Chapter 75

At night, the very top of the Sparkling Tower.

Sizzle... sizzle... sizzle...

Ingredients clung to the hot pan like lovers in embrace; the sizzling oils spilled forth, intensifying the already scorching passion, making it even hotter and more alluring.

Hmm, whether others were moved or not, Sophie Liya, who sat on the living room sofa pretending to read a book, was deeply moved—tears slipped from the corners of her angelic mouth.

Plop...

The pure-white girl simply closed the book in her hands.

After all, under the teasing allure of this exquisite aroma that danced like feathers on your taste buds, who in their right mind would bother studying?

She finally lifted her head, gazing at the young lady in the pink fluff-rabbit apron, casually directing the kitchen utensils to move on their own while humming softly, and couldn’t help but ask.

“Young Lady, when are you planning to take the Combat Tactics Practical Exam?”

This young lady has already completed eight and a half of today’s trial exams; if she passes the final practical test, she will become the second witch in a thousand years—after the Demon King himself—to achieve the feat of passing all nine consecutive exams.

This is an accomplishment that would shake the entire witch world.

Even though Sophie Liya felt she didn’t get along well with this young lady, out of respect for her Master, she couldn’t just ignore it—she felt she ought to pay closer attention so she could properly report back later.

“Of course as soon as possible—tomorrow morning. Get it over with quickly, so I can have some free time in the afternoon for other things.”

Dorothy answered without hesitation.

Seeing this young lady’s complete lack of concern, Sophie Liya felt her blood pressure skyrocketing again.

My young lady, this is a historic achievement that could be recorded in witch annals—can’t you feel some urgency? Can’t you take this seriously?

The usually composed Student Council President could no longer hold back—this young lady was the exact opposite of her personality, effortlessly shattering her already mild temper.

This girl clearly suffers from arrogance born of talent; she’s even more conceited than I, an angel witch. Your casual attitude is irresponsible toward your own life.

Sophie Liya now felt even more pity for her Master—raising such a daughter must be exhausting. She finally understood that agonizing feeling of watching someone you love fail to live up to their potential.

“Then I’ll take you tomorrow morning.”

The angel witch rubbed her throbbing temples, her voice heavy with resignation.

“Um… no need. I know you’re busy as Student Council President—I’ll just ask my junior to take me. Wouldn’t want to disturb you.”

Hearing this, Dorothy felt slightly embarrassed and waved her hand, signaling it wasn’t necessary.

The entire witch academy’s operations depended on this pure-white Student Council President—she was like the emperor of this academy-state, holding daily court; even one day of rest would have serious consequences.

How could Dorothy dare delay her council duties over something so trivial? The forum’s bored trolls would surely spin wild rumors about her.

“Siren of ruin? Witch of chaos? Disrupting imperial order? The emperor no longer rises at dawn…”

Too terrifying to imagine. No, no—I can’t let that happen. Sophie Liya, please spare my reputation—I still think I can salvage this.

The angel witch: “...”

For some reason, seeing this young lady’s obvious annoyance at being bothered made her furious. Do you think I want to babysit you? You know I’m busy, yet I’m ready to break my perfect attendance record for you—do you even understand my sacrifice?

Just imagining a single morning absence marring her flawless Student Council record made Sophie Liya physically ill—her perfectionism couldn’t tolerate it.

But I’m doing this for you—would I be this stressed if you were just a little more sensible?

Most infuriating of all, her kindness was met with disdain.

At that moment, Sophie Liya truly wanted to quit.

This young lady was unbearable. Let someone else deal with her. I’ll just look away.

But such thoughts remained only thoughts—after all, she’s the Master’s precious daughter. I’ll endure.

Sophie Liya took several deep breaths, then spoke with solemn seriousness.

“Young Lady, tomorrow’s exam is crucial. I’ve heard that passing all nine consecutive exams will greatly raise your evaluation in the All-Seeing Eye, possibly unlocking a hidden achievement and skyrocketing your rank points—please take this seriously.”

But…

“Yes, yes, yes…”

Even as the angel witch spoke with such gravity, Dorothy in the kitchen merely nodded absently, lifted the lid, and let a spoon float a spoonful of broth to her lips; she licked it, then frowned—too bland.

Hmm… salt. Add salt…

She pinched a bit from the salt container and struck the classic “Salt Master” pose.

Perfect. Now it’s just right. The Thunderbird leg is done—time to eat.

She cheerfully directed the utensils to plate the enormous, two-meter-plus bird leg, then effortlessly lifted the heavy tray onto the dining table.

“Alright, Sophie Liya, dinner’s ready.”

Dorothy placed the massive tray down, then poked her head out from behind the thunderbird leg to call to her roommate.

But…

Sophie Liya was genuinely angry now—the kind of anger no food could soothe.

The angel witch stood frozen, trembling, staring at Dorothy with the look one gives a pile of rotting sludge—her eyes filled with hatred, envy, resentment, and deep, crushing disappointment.

In those golden eyes, Dorothy saw only her own reflection—as if the thunderbird leg towering beside her had vanished entirely.

Oh no… this is bad.

Seeing her roommate, who adored food above all else, ignore even this dish, Dorothy knew it was over—this was real anger.

But she was helpless.

“Sigh…”

She sighed, removed the ridiculous pink fluff-rabbit apron, and looked seriously at the pure-white girl across from her.

“So tell me, Sophie Liya—do you think I’m too frivolous? Too arrogant? Or that I’m hopeless trash, just giving up and making my mother—the teacher you most revere—look bad?”

Behind her thick glasses, Dorothy’s eyes sharpened; her dark irises turned crimson, her round pupils elongating into vertical slits.

An invisible authority surged from her—youthful, yet upright, pure and unadulterated Dragon Majesty.

Sophie Liya felt this authority, identical to her Master’s, and stared into those identical crimson dragon eyes—and suddenly felt a strange, tightening dread, as if a younger version of her Master stood before her.

“So tell me, Sophie Liya—what should I do? Should I panic and train harder? Should I lie awake in anxiety, crying to you? Or scramble to research my opponent’s info at the last minute?”

“Is that the only way to seem serious? To appear ambitious? To look even a little like a ‘successful person’?”

The young dragon, suddenly radiating authority, sneered.

“Sigh… my dear President, I thought you might understand me. But you’ve disappointed me. You’re a Qiang too—why act like those weaklings, pretending? Where is your Qiang heart?”

“Only the insecure and weak hesitate, fear, and tremble before a challenge. It’s just a basic exam—why are you so stressed?”

“Do you doubt my strength? Do you doubt me—the one who once defeated you, the academy’s strongest President?”

“Or are you, the President, actually a fraud? Is tomorrow’s examiner stronger than you? Strong enough to defeat me—someone who once crushed you—under the same mana restrictions?”

“Then answer me, Sophie Liya—is such a difficult exam even possible?”

“Answer me—this is your Qiang heart? Student Council President… are you looking down on me… or are you looking down on yourself?”

The dragon, having torn off her lazy disguise, revealed her fangs for the first time, staring at the angel, lips curled into a mocking grin.

The angel, infinitely stronger than this immature dragon, was now completely suppressed—her golden pupils shrank sharply, and for a moment, she had no answer.

After waiting long enough to find no reply, the young dragon found the whole thing dull. She turned away, reverting instantly to the unremarkable, harmless little witch girl.

“Wow, my meat’s getting cold—cold meat’s no good. Stop standing there, come eat! Nothing beats digging into a big piece of meat!”

She sat back down as if nothing had happened, warmly urging the stunned Sophie Liya to join her.

……The young dragon devoured her meat…