Chapter 57: Like magical girls

A witch’s game is no joke.

Pride released the four from their bindings, and Iris and Pansy collapsed to their knees, trembling.

The dense, scarlet magic radiating from Pride carried a terrifying murderous aura. The two rookies couldn’t withstand its tangible killing intent.

“Come here.”

Pride beckoned, and a wave of magic lifted the three to land before Lei Li.

Lei Li’s kneecaps were shattered, and Pride’s magic suppression left him unable to move freely.

He could only twitch slightly, proving he was still alive.

“You three take turns giving each other cruel orders to do to him.”

“Like breaking one of his fingers.”

Pride took Venus’s hand, gently holding her slender index finger, admiring it with a gaze full of appreciation, as if it were a work of art.

“Each act must be crueler than the last. I’ll start with a demonstration.”

Pride released Venus’s hand, reaching toward Lei Li with a claw-like gesture.

Crack!

“Ah!”

Lei Li let out a piercing scream, spit visibly spraying through the air.

Pride’s face twisted in disgust, stepping back and accidentally bumping into Venus.

Her bare back felt the softness of Venus’s chest.

“Oops, bumped into you—sorry.”

Pride flashed an apologetic smile, then bent slightly, gesturing with a “please.”

“Begin. You first.” Her gaze locked on Iris.

She wanted to know if the rookie who inherited her title had the same heart she once did.

A heart full of justice and kindness.

Iris looked at Pride, lips pursed, silent.

Pride leaned closer, staring into her eyes.

Those bright eyes held only fear.

Fear and weakness were never praiseworthy.

But they weren’t detestable either.

A brave heart that reserves a place for fear can save your life in critical moments.

Pride didn’t dislike timid children.

She shifted her gaze to Pansy. Compared to Iris’s fear, Pansy was calmer.

Her eyes held fear but also a spark of curiosity.

“She’s too scared to speak. How about you?”

Pansy’s heart tightened—she didn’t dare either!

Who knew if the fickle witch would keep her word? One wrong move, and she’d be the one suffering.

Pansy refused to do something so risky.

But if she didn’t, she might drag everyone down.

As Pansy wrestled internally, about to speak, Venus cut in.

“They’re young. I’ll do it alone.”

Venus faced Pride, far calmer than her initial terror.

“I’ll give the orders, and I’ll carry them out.”

“Haha, taking full control? Nice.”

Pride clapped, approving.

“I admire your courage. Begin.”

Venus took a deep breath. The man was a villain—his death was no loss.

She was just using the witch’s hand to torment, maybe even kill, him.

“Break his left hand.”

Venus raised her spear, smashing it down on Lei Li’s left hand.

The expected damage reflection didn’t happen—only Lei Li’s hand was broken.

He opened his mouth to scream, but Pride silenced him.

“I don’t like hearing pigs squeal. Stay quiet until you die.”

Lei Li could move his body but not his mouth.

The pain of his broken hand turned his face red. Ignoring the magic suppression, he writhed on the ground, clutching his hand.

His bulky body couldn’t roll to ease the pain, only squirming in an ugly display.

“Pierce his shoulders.”

Venus drove her spear through both of Lei Li’s shoulders, plunging him into deeper agony.

Her commands grew harsher, her actions shifting from hesitant to decisive.

She was starting to enjoy this absolute control, built on Pride’s overwhelming power, dictating Lei Li’s demise. It felt exhilarating.

If she had infinite-level magic like this, she could make fearsome Arcana kneel.

Her desire to grow stronger peaked.

Her final spear thrust pierced Lei Li’s chest, straight through his heart.

Lei Li collapsed, barely alive, glaring at Pride with resentful eyes.

Pride smirked, one corner of her mouth curling in disdain.

“Like bullying with power? How’s it feel to be crushed by it?”

“This is the carnival of ‘death.’ I hope you remember this feeling in the underworld.”

Pride mocked him without restraint.

Lei Li never imagined he’d run into a witch just trying to collect magical girl blood.

Nor did he expect a witch’s power to be so overwhelmingly dominant.

Only one level separated calamity and infinite.

Venus, a mere transcendent-level magical girl, had injured him, a calamity-level Arcana.

Yet he, a calamity-level, couldn’t make a ripple against the infinite-level Pride Witch—not even a chance to fight back.

His one attack was a sneak shot when Pride wasn’t focused on him.

Laughable—he didn’t even hit her.

But Venus had struck his face head-on.

Was this the gap of one magic level, or was he just too weak?

Lei Li pondered, unable to comprehend.

He might never get the chance to.

Seeing Venus’s decisiveness, Pride was delighted.

That’s right—magical girls shouldn’t be purely kind. They needed a touch of malice.

Malice to protect themselves!

Pride was very pleased with Venus.

“Such an obedient good girl. Good girls deserve rewards.”

Pride took Venus’s hand, pulling her into an embrace and kissing her forehead, where strands of hair fluttered.

Venus shrank back, unsure. What was Pride doing?

A witch kissing her?

Her feelings were complex, her fear of Pride easing slightly.

“Why…”

Pride pressed a finger to Venus’s soft lips, smiling and shaking her head.

“Don’t ask. Just know I don’t hate you.”

“But I’m not saying I like you either. I just…”

Pride glanced at the two newbies behind Venus, especially Iris, adding, “I don’t hate magical girls. I like them—really like you as magical girls.”