The school was quiet on the weekend as Ansu and Celia walked along the tree-lined path leading to the library.
With summer approaching, the trees were lush and leafy, and sunlight filtered through the gaps in the foliage, casting dappled shadows on the path.
Ansu couldn't help but glance at Celia beside him. A beam of light happened to strike her graceful profile. She squinted slightly, and the corners of her mouth curled upward, as if she were in a very good mood.
Ever since they had snuck into the school, she had been strolling leisurely with him, looking less like she had business to attend to and more like she was on vacation...
"Um... Lady Witch."
Ansu couldn't resist asking, "Is it really alright for you to just walk around our school so openly? I recall your name being quite prominent on the wanted lists..."
"Oh? That?" Celia spoke with a tone of indifference.
"It doesn't matter. Aside from the cult, no one knows what the Ash Witch actually looks like."
"After all, everyone who has seen me is already dead."
"Fair enough..." Ansu silently pondered the title of Ash Witch.
Before Celia transformed into the World Ending Witch - Celia, she was indeed known as the Ash Witch. This was because her crime scenes would only leave behind a patch of ashes scorched by magical flames, leaving the Church with absolutely no clues to investigate.
Thinking Ansu was worried about her being exposed, Celia let out a soft laugh.
"If someone recognizes me, I'll just kill them. Don't be so nervous."
Ansu twitched the corner of his mouth, thinking that only made him more nervous.
As luck would have it, Kevin suddenly greeted him from the side of the road.
"Ansu, why didn't you go home?"
"Eh? Who is that beside you...?"
Ansu looked over and saw Kevin hanging out with his group of wealthy, good-for-nothing friends.
When Kevin saw Ansu walking side-by-side with Celia, especially after seeing Celia's appearance, he was momentarily stunned.
"Is... is this your girlfriend?" Kevin looked at Ansu and seemed to realize something, his face suddenly lighting up with understanding.
"I knew it! You didn't give any of those girls at school the time of day, and at first, I thought you liked men! It turns out it's because you have such a beautiful girlfriend!"
He gave Ansu a knowing look.
Celia and Ansu exchanged a glance, and Ansu said in a low voice, "Just a classmate."
"Then you two chat. I'll wait for you at the library." Celia didn't even have the interest to spare the students a second glance, continuing forward with a faint expression.
Ansu was also surprised to see Kevin at school on the weekend. After all, he should have been out fooling around at this time, so he asked out of curiosity.
"Why are so many of you back at school?"
"Ugh, don't even get me started. You know about the Academy Open Day? It was originally scheduled for two months from now, but some school leader must have lost their mind because they moved it up!" Kevin curled his lip, his tone becoming depressed.
"When the time comes, those of us in societies and clubs have to put on shows. So I was called in by the upperclassmen to start preparing early..."
"The Open Day was moved up?" Ansu frowned. "To when?"
"Eight days from now," Kevin replied.
Eight days from now... Eight days from now...
Ansu immediately made the connection. His Destined Death and the sacrificial ritual from the original plot were both set to happen in eight days.
There were no such coincidences in the world.
The annual Academy Open Day was intended to showcase the academy's culture to the outside world and let potential students and parents experience its strength. Although it was mainly aimed at social elites, ordinary people could easily sneak in...
Naturally, that ease of access included cultists.
"Why was it suddenly moved up?" Ansu felt something was suspicious.
In the original plot, the cult sacrifice resulted in massive student casualties, and the Academy Open Day was the perfect scenario for students to be gathered together...
"I wouldn't know about that..." Kevin scratched his head.
"Alright, thanks!" Ansu silently noted the information, deciding to investigate further using the Open Day as a lead.
After waving goodbye to Kevin and his group, Ansu caught up with Celia's pace.
"What is it?" Celia asked. "Why do you look so worried?"
"Well... it's nothing. I was just chatting with a classmate about the Academy Open Day in eight days." After saying this, Ansu carefully observed Celia's expression.
"Oh."
Celia nodded with complete indifference, her expression showing no sign of anything unusual.
It seemed she really didn't know much about it...
Ansu pondered silently.
Perhaps this case had nothing to do with Celia? Was the mastermind the cult, or someone else among the Council of Elders?
...
About ten minutes later, the two entered the large library of the school.
The library was exceptionally quiet on the weekend, almost as if they had the whole place to themselves. Celia already had specific books in mind and headed straight for the sections on Mysticism and Ancient History.
Ansu found a corner seat and waited quietly for her.
After a while, Celia walked over carrying a thick stack of old books. Setting them down, she sat beside Ansu.
"Lady Witch, are you looking for these books because you want to..."
Ansu instinctively glanced at the titles. Some were related to demon history. Was Celia researching the past of her own race?
Celia didn't give a direct answer. She rested her chin on her hand and flipped open a page.
"I have nothing else to do, so I'm just finding something to occupy myself. Why? Is being by my side boring?"
"Of course not."
"Right!" Celia remembered what happened earlier and suddenly looked up with a smile. "Based on what your classmate said, it seems you're quite popular with the girls?"
"Uh, well..." Ansu didn't know how to answer for a moment.
"But it makes sense..." Celia studied Ansu without blinking, murmuring to herself. "Your looks... are exactly the type young girls like. It seems my taste is quite good after all."
The atmosphere turned quiet for a moment. Seeing Ansu's awkwardness, Celia curled her lip.
"What are you so nervous for? As your boss, can't I show some concern for my subordinate's personal life?"
"Of course... you can."
"So, do you have a girlfriend or not?" Celia suddenly asked again.
"No."
"Oh..." The corners of Celia's mouth lifted just a tiny bit. "It's good that you don't. Since you're already mine, we'll certainly have many things to do in the future. I don't want you affecting our business because of such trivial matters, so..."
She stared intently into Ansu's eyes. "Ansu, you are not allowed to fall in love with anyone else!"
"Huh?" Ansu looked at Celia in confusion, wondering if she had taken the wrong medicine today. She was even controlling this?
"What do you mean 'huh'?" Celia's face suddenly turned cold. "You must do as I say. That is an order!"
As she spoke, a faint aura of magic suddenly surged.
Ansu's eyes widened.
Wait, sister, we're in a public place!
While speechless in his heart, Ansu was quick to activate 【Magic Immunity】.
He felt like he had been trained by Celia during this time to the point where it was practically muscle memory...
"Remember this in your heart. Treat my words as a mission that must be completed..."
"You are not allowed to fall in love with anyone outside of those I permit. Only if I give you permission can you fall in love with someone else!"
Seeing Ansu nod with a dazed expression, Celia finally breathed a sigh of relief, satisfied.
She was selfish. She was a very possessive person.
Even if he was a toy, he was her property. She would not allow anyone else to snatch what was hers, nor would she allow anyone to defile her possessions.
As for the scope of that permission...
Celia gave a wicked grin. Only heaven knew that.
Rate on N.U.
