One Soul, Two Faces: Ceruno

(Ceruno)

Professor Stratos said that when two personalities reside in the same soul, under normal circumstances, the foreign Witch Persona will completely devour Anjie's original consciousness, eventually transforming her into a fully-fledged witch...

But we forcibly interrupted this process.

Not only is Miss Anjie still a half-baked aspiring magical girl, but Xiaojie is also merely staying in Pawa's "remains." Without the Dark Energy provided by Pawa's Simulacrum Factor, she is just Artificial Magical Girl with the appearance of a witch.

They are all safe for now.

The only drawback is that they cannot be separated too far apart, because half a soul cannot exist independently.

The City School's teaching building was connected to the faculty and staff offices, and Xiao Yi arranged Ms. Anjie's workstation in front of her.

Just like a secretary, just like her former position, but everything has changed.

Although the fact that her father betrayed the Association was kept secret from the public, rumors and speculations circulating online have managed to create a version that resembles a rumor. Add to that Ms. Anjie's previous statements in front of the media, and her current status as a criminal...

Anyone with half a brain could guess what she had done, and the other magical girls naturally wouldn't give her a friendly look.

Therefore, Xiao Yi keeping her under her nose can be considered a form of protection.

He led Xiaojie and me into the principal's office.

"Oh dear, still busy so late? Go get some rest, you can finish the rest tomorrow."

Xiao Yi's words sounded a bit hypocritical; the thick stack of documents on Miss Anjie's desk certainly didn't appear out of thin air.

Miss Anjie only looked up when she heard Xiao Yi's voice.

Once she could see me and Xiaojie clearly, she quickly turned her head away.

But that fleeting glance revealed a complex mix of emotions.

Guilt, fear, exhaustion, and... a sense of hopelessness?

"We can't put it off until tomorrow; there will be more tomorrow."

I picked up a document at random, flipped through it, and asked:

"Xiao Yi, what are these?"

Xiao Yi leaned closer to me, looking at the document and explaining:

"Oh, these are the application forms and personnel files from each branch. I've asked Anjie to screen out the magical girls who meet the requirements."

"Applications? There are so many!"

These are all magical girls who want to come to the City School...

"Headmaster, there are too many magical girls wanting to enter the City School. The teaching staff is already full, and we can only accept students who have just become magical girls and don't have much combat experience. The City School's population can't be too saturated either. Although it can accommodate 1,800 people, I suggest we keep the total number under 1,500."

It's not hard to understand why this arrangement leaves room for maneuver in everything.

However, the way Miss Anjie spoke with her head bowed seemed a little too humble.

Xiao Yi seemed used to her humble attitude and simply said:

"Understood. Tomorrow I'll have a video conference with the admissions officers from each branch so they can do a preliminary screening there as well, and not just send all the applications here."

Anjie then pulled out a few more sheets of A4 paper from the table.

"In addition, the evaluation of faculty and students must be carried out as soon as possible; this is my proposed draft."

"Wow?"

Xiao Yi took it with great surprise and flipped through it.

"Because of the privileged environment of the City School, many magical girls have started to take advantage of the situation, which goes against the original intention of the 'Zodiacal'. Therefore, it is necessary to establish a sound elimination mechanism, and the rules and regulations must keep up. Whether it is for students or faculty, those who are not qualified must be rotated out."

Hey! Sounds like Miluno is going to lose her job?

"Great, I'll take this to SpiCa to have him take a look!"

"And about yesterday's attack..."

Miss Anjie was surprisingly capable, seemingly with endless suggestions, but Xiao Yi raised her hand to interrupt her.

"Stop!"

"Hmm..."

She pointed at me and Xiaojie.

"You can tell me about these trivial matters after they leave. This child wants to see you and chat with you. Please make some time for her."

Miss Anjie then raised her head.

Xiaojie was peeking at me from behind. She's clearly taller than me, how could she possibly hide?

"Sister Anjie..."

Xiaojie Jie greeted him quietly.

This time I'm not going to avoid it; I've decided to listen to what they have to say.

Only...

The two of them stared at each other across me, which made me feel uneasy, like I had needles sticking out of my skin. It wasn't until Xiao Yi pulled me and pushed Xiaojie away that the suffocating feeling disappeared.

This also made me realize that it would be difficult for me to get involved in what happened between them.

As for the reasons, there are still too many things I don't know, such as...

Just how much of Anjie's memories and knowledge did Xiaojie absorb?

Have you let go of that unfounded sense of guilt?

How does she view her own identity?

These are things that the child keeps hidden in his heart, things he won't talk about on his own; I have to find out for myself.

Although she is Witch Persona from birth, she herself has done nothing wrong. I want this child to be happy and hope that she can smile from the bottom of her heart.

"Don't just stand there, say what you want to say... Come, sit down!"

Xiao Yi brought out her own "dragon throne," which looked like a comfortable and luxurious executive chair, so that the two could sit facing each other.

Xiaojie sat down gently, her head drooping, but she remained silent.

Miss Anjie also lowered her head and asked timidly:

What are you trying to say?

"Sister, I... I want to share some of your... negative feelings..."

Before Xiaojie could finish speaking, Miss Anjie shook her head and refused.

"No, I won't let you do that again."

Xiaojie Jie stammered:

"But... but we can bear it together!"

The more Xiaojie said this, the more ashamed Miss Anjie felt; she almost buried her head under the table.

"I... I'm trash... Although I really want to die like this, it seems like it would affect you, so I won't do it... But letting you absorb my essence will only make you more like trash... You were born from my body... Something beautiful... You shouldn't have anything to do with me anymore... Once is enough... Don't come again."

How depressing! What is this astonishing aggregate of negative energy?

"Principal, when did she become like this?"

When I asked her that, Xiao Yi shrugged and replied:

"After being rescued by Sister Miluno, she became withdrawn. After being imprisoned, this tendency became more and more serious. Since Xiaojie was removed from the prison, her spirits have become depressed, which has further aggravated the symptoms... and in the end, she became like this."

So, she did say something like that Xiaojie should absorb her.

But...

What do you mean by "once is enough"?

I had a vague idea of what had happened in that interrogation room.

I asked again, "Ms. Anjie, did you let Xiaojie consume your negative emotions?"

The Witch Persona grows by absorbing the consciousness of the main personality.

If this rule is used properly, Xiaojie will be able to absorb the memories and emotions that Anjie least wants to face.

"No, Sister Ceruno!"

As if afraid I would misunderstand, Xiaojie hurriedly explained to me.

"It was my own idea to help Anjie relieve some of her stress!"