Chapter 25: She

The nonsensical frolic ended after a brief five minutes.

Because today—more precisely, just a moment ago—Witch Miss discovered that her Growth Guard System had finally popped up a reward notification.

【Detected: the proficiency of all your newly learned magic skills has increased to lv2】

【Your diligent effort and study deserve commendation】

【Limited-time bounty mission has been activated:】

【Complete the Daily Task to receive the mission reward—magic "Vow of the Sea Moon"】

【Exceed the Daily Task to obtain—magic "Trace of the Mountain Marsh Unicorn"】

【Remaining time: 13 hours 45 minutes】

The deadline is exactly 6 a. m., when the Daily Task refreshes!

Time is running out!

And Witch Miss is also curious what these two spells actually are; just knowing one is water‑type and the other ice‑type is too vague!

Thus, after briefly soothing Fizzy Cat and the grumbling old butler, she hurriedly began today's training.

She tidied her disheveled appearance, restored the old butler to its default settings, still looking like a refined elderly gentleman.

He placed both hands on the hilt of the wooden sword and said to Witch Miss,

"Miss, today we'll conduct some combat training."

"Combat training…?"

Witch Miss tilted her head, puzzled—aren't we always doing combat training?

Then why did you beat me up so badly!

The thought of learning magic by being bombarded with spells made Witch Miss shiver.

Physical melee—terrifying indeed!

"Exactly, those in the past were merely simple auxiliary drills, not true combat."

The old butler's single sentence confirmed Witch Miss's suspicion, and in that instant she tensed, feeling a strong reverence for today's training.

After a deep breath, Witch Miss assumed a look of welcoming death.

Come on!

She's already ready to crawl out!

As long as she doesn't break an arm or a leg, she believes her magic cat will grant her a few useful healing spells!

Although!

She has never actually seen Cat use any magic seriously!

Unaware of what Witch Miss is thinking, they only find their own Miss utterly adorable; even the old butler, who listens so seriously, didn't jump straight into battle.

He recalled the matter Cat had just entrusted to him, and said,

"Your school is about to conduct a test, right? It should be time for the unified exam, the point when you enter the dungeon, correct?"

When the butler spoke, he sounded like an old movie star.

His demeanor resembled a seasoned parent who knows the school's plans and cares about his child's grades.

"Yes, Grandpa Lin."

"Miss, have you chosen your preferred teammate?"

"No… I intend to complete this mission solo and enter the dungeon."

Upon hearing Witch Miss's reply, the old butler showed a suitably surprised expression.

Pretending to ponder for a moment, he continued gravely,

"In that case, indeed combat training is necessary."

"Miss, do you have any plan?

Facing the Combat Dummy alone, without revealing your melee strength, you can only employ mage‑related skills."

The butler's question instantly stumped Witch Miss.

The issue he raised is exactly what has been troubling Witch Miss throughout today's magic practice.

"Given my mana…

If a single magic skill could control all the Combat Dummies, or instantly slay them… that would still be a decent chance of victory."

"But have you mastered such a spell yet?"

"Not yet…"

Although the answer left Witch Miss feeling unwilling, she still spoke honestly to the old butler.

She has not mastered this large‑scale offensive magic.

The magic the school can teach and that can be self‑studied is limited; aside from the beginner‑level, all‑attribute, first‑rank low‑tier spells,

to advance further one must either hire a respected teacher inside the Magic Tower,

or enroll in a university to major in magic,

or venture into the dungeon, hunting monsters in hopes they drop rare spellbooks, or exchange high points for magical abilities.

Someone like her—parentless, without a way to hire a teacher, and too low‑level to enter the dungeon—can only wait step by step.

Thus, when she saw the system's reward, she became very excited.

Although she still doesn't know what effects these two spells have…

The sorrowful Sword Saint, who understands but not fully, offered his opinion on Witch Miss's battle plan,

"I think, Miss, your approach is a bit too hasty, overly risky, and the success rate isn't high."

"I looked into it today; the difficulty of the dungeon you're testing into.

I guess the Combat Dummies used in the teachers' simulation test will range from lv3 to lv5, with about ten to fifteen of them."

The Old Sword Saint only spoke up to this point; the Witch Miss also already understood the implied meaning thereafter.

She had also considered these; her corresponding strategy is,

"I'm already lv5 now; as long as I keep working hard, I can raise my level to lv10 or above before the test, and I can definitely try to instantly kill them."

The Witch Miss's level-up speed, the Sword Saint naturally knows.

The monster simulated by that little broken cat is excellent, thereby causing that even while constantly in a defeated state, the Witch Miss can still obtain a large amount of experience points from it.

If training continues like this, breaking through lv10 before the formal test arrives is certainly not impossible.

But……

"What if there is a doll enchanted with magic resistance?"

"When there is no way to kill in one blow, what should you do then?"

Hearing this, the Witch Miss pursed her lips and replied,

"Then let's be safer and raise the level even higher."

"As long as we strive toward this goal."

"If I, at level 10, cannot instantly kill those monsters with magic, then I will level up to 12, 15."

"……"

The Sword Saint sensed Bai Yan's determination, the will to strive tirelessly, and he also knew the feasibility of this leveling plan.

Moreover, in reality he has indeed seen some leveling maniacs who, lacking attributes, skills, or talent, rely on leveling up to pile up combat power.

But……

At high levels, the speed of leveling will always slow down.

In the near future, due to being overly eager for quick success, the resulting neglect of technique will be exposed.

The missed potential values will become an insurmountable gap in same-level battles, and the regret of being single-handedly killed by a higher-level opponent.

He has killed far too many people like that.

Bai Yan is very talented; even without Cat's persuasion today, upon hearing her formulate her future plans like this, he would absolutely intervene and stop her.

He knows the Witch Miss has reasons she must quickly become stronger, but this is not an excuse for her to waste her talent and abandon her future.

The Old Sword Saint, unlike his previous gentle demeanor, answered the Witch Miss this time with an especially solemn tone,

"Rushing to raise the level while neglecting one's own technique is putting the cart before the horse,"

"I will strive to study magic deeply."

"But is your talent truly only magic?"

The Old Sword Saint interrupted the Witch Miss's sophistry,

"Although you think learning martial arts is just for training the body, even I, who have only taught you for over a week, can discover your outstanding talent in this area."

"Wasting such great talent and not honing yourself is simply a waste!"

No…… not just training the body.

The Witch Miss knows this is her foundation.

But……

"But…… besides this, I can't think of any other way."

Time waits for no one.

She now trains both literary and martial arts, charging straight into the pile of combat dolls, confident that with the bonuses of swordsmanship and body techniques she can perfectly pass the test.

But, if it's only magic……

If she does not level up quickly, she cannot even imagine the possibility of success.

The various complex feelings in her heart about this test make her feel that the time has come to make a choice.

She wants glory, she wants success, she feels that sacrificing part of her close-combat training time to exchange for her own victory is a price she should pay.

She wants to change, to achieve a single perfect success, in order to thoroughly defeat the cowardly self within her heart.

She…… wants to become an existence that people envy and admire, and call an idol.

Therefore, for this test, she must perfectly secure it.

Failure cannot be an option.

If not successful, then become benevolent; break the cauldrons and sink the boats!

"There are many ways, Miss."

The old butler's words interrupted her from falling into a narrow-minded train of thought.

Under the Witch Miss's doubtful gaze, only seeing the old butler shake his head, he continued to guide her,

"Study deeply, Miss."

From the knowledge you have already mastered, seek a breakthrough point.

You are already very learned.

"Study deeply……?"

"In the knowledge already mastered?"

"Learned? Are you talking about me?"

"For this test, even if you can only use close-combat ability practically, you can still pass."

"Conversely, the same holds true."

"Really……?"

"Of course."

The old butler's affirmation caused the Witch Miss to widen her eyes in some disbelief.

"What was the public paper published internationally by the Magic Research Association two years ago?"

"Regarding the practical amplification and weakening effects of multi‑element magic combos."

Witch Miss replied instantly.

She was more than familiar with this material.

Any knowledge from books she had read was firmly lodged in her mind.

"So, were you inspired?"

Old Sword Saint, taking the cue, spoke step by step,

"As a mage, being engaged in close combat is a grave taboo.

But you have undergone close‑quarters weapon training; in this test, even if you don't display physical strength, your eyes, mind, and judgment remain unrestricted.

To pass this test flawlessly, you must streamline your positioning to dodge lethal attacks, then chant in parallel to release magic and seize the chance for victory."

"But this has nothing to do with the paper you mentioned…"

Witch Miss's line of thought gradually broadened under the butler's guidance.

Release magic, seek the opportunity.

That paper…

"So, what I need isn't a one‑hit‑kill spell, but a spell that buys me time to reposition and cast the next magic, right!"

"Exactly.

You need a defensive single‑target dummy against your charge attacks, and to prevent being surrounded by dummies, leaving you no retreat."

Defending against a single dummy's attack, preventing encirclement, as a mage…

Control effects…

Paper…

A string in Witch Miss's mind instantly resonated,

"You're talking about Advanced Elemental Reaction Theory!"

"Exactly."

Hearing Witch Miss's perfect answer, the old butler showed a satisfied smile.

Sure enough, as Cat had expected, he only needed a simple hint for Witch Miss to understand naturally.

He hadn't expected that such knowledge, which even sounded profoundly difficult to him, would be explored and studied by Witch Miss shortly after her awakening.

"Lightning‑type magic and fire‑type magic can produce an overload effect, generating massive impact to achieve a knock‑up.

Thus, when facing a dummy enhanced with speed and strength and preparing to attack me, I have a countermeasure!"

"Ice‑type magic and water‑type magic can combine to produce a freeze effect, and the water‑type magic's continuous attack sustains that effect!

Consequently, I can avoid being surrounded or forced into a dead end."

The theoretical content, in a dungeon, requires multiple mages cooperating to achieve.

But because she lacks magical aptitude, none of her magical talents are particularly strong, so she hasn't specialized in any element; therefore, producing a team‑combo effect alone is no problem.

!!!!!

For the first time, Witch Miss experienced the benefits of being inexperienced.

Because she was once so inexperienced, she spread her effort to try many elemental magics.

Since she has no magical talent, her cultivation method isn't the usual focus on one or at most three favored elements, but a wide‑net, opportunistic learning.

Before the Contract Cat, she had already begun studying multi‑element magic: the classic water‑fire‑grass trio, Foam, Small Fireball, and Sprout, all of which she learned with all her might.

After obtaining the system, her multi‑element skill set was further expanded.

Such as the Azure Thunder lightning magic, Modified Fireball and Booming Sparks fire magic, Modified Foam and Water's Constant Form water magic, and the ice magic earned by double‑completing today's daily quests.

The knock‑up and freeze effects just mentioned can be fully executed by her alone!

And after luckily acquiring a massive MP pool, she can single‑handedly cast multiple elements and spells in a short time without issue.

Because her spells are mostly low‑level, their MP cost is low, so even with a very slow mana regeneration, she uses them with ease!

All this is possible precisely because of her inexperience, providing operability.

She's inexperienced, and she's proud!!!

She's inexperienced, long live!!!

(ﾉﾟ∀ﾟ)و✧

For the first time, Witch Miss shouted this line from her heart with such positive emotion.

This smooth feeling is simply… exhilarating!

Farewell, the era of magic newbies being sprayed!

Farewell, cage!

Seeing that Witch Miss fully grasped what she should do now, Old Sword Saint also voiced his thoughts after hearing Cat's Plan,

"So for today's combat training, what I want to teach you is a no‑damage technique—skill dodging."

"Of course, over the next few days I'll also give you other combat knowledge.

Such as mob‑gathering practice, the weaknesses of humans and monsters, and monster behavior mechanics."

"I believe with these, you can not only pass the test and complete the dungeon exam, but also, for a long time after you surpass level 20, venture into dungeons alone with confidence."

"Alright!!!

Now, Witch Miss is fully fired up!

She is completely captivated by the wonderful plans ahead.

All‑element Magic Practice Plan on!

Perfect Positioning, Mob‑Gathering Plan on!

Melee Skill Mastery Plan on!

Solo run the dungeon, become the second black‑clad swordsman!

Squeeze potential, max out perfect stats, one‑shot higher tier, hexagonal development—she wants it all!!

This... isn't this the treatment of a novel protagonist!!!

Charge... charge!!!

I, however, will become the king's woman!

"Teacher! I'm ready!"

Infected by the passion in Witch Miss's gaze, Old Sword Saint also feels himself ignited.

"Alright, then let's start the lesson now!"

What could be more exciting for the teacher than breeding a monster!

While the ignited young Witch Miss and the equally ignited elderly Old Sword Saint train, Cat has been peacefully lying on the side, hands in pockets.

Of course, he is not just leisurely watching; while being blinded by the two Fireballs, he also concentrates to stealthily learn.

In secret where Old Sword Saint doesn't know, Cat has already copied the Sharingan.

The techniques, theoretical knowledge, or combat experience that Old Sword Saint passed to Witch Miss are more than enough for this mage to study for a long time.

Although he is now just a kitten, a little cat whose stats can't match a human and embarrasses cats, he will stand up someday.

Because it's a glass cannon, we need to understand more deeply what these guys, whose heads are packed with muscle, are thinking.

It's like mastering assassins before playing AD, so when being cut you know exactly what the opponent intends, allowing you to bait and find a counter‑attack opportunity.

And…

Cat's plan is not just that.

To wash away the shame of the cat race's title (self‑appointed), since he shared Witch Miss's skill 'Shadow', his goal is to join, and if you can't beat them, just join!

Just like the Qixi Blue Bird, directly launch a mega betrayal against mages!

￥￥￥￥￥￥

Witch Miss and Old Sword Saint's combat drills greatly benefit Cat.

Because the martial arts humans can learn are basically useless for him, now just a cat.

Too much mental and abstract.

Magic‑infused sword, then the sword comes?

Although it's cool, at most it's just magic.

And the cool sword‑swinging, seven‑in‑seven‑out to take the enemy's head is ultimately a different concept.

(embarrassed)!

Damn!

As a cat, he also wants to stylishly wield sword flourishes.

Now he can only occasionally scratch with a Soul‑Scattering Claw to comfort his aggrieved self.

Maybe next time ask Old Sword Saint whether he can rabbit‑kick an eagle.

Looking at his own big chicken thigh that looks somewhat like a rabbit's leg, Cat wistfully imagined…

After Witch Miss's brief thirty‑minute bath break, the current time belongs to ttk's Badu Road time.

When seeing Witch Miss unlike before, deliberately changing into a school uniform and donning a wizard's pointed hat and cloak, preparing to fully simulate a cool mage battle, Cat also summoned his own Pokémon… mimic monster.

"Meow!"

It's decided, it's you! Pikachu!

Now is the crucial moment to test whether you are artificial intelligence or artificial idiot!