Witch, Fireball and the Evil God of Steam

Now, under the advocacy of the new cabinet, Transcendent knowledge has become an educational resource open to all Empire people. For children who demonstrate sufficient talent, scholarships have been established at schools in various cities of the Empire.

They can freely choose which Transcendent school to send their children to, something that people in the past could not even dream of.

In contrast, the training methods of the Neseriel Sanctuary have already fallen behind the times.

Wielding a sword hundreds of times a day, building a strong enough physique, battling beasts and monsters; yet, after "graduation," there's no proper job to be found.

Do we have to leave the Empire to become mercenaries?

Compared to emerging professions like doctors, scientists, and lawyers, it's really not appealing.

Sister Bi'an glances at Ave with some resentment, "The Kingdom Army's formation has also changed. There used to be only the Knights and Firearms Battalion, but now it's open to all Transcendent paths."

The thought process and approach are correct. Faced with future scenarios, the Empire's army needs to have diversified combat strategies; however, the Neseriel Sanctuary's secure position has been broken.

"Sister Bi'an, this is also the trend for future development."

Ave smiles sweetly to comfort the other.

Sovia is greatly shocked, her gaze wandering between Rowena and Sister Bi'an, opening her mouth several times but unable to say anything, eventually seeking help from Ethan, pointing at the Knight Commander, with tears nearly brimming in her eyes.

Is she the only one excited about Ethan's mention of the "Ghost Fire legend"?

"Sophia, this is also part of the 'Ghost Fire legend.'"

Ethan remarks, feeling that for Sophia, who is still in her youthful rebellious phase, it might be full of positive meaning. So, he directly reveals the story's conclusion to her, "Eventually, all the Ghost Fire boys and girls who once made vows returned to reality, transformed into greasy and slick middle-aged people; they merely graduated from being Ghost Fire Girls."

He sensed an unbelievable gravitational field emanating from this Empire Princess.

Someone like Sophia, who talks about building a galactic battleship for life without proper guidance, could evolve into a black hole-level presence in the future.

This account is also recorded in the girl band.

"Hold on a moment, I'm not greasy at all!"

Rowena protests lying on the table, hardly bothered to move much, "It's Sister Bi'an who's greasy from staying in the kitchen all day, her face must be oily from the smoke."

"You!?"

Sister Bi'an suddenly becomes spirited with eyes full of disbelief.

She never expected that her hard work cooking every day would be backstabbed by Rowena.

What outrageousness!

If the conflict elevates to the level of the Astrology Guild and Neseriel Sanctuary...

This Rowena is getting increasingly cocky.

With a dangerous look, she measures the distance between herself and Rowena, suddenly realizing the greatest advantage of the Knight profession—close-range encounters; Knights can easily take down Magic Masters in a fight!

"Oh my god!"

Rowena feels herself being lifted from behind. Her long lack of exercise makes her unable to even struggle, her chest restrained by Sister Bi'an's iron arms, causing her breathing to become rapid, "Talk nicely, don't hit people!"

Sister Bi'an thinks this scene should be repeatedly played in the Holy Hall's admissions department.

—Pay close attention, Magic Masters can't beat Knights!

From the sidelines, Lindong adds fuel to the fire, "Rowena, you're a terrorist, don't lose to the Empire's enforcers!"

Princess Sophia is stunned once again.

On this day, she heard the roar of the galactic battleship.

It was filled with internal strife, the engine was falling apart.

Disillusioned,

Completely disillusioned!

This wasn't the wheelchair hero she imagined at all!

"Now, you've taken the first step to becoming a Ghost Fire Girl."

Ethan's kind voice pulls Sophia back to reality. She sees only Rowena's body curled up like a shrimp, shouting "I was wrong, sister" under Sister Bi'an's threat.

"Huh?"

Sophia feels like her worldview is undergoing a major transformation. In this chaotic and fragmented place, only Ethan's sunlight-like radiance flows here.

"Do you know the true meaning of the Ghost Fire Girl?"

Sophia sits upright and obediently shakes her head.

"It represents the spirit of rebellion, independence, and self. It's a thought process during a certain stage of life. If you merely admire and want to follow someone like a tail, you can't truly become a Ghost Fire Girl."

Ethan says, "Have you never thought about defeating Rowena and becoming the new champion?"

"I haven't thought about it..."

Sophia murmurs, always, Rowena carried all her wonderful fantasies.

Mysterious, strong, like a Valkyrie in the arena, she felt that as long as she could follow Rowena, being second or third place was enough.

But now, the "Valkyrie" carrying all her beautiful fantasies has become a shrimp.

Ethan is right.

Why can't she defeat someone like that?

Ave senses Sophia's determined look, heavily covering her eyes.

Yet another flower-season girl has fallen into Ethan's plot, and the Empire Princess Sophia's name also appears on the list of victims.

Her silly sister, didn't hear what Ethan just said?

Rebellion, independence, self—all of them are opposed to noble etiquette.

Thinking of Sophia's future riding a motorcycle dressed in unsuitable princess attire rampaging through the imperial capital's streets, Ave's scalp tingles.

To quote Auntie's words...

This kid's going to stir things up!

Disappointment was short-lived. Temporary setbacks cannot undermine Sophia's passion and courage; rather, it filled her with determination.

In the afternoon, Sophia and Ave returned to the Royal Palace, and the news quickly reached Queen Margaret's ears.

The Queen remained elegant as ever, yet today her face was stern. She casually pointed to the room exclusively for Ave, and then followed her inside.

Queen Margaret accepted Ethan's offered title, but she couldn't accept Ave's declaration over the phone about a "cross-national crime syndicate."

However, to ensure this wasn't due to lack of perspective, she specifically called Ethan during the "Emperor's Sword" voyage to confirm whether the "cross-national crime syndicate" was instructed by Ethan.

It turned out to be something Ave made up.

This child is now babbling nonsense, really, who did she learn this from?

Queen Margaret follows Ave into the room, squeezing out a slight smile, "Sit down, Ave."

The golden hair atop Ave's head has already hidden, frightened. This smile is the quiet before the storm; in Ave's memory, whenever Auntie shows a smile like this, it means she's going to get a spanking.

Auntie is someone who can remain elegant even when spanking her.

"Why so tense? You're a big kid now."

Auntie sits beside her, "Since you're a big kid, you should know what you can say and what you can't. Auntie wants to know who taught you about the 'cross-national crime syndicate'? What do you want to express, do you mean that Sir Ethan is actually a bad person?"

"It... it was my own idea."

Ave reveals a rare timid tone.

She was temporarily captivated by the golden hair.

Oh, that darn golden hair! When it's time for a spanking, it hides!

"Very well. Is there anything else you want to dispute with Auntie?"

"...Nothing more."

Ave resignedly closes her eyes.

Yet, at this moment, a hero appears.

"I think... 'cross-national crime syndicate' sounds pretty cool?"

Ave opens her eyes, surprised to see Sophia still at the door, not leaving.

Sophia's face is flushed, her breath slightly hurried. At this moment, she recalls Ethan's story.

Rebellion, independence, self-spirit!

You completely misunderstood!

You're not supposed to be this rebellious!

Ave painfully furrows her brow—what did she say; this is the danger of Old Sen!

After the brief shock, Queen Margaret's smile grows warmer. She gently pats the soft big bed, "Sophia, you're first."

...

Meanwhile, Ethan encounters an unexpected situation.

Just as he said, Rowena and Sister Bi'an have graduated from Ghost Fire Girls, yet an unexpected Ghost Fire Girl appears before him.

"Take me street racing!"

Lindong's face is flushed, earlier during the meal she also heard the Ghost Fire Girl story, with only one thought in her mind.

Oh my, this is exactly her!

Rebellious and pursuing excitement!

Her eyes shine brightly, her hands slightly trembling with excitement, "Using the 'motorcycle' you mentioned!"