Little Xingyue taking a hot spring bath

“Alright… fine.”

Xingyue mumbled, fidgeting nervously.

“Hehe, knew you wouldn’t refuse. Though even if you did, I wouldn’t stop anyway.”

Xingyue: So scary QAQ

Witch [L]’s lips curled into a satisfied smile.

“Ah, ah…” Xingyue’s face flushed slightly.

For Witch L had slipped an arm around Xingyue’s waist, then led her into the steamy bathhouse.

****

As the carved wooden door of the private room swung open, a wave of hot vapor laced with sandalwood fragrance rushed out.

The circular bath was carved from a single slab of obsidian, with scalding hot spring water gushing from a faucet shaped like a Western dragon’s head.

On a rosewood table beside the pool sat a tray bearing delicate pastries and tea sets—items Witch [L] had apparently just ordered.

“Oh? Little Xingyue, I didn’t notice earlier—did you come to see big sister wearing a swimsuit~?” Witch [L]’s gaze swept over Xingyue’s pink two-piece swimsuit, her voice teasing.

Xingyue’s cheeks instantly turned crimson. “T-This is just an accident! I didn’t mean to…”

“Oh? Could it be your clothes were still wet from washing, so little Xingyue wore your swimsuit as underwear?”

“As if! (˃ ⌑ ˂ഃ )”

“Whatever, whatever, I’m too lazy to care~” Witch [L] waved a hand and snapped her fingers.

Two female attendants in black uniforms suddenly appeared, seizing Xingyue without warning and dragging her into the changing room.

“Hey?! Wait! What are you—?” Xingyue’s protest was cut off as the changing room door shut behind her.

“No one takes a bath in a swimsuit. Change it.”

The witch yawned casually.

A moment later, Xingyue was pushed out, wrapped in a bath towel, face burning red.

Witch [L] was already soaking in the hot spring, her long purple hair fanning out like seaweed.

She beckoned to Xingyue. “Come on in.”

Xingyue bit her lip and slowly stepped into the pool.

The water rose past her shoulders. The warmth eased her tense nerves slightly.

“Ah~~~”

Leaning against the edge of the pool, Witch [L] had a faint blush on her cheeks, her eyes slightly dazed.

“I just love hot springs~ They help me relax, wash away all my troubles.”

She picked up a pastry from the tray beside her and offered it to Xingyue. “Want some? It’s really good.”

Xingyue eyed the pastry warily, shrinking back slightly. “N-No thanks…”

Images flashed through Xingyue’s mind—Witch [L] secretly spiking food with strange ingredients. Her heartbeat quickened involuntarily.

Witch [L] chuckled softly. “Don’t be so scared. Today, I actually have something serious to discuss with you.”

She set the pastry down, straightened her posture, and her expression turned serious.

“Listen well, Xingyue.” Witch [L]’s voice was low and firm. “As your witch master, I have the right to command you to do anything.”

Xingyue instinctively curled up, a flicker of fear in her eyes. “Y-You don’t mean you want me to…”

“Aww, not that kind of thing~” Witch [L] stuck out her tongue playfully. “I want you to help me recover the scattered Magic Ritual Attire.”

“Huh? What are you talking about?”

Hearing an unfamiliar term, curiosity sparked in Xingyue’s eyes.

“Hehe, I know it’s a lot to take in at once. Little Xingyue must be confused. Don’t worry—feel free to ask big sister anything.” Witch L said.

As soon as she finished speaking, a voice echoed in Xingyue’s mind.

[Please select to learn more.]

[A. What is Magic Ritual Attire?]

[B. What should I do?]

[C. What’s in it for me?]

[D. Nothing to ask.]

Xingyue: Oh, so there’s a feature like this?

But Xingyue didn’t want to waste time, so she selected D.

“…When it comes to something that affects little Xingyue’s fate, you should be a bit more patient~”

Witch L kept smiling, but her tone carried a threat of punishment.

Xingyue swallowed hard.

Fine… I’ll just ask one by one…

First, A.

“Magic Ritual Attire? What’s that?”

“There are 26 sets in total—enchanted garments created by 26 witches, each with unique and wondrous abilities.” Witch [L] explained patiently. “Some grant the wearer immense magical power, others produce all sorts of miraculous effects. But due to an accident, 25 of them were lost. The witches have been unable to recover them ever since.”

“I see…” Xingyue nodded vaguely, then selected B. “So what do I need to do?”

“Simple. My witch sisters and I will provide you with intelligence. You just need to retrieve the 25 lost sets.” Witch L smiled.

“If even the witches can’t find them, why send me?” Xingyue frowned, clearly puzzled.

“Uh… well, to be honest, my sisters are just too lazy. They keep saying they’ll go look, but every day it’s ‘too much trouble,’ ‘I don’t feel like it.’ Honestly, I can’t stand them.” Witch [L] shrugged, a helpless look on her face.

Xingyue: Calling them troublesome… Says the one who’s probably lazier than all of them (ㅍ_ㅍ)

Finally, C.

“What’s in it for me? If you just want me to be your free labor, then no thanks…”

Xingyue pouted.

If all she was going to do was s*ave work, she’d rather take any punishment—she’d even fight the witch head-on.

Being tied up and teased? Fine. But she refused to be a helpless, dignity-less loli (◦`~´◦)

“Hehe, I know you’re feeling unbalanced. Don’t worry—big sister treats her slaves well. Once you start retrieving the Magic Ritual Attire, you’ll gain access to all of them. That means you can wear any of the 26 sets you want~” Witch [L] continued. “And once all the sets are recovered, I’ll release your s*ave contract—and help you become a witch yourself.”

“Become a witch?” Xingyue blinked.

Witch L: “Yes. Then little Xingyue will gain powerful magic, elevate your status, and live however you please~”

Xingyue: “Can I change my appearance too?”

Witch L: “Hmm? Change your body and looks? Of course. I don’t know those kinds of spells myself, but many of my sisters can freely alter their forms… Why do you ask?”

Xingyue: “Nothing…”

Witch L: “Little Xingyue isn’t insecure about your appearance, is you? No need. Big sister thinks you’re an extremely cute loli~”

Xingyue: “I said it’s not that! (´-﹏-`；)”

But Xingyue understood now.

Ever since she awakened the [Redemption System], there seemed to be multiple ways to restore her original form.

First: Earn Ruoxi’s satisfaction, reach 514 Redemption Points, and regain her true appearance.

Second: Commit evil deeds, raise her Villainy Index to 500, and she’d also revert—but at the cost of sacrificing some of the girls around her.

And now, a third option: Collect all the Magic Ritual Attire, become a witch, and gain absolute freedom. At that point, changing her appearance would be trivial—no longer a concern.

While the third option sounded incredibly tempting, gathering the Magic Ritual Attire would surely be dangerous. Could she really pull it off in her current state?

“Well then, little Xingyue—what do you say?”

The witch sister locked eyes with Xingyue, her gaze sparkling with anticipation.

[Decision Time!]

[A. “I understand. I’ll go collect the Magic Ritual Attire.” (Main quest advanced, Witch好感+30)]

[B. “No way! Hmph, ╯^╰” (You’ll be tied up by the witch sister, enter a hot spring CG scene, then be forced to agree afterward. Main quest advanced)]

Xingyue: Huh?! Huh?! Σ( ° △ °|||)︴

What does this even mean?

Regardless of choice, the main quest progresses. The only difference is whether a CG scene is unlocked.

Choosing A means agreeing directly. Choosing B means refusing at first, then agreeing after the CG.

But… what exactly happens in that CG scene?! ( ๑ŏ ﹏ ŏ๑ )

After careful consideration, Xingyue decided…