Chapter 34 — In Eastern Anhui, Blissfully Disconnected

“Good morning, Senior Mephisto.”

“Good morning, Jiang Cha.”

Mephisto Karell — a silver-haired beauty with soft, flowing waves and gold-rimmed glasses — was the very image of an elegant witch in every way.

“Thank you for yesterday. If it weren’t for you, my research project would’ve been stuck for a while longer.”

“Don’t mention it~”

Jiang Cha waved it off casually and took a sip of her tea to hide her gaze.

Over the past few days, she had frequently helped Mephisto with alchemical calculations. In return, Mephisto had invited her out today, saying she had a surprise prepared.

Jiang Cha wasn’t particularly looking forward to the surprise itself — but she did cherish the opportunity to spend time with Mephisto.

After all…

Mephisto was stunning.

She had that vintage, old-European noblewoman’s elegance etched into her every gesture, the kind of woman you couldn’t help but imagine sipping tea in bed — even while… well, doing other things.

That was her biggest charm — the kind that instantly triggered a witch’s primal conquest instinct.

“You’ve guided me so much. I’m the one who’s honored to be of help.”

“You’re too polite. This project is actually my advanced alchemy final assessment. It was far from a small favor.”

Mephisto smiled softly. Her slender fingers placed the teacup on the table so gently that it made no sound upon contact.

That was the signature style — noble witches would even use magic just to set a teacup down silently. The higher the level of magic used, the more it showed their “heritage.” A quiet form of showing off.

Extremely inefficient. Extremely wasteful. But oh-so-pleasing to the eye.

Especially when the one doing it was a beautiful woman.

‘Ugh~ right in the heart! Fatal blow!’

“Let me be direct. The reason I invited you today is actually because someone asked me to — but it also counts as your surprise.”

Jiang Cha’s expression was perfectly controlled, so Mephisto had never really figured out what her intentions were in trying to befriend her — or what Jiang Cha truly was.

As she spoke, Mephisto’s brows furrowed slightly, a rare sign of worry.

“Is this ‘surprise guest’… hard to deal with?”

“Not exactly.”

Mephisto relaxed her brow and smiled again. “The person who asked me to help is a rather… influential elder in my family. But due to… certain questionable upbringing in her youth…”

“She’s a little… off?”

“Yes, I’m afraid she may be difficult for you to accept.”

If someone as composed and gracious as Mephisto had to describe someone as “a little off,” that person must be wildly eccentric — perhaps even downright rebellious by noble standards.

“So this is an opportunity, but also a risk. I just don’t want you to feel forced because of me. My aunt may have some… unusual behavior, but she has a good temper. Her tolerance for others is probably the only noble trait she has left.”

‘Wow~ that’s a pretty passive-aggressive roast of your own aunt…’ Jiang Cha thought, but outwardly she just smiled with interest.

“You know me, senpai. I love dealing with all kinds of witches. They’re like alchemy ingredients — always producing unexpected reactions, each with their own charm.”

Mephisto, considering Jiang Cha’s friendly nature in the alchemy club, finally relaxed and smiled warmly.

“I wish I were as open-minded as you.”

“Come, I think I know where she’ll be around this time.”

Mephisto had arranged to meet Jiang Cha on the academy’s commercial street, but their real destination was elsewhere.

Honestly, this was the first time Jiang Cha had truly seen the world as described in books.

She was excited — but also a little insecure.

So she subtly scooted closer to Mephisto, their shoulders nearly touching.

“I’m happy you feel so comfortable around me, but…”

…wasn’t this a bit too close?

Since it was an outing, Mephisto wasn’t in her academy robes but instead wore a stylish dress that better fit the vibe of the commercial district.

It was a short dress in a gradient of pure white to pale blue, adorned with intricate lace that highlighted her youthful energy. The open shoulders revealed her fair, porcelain-like skin that glowed faintly pink in the sunlight.

She wore white garter stockings and brown leather ankle boots.

Fresh. Youthful. Irresistible.

“Sorry, senpai… It’s just that this is the first time I’ve truly seen what a witch’s society looks like since I woke up…”

The girl curled her shoulders inward, showing a well-timed look of vulnerability. Her eyes glistened with unhidden dependence.

“I’m a little scared.”

“I see…”

Mephisto didn’t know all the details about Jiang Cha’s background, but she could piece some of it together.

Naturally awakened witches were rare, even with a population in the tens of billions — but sages managed to find a few every year. It wasn’t newsworthy anymore.

“Then let me be your guide to our world today. Trust me, you’ll fall in love with this place — it’s full of vitality and wonder.”

“I’ll leave it to you then~”

The girl didn’t look the least bit embarrassed. Once her unease faded, her heart filled with nothing but curiosity about the new world.

“Aislen Magic Academy is located on a massive man-made island in the Pacific — Academy Island. It’s different from the rigid traditions of the continent or the war-obsessed space colonies. With 73 magic academies, the Witch Island is the educational capital of the world. Half of its 20 million residents are students just like us — young, trendy, and open-minded.”

Mephisto had chosen a sightseeing carriage — a vintage flying cart pulled by pegasi. It was slower than other transportation options, but smooth and scenic.

Just like some still preferred old-fashioned green trains to high-speed rails, witches adored these observation carriages.

Every time a witch visited a new city, she had to take the scenic route first.

“Honestly, I didn’t like the architecture here at first. But after a few years living in this city, I’ve gotten used to it. Still, I personally prefer the tidy beauty of planned manors over the chaotic aesthetics we have here.”

Listening to Mephisto’s refined, noble commentary, Jiang Cha nodded in agreement as she looked out the window.

“I also like planned, orderly beauty. Though steampunk has its charm too~”

Academy Island’s architecture was… chaotic.

From above, it was impossible to tell which streets were commercial, which were residential.

Witches had too much DIY ability — and the few sages managing the island gave them free rein to modify their property as they pleased.

If you bought land, you could build however you wanted.

So it wasn’t uncommon for one street to feature cobbled Chinese alleys with flowing streams on one side and European castles with maids and gardens on the other.

One house would be a steampunk factory billowing black smoke, the next a simple Japanese house fit for a shut-in. Turn a corner, you’d see skyscrapers; another, a traditional Chinese garden.

People on the streets wore the latest fashion. Above them flew witches on brooms and magic carriages.

Each building looked great on its own — witches had good taste — but mashed together, the effect was… chaotic beauty.

Witches were an unrestrained race.

They didn’t accommodate others by living in houses they disliked — especially when the law didn’t stop them.

Tough luck for anyone with OCD — but witches didn’t have that kind of hang-up.

They were the ultimate “fun-first” race — and Academy Island was a paradise for chaos-loving souls.

“Oh, steampunk is nice. But if I had to choose, I’d say Chinese gardens — absolutely artistic.”

“They are art.”

Jiang Cha nodded again.

Academy Island was massive — calling it an “island” was an understatement. It was more like a continent created in the middle of the ocean.

But since witches flew, they quickly arrived at today’s destination.

“This is my aunt’s place. Just a heads-up — if you feel uncomfortable, please say so directly. My aunt’s personality is… a bit wild. She’s not exactly the most sensitive when it comes to girls’ feelings.”

“I understand. Thank you for the warning, senpai.”

Jiang Cha looked at the building — it fit the island’s chaotic style. A Japanese-fantasy-themed alchemy shop in the middle of a modern cityscape? Totally normal for witches.

“Sister Jasmine, is my aunt home? I brought Jiang Cha with me, like she asked.”

Mephisto asked a girl dressed in hunter’s leather.

Jasmine blinked, then smiled.

“Mephisto, you know how my mom is. She spends more time in Eastern Anhui than she does in this shop.”

“But we agreed to meet here yesterday!”

Mephisto looked a little anxious. She hated being stood up — especially after bringing a guest. But Jasmine just shrugged and sighed.

“Well, she’s been blissfully missing in Eastern Anhui for three whole days.”

Jiang Cha: “….”

Eastern Anhui District — the most infamous red-light district on Academy Island.

Home to large numbers of scantily clad little witches.