Witch Hat Atelier’s Pentagram Tests Explained: Tests 1-2 and Beyond

In the Witch Hat Atelier world, magic is something that can be cast by anyone. However, it is not known to everyone. While it takes just a pen and ink to cast magic, that very knowledge is a guarded secret. Furthermore, the knowledge is only passed down through an apprentice system.

Just to become an apprentice, the children have to take a practical test. And then, for each qualification, such as being able to cast magic outside, the apprentices need to take further tests. There are a total of five such tests; let’s explore them.

First Test: The Consent of the Crown

This is the very first test that is required to even become an apprentice. In the Dadah mountain range, there grows a specific flower called Diadem Herb. The task is simple: use your own magic to get that flower back to the atelier, and you may become an apprentice.

However, it is not as simple as it sounds, as the mountains in the Dadah mountain range are actually floating high up in the sky. For any normal witch, it’s not a big problem, since the Sylph Shoes allow the user to fly. However, it is still a difficult task for a child.

In Coco’s case, the protagonist of the story, she ended up ruining the Syph shoes that were given to her by Agott. However, she managed to create her own basic spell that allowed her to fly to the top of the mountain range and take the Diadem Herb back to the atelier.

Second Test: The Sincerity of the Shield

The Sincerity of the Shield is the second major trial that was just introduced in the anime, and it focuses heavily on protection and responsibility. Passing this test would qualify an apprentice to cast spells in the real world. The reason an apprentice needs to attend this test before casting magic in the real world is that magic is cast through pen, ink, and paper. This is a secret that cannot be revealed to the outside world.

In this test, the apprentices must safely escort a flock of penguin-like animals called Myrphons through a winding cave that is the result of a magic cast during the ancient war. To do this, apprentices wear a special cloak that disguises them as the nearby animal.

So, if the apprentices accidentally let go of the disguise, the examiner would know, and they would fail the test. The key here is to be able to cast a spell without being noticed. This tests if the apprentices can carefully serve and protect others without exposing the hidden secrets of magic to the rest of the world.

Third Test: The Query of The Qui Vive

The Third Test is guided by the traditional phrase, “the key shall come to one whose path is right.” Passing this trial proves that an apprentice is finally ready for higher learning and advanced magic. The main reward for completing it is earning the right to challenge the Librarian’s Trial at the Tower of Tomes, which grants the young witch access to a massive library of advanced and historical knowledge.

This is exactly what Coco is also aiming for, as inside the Tower of Tomes, witches can access all and every text that exists in the world. That is because the magic inside the tower reproduces any book that is ever made. So, if Coco can find the book that contains the forbidden spell that petrified her mother, she can find a way to reverse that effect.

Fourth Test: The Goodwill of Her Grace

The Fourth Test follows the magical saying, “one stands unaided when hope is realized.” This is practically the final graduation exam for a witch-in-training. By successfully passing the Goodwill of Her Grace, an apprentice officially leaves their master’s atelier and steps into the world as a full-fledged, independent witch.

So, if Agott and others clear this test, they will be allowed to have their own pointed hat as well, and they will be able to work as a witch in the real world, with the only restriction of not casting the forbidden spells. However, this test doesn’t qualify one to take in apprentices like Qifrey.

Fifth Test: The Words of The Wise

The Fifth Test is an entirely optional test and is specifically meant for those who want to become teachers. It is based on the idea that “the teachings now come from thee.” Successfully passing the Words of the Wise means a witch has mastered their craft well enough to guide the next generation of witches safely.

For example, Qifrey has cleared the fifth test, which allows him to have Agott, Tetia, Richeh, and Coco as his apprentices. Meanwhile, that may not be true for characters like Olruggio, as he doesn’t have apprentices of his own.

TITLE	Witch Hat Atelier
PUBLISHER	Kodansha
PUBLISHING DATE	Jul 22, 2016
ANIME RELEASE DATE	April 6, 2026
PRODUCTION STUDIO	BUG FILMS
MAL RATING (as of June 9, 2026)	8.73 / 10 (Manga) 8.71 / 10 (Anime)
ORIGINAL CREATOR	Kamome Shirahama

Who do you think is the first apprentice who’ll become a witch? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.

Witch Hat Atelier is streaming on Netflix and Crunchyroll