"Ugh... haah..."

Celitia unconsciously gasped for breath, while low moans escaped from her throat.

Her chest seemed connected to another world, with extremely cold air emanating from within, joining with that mysterious power to constantly erode her limbs and body.

It felt as if she herself might turn into a black shadow and completely dissipate.

Meanwhile, a flame ignited in her lower abdomen, gradually burning throughout her entire body, making her tremble uncontrollably.

Her body was experiencing both ice and fire, yet somehow maintained a delicate balance, giving Celitia a moment of respite.

"...Ugh, ugh... haa..."

Celitia gasped, trying to prop up her body, but her hands went soft and she fell back onto the cold bedding.

Her body twisted unconsciously, fine beads of sweat emerged densely from her forehead, and Celitia bit her tongue hard, trying to stay conscious.

No, this wouldn't do.

She absolutely couldn't let herself continue in this state.

Whatever this "dark matter" energy was, she had to find a way to control it.

And whatever that aphrodisiac spell was, she wouldn't submit to her body's reactions.

Using all her strength, Celitia grabbed the bedding with both hands and barely crawled to the corner against the wall.

Supporting her body with her back against the corner, Celitia hugged her knees and curled herself up.

Her body was both hot and cold, and every inch of skin seemed to have become more sensitive.

Her brain was dizzy and aching constantly, barely able to maintain consciousness.

Only uncontrollable gasping echoed in the small rest room.

The mysterious "dark matter" energy rampaged through her body's circuits, her nerves felt stretched and compressed, causing even her fingertips to tremble with pain.

For some reason... it was out of control... so...

But she couldn't give up... absolutely not...

Celitia tried to control that mysterious power according to the memory fragments in her mind.

"...Ugh... ah!"

Her unpracticed manipulation had the opposite effect, the out-of-control energy impacted her circuits, making Celitia scream in pain.

The girl's hands fell limp, her knuckles white as she gripped the bedding beneath her, her head thrown back, long hair scattered, exposing her taut, slender neck.

"...Huff... it hurts... huff huff..."

That pain dominated all the nerves in her body, even suppressing the uncontrollable burning sensation inside.

Celitia's vision gradually blurred, consciousness continuously drifting away from her.

A twisted light curtain suddenly appeared in the space ahead, and a figure stepped out from within.

She was tall with an attractive figure, her entire being shrouded in pitch darkness, black shadows swirling, making her face impossible to see clearly.

If Celitia were still awake, she would probably recognize at a glance that this was the black shadow who had forcibly knocked her unconscious.

And if Charlotte were present, she would likely cry out in surprise, calling out the other's title.

"The Witch."

The Witch walked up to Celitia and quietly gazed at the girl's pained expression.

She slowly sat down beside the bed, leaning forward, gradually approaching the girl.

"So it was you..."

She extended her hand, gently caressing Celitia's cheek, wiping away the fine beads of sweat on the girl's face.

The cool black silk gloves touched the girl's skin, slowly helping to lower the burning temperature on her face.

On her little finger, a black obsidian ring was faintly visible.

"It's you, isn't it? Only you can resonate with that mysterious 'dark matter' power and become its chosen contractor..."

The Witch trembled as she bent down, wrapping her arms around the girl's body and holding her tightly in her embrace.

Like holding a priceless treasure that had been lost and found again.

"Thank goodness... I haven't lost you..."

Her voice gradually became choked with emotion, carrying a trace of long-suppressed madness. "This time, I absolutely won't let go again..."

"...Ugh... who... don't come near..."

The girl struggled in her arms, trying hard to push her away.

"Don't be afraid," she said softly. "I'm here to help you."

The Witch held down Celitia's struggling hands, lifted the girl's chin with her other hand, and pressed her forehead against the girl's.

"Be good, relax a little. I won't hurt you."

The black aura faintly surrounding the girl suddenly began writhing restlessly, circulating around Celitia's entire body.

After several cycles, part of the black aura transferred to the Witch through contact.

The other part gradually stabilized, returning to the girl's chest and slowly disappearing.

The black mist swirling around the Witch became several shades denser.

Under the shroud of black mist, her beautiful face showed a trace of undisguised pain.

"It's alright now. Next time, you'll definitely be able to control it better."

The Witch gently rubbed the girl's head with utmost tenderness.

Under her comfort, Celitia regained some of her clarity.

The cold that could almost freeze a person and the pain ravaging her meridians finally completely receded.

Struggling to lift her eyelids, in her daze, Celitia saw a blurred face.

That face whose features she couldn't make out transformed before her eyes, becoming a visage from deep in her memory.

"...Sophia?" Celitia asked hoarsely.

The Witch fell silent.

After a moment, she smiled bitterly:

"Yes, this aphrodisiac curse is something even I cannot dispel. Once afflicted, one will mistake whoever they encounter for the person they care about most in their heart… Although I'd like you to continue mistaking me, in my current state, I would only harm you."

The Witch quietly gazed at the girl before her, seeing her own dark reflection in those misty purple eyes.

Deep pain surfaced in her eyes.

"Sophia... is she the person you care about most in your heart?"

After a moment, the Witch began to laugh, her whole body trembling with mad laughter.

"Fine," she said softly, word by word. "Whatever you want, no matter what it is, big sister will bring it to you.

So, just... wait for me a little while, okay."

Standing up from beside the bed, the Witch turned back to look at Celitia one last time.

Then she stepped into that twisted light curtain and instantly disappeared.

Celitia felt as if someone had held her and said many things to her.

But she couldn't hear anything clearly, nor could she see anything clearly.

The tearing pain receded, and without the suppression of that cold sensation, her whole body became even more unbearably hot, as if about to burst into flames.

Twisting unconsciously, Celitia's body tilted and she collapsed onto the bed.

"...Haa... haa... huff..."

Her hands gripped the bedding beneath her tightly, creating deep wrinkles in the neat bedding.

Shameful sensations ignited deep in her lower abdomen, and countless fine beads of sweat flowed from various parts of her body, soaking her thin dress.

Celitia was on the verge of collapse.

Almost... couldn't hold on anymore...

Suddenly there was a muffled sound at the door. The wooden bolt locking the door was cut from the door gap and fell to the ground.

Dim light penetrated from outside, and a figure rushed in frantically.

"Lily?!"