Achernar's Thoughts

(Ceruno)

After Miss SpiCa became a witch, the effects of her Mental Overlay became more coercive, and this prison was built based on that.

But it's like the rope in a bungee jump.

Even knowing that it's 99.9% safe, many people still don't have the courage to jump.

"Anyway, I'm just here to see the witch off. You can decide what to do next."

Sirius didn't forcibly take me away. He scratched his head and left through the Wormhole Device.

And then...

"Ah?!"

I got sprayed in the face by a water gun.

The witch with short, dark blue hair said, "When you arrived, the water fight had just begun, and Xiaojie hadn't had enough fun yet... Although we are enemies on the ground, this island is a neutral zone with a truce. I'll put my guard down and enjoy the afternoon sun."

"Alright! Then take this!"

With a smile that suggested I was practicing as an idol, I lifted a large water sphere about six meters in diameter from the sea.

"Wait! Everyone else is just having minor squabbles, this is going too far!"

Although the witches protested, Xiaojie stared at the water bubble in my hand with her bright green head tilted back.

"Wow!! Ceruno's is so big!!"

There was a thin leaf on each side of her cheek, trembling slightly, looking like a cat's whiskers...

It's quite cute, but it still doesn't look human.

The other witches here might not like her.

The Magical Girl Soldiers assembly line is complete. If we could obtain the Base Body of Magical Girl Soldiers, perhaps we could find a way to send this child to the City School.

Just as I was thinking this, Xiaojie swung the vine and splashed water on the surface, unexpectedly splashing it onto my face.

"Well, well! You little brat, you actually dared to ambush me!"

I threw that big water balloon at her head, and she just chuckled.

The nascent Witch Persona is truly like a child...

On "the Other Side," the concept of parents clearly doesn't exist. Whether they're Monster or witches, they're all mass-produced weapons of aggression. So, from the moment a personality is implanted into them, that's their birthday...

But who says they can't have a life outside of weapons?

This somewhat uninspiring water fight didn't last long.

Xiaojie is in a vegetative state, and staying in seawater for too long will definitely cause problems.

I carried her ashore.

The dark-skinned witch hasn't woken up yet; Miluno's attack was a bit too harsh.

"Then go back to prison."

Achernar carried the unconscious witch on his back from the shore.

"Um..."

Hearing that she was going back, Xiaojie felt a little down.

A prison is a prison after all. Even in Hawaii, the high walls only offer coldness, with hardly any warmth to be felt...

But surprisingly...

The prison rebuilt on the site of the manor is anything but cold.

Basically, none of the witches stayed obediently in their respective cells; Miss Regil even went to the prison gate to sunbathe and sleep.

The Hawaii magical girls responsible for guarding the area didn't stop them; some even played cards with the witches...

"This doesn't look like a prison; you'd think it was a nursing home."

Achernar walked up to me and handed me a can of drink.

She asked softly, "How is it? Is it different here than last time?"

"Yes! The difference is huge!"

The prisoners are in such good spirits; it must be thanks to her, the political commissar.

I came here once before when I accompanied Xiaoling to visit Miss Extinction. At that time, all the prisoners were locked in separate cells, and you couldn't see anyone in the hall.

Back then, the magical girls on guard were also on edge, after all, when a witch went out of control and escaped, it took several of them working together to subdue her, unlike now...

No, it's not good now either.

This is way too lax!

Why are you playing Duel King in the security room?!

If one of them really runs away, will they be able to find out?

"This is all thanks to Miss Achernar, isn't it? Sirius said you did a lot of ideological work with these witches, even though you're not good at talking..."

"I just don't like the sound of my voice, so I don't want to talk about it."

"She sings so well."

"Haha, I actually lost to Halley back then!"

She laughed, revealing a set of jagged shark teeth, and then rubbed my head.

Achernar used to be quiet and didn't express her emotions much, but she's changed a lot lately and seems to have become more sentimental.

Looking back, this change began roughly after Miss Anjie was rescued...

That is, after Xiaojie was born.

So that's what it feels like to be a mother.

She suddenly said:

"During my time here, I've been thinking about one thing."

With a joking tone, I asked:

"What is it that even our clever songstress can't figure out?"

Achernar pressed down on my head again and replied:

"Ceruno, do you think I'm qualified to inherit Chuanlang Bojiang's life?"

"Huh?!"

This suddenly feels so heavy. Why are we talking about this?

Although she was a witch created by a magical girl, the magical girl's death was not her responsibility. After all, people cannot choose their birth, and neither can witches.

I thought about it and asked in return:

"Let me confirm first, is Miss Achernar still able to hear the voice of 'that will'?"

"Um."

She nodded.

I asked again, "Have you ever considered giving up your identity as a witch?"

She shook her head.

"I don't want to give up yet."

This is not surprising; no one willingly becomes weaker, but...

"Miss Chuanlang Bojiang doesn't need the power of a witch in her life, does she?"

She lowered her head and bit her lower lip.

"... Too."

I then asked:

"If you were to inherit Miss Eridanus's life, what do you plan to do?"

"I will talk to Chuanlang Bojiang's family members who are still alive and try to get their forgiveness and acceptance... Actually, I have already contacted them."

"Huh? You've done this kind of thing before?"

"That happened during the Supernova Idol Festival. Someone found Flow Princess's fan group and heard my daughter's voice in my singing... I denied it at the time because I didn't understand what family was."

The Achernar who said these words also seemed to be shining brightly.

I asked, "But have you changed your mind now?"

"Hmm, I think that person must be very important... Taking care of Xiaojie during this time, I think I Bai family is."

Very nice...

If every witch could be like Achernar, then Future where witches serve as a bridge, allowing two worlds to understand each other, would surely emerge...

Snap--

I opened the can in my hand.

A sudden sea breeze swept in through the window, causing her long, pink and emerald-green hair to flutter wildly...

"I don't think Miss Achernar needs to follow in Miss Chuanlang Bojiang's footsteps."

"... Isn't that necessary?"

"Yes, you have inherited her life, so just live your own life. You are our Miss Achernar, the first witch to become a human's companion... Of course, you can also tell your mother about yourself."

"Ceruno."

She brushed the hair that had gotten into my mouth, as if she were speaking from the heart.

"Human emotions are like poison to those of us born on the 'The Other Side'... and a gentle magical girl like you is probably a poison pot, isn't she?"

Although I understand what she's trying to say.

But it just didn't sound like a compliment.