A Coincidental Encounter and Unfathomable Intentions

“Well, little one, fancy seeing you again.”

It was truly a coincidence of astounding proportions, as this very tram was precisely the same one that had made the first journey that very morning. (TL Note: A play on words using ‘qiao,’ meaning clever or coincidental, derived from the name ‘A Qiao,’ the ice cream ‘Choclatz,’ and the game ‘tangram.’ It conveys that the coincidence was utterly astounding.)

The young conductress was none other than the one who had told Iordera she didn’t need to pay that morning.

To be caught freeloading multiple times in one day, right there and then, caused Iordera’s youthful face to flush. (TL Note: ‘Baipiao’ is a Chinese slang term meaning to obtain goods or services for free, often implying freeloading or taking advantage.)“You… you actually still remember me?”

“Of course I remember, little one! A girl as beautiful and adorable as you is a rare sight, even in Saloyan,” the young woman exclaimed with delight. “I could remember a face like yours for at least a year!”

“…”

‘Please don’t remember me for so long. It’s quite embarrassing to be caught freeloading every day.’

With few passengers on the tram, the young conductress, having little to do, simply settled beside Iordera and struck up a conversation.

“Tell me, little one, are you heading out somewhere on this trip?”

“Yes, I suppose you could say that.”

“Then you must be careful, as this is the last tram,” the young woman advised with a hint of concern. “If you go out, you won’t be able to return home tonight.”

Iordera blinked. “Surely not? Aren’t there several more trams running tonight?”

She had done her research; Saloyan’s trams typically operated until eleven at night.

“That’s different. The trams after dark aren’t for people like you.”

“Oh?” Iordera paused, bewildered. “Then who are they for?”

“Well, those who know, know, and those who don’t, can’t be helped,” the young woman replied vaguely. “In any case, you’re still young; there’s no need for you to know about such things.”

Good heavens, even Saloyan has its riddle-speakers, it seems. (TL Note: ‘Miyu ren’ is a modern Chinese slang term referring to someone who speaks vaguely or evasively, like a riddle-speaker, deliberately withholding clear information.)

“I’m going to a friend’s house, and I won’t be back tonight, so I’ll stay there.” Iordera simply offered a casual excuse to satisfy her.

“That’s good then. Just remember to be safe, little one.”

Having placated the young conductress, Iordera quietly sighed.

‘Even taking a tram required a battle of wits. Life was difficult, and the loli sighed.’

Upon reaching the academy, Iordera entered the library, ascended the familiar spiral staircase to the rooftop, and paused at the entrance.

She glanced down at her pale, slender legs and felt a sudden blush creep up her cheeks.

This outfit was certainly convenient, yet it was also rather *convenient*. (TL Note: A double entendre. ‘Fangbian’ means convenient, but with the tilde, it hints at ‘easy for *other* purposes’ or ‘revealing.’)

But having arrived at this point, it was too late for regrets. Iordera gritted her teeth and stamped her foot, telling herself she wore this for exercise, not for *other* exercises. (TL Note: A double entendre. ‘Yundong’ means exercise or movement, but with the tilde, it implies ‘sexual activity’ or ‘being taken advantage of.’)

Her conscience was clear!

Pushing open the door, she called out inside:

“I’m here.”

****

Louisa, the Headmistress of the Continental United Academy, slowly entered the administrative building and pushed open the door to the topmost room.

Inside, a benevolent-looking old woman was leisurely perusing something.

“Teacher,” Louisa greeted respectfully.

Her teacher, once a venerable elder of the Imperial Cabinet, had commanded immense authority.

However, over half a year prior, the domino effect triggered by the Witch’s downfall had implicated a significant portion of the Imperial political sphere.

The elder was among those affected; sensing the precarious situation, she used the excuse of “advanced age and poor health” to swiftly withdraw from the imperial capital, residing in seclusion ever since.

No one else knew of her presence there, save for Headmistress Louisa.

The former Imperial Elder set down her book, a benevolent smile still gracing her features.

“We’ve confirmed it,” Louisa began, “Hecate seems to be here to meet her little paramour, a girl who appears somewhat young, but is very beautiful.”

The benevolent old woman appeared somewhat astonished. “You said… a girl?”

“Yes.”

“Am I growing senile, or is this simply the current trend among young people?” she inquired, puzzled. “Hecate is also a woman, isn’t she?”

Furthermore, Hecate is hardly young herself.

Louisa chuckled. “Of course it’s not a trend. It’s just that Hecate… she’s an anomaly.”

Otherwise, why would they call her a Witch?

The former Imperial Elder pondered for a moment, then pushed the book across. “Give it to her.”

It was, strikingly, The Guardian Sheila’s *Centennial Manuscript*.

Louisa was slightly startled. “Just like that? You’re giving it to her? But we still have some unresolved questions. Such as why she and her little paramour came to the academy. And if that girl, specifically applying for a position in the library, intends to search for some secret within its collection…”

“That is not important, Louisa,” the former Imperial Elder shook her head. “There is no need to pursue matters that do not harm our interests.”

“But she is a Witch,” Louisa countered. “Her intentions are unfathomable.”

The benevolent old woman sighed, speaking slowly. “Louisa, do you know why most of us tend to cooperate with Hecate?”

Louisa paused, slightly taken aback.

She swiftly realized that by ‘most of us,’ her teacher referred to the majority within the Imperial high command.

And the other candidate for cooperation was The Guardian Sheila.

Of course, ‘cooperation’ was merely a euphemism; more directly, it was about choosing sides.

Thus, when Hecate was sealed away by Sheila, a considerable upheaval swept through the Imperial high command.

“Because The Guardian Sheila is already well past her prime,” Louisa ventured, probing. “And Hecate is her legitimate successor, whose prospects are considered brighter?”

The old woman chuckled. “Of course not. We lean towards Hecate because, no matter how profound her schemes, she is someone who adheres to the rules of the game.”

“As for Sheila, she is not only aloof but also an idealist… and her ideals are not even very firm.”

****

“I’m here.”

Standing at the doorway was a lovely little darling.

Hecate gazed at her in surprise, her eyes scanning up and down.

Her gaze lingered longest on the pair of ivory-white, slender legs peeking from beneath the hem of Iordera’s attire.

Iordera awkwardly took two steps to the side, and asked, “I’m not late, am I?”

Hecate did not reply, instead blurting out an utterly nonsensical remark:

“Indeed, it looks even better in motion.”

“What?”

“Nothing. Since you’re ready, let us depart.”

Hecate was clad in a simple Western-style dress, and on her head, she wore an exquisite, wide-brimmed hat that subtly obscured her features.

Iordera’s heart felt a slight ease, reasoning that if Hecate was dressed so formally, she surely wasn’t planning to take her to a “nightly motel” or similar establishment. (TL Note: ‘Yejian xiaolvguan’ means small night motel.)

However, upon further reflection, she considered that it might precisely be a tactic to deceive others. Hadn’t Hecate specifically worn a hat to conceal her face? The destination could still be a hotel…

“Don’t overthink it. It’s merely a slight disguise in case I encounter someone I know,” Hecate said with a light chuckle. “Don’t let your little brain dwell on such improper thoughts.”

Iordera gasped in alarm. “Y-you… how did you know?!”

“Your thoughts are plainly written on your face.” With that pronouncement, Hecate opened the door and stepped out.

‘Written all over my face?’

‘Iordera thought, ‘That can’t be right.’ Her little face was so crestfallen, her eyebrows drooping, the corners of her mouth pulled down in a bitter grimace, wearing the exact expression Yuna described as ‘her entire family died.’ (TL Note: ‘Si le quan jia’ is a hyperbolic Chinese expression used to describe an extremely miserable or despairing facial expression, implying a look as if one’s entire family has died.) How could anyone tell what she was thinking? It made no sense.’

In the space of a bewildered moment, she realized Hecate was already nearly out of sight. Without time for further contemplation, Iordera hastily scurried after her.