Since the kiss, nearly three months have passed by in a blur.
Nothing has changed much between Mel and Lila... is what Lila would have claimed. They have grown more intimate, more timid, and more clingy to each other.
From Mel naturally holding Lila's hand everytime they walked, to Lila's 'blushless' comfiness in the physical intimacy (to Mel's dismay), the little interactions bared more truths than Lila's words, and everyone in the village laughed about it, except some crying for betting too late on the 'Mel-Lila' marriage timer.
And in a forest where lush greens hid the moonlight, where a deer was casually leaning down to eat, a chant of power echoed between the woods.
"
Flash. The deer's skull was pierced by a lance of ice and snow that flew through the air. Lila stood up from the bushes before walking to her dead prey, at ease with her trained precision.
"Wow." Mel's voice boomed in excitement from behind. "Right at the small eye. All the yelling from Saria paid off."
Lila kneeled and skinned the deer, taking out a dagger from her waist. "Mel. Sister Saria only yelled when you slacked off in the training. But... yes. Yes, I agree our efforts paid off."
Mel and Lila were currently on their journey to the capital, with Emiilia as the carriage driver. They took a 'hunting break' for food and more training.
"Well." Mel headpatted Lila. "We were almost there. Don't exhaust yourself, alright?"
As Mel's finger slid through the silky hair, Lila shook her head into the smooth touch, a silent beckoning for more. Mel chuckled, her hand moving in a rhythmic sway as she contemplated her following words.
"Lila. There's somewhere I have to go, alone."
A jolt. Mel watched as Lila froze before slumping her shoulders.
"Why?" Lila whispered, as if she had heard the most unbelievable thing in the World. "We've been together for almost three months. Do you... find me annoying? Is it those secrets again?"
Mel sighed inwardly. Her little blue bun's insecurity was out in the open again.
The Witch of Lust bent down before pecking at Lila's cheek. The slight tap was of a short regret to taste for more, and Lila's blushing cheek was inviting her for a heavenly taste, but Mel had a more important matter at hand.
"Come to think of it," Mel smirked, her hot breaths tickling Lila's face. "We haven't kissed lips-to-lips since that night, right?"
Lila squirmed, the night's recollection flashing by scene by scene in her head. "Ye-yes..."
Mel straightened up, her head tilting with a curved gaze that met Lila's shivering emerald eyes. "Want to do it again after the exam?"
"...mm." Lila hesitantly nodded, as if afraid to expose her pervertedness that dared to rival Mel's.
"Hehe." Mel left Lila alone with a wave. "Wait for me by the campfire. I look forward to the food!"
She may have heard another whining behind her for the teasing, but she judged it an illusion. Lila should've been perfectly content with another kiss or two! If she was this nervous about one, when would they have the chance to advance to the next stage?
Mel licked her lips. She imagined for a moment what Lila's lips inside taste like, before disappearing into the shadows.
-----------------
The conversation was a brief episode for Mel's journey in the forest, and she soon arrived at a clearing. Strangely, no tall bushes or barks surrounded it, with the grassfield perfectly draped by a veil of moonlight. It screamed 'unnecessary poeticness' in Mel's mind, but her golden eyes stared in a particular direction.
At a specific spot, there is a particular spot with layers of fallen leaves, all painted in an autumn gold. The leaves were piled like a bed, as if to allow one to snuggle down and bask in nature's embrace.
This is where Mel first awakened in this World, in the body of a 5-year-old Witch.
"You're here, right?"
And where the entity known as the System, her second-most-trusty-informant, introduced itself.
No quests. No orders. No rewards. No punishment. Just a simple task requested politely to seduce all the Witches. Mel's memory drifted back to the utter confusion of the day, how the leaves under her felt too cold and tickly, and how every word from her 'self-admitted' kidnapper was like a hammer to her troubled soul.
[ ... ]
The System merely typed out the dreaded eclipses, again. Since that night when the System blocked the Witch of Pride, Mel has been incessantly inquiring about a clarification from the System.
Why did you bring me into this World? Why is it me and no one else? What exactly did you lie about? Can I still trust you? Treat you as a partner?
Mel's eyes frowned at such thoughts swirling in her head. Countless questions were unasked and unanswered, yet there was one thing she definitely had to know.
"I can forgive you for whatever you lied about. So please, satisfy my curiosity for a bit."
And with ease, a smug grin adorned her expression. Over the three months, she has decided not to bother with the System. Because for sure, if the System wished to harm or use her, her 5-year-old panicky self would have been much more manipulable, and she would have treated the System as her master rather than a slightly annoying, but reliable partner like now.
Yet amongst the good old truths in this world, just like how Otakus couldn't leave their cup noodles or armpits, it must be universally respected...
"Are you a girl behind the screen? Specifically, a cute one if possible."
All crimes can only be forgiven as long as an adorable, beautiful anime waifu commits them. For Mel, that is her sole principle as a 23-year-old otaku from a past life, and her 10-year life as the Witch of Lust.
[ ... ]
Some eclipses again, but this time, Mel could observe the puncutations shaking, as if to hold back something.
And sure enough, she did have a response.
[ ...this System is a handsome ikeman with no visible feminine features! ]
The Witch of Lust's expression scrunched up in disgust, a sense of betrayal she barely felt for the 'Liar' ordeal flaring up in a scorching blaze. She felt she should launch a cataclysm as an awakened Witch, right here, right now!
[ It's a joke, Host! Hope you like it! ]
The tacit implication behind those words loosened Mel's brows. Whew, her irrationality almost sent her straight to the Saintess's deathlist right there.
"Any description?"
[ None, Host! ]
"Oh, then a photo?"
[ Absolutely not. ]
"Are you a short AI lol* with an emotionless expression? Ah, but that would kinda clash with the Witch of Sloth's setting, so..."
[ ...shall I conjure up a satisfactory image of me, Mel? ]
"Please don't." Mel widely smiled, relieved at the response to her little probing. "Anyways, don't stay too quiet from now on, alright? I still need you to cheat in the Entrance Exam."
Unlike Lila, who borrowed the books from Saria, Mel hasn't flipped a single page yet. A Witch of Lust should focus on seductions, not monotone magic theories and principles that she will never use!
[ This System is impressed with your bluntness, Mel! Keep it up! ]
"Shut it."
A few giggles escaped from Mel, and before long, she bantered with the System like usual.
Mel's hesitant distrust of the System never dissipated, but for now, she pictured a normal girl on another screen, like a voice chat with a distant lover she never knew she had.
[ Do be aware: Academy Entrance Exam is usually a trope for surprises. ]
"Then you'll have your hands full again, partner." Mel shrugged. "By the way, tell me what the other witches are doing. Especially the half-dragon heir…"
-----------
Saria POV
While both Mel and Lila were on their carriage journey, Saria ran.
Unlike the 'slow' carriage, a radiant Knight's 'stamina' turned a half-month trip into a literal cakewalk. And within a week, she arrived at the Capital of Valoria's central church.
Sliding open the wooden door to the church's hall, she examined the environment she used to work in. The interior revealed multi-colored windows, spraying rays of weak moonlight into the marble grounds like stagelights.
Pillars, candles, and rows of wooden benches set on the left and right, a perfect symmetry befitting the grandeur of a Capital's Church.
And ahead of them was the back of a girl kneeling, no taller or shorter than a familiar pink-head's figure, humbly praying before a large, towering Goddess's statue.
The White fabric that lacked embroidery spoke of no indulgence, and the very imagery of kneeling itself oozed purity and humility.
"Still praying?"
"..."
As anticipated, she has gotten no answer. Years ago, the scheming Saintess shut herself in the Church, never ceasing her prayer before the goddess statue.
After a moment of silence and respect, a soft voice called out to the Radiant Knight.
"You have arrived."
She stood and turned around, her white blindfold glowing faintly, her serene voice too graceful as if to hide something from within.
Saria sighed and stepped forward. "Still hard-working much?"
The one and only Exarch-rank existence in the World, humbly saying prayers like a normal nun instead of purging more demons and cultists.
And the one who ended the decade-long 'Unprided Crusade' against the Witch of Pride.
"Not exactly." The Saintess's lips curled up. "Praying is the most suitable form of laziness."
Saintess Maria Sableheart bowed, moving with the effortless grace of an experienced scammer.