Chapter 33: “It seems father will never… let any man…”

Chapter 33: "It seems father will never... let any man..."

"Stunned by the rebuke, Hil barely registered the 'plastic bag' comment as trivial."

"Her eyes reddened immediately, and her head slowly drooped, 'No... Feyi... this isn't something within my control...'"

"'Father... he has always insisted that the Earl's title must pass to a male descendant of the Wyatt family. As his daughter, even the eldest, I have no right to inherit.'"

"That's not right."

"Feyi instinctively wanted to object. In her memory of 'The Land of Gods and Demons,' there were female baron NPCs, even a duchess, higher in rank than an earl."

"This implied that the 'male inheritance' mindset wasn't a rigid background rule, but an open world."

"But she couldn't say that; she couldn't explain how she knew about the future."

"'So, what now?'" Feyi sat down on the soft grass, "'After your cousin inherits, what will you do? Is there a place for you in the Wyatt family?'"

"In other words, would her cousin allow someone capable of challenging his title to live comfortably by his side?"

"Hil remained silent, sitting down beside her."

"A breeze fluttered their matching black dresses. The young mistress gazed at their swaying hems, finally speaking softly after a long pause."

"'My cousin gave me a small piece of land, to the east of Nuci City. There's a small castle there, not too big. He said it's suitable for a girl to live alone.'"

"After a pause, Hil's fingers trailed over the ground."

"Wisps of black mist materialized, forming a simple map and a sketch of a small villa."

"'Wow, your cousin is so kind,' Feyi stretched her legs and sneered, 'A little further and it wouldn't even be considered part of Nuci City's suburbs. And that villa, is it even as big as where your maids live?'"

"Hil bit her lower lip hard."

"She was only eight or nine, and her cousin, the eldest son of her father's younger brother, was sixteen. She couldn't compete with him in age, gender, or wisdom."

"'Father has always disliked me,' the young mistress stared blankly, 'My mother is ill and can't have more children. The Wyatts will never have a direct male heir. So, years ago, father started grooming my cousin in secret.'"

"Her personal court tutor, initially meant for her alone, suddenly started teaching her cousin too, even accelerating the curriculum to match his prior knowledge."

"Furious, Hil confronted her father only to find the esteemed Earl secretly bribing the family tutor."

"'Father wanted the tutor to focus on my cousin and not report this to the royal family, otherwise the Wyatts would lose the privilege of court-appointed tutors.'"

"Hearing the young mistress's muffled tone, Feyi couldn't help but glance at her."

"Such secrets must be the inner workings of the Earl's family. Was Hil really confiding all this to her?"

"[She trusts you a lot.]"

"The little world couldn't help but interject."

"Feyi, attempting a smile, murmured, 'Didn't realize you talked so much before. Seems like the timeline correction did you some good.'"

"'What?'" Hil looked up, startled. In that moment, her eyes reddened again, like a little rabbit's."

"This silly child."

"'If it's so upsetting, why not just take it back?' Feyi tapped her head briskly, 'Wasn't it originally yours anyway?'"

“No…” Hill clutched the grass at her feet, murmuring, “Father is very fond of my cousin... It makes no sense for him to pass the title to me...”

“Please, witches never play by the rules.”

A dark purple flame suddenly ignited from Fei Yi's fingertips, swirling around Hill, filled with potent magic.

Hill felt as if she were enveloped in a warm feather blanket.

Her eyes widened in disbelief, staring at Fei Yi, “My goodness! What did you do during the ten-day break?!”

Her roommate was already a genius, with more magical power than any other freshman, but it was just a bit stronger. However, Hill could clearly feel that Fei Yi’s magic had far surpassed what it was during the final exams!

Fei Yi grinned, “Nothing much, just leveling up.”

Now at level 31, plus the Destiny Wheel Modifier that temporarily boosts her stats by 200%, Fei Yi was not afraid to confront opponents a whole level higher than her.

With the addition of ancient curse buffs, magic potions, and more, she could even take on level 45-50 opponents when at full strength.

Given more time, she would have the power to step into Elbire City.

“Leveling up? What does that mean?” Hill was perplexed but didn't dwell on it.

The gloom and irritation in her heart had mostly dissipated with her roommate's arrival.

Fei Yi’s words echoed in her mind—

Witches never play by the rules.

Yes... why did she accept the invitation to join the Witch Academy? Wasn’t it because of her father's long-standing neglect and subtle oppression, his constant criticism of her mother for bearing a daughter, leading to her mother’s illness? She wanted to protect her mother, to make her father notice her, didn’t she?

"So now, does Father truly no longer wish to see her? Assuming Cousin inherits the title and casts her aside, why does she shrink back in fear again? How did she come to follow their teachings and become the 'obedient and sensible' eldest daughter?"

"Then, what's the use of the black magic she labored to learn?"

"'You are a Wyatt,' Phyllis whispered into Hill's ear, her voice low and beguiling, 'The title you desire is not for anyone else to take.'"

"Clang, clang, clang—"

A jarring bell sound suddenly rang out, as countless doves flew over the castle.

This signified the end of the Earl's inspection, with the servants preparing for the welcome-back ceremony.

Hill gazed steadily at the doves symbolizing sanctity, the golden bell representing power, and the magical water curtain cascading from the highest point of the castle, depicting the Wyatt family crest. She clutched her skirt tightly, murmuring to herself.

"'You're right, Phyllis, I am the only true heir of the Wyatt family. I am a witch, born with unparalleled power.'"

"'No one can drive me away from this place, no one.'"

Hill thought it through clearly; to reclaim her title, she first needed to change her father's perception of her.

"'What do you plan to do?' Phyllis asked, leaning on her arm. She wouldn't mind helping her roommate if needed. After all, Hill had protected her more than once at the academy, and she had questions she wanted to ask Hill."

Most importantly... she needed to take a good look at this castle again, to make sure it wasn't the Gluttonous Castle from her memory.

"'I must show Father the true nature of power,' Hill said, clenching her fists in indignation, 'Since childhood, Cousin has disliked studying, and not a single academy in Noochi City would accept him. Using the 'Wyatt' name, he often does dirty deeds behind the adults' backs. Theft, robbery, lying, underreporting... Once Father knows, he won't consider Cousin for the title anymore.'"

"'...' Phyllis covered her face. She was wrong, terribly wrong. Despite Hill's precociousness, she was indeed just a child."

Such naive and pure thoughts.

She couldn't help but ask, "How do you know that Earl Wyatt isn't aware of your cousin's actions?"

"Because he's always kept it hidden from the elders," Hill explained earnestly. "If Father knew, why would he consider passing the Wyatt name to him?"

"But the elders are not as foolish as you think," Phyllis said, looking at Hill and recalling her days studying on Blue Star.

Back then, they loved to sneak around under their desks, thinking they were perfectly hidden, only to realize that once they stood on the podium themselves, everything the students did was clearly visible.

Earl Wyatt must know about the deeds of his kin; he's simply aware and condoning them, believing such actions insignificant in the face of gender.

"Talking won't help. Let's go and see for ourselves." Phyllis grabbed Hill's hand, and suddenly, rings of black mist enveloped them both.

"Invisibility—"

In an instant, they both vanished. Hill's eyes widened in disbelief as she looked down at the blooming dwarf sunflowers beneath her.

"Invisible? Rho, how did you do this?!" Not only covering herself precisely with magic but also extending it to encompass her!

"What exactly did you do this vacation?" Hill, seeing nothing, clung to Phyllis's hand, navigating through familiar corridors.

"Where did you go to... level up? Can I go too?" The young lady was eager, "Or did a tutor secretly help you? You must have had an incredible adventure, right?"

As soon as she finished speaking, they accidentally encountered the head knight lecturing the servants on safety at a corner.

He held a stack of wanted posters, the top one bearing Phyllis's face.

"These are the latest warrants, each person wanted by the academy for heinous crimes," the knight announced authoritatively. "Each one is vicious and ruthless. Upon discovery, report immediately, and do not let any of them threaten the safety of the Wyatt family!"

Having said this, the knight distributed the wanted posters.

[Phyllis Rho: Suspected of murdering a high-ranking monk of the monastery, the steward's son, killing seven members of a high-ranking mercenary group, suspected of murdering thirty-two miners in the Alaraph mining area…]

Hill gazed in astonishment, shocked at the developments of just a ten-day vacation.

During these ten days, due to the matter of the title, she had done nothing but daydream in the garden or keep her mother company in her room.

Yet her dear roommate had not only doubled her magical power but also landed on the academy's most-wanted list!

Because of the invisibility, Phyllis couldn't see Hill's face.

'Was she frightened?' she wondered. 'Could the young lady be thinking of turning me in to honor the Wyatt family?'

As she contemplated sneaking past the knight with Hill, Phyllis felt someone suddenly grasp the hem of her dress.

"Did you really do those things?" she heard the young lady say in a breathy voice. "Don't go on such dangerous missions alone next time. If you must, take me with you. At least I... I can help, and the Wyatt name can be very useful when needed."

Phyllis paused, turning her head towards the empty air behind her.

"Aren't you afraid?" On the wanted poster, she was a suspected murderer, even a serial killer.

"Of course not," the young lady's voice was soft, "Rho, you must have your reasons for doing this. Other than those people deserving it, I can't think of anything else."

A kind and powerful genius, why would she bother with trivial matters of common mercenaries?

Those lowly mercenaries couldn't compare to a single finger of the Wyatts. If Phyllis really coveted something, why wouldn't she just come to her?

So, it must be those people's fault.

Phyllis gazed deeply at where Hill stood, shaking her head with a wry smile.

The young lady was proud and imperious, but sometimes... quite endearing, wasn't she?

Together, they made their way upwards, finally stopping in front of the study door.

Phyllis saw Earl Wyatt, Hill's father, for the first time. The father and daughter bore a striking resemblance to each other, but the Earl's demeanor was far more serious, his eyes radiating indisputable authority.

Besides the heavily armed knights, two Grand Mages in gold-trimmed white robes accompanied the Earl.

Phyllis stealthily observed that both mages were around level 60-65. The Earl's high status was unmistakably evident.

If Hill could successfully inherit the title, her influence would become immeasurable, and Phyllis could freely pursue many ventures.

Like her long-desired intelligence network, and the expansion of the small Winna's potion shop chain.

While Phyllis was observing, the Earl summoned Cousin Wil to the study, leaving the rest outside on guard.

With her agility, Phyllis silently maneuvered, sneaking Hill inside as well.

Wil, a smart-looking sixteen or seventeen-year-old plump boy, began flattering the Earl as soon as the door was closed.

However, the Earl's displeasure was evident. He threw a stack of torn and reassembled papers in front of Wil.

"Did you really force your way into others' fields to collect rent? Spent time feasting at Hunter's Tavern without paying? And using the Wyatt name to prevent Milo Swinburn from attending the Royal Academy? He's a renowned genius monk, even I've heard of him."

Wil's face turned pale, "Uncle... no, it's not like that... Please let me explain..."

"Enough, no more," the Earl waved dismissively and sat down grimly, "Next year you'll officially inherit the Wyatt title. Don't be so blatant with such acts! If this reaches the court, our royal grants will surely decrease! Even if you want something, be tactful. These peasants' belongings belong to us Wyatts, but you can't use such foolish methods anymore, understand?!"

Since it was just the two of them and the inspection had been exhausting, the Earl spoke unusually candidly.

Not just Wil, even the invisible Hill was taken aback.

"You are the only man in our Wyatt family, and the future burden of the entire Wyatt lineage will surely fall upon you," the Earl said, looking directly at Wil, "From now on, think carefully about your actions!"

"Yes, yes!" Wil beamed with joy, "I'll learn diligently from you, and after the title transfer ceremony, I'll strive to become an outstanding Earl just like you!"

The Earl then gave Wil several other pieces of advice, thoroughly mentoring him and even entrusting him with the Wyatt family's most important books. During this, he didn't mention his only daughter or wife even once.

The conversation lasted a full hour. When leaving, Phyllis expertly guided a dazed Hill, avoiding any collision with the knight guard.

"Why?" Hill, nestled in the shadows of rows of books in the attic, asked her now visible roommate, "I've studied hard since childhood, diligently completed every task. Why can't my father ever see me?"

"I've always wanted to see those books, but father never agreed. He locked them in his study, never allowing me a step inside. He said those books contained Wyatt's most precious wisdom and history, and that I'd never be worthy."

"Phyllis," Hill looked up, her usually sharp eyes filling with tears for the first time, "Is it just because I'm a girl? Is everything I do wrong because I'm a girl?"

"Of course not," Phyllis held Hill's head, pulling her close, "You're not wrong. You're the strongest girl. They're the ones who are wrong, always have been. Remember what our teachers said? We were born with great power. If we can control magic, it means we control our own destiny."

"You're right..." Hill wiped her tears, slowly standing up with the support of the bookshelf, "Haven't I always been prepared? I will become stronger, make my father willingly pass the title to me, and send Wil back where he belongs!"

Beneath the tall bookshelves, the young lady's shadow turned ominously dark, a sign of magic on the verge of exploding.

Gently, so gently, Phyllis cradled the girl's face, her magic flowing into Hill like soft, warm lake water, wrapping and soothing the explosive power, preventing the poor girl from being swallowed by her extreme emotions.

"Our Hill is the loveliest girl. Such people aren't worth your resentment, right?"

Hill gazed at her, lost in thought.

Despite being a witch who used black magic, known for the coldest dark forces, why... for the first time, did she feel warmth?

As the Earl's daughter, Hill had grown up in a cold world.

Her father's prolonged neglect, a mother always in low spirits and unable to attend to anything, servants with their own agendas, relatives watching like hawks...

She had lived in a world as empty as a black hole, where no one truly cared for her, forcing her to become the 'proud young lady' with a thorny exterior.

Yet, when she met Phyllis, it was only Phyllis who would disregard her, sharply retort back, and embrace her in her most ignorant moments.

It was Phyllis who, like a tenacious wildflower, grew from a so-called "fool" who knew and understood nothing, to the top student of the entire Witch Academy, a true genius in everyone's eyes.

Indeed, Phyllis was an orphan. She was so resilient; what right did Hill have to give in to despair?

She couldn't let her emotions sweep her away, turning her into a madwoman.

Hill patted her head, gradually calming herself down.

"All better?" Phyllis raised an eyebrow. "A moment ago, you looked like you were about to explode."

Hill smiled sheepishly, feeling a warmth in her chest for the first time.

Phyllis would become her most important friend. Hill, looking into those dark purple eyes, resolved that no matter what happened to Phyllis or what help she needed, Hill would offer everything without hesitation.

Even if it meant gambling the honor of the Wyatts, she was willing to risk it.

As her emotions settled, Hill, avoiding the servants, led Phyllis back to her own bedroom.

As soon as they entered, Phyllis was astounded by the luxuriousness... befitting the daughter of an Earl, the bedroom's integrated library was larger than the communal dormitory of her orphanage.

Calling it a bedroom was an understatement; from the entrance to the bed, they had to navigate three turns and pass through two doors.

"It's not because Father holds me in high regard," Hill gestured Phyllis to join her on the sofa chair, "It's because he doesn’t want others to look down on the Wyatt family."

"So, have you figured out exactly what to do?" Phyllis rolled around on the lounge chair thrice before reluctantly sitting up to ask.

"Not yet…" Hill wasn't the top student of the year, lacking such strong talent in magic.

"I've only studied for a year at the Witch Academy, so my knowledge is quite limited."

"I need to figure something out," the young lady murmured, "I must tarnish Cousin's image in Father's eyes, make him detest and even grow tired of him, enough to banish him from Noochi City forever..."

"Merely tarnishing his image won't be enough," Phyllis cautioned, "The Earl's favoritism towards Wil isn't something a few character flaws or misdeeds can erase."

For the formidable Earl, unless it angered the royal family, it seemed nothing else was 'serious or irredeemable.'

Hill covered her head in frustration, "What should I do?"

She suddenly remembered the wanted poster, turning her head in shock, "Do you mean... to... kill Cousin...?"

"Killing someone is too easy," Phyllis patted her head, "But if he dies, he'll become a saint in your father's eyes. Wil can't die. Even if he did, there are other men in the Wyatt family, aren't there?"

'White moonlight'... What was that? Hill found it increasingly hard to understand her roommate's colloquialisms.

She was a bit lost, "Then what should I do? Is there a way to make Father completely lose hope in Cousin and the other brothers?"

"It's simple!" Phyllis blinked, pulling out a blank sheet of paper and a high-quality ink pen from the beautiful redwood bookcase.

She rapidly wrote a long list of potion ingredients. Hill stared for a long time, her eyes gradually widening.

"A potion for infatuation and chaos?!"

"Yes," Phyllis grinned, her smile cunning and sly, "Actually, the name 'infatuation and chaos' is a bit subtle. If this potion reaches a high-quality grade, it can practically be called a 'burning desire' potion."

She gently held Hill's wrist, asking in a low voice, "You know when your father usually takes his bath, right?"

"And you also know how to lure your cousin there without him suspecting anything, right?"

Hill Wyatt was completely stunned.

*

What happened next was beyond Phyllis's concern.

She lay leisurely on the comfortable bed, happily listening to the hurried footsteps outside the door.

Phyllis wasn't clear about the events of that night.

She only knew that when Hill returned under the cover of night, her face was flushed red.

Soon after, the entire Earl's castle was thrown into chaos.

Earl Wyatt flew into a rage, nearly ordering Wil's execution on the spot. But somehow, someone calmed him down, and later Wil's parents and other branches of the Wyatt family arrived.

The castle was a hubbub of chaos all night, the servants were exhausted, yet their eyes sparkled with the excitement of gossip, like wolves.

Phyllis squeezed next to the dazed young lady, asking with a grin, "How did it go?"

Hill: "Cousin... didn't succeed... At the crucial moment, Father smashed his most expensive emerald ring... The head knight heard it... and rushed in to stop everything..."

Phyllis: "...That's not what I asked. I meant, what was the final outcome?"

Only then did Hill turn to look at her, still dazed.

The young lady's mind was filled with the horrifying image of her cousin, under the influence of a hallucinatory ancient curse, sneaking into the bathroom with the potion, transforming into a beast of desire, and charging at their father.

Naive and inexperienced, Hill faced such a shock for the first time, finding herself in a daze.

"Cousin Wil... has been stripped of the Wyatt name... He and his family are forever banned from entering Noochi City..." Hill murmured, "Perhaps... for the rest of his life... Father won't let any man near him again..."

Tonight, Earl Wyatt suffered severe devastation, both physically and emotionally, casting an indelible shadow over his aging body.

"Kristur," Earl Wyatt called out from his bed, his voice drifting through the thick bed curtains.

The head knight knelt on one knee, "Respected Earl, I am here."

The old Earl remained silent for a long time before asking faintly, "Hill... what has she been busy with lately?"

*

["Ding!" Congratulations! You have successfully increased the world line correction rate to 25%!]

The sudden system announcement caught Phyllis off guard. Correction rate? The world line was corrected again? But she hadn't eliminated any bosses, had she?

The explanation from the small world appeared promptly.

[You have become the most important person to Hill Wyatt. You helped her avoid succumbing to darkness and despair, restoring her confidence. You successfully altered the destiny of the Wyatt family and the fate of Noochi City’s impending darkness.]

[This is your well-deserved reward. You never cease to amaze me.]

[I have never been as grateful as I am now, that you came to this world.]

Phyllis squinted her eyes, taking advantage of Hill turning away to wash up. She used the Wheel of Fate to view the young lady's original destiny.

Familiar scenes quickly unfolded before her eyes.

Wil Wyatt inherited the title, and Hill, along with her mother, were forced to relocate to a villa in the northern suburbs.

On her 11th birthday, Hill's father passed away due to illness. Two months later, her mother died as well.

At 12, Earl Wil Wyatt, as Hill Wyatt's highest-ranking relative, tricked her into returning home and personally sold her to the Black Moon Bar.

A familiar man, bearing a black moon tattoo, swiftly placed the slumbering young girl into a carriage. As the buyer, he paid two million gold coins, rescuing the extravagantly bankrupt Earl Wil from financial collapse.

"Thank you for your generosity," the tattooed man said with a voice brimming with delight at the end of this fateful transaction, "I never imagined I'd acquire a real witch. Everyone will remember your great deed today."

As a token of gratitude, the tattooed man gifted Wil a book of black magic.

Emboldened by this, Wil delved into human trafficking and tried forbidden black magic, ultimately suffering a backlash that turned Noochi into a hellish realm.

The vision abruptly ended there... Again, the Black Moon Bar!

Phyllis exerted great effort to maintain her composure, careful not to reveal anything in front of Hill.

She vividly remembered her first encounter with the tattooed man - it was when Grifitz sold his own daughter, nearly twelve-year-old little Winna, to the Black Moon Bar for a high price with a deposit of 30,000 gold coins.

Initially, she thought it was a mere human trafficking deal for money. But now, Hill’s original fate too was to be sold there, and for two million gold coins!

This indicated they were systematically collecting 12-year-old girls - and it wasn’t for gold!

Specific age, specific gender, and even a specific condition - the girls had to be willingly sold by a family member before they would accept them.

Phyllis reasonably suspected that these girls were of great importance to the Black Moon Bar.

She felt she had grasped something significant.

If she could learn more about the history of the upper-class families with the moon crest, she might unravel some crucial clues.