Chapter 26: Go, Bug Hill!

"Pika!"

A yellow, plush rodent with black markings on its back instantly appeared on the lawn.

Witch Miss keenly noticed that this time, unlike the previous magic‑concentrated mimic entity, this Pikachu seemed to have jumped out of a dimensional pocket.

While Witch Miss pondered whether this variant's entrance mirrored her own battle in a magical robe today, Pikachu was stealthily making a righteous dash.

When deployed, Pikachu immediately initiated assessment and replication.

It swiftly assessed Witch Miss's level and stat strengths and weaknesses, then reorganized its own power accordingly.

It applied a level‑1 reduction to Witch Miss and targeted her weaknesses.

All of this should have gone as planned…

But…

【MP‑1300】

【Mimic Life "Pikachu" extracts more mana to raise its attributes above those of individual "Bai Yan"】

【Mimic Life "Pikachu" current level: lv4】

…

System motor.

Forgot it—Bai Yan's stats compared to the same period are a bug.

And they seem to have forgotten to give Pikachu an initial mana value.

Minor issue, minor issue.

Wen Danai, everything remains under control.

Normally, how could a lv4 cricket have such outstanding attributes as Bai Yan's? If it were just battling ordinary awakeners, why would an already independent son appear, and why would it deduct the father's blue bar?

After this battle ends, the adjustment only requires simply adding initial attribute values, initial mana, and surplus energy storage for conversion to boost Pikachu's abilities.

Hmm, everything is fully under control.

I don't know why encountering a bug right at the start forced Cat to repeat that sentence in their mind several times, to calm their already panicking heart.

Taking a deep breath, Cat once again shifted their gaze to the duel between Witch Miss and the prototype Pikachu.

Pikachu has long since changed; after copying and augmenting the excess abilities onto itself, it became even stronger.

"Pika!"

Activating the preset, it lets out a fierce cry during power boost to intimidate the area.

Seeing Witch Miss and the butler stunned, Cat nodded in satisfaction.

While they were engrossed in Pikachu's ferocity, the treacherous Pikachu, following its preset, charged up and unleashed a flash of lightning, racing at extreme speed straight at Witch Miss.

Simultaneously, accompanied by the "Pika Pika Pika" sound effect, the 100,000‑volt bombardment was already in position.

A dazzling yellow bolt of electricity bombarded the spot where Witch Miss stood.

When Witch Miss prepared to leap away, its iron tail was fully charged, having predicted her trajectory, and it swung down hard onto her inevitable path.

Cat! Did you start off this big?!

Witch Miss, never having seen such a display, watched Pikachu close in, then thrust upward in a sudden second burst, accelerating while leaping farther.

Her mind was more focused than ever; seeing Pikachu apparently knowing her escape route, she hurriedly released a Fireball to try to block the Pikachu that was slashing downwards, ready to split her in two.

Boom.

With the ground cracking and soil scattering, the spot where Witch Miss was about to land was already a massive crater.

(ΩДΩ)…!!!!

Good… good that she trained today on dodge skills; had it been yesterday, she would have been unable to withstand Pikachu's opening combo.

"Miss, as a mage, you shouldn't have such speed."

Captain Dragonfly, the butler watching the fight from the side, though also surprised, dutifully reminded Bai Yan.

(｀＾´)ノGrandpa Lin! I even helped you tilt the balance today!

Next time, I'll definitely help Cat!!!

"Th-this, if I didn't have this speed, I couldn't dodge! I'd definitely be smashed and cut in half!"

"No, miss, the yellow sphere's attack only looks terrifying; you just need…"

Before the butler could finish responding, Pikachu suddenly turned its head and stared wide‑eyed at the butler.

【Mimic Life "Pikachu" assesses Lin Du's level and attribute values】

【MP‑57000】

【You overloaded magic release】

【Your body is injured】

【HP‑30】

【Mimic Life "Pikachu" extracts more mana to raise its attributes above those of individual "Lin Du"】

【Mimic Life "Pikachu", current level: lv126】

Cat:?!!

Pikachu!! What are you doing, Pikachu!!

—Assess and replicate the level and attribute points of the unit nearest to Pikachu

—Perform energy conversion, turning its level into the opponent's level‑1, analyzing the opponent's attribute strengths and weaknesses and allocating points to counteract

Is the problem actually here!!!

While Cat roared inside, Pikachu made an even more heart‑stopping move.

After a single "Pika", its surroundings suddenly amassed a fierce, dazzling electric flash.

Terrifying lightning‑type magical energy rapidly converged around it, and in an instant the sky filled with dark clouds, black storm clouds flashing with serpent‑like lightning.

Boom……

Boom!

Accompanied by thunderclaps that grew louder and stronger from afar, the lightning sphere surrounding Pikachu seemed ready to explode at any moment.

"Pika!"

Lightning Strike!

With Pikachu's shout, a massive Lightning Light slashed down from the sky.

The electric flash lit the heavens, yellow becoming the sole dominant hue in sight, a terrifying and suffocating pressure pressed down from above…

"Meow!!"

Magic—defend!

Bang.

As the smoke and Lightning Light faded, what was wrapped in electric light was a huge pale‑blue shield.

Cat, at the very last moment, defended this home and also took care of the bug‑glitch Pikachu that tried to drag them both to ruin.

【You have overloaded your magic】

【Your body has taken damage】

【HP‑17】

"……"

He should give his own constitution a knock.

Otherwise, after all this trouble, he would inevitably be on the brink of death.

But now, the great Cat, whose level has risen to lv2, boasts a lavish 750 HP!

He… can withstand this blow!

At this moment, Witch Miss also recovered from the earlier impact, her face excited as she looked toward the Cat standing afar and shouted at him,

"Wow Cat, what was that just now?!"

Hearing Witch Miss's exclamation, Cat hurriedly turned his head aside, unwilling to look her straight in the eye.

Cat doesn't know; Cat truly knows nothing at all.

What bug, what test, what…

All of it has nothing to do with Cat!

"Meow~~~~"

(●ↀωↀ●)

I am just an ordinary Xiaohei cat.

Xiaohei cat, meow.

While Cat pretended not to notice, Witch Miss ran up to him, squatted down, and pressed her head against Cat's face,

"Cat! So you're that powerful!"

"Can you tell me what that cool magic just now actually was?!"

(●ↀωↀ●)

Cat is just a cat; Cat cannot understand human speech.

Who told me I was just a little kitten?

"Cat! Can you understand what I'm saying?

Cat cat cat cat cat cat~~~~"

(✧◡✧)

(●ↀωↀ●;;)

As Witch Miss's face drew nearer, feeling the warmth of her breath, Cat's sense of guilt and shame grew ever stronger.

(✧◡✧)~~~~

(●ↀmↀ●)

In the end, Cat simply couldn't withstand Witch Miss's "I'm very curious!" and chose a relatively lenient honesty.

He felt truly embarrassed about Witch Miss's repeated "concealments," especially after the experiment failed and a Lightning Strike almost struck her dead.

Thus, the proud Cat silently took his tail, gathered specks of Lightning Light on the lawn, and wrote two characters with Magic Text,

—Lightning Strike.

He answered Witch Miss's question.

Yes, that's right.

Cat… no longer has any responsibility!

Looking at the home he almost destroyed, Cat still evades reality.

How this bug geometry can even work, it seems to run quite normally!!!

A programmer's breakdown often occurs in a single instant during testing.

Unlike Cat's collapse, Witch Miss's eyes sparkled as she watched the characters his tail wrote on the ground, showing an excited expression.

"This is… Magic Text!"

Magic Text is a required course that gives many mages a headache.

Studying Magic Text thoroughly and being able to use it flexibly requires not only effort but also talent.

Because the characters gather energy and bear symbols, some who are weak in magical adaptability develop "reading difficulties" when attempting to study Magic Text.

For example, feeling the characters flutter or shift.

But all this is no problem for those who have been taught "work hard or be killed" and for Bai Yan, who carries witch blood.

She identified the words written on the lawn, shimmering with Lightning Light,

"L…ightning?"

"Cat, are you saying that the cute fluffy thing just released was Lightning Strike?"

The Cat, whose cheek was grabbed by Witch Miss, could only nod, giving Witch Miss an affirmative response.

"So that's it!! So this powerful magic is called this!"

"Eh??? Wait, wait…"

Lightning Strike… Isn't that Level 3 Magic?

Lightning Strike, Low-level Lv3 Magic, when cast it sends a powerful bolt of lightning down from a height.

Witch Miss's mind was like a compendium, simultaneously broadcasting the book's explanation of the Lightning Strike magic.

But… the cataclysmic scene just now… was not some ordinary bolt of lightning descending from above with a simple strong strike!

That was life‑taking, destruction‑level… a natural disaster!

Eh??

Wait a moment.

She hurriedly checked the Growth System's 【Acquired Skills】 list.

【Modified Fireball】

Suddenly recalling something, Witch Miss crouched in place and single‑handedly released a normal Fireball.

Wow.

The flames faded.

Then she released another Fireball.

This Fireball was exactly twice the size of the previous ordinary Fireball.

Scorching sparks leapt and darted within the Fireball, rising heat reflected in Witch Miss's eyes, which gradually glowed with excitement.

Wow, the flames extinguished again.

Immediately after, another mini Fireball was successfully released.

Just as expected!

Conjecture, clues, and evidence linked together in an instant, and Witch Miss, excited, continued to question Cat,

"Cat! So the spells I obtained in my system are all after your original modifications?!"

They possess greater malleability, and their power scales with the amount of mana the caster injects, increasing or decreasing strength!

"Heavens!!!"

Sigh…

So it was exposed after all…

In Cat's original plan, he had hoped to slyly conceal the fact that he was actually an ultimate invincible boss under a disguise, to make a dazzling debut as a savior at the perfect moment, then—oops, I accidentally slipped up—followed by Witch Miss's worship.

So this kind of trope can only appear in anime and novels!

While trying to steer Witch Miss toward a chuunibyou direction to train her social skills and boldness, Cat seemed to have become a bit too immersed in the role.

The suppressed DNA within him gradually awakened as Witch Miss's demonic soul revived.

At this moment, Witch Miss did not know what Cat was lamenting.

After updating her understanding of Cat, her heart was filled with joy.

"Cat!! How are you so powerful!"

Previously Witch Miss hadn't noticed; she only thought that the Modified Fireball was even easier to handle than the small Fireball, with great power yet consuming roughly the same mana as the small Fireball.

Result…

It turned out there was such a profound mystery hidden inside.

Now, upon carefully considering the formation needed to cast a Fireball, Witch Miss discovered that once one masters the spell, the basic formation can be constructed instantly with ease.

After that, the caster only needs to inscribe three Magic Text at the corresponding spots to instantly fire a Fireball.

How could she have forgotten that the Level 1 Fireball spell actually has a chanting step!

While others were still saying, "Great spirit of fire, please…", she had already prepared the Fireball and began targeting the middle gate.

"Cat!"

Lost in thought and excitement, Witch Miss lifted Cat high into the air,

"You are a god!"

You are my god!

Why was she a bit dejected earlier when she told the butler that she had to upgrade?

At this stage, for an ordinary person, learning powerful spells is as hard as climbing to the heavens!

The only free instruction a high school can provide is the basic attribute magic of levels 0–1.

Beyond that, to learn magic,

either one's family background includes parents who are mages,

or one has connections to ask a friend to teach, or through layers of contacts to commission a teacher inside the High Tower for early instruction,

or purchase at a high price a skill book that occasionally appears at an auction.

For ordinary people, only by entering university can one have the chance to formally study magic.

Yet mages, limited by their early fragility, rarely even have the chance to buy magical beasts for combat leveling or to enter dungeons early.

For ordinary people, the mage profession's desire to enter a good university, obtain better resources, become stronger… etc., is essentially trapped in an unbreakable vicious cycle.

Consequently, mages are also called the "noble profession."

A profession monopolized by conglomerates, aristocratic families, and noble houses.

Witch Miss thinks she is just a nameless, unremarkable yet seemingly affluent ordinary person, and she entered the Magic Student Class by sheer accident.

She feels… she might… be a magician.

And the teacher, after seeing her appraisal results, thought the same.

Golden full talent, Magic Affinity is very high, yet she possesses only a minuscule amount of magical power.

Not knowing how to allocate it, and seeing her frail physique not suited for martial cultivation, they simply tossed her into the Magic Class.

One can only say, this was a decision both bad and good.

By sheer accident, fate chose the best destined outcome for her.

So… indeed Cat is her lucky star, a god!!

To fundamentally break through the magic level restriction and adapt it, that is something she has never heard of.

"Cat, do you know.

If these spells of yours, even the simplest basic magic, like your Modified Fireball, were spread, they would absolutely become the work of a generation's great person."

Great person…?

That exaggerated…?

Hearing Witch Miss mutter while holding him, Cat gradually came to his senses.

Great person, achievements…

It doesn't seem that exaggerated either.

Because the self‑created skills he gave Witch Miss receive ratings in the system generally above B.

Spells like Fireball, Bubble, etc., which already exist in reality and have been adapted, all achieved an A‑grade rating.

A great feat?

Cat has never imagined that one day his simple actions would be tagged with such adjectives.

"Hey, Cat.

If one day you can speak, I hope you can promote these simple spells.

That would surely help many people."

Hearing Witch Miss speak as if to him, yet also to herself, Cat tilted his head.

He has no real objections; after all, there's this system quest.

But what exactly is Witch Miss's reason for wanting to spread these spells?

Although Cat has read books, he knows nothing of the real‑world content not written in them, so he doesn't understand Witch Miss's thoughts and intentions.

"I think this can help many… many people like me."

"Wanting to become stronger, yet limited by family background and talent.

In helpless moments, this new‑concept magic would definitely ignite new hope for them, just as it did for me when you helped!"

Saying that, after seeing Cat's increasingly puzzled gaze, Witch Miss hurried to explain,

"Ah… it's not that I'm being overly modest about family background or anything.

You see, although I have ample tuition and living expenses, it's like a magician inside the Magic Tower—without connections, money alone won't bring them, because it doesn't benefit them in the future.

Think about it, if money alone could hire a magic teacher, why wouldn't the butler grandpa find a way for me?"

Ah… this complicated relational society.

Though Witch Miss's words are messy, Cat, who has experienced the workplace, instantly understood the meaning.

It's like asking a leader for help; the leader says the matter isn't a big problem, whether it succeeds or not is just my words, mainly depending on whether you perform adequately, work hard, and are diligent.

How could one not understand what the leader means?

The so‑called magicians in the High Tower are the same, I guess.

They seek not only money but also connections, a ladder to help themselves advance further or mingle with the upper echelons of society.

"Ah, there might also be magicians who are short on money and need research funding.

Yet those who take money and still responsibly teach their students are still few.

Everyone is reluctant to share the ways they become stronger; they all fear it."

Witch Miss embraces Cat; after Cat responds to her via Magic Text, her desire to confide becomes unprecedentedly strong.

"Of course, Cat, I feel the same. I'm also scared that others become stronger, scared that others take my things and come to beat me up."

"Ah… so conflicted!"

(ー`´ー)

"But thinking about this now seems useless, Cat; my level is too low— even if we publish these papers together, no one would believe them."

"……"

You idealist, how did you suddenly become so realistic, huh!

Cat was taken off guard by Witch Miss's sudden demoralized shift.

"Sure enough, I'll wait until I get into university, earn some honors first! Maybe by then, Cat, you'll already be writing papers!"

"Eh? Cat, does that mean I can slack off now?"

"Meow???"

Damn, Cat is being used like this?

I, a proper magic cat, am now a paper‑writing machine for you, huh!

I'm embarrassed!!

Stretching out his paws, Cat says, Witch Miss, as long as you're happy.

Putting the paper aside for now, when the system popped up the Great Inventor quest, he was already thinking.

Spreading the magic he developed and created, if it benefits the people and the nation, then that task should be done by Witch Miss, the hero.

Because she is humanity's hope, what she needs on her is a flash of light.

The Demon King is not, and the Demon King has no duty to help humans, unless an important relative of the Demon King thinks so.

A great Demon King needs to stay busy, before his demonic essence is exposed and before other heroes use him as experience, striving to become one of the bosses the world cannot defeat.

In this way he can protect his own safety and also protect the safety of his own foolish hero.

Eh…?

The evil Demon King who imprisoned the Beautiful Girl Hero.

Sss…

No matter how you look at it, all the flags are maxed.

It's a bit exciting.

(￣ＴＴ￣)

Nosebleed, wipe.

Yo, for this wonderful development, Cat continues to modify Pikachu's bug power!

Please, Bug Pikachu!

"Meow!"

Keep training! Future hero!

Having learned from previous lessons, Cat once again released Pikachu.

However this time, the cautious one wrapped silk threads around Pikachu's limbs, neck, and internal magical core.

—Silk Control Technique

Although he didn't reincarnate as a spider, it doesn't prevent him from mastering this skill.

With silk control, even if Pikachu encounters a bug and goes berserk again, he can stop it instantly, preventing another tragedy that almost destroyed their home today.

Just…

As the test progresses, as battle time increases,

Pikachu's bugs become so many that Cat doubts whether he's fit to be a programmer.

Oh, I'm a cat, indeed unfit.

Just like that, the thoughtless little Cat lets Witch Miss carry (him) back home to rest, while starting to claw‑modify the settings.

His initial idea was that Pikachu, upon encountering a monster, would immediately scan and copy.

To maximize experience gain, Pikachu would keep its level one below the monster's and exploit the opponent's attribute values for weak‑point attacks.

For example, if the opponent is a high‑magic mage, Pikachu would allocate stats to speed and strength, and use magic to strengthen magic resistance.

If it's a tank, then boost agility and magic, combine positioning with high output, and kite from distance,

but unfortunately, the idea is overly idealistic, and he shouldn't have such complex expectations for a low‑level idiot.

He thinks he should replace the AI's active thinking part with multiple commands he designed.

Edit…

Then let's use "Outfit Change" to differentiate.

When Pikachu finishes scanning the nearest first enemy, it will become "Outfit Change Pikachu".

At that time, before defeating the scanned target, Pikachu cannot perform a second scan.

When the opponent's attributes and skills lean toward a meat tank, it will change into "Pop Idol" Pikachu, focusing on magical output.

"Pop Idol" Pikachu, basic attribute setup… skill setup…

When the opponent leans toward an assassin, it will change into "Noble Lady" Pikachu, focusing on tankiness, defense, and counterattack.

When the opponent leans toward a mage, it will change into "Mask Wrestler" Pikachu, mainly a physical‑output warrior.

…

…

Moreover, his initial goal for Pikachu shouldn't be too grand; the clear target to harvest is the low‑level dungeon "chives".

The level cap stays around 60, and the combat‑power cap is set referencing Er Liu Ge.

Distributable attribute points are converted via energy inside Pikachu.

Additionally, on its cheek pouch there will be a setting that automatically absorbs and stores magic.

Eh, it's better to just give Pikachu a Magic Immunity.

No, that's too desperate for a battle; a longer duration yields more experience.

Through the match with Witch Miss, Cat also gained abundant harvest experience.

To facilitate future growth‑type AI, we need to record data and analyze battles for big‑data statistical modeling… ah no, magical operation system.

Oh right, the most important point is that if it's not a one‑on‑one justice fight, Pikachu will summon its companions.

Instead of rescanning and copying the "nearest" enemy.

Eh?

Wait.

Then what if we switch to cumulative stacking?

One Pikachu scanning one enemy gets a single‑target buff; scanning a group gets a double buff…

Hmm… does it test magic storage a bit too much?

Accidentally becoming a boss‑level creature and being completely exterminated wouldn't be good.

Once later we have a foothold in high‑level dungeons, let's create a boss‑level Pikachu that will never be conquered!

For now this group of electric rats serves as a new creature; when defeated by humans or monsters, they self‑destruct, bringing no profit—a dungeon pest!

Hehehe!

Humans! Cat is about to reap you now~

Of course, right now I still have to humbly fix the bugs.

Amid Cat's dog-like laugh, Witch Miss is stubbornly holding Cat and climbing into bed to sleep.

Eh…?

Witch Miss, you just want to strangle me??

You're killing Cat! Help!!

But contrary to Cat's expectations, this time her attitude is very resolute; she doesn't let go no matter how Cat struggles.

This is her first time, aside from "Little Kitten Mom Kiss", forcing herself to do something.

Cat thinks she might be lacking a hugging pillow.

After her previous hugging pillow was torn and ruined, she never got a new one.

Thinking that way, the trivial guilt in her heart also made Cat give up struggling.

After a long while, when Cat thought Witch Miss would no longer speak and was about to fall asleep, she opened her low, hoarse voice and asked,

"Cat, would you despise me?"

"Meow?"

You strangle me like this, bind my freedom, and still ask me such a question— is that really appropriate?

Although her mind is full of complaints, from our time together she really can't think of any reason to despise Witch Miss.

Why would she suddenly ask this?

Before Cat could figure it out, Witch Miss continued to ask,

"Will there be a day when you silently leave?"

With a Symbiotic Contract, even if you're a scumbag, I can't just walk away, right?

Besides…

Well.

How to put it, staying with you isn't bad at all!

"Is it because of the contract, or because of me?"

"..."

Hearing this deadly triple question, even a dim‑witted Cat should know that Witch Miss's midnight emo time has arrived.

Got it.

Not knowing the reason, just assume she's afraid of the dark at midnight, scared by her own massive Lightning Strike.

Thinking about it, Cat nudged Witch Miss's chin and nuzzled into her broad chest.

Look at my considerate fluffy self.

Come, hold me!

That way at night you won't be alone, so you won't be scared!

Feeling Cat wriggling into her arms, Witch Miss let out a light laugh,

"Can I take this as you like me?"

"Meow~"

Do whatever you want; after all, Cat can't speak, so interpret it however you like.

Stop being emo.

Cat doesn't understand, but seeing you unhappy really hurts.

These past half a month of companionship, half a month of colorful life, half a month of sharing a bed, have already made Witch Miss an indispensable part of Cat's daily life.

Cat thinks, even if not because of the emotional perception in the Symbiotic Contract, she would still be influenced by Witch Miss's joys and sorrows.

She is exactly that kind of presence that makes people never be able to put their mind at ease, yet can't look away.

If possible, Cat wants to stay by Witch Miss's side forever, keeping her constantly happy, carefree, and chuunibyou.

And seeing Cat so obedient and gentle, Witch Miss's heart gains a sense of steadiness and reassurance.

She hugs Cat's arm tighter, then presses her nose against Cat's nose, speaking in a whisper, exhaling, closing her eyes and saying to Cat,

"Cat, you're so good, Mom also likes you, likes you the most.

Stay with Mom forever, okay?

You're a magical cat, you won't only live fifteen years, and now you can start understanding what I'm saying.

Stay with Mom for a lifetime, okay?"

Cat:?

Aren't you being a bit over the top?

When saying that, she wildly emphasizes her seniority and status, thereby making it impossible for him to argue.

But just as Cat was about to retort,

A salty, moist sensation suddenly spread across his mouth, and at the same time his ears felt the heat and tingling from a deep breath.

She…

Why…?

This time, Cat truly doesn't understand.

He doesn't know what he should do, nor what this means.

He just stays quiet, letting her hold him, until her hand holding him loosens slightly.

She fell asleep like that.

But Cat couldn't fall asleep.

Did he do something wrong? To make Witch Miss think she would leave?

Worried, Cat carefully and repeatedly checked the Growth Guard System's records of Witch Miss's videos, strength gains, and skill training counts, but found nothing.

Can we only hope that she'll wake up happy tomorrow morning?

But… if this unhappiness isn't spoken, clarified, and untangled, will it really not snowball?

Should we continue using the system to converse like last time?

Or is it time for him to speak up?

Speaking up now—could that make her feel even less secure, more terrified?

Cat imagined: if she were a beautiful girl who kept a cat, ate together, slept together, even almost bathed together, and then one day suddenly spoke fluent Mandarin with a male voice…

Sss…

Cat, tell me, why can't you seize the chance!

Now it's settled— the later we speak, the higher the chance Witch Miss gets so scared she dies on the spot.

What should we do then?

Seek outside help?

Find that Old Sword Saint who looks like he has no friends?

No… he still has to protect Witch Miss's pride; she has never asked anyone for help before, so now he mustn't replace that…

Then what to do?

Cat repeatedly replayed the recent dialogue between Witch Miss and herself in her mind.

—Will she despise me?

—Will she leave silently?

—Is it because of the contract, or because of me?

—Mother likes you.

—Stay with Mother for life, okay?

Is it because some of my actions overlap with the mother in her memory?

Is she afraid she'll be abandoned again?

Wants a bond beyond blood ties?

But also fears their relationship is only due to the so‑called contract bond?

Repeating, repeating, Cat realized some of those words she had once said to a dog she raised.

Although that dog eventually slipped away.

If I imagine myself as a dog and view Witch Miss as a human…

Is she also afraid of letting go?

Because today I showed the ability to let go?

Even though this example makes Cat very upset, she feels she's gradually glimpsing Witch Miss's inner world.

Is it because I haven't given her enough daily affection?

Cat recalled her recent actions.

Hmm…

Seems indeed a bit… overly carefree.

How about, starting tomorrow, being a clingy little cat that gives a sense of security, and whose presence tells you she'll be home by night?

Then he'll feel safe and happy?

With that thought, Cat decided to use the technique she once used to chase a phantom girlfriend from a mirage, to give Witch Miss a big surprise when she wakes up tomorrow morning.

Yeah!

She'll definitely love it!

Then she'll surely cry, "Cat! It's Mother who wronged you! Mother shouldn't doubt you!"

Eh…?

Wait.

How come I'm already getting used to her calling herself Mother to me!!

That's not a good sign!!

As Cat kept thinking, she increasingly wondered if she had been brainwashed by the Rebel Son; in a sudden angry tail swing, Snap! —by accident, a table leg broke.

Damn, the wake‑up gift isn't ready yet, and now there's an extra wake‑up scare.

(*/ω＼*) Cat knows nothing; it was done by the butler surnamed Lin.

Yeah, that's right, we'll just argue like that tomorrow.