The knock came with a voice, startling Silphiel. She hurriedly got up and began changing clothes, shouting toward the door, "Hold on, Haierjia! I'm changing!"

The voice was familiar—her childhood friend, the Sage of Stars, Haierjia. Truthland's youngest magical prodigy. Only Silphiel knew her true identity.

Like herself, she was a Witch.

Haierjia was one of Silphiel's most trusted allies.

She'd also recommended Gao Ying as the future magic teacher. Her record, like Silphiel's, had been thoroughly whitewashed. No one suspected she'd once been a Witch.

For safety, both rarely contacted the Matriarch's side.

Sometimes, Silphiel even forgot her own role as a spy.

After hastily changing, Silphiel opened the door. A girl with long dark blue hair stood there, frowning and puffing her cheeks unhappily.

Silphiel quickly welcomed her friend inside, smiling. "Oh my, Haierjia! Don't look so gloomy. We haven't seen each other in ages—shouldn't you be happier?"

Haierjia wore a robe like the night sky, covered in arcane runes. Silphiel recognized it—it was one of Truthland's legendary artifact-grade magical gears.

Her master must be extremely pleased with this exceptionally talented "student."

Haierjia sat casually on Silphiel's bed, propping her chin on one hand. She stared at Silphiel. "...Because of your letter, I traveled all the way from the Borderlands. You made me wait so long. Worse, I heard you've been getting close to that Hero. Holy Capital's buzzing about your 'special relationship' with him."

Her deep blue eyes locked onto Silphiel, displeased. "Have you betrayed me?"

Silphiel smiled, walked over, and cradled her friend's head. She let Haierjia's cheek rest on her abdomen, speaking softly. "Haierjia, what are you saying? Courting the Hero was old Gregory's order. Having him under my thumb benefits 'us' too."

"Really?" Haierjia drooped her eyelids, watching Silphiel intently.

Silphiel nodded firmly. "Of course! I'm just using him."

"No real feelings?" Haierjia still seemed uneasy.

Silphiel nodded quickly to reassure her. "Absolutely no real feelings! Who'd like men anyway? I have you, Haierjia."

"T-That's... acceptable!" Haierjia blushed slightly.

Silphiel smiled inwardly. *Heh, such an easy girl to fool.*

Though Haierjia was a rare genius in magic and alchemy, God had closed certain doors after granting her talent.

Her emotional intelligence was low—much like her "master's."

That's why Silphiel manipulated her into blind obedience.

"Hmm? Silphiel, I've been meaning to ask—why does your room smell strange?"

Haierjia twitched her nose, puzzled.

Silphiel's expression stiffened. *Damn it, worst timing ever!*

She couldn't say that aloud. Clearing her throat to hide embarrassment, she replied, "Nothing. Just some special incense I used."

Haierjia frowned, pressing a finger to her forehead. "I've never heard of incense smelling like this. It's a new discovery! Tell me the formula, Silphiel!"

Facing Haierjia's innocent, knowledge-hungry eyes, Silphiel felt guilty but evaded. "...I-I don't know either."

Haierjia wouldn't give up. She climbed onto the bed, sniffed around, and pointed at a damp spot not yet dry.

"No!" Silphiel cut her off sharply, blushing crimson as she yanked her curious friend down.

"But not figuring it out makes me so uncomfortable," Haierjia whined, aggrieved.

Silphiel turned serious. "Instead of obsessing over perfume recipes, why not gaze at the night sky tonight and ponder life's meaning?"

Haierjia thought for a moment, then her eyes lit up. Silphiel sighed inwardly. *That airheaded personality never changes. No wonder her master, the old sage, never suspects she's a Witch's spy.*

Still, it was a miracle she'd survived this long without exposure.

"Enough. I called you here to teach the 'Hero' magic—not to play."

Silphiel led her to the parlor, poured tea for both. Haierjia eyed the cup, stuck out her tongue. "Milk for me. Three spoons of sugar."

"Yes, yes. You're hopeless." *Just like a kid. No change all these years.*

Silphiel watched her childhood friend sip milk daintily.

"Me? Teach the Hero? Seriously?" Haierjia finally reacted after finishing her milk, pointing at herself in shock.

*Her delay is insane! Is this a 2G connection?* Silphiel thought, but patiently explained. "Obviously! The Hero must fight the Demon Race. He needs well-rounded development—moral, intellectual, physical. With such high potential, not training him hexagonally would be a waste!"

Haierjia nodded slowly. "But if the Hero grows too strong, Silphiel... can you still control him?"

The question hit a sore spot. Silphiel's expression froze as she tried to dodge it.

"Silphiel, is your progress going smoothly?"

Silphiel chuckled. "Perfectly! With me handling it, a plain man like him? Easy."

"I see. No wonder you don't need my special gift then." Haierjia nodded trustingly.

*Special gift?* Silphiel pressed. "What gift?"

Despite her quirks, Haierjia's magic was top-notch. Her creations were never subpar.

Haierjia set down her empty milk cup and pulled two small vials from her ample cleavage.

"Just alchemical potions made from twin Sal trees' essence. If two people drink it separately, they'll cling like magnets. Though my skill's limited—it only makes one side utterly devoted to the other."

She moved to tuck the vials back into her cleavage.

"Silphiel wouldn't need something like this."

At those words, Silphiel's gaze sharpened. She gripped Haierjia's shoulders, staring intently, eyes sparkling.

"You... what did you just say?"