Chapter 21: A Brief Victory

“Phew… so high…”

Lifen’s hands gripped the magic broom tightly; this was her first time riding a magical vehicle like this.

The violent wind whistled past her ears, blowing aside the white cloth she wore on her head.

Her green hair was exposed to the gale, and she tried desperately to pull the cloth back down to hide her face, but the wind was so strong she could barely keep her eyes open.

“Can we slow dow—”

Lifen wanted to persuade Su Yuewei to reduce their flying speed, but a blazing fireball cut her words short.

The scorching sphere of flame streaked past Lifen and exploded in the sky directly ahead of Su Yuewei, forming a massive net of fire designed to intercept them.

“Hold on tight.”

Su Yuewei told Lifen to hug her because, in the next moment, she was going to dive.

Ah!

Lifen gasped as Su Yuewei suddenly forced the nose of the broom toward the ground; she hurriedly clung to the broom as they plummeted.

Boom!

Just as they were about to hit the ground, Su Yuewei pulled the broom up, and they sped along the empty street, bypassing the fiery net high above.

However, a group of witches from the Hug-Save Society were still hot on their heels, riding their own brooms!

“Earth Spikes.”

Spikes made of rock rose from the ground to block their path, but Su Yuewei pulled the broom upward at an almost ninety-degree angle, soaring toward the heavens.

Blue exhaust flames cut through the sky, leaving a bright trail in the early morning air; behind them, the pursuing witches left trails of various colors, drawing the attention of many onlookers.

Su Yuewei and Lifen flew toward the teaching district of the academy, but even so, the Hug-Save Society witches refused to give up the chase.

“I’ve worked so hard, why are they still following us!”

The effect of Absolute Obedience had worn off, and Su Yuewei’s hands were slick with cold sweat; her internal mana was insufficient to cast a third Absolute Obedience.

Orbs of magic began firing toward Su Yuewei.

Just as the magic bolts were about to strike, the clouds above parted, and a soft light fell upon Su Yuewei, Lifen, and the pursuing witches.

Elumeng’s figure materialized within that brilliant light.

A long golden bow formed in her hands.

“Run! It’s the Borrowed Light Arrow!”

The Hug-Save Society witches turned their brooms to flee, but they could never outrun light itself.

Points of light condensed on the bow into a golden arrow of pure radiance. As Elumeng released the string, the arrow instantly overtook the group and froze the witches in time.

“Sister Elumeng! You got here so fast!”

Su Yuewei breathed a sigh of relief, but she immediately thought of Yuejiu and begged Elumeng to go support her.

“Her strength is much greater than you think; without you holding her back, the battle is likely already over.”

Elumeng looked at the frozen Hug-Save Society witches with a dark expression; they actually dared to attack a witch so openly in an academy-controlled area—their audacity was staggering!

She had been processing paperwork when she received Su Yuewei’s message and had rushed over without pause, yet in just three minutes, these witches had nearly succeeded.

“Uh…”

Su Yuewei scratched her head sheepishly; it seemed she really had hindered Sister Yuejiu’s performance!

“Besides, I’ve already seen what happened in the bar earlier; you’d better have an explanation ready tonight.”

Elumeng turned her head to look at Su Yuewei on the broom; through the “ahoge” hair strand on Su Yuewei’s head, she already knew what had happened between her and Yuejiu. Whatever Yuejiu enjoyed, she wouldn’t miss out on!

Ugh!

Su Yuewei looked at Elumeng guiltily, but Elumeng didn’t linger; she flew toward Yuejiu’s location to check if she was injured.

Although Yuejiu had snuck off to “eat alone,” she had also risked herself to protect Su Yuewei and send her out of the encirclement, ensuring she remained unharmed.

Taking everything into account, Elumeng wouldn’t hold the “sneaky eating” against Yuejiu; she’d consider it a reward for protecting Su Yuewei. As for Su Yuewei…

After today, Su Yuewei would find out exactly what Elumeng wanted.

“Let’s go see Sister Yuejiu too.”

Lifen peeked out from behind Su Yuewei; once the broom stopped, she immediately pulled the white cloth back over her head, returning to her usual melancholy appearance.

Su Yuewei nodded and steered the broom toward Yuejiu.

“Regrettably, I didn’t manage to keep the opponent here~”

Yuejiu was leaning against a streetlight, her maid outfit in tatters and her gruesome wounds slowly healing. She gave a bitter smile to Elumeng, who was bathed in holy light.

Between Great Witches, power levels are generally equal; under normal circumstances, it is very difficult for one to capture the other while keeping themselves safe.

“You did your best; you haven’t fought in three years, and your combat instincts have dulled… thank you for protecting Su Yuewei.”

Elumeng sighed deeply and raised her hand, releasing a soft glow that bathed Yuejiu, causing her wounds to knit together rapidly.

“She is my employee, after all~ as the boss, of course I have to protect my staff!”

Yuejiu reached out and took Elumeng’s hand, using the leverage to stand up. Both of their gazes landed on the arriving Su Yuewei.

Lifen jumped off the magic broom, held it in her hand, and then retreated a few steps, turning to run back toward the Vampire Maid Bar. However, she couldn’t help but look back.

Wow~

She saw Su Yuewei dive into Yuejiu’s arms; the heartwarming scene made her stop in her tracks. How nice! If only she could receive such favoritism from a big sister.

“Mm~ so warm… so comfortable~”

Yuejiu hugged Su Yuewei, smiling as she felt the sobbing girl in her arms. However, because she had been hit by the Hug-Save Society’s Sensitivity Boost spell, a simple hug felt a bit…

Blushing, she released Su Yuewei and led her back toward the Vampire Maid Bar; she needed to change her clothes.

Elumeng didn’t follow because she still had to handle the aftermath regarding the Hug-Save Society. They had harassed bystanders and launched offensive magic within the academy; the school had to provide a public explanation.

“Just because I’m your employee, you would go that far for me, Sister Yuejiu?”

Su Yuewei held Yuejiu’s hand and looked at her, asking curiously.

“Lifen was willing to risk danger to help you just because you were targeted by the Hug-Save Society; why wouldn’t I?”

Yuejiu reached out and pinched Su Yuewei’s cheek.

“Mm…”

Su Yuewei nodded. After returning to the Vampire Maid Bar, Yuejiu went to bathe and change alone, leaving Su Yuewei and Lifen in the shop.

She walked over to the ring-toss game area and saw Lifen slumped there resting; clearly, the experience on the magic broom had left her physically and mentally exhausted.

“Can I play the ring-toss game?”