Chapter 22
Chapter 22: Scandalous Rumors
Funis was a Sequence 9 of the Witch Path.
All Sequence 9s of every path were starting points. At this stage, potions only initially changed the transcendent’s physical nature, allowing their blood vessels and bones to begin accepting transcendent substances, laying the foundation for future advancement.
In other words, Sequence 9 transcendents showed no transcendent characteristics, and their physical capabilities weren’t particularly different—overall still largely similar to ordinary people.
But by Sequence 8, potions of each path began to have names, meaning new characteristics and changes were contained within.
Those who successfully advanced by consuming potions displayed transcendent characteristics corresponding to their paths, and their basic physical qualities were enhanced to varying degrees. From this point, transcendents truly stepped into the transcendent realm.
And the Blackwater District’s debt collector “Iron-Finger” Weiss was a Sequence 8 “Guardian” of the Generosity Path.
The end of the Generosity Path was the Archangel Michael.
He was God’s sword. The red dragon Satan fell defeated under His valiant radiance. Behind Him stood ranks of heavenly warriors, and He was their leader.
The Generosity Path brought its walking transcendents the most direct and powerful physical capabilities. They were destined warriors, undisputedly first among the fourteen paths in terms of direct combat power.
Even at the same Sequence 8, Generosity Path transcendents often had the upper hand compared to other paths.
This was the Generosity Path’s advantage—simple and brutal.
The Kabbalah Church’s Generosity Academy controlled all potion formulas for this path. Their Loving Kindness Knights had once swept across entire continents beyond the ocean, with many kingdoms trembling and submitting to Archangel Michael’s radiance and might.
Whether in path or sequence, Funis was at an absolute disadvantage against Weiss.
Theoretically, she had no chance of victory.
“If it’s just a Guardian, it’s not impossible to handle.” After thinking for a while, Funis said, “I have a chance to beat him, and not a small one.”
But that was only theoretical probability, assuming the transcendent’s perspective only stayed within their respective sequence.
Funis wasn’t a true Sequence 9 beginner. She had once reached Sequence 4 of the Temperance Path and had seen positions more difficult and incredible than Guardian.
“I was only saying he’s troublesome. I’ve always had confidence in you.” Cecia organized the copper plates in her hands and handed them all to Funis. “Get up, little cake. Collect the clothes and dress from the floor, dress properly, then we’ll go find Santina downstairs and have her prepare breakfast for us.”
Funis accepted the stack of copper plates recording Weiss’s personal information. “As you wish, Witch Miss.”
“Oh right, Moira she—” Funis suddenly remembered the scene from her dream. She hesitated but then fell silent. “Sorry… it’s nothing…”
Cecia was arranging her long hair in the mirror. She glanced at Funis behind her but said nothing.
…
Last night Funis had soaked an entire bed. Under Cecia’s coercion and enticement, she stood before Santina and voluntarily apologized. Santina laughed so hard she couldn’t close her mouth at the sight of the red-faced girl’s bashful, shy appearance.
“You’re ganging up to tease me.” Funis pouted angrily.
“No, Santina just thinks you’re cute. She never teases innocent juniors, especially pretty girls like you.” Cecia calmly cut into her steak with fork and knife.
The inn’s dining room had no other people at this time. Four or five tables were all empty, with only Funis and Cecia sitting face-to-face in the corner.
Breakfast was medium-rare steak and fried eggs, plus a glass of hot milk.
At Cecia’s special request, Santina had added double sugar to Funis’s milk. The girl only lightly licked the rim of the glass, and her puffed cheeks naturally deflated—really, just a sweet treat was all it took to appease her, whether cake, chocolate, or sweet milk.
“Are you still angry, little cake?” Cecia tilted her head to look at the silver-haired girl across the table, who was holding a glass and sipping milk in small mouthfuls.
“I’ve never been angry, Witch Miss.” Funis spoke seriously, but she still couldn’t bear to put down her glass. “I’m just a little dissatisfied, within reasonable complaint.”
“Mm, reasonable complaint~ Appropriate phrasing for a lady.” The witch gently pushed her plate toward Funis, containing steak she had already cut. “For a girl about to go to battle, maintaining a good mindset is very important. Don’t dwell too much on unhappy things.”
“I know, Witch Miss. Thank you.” Funis sighed.
She switched her plate with Cecia’s, accepting the witch’s care and goodwill.
Funis lowered her head and skillfully, elegantly used her knife to cut the already-cut steak into smaller pieces, evenly sprinkling a layer of pepper seasoning, then tasting it with a blissful expression.
“Once you successfully advance, I want to give you some rewards—I think you’ll like them.” Cecia rested her chin on her hand, watching the girl contentedly. “And it’s time to formally show yourself to the academy sisters. You’ll be the most capable fighter among them, their protector. You need to let them get to know you properly.”
“Uh…” Funis was troubled. “Is it necessary?”
“Didn’t you just promise me you’d go thank the sisters? Those intelligence reports cushioning your skirt were specially compiled by them working overtime.” Cecia shrugged. “Just holding a celebration banquet on the Golden Rose—celebrating a witch’s successful advancement. You’ll be the star of the party, and you can greet the sisters who once took care of you. They’ll come to like you.”
The Golden Rose was that steam mechanical airship, the Black Rose Academy’s hideout in Gray Cloud Fortress, where some witches following Cecia lived, worked, and resided.
“Mm…” Funis’s agreement wasn’t very enthusiastic.
“Besides, some gossip-loving sisters accidentally learned of your existence and create strange rumors every day—” Cecia deliberately drew out her tone. “They say you were forcibly brought onto the airship by me, that because you’re too beautiful, I monopolize you and won’t even let the sisters meet you~ They also say I keep you locked in my room, forcing you to be my little lover, so when passing by the door late at night, they can always hear a girl’s cuckoo-like cries…”
Funis