The Speedrun Manual of Miss Witch - Chapter 48

「Reality」

「Saint Year 741, June 18, 6:28 PM」

「Evaluation: The ways you find to die just keep getting more creative.」

「So, how was the Other Side? If used properly, it could bring you unexpected benefits. You’re lucky—you actually survived.」

「Clearly, you had a path to a ‘living to the end’ conclusion—following that bishop to the Holy See. But instead, you chose the more dramatic death. Too bad you missed the final plunge into the water. That splash? I’d only rate it 0/10.」

「Take this, it’s what you’ve earned based on your performance.」

「Reward: Fate Points *8」

「Fate Points: 29」

Ciel gradually regained consciousness, waking from the unbearable ringing in her ears. Even after returning to reality and losing the protection of the Radiance Bishop, her mind had yet to fully recover from the residual effects of the Other Side.

But she had no time to dwell on it. She had already given Avena the plan to report the ritual, and at any moment, Avena could be assassinated. If that happened, she’d lose her contact, and her sister’s safety would no longer be assured.

She quickly opened the system and accessed the Fate Point store. Soon, she found what she was looking for.

「【Other Side Page (Bloodstained, Tattered, No Information)】」

「Fate Points: 3」

「【Radiance Bishop’s Handwritten Letter (Includes Insignia)】」

「Fate Points: 5」

「【Glimpse of Doom (Activated)】」

「Fate Points: 128」

「……」

The Radiance Bishop’s insignia might be a transcendent item, which would explain why removing its imprint required 5 points.

But why did the Other Side Page cost 3 points? Wasn’t that something she had written herself?

And the last item—Glimpse of Doom—was even more expensive than a potion.

Ciel tentatively tapped on Glimpse of Doom, and a more detailed description appeared.

「【Glimpse of Doom (Activated)】: A special sealed artifact. Once activated, anyone within a 7-meter radius—or after 21 days—will trigger an explosive amplification of all diseases, parasites, and viruses within a 700-meter range. The effect diminishes gradually outward from the center. If left untouched for 7 days post-activation, it will automatically deactivate.」

「Side Effect: The holder’s metabolism accelerates progressively up to 14 times the normal rate.」

The activation conditions were laid bare before Ciel’s eyes.

The outbreak in the first simulation—16 days later—was likely the result of the second activation condition. Someone had placed the sealed artifact, Glimpse of Doom, in the sewers on June 13 and awakened it.

The second simulation’s outbreak had likely been triggered by the first activation condition—someone stepping within 7 meters of the artifact. That person had been Adele. Her body was still in the sewers.

If the culprit had placed the object in the sewers on June 13 and waited for the full July 4 outbreak, then the planner must have consumed the potion on June 13. After all, they couldn’t guarantee that no one would stumble upon the artifact early—especially in a chaotic place like the Clock Tower District.

If she could return to a point before June 13, she might be able to lure out the one who had consumed the potion…

If the ritual was sabotaged after the potion had been consumed, and the planner wasn’t immediately consumed by the backlash, then they would inevitably come looking for Ciel.

The key was to disrupt the ritual thoroughly enough.

Hugh had mentioned the “Toxicologist” path’s obsessive attachment to their own poisons. This pathological obsession might be Ciel’s best leverage.

There was no time to waste.

She opened the simulation menu and checked the past simulation option.

「Past: 6 Days (Saint Year 741, June 12, 11:30 AM) (Cost: 10 Fate Points)」

Ciel frowned slightly.

While she was lucky to return just six days instead of months or years, the timing was tricky.

Six days earlier, the planner might not have consumed the potion yet. If Ciel acted too soon and spooked them, they might abandon their setup entirely and forgo drinking the potion to avoid exposure.

At best, she had until the morning of June 13 to start disrupting the ritual.

She could only hope the planner had already consumed the potion by then.

Ciel exited the simulation menu.

She immediately redeemed the 「Other Side Page」 and 「Radiance Bishop’s Handwritten Letter」 and stored them in her inventory, leaving her with 21 Fate Points.

If the ritual planner was spooked, she would look at the Other Side Page again—perhaps it would reveal where the twin-pupiled light was located.

If the planner hadn’t yet consumed the potion, that light would surely appear at their hiding place—the place they believed to be the safest.

That would allow her to locate their hideout and, by extension, their identity.

Ciel took a deep breath.

“Past, No.2.”

She had no idea when the traitor would receive word of this or when Avena would be silenced. The only option was to move faster—much faster.

…

「Past」

「Saint Year 741, June 12, 11:30 AM」

「Countdown – 23:59:59」

A flash of white light filled Ciel’s vision. When she opened her eyes again, the night outside had turned to daylight, and she was no longer at home.

She was seated at the back row of a long classroom table, looking down at a wide lecture podium. The teacher’s voice droned on, accompanied by the hushed whispers of students.

She quickly opened the system to confirm that the items she had redeemed were still in her inventory. Then, without hesitation, she stood up, grabbed her satchel, and walked straight toward the exit at the bottom of the lecture hall.

“Miss Ciel? Where are you going?” The male teacher on the podium looked at her in confusion, a flicker of doubt crossing his mind.

When had Ciel cut her hair?

Was he seeing things?

The girl who was usually the most diligent student in class was now slinging her bag over her shoulder and walking out without permission. Even the aristocratic students wouldn’t dare act this boldly.

“Apologies, I’m not feeling well. I’m taking the day off.” Ciel didn’t look back, leaving behind only those words—and a stunned teacher.

“Wait… was that really Ciel?”

“Did I see that right? Since when did she become so… defiant?”

“That was… kind of cool…”

The classroom erupted into murmurs, but they quickly died down when the teacher knocked on the podium.

Meanwhile, Ciel exited the academy at a brisk pace and boarded a public carriage heading toward the outskirts of the Clock Tower District. Arriving in the district shortly after, she immediately set her plans into motion.

If she wanted to disrupt things, she had two options. But before choosing, she needed to confirm a few things and enlist an “old friend” for help.

Ten minutes later…

Ciel arrived in the Clock Tower District and stopped at a secluded alley. About ten seconds later, a tall, gaunt man wearing a newsboy cap turned into the alley.

He didn’t seem to notice Ciel leaning against the wall. As he walked past her, the short dagger hidden at his waist slipped free and clattered to the ground.

He bent down to retrieve it—only to see the dagger hovering in midair before him.

“Paul, where’s Solari?” Ciel’s calm voice sounded behind him, sending chills down his spine.

What… was happening?

Thud—

The dagger suddenly slammed into a nearby brick wall, embedding itself halfway in. The sharp sound made Paul’s entire body tremble.

“I’ll give you three seconds. Lead the way.”

“Three…”

“I’ll take you—I’ll take you!” Paul nodded frantically. He could feel something invisible tightening around his throat.

A demon… this is a demon…