Calm down. Calm down.

Xia Xin quickly suppressed the impulsive thought swirling in her mind.

Supporting someone wasn’t as easy as it sounded.

Besides, Sally was a Hero! For a Calamity Witch like herself to sponsor a Hero—this was practically nudging her toward corruption… No, no way could she ever do that!

Most importantly, Xia Xin was broke.

Sure, she’d casually pulled out five hundred gold coins earlier, looking rich—but that was already half her savings… If she kept spending, she’d be the one needing a job.

Hmm, robbery, theft, kidnapping… weren’t those also “service jobs”?

So yeah, calling it work wasn’t wrong.

After some thought, Xia Xin firmly rejected the idea. She flicked Sally’s forehead. “What are you thinking? That’s impossible.”

“Mmm…” Sally blushed slightly and whispered, “Th-then… thank you, Miss Xia Xin. I’ll never forget this kindness!”

“Just call me Xia Xin,” Xia Xin scratched her head. “That formal stuff’s awkward. We’re peers, after all.”

At least in looks and mindset, they were the same age.

“Ah, okay! Xia Xin… Miss.” Sally couldn’t drop the honorific. Fidgeting for a moment, she added, “Um… Miss Xia Xin, I have another request. It might be a bit much…”

“Spit it out!” Xia Xin patted her chest. “I’ve got you covered!”

“It’s… like this…” Sally murmured. “Miss Xia Xin, you’re a powerful mage, right? I saw your ‘Calamity Witch’ title… Books say only the world’s strongest Arcane Masters earn the name Sorceress!”

Whether she was the strongest, Xia Xin didn’t know—but she was definitely the most infamous.

“So you want…”

“C-can you teach me magic?” Sally looked up at her. “I heard that once you learn basics and find a High Rank Mage, you can register as a magic apprentice at the Magic Association. They give over ten gold coins monthly!”

Such a thing existed?

Xia Xin knew she only handled beginner spells, but “Calamity Witch” had to mean top-tier Arcane Master status.

If even apprentices got ten gold coins, then for her…

No need to dream—it was pure wishful thinking.

If the Calamity Witch showed up publicly, she’d be arrested instantly.

Still, Xia Xin was curious about that place.

The Magic Association must have tons of spellbooks.

With her superb magic aptitude, she could master all beginner and intermediate spells in one go.

Heh heh. Combined with the Calamity Witch’s immense mana, she’d never fear a repeat of the Kebento Factory tragedy.

But how to reply to Sally?

Xia Xin knew she was half-baked at magic—learning from her was worse than reading a book.

Yet seeing Sally’s hopeful face, any refusal would crush her. Reluctantly, Xia Xin sighed. “Fine. Okay.”

She pulled out a well-thumbed beginner magic textbook and handed it to Sally.

Goodbye, spellbook.

May you first nurture a Calamity Witch’s basics, then help this girl become the future Hero.

Huh? Wait.

Xia Xin froze. She’d made a mistake.

Watching Sally grow independent, escaping mindless jobs—that was good.

Her becoming a capable Hero later? Even better… Such a kind girl deserved that future.

But what about herself?

That CG scene haunted her. Since becoming the Calamity Witch, she’d vowed to win everything… at least avoid that apocalyptic end!

If Sally grew into that future self… Don’t be fooled by her current angelic heart. One trauma, and she might turn fallen angel—putting Xia Xin in danger!

“Ah, thank you, Miss Xia Xin!” Sally took the book, muttering under her breath, “I’ll master every spell here… Then you’ll personally guide me, right?”

She had to learn this book alone, no matter how hard. She couldn’t let Miss Xia Xin think she was just a spoiled brat!

Sally clenched her resolve.

She’d heard magic aptitude varied wildly. Some studied lifetimes without grasping a single spell; others cast their first after days.

Those who learned by glancing? Only legends.

In magic, the gap between people was wider than between species.

That’s why apprentice subsidies were so high—this first step blocked ninety percent of applicants.

Becoming a High Rank Mage meant entering a whole new class.

Sally had tried this basic book before… but couldn’t even cast a Fireball Spell.

That’s why she’d begged Miss Xia Xin to teach her.

But this gesture meant no one would help her cross this threshold. She had to do it alone.

Sally straightened her shoulders.

If she didn’t grow strong, how could she repay Miss Xia Xin?

Across the World, Sally’s greatest idol was the legendary Hero—a fleeting figure who’d defeated the terrifying Demon King. Her true hero.

She knew it was impossible… but deep down, Sally dreamed of becoming that person.

Sigh… Best to keep that dream hidden.

She was painfully ordinary—now and forever.

Just getting stronger, earning more, lifting herself and her sister from poverty…

That alone would satisfy her.

For herself and Miss Xia Xin, she’d push her limits to the max!

…