I Couldn't Care Less About You!

As the Hypnosis and Psychological Suggestion ended, Cecilia curled the corners of her lips and snapped her fingers.

"Alright, wake up~"

Ansu blinked his eyes, feigning the appearance of someone regaining his senses.

He looked helplessly at Cecilia, who had already returned to reading her book.

The habit this Scum Witch had of using Hypnosis at the drop of a hat was truly infuriating; he really needed to find a way to make her change her ways.

"My Lady Witch..." his tone carried a rare hint of dissatisfaction, "Is it really alright for you to cast magic in a public place like this?"

"Hmm?" Cecilia's cheeks peeked out from behind the thick book. She glanced at the empty hall and then smiled, saying:

"Don't worry, no one can detect my magical fluctuations. Have you forgotten what they call me?"

"The Ash Witch?" Ansu raised an eyebrow, "Do you mean that if someone sees you, you just burn them into ash?"

So, as long as I kill everyone, there are no witnesses, right?

Isn't that a bit... too extreme?

Cecilia chuckled, "Did you think The Church couldn't catch me because I used magic flames to burn all the evidence? Of course not! Concealing mana is the most important thing; there are few in this world capable of sensing my magical fluctuations."

Ansu read an emotion called "pride" on her face.

According to Cecilia, as long as she wanted to learn a spell, it would become as docile and obedient as a little sprite; controlling and concealing mana was as simple as eating or drinking for her.

Unless she cast relatively high-level forbidden black magic—the kind of powerful mana surge that could never be hidden—but she proudly stated that no one had ever forced her to reveal her trump cards.

Ansu sighed inwardly. Cecilia was truly worthy of being the most talented mage since the Great Magic Collapse a thousand years ago.

With such immense strength, he didn't even know how he could "cut ties" with her.

Given her personality, if she ever found out he had been deceiving her, she would surely hunt him to the ends of the earth, until the end of the world...

Besides, putting aside the thought of running away later, Ansu was very worried that this moody Scum Witch might have a sudden episode and Hypnosis him again.

He had to keep in mind that if the connection was broken, it couldn't be counted as "one magical effect."

Ansu subconsciously observed Cecilia's expression.

The bright afternoon sunlight spilled onto her cheeks. Cecilia was reading that thick ancient tome with focus, her lips occasionally pursed, occasionally curving slightly upward...

He didn't know why, but she seemed to be in a genuinely good mood today.

And since she had found a book she enjoyed, there shouldn't be any danger for the time being...

Today, Ansu could feel a subtle shift in Cecilia's attitude toward him; it seemed like "everything was looking up"...

But! Ansu still dared not trust her.

He would never hand his fate over to Cecilia to "control." This witch had never developed the values of a normal person, and naturally, she possessed no worldly moral concepts.

The Scum Witch definitely only viewed him as a "toy," but even if he were her favorite toy... wasn't he still just a toy?

Heh, this woman with such a wicked personality...

He truly wondered who would ever fall for such a Scum Witch in the future.

It certainly wouldn't be him.

For the rest of the afternoon, the two stayed in the library.

Ansu and Cecilia chatted occasionally, so Ansu gained a rough understanding of what Cecilia was looking for; she was likely searching for the legendary "treasure of the Demon Army."

It was said that at the end of the Demon Calamity War, the coalition of humans and demi-humans surrounded the remnants of the Demon Army at the edge of the continent. The Demon Army had buried the vast amount of treasure they had plundered over the years in a hidden location, hoping to make a comeback one day.

For a thousand years, people had tried to find this treasure, but it usually ended in nothing, and over time, it became a legend.

But as a player, Ansu naturally knew the location of the treasure. It was a high-level dungeon, and it would involve Cecilia's later plotline—it was also the catalyst that would change her fate.

"Is the Lady Witch short on money?" Ansu recalled the "great cause" she always had on her lips.

"I have no interest in money. What I am interested in are the magical tomes the demons looted from various ancient kingdoms." Cecilia gently turned a page.

"It is said that those magical tomes are extremely precious; perhaps they will allow us to regain the lost heritage of ancient magic."

"Oh, I thought the Lady Witch wanted to revive the great cause of the demons." Ansu nodded. Although Cecilia had demon blood, she truly had no interest in power; her goal was always to explore the mysteries of magic and become stronger.

It was just a pity that fate loved to tease; in the story, the harder she tried, the more she would learn the cruel truth, eventually leading her to despair and making her an enemy of the whole world...

Cecilia, completely unaware of her future fate, quietly looked up and teased Ansu with a smile.

"However, if I really inherited the treasure of the demons..."

Her eyes darted around playfully, "Then wouldn't I become the Demon Queen? What rank should I bestow upon you when that time comes..."

"If you become the Demon Queen, I shall be your Demon Chancellor."

"But you aren't a demon?"

Ansu curled his lip, thinking to himself that she was taking this quite seriously...

"But well..." Cecilia said with a smile, "Since you are so loyal to me, I can appoint you as a King of Humans when the time comes, to manage this vast human kingdom for me."

Ansu let out a dry laugh; he was about to become a traitor to humanity...

At dusk, the setting sun outside the window bathed the quiet campus in its glow.

When closing time arrived, the librarian came over to remind them. Cecilia put the books back, still feeling unsatisfied, and left the Royal Academy with Ansu.

"I'm really happy today. It's been a long time since I've been this relaxed~"

Cecilia stretched, her eyes gazing lazily at Ansu beside her. "Oh right, I have to remind you: you need to be careful on your way home from now on."

"You mean..." Ansu frowned slightly.

Cecilia said, "Although you used your quick wits last time to prevent Mary from succeeding, the elders behind her won't just let it go."

Ansu thought of that Order elder who could turn into insects. Although he had been slaughtered by Cecilia in the simulation, he was still alive and well right now.

After he left Cecilia's residence that day, she must have met with Mary. Given Cecilia's vengeful nature, Mary was likely done for.

Due to an information gap, Elder Hall might not know the situation yet and might still be thinking about stuffing bugs into his mouth to monitor Cecilia...

"The public security in your neighborhood is so chaotic, so you need to be more vigilant." Cecilia urged, "I don't want the infighting within the Council of Elders to drag you into it."

"In that case..." Ansu suggested with a smile, "Why don't you escort me home, my lady Witch?"

Taking advantage of her good mood, Ansu was uncharacteristically direct for once.

He couldn't help it; he valued his life, and he didn't think he could go toe-to-toe with an insect elder when he only knew two zero-circle spells...

"Escort you back?" Cecilia was stunned for a moment, then nodded slightly. "Alright, escorting you back is of course..."

But halfway through her sentence, her expression shifted, and her pretty face suddenly turned cold.

"Of course not!"

Cecilia glared at Ansu irritably. "Don't push your luck! I am the dignified Ash Witch with so many great undertakings to attend to; where would I find the time to protect you personally?"

"Heh! I couldn't care less about you... Just go home by yourself!"

Seeing her change her face as quickly as flipping a page, Ansu felt quite speechless.

The Scum Witch sure has a big ego!

"Fine, don't protect me then..."

Ansu walked silently toward the steam bus, muttering to himself as he went.

"I won't waste any more of your precious time, my lady Witch. My life is cheap, certainly not as valuable as your time..."

Cecilia waved goodbye from behind with a giggle. "This is a test of your wit and magical prowess, good luck! Don't disappoint me~"

Ansu boarded the crowded commuter transport directly.

The steam bus belched choking black smoke and, facing the setting sun, slowly drove toward the Black Port District.

Cecilia watched the vehicle gradually fade into the distance and pursed her lips.

"Hmph, what a troublesome guy..."

She quietly followed the steam bus.