Hai Lanyue stared blankly at the hand extended toward her.
Tunzuo’s hand was fair and slender, with well-defined knuckles and neatly trimmed nails that glowed softly in the dim light.
Hai Lanyue’s gaze followed Tunzuo’s extended hand upward.
What met her eyes was a face radiant with a bright smile.
Those dark green eyes reflected her own flustered expression like a mirror.
Tunzuo’s smile held no disgust, no fear—only a warmth like the spring sun.
Hai Lanyue froze.
The world, which had only been black and white in her eyes, suddenly gained a vivid dark green.
Her mind went blank.
Memories of being isolated and rejected surged like a tide, forming a stark contrast with Tunzuo, who was now smiling and reaching out to her.
“You… you…”
Hai Lanyue opened her mouth, her voice trembling uncontrollably.
After a few seconds of daze, Hai Lanyue’s reason was pulled back to reality.
She jerked her hand back as if burned, the witch panicking and retreating until her back hit the cold wall of the Spire, trying to create distance between herself and Tunzuo.
“You, hello, I, I’m Hai Lanyue…”
Hai Lanyue lowered her head, not daring to meet Tunzuo’s eyes.
Her voice was as faint as a mosquito, laced with sobbing and trembling.
“Don’t come near me… I don’t want to hurt you… Please… stay away from me…”
Hai Lanyue’s reaction was within Tunzuo’s expectations.
Looking at the trembling immortal jellyfish witch before her, Tunzuo felt no anger at Hai Lanyue’s distancing.
Instead, a faint bitterness rose in her heart.
Tunzuo knew that Hai Lanyue didn’t dislike her.
She simply didn’t want to drag her into her bad luck and cause her injury, which was why she showed this almost instinctive aloofness.
It was a cruel kind of kindness.
But since Tunzuo had dared to walk up to Hai Lanyue, ignoring Sally and Huli’s attempts to stop her from making friends, that proved Tunzuo was already mentally prepared.
‘Bad luck? So be it.’
Tunzuo let out a long sigh inwardly.
She was a ghost witch!
Ordinary physical injuries—like tripping while walking, getting hit by a flowerpot, or even getting hit by a car—she could sense them in advance and dodge by turning into black mist.
As for unavoidable magic damage or misfortune effects…
Tunzuo’s mind conjured up An Lin’s overly enthusiastic face and that bowl of pitch-black, strangely fishy-smelling “Ten Perfect Major Supplement Medicinal Soup”.
‘I’ll just go for it! The worst that can happen is I’ll chug An Lin’s medicinal soup!’
Although drinking that stuff might cause severe mental trauma, possibly leaving permanent psychological scars, the healing effect was top-notch.
It was just a matter of suffering a bit on the tongue and stomach, and perhaps being a little unkind to An Lin’s wallet.
‘Someone has to hold an umbrella for those who come after. To help Hai Lanyue out of the shadows, this sacrifice… probably, maybe, possibly, is acceptable?’
So, faced with Hai Lanyue’s retreat, Tunzuo did not choose to accept her kindness and leave.
Instead, she stepped forward, further closing the distance between them.
Under Hai Lanyue’s panicked gaze, Tunzuo extended her hand firmly and grabbed Hai Lanyue’s slightly trembling right hand.
“It’s okay, I’m not afraid.”
Tunzuo tightened her grip on Hai Lanyue’s hand, still wearing that bright smile, her tone resolute.
Hai Lanyue stood there in a daze, Tunzuo’s words “I’m not afraid” echoing in her ears.
Hai Lanyue instinctively tightened her grip on Tunzuo’s hand.
Tunzuo’s hand was cold—cold like no living thing—the icy chill of shadows.
But from that chill, Hai Lanyue felt an unprecedented sense of reassurance.
Hai Lanyue couldn’t remember how long it had been since she had held another witch’s hand, or how long it had been since a witch had dared to initiate a conversation with her.
Hai Lanyue’s memory stopped at the moment she was found in the sea by other witches.
From that day on, her world had only the black and white of solitude.
But now it was different.
Hai Lanyue knew that her black-and-white world had gained a touch of dark green.
In an instant, a pang of bitterness rose to Hai Lanyue’s nose, making her eyes red and teary.
‘No, I can’t cry. I can’t scare her away.’
Hai Lanyue held back her tears, sniffled hard, raised her head, looked at Tunzuo, and said with a gentle yet sorrowful smile.
“Thank you…”
Tunzuo smiled back and gently patted the back of Hai Lanyue’s hand.
“It’s nothing. We’re all classmates, we have to look out for each other.”
As Tunzuo and Hai Lanyue were chatting, an elegant, magnetic voice suddenly sounded in their ears, breaking the harmony.
“Olivia Gold. Would you be interested in getting to know me, miss?”
Tunzuo and Hai Lanyue both turned in surprise.
Olivia had somehow appeared beside them.
The golden dragon witch wore a well-tailored white uniform, her golden hair shimmering in the low light.
With one hand behind her back, the other slightly extended, she leaned forward elegantly and gave Hai Lanyue a perfect gentleman’s bow.
Hai Lanyue hadn’t expected a second witch to willingly approach her, and that witch was the renowned Olivia Gold!
Hai Lanyue looked at Olivia’s extended hand, hesitating for a moment.
Her eyes darted between Tunzuo and Olivia, full of confusion.
Olivia could naturally tell what Hai Lanyue was thinking.
She wasn’t displeased by her hesitation; instead, the smile at the corners of her mouth grew softer.
“The two classmates told me about your situation, miss.”
Olivia’s voice was gentle but firm.
She glanced at Tunzuo beside her, a flicker of affection in her eyes, then looked back at Hai Lanyue.
“A little bad luck is nothing. As a certain witch once said, I have thick skin and tough flesh.”
Olivia said it in a deliberately joking tone, but her voice carried undeniable confidence and dominance.
“I think a little harm like that won’t mean much to me.”
Then Olivia took the initiative to hold Hai Lanyue’s hand—the same hand that Tunzuo had just held.
Unlike Tunzuo’s hand, Olivia’s hand was very warm—warm enough to be scalding.
It was the heat of life itself, making Hai Lanyue feel as if the sun was shining on her, dispelling the chill inside her.
“Hello, Miss Olivia! I, I often watch your matches. You’re an amazing witch!”
Faced with Olivia’s warmth, Hai Lanyue quickly shook Olivia’s hand and said hurriedly, her voice filled with gratitude and admiration.
Olivia, like Tunzuo, gave Hai Lanyue a kind smile and gently shook her hand.
“Thank you for your recognition, Miss Hai Lanyue. From now on, we’re friends. Please take care of me.”
Seeing Olivia so kind to Hai Lanyue, Tunzuo was a bit surprised.
She hadn’t expected Olivia to take the initiative to approach Hai Lanyue, and with such a… normal attitude?
But then Tunzuo thought, a witch of Olivia’s level probably didn’t care about bad luck.
Having one more friend was good for Hai Lanyue.
After all, with Olivia’s connections and resources, she could really help Hai Lanyue.
So Tunzuo said nothing, just stood aside silently, watching Olivia interact with Hai Lanyue.
And so, in Hai Lanyue’s black-and-white world, besides that touch of dark green, a brilliant gold had now forcefully squeezed in.
Meanwhile, Sally and Huli, who had been hiding in a distant corner, were secretly observing the situation through their fingers.
When the two little witches saw Tunzuo and Olivia both go over to Hai Lanyue and chat happily with her, Sally and Huli exchanged glances, seeing shock and conflict in each other’s eyes.
For a moment, the two little witches fell into a long silence.
Finally, Sally took a deep breath, her resolve firming.
Huli hugged the teddy bear in her arms and closed her eyes.
The two little witches nodded at each other with a look of resigned bravery, held hands, and walked with tragic, solemn steps to stand before Hai Lanyue.
“I’m Sally!”
“I’m Huli!”
The two little witches shouted loudly, their voices strained with nervousness.
“Nice to meet you!”
Seeing two more witches come over to talk to her, Hai Lanyue was truly surprised.
Her pupil-less blue eyes widened, her face full of panic and unease.
Hai Lanyue quickly tried to dissuade Sally and Huli, her tone urgent.
“You don’t have to force yourselves… really… I’m used to it…”
But before Hai Lanyue could finish, Sally and Huli wore smiles that were uglier than crying yet incredibly determined, and spoke in unison.
“You’re Sis Tutu and Lady Olivia’s friend, so you’re our friend too!”
Hai Lanyue looked at the four witches standing before her.
A ghost who wasn’t afraid to die, a thick-skinned golden dragon, and two little ones who, despite their fear, still chose to stand before her.
For a moment, Hai Lanyue didn’t know what to say.
Thousands of words were stuck in her throat, unable to come out.
In the end, she could only lower her head and reply softly with an “mm,” tears uncontrollably welling up in her eyes.
Just as the five young witches gathered together, Shirley’s voice came from the top of the Spire.
“Ahem, students! Everyone, stand in the center of the field. The practical simulation is about to begin!”
Upon hearing this, the five witches—Tunzuo and the others—walked toward the center of the field.
But in just those few steps, an accident happened.
Sally, who usually had excellent balance, suddenly stepped into thin air—her left foot tripped her right foot—and she inexplicably face-planted!
“Wahhh!”
Sally let out a scream, and in her fluster, instinctively grabbed Huli’s clothes beside her.
Huli was already timid.
When Sally suddenly pulled her, she immediately lost her balance, and together, they fell toward Olivia, who was walking ahead of them.
Olivia didn’t react in time and was slammed into by the two little witches.
She swayed, instinctively trying to steady herself, but her feet inexplicably slipped.
Then, in her flailing, she accidentally reached out and pulled down Tunzuo, who was walking at the front.
“Huh?!”
Tunzuo let out a soft yelp as she was pulled backward.
Just as Olivia was about to collapse onto Tunzuo, enacting a tragic scene of a mountain falling on top, Olivia’s brilliant golden slit pupils suddenly contracted.
In a flash, Olivia demonstrated her astonishing reaction speed and agility.
Olivia thrust her arms out, her elbows hitting the ground, and forcibly stopped her fall in midair.
She stabilized her body, encircling Tunzuo beneath her, creating a gap between them so she wouldn’t crush Tunzuo.
Sally and Huli toppled onto Olivia’s back, forming a human pyramid.
The four witches lay together in a heap, conveniently clearing a path for Hai Lanyue, who was walking at the back.
Tunzuo, lying on the ground, and Olivia, propped over her, stared at each other.
The distance between them was so close that Tunzuo could count how many long golden eyelashes Olivia had.
Olivia’s warm breath came out onto Tunzuo’s face, carrying a faint scent of black tea—very pleasant.
It made Tunzuo’s nose tickle, and her cheeks treacherously felt a little hot.
“Sorry, I’ll get up now.”
Before Tunzuo could tell her to move, Olivia took the initiative, her voice low and apologetic.
Then Olivia flipped over, grabbed Sally and Huli, and nimbly removed herself from Tunzuo.
Olivia’s actions surprised Tunzuo.
She had originally thought that Olivia, that perverted dragon, would definitely take the opportunity to take advantage of her and stay pinned on top.
But what Tunzuo hadn’t expected was that Olivia would give up such a perfect chance and choose to use her own body to protect her.
Tunzuo got up from the ground, dusted herself off, and before she could say anything, Hai Lanyue came running over, her face full of guilt and self-blame, apologizing repeatedly.
“Sorry, it’s all my fault… It’s because of my luck…”
In response to Hai Lanyue’s apology, Tunzuo waved her hand magnanimously, unconcerned.
“It’s fine, no big deal. As long as no one got hurt.”
After that little incident, the five witches stood together in the center of the field, forming a circle.
While waiting for the simulation to start, Tunzuo glanced at Olivia beside her and teased in a slightly sarcastic tone.
“Hah, changed your ways, have you? I thought you perverted dragon would stay pinned on top of me.”
In the face of Tunzuo’s sarcasm, Olivia just gave a simple but extremely serious smile.
“You don’t like it, so I won’t do that.”
Olivia’s handsome face, combined with those words full of respect and affection, made Tunzuo pause.
Immediately, Tunzuo’s fair little face flushed slightly red, like clouds dyed by the setting sun.
She turned away awkwardly, not wanting to look at Olivia’s face that annoyed her so much.
“Hmph, pretentious jerk.”
Tunzuo muttered under her breath, but the emotion in her voice was hard to define.
At that moment, a dazzling white light emitted from the top of the Spire, enveloping Tunzuo and the others.
Shirley’s voice rang out again, announcing the official start of the public practice session.
“Simulation start. Please cooperate, everyone.”