"Why?"

Luo Yu slumped where she sat, her expression shifting as she heard the words. She looked at her roommate in confusion.

Seeing Qiu Xiaoshuang’s stern face, Luo Yu forced an awkward smile. "This is Noble Bloodline we’re talking about—the kind commoners can’t awaken in a lifetime. If not for my cheat ability..."

"You were perfectly safe under the Academy’s protection. But you had to meddle with that thing. It’s far beyond what a fool like you can handle."

As Luo Yu rambled on, Qiu Xiaoshuang’s face darkened. She slowly stepped toward her. Inky-black pupils—unique to Witches—filled her eyes. Her entire aura transformed. Dark. Chaotic. Yet brimming with ancient wisdom.

"That Fairy Kind bloodline is useless, Luo Yu. Listen: Witches are among the few Demon Kind who can read star paths and fate. We glimpse rough outlines of our own—and others’—pasts and futures."

"Ah... that’s actually pretty cool," Luo Yu nodded. "You’re qualified to be this Great Emperor’s side consort."

"What I’m saying is—" Qiu Xiaoshuang ignored her, stepping closer until their eyes locked. "Luo Yu, I’ve seen through your worthless life."

"Really?"

"Really." Qiu Xiaoshuang gritted her teeth. "Keep this up, and you’ll end up as some noble’s slave and plaything."

The Witch spat the words without mercy, her face twisting into something terrifying. "Your death? Alone. No friends. No family. Rotting in a filthy gutter, soaked in darkness and filth, your body decaying. Forgotten by the world."

"Ah..." Luo Yu sensed the shift in atmosphere. She studied Qiu Xiaoshuang’s cold, furious face. "Xiaoshuang, are you just mad about being woken up? Want to warm up in my arms...?"

"Shut up."

"Mmph..."

Qiu Xiaoshuang now stood directly before Luo Yu. Her fingers reached out, tracing Luo Yu’s delicate features. "A rare sight—a Lower Demon so beautiful."

"Heh." Luo Yu grinned. "Without good looks, how could I charm girls, build a harem, and conquer the world?"

"Hmph..."

Mid-laughter, Qiu Xiaoshuang struck. Her nails shot out like blades, slashing toward Luo Yu’s face.

"What are you—?!" Luo Yu ducked on instinct, barely avoiding the lightning-fast claws.

But the Witch wasn’t done. As Luo Yu turned to flee, Qiu Xiaoshuang seized her shoulder. One hand clamped her throat; the other dragged sharp nails down Luo Yu’s cheek, carving four deep gashes. She shoved hard. The frail girl crashed into the wall, sliding down slowly.

...

"Hurts..."

Luo Yu lay on the floor, curling into a ball. She bit back whimpers of pain. Blood seeped from her face, streaking down her cheeks in crimson trails.

Qiu Xiaoshuang crouched, gripping Luo Yu’s chin to force their eyes to meet. A mocking smirk played on her lips. "There. You have nothing left. Not even that princess-level beauty."

"Xiaoshuang..." Luo Yu shook her head, fighting to stay calm. She wiped tears from her eyes, swallowing blood. "Why hit me...?"

"To make you see reality. Just eat, sleep, and wait to die." Qiu Xiaoshuang smiled coldly.

Luo Yu shook her head fiercely. "No way."

"Fine. Then hear something more hopeless." Qiu Xiaoshuang leaned in. "Why would a high-born Witch like me bother with a worthless Lower Demon like you? Why shield you from the Demon King’s servants? Because the Headmistress made a contract with me. She spent decades of savings to buy my protection for you. For your sake, she’s lost everything."

"Uh..." Luo Yu scratched her cheek, tilting her head with an awkward laugh. "I didn’t know that. I thought I was almost winning you over as a friend."

"...I never saw you as one."

"So... you still see me the same way as our first meeting?" Luo Yu avoided the Witch’s burning gaze, twisting a strand of hair. "Right?"

"Hn." The reply was ice.

"I see."

"Luo Yu, this is how nobles treat trash like you. Half-dead beatings. Torture. Demon Kind are fickle—not the friendly fantasy you imagine."

"Cough..." Luo Yu cut her off, wiping fresh tears. She forced a smile. "Then why hit me only today? Why ruin my face now? You could’ve done it at our first meeting."

Qiu Xiaoshuang froze. "I..."

"If you wanted to teach me a lesson, you’d have broken me sooner. Left me too injured to run around. Crushed my confidence. Then I’d have no face to stay at the Academy. No shame in accepting the Headmistress’s huge debt. I’d just... go home."

"...You’d have gone back to working with Miss Mei. Close my eyes, earn easy money. Perfect life." Luo Yu straightened her clothes, buttoning her blouse with steady hands. "After all, a Lower Demon can’t do anything before a Witch Miss. Just needs food to survive."

"...What I meant was—" Qiu Xiaoshuang’s eyes flickered.

"Isn’t that true?"

"...No."

Luo Yu studied Qiu Xiaoshuang’s evasive gaze. "Without the Headmistress’s contract... would you ever help me? Of course not."

"I..." Qiu Xiaoshuang struggled for words, then looked down. "Witch clans never aid Lower Demons. I planned to kick you out fast—fulfill the contract, then focus on my magic. But I felt..."

"Don’t pity me." Luo Yu ruffled Qiu Xiaoshuang’s hair, a faint smile breaking through. She turned the tables. "I understand your true intentions, Xiaoshuang."

"Huh?" Qiu Xiaoshuang blinked. "What do you understand?"

"Those harsh words? Just a trick. You actually care."

"What?"

"Some novels say," Luo Yu grinned, as if unveiling cosmic truth, "people unlock hidden potential in crises. You knew that. After I awakened Fairy Kind blood, you beat me to trigger a second awakening. Right?"

Qiu Xiaoshuang stiffened. "Did I...?"

"Sadly, no awakening yet." Luo Yu sighed dramatically. "But I get your heart. I’ll count this beating as free training. What a waste."

"Hmph... Think what you want."

"I’ll get some air." Luo Yu struggled up, limping to the door. She waved without turning. "Bye."

Qiu Xiaoshuang hesitated—a split second too long. Luo Yu was already gone.

"This kid... really has a big heart." Qiu Xiaoshuang bit her lip, sinking onto the bed.

Suddenly, she bolted to the window. Leaning out, she spotted Luo Yu below—shaking unsteadily as she walked.

"Wait—"

Luo Yu was clutching her bleeding face. Tears soaked her thin uniform. She cried and cried, unable to stop.

For the first time, the ever-laughing girl wept harder than she ever had.