Chapter 43: The Witch’s Gaze Really Can Kill!

Jiang Cha had read about space witch-islands in books before, but… she never imagined that the witches’ handiwork could be this magnificent.

How could one describe this witch island, brimming with sci-fi flair yet exuding fantasy at every turn?

Perhaps only data could truly convey the overwhelming impact of what she was seeing with her own eyes.

Tech City No.002, the 78th man-made witch island, was located on the third orbital ring of the 8th star system within Exploration Galaxy 738—approximately 57,000 light-years from the Solar System.

Its spherical diameter was roughly 1.24 times that of Earth, with a mass nearly identical to Earth.

But it wasn’t a planet.

Let’s repeat that: it’s not a planet.

It’s a space island.

Yes, a man-made witch island is, in the truest sense, a floating island—just one that floats in the vacuum of space, orbiting alongside other celestial bodies in accordance with its orbital path.

Seen from a macro, top-down perspective, it would resemble the floating islands common in early 21st-century Earth fantasy literature—only absurdly larger, and floating in space.

The island’s architecture leaned toward European castle design, though most structures had a sleek, silver-white sci-fi aesthetic. Only public squares and similar spaces retained ‘traditional’ materials like marble, greenery, and fountains—preserving a small touch of human warmth and culture.

“How is it? Blown away yet?”

Moli (茉莉) looked at the dazed expression on the girl’s face and asked with a soft laugh, one hand covering her mouth.

“Mm… Yeah, it’s really overwhelming.”

Perhaps witches who had grown up in this society wouldn’t find it all that surprising, but for Jiang Cha—who had lost her memories and whose mind still contained outdated human concepts—this was her first exposure to such a world.

To step through a single portal and find herself tens of thousands of light-years away… to go from a broken-down, back-alley street to a mind-shattering space island… this sensation…

It moved her so deeply that tears nearly welled up in her eyes.

Her limited vocabulary could never express this feeling. All she could do was nod dumbly and echo Moli’s words.

“It’s just… too much. For a moment, it made me feel like… life is beautiful.”

It was like a weary urban worker suddenly opening their eyes to a vast grassland—only multiply that feeling by a hundred, and you’d get close to how Jiang Cha felt.

If it weren’t for the rationality granted by her innate magic, she might have collapsed to the ground in tears already.

“You’re exaggerating a bit, aren’t you?”

“Moli-jie, did you know something?”

Jiang Cha could understand Moli’s confusion. But she couldn’t bring herself to wear the perfectly timed expressions she usually used to win favor.

She just stood there, wide-eyed—watching the cosmic sky visible right from the street and the witches bustling past.

“Since waking up in this world, I’ve always asked myself—what’s the purpose of my life? Why was I the one given a second chance?”

“But now I understand.”

She smiled—a complex expression on her delicate face, overwhelmed by emotion.

A mix of relief, regret, bitter humor, and self-mockery.

“My new life has no special meaning to this world. I’m not some savior of the witches, nor will I become a key figure in the multiverse. To such vast concepts, whether I succeed or fail means nothing.”

“So I should be the one thanking this world—for giving me a second chance. I should be grateful. And from that gratitude, find a more down-to-earth goal to pursue.”

“Have you found one?” Moli asked, a little moved—it was the first time Jiang Cha had opened up to someone like this.

But Jiang Cha didn’t respond immediately.

She took a step forward—her small leather shoes clicking crisply against the metallic ground—and gently took Moli’s hand in her own warm palm.

Turning her head, she smiled.

Under the cosmic sky, her smile was so radiant that even the light of the burning stars paled in comparison.

“Nope~”

She stretched with a carefree motion, her whole demeanor relaxing.

Moli blinked in surprise, then chuckled. “Isn’t this the moment when you’re supposed to make some grand vow or declaration?”

“But I don’t really have any big ambitions…”

Jiang Cha faked a troubled expression, walked ahead of Moli with hands clasped behind her back, and looked up with a bright smile.

“So I’ll just take it one step at a time, right? I’m sure I’ll find my goal eventually.”

“Life’s long—I’m really not in a hurry.”

“That’s just so like you…” Moli sighed. “Alright then, Miss Lost Witch, do you know what your next step is?”

“Take the certification exam. Then go home and keep studying.”

“Perfect.”

Snap!

Moli snapped her fingers—but then her face suddenly darkened.

“Then could you please stop oozing charm!? The witches around us are looking at me like they’re about to eat me alive!”

Yeah… it had to be said—Jiang Cha was ridiculously cute.

Her voice was lovely—sometimes sweet and soft, sometimes cool and confident.

Her build was petite, somewhere between a young girl and a loli, yet her figure was slender and elegant. Her fashion sense—especially in a society where youthful looks were prized among witches—made her impossible to ignore.

Her movements were adorable.

Not the try-hard cutesy kind, but a natural, genuine blend of girlish charm and subtle affection. Every tiny gesture seemed to hint at fondness—yet could also be seen as casual friendliness.

And now, walking hand-in-hand with Moli?

The witches passing by were staring at her like she’d stolen their girlfriends—if stares could kill, Moli would be Swiss cheese by now.

And don’t forget—witches really can kill with their eyes. They can cast mental spells just by looking.

So yes… Moli was under very real pressure.

“Ehehe~” Jiang Cha giggled.

“Ehehe your butt! You little brat—you’re doing this on purpose, aren’t you!?”

Bonk! Moli smacked her lightly on the head, exposing her inner gremlin.

Jiang Cha’s initial awe was genuine—but everything after that?

Pure mischief. The girl just wanted to stir up some fun.

“Ow~ don’t be so mean, Moli-jie…”

Cha-bao clutched her little head, eyes brimming with fake tears, lips quivering like she was about to cry. Even if you knew she was acting, it was hard not to feel bad.

And even if you could ignore her, the death glares from passersby would force you to cave.

After all, this was Tech City, not the Academy Island.

Here, the average witch was a high-tier powerhouse—7 out of 10 were great witches, and 2 of the remaining 3 were probably apprentices to someone terrifying.

Everyone was star-level combat material.

And their stares? Enough to break steel.

If Moli weren’t one of those top-tier witches herself, she’d probably already be on the floor thanks to Jiang Cha’s antics.