The Speedrun Manual of Miss Witch - Chapter 55

Ciel released her grip on the gun, slipping it back into her satchel. In doing so, she discreetly returned the Blood Laurel and other items to her inventory.

Sherlon had to be killed cleanly and decisively. To ensure this, Ciel had chosen to use the sealed artifact for a guaranteed fatal strike—she couldn’t afford to let the potion within him trigger its backlash.

The dizziness from blood loss, compounded with her previous exhaustion, made her steps unsteady.

It wasn’t until she saw two distinct potion ingredients fully extracted from Sherlon’s body that she finally relaxed.

It was over…

She took two steps back and collapsed onto the pile of rubble behind her.

“Ciel!”

A voice—she wasn’t sure whose—called out to her, pulling her from the hazy depths of unconsciousness. She felt herself falling into a soft embrace, but her mind remained too foggy to recognize who it was.

“It’s over… Ciel…” Avena gently stroked Ciel’s hair.

The pale face of the girl in her arms made Avena’s heart ache. She hadn’t even realized that she had stopped addressing her as “Miss Ciel.”

“Nia, handle the rest.” Avena turned to the armored knight.

“Yes, my lady,” came a metallic, aged voice from within the armor.

Avena lifted Ciel in her arms and carried her past the scattered debris, heading toward her room.

As she looked down at the small, curled-up figure in her embrace, a stray thought crossed her mind.

So light…

So soft…

…

Comfortable…

…

The next morning, Ciel slowly opened her drowsy eyes and stretched lazily.

How long had it been since she’d slept this well?

It felt like collapsing into a soft bed after pulling multiple all-nighters. Her mind was still hazy from sleep.

Where was she… at home?

As her thoughts gradually aligned, memories of last night resurfaced.

“Source of Cholera!”

Ciel bolted upright, scanning her surroundings.

A vast, well-lit room. It was big enough to fit ten of her own apartment’s living rooms. The silk sheets beneath her were smooth and luxurious, and a gentle, faintly floral scent—almost like a young girl’s fragrance—lingered in the air.

She had passed out from exhaustion last night… Was this Avena’s home?

Ciel looked down at herself. Her worn, faded linen dress had been replaced. She was now clad in a fluffy, soft silk nightgown.

Huh?

Who changed her clothes?

She glanced around but couldn’t find her original outfit. Instead, a set of neatly arranged clothes hung near the bedside.

A simple, clean white blouse with lace shoulders, a matching white undershirt and trousers, and a long, black-and-red striped skirt with a slender belt—styled after the northern Ansu fashion.

Were these left for her?

Since there were no other options, Ciel grabbed the clothes and changed into them.

They were comfortable and fit well, though slightly loose.

Several hair accessories and decorative ribbons were also placed alongside the clothes. Ciel ignored them. After slipping on clean stockings and black leather boots, she got up and pushed open the door.

Hmm…

She glanced left and right.

Which way should she go?

After wandering in circles for a while, she started feeling dizzy. Eventually, she found the staircase. As she descended, the rich aroma of coffee drifted toward her.

It was coming from the reception hall.

Following the scent, Ciel stepped into the hall and saw the aftermath of last night’s battle.

The once-elegant reception hall now looked as if a steamroller had passed through it. Everything along a straight path had been utterly destroyed.

Fortunately, the long table in the center had been arranged in segments—though part of it had been crushed, the remaining sections were still usable.

A massive hole in the opposite wall led directly to the garden outside. Sunlight streamed through the opening, casting warm light on a dark-haired girl’s back. She sat at the damaged table, with two breakfasts and two cups of hot coffee laid before her.

“Why are we eating here?” The scene had a strange, shattered beauty to it, but Ciel couldn’t help but comment. “You don’t have a dining room?”

“This is closer to the stairs,” Avena replied matter-of-factly, sipping her coffee. “I was worried you wouldn’t find me.”

Ciel sat across from her. The exhaustion and deep sleep had left her starving. She immediately speared a sausage, took a massive bite, and washed it down with a big gulp of coffee.

As the food settled in her stomach, her ravenous hunger finally eased. She looked at Avena and asked, “Where’s my satchel?”

“I put it away safely. I didn’t check inside.” Avena elegantly cut a small piece of sausage and chewed it slowly.

“What about Sherlon?” Ciel asked.

“His body and notes have been handed over to the Redemption Society. I kept his mystical materials,” Avena replied. “His potion hadn’t begun digestion yet. The fully extracted third-tier ‘Source of Cholera’ potion is uncontaminated. Perhaps we should discuss how to divide it.”

“Did you change my clothes?” Ciel asked.

Cough. Avena nearly choked on her food. She could no longer maintain her composed demeanor. Using her napkin, she discreetly wiped her mouth, trying to mask her embarrassment.

“Your clothes were filthy. Leaving them on would’ve dirtied my bed.” She regained her composure as she set the napkin down.

“Then why not let me sleep in a guest bed?” Ciel asked, confused. “You do have guest rooms, don’t you?”

Avena gave Ciel a blank stare, remained silent for a long time, then simply mimicked Ciel’s action—spearing a piece of sausage and taking a bite. Mumbling through her food, she said, “I’m resigning from the police force.”

She changed the topic so abruptly!

Ciel was about to press further but then caught a glimpse of the faint purple bruising on Avena’s neck—evidence of last night’s bite.

Fine. That settles things.

“Why are you resigning?” Ciel asked, still eating.

Avena paused for a brief moment before replying. “I’ve fully digested my ‘Listener’ potion.”

Come to think of it, Ciel had played a part in that final stage of digestion—Avena had heard quite a few shocking revelations from her in just one day.

And, fortunately, she hadn’t needed to interfere much. The potion had been absorbed smoothly.

“‘Listener’?” Ciel looked at Avena with curiosity. “Is that the standard potion for the investigation unit? Or is it your family’s path?”

“No, my family and the investigation unit follow the ‘Detective’ path,” Avena answered casually. “That’s why I’m here instead of Ansu.”

Perhaps the successful digestion of her potion had put Avena in a good mood. She was answering all of Ciel’s questions.

“Where’s my sister?” Ciel asked at last.

“She’s working at my jewelry shop. That place rarely gets visitors,” Avena said. “You’re still carrying traces of the dehydration disease. It’s best if you avoid contact with her for now.”

“Hmm…” Ciel fell silent. This was the longest she had ever been apart from her sister. Waking up without seeing her or their familiar home felt strange.

“I told her I’m a psychologist and that you’re my assistant,” Avena added calmly. “She looked skeptical, but since she had your letter, she didn’t question it. You should write to her daily. I can help disinfect the letters.”

“Thanks.” Ciel hesitated for a moment before asking, “Psychologist?”

Avena nodded. “Yes, it’s the next tier in the ‘Listener’ path.”

So Avena was about to ascend?

Ciel sipped her coffee.

She was starting to realize just how limited her own strength was. And she was beginning to grasp the system’s pattern for awarding Fate Points.

Perhaps she could use the money from selling the “Avenger” potion to buy another potion and attempt its digestion in a simulation.

She needed more potions and rituals. The more power she gained, the better she could protect herself.

Where could she acquire these potions?

“Miss Avena.” Ciel looked up.

“Just call me Avena.” Avena focused on cutting her food.

“Avena, can you vouch for me to enter Deton Manor?” Ciel asked. “I want to buy some potions.”

“Deton Manor?” Avena raised an eyebrow at the name, looking at Ciel with a hint of hesitation before asking, “Do you even know what kind of place that is?”

“No idea,” Ciel answered without hesitation.