The Speedrun Manual of Miss Witch - Chapter 2

“You’re one minute late,” Ciel said as she locked the door behind her, pulling Lichie toward the dining table. “The food is getting cold.”

The hostility and violence from outside were swept away by her sister’s gentle voice and the warm atmosphere of their home. The contrast in emotions left Lichie momentarily dazed.

She let herself be led to the table, sitting down as Ciel withdrew her hand. Only then did she look across at her younger sister, speaking up:

“Ciel, don’t worry about him. There’s no way he’ll cause trouble. Just focus on attending your graduation ceremony.”

“It doesn’t matter,” Ciel shook her head and replied. “Even if he shows up, it won’t have any impact.”

“How could it not!” Lichie’s fists clenched again at those words. “That bastard will definitely spread nasty rumors and ruin your reputation! This could affect your university interview!”

“It’s fine.” Ciel gave a small nod, gesturing toward the stew with her chin. “Eat.”

“You… sigh…” Lichie wanted to say more but eventually fell silent. She picked up a piece of bread, dipped it into the soup, and took a bite, chewing sullenly.

Although her younger sister was small in stature, her mind was extraordinarily sharp, and her words were always persuasive. If they started an argument, Lichie knew she’d inevitably be convinced by Ciel’s calm reasoning. So, she simply chose to keep quiet.

Watching Lichie devour her dinner, Ciel fell into a quiet reverie.

Lichie, her elder sister who had been with her through thick and thin.

Although they weren’t related by blood, their bond was closer than that of biological siblings. Years ago, during a carriage accident, Lichie had pushed Ciel out of harm’s way, only to have her own face splashed with alchemical reagents as the cargo fell.

The accident had left her entire face and the left side of her scalp disfigured, burned beyond recognition. Her face now looked as terrifying as that of a ghost. Her hands, too, were horribly scarred, with the skin peeling and raw from chemical burns.

The burns on her arms had impaired the dexterity of her hands. Lichie was dismissed by the cruel factory owner of the textile mill where she had worked and was forced to take a harsher, more grueling job at a coal plant.

There wasn’t much difference between the two jobs—she’d merely moved from a dust-filled cotton mill to one filled with coal dust, each workplace equally punishing to the body.

Because she wasn’t as physically strong as the male laborers, Lichie had to spend more time completing tasks, only to earn a fraction of their wages. She worked tirelessly, just to avoid being fired.

The majority of her earnings—including the compensation from the chemical burns—had been spent on Ciel’s education. Over the past three years, Ciel had lived up to her sister’s expectations, excelling in her studies and standing on the brink of a promising future.

Lichie hoped Ciel would continue her education, become a lawyer or a doctor, and completely sever ties with their current life. That had always been her wish.

But Ciel clearly didn’t share this vision.

She had no intention of taking the entrance exams, nor did she plan to rely on recommendation letters. As someone with a clear plan, Ciel didn’t believe that pursuing higher education was a feasible path for her.

The tuition and fees for Ansu University could reach as high as 140 su pounds per year.

No matter how hard Lichie worked, even if she went without food or drink for an entire year, she’d barely earn 50 su pounds.

And that wasn’t even considering the exorbitant cost of living in the capital, Ansu. Attending university was an impossible financial burden for them.

Beyond the financial aspect, there were also the various overt and covert dangers in this impoverished neighborhood. For example, there was Eddie, the thug who had been pestering Ciel since half a year ago for reasons unknown.

Right now, the most effective way to change her life and social standing wasn’t to spend four or five years studying law at university, but to apply directly to the Berren City Police Department after graduation. That way, she could leave this dangerous and poverty-stricken neighborhood as quickly as possible.

As an outstanding graduate from Berren Private Academy, Ciel wouldn’t even need to take an exam. With just a recommendation letter, she could secure a clerical position at the police department, move out of this area, and gradually work toward a better life.

With the protection of the police uniform, the local thugs wouldn’t dare target them anymore. In a new environment, she could save up for university tuition, take the entrance exams later, and climb upward step by step.

“I’m sorry.”

Lichie’s raspy voice interrupted Ciel’s thoughts. She looked up and met her sister’s gaze.

“I want to do better, to work harder… but I don’t know how,” Lichie said, her voice tinged with frustration. The near-14-hour workdays had left her physically and emotionally drained, and her scarred hands felt powerless against the relentless tide of their harsh reality.

Seeing her sister’s self-reproach, Ciel felt a heavy pang of guilt in her heart.

Wasn’t she just as full of regret?

In the three years since she had arrived in this world, she had tried countless things… but crossing over wasn’t like the novels. She didn’t possess the “essential” knowledge that fictional transmigrators always seemed to have.

She didn’t understand firearms, couldn’t recite the operas or poetry popular in this world, and, despite her legal studies, knew nothing about physics or inventions. All she could rely on was her rote-learning skills, honed by her past life’s exam-oriented education, to continue excelling in her studies here.

This world’s chaotic security was far worse than her previous life’s, and as a law student, she couldn’t “cast spells.” Her prior knowledge was utterly useless here.

Ciel had even tried searching for supernatural powers or magic. She had visited countless magical societies, psychic organizations, and spiritualist associations, even attending their demonstrations.

But without exception, they had all been mere tricks—obvious, fraudulent magic.

This world had numerous churches, each distinct in its teachings. But from what she had seen, they were just ordinary religions. She couldn’t access the deeper layers of these organizations due to her current social standing.

It seemed she had truly transmigrated to a mundane, extraordinary-free parallel world—and one with a challenging starting point.

No wonder her predecessor had taken her own life. The pressure was more than most could bear.

“I’m heading out.”

Dinner ended in silence. After finishing her meal and reminding Ciel to lock the doors and windows, Lichie left for her night shift, which wouldn’t end until one in the morning.

At that moment, both sisters were lost in their own thoughts, each trying to find a way forward.

Left alone in the living room, Ciel sat on the sofa, staring at the cold fireplace. She absentmindedly rubbed the antique silver pocket watch in her hand, feeling the ticking of its hands beneath her fingers.

Graduation was just around the corner. Once she joined the Berren City Police Department, she’d have at least some basic means of self-defense. But how could she ensure Eddie wouldn’t disrupt her graduation ceremony?

“Caw!”

The sharp cry of a crow outside startled Ciel, making her flinch and grip the watch tightly.

“Hiss…”

A sharp pain shot through her right thumb. Looking down, she saw a small cut on her thumb, caused by the second hand she had been idly rubbing. Blood seeped from the wound and dripped onto the watch’s face.

Under Ciel’s gaze, the drop of blood seemed to come alive, flowing along the intricate grooves of the watch’s surface until it filled the entire face.

“Tick—”

The sound of the second hand echoed in Ciel’s mind, making her head spin.

No way… a bloodline bond? That cliché?

Ciel’s vision blurred as she felt her consciousness being drawn into a black void.

In the darkness, a silver-white screen lit up, displaying text in a language Ciel hadn’t seen in a long time: Chinese.

「Binding to user…」

「Activation successful…」

「Detecting transferable items… None.」

「Detecting fate points… None.」

「First simulation: 30 fate points granted as a gift. Please use them wisely.」

After a series of flashing messages, three options appeared before her:

「Future: 2 Days (Saint Year 741, June 19, 18:27) (Cost: 10 fate points)」

「Past: 300 Days (August 20, 740, 12:00) (Cost: 100 fate points)」

「Old Days: ***, *** Days (Cost: 10,000 fate points)」

「Note: Selecting ‘Future’ allows you to simulate the future, ‘Past’ allows you to simulate the past, and ‘Old Days’ lets you experience a period of ***. Please choose carefully… Though it seems you can only pick the first one ^」

The strange phenomenon left Ciel standing there, dumbfounded. After a long while, she snapped out of it and carefully examined the silver-white text before her.

Is this… a system?

And there’s only one choice…

“Future?” Ciel murmured the word.

If this was truly a golden finger, she had to test how it worked.

After making her selection, the silver-white text shattered and twisted, transforming into a rapidly spinning silver pocket watch.

The watch grew larger and larger in Ciel’s vision before exploding, engulfing her in a wave of dizziness.

…

When the blinding white light faded, the warm scent of wood and bread was replaced by the acrid stench of acid rain and dust.

Before her eyes, a glowing screen appeared.

「Future」

「Saint Year 741, June 19, 18:28」

「Countdown: 23:59:59」

Raindrops pattered against the glowing screen, smudging the date displayed.

The surrounding buildings had vanished. Ciel found herself standing outdoors, her dress soaked by the fine drizzle.

Looking down, she saw a black robe clinging to her body and a graduation certificate, wrapped with a white ribbon, in her hand.

A graduation certificate? Isn’t this supposed to be handed out at the ceremony the day after tomorrow?

Ciel’s eyes widened as she quickly opened the certificate to check. Her name was printed clearly on it, alongside her photo.

It was undeniably hers… and the graduation date was June 19, Saint Year 741…

“Is this… two days later?”

Ciel looked up and scanned her surroundings, quickly recognizing where she was.

She was standing on the road leading into the Clock Tower District, facing the path home.

Given her personality, she’d likely have gone straight to request the police department’s recommendation letter after receiving her certificate, right?

Ciel jogged to a nearby awning and rummaged through her pockets, soon pulling out an oil-paper-wrapped letter. Seeing the envelope, she finally breathed a sigh of relief.

It seemed she had safely graduated and obtained the police department’s recommendation letter… just as planned.

She needed to share this good news with her sister right away, tell her to quit her job, and move together to a place near the police department.

With a light step, Ciel ran toward home. Even when her skirt was splattered with muddy water, she paid no mind. After living in rainy Berren for three years, she was well accustomed to such things.

“Dong—Dong—”

The dinner bell rang, signaling the factories to release their workers for mealtime. Ciel weaved through the streets, accompanied by the chimes, until she turned a corner. There, her pace slowed.

In front of Number 44, a crowd had gathered. People were murmuring among themselves, pointing and commenting on something within.

“Ciel’s here!”

Someone shouted, and the crowd turned to look at her. Those blocking the way instinctively stepped aside, creating a path.

At the center of the gathered onlookers lay four or five bodies. Blood mixed with the black gravel on the ground, washed by the rain.

On the outermost edge was Eddie, sprawled on his back. His white shirt was stained with blood. His throat had been slashed by a sharp blade, and his abdomen was cut open, intestines spilling out. His eyes remained wide with terror, even in death.

Next to him was the short man, his throat also expertly cut. He clutched at the wound with both hands, but blood continued to gush out. His body twitched as he struggled through his final moments.

Behind the corpses, on the blood-soaked white steps of the house, slumped a familiar figure. She held a dagger in her hand, her right eye pierced by a silver-gray hilt. Her scarred face was frozen in a twisted expression.

Scattered around her were a bouquet of blood-stained flowers and an overturned cream cake. Embedded in the cake was a sugar plaque that read, “Congratulations on your graduation, dear Ciel~.” The rain had dissolved the red lettering, making it flow like blood down the steps.

“Dong!”

Ciel felt as though a hammer had struck her skull, and the lighthearted mood from moments ago took a sudden, drastic plunge.

The cold rain beat against her face, yet her eyes burned as if scorched by the sun.

What… happened?

“Over there… Blackwater Gang!”

“Let’s go… Young lady, you should leave too.”

The arrival of a group of men caused the surrounding residents to scatter in panic.

In an instant, the previously crowded street became eerily empty. Not a single onlooker remained.

“6:31… Why was there a deviation in the ritual?”

“Click—”

An aged voice spoke from behind Ciel.

With a crisp click, the hammer of a gun was pulled back. The cold metal barrel was already aimed at the red-haired girl.

Is this a dream…?

An icy chill spread from Ciel’s heart to her feet and head. Her gaze remained fixed on the figure atop the steps, unable to tear herself away. The cold rain couldn’t wash away the horrifying scene before her.

What happened? Why… did it turn out like this?

“Bang—!”

The revolver’s gunshot echoed, and a searing pain erupted at the back of Ciel’s head. The world before her was engulfed in silver-white light.

When the light faded, the cold rain was gone. The old fireplace and the lingering scent of baked bread returned to her senses. She stared at the silver-white screen before her, her hands and feet ice-cold.

…

「Reality」

「Saint Year 741, June 17」

「Evaluation: You ran a little in the ‘Future,’ honing your jogging skills. Since it’s your first simulation, here’s a consolation prize… Don’t look so serious.」

「After all, nothing bad has happened yet, right?」

「Reward: Fate Points *1, 【Dexterity Lv.1】」

「Fate Points: 21」