Witch, Fireball and Steam Evil God

Chapter 253 Methods to Fall Asleep Quickly
Sincarlo? Who is Sincarlo?
After Winter suddenly uttered those words, the Dean and Franky were stunned for a long time before they finally remembered the terrible meaning behind the name.

Lord of Demons, one of the three great evil gods.

He is usually known by this identity, and few people call him by his given name.

This sounds a bit strange, but upon closer inspection, it makes perfect sense. Although the Time Travelers destroyed a civilization and never suffered a defeat in their battles against humans, they are nothing compared to true evil gods. Even the upright and intermediate gods have never directly confronted evil gods; they simply devised some means to seal them away.

"You...have you met Sincarlo?"

"The dean asked."

"I just saw him."

If possible, Winter doesn't want to meet Sincarlo a second time. Even though Ethan said Sincarlo has been "reset to factory settings," which will result in severe memory loss, with his twisted personality, who can guarantee that he won't fall in love with Ethan again in the future?

That extremely somber personality doesn't seem like someone who can do anything good.

After this journey to the Abyss, Winter, as a member of Ethan's family, evaluated the three evil gods currently recognized by the mainstream, and her assessment of the remaining two was acceptable.

Kane, with whom you have shared a bond of camaraderie and mutual support, is low-risk and there's no need to worry.

Bazaros, a soulmate in the realm of art and aesthetics, is of medium danger and needs to be kept an eye on from time to time.

Winter hopes that these two can learn more from Ampolis and spend their time developing their own interests and hobbies, instead of thinking about her Ethan all the time.

"What kind of person is He?"

Franky gave up completely, no longer resisting this crazy world; now he just wanted to know more.

"Many eyes are crowded together, filling the sky."

Winter thought for a moment and said, but she was quite certain that it was still not Sincaro's true form. The size of the Old Gods was far too enormous, beyond human imagination. Therefore, Kane, Barzatos, and Ampolis all needed to use some kind of medium that could travel through the real world to meet them.

Frankie and she exchanged information from the books. "I heard that He is more like a shadow, and that He exists wherever there is darkness."

"Now is not the time to discuss Sincarlo."

The dean reminded the two, who were gradually veerging the topic off course, "Mr. Franky, do you believe that other time travelers have infiltrated the academy, and that the professors and students are still in danger?"

It's not easy to spot these monsters that can change their appearance from the crowd.

"The book 'Take You to Know 100 Dark Creatures' mentions a monster with similar abilities to time travelers; they can also change their appearance and take on the look of humans."

"The Shapeshifter!"

Franky blurted out that he had conducted research on dark creatures when he was still studying at the academy.

It wasn't because he liked magical creatures, but because he could slip out of the academy under the guise of practical research. "But the abilities of a time traveler are far more advanced than those of a shapeshifter."

The book mentions that shapeshifters have many weaknesses, such as fear of silver weapons and aversion to the prayer and blessing spells of the Church of Life. These are common traits of many dark creatures. When they transform, they also need to collect enough biological samples from the person being transformed, which directly leads to the fact that people targeted by shapeshifters often become their food.

The shapeshifting potions used in alchemy today are derived from the characteristics of shapeshifters.

Time travelers, on the other hand, completely transcend these limitations; for them, transformation is as simple as eating and drinking.

"This is because we don't know them well enough yet. We might be able to find clues in some books."

Ethan offered his own perspective.

“Very good, Mr. Ethan, the Academy’s restricted area is open to you. Miss Winter knows its location.”

The dean appreciated Ethan for another reason—he liked Ethan's way of thinking.

Undeterred by the title of time traveler, even without any related information, they were able to investigate and research it as something new.

This is the most suitable candidate for the next dean, much more suitable than the one who was in charge at the time.

He still remembered how the professors glared at him when he proposed recommending Winter as dean, and some even threatened to resign. They acknowledged Winter's talent in elemental magic, but with her unruly personality, the academy would face its darkest era if she inherited the title of hermit.

The worst-case scenario is that she will blow the entire island to smithereens.

Several discussions on this topic ended in discord, and in desperation, the Dean temporarily created the title of "Acting Dean" to help Winter complete her transformation. However, before the transformation was completed, the Corruption War of two years prior broke out.

The academy instructors had mixed feelings after hearing about the battle in the capital.

In their eyes, Winter is a "dark lord," but if you say she colludes with the followers of evil gods without any scruples, at least these professors who have watched Winter grow up would not believe it.

There are many kinds of bad.

Winter is the kind of mischievous troublemaker who makes their blood pressure soar.

The relationship between the Academy and the Empire has been strained over the years, especially after the War of the Fallen, when the Elemental Shapers have had almost no contact with the followers of the Cult of Life.

“It’s getting late, Miss Winter. Your living room was empty before.”

The dean reminded.

If it were a reliable young man like Ethan, the professors probably wouldn't have any objections.

"……I see."

Winter was somewhat surprised.

If I remember correctly, when the Council of Seven of the Empire summoned her and Henry VI personally led the Knights to the College, the professors were overjoyed and couldn't wait to send her off with drums and gongs. She thought her office and living quarters had long since changed hands, and even wanted to seal off the place where she had lived in order to "ward off evil spirits".

Frankie stayed in the Dean's office; they seemed to have more to discuss regarding the threat of the time travelers.

"Be careful of that old man!"

Stepping out of the building, Winter immediately gave Ethan a serious reminder.

Ethan asked, puzzled, "Be careful of the Dean? Why?"

He appeared to be a kind and gentle old man, without any airs in front of them, and his words and actions exuded wisdom. This first impression was quite good.

"He's plotting something!"

"Could it be that you're overthinking it?"

“I’ve seen him like this before. He’s definitely planning to have you take over the title of Hermit and keep you here as the Dean!”

Winter had encountered similar situations before.

The dean put his hand on her shoulder and spoke earnestly and patiently.

Winter, you're an adult now.

You are a professor hired by the college, and you have to set an example for everyone.

Winter, I hope you can inherit the title of Hermit and lead the academy to glory.

You should know that it has been a long time since anyone among the Elemental Shapers has achieved a promotion, and you hold this key.

"I can't remember the rest of the content."

All Winter remembered was the powerful hand the dean placed on her shoulder. The conversation lasted a long time, about half the night. The old man rarely spoke at length; he placed his hopes for the academy's future on himself.

This may be why the old man insisted on going against the majority opinion.

You weren't listening carefully.

"Ah."

"why?"

"Because I suspect he stuck slug candy on my arm."

An awkward silence inevitably fell between them. The two walked side by side under the moonlight. After a moment, Winter said, "It turned out that I had misunderstood him."

"Why do you have such an idea?"

Ethan found this the most bizarre part; he found it hard to connect the dean with the phrase "old rascal."
"Because I've done it before, I stuck slug candy on the back of his magic robe, and it wasn't until that evening that other professors reminded him."

Winter put herself in his shoes and thought his worries were normal. "If someone sticks slug candy on me, I will definitely find a way to get revenge."

Ethan's vision went dark, and he now understood why the professors at the academy looked at Winter with such dismay.

"Why are you doing this?"

"……Stimulate."

Winter felt guilty and glanced at the flower bed at her feet. Her teacher's dignified aura vanished. "After all, the dean was previously recognized as the strongest elemental energy master."

Now Ethan completely understands.

No one in the academy discriminated against her because of her white hair and red eyes, nor did anyone treat her as an outcast because of her extraordinary magical talent. The reason she has become so infamous is entirely due to her own efforts.

"In short, just know that this is the dean's conspiracy. Staying in the academy is so boring. You'll be bogged down in a bunch of trivial matters every day, like... like if someone blows up a classroom, the dean will have to deal with it immediately."

Why did the classroom explode when everything was fine?

"hey-hey."

Winter chuckled dryly, "I know, I know, hehe, people hate it and dogs hate it."

She never reflected on her actions before, and would do whatever she wanted immediately. The expressions of those around her who were furious but helpless only excited her more. But after meeting Ethan, she began to care about her reputation.

Especially after meeting Sincarlo, Winter could somewhat understand her importance in the professors' hearts.

"It's still a little different."

Unbeknownst to them, the two strolled to Winter's residence, a detached mansion located in the northwest of the academy, separated from most of the professors' residences by more than half a school district. Winter joked, "What's the difference? Before, the professors couldn't stand me anymore and jointly petitioned for me to move here."

"You haven't been back for several years, have you?"

“After going to the Council of Seven, I rarely came back.”

“But the plants in the garden have all been carefully trimmed.” Ethan said as he walked into the mansion. The energy storage crystal, which was installed a few years ago, was still functioning properly, and the floor was spotless. “It seems that someone often comes to clean the house for you when you’re not around.”

Ethan roughly understood the professors' feelings about the harsh winter.

My own child.

Even if they're so mischievous that they want to kick her out, they'd be more upset if she got bullied outside than if they themselves were bullied.

However, the Papacy's power in the empire was so deeply entrenched in the past that the academy couldn't confront the Papacy directly, so they could only occasionally come to this room to reminisce. Sincarlo, on the other hand, was truly hated to the point that even a dog passing by would want to kick him.

"Let me accompany you to visit the professors when it gets light tomorrow."

"Tomorrow? No way!"

Winter's emotions suddenly surged, and she even took action by grabbing Ethan's arm, "I'm not ready yet!"

"what to prepare?"

"Magic props."

If Ethan were to visit the professors now, he would hear an even more "exciting" story about Slug Candy.

First, she needed to contact Rowena to make some praise scroll props. "Where is Rowena?"

The figure hidden in the shadows responded.

"I have come at your invitation, bringing news from the wind."

The shadow slowly coalesced into a human shape, presenting a wondrous form.

Their eyes crossed.

A long, deathly silence remained in the mansion. Ethan silently retreated to the door and closed it, lest this astonishing conversation be carried by the wind to the ears of passersby.

"Lovina, are you sick?"

Ethan's eyes were full of human compassion.

It turns out that warm concern is far more damaging than malicious words. Rowena's face turned red all the way to the roots of her neck. She felt her cheeks burning and covered her face tightly with her hands.

The two people's reactions were far from what she had imagined. She had just been talking about Winter's embarrassing past during her teenage years. In her mind, Winter should be the one covering his face.

Rowena wasn't giving up, "I did it in the dead of winter too!"

……

"In short, is there any kind of magic that can change meaning without the person being aware of it?"

Winter proposed her magical idea to Rowena: "For example, what if someone wanted to curse me, but under the influence of the spell, all they could say were words of praise?"

This is the ideal outcome. If that's not possible, we can only settle for second best and consider the possibility of brainwashing.

“Winter, I don’t think this is how you ask for a favor.”

Rowena, sprawled on the ground with an icicle stuck in her buttocks, shared her thoughts.

“You’ve been going in the wrong direction from the very beginning.”

Ethan had to step in and interrupt this flawed magic seminar, saying, "What you really need isn't magic and magic tools, but to let them feel your sincerity."

He felt this was the key to interpersonal relationships: "We need a fruit basket and some gifts that will help with magical research."

After the two of them made such a fuss, Ethan suddenly felt nervous, as if he were meeting the girl's teacher and parents.

"And why are you here, Rowena?"

"Because my mission is not yet complete, negotiations between the Astrological Guild and the Academy have stalled, and the professors at the Academy generally do not want to establish contact with the Astrological Guild."

Although the dean was very interested in the astrological association's proposal, the academy essentially adopted a democratic voting system. This hermit never made a one-man show here, and when more than half of the people opposed an issue, it would often be rejected.

"If we follow conventional methods, it will be very difficult for us, as representatives of the Empire, to persuade them."

"That's not surprising."

The feud between magicians and elemental sculptors has a long history. Imagine a group of people who used to oppose you at every turn and spared no effort to drive you out of the empire suddenly coming back to try and reconcile with you, only to find out that they have their eyes on a treasure in your basement. Anyone would think that these people have ill intentions.

"Ugh, I'm so tired!"

Rowena lay on the ground, unwilling to get up. All of this was caused by the imposter Kadra, and now that the imposter Kadra was dead, she had to clean up the mess.

"Tell me about your unconventional methods."

Knowing Rowena's character, Winter asked.

“I noticed that some people in the college were secretly conducting underground research. I originally wanted to find something to use against them to blackmail them into voting in favor of me.”

This is the responsibility of the "root".

Even if it means resorting to dishonorable means, the mission of the empire must be accomplished.

Besides using leverage to blackmail, she also possessed many spells capable of changing a person's mind. However, this was, after all, Winter's alma mater, and Rowena still hoped to resolve the dispute through peaceful diplomacy before the negotiations completely broke down.

However, what happened tonight changed Rowena's mind. "I originally thought Frankie was the one hiding in the shadows causing trouble, but it turns out he's actually a good person."

He was a guy disliked by most students, which stirred up unpleasant memories of her time at the Astrology Guild, leading her to prejudicially label Franky as a villain.

Can someone born into a magical family, with pure blood and parents holding important positions in the Ministry of Magic, and with an unpleasant personality, really be a good person?

But there was nothing Ethan could do; he gave Franky a "friend zone" card.

This is Rowena's first policy.

Ethan is definitely right; she doesn't need to waste any more brain cells on Frankie.

"Frankie believes that sometimes travelers infiltrate the Academy, and you can continue your investigation."

Ethan said he felt it was too early to discuss the future of the Magic Network, as the treasure had been depleted for thousands of years.

"Order!"

Rowena brushed the icicle off her buttocks, rolled over, and slowly got up from the ground. "Now that you're back, give Ivy and the others a call. The Empire has been going crazy with worry while you were missing. If you lose your shells, use mine."

Rowena placed the seashell on the table.

Although Winter was still unfriendly and attacked her buttocks with Ice Spikes again, she felt much calmer after seeing the two of them. So she made up her mind that no matter what happened tonight, she would stay at Winter's mansion and not go back.

Back in his room, Ethan dialed Ivy's number.

It was already late at night, but the call was answered immediately.

There wasn't much substantive conversation. Ivy simply confirmed their location and safety repeatedly. Her tone sounded agitated, even with a barely perceptible hint of a sob. Of course, in Ivy's own words, it was because she had eaten too many spicy potato chips that night and her throat was sore.

Everything is fine in the empire; they have nothing to worry about.

Ethan lay on the bed, looking up at the ceiling, the moonlight streaming into the room.

In the dead of night, a question arose in his mind.

If his judgment of this world is correct, then are Ivy, Rowena, and even the Other Shore just some generated data?
No, absolutely not.

At least in his memories before the transmigration, the pre-set data and programs could never have reached this level. Everyone he met in Riverwood had their own real life. On the contrary, only Sincarlo's memory vault seemed like an early work when the technology was not mature, full of many discordant blanks.

In a corner unnoticed by the "player," everything in this world was progressing steadily, even after he left.

The Empire will continue, and a series of new systems in the cabinet are being actively and effectively implemented. Recently, Rattlesnake returned to the Empire with a portion of the remnants of the Lofik Consortium. The turmoil in the Abyss has divided the Consortium into several factions. Apart from the fanatics who did not receive evacuation orders and are suspected to have all died in the Collapsed Plane, there is also a group that has joined in following the guidance of "God" and heading south to find a new place to live.

These are all things that happened while they were away.

The "game" is still running normally, so real that Ethan can hardly measure everything he encounters simply with data.

Consequently, his sudden death was shrouded in an eerie atmosphere.

He needs more information.

That line in McCard-Delin's notes became the new guide.

Search for the answer in the magic network.

Ethan gathered his thoughts, and the next "main quest" became very clear: he had to rebuild the Magic Network.

"What are you thinking about?"

Winter rolled over and found Ethan still lying flat on the bed staring blankly at the ceiling. She asked him curiously.

"About the Magic Network."

You once said that haste makes waste.

Winter cited the wonderful description Ethan had mentioned. She liked these concise expressions, which contained a kind of wisdom, distant yet familiar.

Ethan smiled. "Yes, you're right."

"What the teacher said is definitely right."

Winter smiled back, "Let me tell you something else."

"Ok?"

"Lovina seems to be asleep."

"It's getting late."

Too much happened tonight, and both they and the professors at the college have to process it all.

Dawn will break soon.

“If you have trouble sleeping, I have a good idea.” Winter leaned closer, and the troublesome thing was no longer moving. “When I couldn’t sleep before, I liked to hug my pillow, and I would fall asleep in no time.”

She noticed the weariness in Ethan's eyes and decided to share her quick sleep technique with him.

And now there's an even better "cushion" in front of Ethan, softer and smellier than a regular pillow.

Winter was absolutely confident in her method for falling asleep quickly, based on her own experience. "Didn't you say you're going to visit the professors tomorrow? You need to be well-rested."

Ethan took Winter's advice, which was indeed very helpful for falling asleep quickly, and he strongly recommended that those who could try it at home.

He closed his eyes, and his vision quickly disappeared into the darkness.

(End of this chapter)