Without a doubt, the current generation of Lys was a sister full of flaws.

Mainly, it was because Dia had met very few people. Most of her understanding of the world came from the Sorcerer's Handbook or from fairy tales. Soon after arriving in the Gospel Kingdom, the Four Pillars Cult captured her, leaving her with little time to think. In desperation, she drew inspiration from the fairy tale The Little Witch and hastily created a sister with the appropriate age and appearance. This was how Little Witch Lys came into existence.

In truth, Lys and Dia were not real names but positions. Whoever controlled the physical body in reality held the position of Lys, while the one responsible for activities in the Virtual World took the position of Dia. Their actual titles were the Little Witch and the Secret Princess.

Under normal circumstances, the Secret Princess handled activities in the Virtual World, and thus, the position of Dia belonged exclusively to her.

They were not the only sisters. There were others, including the Black Butler, the White Queen, the Red Death Apostle, and several more[1].

The position of Lys had once belonged to another sister. However, after the Bronze Dragon cursed their shared body, she was no longer suitable for the role. Until the Bronze Dragon's trial was passed, the Little Witch would take the role of Lys.

This version of Lys might be imperfect, yet Dia had no intention of replacing her. A new sister required time to grow. With enough experiences and encounters, Lys would gradually learn to adapt to her surroundings.

More importantly, even if Dia wanted a replacement, she had no other candidates. Little Witch was the only one of the appropriate age.

In fact, Little Witch had already performed remarkably well. If Dia had controlled everything personally, she likely would not have survived the Four Pillars Cult at all, let alone navigated the schemes surrounding Annan.

Dia sat reading, speaking softly as she conversed with her sister.

"You want to play? What's so fun about that? Isn't chatting with your elder sisters enough? Be good. Once we enter the Virtual World, you can play as much as you like. Our time in the real world is precious. We can't waste it on things like that.

"You don't like Annan? That's normal. I don't like her either. She's the same type as the White Queen.

"Mm. Pankey really is dangerous. You'll need to be careful around him. When it comes to Annan's interests, he won't show any mercy.

"So who do you like then? Iger Perskin?

"What? Daddy? There's no one else here besides us. There's no need to use that title.

"He isn't kind. He's just stupid, which is why your rhetoric worked on him... Fine, fine. Daily interactions are up to you. As long as you're comfortable. But don't get soft. Deal with Ashe quickly. He's our best pawn against Annan."

Suddenly, an unfamiliar voice interrupted. "Talking for so long must have made you thirsty. Here, have a drink and take a break."

"Oh, thank you."

Dia instinctively accepted the cup and took a sip. Only then did she look down. Inside was a strange, strawberry-colored liquid.

She turned her head, and her pupils dilated almost instantly.

It was the Watcher, dressed in a dark red coat. He sat casually on the desk, resting his chin on his palms. "Chatting between siblings must have been enjoyable. I haven't spoken with my brother in ages. And it's been even longer since I teased a naughty little nephew."

"Y-you—"

The Watcher raised a finger. "Witch, I suggest you keep your voice down. The lady has probably installed surveillance devices here. Just think about your questions instead. I can hear your thoughts."

Hear thoughts?

Compared to the shock of the Watcher appearing here in person, his ability to read thoughts almost seemed trivial.

When Dia first encountered him in the tower, she had not paid him much attention. At the time, she believed he was searching for "Princess Lysdia." But after she gained the Bronze Dragon's Favor, Princess Lysdia had disappeared entirely. In her place remained only the little girl Lys, the captive of the Four Pillars Cult.

Dia had never imagined the Watcher could still track her down. Even the Book of Gospel failed to trace my past. How did he find me?

She transmitted, "What exactly do you want?"

The Watcher replied lazily, "Don't be so nervous. I'm not a good person, after all. Besides, didn't you already agree to become my teammate?"

"I did not agree."

With a relaxed smile, he said, "But, witch, you don't have the right to refuse."

Dia was about to protest further before the thought of the Bronze Dragon's Favor surfaced in her mind. The Watcher's sudden appearance now... The timing is simply too perfect.

Just as Dia prepared to trigger the Bronze Dragon's Favor, he suddenly appeared in the tower's bedroom. He had completely bypassed the imperial capital's city-wide defense Miracles. The palace's security systems and even the Sacred Realm sorcerers, failed to detect him. It was as if he existed beyond this world.

Apart from the Bronze Dragon, Dia had never encountered a being remotely comparable to the Watcher. Her experience was limited, but the pressure he radiated was undeniable. She couldn't forget how, in her own mindscape, he had utterly crushed her. Even the highest-ranking Red Death Apostles and the Black Butler had joined forces against him, and still failed.

The Watcher claimed to be a Two-Winged sorcerer and only wanted to invite her on adventures in the Virtual World, but Dia didn't believe a single word. She suspected he was playing at being ordinary, like some undercover game, pretending to be harmless while scheming to devour a metaphorical tiger.

But why is he so fixated on me?

A thought struck her. Could he also be under the influence of the Bronze Dragon? Of course! Every trial the Bronze Dragon arranges follows exactly the same pattern. The outcome favors us in the end, but the process itself is pure torment. The days with the Watcher will likely be just as unbearable! I see... so the Bronze Dragon is at it again.

With that in mind, Dia decided there was no point in continuing to resist. "Fine, I'll agree to be your companion. So... what happens next?"

"Since you're my companion, it's only natural that I take responsibility for looking after you, right?" the Watcher asked.

Dia sensed the trap in his words. "Theoretically... yes."

"And now that you've become a child, does that mean I'm automatically one of your guardians, obliged to manage your daily life?"

Dia shook her head vehemently. "Of course... not! I don't need you to take care of me. Go away and stop interrupting my reading!"

"That's exactly what I'm here for. First, finish the rest of the strawberry juice. It's a tonic. Don't waste it."

Before Dia could react, her hand lifted the cup, and the mysterious liquid slid down her throat.

"Next, tidy up. Time to behave like a well-mannered little child."

Dia was horrified to realize her body was no longer under her control. Without her consent, her arms moved, returning the books to the shelves.

"What are you doing?! How can you control my body? Is this a Mind Class Miracle? Let go! I still want to read!"

The Watcher wagged a finger. "Nope. You're going to play."

Dia nearly lost her mind. "I'm not a real child! What am I supposed to play?! You wanted me as your teammate, right? Then I should be studying and training to get stronger. Playing doesn't help at all!"

"But you're just a little kid now. Little kids need a balance between work and play. Run around and play during the day, then go on dangerous adventures at night. That's what makes a good child."

He took out a pair of training gloves. "But before you start playing, put these on. Don't get your little hands dirty."

"Watcher, are you insane?"

"Witch, you're really impolite sometimes," he said, tapping the gloves. Instantly, the adult-sized gloves shrank into a pair of pink, half-fingered children's gloves, which he handed to Dia.

"That's because you don't listen!" Dia pouted, then looked at her own reflection in the mirror. Her expression softened instantly into an adorable, wide-eyed look. "Hey, Watcher brother, why are you doing this to me?"

"Oh, it's Little Witch, huh? Here's the deal. I control your body now. No reading books for you."

"Mm-hmm!"

"You also can't investigate Sister Annan or Brother Pankey. And forget trying to sway Iger or Harvey."

"Oh-oh!"

"Under my control, your only option is to find someone else to play with. Pitiful, isn't it?"

"It's so pitiful!" Dia echoed.

"Then what are you waiting for? Go play!"

"Yay!"

1. In essence, they are somewhat like split personalities. If you've watched the movie Split, it gives a fairly good idea of Lysdia's situation. ☜