Chapter 28: Hurry up and get out!

Stuffy, with frosty mist, the warm light shone on the bright wall tiles.

Nearby, there was a delicate sound of flowing water.

In the spacious greenhouse, speech had a faint echo.

Witch Miss had wet hair hanging behind her, facing the shower spray, with her hands propped on the mirror in front of her,

"Today…… is the great verification of tomorrow!"

"The path of awakening for a great witch began on April 27, Year 32!"

"This witch's name is Bai Yan, and those who worship her call her……"

"Meow?"

(ΩДΩ)!!!

Upon hearing the sudden cat cry, Witch Miss jerked her head back, and through the glass door fogged with steam, she saw Cat poking its head through the crack.

The air instantly fell silent, except for the sound of the shower spraying.

"......"

After a brief yet prolonged stare, Witch Miss suddenly shouted,

"Ah!!!! Cat! How could you just barge in like this!!"

"The ladies' shower is supposed to be off-limits, okay!!"

"Get out! Hurry up and get out! Get out!"

Watching Witch Miss about to push the door and throw away the body wash, Cat chose to pull its head back.

"Meow~"

Well, he actually just happened to pass by the doorway by accident.

However…… he, who constantly had the eavesdropping skill, upon hearing such interesting remarks, couldn't resist and pushed the door open with a mischievous intent to see how Witch Miss would react.

Unfortunately, by the grace of the Holy Light, he could only see Witch Miss admiring her own narcissistic reflection in the mirror.

┓(´∀`)┏

Although I feel things are starting to get weird, this should be a good thing—Witch Miss becoming more confident, right?

Hmm, that must be it.

After her bath, Witch Miss remained as silent as ever during today's meal.

Although Cat thought she was probably just moody.

Puff puff.

It's a pity he didn't have time to record it; otherwise, when she grew up later, he could release this precious recording……

Just thinking about it made Cat feel he could eat three more eggs this morning!

Behind Witch Miss's back, Cat was preparing—or had already done—some things that would make it impossible for her to live on this earth.

Surely, in future arguments, Cat would be invincible thanks to his abundant video crystals.

After the meal, Witch Miss picked up her small bag and went to school.

Even though the test time was approaching, Witch Miss stubbornly waited until most students had left the school gate before getting off.

"Then Grandpa Lin, I'm setting off."

"Okay, Miss."

Sitting in the driver's seat, watching Witch Miss's back as she went to school, Old Sword Saint's eyes flickered with a hint of complexity and relief.

If he tried a few more methods, would Miss be able to step out sooner of the gloom brought by the lady and that person?

If he understood a bit of flexibility, instead of always insisting on doing things himself, he could guide Miss to change through gentle, roundabout, mild means—like that little broken cat—centering on her.

Would everything then change?

For example, he could also use his past savings to find Miss a peculiar furry pet, and then have that pet, which had won Miss's heart, do some things……

This mistake of his could have cost him four whole years; in the blink of an eye, Miss is about to graduate high school.

Flexibility, flexibility……

"You're really too stubborn."

"You old fogey."

"Idiot!"

These words once used to describe his own face now floated before Old Sword Saint's eyes, one after another.

At this moment, he felt some emotion and also a sudden realization.

"I never expected that, at over seventy, what I've come to understand is not going with the flow of heaven, but…… flexibility."

"Hahaha, flexibility."

He who knows how to be flexible in battle, why can't he let go of this rigidity in life?

Immersed in swordsmanship……

He indeed hasn't reached that supreme realm yet.

What swordsmanship, what life, what reality, what virtual.

The Great Dao is simplest.

At this moment, the Sword Saint suddenly recalled that calligraphy hanging in the most conspicuous spot of their home's living room.

Although his father was weak, merely a mortal, even when magic descended he was already sixty-seven, causing his upgrade speed to fall far short of the wear of time.

But spiritually, even his spirit from over thirty years ago still far surpassed his present self.

"Mysterious Cat, indeed somewhat particular."

Feeling nostalgic, the Sword Saint couldn't help recalling the old sayings often muttered by the elders in his household.

Watching the lone person and cat's fading silhouettes, he smiled and drove away.

Tonight, how about a steamed fish?

Thinking that, he changed course and went to the seafood market.

￥￥￥￥￥￥

The testing venue for today's senior high students is the school's simulated battlefield.

The testing order is arranged according to the time the forms were submitted.

Because the form was submitted very early… or rather extremely early, Witch Miss will be the first student to undergo the public test.

Solo Party, rumors that it's the laggard of Magic Class, the auditorium's angry outburst at Miss Gong, the forum photo controversy…

Various buffed hot‑topic contestants filled the spectator seats to capacity.

Of course… most people, before watching the spectacle, still plan to quickly check the configuration and difficulty of the battle dolls in the first round, then scramble at the last minute to discuss tactics or adjust strategy.

Unlike the nervous and excited majority, when she actually arrived on site, Witch Miss's mood steadied.

"Senior! Over here, over here!"

Just as she reached the side of the spectator seats to sit down for a break, she heard someone calling her from the platform.

It was the junior from the fan club that day.

If I recall correctly, this junior's name is…

Called…

Um, called Junior.

"Junior, hello."

Sitting on the small cushion the junior had prepared, Witch Miss greeted her.

Tooth‑white.

Has this junior even realized that she never introduced herself to me at all!

What to do.

At this point, how should I ask her what she's actually called?

She keeps calling me senior, Senior Bai, Senior Bai Yan's…

Ah…

Sure enough, I should go even more extreme, crashing into the deadline.

However, Witch Miss was clearly over‑worried.

Even if she doesn't speak, this lively chatterbox junior has endless things to say.

"As expected of senior, even with the test, you're still so composed."

"Senior! You're the first to take the test!"

(✧◡✧)!!!

Facing the junior's conversation, Witch Miss felt that if she didn't reply with something, it would be too impolite.

So, after earnest contemplation, she managed to respond before the junior could say the next sentence,

"Um… because I was the first to submit the form."

Junior: Σ(⊙▽⊙「!

Witch Miss: (ΩДΩ)! Said the wrong thing!!!

Junior: (✧◡✧)! Cool! Really, so cool! First to submit the form, Solo Party, how dashing!

While the junior thought this in her heart, she also voiced the praise,

"The youngest to Solo Party, and also the first to submit the form!

woooo!

"Senior! After I pass the awakening test next year, I will definitely take you as my role model and goal!"

"No… that would be a bit exaggerated, I'm not a good role model."

Seeing the little stars in the junior's eyes, Witch Miss for a moment pressed down her own feelings…

Using her as a role model and such…

Hehe…

Although I'm very happy, wow, really happy.

But but, that's too much, she's not that outstanding~

"Senior, you're just too modest!"

But this really is the essential trait for getting stronger? Got it, got it.

Watching the junior's increasingly intense white‑cook demeanor, Witch Miss, somewhat unable to cope, thought of slipping away,

"Seems like I should go report to the teacher."

Saying that, Witch Miss stood up to leave.

"Senior, aren't you taking this bag?"

"Hm? I'm not taking this; what's inside… is a souvenir."

"Souvenir?"

Junior, hearing this answer, was momentarily confused.

Others' bags contain various recovery meds allowed for the test, so why does the senior's backpack hold a souvenir?

"Um… if you're curious, it's fine to take a look."

"Really? Thank you, Senior!"

Hearing Witch Miss's affirmative reply, the junior eagerly opened the backpack.

Inside the leather pouch was a bunch of paper flowers wrapped in an acrylic sheet.

"How pretty! Senior, isn't this the paper flower you posted on IINS?"

(•̀ω•́)✧She asked, she asked!

"Hmm, it was Cat who gave it to me."

"I hope to cheer up, practice hard, and then pass the training."

When she said this, Witch Miss's tone still carried a little pride she couldn't hide.

And the response to Witch Miss was what she had expected: the junior's sparkling eyes and a tone of envy and surprise.

"It's actually made by Cat!"

The junior instantly turned her gaze toward Xiaohei the cat lying to the side.

She had wanted to say earlier, this little black cat beside Senior Bai Yan is so adorable! I really want to go over and rua it, anyone?

What a huge failure today!

I clearly decided to skip class early to wait for the senior, so why didn't I bring some little snacks for Cat to eat!

Failure, failure!

Later I must seize the right moment to get this information!

Moreover, this adorable little black cat can actually fold paper flowers?! This

"Indeed, a pretty Cat is also multi-talented? When Heaven shows favor, it really leaves no room at all!"

While feeling sincere envy, the junior also made a decision that goes against ancestors yet brings glory to the family.

"Senior! I will also summon a Cat as my familiar!"

Σ(⊙▽⊙"

Ah…… Is this decided then?

Only her Cat is special; other cats aren't necessarily this cute, smart, likable, thoughtful, and strong.

Although she felt a little nervous, since the junior kept praising her Cat, Witch Miss didn't say anything to dampen the mood, but instead answered the junior very seriously.

"Keep it up."

"I will keep it up, Senior!"

After earnestly replying to Bai Yan, the junior got up and went to Cat's side, clasping her hands together in sincere devotion as she said to Cat, "Oh! Great Cat God…… um…… I dare to ask you, Senior, what is your Cat's name?"

"……Xiaohei."

"Great Cat God Xiaohei, please bless me and grant me your offspring as my familiar!"

Cat was still receiving such devout worship for the first time.

Besides being surprised, he thought this junior was very well-behaved.

Thus, Cat God Xiaohei silently said in his heart:

Okay, once Pikachu is done making it, when I have time I'll arrange a grass cat for you.

I will definitely strive to finish before your coursework is assigned next year.

What Cat said is true; you can relax.