“Chapter 1: ‘Me? A Witch?'”

"Chapter 1: 'Me? A Witch?'"

"In the afternoon, the aroma of food wafted through the town of Ninui."

"Fei Yi pressed her deflated stomach and hoisted a shovel broom taller than herself, scooping a fresh, steaming pile of cow dung into a small cart."

"The stench was overwhelming, and swarms of flies and mosquitoes blanketed the air, buzzing around the little girl, protesting their lunch being taken away by an uninvited guest."

"Fei Yi, expressionless, waved her hand, swinging the shovel broom in another arc."

"This was the 38th pile."

"Throughout the morning, she had cleared 38 piles of cow dung for her employer, Mrs. Priscilla."

"New wounds from splinters appeared on her palms, and her exposed skin was covered in large red welts from insect bites."

"But her work was not yet finished."

"She had to muster all her strength to push the filled cart to the cesspit two streets away. After cleaning the filth inside, she had to return to her employer’s house to wash all the tools with the water from the mini farm’s tap."

"'That’s enough, child!' Mrs. Priscilla, like a persistent ghost, appeared behind Fei Yi at just the right time, 'Stop there, the water is ridiculously expensive these days—Oh Lord, bless me! I forgot you can’t understand!'"

"Mrs. Priscilla gave up on speaking, coming forward to turn off the tap herself."

"Fei Yi had just finished washing the last shovel broom and hadn’t even had a chance to wash her hands."

"In the scorching summer heat, this weary eight-year-old girl smelled as bad as the cesspit two streets away."

"As if oblivious to Fei Yi’s emotions, Mrs. Priscilla stepped back and hastily paid her wages—5 copper coins."

"In Ninui town, adults typically earned 2 silver coins a day, equivalent to 20 copper coins."

"But hiring a child from the orphanage was much cheaper."

"Especially one that no one wanted, a girl who had just suffered a head injury."

"Mrs. Priscilla had obtained an excellent labor force for a remarkably low price."

"Yet, she still considered herself very kind, because if not for offering Fei Yi a job, this eight-year-old girl would soon be expelled from the orphanage."

"It was rumored that not only had the child suffered a head injury, but she also had some mental issues. No family in town was willing to hire her. In the orphanage, an eight-year-old was already considered a big child, and if she couldn’t fend for herself, she would soon lose her right to stay there."

"'May the Lord bless you,' the employer muttered to herself, covering her nose and mouth with a handkerchief, 'You work much more efficiently than those lazy boys, not at all like an idiot.'"

"Fei Yi lowered her head, carefully pocketing the five copper coins, then slowly trudged toward the gate."

"Her hair was a tangled mess like a bird’s nest, and her ill-fitting, oversized cloth dress hung on her like a sack."

"Her eyes were deep-set, shadowed with dark circles, giving her a gloomy and solitary appearance."

"Just then, a cheerful shout came from outside the door."

"Mrs. Priscilla’s daughter had returned."

"She was a sun-kissed girl with two pigtail braids."

"'Mom— I got the admission notice!'"

"Fei Yi, exhausted, suddenly stopped in her tracks."

"'Is it from the town's public academy?' Mrs. Priscilla hugged her daughter joyfully, 'Did they agree to accept you?'"

"'Yes, Mom! They received my application, and the assessment teacher said I have good potential and agreed to enroll me! I’ll be going to school! No more worries about working!'"

"In Ninui town, no, across this continent, there was a clear legal stipulation."

"Every child of school age could attend school for free, but only if an academy was willing to accept them."

"If so, congratulations, your future would not only include a respectable job, a decent income, and even free housing, but also respect from everyone."

"If no academy was willing to accept you, that was a different story altogether."

"You could only trade physical labor for a meager income or find a kind-hearted technician willing to teach you a skill to ensure basic sustenance."

"In an era where even picking up cow dung required manpower, the lives of the lower class were filled with countless hardships."

"Fei Yi Luo, born an orphan with mental difficulties, was obviously among the most unfortunate."

"'Mom, she smells so bad!'"

"Waving the admission notice in her hand, the neatly dressed girl caught sight of Fei Yi and abruptly hugged Mrs. Priscilla."

"'Don't say that, darling. Though she can't understand, you shouldn't speak of her like that. The Lord is watching you,' Mrs. Priscilla admonished, though she couldn't hide the smile at the corner of her eyes."

"Mother and daughter joyously returned home, the notice bearing the town public academy's emblem fluttering through the air, vanishing from Fei Yi's view like a butterfly taking flight."

"The harsh sun cast a shadow beneath her feet."

"Fei Yi turned and silently left the employer’s house."

"She had learned a few new words today; she could understand a third of the conversation between Mrs. Priscilla and her daughter."

"Though the language of this foreign world was complex and difficult, her proficiency was now akin to a kindergartener's. Nevertheless, it was a good start."

"It was certainly better than when she first arrived, understanding not a single word."

"Yes, arrived—through time travel."

"Fei Yi Luo, a veteran game power-leveler, and a bona fide 23rd-century resident of planet Blue Star."

"Having fainted during an all-nighter fulfilling a gaming order for her boss, she woke up here, in this alien world, as an eight-year-old orphan."

"The architectural style and customs of this world were completely different from Blue Star where she once lived, but they resembled the setting of the game she had been grinding."

"A similarly backward and ignorant society, similarly ancient European characters and buildings, and even the same—"

"'Heal!'"

"In the center of Ninui Town, at the entrance of the abbey symbolizing supreme authority, a monk in a grey robe raised his rudimentary staff and cast a light orb towards a pedigree dog."

"The next second, the dog, previously limping, joyfully started hopping around. Its lavishly dressed owner, beaming with joy, courteously handed over a few gold coins and then carried the dog onto a carriage."

"Admiring compliments from the crowd filled the air."

"That was the simplest healing magic, identical to the healing mage skills she used in her games!"

"Yet, so far, Fei Yi Luo had neither awakened to any glowing personal panel nor encountered any familiar NPC characters."

"All she had were increasingly harsh survival conditions and the survival rules she was steadily understanding."

"Among them, the most important was the 'education system'."

"Any child can become anything they wish through education, learning whatever skills they desire."

"For instance, the healing orb seen just now can only be used by monks in the abbey who serve the deities."

"Gaining entry into the abbey's academy also requires being accepted by the institution."

"This is a place several levels higher than the town's public academy, irrelevant to common folk and certainly irrelevant to Fei Yi."

"It's been over a week since her arrival in this world, and not only has she not awakened any kind of special abilities, but she also hasn't received any memories from her original self."

"Starting off in hellish conditions only adds to the pressure, with filling her stomach being more urgent than anything else."

"If she loses her job at Mrs. Priscilla's, she might soon find herself homeless."

"For a frail, eight-year-old girl with no roots, it's hard to imagine what might happen to her alone in this backward world."

"After all, there were children who went out to work with her and never returned."

"So, any typical transmigration goals like becoming the world's ruler or saving the ultimate villain can wait!"

"She needs to survive first, live decently and intact, before considering anything else."

"Dragging her weary feet, Fei Yi crossed several narrow streets to return to Hope Orphanage."

"Hope Orphanage was anything but hopeful; it hadn’t received any funding for a long time, and its facilities were as decrepit as an old person nearing death."

"The other children whistled at Fei Yi and shouted, 'Idiot Fei Yi is back!'"

"Fei Yi waved her fist, and the group of skinny kids scattered like chaff."

"First, she went to the director's office to hand over two copper coins for her daily meal and lodging fee. Only then did she head to the small dining hall for lunch."

"— A bowl of mashed potatoes seasoned only with salt, the skin not completely scraped off."

"The taste was bitter and unfulfilling."

"In the afternoon, she helped Mrs. Cook wash three large basins of wild vegetables—every older child at the orphanage had their own chores, whether caring for the younger children, cleaning, or other tasks. It was a necessity."

"By the time Fei Yi finally pulled her hands from the cold water, it was already pitch dark outside."

"Due to her shockingly unpleasant odor, the matron unusually allowed her to take a bath using a cheap cleaning agent."

"This slime-like agent, bought from the only potion shop in town, could be applied directly to the skin to automatically absorb all dirt, including cleaning the hair."

"'It’s just like using an item in a game to increase cleanliness.'"

"Only, in the game, she wouldn’t have even glanced at such a cheap item. In real life, however, she had to pay a day's wages to use it just once."

"Fortunately, the results were pleasing. Except for a triangular scar on her chest that remained unchanged, the rest of her body was as clean as new."

"Fei Yi returned to the dormitory feeling refreshed."

"To save on expenses, the orphanage had no lights at night, which also encouraged the children to sleep early—sleeping meant not feeling the hunger."

"Fei Yi groped her way through the orphanage to the unobstructed main gate. She took out a crumpled piece of paper and a partially burnt stick from her shriveled pouch."

"She had found the paper that morning in a trash heap near the cesspit. After disposing of the contents of her cart, she would always search the trash for scraps of paper to write on."

"The partially burnt stick, taken from the small dining hall’s stove, served as her 'pen,' with its charcoal end suitable for writing simple characters."

"After enduring her stomach's rumbling for a while, she began to write under the moonlight."

"[To the Public Academy of the Town:]"

"The name of the academy on the main street of Ninui Town wasn’t hard to copy, but what followed was challenging."

"[Day by day, I am Fei Yi Luo. I admire you and hope—]"

"The grammar should be correct, right?"

"[—to join your academy. With my loyalty, please give me a chance, quickly, gratefully.]"

"Hmm, more sincere than the last time."

"She had tried her best to secretly learn formal written language while cleaning the director's office, using it all this time, hoping the effect would be better than the previous dozens of attempts."

"Fei Yi sighed silently. Ever since she learned about this world's laws, she had been tirelessly sending letters to every academy within walking distance."

"If her grammar wasn’t good at first, then she would learn it by any means necessary."

"One day, there would be an academy willing to give her a chance, an opportunity to escape her current plight, a chance to live a dignified life."

"Damn it, she was sick of eating mashed potatoes."

"She yearned so desperately—any academy would do, even one as rundown as the orphanage—as long as they were willing to accept her."

"Fei Yi switched to a few more sticks and copied down the names of two other academies in town. She then carefully folded these application letters, planning to send them out when she went to work at Mrs. Priscilla's house the next day."

"Just then, a sharp pain suddenly struck her chest."

"The stick fell to the ground as the moonlight above was obscured by dark clouds."

"Clutching her chest, she stumbled forward, but the anticipated fall never came."

"A pair of pale hands reached through the iron gate's gap, steadying her."

"Fei Yi turned in surprise to see a woman."

"A woman with a black umbrella, appearing abruptly in front of her, revealing only the lower half of her face."

"Her lavish black lace dress vanished into the darkness. Though only separated by an iron gate, Fei Yi felt as if the woman was shrouded in a mist, indistinct and elusive."

"'Thank you—' Fei Yi, steadying herself, stammered the new words she had learned in this strange world, then instinctively looked down at her chest."

"There was no longer any pain, as if the earlier sensation had been an illusion."

"What was going on?"

"'Dear Miss Fei Yi Luo, you seem a bit different from when you did the magic detection.'"

"The woman withdrew her hand, her voice carrying through the umbrella."

"'But the mark of the witch is still there, so I know I've found the right person.'"

"Fei Yi looked at her, bewildered. What? What was she talking about?"

"Beneath the umbrella, a pair of beautiful red lips curved into a smile."

"'I am here to inform you: Fei Yi Luo, your magic detection results were quite impressive, so we have decided to admit you as a new student at the Witch Academy this year.'"

"A pale hand extended a letter towards her, bearing a black, unfamiliar seal—"

"A triangular symbol, identical to the scar on Fei Yi's chest."

"But she hardly noticed, her attention entirely captured by the words on the envelope."

"[Admission Notice of the Witch Academy]"

"An admission notice from some academy! Although she couldn't recognize the words at the beginning, the latter part she had just seen that morning at Mrs. Priscilla’s house!"

"There was no mistake, she was finally going to attend school?!"

"Who was this kind-hearted lady?!"

"Fei Yi clutched the front of her dress, her vision swimming in dizziness!"

"'Go—'"

"Her fingertips turned white, her throat sore, her voice cracked and hoarse."

"Yet, without hesitation, she grabbed the iron bars of the gate, like a death row prisoner who had been confined for over twenty years and finally saw the sunlight."

"'I'll go—!'"

"Author's Note:"

"Pushing a friend's upcoming release, which will start in a few days. It’s also a powerful female lead romance story, if you’re interested, do check it out~"

"《Is Your Mermaid Talent Meant to Be Wasted on Social Climbing?》by Xi Huan id8105129"

"The female lead is a social butterfly, capable of striking a conversation even with a passing dog"

"She suddenly finds herself in a book, as a wealthy family’s unloved daughter, whose only hobby was singing. To pursue her dream, she joins a talent show, only to find the director manipulated by her family, cutting her scenes maliciously and leading to her elimination. Ultimately, the original character gives up her dream to become a tool in a marriage alliance."

"When she opens her eyes, the female lead finds herself back at the time of the talent show, with good and bad news."

"Good news: This body possesses a mermaid singing talent."

"Bad news: She is about to be eliminated in the next round."

"No big deal, let's grab a bite first."

Seeing a trainee just coming out of the cafeteria, the heroine casually asked, "Hey, which dish was good for lunch today?"

Somehow, reminded of the delicious food by the heroine's question, the trainee enthusiastically recommended her favorites.

After the meal, the two had already become close lunch buddies.

In the practice room, digesting their meal, the heroine saw a trainee practicing alone and asked with concern, "Why aren't you eating, sis?"

The trainee, who had been feigning strength, suddenly felt a warmth in her heart and couldn't help the urge to cry.

Not wanting to see a beautiful girl cry, the heroine comforted her in various ways.

Finally, the trainee held her hand, wanting to become close confidantes.

Before the next elimination round, all the trainees had an opportunity for a live broadcast.

The director, who had planned to limit the heroine's exposure, didn't expect that the first, second, third... several trainees insisted on joining the heroine's room for the live broadcast.

Fans: "???"

"Who is this trainee? Why is she so close to our favorite?"

"She can handle a chat with so many people at once? Impressive!"

"Wait, she's actually quite interesting to listen to. Let's hear more."

"Sisters, let's start voting for our electronic pickle tonight to keep her in the competition!"

"When the heroine's despicable parents tried to use their means against her, they were instead fiercely outmaneuvered by a wealthy heiress and a domineering CEO vying for her favor."

"#Don’t dare waste our precious time chatting with our idol!#"