Chapter 36: The Witch’s Contract

“Waah! What are you doing?! Wuwuwu…”

Xiao Xi trembled where he stood, terrified. He was being felt up by the witch before him—what normal person could possibly handle this?

“Hmm… why is Xiao Xi still resisting?” Mia asked, genuinely perplexed.

What do you mean?! Of course a normal person would resist!

“I know! It must be because I haven’t shown you my magic yet, so you don’t believe I’m a witch, right? Hmm… that’s a bit tricky. How about this, Xiao Xi? I’ll give you a buff. I’ll replenish your magic!”

“Re…replenish my magic?”

Before Xiao Xi could even react, the self-proclaimed witch planted a kiss on him without another word.

Mmph—

His mind went blank. The world seemed to stop. Xiao Xi’s eyes were squeezed shut, seeing nothing, but he could hear the beating of Mia’s heart next to him…

Thump—thump—gulp—

Ah, that last sound seemed to come from his own throat, not a heartbeat.

It wasn’t until Xiao Xi was starting to feel lightheaded from lack of air that Mia finally pulled away. She lifted her head and looked at him, a hint of pride in her eyes.

“So, how was it, Xiao Xi? Did you feel the transfer of magical energy?”

“You… you…” Xiao Xi gasped for breath, so wronged he was on the verge of tears. Yet, he couldn’t suppress his urge to retort, his voice choked with unshed tears, “You need to watch less anime! ‘Replenishing magic’ is just a trope some game developer made up to sell their games!”

“But… you’re blushing so hard right now. Isn’t that because your magic has been replenished?”

“How could it be!” Xiao Xi cried out in distress. “Anyone… anyone would react like this after being suddenly kissed, right?”

“Ho ho~ Are you sure about that, Xiao Xi? A normal person would fight back fiercely if they were forced into a kiss, but… you closed your eyes and responded to me instead~” Mia leaned down, her gaze fixed on his face. Xiao Xi turned his head away in shame.

“I… I…”

He couldn’t explain it either. What was wrong with him? Why… why did he have no strength left? After Mia pushed him down… his entire body had gone limp. Could it be that she really could use some kind of magic?

Hmm…

“Hmph, I’ve replenished your magic, Xiao Xi, and you’ve accepted it. That means our contract officially began with that kiss. From now on, you will call me Master. Do you understand?”

“I… I won’t!” Xiao Xi refused, completely unwilling. What kind of joke was this? He was still trying to figure out how to escape his sister’s clutches; how could he possibly find himself another master? Wouldn’t that be jumping out of the frying pan and into the fire?

“Hmph, that’s not for you to decide~ You’ve already agreed, so you can’t go back on your word. A familiar must obey all of their witch’s commands~ Come on, let me hear you say ‘Master.'”

Mia’s resolve seemed unshakeable. She pressed her body down on his, making it clear she wouldn’t get up until he complied.

Xiao Xi shook his head again. “When did I ever agree to anything? You tricked me… saying all those weird things about capturing me… Besides, I don’t know the first thing about being a familiar. Can’t you just let me go? I… I won’t tell anyone.”

Xiao Xi tried to reason with the witch, hoping she would see the error of her ways. ‘Miss, do you have any idea how many laws you’re breaking right now?’ But the outlaw Mia didn’t seem to care. She just kept him pinned with a wicked smile.

“If you don’t call me Master, I’m not letting you leave~”

“Ngh… no… don’t!”

Before he could finish, Mia kissed him again. This time was clearly more intense than the last, her goal not to replenish his magic but to utterly conquer him. Once again, Xiao Xi felt that same helpless weakness wash over him…

Even stranger, the exposed skin of his abdomen began to feel a burning, prickling itch, as if that bizarre tattoo was actually having some effect…

“Stop… I’ll say it, okay?! Master, Master! Please stop kissing me, wuwu…”

Mia paused, looking at the boy who had dissolved into a puddle of tears. She reached out and gently wiped his eyes. “There, there~ Good boy, Xiao Xi. Your master won’t treat you poorly. You’ll get your magic replenished every day from now on. I’ll be sure to raise you into the most powerful familiar of all!”

“Wuwuwu… Just let me go. I… I want to go home—” Xiao Xi cried out helplessly. Mia felt a little stuck, but seeing him in this state, she knew she couldn’t push him any further.

She slowly stood up, then extended a hand to pull Xiao Xi up. He sat on the ground for a moment—hiss—his butt really hurt. He decided it was better to stand.

Mia didn’t say anything more. She walked over to the concrete ledge where Xiao Xi had been sitting earlier and stood there, feeling the breeze, no longer looking at him.

Xiao Xi remained rooted to the spot, unsure whether to stay or go.

‘Damn it, what am I even thinking? I should just run for it right now,’ he thought. ‘But… but Master… No, what master?! That weird girl, Mia… who knows what’s going on in her head!’

And yet…

After a long moment, Mia slowly turned her head back to him. “Xiao Xi, I’ll be waiting for you here again tomorrow night! If you come, you’ll get your magic replenished~”

“Ngh…” Xiao Xi let out a noncommittal grunt, still looking hesitant.

“Will you come?” Mia tilted her head. What was this? Was this witch trying to act cute now?

Hmph…

Xiao Xi stood his ground, still hesitating. But he was… he was just so curious… What in the world was this girl up to?

“There are so many secrets in this world that you can’t even begin to imagine, Xiao Xi~ Of course, as your master, I will definitely take you on adventures with me. So, you don’t need to be afraid. I… I am Mia-chan, the Flame Witch!”

“So… you’ll come, won’t you? My dear familiar?”

“I… uh…” Xiao Xi’s thoughts were a tangled mess. The scene from moments ago kept flashing through his mind. ‘No… stop thinking about it!’

“I… I have to go home for dinner! I’m leaving now! We’ll talk about tomorrow, tomorrow!”

Without a second glance, Xiao Xi bolted for the stairs, making a run for it as Mia’s voice called out from behind him.

“Well… once you’ve thought it over, be sure to come tomorrow night! Your master will be waiting for you here!”

‘She’s not my master!’

‘And there’s no way I’m coming back after running away!’

Under the bright, clear moonlight, the beautiful boy ran with all his might. Home! Yes, as long as he made it home, all this nonsense about witches, masters, and flame magic could go to hell!

Strange things really do happen at school late at night. Xiao Xi had certainly learned his lesson. He was never, ever staying late at school again!

Huff—huff—

Sprinting the whole way, Xiao Xi was terrified that his so-called master would chase him on some bizarre magic broomstick. He didn’t dare stop to catch his breath until he finally reached his front door.

Thank… thank goodness. I’m finally home.

Just as Xiao Xi reached out to push the door open, it creaked open on its own…

Standing in the doorway, her face a mask of resentment, was… the esteemed Sister Yuan!

Hiss—