Mel POV
"Seems like the protagonist's death is a great thrill booster!"
Mel nodded to herself as she examined the forest. Wildfire spread, people fled, and the Heiress bled. She tapped the back of the
"The power was quite satisfactory." She held her chin, contemplating. "The power gap between me and them was much compensated for by the
For now, she watched as the golden streak dashed across the forest from miles away, signaling the Heiress's final assault.
"System."
[ Hold on for a second... ]
"Heh? Don't tell me-"
Mel's thoughts were disrupted when an unexpected message came.
[ Connected to the Witch of Pride! The first battle between Witches must be witnessed! ]
She blinked. "Well, I don't mind it, but-"
[ The Witch of Pride was in shock at the System's audacity! ]
"She seems a little... mad, I'll say?"
[ The Witch of Pride screams for you to stop fighting! It's a scheme by the System, she accused, without a shred of evidence! ]
[ This System knew no such accusation. The Witch of Pride could sit and watch as her favourite brethren 'kill' each other! ]
Mel almost facepalmed. She recalled how Pride called the System a liar, almost as if desperate. Contrary to her moniker, instead of a cold, stone-hearted beauty, Pride was more of a maternal mother figure to the Witches, almost too caring as she viewed her fellow witches as her only family in this World.
And for someone to drag this maternal mother into forcefully watching their 'daughters' engaging in a battle royale, readied to kill each other at all costs.
[ The System implored the Witch of Pride to 'enjoy' the slaughtering between the Witches of Calamities! ]
[ The Witch of Pride cried, begging the System for forgiveness! ]
"...you're really evil, you know that?"
The master of schemes, seductions, and war crimes, who just now orchestrated the burning of an entire forest, shuddered at the System's petty revenge.
Mel knew how the System misled Pride to believe they were 'killing' each other, when in reality it was nothing more than a regular spar, the stakes amounting to a better bedding and Lila's grumply complaint about her sleeping with another woman.
[ The Witch of Pride wiped her tears, scolding the System for cowardice! ]
[ The System is satisfied with how much of a crybaby Pride was! ]
Mel's eyes squinted, the unspoken history between the System and the Witch of Pride being too apparent to her. She was going to ask about the Rift Issue with the Witch of Pride, the master of
She furthered a certain guess about the System, before glancing back at the Heiress.
"System. Stop the argument and report about the Heiress."
Again, better to finish the battle as soon as she can, so every matter, like the System's identity and the Rift Issue, could be sorted out later.
[ The System laughed, telling the Witch of Pride to stay put! ]
[ The System adjusted her-itself, now reporting real-time information! ]
Mel widened her eyes at the forest's wildfire, smoke perpetuating in the sky and blocking her vision. Fortunately, the lack of information is not a concern, as the System's panels told her everything she needed to know.
[ Rosana's Distance to the Host: 724 -> 692m ]
[ Rosana Winterscourge: 41 -> 44 ]
[ Victim to Your 'Arsonist Plan': 0 -> 5 ]
[ Total Eliminated: 101 -> 109/123 ]
The Witch of Lust's brows raised at such numbers rising. It seems to her that while dashing mid-way, Rosana cut down any combatants escaping from the fire or attempting to subdue her now that the protagonist is out of the picture.
"Well." A foxy smile curled up on Mel's face. "It would be remiss of me not to lend a hand, right?"
She eyed the System panel, which blinked at her mischief.
[ This System admired the Host's cunningness! ]
[ I am now compiling all the information into a minimap! ]
"Good girl!" She nodded approvingly to the 'System', the 4x4 grid map expanding in her view, showing her all the locations of the remaining combatants, including a gold dot moving at lightning speed.
"Now. Eagle-eye."
She tapped her chin. "Rapid-fire so that the Heiress will be led to the right."
Unlike her 'chunni-eagle' brother, who was always buried in novels, the silver-armored eagle silently pulled back her long bowstring with practiced ease, her fingers clasping around three heavy arrows. As an experienced
Serving the Witch yielded only the greatest of honour. She would finish this job without a hint of mistake, just like the
The three arrows shot forth, and Mel heard three consecutive 'thuds' from across the burning forest. She eyed the mini-map, the golden dot dashing right towards three other red dots.
It took less than three seconds before her ear picked up a distant, muffled screaming for 'help', and a thunder-like explosion occurred immediately.
[ Rosana's Distance to the Host: 692 -> 645m ]
[ Rosana Winterscourge: 44 -> 47 ]
[ Total Eliminated: 109 -> 112/123 ]
"Nice!" She chuckled, the red dots being wiped off cleanly from the map. "Alright. Now, left."
Three 'thuds' echoed again, the golden dot moving left, and another explosion occurred.
[ Rosana's Distance to the Host: 645 -> 594m ]
[ Rosana Winterscourge: 47 -> 49 ]
[ Total Eliminated: 112 -> 114/123 ]
"Aw. That's a little lower than last time. Oh, right again this time, please!"
Arrows shot. Dot moved. Explode.
[ Rosana's Distance to the Host: 594 -> 558m ]
[ Rosana Winterscourge: 49 -> 53 ]
[ Total Eliminated: 114 -> 118/123 ]
"Hehe. Only two more and... oh, how convenient!" Mel exclaimed, her golden eyes shimmering with excitement. "Left again!"
[ Rosana's Distance to the Host: 558 -> 512m ]
[ Rosana Winterscourge: 53 -> 55 ]
[ Total Eliminated: 118 -> 120/123 ]
"And... strike!" Mel shaded her eyes with her hand, admiring the distant cloud of dust kicked up by the Heiress's swing. "What an efficient finale! Now Lila and my spots in the Elite Class were guaranteed!"
Three open seats. Three left in the Exam. She and Lila could quit the exam now, should they merely aim for the 'dorm-mate' privilege from the Elite Class.
[ ...the Witch of Pride was appalled at such a talent for villainy at such a young age. ]
"Why, I thank you!" Mel puffed out her bouncy chest, as a respect to the greatest villain recorded in the Empire's history. "Of course. This hasn't ended yet."
She clapped her hands, her eyes curving at the faint flash of light darting from across the forest, picking up speed as it dashed.
[ Rosana's Distance to the Host: 512 -> 452m ]
[ Host, 500m threshold crossed! Prepare for Rosana's assault! ]
"Of course." She stretched her arms with the ease of a schemer. "
In an instant, Mel's eyes caught something thrown from across the forest, accompanied by a low, swift hiss piercing the wind. The shield bug, standing on two legs with her green carapace as a shield, rushed forward.
Clang!
A javelin, adorned with intricate patterns, bounced off the shield and plopped on the grass before melting itself to release curls of golden smoke. The shield bug visibly trembled under the shock, her steps faltering at the Witch's assault.
[ Rosana's Distance to the Host: 452 -> 401m ]
[ Host, another javelin being conjured by Rosana! ]
"Mmm. Eagle-eye, keep up the pressure. Shield bug. Stay strong until the Heiress arrives."
She glanced towards a specific spot on the Hill, observing the absolute stillness. From here, an immense satisfaction welled up in Mel's heart. She didn't anticipate that Lila, who was hiding underneath, would put so much faith that she would not hesitate for a single second, not even be surprised by Rosana's sudden assault.
The payoff, however, must wait, as she heard a second 'clink' from the shield bug, with Eagle-eye at the side snapping back the bowstring, before aiming and releasing arrows one after another.
[ Rosana's Distance to the Host: 401 -> 345m ]
The exchanges of arrows and javelins were a bizarre exchange of wills. One dodged cleanly without stains, the other blocking with every ounce of strength. The difference between an Expert
Yet she remained undeterred, merely marveling at the sophistication of the soaring spears. Unlike Mel's, which was automatically granted by her
[ Rosana's Distance to the Host: 345 -> 294m ]
In other words, Rosana was born without talent for
[ Rosana's Distance to the Host: 294 -> 235m ]
"Really." She uttered, her words carrying a weight she didn't recognise. "So unnecessary."
But that was what pushed back against her
[ Rosana's Distance to the Host: 235 -> 184m ]
Mel sent a
The Witch of Envy held her breath momentarily, then sighed nervously. Lying underneath the 'cover', her neck craned tensely, and the grasses tickled her skin, sending unnerving jolts through her.
This remains the most nerve-wrecking moment of her entire life, yet unlike before, her heartbeat stayed steady, her mana flaring with calmness that mirrored her icy resolve.
No one will harm her Mel, not even herself.
[ Favourability: 73 -> 73.5 ]
[ Rosana's Distance to the Host: 184 -> 103m ]
One more clank, one more javelin falling, and from between the trunks' flickering flames, a figure emerged.
She looked up, her eyes fierce and hungry. Her fingers clicked in the air, before a golden smoke converged in her hand, materialising into a waraxe.
Then, she dashed upwards.
[ Rosana's Distance to the Host: 103 -> 73m ]
Golden eyes locked the red draconic glare. Mel raised a hand in a challenge, then another arrow bolted forward.
The Heiress scoffed and sliced from the arrow's tip, the edge gliding through steel before cleaving it in half.
She dashed again.
[ Rosana's Distance to the Host: 73 -> 54m ]
The Dragoness's hand stretched. Javelin was conjured and thrown.
[ Rosana's Distance to the Host: 54 -> 36m ]
Another clank. Another javelin plopped, as the Heiress leaped, holding her waraxe with both hands.
Mel's expression relaxed as the Heiress closed the distance.
[ Rosana's Distance to the Host: 36 -> 2m ]
And with a growl, Rosana swung the axe with a powerful arc, the
One second. But it was the time Mel needed to back away, the waraxe severing her
[ Rosana's Distance to the Host: 2 -> 5m ]
The Heiress's feet landed on the grass, laughing excitedly as she pounced like a predator readied for the final blow.
Yet in the second, when her arms pulled back for another swing, her draconic eyes widened, as Mel muttered to her.
"Do better next time, my lady."
[ Rosana's Distance to the Host: 5 -> 3m ]
In this split moment of confusion, Rosana saw the 'ground' beside her lifted. No, it was a camouflage netting, disguised as part of the grassland!
Her swing faltered momentarily before another familiar figure sprang forward, raising a hand cloaked with icy dust.
"
Lila hurled a blizzard with a single chant, channeling an immense power from within. Her skin froze, coated in frostbite, and she couldn't escape.
"
The final buff needed that was used against the protagonist. A buff that lasted one second max for a duration, used for her
String pulled, arrow readied.
In the split moment, the Heiress grinned, baring her teeth. As she had vowed in childhood, she would own every battle, even the defeats that piled on since infancy.
"Next time, I won't forget."
Boom!
A dust of cloud exploded, the untold power of an arrow that burst forth with an
Lila sighed with relief as she saw the pixels floating out from within. It was over.
"Too nervous?"
A light voice, unbearably sweet, slipped into her ears. Lila pouted at Mel, who was approaching with her hands behind her back, seemingly too unbothered.
"Glad I'm the only one nervous?"
"Hehe." She received a pat on the head. "Good job. Lila."
"...mm." A blush crept up to her face. For once, Mel's touch held something she couldn't quite grasp, but definitely something she would never forget.
[ Envy's Favorability: 73.5 -> 76 ]
[ You have gained the interest of the Witch of Greed! ]
[ Greed's Favorability: 0 -> 12 ]
[ Careful, Host! It will be a real show from now on! ]