The Witch’s Bad News

“Evetti Flann, I apologize for earlier.”

“It’s fine, Lammiell.

Was it wrong of me to bring someone into the company?”

“You foolish child, you did nothing wrong.

But in this situation, ah, there’s nothing we can do.

This necklace is simply too precious.”

The witches’ hushed conversation drifted into Chen Zeyu’s ears.

Slowly, she regained consciousness.

“…Evetti Flann.”

Chen Zeyu called out instinctively.

However, the girl did not immediately return to her side.

Instead, a mature female voice from nearby responded.

“You’re awake, human.”

“Hm?”

Chen Zeyu opened her eyes and glanced to her left, discovering a witch with curly blonde hair staring intently at her.

‘Who is this blonde auntie?

Where is Evetti Flann?’

Just as Chen Zeyu attempted to move, she realized her hands and feet were bound.

She had been securely tied to a leather chair, utterly unable to stir.

“Your name is Chen Zeyu, isn’t it?”

The blonde-haired witch inquired softly, a subtle hint of hostility in her yellow pupils.

“Y-yes.”

Chen Zeyu stammered, shrinking her neck as her heart pounded erratically.

“I am Tei Lai.

I noticed you the moment Evetti Flann brought you in.

You have a fondness for leaving negative reviews, don’t you?”

Tei Lai reached for a cabinet below, but finding her arm too short, she had to bend over.

“I’ve already admitted my mistake regarding the reviews.”

Chen Zeyu’s heart skipped a beat.

Tei Lai, with her mature figure, was clad in a thin black nightgown.

As she leaned down to retrieve gloves, her bared chest was somewhat alluring.

“Ah, yes, I know you’ve admitted your mistake.

What I want to ask is, how do you truly feel about our game project?”

Tei Lai finally pulled a pair of white gloves from the cabinet, silently putting them on as she awaited Chen Zeyu’s answer.

“I really like it.”

Chen Zeyu’s words were heartfelt.

“Oh, I thought you disliked it immensely?

Given all those negative reviews.”

Tei Lai seemed somewhat surprised.

“I hoped it would be better, which is why I… I’m sorry.”

Deep down, Chen Zeyu truly wished for Dawn’s Prayer to improve, but her method of expression had been far too extreme.

“….”

Tei Lai suddenly cupped Chen Zeyu’s face with both hands.

Her eyes glowed faintly as she quietly scrutinized her.

“Uh…”

Chen Zeyu could feel the softness and warmth of those hands, even through the gloves.

Thirty seconds passed before Tei Lai abruptly released her.

“It seems you weren’t lying.

You truly love Dawn’s Prayer, and our project genuinely has a loyal fan.”

Tei Lai drew her conclusion as she removed her gloves, leaving Chen Zeyu utterly bewildered, unable to comprehend what had transpired during the face-touching.

“Alright, don’t be so stiff, like a fish out of water.

It’s just a little trick witches use to probe minds and memories.”

Tei Lai bent down to untie Chen Zeyu.

“Oh, oh.”

Suddenly free, Chen Zeyu couldn’t help but stretch her arms a few times.

Her slender limbs felt unaccustomed to the movement.

“You want to change back, don’t you, Chen Zeyu?”

Tei Lai stood up, her gaze drifting towards the witches engaged in a heated discussion.

“Yes, c-can I?”

Chen Zeyu rose as well, looking at Tei Lai’s profile.

“If you call me something I like, I’ll tell you how, alright?”

Tei Lai glanced at Chen Zeyu.

“Blonde… no, Tei Lai… Big Sister.”

Chen Zeyu tried her best to draw out her voice, making it sound as sweet as possible.

“Hoh, that sounds much better to my ears now.

Not like before, with that honeyed little mouth.”

Tei Lai smiled, a gentle curve gracing her lips.

“Hehe…”

Chen Zeyu wasn’t sure why she laughed aloud, perhaps finding the other woman easy to get along with.

“Come, come, let’s sit down and talk quietly.”

Tei Lai and Chen Zeyu sat together, and Tei Lai slowly leaned closer to speak.

“Then listen closely.

I reckon, just by watching my colleagues deliberate for so long, you probably won’t be able to change back.”

“Ah… but isn’t there an antidote for a magic potion?”

Chen Zeyu still clung to a sliver of hope.

“Oh, magic potions are always temporary!

The real problem lies with the item itself.

I estimate the solution would merely be to put your original ‘skin’ back on, but you know, paper can’t cover fire forever.”

Tei Lai clenched and unclenched her fist, making a ‘poof’ gesture for Chen Zeyu to see.

“Hmph…”

Chen Zeyu closed her eyes, the disappointment in her heart outweighing her hope.

Fortunately, she had mentally prepared herself, preventing tears from flowing on the spot.

“Don’t be too sad, hey, hey, think about it, your current situation isn’t bad either.

Little Evetti Flann’s appearance is outstanding even among us witches.

Becoming cute isn’t entirely a bad thing.”

“Is that supposed to be comforting?”

Chen Zeyu instinctively puffed out her cheeks, but realizing her mistake, she quickly exhaled.

“Pfft!

Are you a balloon?

Inflating and deflating at will, haha!”

Tei Lai laughed, inadvertently patting Chen Zeyu’s head.

“Mmph!

Don’t pat my head!

I’m already shorter; I can’t afford to stop growing!”

Chen Zeyu dodged, but Tei Lai still ruffled her hair a few times.

“Speaking of which, little Evetti Flann is quite impressive, transforming you so perfectly, almost like a doppelgänger.”

Tei Lai propped up her chin, admiring her.

Chen Zeyu, the object of admiration, was not pleased.

‘I just want to change back.

I’m not her doppelgänger.’

Chen Zeyu crossed her arms, fuming.

The witches’ discussion concluded just then, and Evetti Flann scurried out from among them.

“Tei Lai, seniors, we have a conclusion.”

“Mm, tell the person concerned.

She just woke up and chatted with me for a bit.”

Tei Lai pointed at Chen Zeyu with a smile.

Evetti Flann looked over, only to find Chen Zeyu wearing a stern expression.

“I’m mentally prepared, Evetti Flann.

Tell me.”

“Ah, alright.

We currently have two unfavorable solutions.”

Evetti Flann held up the index fingers of both hands.

“First, tell me the good ones.

What?

There are only bad ones?”

Chen Zeyu’s eyes widened in stunned disbelief.

“That’s right.

First, using a projection potion, but its effect is limited.

You’d have to drink a lot, and to maintain it for a day, who knows how many trips to the restroom you’d need.”

“Then the second one.”

“The second is to accept your new identity.

My seniors and I will fully support your normal life, including helping your family and society accept this aspect.”

Evetti Flann finished speaking, and Chen Zeyu’s face visibly darkened further.

‘Fate decreed that I couldn’t escape this predicament.’

“I choose the second one.

How exactly will you help me?”

“I will live with you and help you solve problems in your daily life.”

Evetti Flann’s cheeks flushed slightly, while the witches behind her pointed and whispered, as if watching an entertaining show.

‘Let the little witch live with me?’