Chapter 73: The Magical Girl and the Witch

“Hello, fellow.”

“I’m the Magical Girl Violet Rose. Pleased to meet you.”

A faint floral scent accompanied her words; though the fragrance was rich, Li En did not find it cloying.

The elaborately dressed girl lowered her magical defenses, revealing a face so young it could be called childish.

The girl, smiling with a serpent’s tongue, breathed sweetly, her expression utterly innocent.

This blend of three parts innocence and seven parts seduction was the type men found hardest to resist.

“Fellow? You must be mistaken.”

In response, the woman merely smiled and shook her head.

How could she be mistaken? The scent was unmistakably the same origin, the same blood—but still, better to confirm.

“Hah, how could I be wrong? You carry the scent of the Beast—pure, authentic (Ancient Elf: Mári, níMúraisa).”

Instantly, Li En’s body hair stood on end—this was a grave accusation.

“I’m just an ordinary person! You must be mistaken! (Ancient Elf: Lesuilon, i-'wenMurthorn!)”

Li En suspected he’d been set up—was this the Beast Cult’s revenge? He even feared axe-wielding assassins lurked outside the door!

“My apologies. Perhaps I was mistaken. (Ash Dwarf: Grommdm-az, zund-kharag-nok.)”

The sudden softening of her tone made Li En exhale in relief.

Was this merely a test? Real Beast Cultists wouldn’t be so easily startled.

“A misunderstanding is good, a misunderstanding is good. (Ash Dwarf proverb: harn-rukvorn-ak, tharn-rukvorn-ak! [Unknown and misunderstanding are unrefined ore; the hammer and furnace are destined to forge the true gold of truth!])”

At this, Violet Rose’s expression turned surprised. “Your bloodline is pure indeed—you even carry Ash Dwarf proverbs naturally.”

But she had no interest in playing with her kind anymore. She cut straight to the point.

“You still claim you’re not a Beast? Think carefully—what language did you just speak? (Common Tongue)”

“What language? Just the Kingdom’s Common Tongue... uh.”

Only then did Li En realize his tongue had gone numb from curling—what he’d just spoken was clearly not Common Tongue!

【Beastification: 2.5%. Bloodline Ability Awakened: Tongue of All Languages (Understand Human Speech).】

[Tongue of All Languages (Legendary): As a successor of %&#, beyond the nine divine tongues of this world, you instantly comprehend most lower races’ languages.]

“Damn, this isn’t even a ‘cheat skill’? It’s a trap!”

With bloodline abilities and Beastification, Li En now understood everything.

If this wasn’t a transmigrator’s blessing, then it had a source.

His ever-useful translator? It was “Beast power.”

“Hello, fellow. (Sssss. Sss. Sss.)”

The same greeting as before, now a series of hisses.

The meaning lay entirely in the resonance of breath—ordinary people heard only snake sounds, but Li En understood.

“I said it was a misunderstanding. Do you believe me? (Sssss. Sss.)”

He opened his mouth to reply—but not in Common Tongue.

Now even Parseltongue had surfaced. Li En was thoroughly done. No need to lie anymore.

“Don’t tease the child. He’s naturally awakened—his blood is still faint. No bloodline memories. He probably knows nothing. Heh, child, look up, look up. Sister’s talking to you.”

Suddenly, another woman’s soft voice came from above.

Li En looked up—and saw the giant serpent speaking. This time, clearly in proper Common Tongue.

“Child, don’t rush. We ‘Serpents’ are different from other ‘Beasts.’ We are allies of civilization, members of the Seven Beasts’ Alliance, the most benevolent and least warlike of the Beasts.”

Li En exhaled, halting the Dragon Tongue spell he’d been about to trigger.

As long as they weren’t here to cause trouble, he’d listen further.

Through the explanations from the human and the beast, Li En gradually understood what was happening.

Not all “Beasts” were enemies. In ancient times, the ancient Beasts were deeply divided over whether the Beast clans should possess human hearts and emotions.

The result was a cataclysmic war that ended the Beast Era—the very beginning of today’s Beastification Age.

“We ‘Serpents’ have always stood with the reformers. The original Seven Beasts’ Alliance was led by us.”

The seven Beasts, represented by the Serpent, accepted human hearts, order, and emotion—and this led to the brutal civil war.

“So the Seven Beasts won? That’s why Beastfolk exist?” Li En now began to understand.

“Lost. Lost badly.” But the serpent’s cold reply was brutal.

“How could seven defeat hundreds? The original reformers were nearly wiped out. Three ancient Beasts still haven’t awakened—including our ancestor, the Ancient Serpent.”

Violet Rose added—this was “forbidden knowledge,” absolutely off-limits to ordinary people.

But for Beast-awakened individuals, this history was mandatory—they’d eventually have to choose a side.

“But with help from other races and increasing numbers of Beastfolk who gained human hearts, after a thousand years of bitter war, the heartless Beasts were eradicated, and the opposing ancient Beasts were sealed one by one.”

This was the “Ancient Beast War” that ended the Beast Era—but the true victors weren’t the reformist Beasts, but the Beastfolk who gained human hearts: the true ancestors of today’s Beastfolk clans.

One could say this was also the origin of “modern civilization.”

The other races who aided them—given the hatred from past battles—Li En suspected dragons were involved, and likely the main force.

“So Beastfolk overthrew their own ancestors and buried them underground, never to rise again.” Li En’s face was cold. Were Beastfolk really that unscrupulous?

“...Well, you could say that. On this continent today, only the descendants of the Seven Beasts may legally operate. All other Beast information must be strictly sealed. We even call ourselves Magical Girls when acting publicly—never mention the name ‘Beast.’”

Each Beast’s power and authority differs, but their very existence is an existential threat to modern civilization.

Merely sharing their Beast blood can create infinite waves of Beastfolk, not to mention their own monstrous physical forms.

It’s said the ‘Deer,’ though poor at combat, holds dominion over gravity and the heavens and seas (gravity being only one aspect). Historical records show it once created several floating cities, causing a million deaths from falls.

The ‘Elephant’ isn’t a combat faction either—it caused a world-shattering disaster just over a decade ago, toppling several small nations and leaving countless casualties.

Considering the fate of these ancestors, if they ever emerged, they’d slaughter without hesitation—perhaps in their minds, they’re merely stretching their limbs, casually helping their “descendants” revert to their primal state.

And if the Beast Era truly returned, it would be an extinction-level disaster for today’s Beastfolk.

The Seven Beasts and their descendants, kin, and allies stand entirely with the Beastfolk—in fact, they’ve long since fully integrated into Beastfolk civilization.

They even have their own organizations, factions, and nations belonging to the Seven Beasts.

Among them, the ‘Serpent’ is the most reclusive. They understand human hearts, speak human tongues—Tongue of All Languages (Understand Human Speech) is their most basic bloodline ability.

“Relax, child. Your scent is faint. Since we’re both Serpent descendants, even face-to-face, I wouldn’t sense it.”

The giant serpent leapt onto Li En’s shoulder, its tongue lightly licking his cheek.

Though Li En normally disliked reptiles, he felt no discomfort—only a deep sense of ease and comfort, as if an elder had kissed his forehead.

I’m Melur, Violet Rose’s familiar and teacher, an envoy of the Magical Girl Enthusiasts’ Club, commissioned by the Athelin Royal Family to handle this incident—and to observe conditions on the front lines. There were too many oddities in this, but the speaker sounded utterly serious.

Those who wield the power of civilized Beasts are unquestionably experts on all Beast-related matters—and honored guests of royal courts and churches alike.

Their Magical Girl Enthusiasts’ Club is a well-known official organization; young Magical Girls often go out on training missions under its banner. Li En had heard of them before—and even questioned the world’s nature (mentioned in Chapter Two).

And when Beast-related crises arise, they charge straight to the front lines without hesitation.

Those who interact with Beasts easily become corrupted or assimilated. Li En had directly fought a high-awakened Beast kin.

Naturally, the royal family sent an expert to assess whether he’d been corrupted, turned into a Beast puppet, or become a hidden bomb within civilization. Given past “examples,” this was absolutely necessary.

“The other children are fine. When I smelled your Beast scent, I nearly jumped. Luckily, you’re naturally awakened.” Violet Rose looked delighted, her beautiful eyes fixed on Li En, sparkling intensely.

It seemed she had some extra thoughts.

“Relax. I’ll tell the Princess you’re perfectly fine. I’ll say you have innate Beast resistance—you’re completely trustworthy.” Since they were kin, she naturally concealed the truth.

“So what should I do? What do I need to do? Should I seal my bloodline?” Li En glanced at “2.5% Beastification” and felt uneasy—it was another bomb.

“Do nothing. Continue your path as a professional. It will naturally restrain the source of your bloodline. Even though ‘Serpent’ power is the gentlest and most stable, don’t respond to it—it’s still a Beast. Those who draw near fire are destined to be ignited or melted.”

The Serpent witches warned men not to use Serpent power.

“Unless... you want to become like me,” said Melur, implying she’d once been a Beastfolk herself?!

“Pity. If you were female, I’d take you back to the Association without hesitation.”

Violet Rose sounded regretful. “Magical Girls require stable Beast-awakened individuals.”

Stable Serpent-blooded carriers were exceedingly rare—she’d long wanted a junior!

Li En was curious about “Magical Girls,” so he asked two questions directly.

“Magical Girls? Originally, we were called Beast Maidens. After all, we’re mostly female users of Beast power. But the word ‘Beast’ is best never spoken. Someone suggested renaming us ‘Girls Who Use Beast Magic,’ and somehow, that’s what stuck.”

The two women didn’t care about the name—whether Beast Maiden or Magical Girl, it was just a label.

Besides, “Magical Girl” fit well: due to the contract and Beast power, they remain eternally youthful.

Directly using Beast power inevitably leads to assimilation and corruption.

This has nothing to do with the Beast itself—it’s simply the consequence of getting too close to the source. A brook meets the ocean and is absorbed.

Just as priestesses and holy maidens who serve higher beings are chosen for youth and purity, “restraint” remains the first rule for wielding such overwhelming power.

“Male users of Beast power... they can’t control their instincts or desires. They lose control too easily. The Beast Cult has many, but they’re mostly insane.” So the power was gender-biased too.

Yet Magical Girls are inherently powerful—even the weakest easily surpass the baseline strength of Grand Knights and Grand Mages, with ceilings so high they’re absurd.

“Lived a lifetime, couldn’t beat a village girl.” That was the famous quote of a legendary spellcaster after his defeat.

The “village girl” he spoke of? A pure, newly awakened Magical Girl—just three months into her powers.

No effort, no combat training, no spell study—just growing with experience and bloodline, fighting by instinct, and becoming inexplicably strong.

Compared to sorcerers, this was true “lying down and growing stronger.” The only requirement? Controlling the overwhelming power within the bloodline.

“You can’t even beat a little girl!” This unreasonable miracle was the origin of the self-deprecating name.

“In a way, we’re another kind of Pact-Mage—except our pact isn’t with a higher being from another plane, but with our own blood kin,” Violet Rose explained, sensing Li En’s interest.

To avoid excessive corruption, Magical Girls use their familiars (some are witches, some are Beast descendants with human hearts) as filters to indirectly wield Beast power.

For them, power itself isn’t that important—it’s maintaining mental stability after gaining power that matters. That’s why Li En Sudar is valued and receives answers to his questions.

He has no familiar to share the burden, yet possesses bloodline ability and remains remarkably stable—he must possess an exceptionally pure Serpent bloodline.

But Li En Sudar’s concerns grew stranger: there were magical girls, and they could be corrupted—surely there aren’t witches too?

“Witches? Of course there are—I’m one,” said Mei Lu’er the Serpent, flicking her tongue proudly. Becoming a witch marks a magical girl’s adulthood and graduation; remaining rational at this stage proves her strength.

This form of witch requires a new magical girl to form a contract, sharing humanity to suppress bestiality.

This legacy continues generation after generation through one-to-one partnerships—possibly sisters, mother and daughter, or master and apprentice.

There are few male magical boys because men find it harder to restrain primal desires—they might step on the gas and never stop.

“Magical Boys” aren’t zero, but they make up less than one percent of magical girls.

Magical girls eventually become Beast Witches; after omitting the unmentionable “Beast,” they’re simply called witches. Other types of witches exist in this world, so Beast Witches typically refer to themselves externally as “Contract Beasts.”

“Contract Beast, Magical Girl, Witch.” Li En Sudar felt a headache—he sensed clear malicious humor, especially this tradition of giving magical girls codenames.

No need to doubt anymore—it’s definitely one of Li Ensu’s masterpieces!

“You’ve awakened a bloodline ability, with such high beast blood concentration and such stable mental state—such an awakened is rare. Why not change your gender? I can help you gather magic potions. Don’t be nervous, don’t back away—I’m joking.” But Miss Magical Girl, your expression is deadly serious!

If the Violet Rose reaches retirement age but still wishes to roam outside as a witch, she’ll need a younger “Serpent Magical Girl” successor.

At these words, Li En Sudar had no doubts left—this power was absolutely a landmine; he must never use it again.

“Huh! Nonsense! Others can’t, but you? Use it freely!” Kuku, who had been listening silently, held a different view.

But when Li En Sudar pressed further, the other refused outright, saying only: “You’ll know later,” and “Forbidden knowledge—cannot be spoken!”

One Contract Beast and one Magical Girl seemed busy—they’d only just arrived and were dragged into the meeting.

After a brief chat, the two, exhausted and pale, exchanged contact information, arranged a future meeting, and prepared to leave.

Li En Sudar learned the Violet Rose’s real name was “Lilian Vensil,” and she warned him not to reveal it—magical girls never disclose their true names to outsiders.

“Uh… then why did you tell me?” Li En Sudar’s question earned only a sweet smile in return.

But just as the Violet Rose Lilian stepped out the door, she suddenly turned back.

“By the way, don’t get too close to female serpent folk.”

Instantly, Li En Sudar thought of Shaliman. He hesitated, then spoke.

“Uh… why is that…?”

“Nothing much. Your stable Serpent origin naturally attracts other female serpent folk on a blood level. If you don’t want to be dragged into marriage early, keep your distance from female serpents.”

Seeing Li En Sudar’s gaping mouth, clearly startled, the Violet Rose quickly added.

“Ahem, don’t panic—it’s only an increase in affinity, nothing like a love potion. Those who already found you likable will suddenly think you’d make an ideal spouse; small increases in affection become massive ones. Think of it as serpent mint.”

But this left Li En Sudar frozen—completely petrified!

“Uh… looks like you’ve already been hit?” The Violet Rose clicked her tongue. Too late—I wonder which little brat acted so fast!

(End of Chapter)