Witch Monastery

In an instant, Charles shot up from his chair, disbelief flashing in his eyes.

By the gods, how is she back already?

Wasn't she supposed to stay away longer?!

His mind seethed with silent curses. Barely a month of peace, and now he'd be thrust back into that nerve-wracking existence. Every fiber of his being rebelled against it.

Yet resistance was futile. Against Theresa's overwhelming power, submission was his only option. Striding toward the dormitory, he hissed to the mosquito at his ear:

"Summon the others. Immediately. Have them stall Theresa—and tell Sephera to pry out her purpose for returning, and when she plans to leave."

"Above all, do not rouse her suspicion."

With those words, he reached the dormitory doorway. Pushing the door open, though resentment churned within him, circumstances left no choice—he could only plunge inside.

At that moment, outside the monastery's gates, on the dirty and muddy streets of the slums.

A rare sight—Theresa had returned to the monastery once again, barely two months later.

She still wore that one-of-a-kind nun's robe, milky white with gold-trimmed patterns. Even as she leaned slightly forward, hands clasped in prayerful posture, her ample bosom remained prominently raised. The thin fabric draped over her rounded, plump hips, outlining a full, voluptuous curve. A single glance was enough to ignite desire.

In terms of figure alone, even the curvaceous Hattie paled slightly in comparison to this big nun.

But upon closer inspection, one would notice Theresa's slightly swollen belly—as if she were with child, or perhaps simply overfed.

In truth, this was because just yesterday, in the Field District, she had wholly devoured the soul of a young man.

That man had been an exceptional talent among horse trainers. Though shy by nature, he possessed an uncanny skill with steeds. The most temperamental stallions would calm under his touch, becoming docile enough to ride.

He had this gift, and with it, a longing for a better life. Theresa had engineered an opportunity for him—getting noticed by a noble who'd made his fortune trading horses. The noble offered him a handsome wage to tend his stables.

Though the class was far from exalted, for a man of his lowly origins, it was a rare chance to change his fate.

The young man was naturally overwhelmed with gratitude, his heart brimming with hope: if he worked hard and lived frugally for a year, he could buy his parents a new home, freeing them from the slums. In two or three years, he'd save enough for his own house and propose to the girl he loved…

In his delight, he drank a little, dulling his usual vigilance. Passing a casino, he was lured by its clamor and the painted ladies within. On a sudden whim, he decided to try his luck.

Then, amid the casino's incense, bare flesh, doubling chips, the group's flattery—and most crucially, Theresa's mental whispers—he lost track of time and principle. The stakes grew higher, his obsession deeper.

Only when the casino, honoring his wager, severed his right hand did he jolt awake, realizing his life was ruined!

In despair, he blamed the casino entirely. Resentment, regret, and unwillingness festered within him, radiating thick malice. And it was then that Theresa finally struck, devouring his twisted soul.

Thus, Theresa now lounged in the satisfaction of a full belly, too lazy to check on her other "food." She would rest at the monastery for now.

A way to digest, so to speak.

But besides digestion, she had returned to see how the matter with Sophia was progressing.

Yet the moment she arrived, she sensed something amiss.

Hmm?

Beside the Offering Porridge Room at the monastery's doorway… since when was there a general store?

Puzzled, she stepped inside to find the space immaculately kept. Metal shelves lined the walls—one side held scissors, iron basins, harpoons, and other metal appliances, while the other displayed daily wear from hats to shoes and socks. Even the corner featured… special undergarments.

Did my witch sisters open this?

Since when did they have the leisure for such things?

Baffled, she then saw the side door of the general store swing open. A tall, sinuous silhouette in a nun's habit—though unable to conceal her figure's allure—entered. "Welcome—ah, Master?!"

The nun was none other than Sephera, whom Charles had assigned to manage finances. Feigning ignorance of Theresa's return, her face lit with delight as she rushed forward, clasping Theresa's hands. "Master, when did you return? Why no word in advance?"

Theresa smiled. "I felt the need to rest, so here I am. But you—what is this… eclectic general store? Short on funds?"

Sephera's lips curled. The excuse was ready. "Not for lack of coin. I realized our absence from labor drew suspicion among the residents. After all, the Church of the Goddess of Life is famously destitute."

"So we agreed to open this humble shop. See how tidy it is? Do you approve, Master?"

Like a child, she proudly showcased her work. Theresa chuckled. "Who sells metalware beside daily garments? This shop is… unconventional."

Yet her gaze and smile remained gentle, as if admiring a child's earnest creation.

"We only know these trades," Sephera pouted. "We bought land behind the monastery for a blacksmith's and tailor's workshop. Would you like to see?"

With that, she explained away the remaining constructions.

The altar?

It stood farther off, walled away by Charles' design—seemingly detached from the monastery. No explanation needed!

Sephera pouted her mouth and muttered as usual, "Wouldn't my report be enough?" Then she closed the outer door of the general store and walked back into the monastery through the inner door with Theresa.

However, the moment they stepped inside, Theresa's brows furrowed slightly.

This monastery... why does it feel so unfamiliar to me?

Theresa frowned, her footsteps unconsciously slowing.

Though upon closer inspection, the walls, the flowers, the rooms, and the furnishings were all exactly as she had left them.

Yet she couldn't shake the feeling... that this no longer seemed like the home she had constructed.

Sensing Theresa's unease, Sephera's heart skipped a beat, but she maintained her smile and asked, "What's wrong, Master? Why have you stopped?"

Theresa took another step forward, her beautiful brows still knitted as her yellow-green pupils scanned the surroundings. "It just feels... off. Sephera, what else have you done to the monastery?"

Sephera's heart leapt into her throat. What hadn't they done to the monastery? The list was endless—room remodels, expansions, upgrades...

But outwardly, she remained composed. "Nothing much, really. We just bought some extra land and built a simple tailor's shop and blacksmith's workshop. Weren't you here just two months ago, Sister? Did you feel this way then?"

Theresa shook her head slightly. "I don't think so... Ah, but I didn't stay long last time. Now that I think about it, there were some oddities even then..."

"Never mind. Let's just go rest for now."

With that final remark, Sephera—whose heart had been pounding in her throat—felt as if she'd been granted a reprieve. She kept her smile plastered on as she escorted Theresa to her room to rest.

The two witches entered Theresa's room, which was far more lavishly decorated than the others. Massive windows faced east, south, and west, ensuring ample sunlight—though the curtains were usually drawn to keep the light from seeping in.

Inside, the room was filled with transparent glass prisms that refracted sunlight from all angles, casting a kaleidoscope of colorful rays throughout the space.

This was Theresa's peculiar preference, tied to her true nature: her original form had been that of a mad optics mage who, while attempting to unravel the secrets of light through double slits, discovered inexplicable flaws in the laws of nature. This drew in chaotic energies from beyond the world.

The cataclysmic forces erased both him and his mage tower utterly. Yet his stored optical lenses and instruments fused together, forming a massive, glittering, irregular crystal - the entity now called Theresa.

Given these origins, her bedroom naturally required multicolored light refractions for her comfort.

The other witches, however, found this arrangement far from comfortable.

Sephera squinted uncomfortably under the prismatic assault, dodging intrusive light beams.

Theresa ignored her discomfort entirely, striding to her glass-framed bed. She lay down, half-closed her eyes, and waited for the others' arrival.

The wait proved brief. Soon witches filed in one by one, all similarly blinded by the disorienting lightshow.

Ironically, their light-induced squinting helped mask their nervous tension, preventing tells.

After perfunctory greetings, Theresa cut straight to business: "Has the Sophia situation caused further complications?"

Sephera opened her mouth to declare all resolved, then abruptly changed tactics. With an arched brow and sidelong glance at Ruth, she sniffed, "Let's just say Ruth here got absurdly lucky - some witless gang barged in and took full blame!"

Her tone dripped with apparent resentment at Ruth's fortune.

Theresa chuckled lightly. "Luck or skill matters little. What counts is the matter's clean resolution - a boon for us all!"

The witches nodded vigorously. Yet as Theresa surveyed their neat formation, her brow furrowed slightly.

What's this?

Their deference remains unchanged. Sephera's as jealous and sharp-tongued as ever. Then why...

Do they all feel like strangers?

Is the flaw in me - or in every other witch and this entire monastery?

"Sisters... are you hiding something?" she asked, visibly perplexed.

At this, the witches' hearts leapt to their throats. Sephera forced a smile. "Ah, nothing worth mentioning..."

Even as she spoke, her mind raced - where had their camouflage failed? How to recover?

Suddenly Sophia stepped forward. "Nothing consequential. If anything, misfortune became blessing - with the sisters' help, I've regained full power and memory."

Drawing deep breath, she unleashed a surge of magic. The room instantly flooded with power, making weakest-link Andny gasp under the pressure!

Theresa's eyes lit up: "Congratulations, Sophia! Oh, I understand now - so this was the unforeseen pleasant surprise in my visions!"

The remaining witches exchanged glances, their tension slightly easing as they chimed in unison: "Ah, yes yes yes!"

Sophia smiled faintly, relieved inwardly, then took control of the conversation again: "Sister Theresa, has your power... grown stronger as well?"

Behind her, both Hattie and Ruth started, casting incredulous looks at Theresa who lay there caressing her slightly swollen abdomen.

Hearing this, the archwitch broke into a bright smile: "You could actually tell? Truly worthy of being our most knowledgeable Sophia!"

As she spoke, her gaze swept across all the witches present, her expression tinged with pride: "Recently, I made a pact with a Lord of the Bottomless Abyss. But I used some clever wording - I demanded he grant me power first before I fulfill my end of the bargain."

She spread her hands wide, unleashing her full power: "My current strength has increased tremendously compared to before!"

Tumultuous magical power surged through the air, instantly overwhelming Sophia's aura entirely. The relatively weaker Andny and Ekta looked horrified, nearly suffocating from the pressure!

Even the stronger ones - Hattie, Ruth and Sephera - felt their hearts sink to the depths, inwardly cursing: What's wrong with this woman? Now purifying her will be even more difficult!

Hattie gritted her teeth secretly while maintaining her smile. Suddenly inspiration struck her: "No wonder! When I first saw Sister Theresa earlier, I felt something unfamiliar about her!"

"I thought it was just because we hadn't met for so long, but it turns out this was the reason!"

She smiled as she took the initiative, seemingly offering explanation while actually shifting all blame for the tense atmosphere onto Theresa.

Hearing this, Theresa's expression froze momentarily. She withdrew her aura, pondered for a moment, then nodded: "That makes sense. Indeed, it seems so."

"I've been separated from everyone for too long, never staying at the monastery. Now with this new power... No wonder my old home and all my dear sisters feel unfamiliar to me now... Ah, how thoughtless of me!"

After this self-reproach, she looked up with a radiant smile: "I've decided - starting today, I'll stay at the monastery for several months! I'll spend more time bonding with everyone before going out to hunt again!"

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