AI Model: gemini-2.0-flash
Chapter 16: A Loving Rivalry
Leaving the somewhat inexplicable pure white girl, Dorothy walked towards the textbook section of the bookstore.
She quickly found her younger sister, but only after she got a little closer did she realize that Alicewasn't alone; she was confronting three witches of similar age.
Seeing her sister seemingly being bullied, Dorothy's heart clenched. She quickened her pace, wanting to rush over and teach those inconsiderate individuals a lesson.
However, as she drew closer and saw the faces of the three witches opposite, especially the leading witch's peculiar blue curly pigtails, Dorothy immediately stopped.
"Oh, so it's Isabella. Then it's fine."
She recognized the other party's identity: her sister's old classmate and old rival.
The other party was Isabella, the daughter of the Sea Moon Witch, the lord of Hai Yue Floating Island, and also the future young island lord. Inheriting the talent of the Great Witch of the Sea Moon, Isabella was a famous genius girl in the area. She and Alice were known as the pride of Hai Yue Floating Island, often referred to as the 'Twin Beauties of Hai Yue'.
And her own stepmother, who was like a strong independent woman, was the chief Research Witch of Hai Yue Floating Island, equivalent to the grand steward of the entire witch Territory. She held a high position and great power. She and the Sea Moon Witch, who was the lord, were also good Girlfriend who grew up together. Their families had a deep friendship and often gathered together.
Therefore, Alice and Isabella, who were close in age, could actually be considered childhood sweethearts. It was just a pity that these two little girls did not inherit the deep friendship between their mothers. Instead, it was as if they were naturally incompatible; every time they met, they either argued or fought, neither willing to yield to the other.
Anyway, when Dorothy arrived, these two little girls were already like fire and water. But she heard from her stepmother that when they were younger, these two girls actually had such a good relationship that they would hug each other whenever they met. She didn't know why they became enemies as they grew older.
Of course, Dorothy, who later watched from the sidelines, had a very clear perspective on this. She probably understood the thoughts of these two little girls better than they understood each other.
Isabella, born a young lady, actually liked Alice very much. She wanted Alice to assist her in the future, just like the relationship between the Sea Moon Witch and her stepmother.
However, Alice was someone who refused to be inferior to anyone her entire life. The Little Witch had always wanted to open up her own territory and become a lord herself since she was little. She also had the talent and ability to do so, so why would she need to live under someone else's roof and be a steward?
Thus, conflict arose. Isabella always wanted to compete with Alice in everything, wanting to overpower her to subdue her and make her willingly assist her.
But Alice had a very strong desire to win and became more courageous with each setback. She refused to yield to anyone. Isabella's actions, in Alice's eyes, were like looking for trouble, which naturally annoyed her.
The result turned out like this: one was a tsundere who was easily flustered, and the other was a stubborn strong-willed woman. One was unwilling to speak clearly and only knew how to cause trouble, while the other was stubbornly unyielding and refused to back down even half a step. It would be strange if they didn't argue when they met.
Anyway, every time Dorothy saw these two little girls meet, she liked to pull up a small stool, take out a handful of melon seeds, and start watching the show. Then, while cracking melon seeds, she would muse that this was probably youth, and it was even more exciting than watching anime.
Just like now...
Although both parties were silent in the bookstore because of the rule against loud noise, Dorothy's high perception still allowed her to keenly sense the frequent magical fluctuations between the two Little Witches.
Haha, they're already arguing fiercely through telepathy.
And in the spirit of a professional gossip-eater, Dorothy subtly manipulated 'just a little bit,' and the not-so-clever telepathy of the two young and ignorant Little Witches was easily deciphered. She began to eavesdrop with an auntie-like smile on her face.
Isabella: "Heh heh, I knew I smelled a sweaty odor from a long distance away. So it's you, the muscle-brained one, who's here too. Do beasts read books these days? Do you need big sister to help you choose textbooks?"
Alice: "Go away. I only have one older sister. You, who were born just an hour before me, are talking nonsense. And get away from me, your fishy smell is bothering me. I don't like fish."
Isabella: "You little midget, are you looking for a fight?"
Alice: "You're the fat salted fish looking for trouble. Who's afraid of you?"
Isabella: "I think you haven't been beaten in a few days and your skin is itching."
Alice: "Heh heh, last time, I wonder who was beaten so badly that their scales fell all over the place, almost becoming a dead fish."
Isabella: "That was a sneak attack. You didn't play fair. Fight me head-on if you dare."
Alice: "Oh my, oh my, our smart young lady was actually sneak-attacked by me, a muscle-brained beast. Your fish brain is really smart, isn't it?"
Isabella: "Don't leave later. See you at the Gladiator Arena on the roof."
Alice: "Hmph, who's afraid of whom? Gladiator Arena it is. I'll even call the medical team for you first."
Hmm, it's still the usual high-intensity bickering. They're even using high-speed divine speech, exchanging hundreds of insults per second. They must have secretly practiced a lot in private. You two are truly a match made in heaven.
Dorothy enjoyed the gossip to her heart's content. After both of them ran out of steam and entered a halftime break, she unhurriedly walked out from behind the bookshelf.
"Oh, Little Bella, you're here too? What a coincidence."
She walked over to Alice's side, looking at the blue-haired young lady opposite with just the right amount of surprise on her face.
"Uh, Dorothy Big Sister, you're here too."
Isabella was a little surprised, then a little shy. She curtsied very politely to Dorothy, her etiquette as a refined young lady was impeccable. Finally, she covered her mouth with a fan and smiled a little shyly.
Her gentle, polite, and graceful demeanor truly made it hard to believe that this was the same person who had been spouting hundreds of sharp and hurtful words per second just moments before.
"Yes, I'm reporting to the Witch Academy tomorrow, so Alice accompanied me to buy some textbooks today."
Dorothy also pretended to know nothing, explaining it this way, and even made a joke.
"From now on, Isabella, you and Alice will be my seniors. I'll be counting on you two to look out for me at school."
"Okay, okay, Dorothy Big Sister, you can come to me for anything. I have some influence in the Student Council. I'm willing to do anything for Big Sister."
The blue-haired Little Witch seemed suddenly excited, her eyes sparkling as she looked at Dorothy.
Cough, cough.
Dorothy was very pleased and touched by Isabella's enthusiasm.
See, what a polite and enthusiastic child! She's helpful to everyone, except for Alice, this child is very good to everyone.
However, before she could thank Isabella, her arm was suddenly grabbed by her sister beside her.
"Hmph, I'll take care of my own sister, I don't need you. Big Sister, you don't need to pay attention to her. If you need anything, just find me at the School Guard Team."
Alice made a face at her archenemy, then forcefully dragged Dorothy, preparing to leave.
"Let's go, Big Sister, we should go buy books."
"Alright, alright."
Dorothy was also helpless about this. She could only politely smile and nod at the blue-haired young lady opposite, then was dragged away by Alice.
However, to her surprise, Isabella quickly followed.
"Dorothy Big Sister, let me help too. Alice's grades are average, but I've always been in the top five of the entire school. As a Witch of the All-Knowing Path, I can give you better advice, Big Sister."
The blue-haired Little Witch subtly badmouthed her old rival while smiling like a flower at Dorothy.
Dorothy was somewhat tempted by this, after all, her own sister's grades were indeed lacking.
Alice: "..."
She really couldn't refute that.
Damn it, I'll study hard when I get back.
The Little Witch glared at this hateful fake childhood friend with murderous intent, while secretly making up her mind.