Chapter 22 | Mind-Controlled by the Villainess? I’ll Turn the Tables and Make Her Mine!

After dealing with Elder Hall, Ansu bid farewell to Celia.

"Lady Witch, if there is nothing else, I will head back first..."

"Go on then," Celia nodded slightly, then cautioned, "Even though that old insect is gone, there are still many among the elders who harbor malice toward me. If you encounter anyone from the cult in the future, be careful."

Ansu nodded, feeling a sense of poignancy.

At least for now, Celia had not yet turned dark; there was still much humanity within her...

If he disregarded the version of Celia from the Future Simulation System who had turned him into a puppet, then at this moment, she truly was worried about him.

How wonderful it would be if she could stay like this forever...

She was generous to her subordinates, providing both money and magic, and she was beautiful to boot. Where else could one find such a boss?

Ansu sighed inwardly. For some reason, after spending the day with Celia, he felt a very complicated psychological state...

If he didn't know for sure that she had no ulterior motives, he would have thought this vile witch had cast some sort of charm spell on him.

"Weren't you going home? Why are you still here?"

Celia looked at Ansu, who was staring at her, and teased with a smile, "What, can't bear to leave me?"

Ansu said nothing. He simply offered Celia a sincere smile.

"In any case, thank you again, Lady Witch."

It was a smile devoid of any ulterior motives; at least in this moment, Ansu was truly grateful to her.

The dim yellow light of the streetlamps fell on Ansu's cheeks, casting a soft glow over that smile. Celia gazed at the young man's expression, momentarily dazed.

After a moment, she turned her head away unnaturally, breaking eye contact with him.

"If you're going home, then hurry up! Why are you still standing here being so talkative?"

She suddenly lifted her chin coldly, her tone becoming incredibly intimidating. "It's been so many days, have you found the Chosen One for me yet? Hmm? Don't think that just because we've become familiar, you can slack off on this mission! Otherwise..."

"Hmph!" Celia gave a cold laugh. "You know the consequences!"

"Uh..." Ansu's smile gradually turned awkward. "I'm looking, I'm looking..."

This vile witch!

He had thought too highly of her just now!

Celia turned away and gave a casual wave of her hand. "I'm... leaving! See you tomorrow!"

"See you tomorrow..."

...

Benalu Royal Academy, Alchemy and Chemistry Class A.

During the break, while Ansu was organizing his textbooks at his seat, he suddenly heard a wave of discussion coming from behind him. His desk mate, Kevin, was also chatting with them.

Ansu caught the words "Church" and "Theology," so he nudged Kevin and asked him curiously.

"Ah, it's like this. Remember Archbishop Paul who visited us the other day? He's coming here to give a lecture today. I heard he's also coming for the Academy Open Day, apparently for a large scale seminar."

Ansu naturally remembered. Last time, because of that note, he had led the man on a wild goose chase.

"Archbishop Paul... what kind of lecture is he giving?"

"The usual mystical nonsense from the theology major!" Kevin had always been uninterested in such things. "The same old 'God loves the world' and 'only the devout shall find salvation' cliches. Nowadays, besides the poor, who still believes in that? I heard quite a few people went to listen, but I'm not interested in joining the crowd..."

"Where is he lecturing? When does it start?" Ansu asked again.

"At the South Campus lecture hall. It should start around the next period." Kevin glanced at him, sounding surprised. "Why are you suddenly interested in this?"

Ansu was indeed interested, but not in some "theology major class." He was interested in Archbishop Paul himself.

To think he would also be visiting on the Academy Open Day?

The Echoes of Truth, plus the Church of Holy Light... that day was going to be far too lively...

Ansu would not pass up the chance to investigate any possible lead. Once the class ended, he hurried toward the South Campus.

Passing through several modern teaching buildings, Ansu arrived at a group of relatively vintage, old-fashioned structures that looked like Gothic cathedrals.

Benalu Royal Academy had been continuously providing excellent talent for the magitech industrial system in recent years, so subjects like Magitech Mechanics and Ansu's own Alchemy and Chemistry were naturally regarded as top-tier majors. However, as a famous comprehensive institution, the Royal Academy still maintained traditional majors such as History, Law, Medicine... and even Theology.

The theology major was supposed to be very quiet, but when Ansu arrived at the lecture hall, he found quite a few students gathered there.

His gaze immediately fell upon the old man on the stage who was organizing books. The elderly man in a simple white robe with a kind face was Archbishop Paul.

As the time for Archbishop Paul's lecture approached, more and more students took their seats in the lecture hall.

Ansu found a random seat at the very back, staring at Paul while secretly pondering what tricks the Church was up to.

Right then, the murmurs around him suddenly grew louder.

Ansu noticed many people turning their heads to look in his direction...

"Look! Look, she's finally here!"

"Is that the Holy Maiden of the Church? She's so beautiful, so elegant! She looks as pure as light itself, how stunning..."

"Your major is amazing. Is it too late for me to join the faith?"

Ansu was stunned for a moment.

Wait? Who?

He followed the crowd's gaze and slowly looked...

Right beside him.

A young girl wearing a long white dress, adorned with a Church emblem on her chest, with smooth pink hair and pale gold eyes that shone like sunlight, sat down in the empty seat next to him.

The Holy Maiden of the Church, Heart of Radiant Radiance - Freya?

Ansu's eyes widened. He stared at the girl beside him, and those pale gold eyes were also staring back at him.

Anyone gazed upon by those eyes would feel a sense of peace and tranquility, as if they were truly being comforted by a deity.

"Excuse me, is this seat taken?" Freya asked in a soft, gentle voice.

"Um... no, it's not." Ansu slowly stood up, an apologetic look on his face. "Sorry, let me step out for a moment. I forgot to bring some textbooks."

No matter how pure and beautiful she looked, Ansu was in no mood to appreciate it right now.

After all, he was currently trying his best to avoid this Holy Maiden; who would have thought she would happen to sit right next to him...

"Oh..." Freya nodded, but she remained in her seat, clearly having no intention of moving aside.

Ansu frowned and could only turn to squeeze out from the other side.

Freya suddenly reached out and grabbed Ansu.

Ansu looked at that fair, delicate hand that was firmly holding onto him and gazed at Freya in surprise.

"Student Ansu..." Her voice was very gentle, but her tone was firm. "Archbishop Paul is about to start his lecture. It wouldn't be very good for you to leave at this time..."