After pretending to finish talking in her sleep, Laige Caicai could clearly feel a brief, subtle pause in the pressure on her back.
The pause lasted only an instant.
The masseuse was distracted for that split second, interrupted by some unexpected words, but then the steady, powerful rhythm resumed as if nothing had happened.
Yet it was that brief anomaly that allowed the taut string in Laige Caicai’s heart to relax.
But the system hadn’t determined her quest complete.
The little black cat sat quietly on the windowsill, tilting its head slightly, staring at her with those deep, bright eyes.
Its gaze seemed to hide an elusive meaning, as lively as a human’s.
Laige Caicai knew what that meant.
It meant her insults hadn’t been vicious enough, the quest couldn’t be fulfilled, and she had basically just wasted her breath.
The Villainess System had evolved too.
In the past, she had gotten away with spouting nonsense too many times.
She had insulted Laige Lingxiang for years, yet her fourth younger sister never accumulated much Hatred Value, proving how harmless her ramblings were.
But now the black cat was getting stricter with her.
It wasn’t as easy to bluff her way through as before.
She had to truly curse someone out to complete the quest, had to maintain her vicious supporting female lead persona.
No choice.
Laige Caicai swallowed, then put on a haughty tone.
“Are you that short on money, country bumpkin?”
“Guest, are you talking to me?”
the massage girl replied in her fake sweet voice, intentionally hiding her identity.
“I can sense the mana fluctuations on you. You’re an Esper, aren’t you?”
Laige Caicai said, as if talking to herself.
“In this day and age, there’s always people like you who think hard work lets you climb up. But unfortunately, it’s not that simple. People like you could cultivate your whole lives and never catch up to us. Do you know why?”
The massage girl was silent, but the pressure from her feet increased.
“Our mages pass down spells generation after generation. The research of countless ancestors is passed down, so we’re born taking a shortcut, carrying centuries of multi-generational achievements. But you Espers have to fumble your way through your own uncontrollable abilities, taking detours at every step. Your descendants can’t inherit magic, and all your research vanishes into smoke upon death.”
Laige Caicai stated calmly.
The little black cat gradually grew animated.
That meant her verbal offensive was working.
This was the true self-cultivation of a high-level vicious supporting female lead.
Sometimes, making the heroine feel humiliated didn’t necessarily require outright insults.
The strongest humiliation was one that showed no edge, using the calmest words to precisely stab at the other’s weak point.
The truth made her chew on that embarrassment over and over, feeling miserable in her heart yet unable to refute it.
“This entire Demon Academy City is merely a social experiment field for us mages, and at the same time, a prison for you Espers. It’s to prevent you from running amok everywhere. It’s just a little more civilized than an actual prison.”
Laige Caicai said lightly.
“I already knew that…”
the massage girl murmured softly.
“Smart of you to know you have to work to earn money. The right path for Espers is to make more money. Leave the pursuit of the root of magic and truth to us mages.”
Laige Caicai chuckled.
The little black cat let out a pleased meow.
[Quest Successful]
Laige Caicai had already seen the system notification.
But at the same time, the icy little feet that had been gliding lightly over her back also came to a silent stop.
Although a faint warmth filled the massage room, a drop of cold sweat silently slid down Laige Caicai’s forehead.
She should have been completely relaxed in this comfortable environment, enjoying the physical and mental pleasure of a massage.
But now she only felt her limbs stiff, as if bound by invisible ropes, and the expected comfort and peace had long disappeared.
Even without looking, she could sense how gloomy Lu Xiya’s expression was, how broken her mentality was, and how she probably wanted nothing more than to stomp her to death with one kick.
Laige Caicai could only pray inwardly that this massage girl wouldn’t pull out an Illusory Weapon and chop off her head.
“Whoosh~”
Fortunately, after a pause, Lu Xiya took a deep breath, forcefully restrained her chaotic emotions, and continued working.
She calmed down and suppressed the rage within.
Her back stepping became slow and weak.
Every movement seemed forced, draining all her strength, but she had to maintain this professional duty.
Lu Xiya’s heart surged with a strong resistance.
She really didn’t want to serve this woman.
The arrogant, condescending attitude of these haughty mages made her feel deep disgust and hatred from the bottom of her heart.
But to cover basic living expenses, to integrate into high-society circles, and to preserve a sliver of hope for the future, she had to keep working.
This job of hers was one many girls fought over.
It paid well, supported her life, and was the last bit of capital she had to maintain her superficial dignity.
She absolutely couldn’t lose it.
Lu Xiya forced down the nausea churning inside her.
Her gaze fell coldly downward.
Before her lay that stunning body, skin warm and smooth like jade, with soft, flowing lines, every inch revealing traces of careful pampering and indulgence.
A dark impulse quietly sprouted in the depths of her heart—a wicked thought of wanting to defile and destroy it with her own hands.
Of course, in the end, it was just a thought.
After the massage process ended, Lu Xiya would carefully cover the guest with a soft, warm towel, then light a circle of calming incense in the corner of the room.
Afterward, she would dim the lights and slightly raise the air conditioning temperature, creating a warm, quiet, and completely relaxing resting environment.
Only after finishing all this would Lu Xiya quietly exit the room, allowing the guest to sleep peacefully and undisturbed.
“Damn sorcerer…”
She walked alone through the high-end corridor, her figure flickering uncertainly in the dim light, like a ghost without direction.
Lu Xiya instinctively raised a hand to touch the corner of her eye.
Her fingertips met a cold wetness, and only then did she realize she had been crying.
A sour, heavy emotion surged in her heart without warning, making her chest tight and her breathing labored.
Her heart was gripped by an indescribable pain.
“Laige Caicai · Motefei, just you wait.”
But Laige Caicai, who had been targeted, had temporarily avoided the danger.
After sleeping beautifully, she got dressed and returned to the luxury private room to meet up with her sisters.
She found Laige Yulian and Laige Fuling enjoying themselves in massage chairs, still in their bathrobes, unlike her who had faced the heroine’s ambush.
“Yulian, are you an idiot? This whole massage session has me wide awake. How are we supposed to sleep tonight?”
Laige Caicai teased.
“What mage doesn’t stay up all night?”
Laige Yulian pulled out a deck of playing cards, chuckling lightly.