Chapter 31: Two Mothers
Outside the Gladiator Arena, a group of people were watching the battle unfolding as if in a miniature world.
Alice, protective of her sister, was practically pressed against the transparent protective barrier, while beside her, Adam watched the unfolding events with concern, not daring to blink.
The two adult Witches, however, were quite calm.
"Who do you think will win?"
The petite stepmother spoke first, her gaze shifting from the arena to observe the reaction of her companion.
"Sophia, of course."
The tall Dragon Witch continued to watch the arena, not turning her head, but she answered almost without hesitation.
"Heh heh, do you really underestimate your daughter so much? How much do you know about Dorothy?"
The Dragon Witch's answer somewhat disappointed Anne. The stepmother shook her head and continued to look at the arena, but her tone became a bit mocking.
"This isn't underestimation; I'm just stating the facts."
Such sharp sarcasm made Youfeiliya frown, but what the other party said was indeed true. The Dragon Witch suppressed her temper and continued to explain coldly.
"Sophia has been taught by me since she was little. Her talent is not inferior to mine. Now, she is even stronger than I was back then. At just 16 years old, barely an adult, she is only one step away from becoming a Great Witch. Even among her peers across the entire world, she is among the most outstanding Witches."
"I don't know much about Dorothy, and there's nothing to hide about that. After all, I only found her yesterday. Although I've had people gather some information about Dorothy over the years, looking at the data, it seems she has somewhat squandered her talent. I can hardly believe that my daughter would become a..."
After leaving yesterday, Youfeiliya sent someone to retrieve her daughter's resume from over the years. However, looking at a life story that could be summarized in just a few sentences, the Dragon Witch almost couldn't maintain her composure.
An internet addict? A hardcore shut-in? Doesn't leave the house more than a few times a year? All her courses and exams at the magic school were completed online? She barely went to school from enrollment to graduation? At sixteen, her magic power was barely 10,000, just meeting the Witch Academy's admission standard?
Seeing her own daughter fall so low, Youfeiliya, a strong and ambitious woman her entire life, found it hard to accept. She almost couldn't resist running to Adam on the spot to question him, asking if this was how he had raised their daughter all these years.
This also further solidified the Dragon Witch's resolve to take her daughter back. Especially after seeing Dorothy use Dragon's Breath in the arena, she was overjoyed. Her daughter had directly inherited the core talent of a dragon; such talent should not be wasted.
Adam, look at what you, that scoundrel, have done all these years?
Youfeiliya felt that she had already owed her daughter for 16 years, and she must make up for these shortcomings twofold in the future. After she returned, she planned to hand over family matters to others and focus on training her daughter herself. She firmly believed that under her special training, Dorothy would quickly catch up to and surpass Sophia, her disciple.
After all, Sophia is an Angel Witch, and many of the Dragon Witch's moves and unique skills are not suitable for her. Dorothy, however, is different; her daughter can perfectly inherit everything from her.
"A shut-in?"
Anne completed Youfeiliya's unfinished sentence. The petite stepmother smiled, her mockery growing even stronger.
"As expected of the famous new Archduke of the Dragon Kingdom, His Excellency the Dragon of Calamity, you are indeed strict."
"However, now I am certain that you and Dorothy probably really won't get along. Even if you forcibly tie her back, I estimate that child won't take long to escape again."
And for a mother, perhaps nothing can ignite anger more than such mockery, not to mention that the domineering Dragon Witch was not someone with a good temper to begin with.
Her gaze finally shifted from the Gladiator Arena, and for the first time, she truly looked at the companion beside her. Tall, she looked down at the petite Witch, exuding immense pressure.
"You seem to have a strong opinion of me. What insights do you have? Or have you secretly taught Dorothy anything over the years, Red Moon Witch of the Blood Moon Twins?"
"Oh my, I never expected such a prominent figure as yourself to know a small fry like me. It truly makes me feel honored."
Facing the pressure from the Dragon Witch, who was more terrifying than a dragon, the petite stepmother did not back down in the slightest. She merely smiled elegantly, scarlet light flickering in her wine-red eyes.
"For uninvited guests, I naturally respond with a hunting rifle. Although I am just a stepmother and don't particularly like Dorothy, she is still my family, my stepdaughter. When one's own child is underestimated, as a parent, one naturally has to stand up for them."
Despite being only half her height, Anne's aura was surprisingly grand. Even the Apex Witch's oppressive force could not make her retreat an inch.
"On the path of a Witch, you are a senior, but Dragon of Calamity, in the role of a mother, you are still too green. I hope you learn how to be a qualified mother. Dorothy is your daughter, yes, but she is also an independent person, not your puppet. What you think is good for a child may not necessarily be what they like. I don't want my perfectly fine stepdaughter to become a copy of you in the future. I have said all I need to say."
"Tsk, I really can't stand the inexplicable possessiveness of you Dragon Witches. And don't guess; I haven't taught Dorothy anything. I don't have the ability to teach her. Just watch closely; your daughter might give you a surprise."
"So you mean Dorothy might win?"
The Dragon Witch raised an eyebrow and asked.
"No, she's definitely going to lose. 10,000 magic power against 290,000. It would be a miracle if she could win."
Anne rolled her eyes and replied.
"You—"
Feeling teased, the Dragon Witch's fiery temper flared up instantly, but in the end, she forcibly suppressed her anger and huffily turned to watch the match. She couldn't be bothered with this shorty.
Hmph, for Dorothy's sake, she would forgive this person once. Damn Vampire, otherwise, I would have directly broken all your sharp fangs.
However, even as she thought this, Youfeiliya watched the duel with a renewed seriousness.
She indeed lacked experience as a mother. Back then, she had wanted to be a good mother, but ultimately, she never had the chance. Now, if possible, she truly wanted to make up for the regrets of those years.
So what exactly was this shorty Vampire trying to say?
After thinking for a long time and still only understanding half of it, the Dragon Witch's fists clenched. She felt the same way she did when facing the Diviner back then, wishing she could punch these damned riddle-speakers to smithereens.
Forget it, forget it, watch the match, watch the match. She looked forward to Dorothy truly giving her a surprise.
The setup chapters are indeed a bit boring, let's speed it up.