Chapter 16: Happy Rivals

Leaving the strangely pure-white girl behind, Dorothy walked toward the bookstore’s textbook section.

She quickly found her younger sister, but only when she drew closer did she realize Alice wasn’t alone—she was facing off against three girls of roughly the same age, all witches.

Seeing her sister seemingly being bullied, Dorothy’s heart leapt; she quickened her pace, eager to teach those idiots a lesson.

But as she drew nearer and recognized the faces of the three witches—especially the one in the center, with her astonishing blue curly pigtails—Dorothy stopped dead in her tracks.

“Oh, it’s Isabella? Then never mind.”

She recognized the girl—Alice’s former classmate and longtime rival.

Isabella was the daughter of the lord of Haiyue Island, the Haiyue Witch, and the future young mistress of the island; inheriting the innate talent of the great Haiyue Witch, she was a famed local prodigy, hailed alongside Alice as one of Haiyue Island’s twin jewels.

Meanwhile, Dorothy’s formidable stepmother was the chief research witch of Haiyuedao—effectively the entire witch domain’s steward—holding high rank and power; she had been childhood best friends with the island’s lord, the Haiyue Witch, and the two families were deeply close, often gathering together.

Thus, Alice and Isabella, being nearly the same age, were practically childhood friends—but unfortunately, they had inherited none of their mothers’ deep friendship; instead, they seemed born to clash, meeting only to argue or fight, neither ever yielding to the other.

By the time Dorothy arrived, the two girls were already at war—but her stepmother had told her that as toddlers, they’d been inseparable, hugging and clinging to each other; no one knew why they’d turned into bitter enemies as they grew older.

Of course, as an onlooker later snacking on the drama, Dorothy understood them better than they understood themselves.

Born a lady of privilege, Isabella actually liked Alice very much; she hoped Alice would one day serve her, just as her mother served the Haiyue Witch.

But Alice was the kind who refused to be second to anyone; from childhood, she’d dreamed of carving out her own territory and becoming its lord—she had the talent and ability for it, so why should she kneel as a servant?

Thus the conflict arose: Isabella constantly sought to outdo Alice, to dominate her, to break her spirit and force her into submission.

But Alice was fiercely competitive, growing stronger with every setback; she refused to bow to anyone, and Isabella’s tactics struck her as needless provocation—naturally, she resented it.

The result? One stubborn, prideful girl who couldn’t say what she meant, only created trouble; the other, a fierce, unyielding woman who refused to retreat even a step—of course they fought every time they met.

Every time Dorothy saw these two girls meet, she’d grab a small stool, pull out some sunflower seeds, and settle in to watch the show, munching and sighing, “This must be youth—it’s even better than watching anime.”

Just like now...

Though they’d fallen silent in the bookstore to avoid disturbing others, Dorothy’s high perception still let her sense the constant magical fluctuations between the two young witches.

Heh, they’re already shouting at each other through telepathy.

True to the professional spirit of a spectator, Dorothy made a tiny adjustment—and effortlessly cracked their amateurish telepathic link; with a smug maternal grin, she began eavesdropping.

Isabella: “Heh, I knew something smelled fishy from afar—it’s you, you muscle-brained idiot. These days even beasts read books? Need me to pick your textbooks for you?”

Alice: “Scram. I have only one sister. You, who was born an hour before me, shut your mouth. And keep your distance—your fish stink is making me sick. I don’t eat fish.”

Isabella: “You little dwarf, are you looking for a fight?”

Alice: “You’re the fat salted fish causing trouble—who’s afraid of you?”

Isabella: “I bet you haven’t been beaten in days and your skin’s itching.”

Alice: “Heh, last time I’m pretty sure it was you who lost so badly your scales fell off everywhere—you nearly became a dead fish.”

Isabella: “That was a sneak attack. You’re dishonorable. Face me properly if you dare.”

Alice: “Oh my, our brilliant young lady was sneak-attacked by a muscle-brained beast? Your fish brain must be so clever.”

Isabella: “Don’t leave. Meet me on the rooftop arena.”

Alice: “Hmph. Who’s afraid? Arena? I’ll call the medics for you first.”

Yep, same old high-intensity verbal brawl—using rapid incantations, spitting hundreds of lines per second. They’ve clearly practiced this privately countless times. You two really are made for each other.

Dorothy enjoyed the show thoroughly; only when both girls fell silent for a break did she slowly step out from behind the bookshelf.

“Oh? Isabella’s here too? What a coincidence.”

She walked over to Alice’s side, feigning surprise as she looked at the blue-haired young lady.

“Uh... Dorothy-sister, you’re here too?”

Isabella looked startled, then slightly shy; she politely curtsied, her noble manners flawless, and finally, with a fan half-covering her mouth, smiled with demure charm.

This gentle, poised lady was hard to believe was the same girl who’d just been hurling a hundred cutting remarks per second.

“Mm-hmm. I’m reporting to the Witch Academy tomorrow, and Alice is helping me buy textbooks today.”

Dorothy pretended ignorance, explaining casually, even cracking a joke.

“Isabella, you and Alice will both be my seniors at school—I’m counting on you two to look out for me.”

“Of course! Dorothy-sister, anything you need, just come to me. I have some influence in the Student Council—I’d do anything for you.”

The blue-haired witch suddenly grew animated, her eyes sparkling as she gazed at Dorothy.

Cough, cough...

Dorothy felt deeply touched by Isabella’s warmth.

Look, what a polite, kind girl—helpful to everyone except Alice.

But before she could thank Isabella, her arm was suddenly wrapped in a tight hug from her sister.

“Hmph. I take care of my own sister. You don’t need to help. Dorothy, ignore her. If you need anything, just go to the campus guard unit—I’m there.”

Alice stuck out her tongue at her rival, then forcibly dragged Dorothy away.

“Come on, sister, let’s go buy books.”

“Alright, alright.”

Dorothy sighed helplessly, politely smiled at the blue-haired young lady, and let herself be pulled away.

But to her surprise, Isabella quickly followed.

“Dorothy-sister, let me help too. Alice’s grades are average, but I’ve always been in the top five of the school. As a witch of the Path of Omniscience, I can give you better advice.”

The blue-haired witch blackened her old rival with a sidelong glance while beaming sweetly at Dorothy.

Dorothy was tempted—after all, her sister’s grades were truly terrible.

Alice: “......”

She couldn’t deny it.

Damn it, I’m going to study hard when I get home.

The young witch glared murderously at the fake childhood friend, silently vowing to herself.