**[Warning: Current remaining Recycling Points: 0]**
In the pitch-black space, the Luminous Girl’s figure gradually began to decompose.
Soon, the Luminous Girl would fall into a deep slumber.
She had already handed the final “Key” to Ai’er, and from this moment on, she was powerless.
“Will things change… this time?”
The memory fragments that did not belong to Ai’er would appear in her mind in batches. Although the appearance of each memory fragment had its own prerequisites…
“As long as she continues to stay by Elena’s side…”
As long as she stayed by the side of this young Witch, those trigger conditions would gradually be met. Those memories would appear in Ai’er’s mind to provide assistance in her stead.
But the Luminous Girl also knew that the most those memory fragments could do was ignite a few sparks in the dark night. As for whether those sparks could set the night sky ablaze or overturn fate, she did not know.
**[Host’s remaining lifespan: 179 days]**
Continuing to associate with Elena and touching the Mana on her body meant Ai’er’s death was only a matter of time. But as long as it could be exchanged for the System’s help, Ai’er likely wouldn’t hesitate.
But if fate was as the Luminous Girl knew it to be—if someone had to sacrifice their life…
“Ai’er… this time, please let Elena… live.”
The moment her voice fell, the Luminous Girl completely dissipated.
***
It was like falling into a deep sea where no light could be seen.
The occasional throbbing deep in her heart, intertwined with complex emotions surfacing from nowhere, left Ai’er feeling confused.
If she hadn’t seen it wrong…
‘The little girl in that dim room just now… that was likely Elena.’
But that definitely wasn’t the current Elena. If she had to put it a certain way… it was a younger version of her?
So, were those fragments Elena’s childhood?
Ai’er tried hard to recall the details of the scenes she had just seen, but her memory seemed covered by a layer of mist. She could only vaguely remember a few details—a pitch-black room, a young Elena, and then… a rather pathetic-looking cake.
A cake…
Ai’er slowly opened her eyes.
Earlier, after a careful examination, the doctor in the infirmary could only conclude that “Miss Ai’er’s body is fine.” As for why she had suddenly burst into tears, the doctor attributed it to overexertion.
Consequently, Elena had sent Ai’er back to the dormitory and solemnly instructed Fina and Anna that they must not let Ai’er leave the villa.
“System, I really want to eat cake. Is there any magic that can conjure one up?”
**[…]**
**[The Host is certainly carefree.]**
“What’s wrong with that! I call it being an optimist. I won’t think about things I can’t figure out for now, and if I want to eat cake, I eat cake. Anyway, I can’t do anything right now, so it’s better to just lie comfortably in bed!”
Even though her eyes were open, Ai’er hugged the extra pillow she had asked Fina for, wrapping her whole body around it. She gently rolled onto her side, giggling foolishly.
**[A reminder once again—]**
“The current mission is to ‘let the Witch of Time, Elena White, “kill” you’~ I really, really remember it! Stop emphasizing it!”
Reluctantly sitting up in bed, Ai’er turned her gaze toward the window.
Optimistic…
In truth, her heart felt very heavy right now.
Ever since she saw those images, a strange sadness had been welling up from the depths of her soul, but Ai’er didn’t know exactly what she was sad about.
‘Perhaps I should ask Elena…’
But Elena had gone to handle Student Council duties and wouldn’t be back at the dormitory all afternoon. Earlier, she had even said something like “I’ll come back early to keep Ai’er company” before heading out with just a piece of bread for lunch.
“But regardless, staying in the room all the time is—huh? This scent is!”
Pure white flour, after fermentation and being mixed with eggs and milk, emitted a warm, cozy aroma under high-temperature processing. There was also the fresh fragrance of fruit and cream being brought out by the still-warm sponge.
It was as if she were in a bright orchard, enjoying the fragrance of the earth and the warmth of the sun!
This smell could only come from one thing. Something Ai’er would never mistake.
Yes! This… this was the smell of a freshly baked cake!
But a cake…
The images she saw earlier flashed before Ai’er’s eyes again.
However, the girl quickly shook her head, pushing the internal gloom to the back of her mind.
“Damn it! To bake a cake in secret and not tell me!”
To hell with all those messy thoughts! Nothing could stop her from sprinting toward that cake now!
She kicked off the covers, shoved her feet into her slippers, and rushed out of the room.
The kitchen door was right at the turn of the stairs. Following the scent of the cake, Ai’er flew around the staircase and threw herself toward the kitchen.
“Miss Ai’er?! You—you came down wearing only your pajamas? You’ll catch a cold!”
Fina, who was holding a baking tray, immediately panicked the moment she saw Ai’er. Fina wanted to run to Ai’er’s side and wrap a blanket around her, but she was holding a hot baking tray in her hands.
In her panic, Fina failed to keep her footing.
“!”
In that moment, all sound seemed to vanish.
In Ai’er’s eyes, which were gradually widening in horror, Fina’s petite body began to lean sideways. The distance between the heavy insulated gloves and the baking tray was increasing.
Staring at the baking tray that was slipping from Fina’s hands, Ai’er instinctively reached out toward the scorching iron plate.
At this critical moment, a figure quickly inserted herself between Ai’er and Fina.
Pinned-up brown hair swept past Ai’er’s eyes.
By the time Ai’er reacted, Anna had secured the baking tray with one hand and supported the falling Fina with the other.
“Miss Anna?! Your—your hand!”
In that almost crimson palm, one could even hear a faint *sizzle*.
But Anna didn’t seem to care. She simply placed the baking tray on the table covered with a thick cloth, then lightly tapped the back of her hand against the head of the still-shaken Fina.
“Miss Fina, a maid must never lose her composure.”
“Ugh… I—I am very sorry.”
Fina merely lowered her head while Anna lectured her like a senior. It was as if no serious incident had occurred, only a minor mistake.
How could this be just a minor mistake?!
“Miss Anna! How is your hand?!”
Ai’er immediately rushed to Anna’s side, grabbing the hand the maid was trying to hide.
“I appreciate your concern, Miss Ai’er. I am fine—”
“Fine, my foot! Give me your hand!”
Forcing Anna’s hand open, she saw the scorched skin looking as though it had been torn by a wild beast. It was a shocking sight.
**[Command confirmed. Intermediate Healing Spell activated.]**
A faint green light gently enveloped Anna’s hand. In just a moment, the horrific burn had completely vanished.
Looking at the restored palm, Ai’er noticed something. In the areas without burns, there were thick calluses on Anna’s hand. Those were not calluses left by long-term labor, but rather seemed more like they were from holding swords for a long time.
In the next moment, Anna quickly withdrew her hand from Ai’er’s grasp.
“Miss Ai’er, thank you for your healing magic. However, I still have housework to do. Please excuse me.”
As Anna spoke, she was about to retreat from the kitchen; however, the tall maid soon stopped, took off her outer garment, and draped it over Ai’er.
“Please… keep yourself warm.”
After leaving those words, Anna walked out of the kitchen with quick steps.
Watching Anna’s retreating back, Ai’er felt that something was off. But she didn’t have time to think further as the aroma of the cake pulled her attention back.
Ai’er turned toward the scent and saw Fina performing a ninety-degree bow.
“Miss Ai’er, I am truly very sorry!”
“Fina?! I’m the one who should apologize! I shouldn’t have appeared so suddenly and startled you! Sorry, sorry (＞_＜)!”
“It was not Miss Ai’er’s fault! It was my failure as a maid!”
“No! It’s not Fina’s fault! Besides, I’m a maid too. If anyone lost their composure, it was me!”
“It was my problem!”
“It wasn’t Fina’s problem! It was mine!”
…This pointless argument lasted for at least ten minutes.
It continued until both of them were parched, their tongues hanging out as they slumped over the table. Then, looking at each other, the two of them burst into laughter.
As they laughed, Ai’er glanced at the cake out of the corner of her eye.
“Fina, why did you suddenly think of baking a cake? Does it have something to do with the holiday tomorrow?”
“The holiday tomorrow? Do you mean Mother’s Day?”
Based on Ai’er’s experience with cakes, the design of this one was definitely prepared to celebrate something. So, did the Mother’s Day in this world have a custom of making cakes? Shouldn’t it be carnations or something…
“This cake wasn’t prepared for Mother’s Day.”
Seemingly seeing through Ai’er’s confusion, Fina leaned down and took out candles she had customized from a merchant in advance.
“Because tomorrow is Miss Elena’s birthday.”