Mel plopped down on the hillside, staring at the burnt forest. The fire has long since consumed the trees, the sea of 'greeneries' has long since turned into a charred wasteland, leaving only silhouettes of dead trunks and soil.
She glanced at the System panel, sighing.
[ Total Elimination Count: 121/123 ]
Now, how should I explain to Lila? Mel's tiny turmoil swirled in her head. She had a clear principle to protect her waifus, but never harm them, despite the exam clearly needing a top winner.
She glanced at Lila, who sat some distance away, hanging her head as if contemplating something. Mel knew her friend's perceptiveness, who likely thought the same problem as hers.
Mel grumbled a little before mumbling. "System. The Witch of Pride is still here, right?"
[ The System's eyes squinted at the Witch of Pride, whose tears had dried up ]
[ The System implored Pride to steel up and answer the Host's question! ]
[ The Witch of Pride curled up in the corner, yelling to leave her alone! ]
"Miss Pride." Mel smiled as kindly as she could. "What happened just now was an exam. Rosana was not dead, so no worries."
[ The Witch of Pride sprang up, reeling back her sanity! ]
[ The System clapped at such a tremendous feat that only took her several minutes! ]
[ The Witch of Pride glared at the System! Hic, Host! Pride is bullying me! ]
Mel stretched out her hands into the air. "Alright, please calm down and listen. Whatever's happening between you both has to come after the Rift Issue. Don't you agree?"
[ The System nodded obediently. Only the Host looked as long-term as the System did! ]
[ The Witch of Pride scoffed, closing her eyes in focus. ]
Mel widened her eyes. Whether it is her witchy sense or her connection with the 'System', she felt the space tore itself whole, giving way to a tunnel for Pride's vision.
Even when sealed, Pride's power to reach into the other realms remained unmatched,
[ The Witch of Pride finished her analysis! ]
[ The Witch of Pride frowned upon such a rift, stating it was not her doing! ]
Mel held her chin, recalling the last time Pride opened a rift in-game. A
Once pulled into it, nothing and no one survived in there. Once entered, a person's mind would be too clouded with centuries of information, swirling in from the
"Unless. It's an awakened Witch."
[ The Witch of Pride insisted that not even she can come out of the Rift unscathed! ]
"Never mind."
This isn't easy. Mel stressed. From her knowledge, Pride is the second strongest Witch she knew, followed closely by Wrath. Yet, Wrath's
"Ugh... I'm stuck, huh?"
"What're you stuck at?"
"Oh, Lila!" Mel glanced at her blue bun, who had already moved and sat beside her. "A hug?"
"..."
Lila's arms unfolded before squeezing Mel tightly, catching Mel in surprise. She was merely joking, but more cuddly Willy is always welcome!
She returned the embrace. "Thanks."
Lila nodded on Mel's shoulder. "Worried about something?"
"Mhm." Her mind scoured for an answer. "I was worried about 'hurting' you! So-"
"You shouldn't lie to me, Mel."
Mel was stunned by the weight behind Lila's words, her hands clutching Lila's robe.
She pulled back slightly, only to meet a pair of emerald eyes, narrowing with a seriousness that reminded her of her being questioned back in the house about the cure.
The schemer smiled gently, even when exposed, she couldn't help but find Lila to be absolutely adorable.
"Well, I did tell you I will hide secrets from you, didn't I?"
Lila's brows raised at such a response, a hesitation burrowing into her mind once again.
Was she worthy of Mel's secret? Did she do enough to earn her trust? What could she have done more so that Mel would no longer worry about her?
Until now, even at the Exam, Lila could only see herself contributing very little. The Lure Plan? The Wildfire Madness? Defeating the Northern Dragoness? Most of the feats were thought up by Mel, her part only coming up when she was needed.
Because only she was there for her.
But what happens when others gathered for Mel? Others that bared more talents or powers than her?
She hanged her head, the possbility of being left behind by Mel swirling once again.
[ Envy's insecurity about abandonment arose! ]
[ Envy Favourability: 76 -> 68 ]
Mel's expression softened at such a message. Overthinking again? How sweet. But she didn't want her precious Lila to be stressed about something that would never occur.
Mel's hand slithered from the back to cup her girlfriend(?)'s cheek, whispering with care and tenderness. "What are you thinking about?"
Lila shuddered under the golden, gentle gaze that seemed to pierce straight into her. "I... will you..."
"Lila."
The seducer watched as the Witch of Envy's lips opened and closed, struggling to give voice to her insecurity.
"My Lila." Mel's voice grew firmer, more resolute.
In all honesty, the Witch of Lust couldn't help but appreciate Lila's fear of being abandoned, which only showed how much Lila cherished her in her life.
But that could not last. It could never last.
She needed a surefire way to snuff out that fear. A reveal of her secret that would bind her and Lila forever and ever.
And for that, she needed another helper, one that would she would drag into her tiny, little, undisruptive scheme.
She mumbled in her heart.
System. You can hear me even without me mumbling, right? I know you can, all along.
The Witch smirked at the panel slightly flickering, as if surprised.
[ Uh... Host? What is it? ]
Don't worry. I don't plan to ever judge you about listening in on my conversation with Nyxia anytime soon.
A chuckle almost escaped from Mel, before she negotiated.
In return, if you dislike being hated by me, turn off the
[ The
Seriously?
[ Seriously! ]
Pft.
[ ... ]
Another set of ellipsis. Another hesitation and stutters by the System. Mel blinked, hoping the 'other side' would reciporacate.
Then, an unspoken satisfaction welled up in her, for the expected, yet unexpected answer.
[ When did you find out? ]
The Witch of Lust laughed inside.
From the moment you were called a liar? Or maybe from the moment you told me you 'peeked' at the Saintess and Saria's conversations? Or perhaps you used the same, old excuses over and over again?
[ Sigh... ]
[ This is too early... ; ; ]
[ Cough cough. Surveilance, right? Working on it now, Mel! ]
Very good. She complimented the 'System' sincerely in her heart, before shifting her attention back to Lila.
"Come to think of it, I didn't give reward for your help in the exam, right?"
Lila glanced up at the familiar foxy smile, yet the curve tilted ever so slightly, tinged by a hint of sadness.
"The meaning of first is always special to me, Lila."
Mel stood from the grass, her smile remaining steady and warm.
"So I want to show you something. A secret that I only entrusted to the closest person I know."
She stepped away with her back turned to Lila, who was slowly rising from the grass, confused by Mel's unexpected proposal.
"Secret?"
"Yes." Mel stopped, looking at the grey, artificial sky. This is a mere
[ Done, Host! ]
Aw, not calling me Mel again like you did?
[ ...shut it, Witch! Now, go wild before the teachers arrive to check! ]
Resisting the urge to roll on the ground and laugh like a detective who just caught a fugitive after 10 years, she sensed the immense power swirling from above. Before long, all
Now, she was very sure about who was behind her dear partner. She will 'pay a visit' to her later, just as she planned back in the carriage. For now...
She turned towards Lila, who was still in shock over the sudden shift in the air. Perhaps her friend also detected how a greater power shut off the
"
It didn't matter, however. Mel felt the purple and pink mana swirling beneath her, weaving into a lavender dress before settling a Witch's hat atop her head.
Lila gasped at the immense mana that surged from Mel: the form she had taken and the attire she now wears. Lila has read from the book, and only one figure sprang to her mind.
"Mel..." The disbelief washed over her expression. "You're... a Witch?"
But in her knowledge, only one Witch would exist: the Witch of Pride.
No other Witches have ever appeared in history, yet nothing else could explain Mel's sudden rise in power, and only a fool would be dressed in a Witch-like attire after the 'Unprided Crusade'.
"Scared?"
Mel's eyes arced, her hand stretching out to summon her wooden staff.
"I'm not someone to hesitate. I don't want to tell vague promises like 'I would protect you forever', or even vaguer questions like 'Are you prepared for what I truly am?' Those were all unfunny excuses, because I am even more irresponsible than these considerations."
She sharpened her gaze on Lila. "Instead. I wish to entrust to you my identity. The truth behind my facade."
Lila felt a mix of emotions swelling within her, but unlike Mel's pat from earlier, she could identify something this time. Something that she recognized all too well.
It was a gratitude that reminded her of when her sister awakened, and all her grief and hatred in the World disappeared like smoke.
"So if you feel like the truth is too much to bear, I could-"
"Mel."
"Hm?"
Lila's lips curled up to a calm smile.
Thanks to her inconsiderate lover, she had only more questions and doubts to answer.
How will she be powerful enough to protect Mel from the Church?
How will she push down her anxiety for their future, knowing Mel was bound to be a magnet for troubles?
How will she keep away any woman who dared to approach her, bearing a beauty that would shame both 'Pride' and the Saintess?
But none of it mattered for now.
"The exam is still not over."
Ice and snow twirled like a gust on her fingertip, her emerald eyes no longer carrying a hint of hesitation, but burning with unwavering determination, fueled by her friend's absolute trust in her.
[ The Witch of Envy only felt immense gratefulness for you! ]
[ Envy's Favourability: 68 -> 81 ]
Another chuckle bubbled up from Mel's chest as she was in awe of Lila's unwavering stance.
"Well." Mel spun her staff between her fingers, tipping her hat down. She didn't want her blush to be spotted in such a heartfelt moment.
"Do be prepared, alright?" The Witch uttered. "I still am a Witch, you know?"
"Is that ever an issue?" Lila giggled. "You do look pretty in that outfit."
"Thanks!"
Mel stretched her arms before chanting, releasing all the 'pressure of being rejected'.
"
The actual final battle commenced, but contrary to the last, there was no tension from before.
After all, it was merely a friendly spar between childhood friends, confidants, and lovers now bound in an unbreakable bond of love and vows for eternity.