Magic Academy Bans Harem

Chapter 298 The Town of Prista
As we got closer to the town, more and more pedestrians appeared on the road.

Wouldn't it be better to go and gather some intelligence?

Millie suggested this, and the Goddess of Bath immediately looked up at the distant sky and whistled.

"Does the Goddess of Bath perhaps find it difficult to converse with strangers?"

"No, no, I'm just worried that strangers won't be comfortable talking to a goddess like me! Yeah, that's it!"

"."

Although she didn't quite understand the goddess's logic, Millie ended up being in charge of gathering intelligence.

"Goddess of Bathing, this seems to be a small town called 'Prista'."

Before long, Millie returned after asking a middle-aged man dressed as a merchant for advice and thanking him. She then recounted the information she had gathered to the Goddess of Bath.

Just as she vaguely remembered before, they were indeed in Elson Territory in the Western Region.

The town of Priesta is located on the relatively edge of the Elsen territory.

"Hmm, it sounds like a name I've heard before. So, is Xiao Li in this city?"

Having long been accustomed to Ritas solving any problem, the goddess of the bath was undoubtedly the person she most wanted to see in this inexplicable situation.

"Maybe he's not here?"

Millie wasn't entirely sure either.

The kind merchant from before clearly had limited knowledge of the Elson family. However, it was common knowledge among the local residents that the Elson family usually resided in the Western Fortress near the Dark Forest.

Moreover, despite being called a "fortress," the Western Frontier Fortress, which has been developing for many years, is surrounded by a very prosperous area and has evolved into a sizable city. The people living in that city are not just members of the Elson family; it is considered the central area of ​​the entire Western Frontier.

"Hey, that uncle did say quite a bit. Hmm, it felt a bit like an NPC giving out key information."

The goddess of the bath, who was too afraid to talk to strangers, commented on the information that Millie had obtained through excellent negotiation skills.

"So... is this really the Western Frontier of the past? It feels a bit like a dream, but not quite."

The sense of security after reuniting with familiar people gradually faded, and worry reappeared between Millie's brows as she faced the completely bewildering situation.

It can only be said that Millie, whose mood had been heavy ever since the major incident at the academy, was dealt another blow by her own tendency to always get caught up in strange events.

"Before, when I was attacked by an unknown person using soul magic and was rescued by Teacher Seren, I was trapped in a dreamlike space. But the feeling then was completely different from now."

Clearly feeling the tangible feedback from her body, Millie added. Then, she looked at her right hand with a hint of anticipation.

Unfortunately, Seren was not with them on this trip to the West, so the strange mushrooms did not grow on Millie's right hand.

"In the end, whether it was seven years ago or many years ago, I never came to the Western Regions. It would be strange if I even existed in the Western Regions back then. Rather, the Goddess of Bath probably never came here either. No! Before that, were you really the Goddess of Bath?"

Just as Millie's negative emotions seemed to be erupting, the Bath Goddess suddenly turned around and hugged Millie tightly.

"Mmm—it smells so good. And it's so soft, so I must not be dreaming!"

"How...how exactly do you know whether you're dreaming or not?!"

Caught off guard by the attack, Millie was stunned for a moment before gently pushing the Bath Goddess away to break free.

Seeing Millie's annoyed expression, the Goddess of Bath smiled and calmly said...
"I remember, it was something like, 'A monk should always maintain a calm and composed mind, no matter the occasion,' right?"

As the Bath Goddess spoke these words, she even winked playfully at her. Millie, whose emotions had been gradually calming down, nodded gently and hummed in agreement.

"You two are faces I've never seen before. Are you from somewhere else participating in the training camp selection?"

Soon after.

Millie and the Bathing Goddess, who were about to enter the town of Prista, were stopped on the spot by a middle-aged man dressed as a guard at the town entrance.

In contrast to the frog-like bathing goddess who suddenly became the target of a snake's gaze, Millie handled the situation with remarkable composure.

"Even if it's close by, it's just two little kids coming together... Never mind. It's getting late, I don't know if you'll make it in time."

The seemingly conscientious guard scratched his head as he spoke, but ultimately did not make things difficult for the two.

"By the way, there have been some unpleasant rumors circulating in town lately. So, whether you're staying with relatives or at a hotel, please remember not to go out unnecessarily after nightfall—"

As the two walked away, the guard couldn't help but utter a strangely unsettling remark.

Upon entering the town of Prista, and finding no strangers around, the Bathing Goddess breathed a long sigh of relief, as if she had come back to life.

"The Goddess of Bathing is truly amazing."

After walking aimlessly for a few more steps, Millie suddenly said this.

"Uh, Millie, are you being sarcastic?"

"No, no, it's not about the guards. It's about the Goddess of Bath, who, like me, was suddenly dragged into something inexplicable. But still..."

"The same as usual?"

The goddess of bathing spoke up, pursing her lips with a somewhat complicated expression.

To be honest, her situation was far more serious than Millie's. At least Millie was attacked by a Stand user from her own world; she was essentially beaten by a Stand user on screen!
So what exactly is going on? Did she time travel?
Or is this some kind of prank show that's been going on for almost a year, or has she been stuffed into some new kind of game experience machine and is constantly having dreams or something?
The goddess of bathing began to point her fingers randomly up and down like a monkey.

".Bath Goddess?"

"Shut up, I'm looking for the exit button!"

Of course, the goddess of the bath never found the non-exit button.

The goddess of the bath couldn't help but sigh softly, and she also re-examined her mental state.

If she hadn't met Millie at the end of her escapist phase, she felt she might have already broken down.

I wonder if her current state is just a case of her spirit having transmigrated while her body is still soaking in the bathtub. If we don't find a solution quickly, even if we do manage to solve the problem, we'll find ourselves already decayed when we get back.
If she had known it would actually turn out this way, she should have listened to Ritas's advice and been more careful after the "fireworks maker" realized it.

However, it is precisely because the Goddess of Bath met Millie in time that she can still remain optimistic.

Aside from Millie and Ritas, it probably won't work for anyone else.

Only these two people were the "protagonists" who accompanied her from beginning to end.

Although, due to some inexplicable circumstances, Millie is quite different from the invincible hero in the Goddess of Bath's memory. Not only has she become a girl for some reason, but she also lacks inner strength. Rather than being Millie's pillar of support, she actually needs Millie's assistance.

However, considering that Millie, whether in the past or present, is still a child who hasn't grown up, the real anomaly is "Milliam," who in the "Star Mark" game is practically a beast of burden, able to run around fighting monsters, studying, doing quests, and triggering storylines non-stop all year round.

The goddess of bathing didn't intend to blame Millie.

"Well, how should I put it? After all, I'm a goddess!"

It can only be said that, as an "adult," the Bath Goddess is quite adept at concealing her inner thoughts. "On another note, I feel these matters won't be resolved anytime soon. And Millie, you keep calling me 'Bath Goddess,' which might cause strange trouble if others overhear. So, how about we stop using honorifics and try addressing each other differently?"

The goddess of bathing suggested.

"If the Goddess of Bathing doesn't mind."

"Now, there are three options. First, 'Little Bath'. Second, 'Sister Bath'. Third, 'Mom'."

"the second!"

Millie made her choice quickly, without needing to think at all.

"Indeed, the world we live in now feels strange."

After wandering around the town of Prista for a while, the goddess of bathing, who had been carefully observing the passersby, suddenly spoke.

"It's a bit strange to only be saying 'strange' now."

The goddess of bathing descended in person, and she herself transformed into her appearance from several years ago.

If someone says this situation is normal, Millie would recommend that they seek medical attention.

"It's not that kind of weird, how should I put it? Have you noticed that almost no one reacted to us along the way?"

After the goddess of bathing mentioned it, Millie did indeed notice the matter.

"Two such adorable little girls, dressed in rather unusual clothes, walking around the street. Even in Adventurer's Town, wouldn't people give us a second glance?"

Not to mention the somewhat familiar outfit worn by the Bathing Goddess, Millie is not dressed in her usual home or outdoor attire.

It was a white robe that was simple overall, but with carefully embellished details.

Such clothing is not particularly rare, but when worn by little girls, it is generally reserved for performances by organizations such as choirs.

"It's really weird."

Millie agreed.

Seeing that Millie also seemed concerned, the Goddess of Bath asked her to randomly approach people on the street and strike up conversations. Whether it was asking for directions, asking about something else, or simply pretending to mistake someone for someone else, it was all acceptable.

Furthermore, for some seemingly easy-going strangers, one conversation isn't enough; they'll keep trying, circling the street a few times before striking up a conversation again, to see if the other person will recognize them, and so on.

After conducting a series of experiments, the goddess of bathing not only failed to find the answer to her question, but also made her frown.

"Tsk, I thought these people were some kind of NPCs or something. Turns out they're all real people? Speechless! What's going on here?"

The increasingly dizzy and disoriented goddess finally gave up trying to think.

Fortunately, all this effort wasn't entirely in vain. Millie, who is naturally very good at communication, combined with her endearing appearance that wouldn't arouse suspicion, managed to gather a lot of information.

"Perhaps we can go and take a look at the selection site for the training camp. This training camp is run by the Elson family. Rumor has it that if you are selected for the training camp and perform well, you might even receive guidance from the 'Sword Saint'. Moreover, if all else fails, we can contact members of the Elson family and maybe get some information related to the professor."

After gathering the information she had gathered, Millie made a suggestion.

"The training camp selection, huh? The guard mentioned this before. Hmm, here we go again. He said he wasn't an NPC, yet he made this guiding gesture. Sigh, there doesn't seem to be any other way. I guess I'll just have to go and see."

Just as the goddess of the bath agreed to Millie's proposal, Millie's stomach suddenly growled.

"woo"

Millie covered her face, feeling a little embarrassed.

Come to think of it, more than half a day has passed since she arrived in this world. Millie is currently at an age where she is still growing, so it's understandable that she feels hungry.

"There's really no way around it~ Luckily, I was prepared."

As the goddess spoke, she rummaged through the surprisingly large pocket of her dress and pulled out a golden apple.

"This is?"

"Heh heh, there was a tree where I woke up, and it was covered with these. I thought they might be useful, so I picked up two that had fallen down."

The goddess of the bath handed a golden apple to Millie and took one for herself.

Feeling the glass-like texture of the apple, the two began to look at each other in bewilderment.

“Sister Yu, the nuns at the orphanage taught me not to put anything that emits golden light into my mouth.”

Why would that nun teach you something like that?

While complaining, I vaguely learned what kind of child the goddess Millie was before, and after much hesitation, I still didn't take the plunge.

"Let's find a pawn shop or something and see if we can exchange this apple for some money to buy some normal things."

"I think so too."

After putting away the golden apples, the two girls, who were planning to exchange them for some money before heading to the training camp, looked up and simultaneously saw that it was almost dusk.

Whether it was just their imagination or not, they both felt that the sunset in Prista Town that day was unusually eerie.

It was an orange-red that was almost red, staining the sky and as if all the areas it illuminated had turned into a crimson expanse.

"Why did I suddenly remember what that security guard said about things being unsafe in town lately, and that we shouldn't go out at night?"

The goddess, whose heart had suddenly started racing for no apparent reason, said nervously.

"Why is Sister Yu suddenly saying such strange things? Besides, it's not even night yet, is it?"

Millie, who was also suddenly overcome by an indescribable sense of "ominousness," said with great unease.

And that was during their conversation.

On the wooden bridge built over the small river that runs through the town of Priesta, a blood-red sunset cast an exceptionally long shadow.

Almost instantly, the goddess of bathing and Millie realized that the visitors were up to no good.

Because the figure was completely obscured by thick, black fog.

Holding a smooth, sharp longsword, the dark figure would be considered "strange" by anyone who saw it, but before you knew it, it was already standing there.

Now how to do?
Flee? Fight? Inquire? Or...
This further proves that the world the two are in is an abnormal world; the figure shrouded in black mist gave them no time to think of a solution.

Suddenly, a sword light, seemingly erupting even before his movements, flashed through the air.

The goddess's gaze began to slant downwards.

She didn't even know why her vision started to slant downwards; she just watched helplessly and desperately as her field of vision shrank.
Her and Millie's bodies were torn to pieces and scattered all over the ground.

(End of this chapter)