his boots changed, their lines long and elegant, the laces hugging his calves and lifting him to an unfamiliar, graceful height.

By the time he realized that his body's proportions had completely changed, the third spell had already seeped in. His heartbeat was chaotic at first, then strangely calmed. The mirrored surface of the magic circle reflected a figure that made him freeze—a girl in a blue dress, her expression serene and her gaze clear. His instinct was to deny it, yet the confidence magic working on his subconscious allowed a quiet sense of acceptance to surface: this was who he was now.

His teacher immediately halted the spell. Standing within the circle, her skirt swaying gently. The girl apologized in a low voice and asked her teacher to turn her back. The teacher attempted to correct her appearance and form, but soon discovered that the problem was not on the surface. The confidence spell had taken root deep within her heart, making her subconsciously accept her new identity and resist any reversal.

In the end, the teacher could only sigh and explain that this state had stabilized and could not be forcibly undone. The girl stood there, lightly brushing her fingers through her smooth, long hair, feeling the weight of her skirt. There was confusion in her heart, but not the collapse she had imagined.

From that day on, she could only continue her life and studies as a girl. A spell now divided the world before and after her transformation, and what had truly changed was not just her appearance, but the way she viewed herself.