Chapter 48: Don’t laugh at the challenge?

“How’s Charis thinking it over?I’ll convince the others—you just wait.”
Aisha noticed Charis’s slight sweat, reaching to pinch her ear hidden in her hair.
“Uh… I-I’m just…”Charis stepped back, dodging the flirty gesture.
“Having second thoughts?Or backing out?”
Aisha grinned, and Charis swallowed, not daring to say “no” to someone she barely knew.
“Uh, I just think school might trouble others, and what’s the risk of that potion?”
Charis clasped her hands behind her, glancing at the door where the puppet Aisha smiled, guarding.
‘Gods, she’s not giving me an out!’
Charis was sweating, regretting leaving Ophelia for this creepy dungeon.
“Worried about causing trouble?You seem well-behaved enough.You resolved Ophelia’s family drama—school shouldn’t be hard, right?”
Aisha’s smile was serene, but her backlit figure, taller than Charis, cast a shadow with an unspoken “domineering” vibe.
‘Refusing too much might backfire.’
‘Fine, I’ll agree—Ophelia and Luline might not even approve!I’ve got three nominal guardians!’
“If Sister Aisha insists, then thanks—I hope they agree smoothly.”Charis forced a smile.
Hearing Charis relent, Aisha straightened, her grin widening, turning toward the light.
“Smart move, Charis.That’s it for now—go on back.”
“Oh, bye, Sister Aisha.”
Charis spun to leave, itching to sprint if not for the room.
She waited for the puppet Aisha to open the door.The lifelike puppet moved slowly, its smile never faltering.
“Does… Ophelia or Luline know about this?”Charis asked the puppet, assuming Aisha’s senses were linked.
“This?You mean the puppet?They might suspect, but it’s handy—frees me to study curses, skip boring socializing or teaching.”
The puppet’s reply matched Aisha’s perfectly, chilling Charis’s spine.
‘Aisha’s curse skills are insane—mastering magical puppets?Too strong to mess with.’
Charis took a deep breath, probing further.
“That first day we met—was that you or the puppet?”
“Fighting a Demon King?Puppets can’t handle that.I know when to show up myself—not everything’s for puppets.”
“Got it.I won’t spill about this—it’s your secret, Sister Aisha.”
Charis puffed her chest, vowing secrecy.
She knew what to keep quiet about and would bury it deep.
The puppet’s expression flickered, a brief dullness in its purple eyes, like a machine stuttering.
“Hm?”Charis tilted her head, catching a human-like “surprise” in the puppet.
‘No, no—Aisha’s puppets are so lifelike, smiling’s easy for them.What can’t they do?’
Charis dismissed her suspicion as the puppet resumed its usual smile.
“Thanks, I’d rather they didn’t know.You’re the first to learn this—consider it special treatment.”
“Got it, bye.”
“One more thing.”Aisha stopped Charis.
“What?”Charis paused, fearing another twist to the enrollment plan.
“For dinner, I want something you cook.Hard to forget after that one time.”Aisha stared into Charis’s eyes, insistent.
“Cooking?Easy, leave it to me!But don’t forget my brewing pot, Sister Aisha.”Charis made her demand, and Aisha nodded readily.
“Call it a fair trade.If you enroll, I’ll personally guide your potion-making.Textbooks are one thing—real practice is another.”
“Deal, I’ll remember.”
Charis headed to her room, needing rest and a chat with Talos about why she played dead earlier.
Aisha watched her go, her eyes glinting with an unreadable spark before returning to normal.
Back in her room, Charis found her bed “occupied.”Ophelia sat on the edge, reading—probably some young dragon care manual.
“Back already?That was more than a few minutes—what’d she say?”
“No obligation to tell you.”
Charis tilted her chin, still proud in front of Ophelia.
“Fine, fine—come here, I’ve got a reward for you.”Ophelia rubbed her hands, cracking her knuckles.
“What’re you doing!This is my room—don’t come closer!”Charis backed against the door as Ophelia approached, pinning her there.
But Charis felt no pressure—like standing on an open plain!
‘If Aisha or Luline tried this wall-slam, I’d be scared, but Ophelia?Weak!Think you can intimidate me without weighing your own strength?’
Charis stifled a laugh, finding humor despite the risk of face-pinching or tail-tugging.
“Pfft…”
“What’s so funny?”
Ophelia sensed the slight, Charis’s bright grin showing no fear, failing to hold back laughter.
“Ahem, just remembered something funny.”Charis coughed, feigning seriousness, but Ophelia glared into her eyes.
“What’s so funny?Share the joke.”Ophelia frowned, but Charis shook her head.
“Can’t tell you—wool comes from the sheep.”
‘Wool from the sheep?She’s mocking me for embarrassing myself?’
Ophelia glanced down, spotting Charis’s tail peeking from her skirt, wagging cheerfully.
“You’re in a great mood, huh?Keeping all the fun to yourself?Fine—I’ll reward you with my newly learned young dragon tail maintenance!Take this!”
“What? No, no!Stay away!”