The Speedrun Manual of Miss Witch - Chapter 31

Ciel placed the two potions and the church’s notebook into her system inventory, leaving only Thomas’s diary in her possession.

Previously empty, her inventory’s four slots were now completely filled—containing the Eye of Order contract, the “Avenger” potion, the “Instigator” potion, and Duven’s research notes.

The “Avenger” and “Instigator” potions could be sold to Avena at some point, but first, Ciel needed to establish a friendship with her and ensure she didn’t grow suspicious. After all, Avena’s deductive skills were frighteningly sharp.

As for the two notebooks, Ciel chose not to destroy them. They contained valuable clues about the traitors to the Church of the Savior Goddess and could be used to curry favor with High Priestess Uris at an opportune moment.

But for now, her priority was securing a stable job. She needed a legitimate reason to move Lichie out of the Clock Tower District and away from the oppressive matchstick factory.

Ciel glanced at her remaining Fate Points.

「Fate Points: 38」

She had spent 5 on the contract and another 5 to summon her saved character, leaving her with 38 points.

Even if she didn’t earn a single coin in the next simulation, she still had enough for three more attempts—just like when she first gained access to the system.

But things were different now. Compared to her initial helpless self, Ciel now possessed far greater means of self-defense and a clearer vision of her once uncertain future.

Still, a vague unease lingered in her heart.

Now that she had glimpsed the hidden side of this world, could she truly walk away unscathed?

How long could her peaceful days last?

At the very least, she now had the ability to nip certain dangers in the bud.

After lying on her bed for a while, Ciel, still restless from having just woken up, got up and began jotting down her plans for the next day in her notebook.

【1. Go directly to the headmaster and request a recommendation letter.】

【2. With the recommendation letter in hand, visit the police department and see if I can run into Avena.】

【3. Start attending prayers at the Church of the Savior Goddess regularly to see if I can encounter Uris.】

Ciel paused to think.

The 18th…

【4. Attend Amy’s afternoon tea party and bring her a gift.】

【5. Convince my sister to move away with me.】

Ciel reviewed her plans for the next day and nodded in satisfaction.

More friends meant more opportunities. After her recent experiences, she had come to recognize which people were worth befriending. She resolved to build those relationships in reality as well.

Looking at the notebook in her hands, a sudden thought crept into her mind, sending a chill up her spine.

Was this plan something I wrote myself, or something my “real” self wanted me to complete?

Ciel set down the notebook and pencil, standing abruptly as a faint ringing began in her ears. The sensation was fleeting, disappearing almost as soon as it arose.

This ringing… Ciel had only ever experienced it in her “Avenger” form.

The dissonance between her current state of mind and her own self-awareness made her hyper-vigilant.

She recalled that every transcendent she had encountered mentioned having a “mystical notebook.” Both Uris and Avena had spoken of this term.

Could it be because I haven’t written a “mystical notebook” myself?

But strictly speaking, her real self wasn’t truly a transcendent, so why would she need to write one?

And writing a mystical notebook wasn’t something she could attempt recklessly right now. Even if she wrote it in Chinese, in a world teeming with transcendent abilities, who was to say there weren’t people capable of understanding the text just by looking at it?

The system was her greatest secret, and revealing it in reality would carry immense risks, as the system itself had warned her. Pacing for a moment, Ciel turned to her desk’s trash bin and retrieved a crumpled ball of paper.

This was the record she had initially kept to instruct her simulated self.

Taking it to the candle on her desk, she lit the paper and watched as it burned to ash. Once the paper was completely reduced to cinders, she carefully collected the ashes and flushed them down the washroom sink.

Only after doing all this did Ciel feel a measure of relief. She realized that her inner peace was not as unshakable as she had thought.

“Hah—”

Back in her room, Ciel took a deep breath and exhaled slowly.

To distract herself, she opened the system interface and navigated to the simulation menu.

From the earlier system notification, she knew that her simulation times had been refreshed. By breaking her “Fated Death,” she had expanded her timeline for exploration.

「Future: 16 Days (Saint Year 741, July 4, 11:58) (Cost: 10 Fate Points)」

「Past: 688 Days (Saint Year 739, July 31, 12:55) (Cost: 200 Fate Points)」

「Old Days: ***, *** Days (???) (Cost: 10,000 Fate Points)」

Sixteen days ahead, two years ago, and the still-mysterious Old Days.

From this, Ciel deduced a rough pattern.

For every year into the past, the Fate Point cost increased by 100. Two years back required 200 points. The system’s infamously stingy rounding method was still in play.

Simulations within a single month, however, uniformly cost 10 Fate Points.

Having just completed one major event, Ciel wasn’t particularly interested in seeing what would happen eight days from now. She lay back on her bed, closing her eyes to rest.

The emotional highs and lows, using a saved character, and a full-length simulation had left Ciel mentally exhausted. She slept for a few hours, waking again just as dawn broke.

After freshening up, she donned her school uniform and grabbed her satchel, slipping Thomas’s diary into it. Carrying such an important item on her person felt safer.

Her sister hadn’t woken yet. After preparing two breakfasts and finishing one herself, Ciel left a note for her sister before heading out.

The streets outside were already lively, children laughing and playing. A boy running past her, pushing a metal hoop, suddenly dropped it as he broke into a fit of coughing. Moments later, he resumed running as if nothing had happened.

“Did you hear? Three people from Blackwater Gang killed each other last night! Even the leader’s dead!”

“Of course I heard. My buddy told me he saw them shoot each other in a fight, and then one lunatic set the place on fire, burning the whole tavern down!”

“Oh? What was the fight over? Money? Did your friend see anything else?”

“Shh… Don’t tell anyone, but I heard they… died holding each other. It was a lovers’ pact!”

“Whoa…”

The gossiping passersby brought a smile to Ciel’s lips as she quickened her pace toward the academy.

Those scumbags had no idea that in death, they would become the subject of rumors among the very people they had treated like dirt—rumors painting them as “perverted lovers.”

Upon reaching the academy, Ciel noticed that while there were no classes today, the staff and faculty were all present. Servants bustled about, cleaning and decorating every corner of the building in preparation for tomorrow’s graduation ceremony.

“Ciel? What brings you here?” A female teacher wearing black-rimmed glasses approached her with a smile. “Don’t tell me you got the date wrong. Tomorrow’s the graduation ceremony.”

“You’re joking, ma’am… I’d like to see the headmaster. I have something to discuss with her.”

“You’re here about further studies, aren’t you? Makes sense. With your outstanding performance, the headmaster will definitely write you a recommendation for Ansu University.” The female teacher stepped aside, making room for Ciel to enter the academy. “She’s in her office. You can go straight to her.”