Chapter 233: Celia's Witch-like State

It was already sunset after a long day of work.

The afterglow of the setting sun dyed this northern city in shades of rose. Ansu and Celia walked side by side, hand in hand, through the slightly deserted streets.

Since leaving Benalu City, the two of them hadn't enjoyed such a simple stroll together in a long time.

The pressure in his palm suddenly tightened. Ansu turned his head to look at Celia's profile.

"Stop wandering," she said, her eyes dancing with an impatient light. "Come on, follow me back!"

Ansu paused. "Are you in that much of a hurry?"

He glanced at the shops still open around them. "At least let's eat something before..."

"No, come back with me right now." Celia shook her head, her tone serious. "I've already wasted too much time on irrelevant matters helping you deal with the Bishop and that Count's nephew!"

"How can you call them irrelevant? It was all for the cult..." Ansu muttered to himself, seeing her urgent state. "Miss Witch, the way you're rushing makes me a bit scared... Is there really some punishment waiting for me?"

"Punishment?" Celia was taken aback. "Why would there be a punishment?"

Then, as if amused by Ansu's expression, she leaned in half a step closer and said with a sweet, syrupy smile, "Don't be afraid~ I'm just asking you to assist me with an experiment. As long as you cooperate and complete the task, I'll definitely let you out~"

"If I cooperate and finish the research, will there be a reward?" Ansu blinked expectantly.

"There is!" Celia nodded with a smile.

"Really?" Ansu grew even more expectant. "What kind of reward?"

"Ahem..." Celia turned her face away, a faint blush creeping onto her fair cheeks. "It's... a reward you'll like!"

"Great! Let's go! Let's get back quickly!" Ansu gripped her hand and immediately rushed toward the manor.

"Hmph! Look at you." Celia snorted and pulled her hand back, giving Ansu a look of disdain.

However, Miss Witch's cold, disdainful gaze only made Ansu more excited.

Yes, yes! That's the expression!

Delicious!

It would be best if she made that same face when I touch her legs—cold, brow furrowed in disgust... while I slowly draw closer, forcing her step by step...

"What are you smirking at?" Celia stood by the roadside, glaring at him inexplicably.

"Oh, right!" Her expression tightened as she suddenly warned, "This research is very critical. Prepare yourself for not being able to return for a while! If there's anything urgent outside, tell them in advance!"

Ansu hummed in agreement. After going into 'seclusion', the only important matters outside were the aftermath of the Magic Prohibition Decree and Valger.

Dave and the Council of Elders would report on the Magic Prohibition Decree in a timely manner. Ansu looked around, quietly pulled out his magitech communicator, and specifically instructed Freya and Vera to help keep an eye on Valger and his daughter at the Mutual Aid Tavern.

"Everything's settled." Ansu took her hand again. "Let's go!"

Celia gave a soft huff and let him lead her, walking with him back toward the manor.

Through the teleportation nodes inside Lawrence Manor, accompanied by a violent surge of mana—

Ten seconds later, the two had crossed tens of thousands of miles, teleporting into the underground mine north of the Black Forest.

Ansu looked around their secret base. The soft glow from the magic crystal lamps was still bright and gentle, illuminating the neatly arranged bookshelves and storage racks.

"We're home~" Without another word, Celia pulled Ansu toward the inner living area.

Stopping at a certain spot, she extended her slender finger, and the air around her rippled like waves.

Magic runes continuously reconstructed themselves, finally forming a magic gate suspended in mid-air.

The two stepped into the Void Corridor.

"Huh... it feels so cozy." Ansu looked around in surprise, finding that the interior style had actually changed.

It was no longer the grand style of the ancient demon empire, but similar to his old house in Benalu... it had a very homey feel.

"Because this is our home~" The fire in the fireplace flickered warmly as Celia turned around with a smile. "How could it not be cozy?"

"Yeah." Ansu's smile also softened.

After eating a few snacks to tide them over, the two arrived at the alchemy table.

With all materials and instruments ready, Celia held a thick stack of research papers, her eyes already sparkling. "Ansu, let's begin!"

Miss Witch truly loved magic. Once she switched into research mode, she was enveloped in an incredibly serious radiance—a focus born of pure immersion in the exploration of truth.

Ansu leaned against the table, quietly watching her profile, sighing softly in his heart.

Indeed, a woman at work is most beautiful.

"If any very bad changes happen to me in the future... you must remind me immediately." Celia scribbled on the experimental records without looking up. "Ansu, I'm entrusting my safety to you!"

"Don't worry." Ansu nodded solemnly.

A deep magic glow lit up slightly in the center of the alchemy table; it was a magic rune constructed and amplified by pure spiritual power.

Seeing Celia finally begin her attempt to combine basic runes into a magic formula according to a specific structure, Ansu subconsciously called up the system interface.

Simulation, start!

【10 minutes later (July 15, 18:20), consumed 10 points】

【Beginning simulation...】

【Remaining points: 218】

Darkness flooded his vision like a tide.

As the countdown gradually vanished, the scene before him underwent a subtle change...

The experimental records piled on the alchemy table had become a chaotic mess, with parchment scattered across the floor. A dangerous mana, radiating a filthy aura, permeated the air, making every breath feel like a racing heartbeat.

And Celia, ten minutes later—

"What... what exactly is wrong... where is the mistake?"

Her eyes had turned blood-red, with chaos and mania churning within her crimson pupils.

"So noisy, it's so noisy... Is there a war outside? Who exactly is whispering in my ear..."

Celia covered her ears irritably. Her originally fair skin was now covered in many black cracks. The hands that were frantically sketching and combining rune structures in the air were now covered in pitch-black, complex textures resembling scales.

Her fingertips twisted and extended, like a pair of demonic claws just emerging from the abyss.

This is bad, she's already entered a witch-like state!

Seeing that turbulent and filthy magic aura continuously spreading, Ansu slowly backed away, gripping the Spirit Amulet he had prepared long ago and casting a Shield spell on himself.

Just then, Celia gloomily raised her blood-red eyes.

"You... why are you standing so far away from me?"

The pressure of the mana field suddenly intensified.

"Do you want to escape?" Miss Witch's emotions became visibly manic, the black mist around her boiling. "Do you want to leave me behind? Do you find me annoying... do you want to stay away from me forever, is that it!"

"Of course not..." Ansu sighed silently in his heart. This experiment was indeed too dangerous.

"Come back!" Celia snapped, her pitch-black claws grasping at the air. "You're not allowed to leave! Continue assisting me!"