Whose youth romance story begins with a witch's trial?!

"Then—Baosheng Mag! Do you know you're wrong!"

After finding that there was nothing good to torture Hannah, Chang Rong finally turned his attention to the girl with short black hair who was lying on the messy kimono, breathing softly. She was also the true instigator of this commotion.

"Oh dear... Brother Chang Rong, haven't you punished me enough...? I've already... really tried my best to apologize..."

Baosheng Mag forced a smile and tried to retort to Chang Rong in her usual teasing tone, but the burning, aching sensation coming from her lower body greatly diminished the effectiveness of her deception.

"This is just a lesson. If you cause any more trouble in the future, Marge, you will be punished even more severely than this time, understand?"

"Heavier, heavier... This is really... Oh dear..."

Baosheng Mag blinked, his expression showing surprise after hearing Chang Rong's threat. If Chang Rong wasn't bluffing, then next time he wanted to cause trouble, he'd better be prepared to be bedridden for at least two days...

"This time it's Noah's problem, it has nothing to do with Mag... If Rongrong wants to punish someone, then punish Noah first...!"

Just as Baosheng Mag was pondering how Chang Rong would treat her roughly next time, Shirosaki Noah twisted her body and raised her hand. With a resolute and righteous expression, she interrupted their conversation with an aura that seemed to say, "I will walk the path of certain death alone."

If you make a mistake, Rongrong will discipline you—Rongrong won't use Seven Wolves whip but will instead pull out a soft stick to discipline you—the next time you make a mistake, it will be more prolonged and more exciting—in conclusion, as long as you make a mistake and are disciplined by Rongrong, you can be with Rongrong!

Noah's logic was very complete, and at the same time, the little cotton-padded jacket, which was leaking air, gradually felt the mysterious addiction of eating super spicy hot pot from this hot and sore sensation. Although she couldn't even straighten her back now, she had already begun to fantasize about the next time she would be severely disciplined by her father.

"No, no... To make up for the regrets left by my past cowardice, I must protect everyone now, so—if you want to come at me, come at me again, you stupid knight, I, the young lady, will be your opponent, desuwa!"

Noah had just crawled out to help Marg take the bullet when Hannah Tono, who was standing nearby, couldn't sit still any longer. She quickly wriggled over and joined in, saying, "If I don't go to hell, who will? You can't catch a rabbit without a rabbit hole. Just leave me to handle this!"

"Hehe... Hannah, Noah, your actions truly moved me... Even someone like me wants to try to believe in you... But this is my own sin, so I'll bear it alone, even if... this punishment will completely destroy me~?"

Baosheng Mag smiled as she looked at the two of them. From Noah and Hannah's sacrifice and enlightenment, she felt the purest bond between companions and the brilliance of humanity.

But if they were to simply hand it over, wouldn't it be like losing the rabbit meat they had almost obtained? The con artist Mag, a master of game theory, knew very well that it was far better for him to be bedridden for three days than to care for someone else who was also bedridden for three days!

The three girls twisted and turned, each expressing their desire for Chang Rong to continue punishing them, without even bothering to come up with a reason for the punishment.

Chang Rong, on the other hand, watched with a solemn expression as this scene celebrated friendship and the golden spirit of humanity unfolded before her.

...many districts.

During her short career as an educator, Chang Rong realized one thing: the more she tried to use this method to threaten and "educate" others, the more it would backfire. In the end, it would not only fail to make the prospective witches more obedient, but would also greatly increase the chances of losing her teaching qualifications and waking up to find herself in a basement.

Wait... if that's the case, can we reverse our thinking?

"Hmm...it seems you're not very proactive in admitting your mistakes. In that case, I have nothing more to say. Let's part ways amicably. I'm going to find someone else."

"—Wait, wait a minute! I admit my mistake…!"

Seeing that Chang Rong was about to run away without a second thought, Mag, who had been harboring some ulterior motives, immediately abandoned her wits and schemes and quickly put on a good attitude to honestly admit her mistake.

Hmph... As expected, as long as you do the opposite, there won't be any problems! Although doing so will essentially only cause another group of people's interest to skyrocket...

In most games, completing all items means finishing the game, but this is neither a game nor some grand, chaotic world. After achieving the complete collection, Chang Rong couldn't even imagine what would happen when all the prospective witches gathered together.

Just imagining that scene for a moment, Chang Rong would recall the warden's curious question, "Should we execute him by firing squad or electrocution?"

But... at least for now, at least we can move forward.

Chang Rong looked at Bao Sheng Ma Ge, who was kneeling on the bed with her hands wrapped in a kimono to cover her body. Although her purple eyes still carried the cunning of a con artist, they also showed the innocence and naivety that were appropriate for her age.

"Margot. What I said before wasn't just sweet talk; I'll always be with you—"

"Nono nono...!?" "Ugh...!?"

"—Ahem, I'll stay with you until you've mustered the courage to face the future. So, Margot, can you promise me? Promise me you won't use this method to confirm each other's true feelings anymore."

Feeling the intense gazes from the little balloon and the commoner young lady beside her, Chang Rong coughed twice and quickly added an explanation.

"Hehe, if it were before, I would definitely continue to pretend in order to get what I want, but... only in front of you, I don't want to face you like that, so—thank you, Brother Chang Rong. Because of your encouragement and that warmth, I... have the courage to face the future."

Marg looked at the white-haired boy and gave him a cute and innocent smile.

"Those scars that I always thought would stay with me for life are actually easier to heal than I imagined. Those past experiences that I thought I could never escape can actually be dissolved and dissipated with just a hug."

"So... I will no longer use humanity as a bargaining chip to test you. I have already known this love, and I cherish it more than anyone else. So, Brother Chang Rong—can you show me this 'love' one more time?"

Marge raised her hands in a pleading gesture. Seeing this, Chang Rong smiled and gently hugged Marge.

"Nono nono...!!" "Stupid knight...!!"

Then, due to the scorching gazes of Light Bulb No. 1 (Floating Ver) and Light Bulb No. 2 (Colorful Ver), he had to reluctantly let go.

"Hehe, it seems we still need to find a more suitable time~ If we really can't find one, we might as well create one ourselves. Perhaps a witch's trial would be a good way—"

"Noah isn't afraid of you! Noah just got several kills, you can check his stats!" "Want to pick a fight... I'm not afraid of Desuwa either! As long as there are footsteps on the scene, I'm invincible!"

Margaret glanced coldly at her best friend beside her, while Noah and Hannah instantly rubbed their hands together, ready to fight. The three, who had just been protecting each other and were best friends for life, suddenly adopted a posture of mutual destruction.

It seems that not all trio of best friends can live peacefully together like Emma, ​​Arisa, and Kaori. There are also shameful groups that collapse halfway through their alliance.

"Ahem... No matter how much we argue, my current physical condition makes it impossible to enjoy it again anytime soon... Unless we ask Meruru for help." Seeing the situation was getting out of hand, Marg coughed twice to interrupt everyone. Then she looked at Chang Rong.

"Anyway, Brother Changrong, you've always wanted to know why the witch's resurrection ritual couldn't be carried out, right?"

"Well, because this matter concerns whether everyone can leave Witch Island, I hope that if possible, Mag, you can tell me what you know." Chang Rong's tone also became much more serious.

"The requirements for the witch resurrection ritual are not only 13 prospective witches, the ritual sword, and the inquisition, but there is also a small requirement - everyone must be in a [witch-like] state."

"[Witch Transformation]..."

This word instantly brought to Chang Rong many images: the sudden change in Mag before his execution in the 'second playthrough', the strange behavior of Coco before committing suicide with the witch's potion, and Nanoha's mental breakdown.

Nana's twisted state during the previous witch trial, the young lady's struggle in despair, and the older sister's collapse after her complete fall from grace...

Chang Rong dislikes witches and hates being transformed into a witch, and has always felt this way. This is not only because being transformed into a witch would cause those companions with whom she once shared beautiful memories to kill each other, but also because the act of "becoming a witch" itself represents the 'original sin' of that great witch.

No one should degenerate into that kind of witch. Those wounds that are hard to heal and those unforgettable pasts may cause each of the aspiring witches different traumas, but that is by no means a reason for them to meet their end in that way.

I must stop all witch-ification. No one should fall into depravity, and only in this way can I tell Xiaoxue that your original sin has the potential for reversal and correction.

But this very witch-like transformation that I used to avoid and instinctively loathe... is now a necessary element in carrying out the witch resurrection ritual?

Chang Rong is not a person with a very high sense of self-confidence, but even so, he is extremely proud of some things, namely, successfully preventing everyone's witch genes from going berserk and turning them into witches.

Chang Rong could practically say that there was no longer any risk of anyone on Witch Island becoming a witch. The last witch who was suspected of becoming a witch had just been beaten up by him a few dozen minutes ago, crying and begging for mercy while she was shedding rainbow pearls.

This sense of security and happiness is proof of everyone's growth, and the best reward for one's journey.

But now you're suddenly telling me that I need to become a witch in order to perform the ritual?

Doesn't this mean... wait, the file is dead?

My biological clock is messed up again! How could this happen... how could this happen...

Volume 1: 279. Oh dear, now it's all over.

"Witch transformation... what does that mean again?"

After overhearing Chang Rong and Bao Sheng Ma Ge's casual conversation, Tono Hannah, while tidying up the messy hair of the colorful little balloon beside her, curiously asked about this word that seemed vaguely familiar and related to power generation.

"Simply put, witchification means that your mind becomes extremely irritable, you are prone to violence, and you will easily see others as enemies and kill them. At the same time, your magic strength will increase significantly~" Marg explained with a smile.

"No, no, no... Noah would never do that! Absolutely not!"

Upon hearing that witch transformation was such a terrifying thing, Noah Kinosaki quickly waved his hand and solemnly declared that he would never become a witch.

"I always felt that Noah, your previous appearance, apart from the fact that your murderous intent was replaced by lust, was not much different from that of a witch... However, cough cough cough, this young lady will certainly never become that kind of neither elegant nor beautiful desuwa!"

Tono Hannah muttered something to Noah, then immediately added that she would never fall into the dark side of magic and would never do something like smashing an idol's head with an ice cube and then casually finishing off her older brother.

"But that's the problem..."

Hearing Noah and Hannah's solemn vows, Chang Rong felt gratified by their growth and maturity, but also sighed helplessly, rubbing her forehead.

This so-called witch resurrection ritual is just too twisted! It can only continue if everyone is turned into a witch... Not to mention how to get those prospective witches, whose minds are filled with the Great King, to cooperate obediently after they are turned into witches, I have even personally blocked the condition of witch transformation myself through my efforts over the past few playthroughs!

"Marg, does the ancient text say that everyone must become a witch before the ritual can continue?" Chang Rong asked Marg again, somewhat unwilling to give up, only to be met with a helpless shrug and nod from Bao Sheng Marg.

"Although I really want to say this is a scam... but I'm sorry, Brother Changrong, this is indeed the fact as far as I know. 13 prospective witches, ritual sword, inquisition, witch transformation—these are all necessary conditions for the witch resurrection ritual."

"Ugh..."

Chang Rong kept rubbing his eyebrows. He was worried that Mag would not cooperate and that the number of people would not meet the requirements. But now, although Mag has the same courage to move forward as the others, the reason that has blocked everyone has become the incredibly wickedly 'witch-like'.

Speaking of which, didn't the YUKI system mention before that once you've won over everyone, you'll be qualified to win over Xiaoxue...? Could this be a hint to break the deadlock? Or is it just an excuse the system made up for a last-ditch effort?

Chang Rong thought of the [Love System] that had been mostly invisible before. He took out his phone to check it out, but as soon as he turned on the screen, he saw a series of unread text messages.

[Hiro]: Chang Rong! Emma and the others seem to have been attacked! It's near the flower field. Nanoha and Milia have both been hit! Where are you!?

[Hero]: Reply immediately! I found Hannah's clothes; something may have happened to her...!

[Hiro]: I've already got other people in the team, please, please contact me if you're free.

[Hiro]: Zedo Coco said you contacted her before, and that you were using a fan? Where are there fans in the castle? What are you doing?

[Hiro]: The warden's clone has appeared. It seems to know something. It is said that Noah launched the attack suddenly... I don't know what exactly happened, but I believe that Noah will definitely not become a witch!

[Hiro]: The number of missing people has increased... Damn it, we'll be able to leave here soon. I absolutely will not let this time travel end in vain. Please contact me as soon as possible if you can!

[Coco]: Don't joke like that, Onii-chan...! I...I'm really going to get angry! Please call me back right away!

[Leah]: Have you fallen into the rift again, Chang Rong? I don't know how to confirm... If you receive a message, please contact us immediately through Coco's magic!

"..."

Looking at Hiro's string of text messages, which included caring greetings from Cocorea, Arisa, and others, and even from Sherry who was still resting in bed, he was struck by the message.

The string of incredibly caring text messages warmed Chang Rong's heart, but immediately after the warmth came a chill that swept over her from head to toe, as if she had fallen into an ice cave.

It is known that the commotion caused by Noah's 'witch transformation' has been discovered and misunderstood by others, who are now frantically searching for themselves, Hannah, and the other missing prospective witches.

It is also known that while they were mobilizing to find someone, he was in his bedroom having a lively conversation about life with the Floating Fiji Cup, a colorful Fiji Cup, and a multi-voice Fiji Cup.

So, what will happen when Hero, sweating profusely and in a state of panic, finally finds himself?

“^q^ Oh dear…”

Chang Rong, who had regained her senses after the little head had temporarily retreated, suddenly realized that the so-called 'witch transformation' wasn't so unattainable after all, when she looked at the dense list of missed messages on her phone. At least for now, if she didn't do something, a prospective witch would definitely transform into a witch on the spot and pick up a fire poker.

"Noah... although he doesn't know about Rongrong's difficulties, as long as we all work together to find a solution, there shouldn't be any problems! Let's all work together to solve Rongrong's difficulties!"

Noah, who was standing to the side, did not notice the subtle expression on Chang Rong's face. The little balloon shook the hair that Hannah had combed and raised its hand to make a serious suggestion: Many hands make light work.

Of course, Noah's deeper intention was actually to hurry up and find An'an so he could brag to his best friend that he was finally able to eat too, and that the group of stay-at-home kids were back on the same starting line, hmph!

If possible, I'd also like to brag to Hero about it while I'm at it. Mom, you don't want Dad to find out that I almost got grass-fed, do you? Hmph!

But I feel like Hannah also has the potential to be Noah's mother... If all else fails, just get rid of that cheap Heero and get a brand new one~

Noah is indeed like a balloon. Just a few tens of minutes ago, she was begging for mercy while shedding little pearls, or lying motionless on the bed like a deflated balloon. But now that the storm has passed, Noah has become a balloon that has inflated again. She can't wait to show off to her best friends that she is now a mature young woman, and even has the wicked intention of challenging Hero's authority.