Chapter 22: The Harmless Witch

On the return journey, the atmosphere was so oppressive it was suffocating.

Inside the medical bay, Huo Hualan had already awakened, her injuries stabilized after emergency treatment.

She leaned weakly on the stretcher bed, her orange-red eyes, like two undying flames, fixed unblinkingly and relentlessly on Kazami Jin, who was huddled in a corner, trying desperately to conceal herself.

Gone was the initial fury and murderous intent from her gaze—perhaps she simply lacked the strength for it now.

In its place was an incredibly stubborn stare, as if her eyes sought to burn two holes straight through Jin.

It clearly conveyed: “Just you wait!

Once this old lady’s injuries heal and I can get back on my feet, the first thing I’ll do is settle accounts with you!

We’ll tally every single grievance, old and new, one by one!”

Jin was utterly terrified by her gaze, her scalp tingling with dread.

She could only desperately lower her head, counting the patterns on the floor, all the while silently praying to every deity imaginable that this journey would never end, or better yet, that a meteor would conveniently smash their vehicle!

Xia Yue, Lin Wan, and Yu Niannian naturally noticed Huo Hualan’s undisguised ‘death glare’ as well.

Xia Yue merely cast a fleeting glance before withdrawing her gaze, maintaining her characteristic silence.

Lin Wan, on the other hand, made a cheeky face at Huo Hualan, earning an even fiercer glare in return.

Yu Niannian nervously scooted closer to Jin, attempting to shield her with her small body from that scorching gaze.

The journey passed in silence, save for Huo Hualan’s unspoken accusations, until the airship finally arrived at the Star Guardians’ base.

As soon as they disembarked from the airship, Ouyang Na swiftly arranged for Huo Hualan to be taken to the medical center for intensive treatment.

Her gaze then fell upon Kazami Jin, who resembled a trembling quail.

“Take her to Assessment Room 3,” Ouyang Na instructed a nearby staff member.

She then turned to Xia Yue, Lin Wan, and Yu Niannian.

“The three of you, come with me.

There are some matters I need to understand first.”

‘Assessment Room?’

Jin’s heart leaped into her throat.

‘Are they going to test her magic?

Will anything be exposed?’

She was led into a room filled with various precise instruments.

Throughout the entire process, Jin’s palms grew sweaty with nervousness as she cooperated with the staff to complete a series of tests she utterly failed to comprehend—magic strength determination, energy attribute analysis, psychic threshold scanning, physical constitution evaluation, and so on.

When the final report was presented before Ouyang Na, even the experienced inspector revealed a hint of undeniable… bewilderment and speechlessness on her face.

The report indicated:

Magic Reserve Assessment: Approximately 1.2 standard Shadow Beast cubs (Note: The magic unit of a Shadow Beast cub is approximately 1.05 times the average magic value of a normal adult human male).

Magic Control Precision: Extremely low (Note: Multiple instances of magic dispersion and control failure occurred during testing).

Energy Attribute: Weak dark attribute tendency (Did not meet awakening standards, falling between ordinary humans and low-level magic-energy creatures).

Mental Strength: Average for an ordinary human female.

Overall Physical Constitution Assessment: E- (Below the average for an ordinary human female; improved nutrition and physical training are recommended).

Overall Conclusion: The target individual’s magic level and special abilities are both extremely low, lacking the standard characteristics of a known witch.

Threat level assessed as [Harmless].

Ouyang Na held the report, reviewing it several times.

She then looked up at Kazami Jin, who stood before her, trembling slightly from nervousness, her eyes plainly pleading, ‘I’m weak, don’t kill me.’

A deep frown creased her brow.

‘This weak?

So weak she didn’t even qualify as a “witch”?

She was practically an ordinary human who had accidentally brushed against a speck of magic dust!’

Yet, how could such a person command the fierce protection of Xia Yue and Lin Wan, two proud and experienced members, and Yu Niannian, a gifted newcomer?

And had she not, during the previous battle where a high-ranking witch appeared, allegedly influenced the attack trajectory of the Dark Abyss Weaver?

(Though that influence was negligible, and impossible to replicate or confirm.)

This was completely illogical!

Ouyang Na stared at Jin, trying to discern even a trace of pretense in her eyes, which were filled with innocence and fear, but she failed.

The girl’s fear and weakness seemed so… genuine.

Ultimately, she could only rub her temples, arriving at a conclusion she herself found somewhat far-fetched:

‘Perhaps… it really was a coincidence then?

Did the Dark Abyss Weaver simply make a mistake?

Or perhaps, this girl named Kazami Jin possessed some extremely unique, non-power-level quality (like luck?) that even precise instruments couldn’t detect, which coincidentally played a role at that critical moment, diverting Violairella’s attention?’

After all, short of that, she truly could not explain the enormous contradiction between this ‘useless’ assessment report and Xia Yue and her companions’ unusually protective attitude.

“Kazami Jin,” Ouyang Na said, setting down the report, her voice regaining its usual calm.

“According to the assessment results, your current magic level and special abilities do not meet the organization’s defined ‘threat’ standards.

Given that there is… a certain special connection between you and Xia Yue, Lin Wan, and Yu Niannian, and they are willing to vouch for you…”

She paused, seemingly weighing her words.

Then, she took out a shimmering silver card and handed it to a nearby staff member.

“Process a [Temporary Observation Pass] for her.

Authority level: lowest.

Her activities are restricted to the living quarters and designated areas.

She is not permitted to leave the base without permission and must undergo regular magic monitoring.”

Her gaze then turned to Xia Yue, Lin Wan, and Yu Niannian, who were visibly relieved.

Her tone carried an undeniable command:

“As for the three of you, until Huo Hualan’s injuries heal and her report is complete, you will be solely responsible for her supervision.”

She deliberately emphasized the word ‘supervision,’ her sharp gaze sweeping over the trio.

“Ensure she adheres to regulations, and simultaneously… ensure her ‘safety.’

Should any problems arise with her, or if she uses this pass to commit any acts detrimental to the organization, the three of you will bear joint responsibility.

Understood?”

“Understood!”

The three responded almost immediately, their voices carrying a hint of relief, and even… faint delight?

Ouyang Na looked at their expressions and sighed inwardly once more.

‘Who exactly is supervising whom here?’

She waved her hand, signaling that they could leave.

Watching Kazami Jin being led out of the office by Xia Yue and the other two, as if she were the center of their universe (though Jin herself felt more like she was being escorted under guard), Ouyang Na leaned back in her chair, rubbing her temples.

A ridiculously weak ‘ordinary’ girl, suspected of having an old grudge with a high-ranking witch, yet capable of commanding such concern from her most troublesome squad members?

No matter how she looked at it, this matter was likely far more complicated than it appeared.

Meanwhile, Kazami Jin, having received her ‘get out of jail free card’ (for now) and feeling the invisible ‘protection’ (or rather, ‘guard duty’) that the three magic girls had wrapped around her, was in an extremely complex state of mind.

‘Was she safe?

It seemed so.’

‘Was she free?

It seemed not.’

‘What would her future hold?

She had no idea.’

But at least, she wouldn’t be immediately purified, nor would she be locked away in a dark, sunless cell.

She looked at Xia Yue’s calm profile, Lin Wan’s sly wink at her, and Yu Niannian’s dependent grip on her arm.

Although the future remained shrouded in mist, and she had made an enemy of a ‘fire-breathing dragon’ (referring to Huo Hualan) who could explode at any moment, yet… to be alive, and to be ‘protected’ in this way (even if the method was a bit strange), perhaps… it wasn’t so bad after all?

She looked at the [Harmless Pass].

Although the “1.2” felt a bit insulting, she now had official recognition, so at least she wouldn’t have to fear for her life due to her witch identity anymore.