Each constellation has its own Witch Academy, and naturally, the Witch Academy became the sacred place in the hearts of countless students from every constellation.
“An, can this really make money?”
The academy was a completely independent society in its own right.
Moreover, due to various course equipment and facilities, many students faced immense financial pressure.
On the rooftop of a tall building, a girl with twin tails looked at the girl sitting on the edge of the roof, her eyes full of worry.
“Ling, don’t worry. It’s definitely a sure thing.”
The girl sitting on the edge of the roof dangled her feet in black stockings, watching the flying vehicles shuttling below, a glimmer of hope shining in her eyes.
“Haven’t you seen how stressed those students are? They need to relieve that pressure too. All we have to do is provide them with a safe and reliable place to date, avoid the Student Council’s inspections, and the market is guaranteed.”
“But… what if we get caught…”
The girl behind her clenched her small hands.
“If we get caught, I’ll take the fall.”
An winked at her.
“Besides, what we’re doing is perfectly legal. We only provide the venue; we’re not getting involved in their affairs. At worst, the Student Council will extort some money from us. No big deal.”
An gave Ling a big hug.
“Don’t worry. Once we make money, I’ll buy you your favorite octopus balls!”
“Pfft! I’m not a kid anymore.”
Ling laughed out loud.
The two of them lay on the rooftop, gazing at the starry sky.
“Ling, if we ever make it big, let’s change the name. How about ‘Star Rentals’?” They were currently called “Star Fiber Rentals.”
“Sure! Then you’ll be the CEO, hehe, earning ten million Moni a year!” Ling squeezed An’s hand, laughing with pure joy.
The process of starting a business was extremely tough.
Moreover, they were operating on the fringes of the gray market.
Even though they only provided houses, it was still flirting with the edges of the gray industry.
However, because An was clever and knew how to talk, she even had friends in the Student Council, so whenever there was a move against them, she always found out in advance.
Thus, their reputation in the industry soared, and their visibility gradually increased.
“Ling, I’ve made up my mind. Let’s go legitimate.”
One day, An came to her.
Ling tilted her head.
She was the one who found the houses, while An handled the business.
“Go legitimate?”
“That’s right. How much money can we make with these small-time shenanigans? Don’t forget, our goal is the stars!”
Star Fiber and Star Rentals—one word apart, but a world of difference.
“Now that we’ve completed our initial capital accumulation, we can move into the real rental business.”
In other words, becoming a rental agency.
“Mm, I’ll follow your lead.”
But they never expected that the rental agency business would be even more difficult than before.
The academy had limited space and scarce housing. Many witches didn’t want to squeeze into cramped dormitories with others and came looking for apartments, causing the market to explode.
Naturally, many people had their eyes on this piece of fat.
Fortunately, thanks to their previous gray-market dealings, they had built up a network of contacts and were much more nimble than other agencies. The prices and locations they offered consistently matched their clients’ wishes.
Star Fiber Rentals’ prospects grew better and better.
“Ling, where do you want to go after graduation?”
But in the end, they were still students. One day, they would have to graduate.
“Are you trying to leave the academy?”
Ling’s heart tightened.
“Star Fiber is getting bigger and bigger. Maybe we can even break into the real estate market someday… An, stay here. Stay with me…”
“I want to go home.”
Ling froze.
At that moment, just like years ago, An sat on the edge of the high-rise, watching the crowds passing below, her eyes filled with weariness.
“Ling, you know I’m an abandoned orphan. My mother found me in a restroom.” Ling had heard An’s story more than once.
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On An’s birthday, the Luoli Mama who loved her the most died from overwork.
“I’ve stolen things. I’ve fought with dogs for food. If it weren’t for Mama, I probably never would have gotten into this academy. I’d still be in the Lower City, wandering around like a walking corpse.”
“Just like them.”
Ling lowered her head.
“Then why go back? Isn’t it better to stay?”
Graduating students could choose to remain in the academy. If they had assets, they could continue to run their business, but it couldn’t go public; it could only be an asset of the academy.
If An stayed, she could say, for the rest of her life, she’d never have to worry.
“Do you remember the first time we met?”
An suddenly laughed.
Ling’s memories drifted back.
“Yeah, you tried to steal my phone, but you didn’t know it had a tracking feature. I found you.”
Ling’s eyes curved into little crescent moons.
“That time, you beat me up pretty badly.”
An scratched her head, a nostalgic look on her face.
“But do you know why I tried to steal your phone?”
“One, because I had no money. Two, because I was used to it.”
“Yeah, I was used to stealing. I knew this was the Witch Academy, not my Lower City, but I still had the habit. It came naturally.”
Ling recalled that afternoon.
That bastard kept wailing and explaining that she didn’t do it on purpose, that it was a habit. Ling was furious and hit her even harder, turning her face into a pig’s head.
It was also her first time at the academy. She wanted to call the police, but she found out there were no police—only the Student Council.
She instinctively thought of the Student Council as the police.
But when the Student Council members arrived, they tried to arrest her without even asking questions.
They even said, “Why would she steal from you if you weren’t a bad person? Come with us.” She was stunned.
If it weren’t for An grabbing her and running away, she would have been dragged into the Student Council.
Later, she learned about the Student Council’s ways and felt a chill of fear.
In that way, they became acquainted.
“The reason I had that habit was entirely because I lived too long in the Lower City. That place has no hope at all. Laws and regulations are just for show.”
“There are many witches like me there. Their mothers and mothers were local thugs. After a messy affair, a life was born. The better ones abandoned the Witch Egg. The more animalistic ones would even crack open the Witch Egg…”
“!”
An spoke calmly, but Ling’s eyes widened.
“Why would they…”
“What do you think? In some remote villages, they firmly believe that Witch Eggs that haven’t hatched a witch are a cure for diseases.”
“Bleh!”
Ling felt nauseous and began to retch.
An hugged her, her voice filled with indescribable loneliness.
“So now you know what kind of place I grew up in?”
“I want to go back. I want to build a shelter for witches who’ve suffered the same fate as me.”
“Let them have an education. Let them never be abandoned again. Let them live with dignity without having to steal.”
An stroked Ling’s face. Ling’s cheeks were now streaked with tears.
“Goodbye, Ling.”
“Goodbye… An…”
“……”
Tears slipped from the corners of her eyes.
The night was like water.
Ling slowly opened her eyes.
Her pillow was already damp.
She slowly sat up, and the smart home system thoughtfully turned on the light.
The large bedroom glowed to life.
That dream… again…
Ling touched her face, staring at the tears on her fingertips, lost in thought.
An… Dalian…
You bastard…
You promised you’d go back to your hometown and build a shelter…
How… did you die…
“Chairwoman, Miss Nova from the Interstellar Company wishes to see you.” At that moment, a virtual projection appeared in the bedroom—her personal secretary.
Ling wiped away her tears, frowning slightly.
Someone from the Company? What does she want?
“Tell her I’m busy right now. No time.”
“But Miss Nova insists on seeing you. She says she only wants one surveillance feed. After it’s done, she can help you crack the password for the Dalian Account.”
Hearing this, Ling’s pupils contracted.
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