Chapter 38: 36. Embarrassing Mother and Daughter
"Tsk, was I given an easy win?"
Recalling the odd feeling when she hit Sophia just now, Dorothy couldn’t help but click her tongue.
So, was that guy actually planning to fight me with 10,000 Magic Power? In that case, that inexplicable action of shedding armor could also make sense. Did he not want to take advantage of me in terms of equipment?
Well, it felt like I was being underestimated, or could this be the so-called pride of the Angel Witches?
But it doesn’t matter anymore. As long as I really won in the end, that’s enough.
"Great, now I don’t have to worry about that twenty-year pact anymore. I’m free right away."
Not bothering to pay much attention to the details, Dorothy cheered excitedly in her mind.
At least she didn’t have to worry about Euphilia catching her and taking her to the Dragon Kingdom for training. She had no desire to struggle on those dangerous battlefields. Just the thought of it was exhausting.
Even though she could now return to the comfortable life of a happy homebound girl like before, Dorothy thought about it and decided against it.
In her previous life, she became a homebody because reality was too boring; every day was just about working and mingling. The dreary work and the hypocritical and annoying interpersonal relationships were tiring, making her want to escape from reality.
But this life was different. The real Witch World was much more interesting than the illusory Magic Net World. This world was filled with all sorts of magical Magic, diverse fantastical Races, things that only existed in her fantasies in her past life were reality here, so it seemed nice to go out and wander.
The world is so vast; shouldn’t I go out and see it?
After all, the lifespan of a witch can be as long as a thousand years, and if she could grow to be a Great Witch, it could be even longer, almost eternal. In this life, she had ample time to experience everything.
Even if it turned out that the outside world wasn’t as fun and beautiful as she imagined, it wouldn’t matter. She could always return home and be a reclusive homebody later.
Witches, by nature, are a free Race. Their endless evolutionary abilities were born from this longing for freedom.
"For now, I’ll take the promises I made in front of Euphilia as my goals."
Dorothy decided in her heart,
Her previous speeches weren’t just spur-of-the-moment fabrications meant to persuade her overbearing mother; they truly reflected her desires.
If possible, she really wanted to have like-minded friends. If kindred spirits weren’t so hard to find, who would choose to stay home on the internet every day?
She also really wanted a territory of her own. Being able to own a house has been her obsession for two lifetimes, and a Witch Territory is essentially the ultimate form of a house.
She enjoyed researching Magic and hoped to grow stronger, but her desire for strength wasn’t about oppressing others or killing more efficiently; she just purely enjoyed the feeling of getting better day by day. Her Strength was just to better protect herself when necessary.
Even without the influence of her father Adam, the memories of her previous life ensured she would be a gentle person. The ancient kingdom that nurtured her was magnificent. Even though she might have left its embrace forever, the beautiful life imprinted in her soul would never be forgotten.
Dorothy was a very pragmatic person. She knew she could not change the whole world with her own Strength, nor did she have the ambition or courage to be the savior of all weaker Races in the world. The rules of the Witch World were not for a little witch like her to criticize.
But within her own Witch Territory, she could recreate as much of that past beauty as possible.
The Lord of a Witch Territory has the authority to decide all rules within their domain, just like you can freely decorate your home. Even if others don’t like or even hate your home’s décor, they have no right to dictate. As long as you are happy, that’s all that matters.
Yes, this was the best future Dorothy could envision. She was never a greedy person; in fact, her desires were very modest and easily satisfied.
Her wishes were always simple. She just wanted a warm and beautiful home, a few understanding and supportive family members and friends. Then, together, they could joyfully and happily live out each day.
Is that wish too much to ask?
"Not too much, right?"
Anyway, she decided to work towards that goal from now on.
After making up her mind, Dorothy felt much more relaxed, and she couldn’t help but look forward to the academy life at the Witch Academy after she reported there.
......Little Witch, broom flying.......
Several minutes later, Dorothy was sitting demurely on a plush sofa, nervously surveying her surroundings.
She was in a room decorated with lavish opulence, surrounded by furniture made of various precious extraordinary woods, sitting on a sofa sewn with the fur of superior magical beasts, with antique oil paintings from prestigious clans hanging on the walls and the air filled with the serene and peaceful fragrance of precious spiritual spices burning....
Ah, everything radiated an ostentatious scent of money.
However, if she turned to look out the window, the quickly moving scenery outside would reveal that this was not a house, but a magic carriage in motion.
This was exactly the kind of luxury magic carriage Dorothy had dreamed of owning someday, with built-in spatial expansions that could be used as a motorhome.
Only that this one was more luxurious than she could have ever dared to dream of, not to mention, just the eight unicorns currently pulling the carriage were more than Dorothy could afford even if she sold herself due to their costly upkeep.
High-level magical beasts are notoriously hard to care for, requiring spiritual materials for every meal, famously expensive, though their life force is also strong. Neglecting them won’t kill them, but insufficient food would hinder their ability to level up and evolve.
Basically, if you’re broke, don’t touch them, don’t spoil good resources. That would be a terrible waste.
Dorothy even wondered if the daily feed costs for those unicorns outside were more than her total pocket money from the previous year.
"How about it, do you like this carriage? I’ll give it to you,"
Across from Dorothy, Euphilia watched her daughter react in shock, puzzled over how to communicate with a daughter she hasn’t quite figured out how to talk to. The Mother Dragon grasped at straws by offering money.
Dorothy: "..."
The young witch was stunned by the grand gesture across from her. Yet, inexplicably, she felt like a high school girl being pampered by a wealthy older man...
Cough, cough, cough, what am I thinking? This is my own mother.
Dorothy shook her head, dismissing the absurd thoughts while also declining her overly direct mother’s generous gift.
"No need, even if you gave it to me I wouldn’t be able to afford it. Besides, I’ll be spending the next few years at school. Such a flashy vehicle would be too conspicuous at the academy. I’d rather stick to riding a broom for commuting."
Euphilia, who had finally found a topic of conversation, was deflated when her daughter rejected her.
The atmosphere between mother and daughter grew silent and awkward for a moment.
Currently, they were on their way to report to Witch Academy. Originally, in Dorothy’s plan, she was supposed to go to school with her younger sister Alice.
But because of Euphilia’s appearance, the family suddenly decided to hand over the task of taking her to school to her mother.
Yet, one was a socially anxious internet-addicted recluse, and the other, a dominant and tough Dragon Queen. They really didn’t seem to know how to communicate and get along seamlessly with a relative they weren’t very familiar with, only able to look at each other uncomfortably in silence.
"Sigh..."
The Angel Witch between them sighed in resignation, breaking the icy silence that was almost solid enough to carve out a floating island castle in the sky.
"Miss, what are your plans for your upcoming life at Witch Academy? Which academy are you planning to apply to?"
At least Sophia, acting as the student council president, helped scrape together a topic.