16. Frenemies

Dorothy left that somewhat inexplicably pure white girl and headed towards the bookstore's textbook section.

She quickly found her sister, but she only realized after getting a bit closer that Alice wasn't alone; she was confronting three witches of about the same age.

Seeing her sister seemingly being bullied, Dorothy's heart raced, and she quickened her pace, wanting to teach those short-sighted people a lesson.

However, as she got closer and clearly saw the faces of the three witches opposite, especially the magical blue curly twin ponytails of the leading witch in the middle, Dorothy immediately stopped in her tracks.

"Oh, so it's Isabella, then it's fine," she said.

She recognized the identity of the other girl; that was her sister's old classmate and old nemesis.

The other girl was the daughter of the Haiyue Floating Island's lord, the Sea Moon Witch, and the future young island master. Isabella, inheriting the Sea Moon Great Witch's talent, was known locally as a genius girl and, together with Alice, hailed as the pride of Haiyue Floating Island, known as the Haiyue Double Prides.

Their formidable stepmother was Haiyue Floating Island's chief research witch, essentially acting as the chief steward of the entire Witch Territory. She and the Sea Moon Witch, the lord of the island, had been childhood sweethearts, and their families were deeply connected, often gathering together.

Thus, Alice and Isabella, who were of similar age, could also be considered childhood sweethearts. Unfortunately, these two girls did not inherit the profound friendship of their mothers; instead, they seemed naturally incompatible, always either arguing or fighting, neither willing to concede to the other.

Anyway, by the time Dorothy arrived, these two were already like fire and water. However, she had heard from her stepmother that when these two were younger, they actually got along so well that they would hug each other upon meeting. It was unclear why they became enemies as they grew up.

Of course, Dorothy, watching from the sidelines, had a clear perspective. She might understand their thoughts towards each other even more than the two girls did themselves.

Being born as the young miss, Isabella actually liked Alice very much. She hoped that their relationship could be like that between the Sea Moon Witch and her stepmother, with Alice supporting her in the future.

Yet Alice was someone who would never be weaker than others. Since childhood, the little witch had thought of opening up her own territory in the future and becoming a lord herself. With such talent and capabilities, why should she settle for being under someone else's roof as a steward?

Thus, conflicts arose. Isabella always thought of competing with Alice, wanting to outdo her and convince her to willingly support herself.

But Alice, fiercely competitive and increasingly resilient, respected no one. Isabella's actions seemed to Alice like needless provocations, naturally annoying her.

The result was just as it was, one being pridefully tired, the other a stubborn strongwoman, one reluctant to speak clearly and always causing trouble, and the other stubbornly never admitting defeat, never willing to step back even in death. It was no wonder that their meetings always ended in arguments.

Anyway, every time Dorothy saw these two meeting, she liked to bring a little stool and a handful of sunflower seeds to start watching the drama, munching on seeds while lamenting that this must be what youth was all about—more exciting than watching any drama series.

Just like now...

Although they had to remain quiet in the bookstore, Dorothy's heightened perception still allowed her to acutely sense the frequent magic power fluctuations between the two little witches.

Hehe, their Sound Transmission Technique was already heated up with arguments.

And in the spirit of a professional onlooker, Dorothy fiddled "just a little bit," and the not-so-sophisticated Sound Transmission Technique of these two naïve little witches was easily cracked; she began eavesdropping with a face full of auntie-like smiles.

Isabella: "Hehe, I was wondering why I smelled a foul sweat odor from so far away. It turns out you, this muscle-headed buffoon, are here too. Are savages learning to read these days? Need this big sister to help you pick textbooks?"

Alice: "Scram, I only have one sister, and you just happened to be born an hour earlier than me, so stop your nonsense, and stay away from me, your fishy smell is nauseating me, and I don't like fish."

Isabella: "You little midget, are you looking for trouble?"

Alice: "Clearly, you, the Fat Salty Fish, are the one causing trouble. Who's afraid of you?"

Isabella: "I think you're itching for a beating after not being hit for a few days."

Alice: "Hehe, I don't know who lost their scales all over the place last time, almost turned into a dead fish."

Isabella: "That's because you ambushed me. You have no honor; fight me face to face if you dare."

Alice: "Oh wow, our smart Miss is complaining about being ambushed by me, this muscle-headed beast. Your fish brain is truly brilliant."

.......

Isabella: "Don't leave later, see you at the Arena on the rooftop."

Alice: "Hmph, who's afraid of who? The Arena it is, then. I'll call the Medical Team for you first."

.....

Well, it's still the usual high-intensity bickering, now even using High-Speed Divine Words—a few hundred sentences a second in their verbal sparring. They must have practiced in secret a lot. You two are really made for each other.

Dorothy enjoyed her popcorn until both of them went silent for a break. Only then did she leisurely stroll out from behind the bookshelf.

"Oh, Isabella's here too, what a coincidence."

She walked over to Alice, her face showing just the right amount of surprise as she looked at the Miss Blue Hair opposite her.

"Uh, Sister Dorothy, you're here too."

Isabella seemed a bit surprised, then somewhat shy. She curtsied to Dorothy very politely—a ladylike demeanor that was impeccable—and then covered her mouth with a fan, smiling a bit bashfully.

This graceful and composed demeanor made it hard to believe she was the same person who just a second ago had been firing off hundreds of sharp, heart-stinging sentences.

"Yeah, I'm heading to Witch Academy to register tomorrow. Alice came with me to buy some textbooks today."

Dorothy also pretended to be clueless, explaining like this and even cracking a joke.

"From now on, Isabella, you and Alice will be my seniors. I'll be counting on you two to cover for me at school."

"Sure, sure, Sister Dorothy, you can come to me for anything. I still have some influence in the student council. I'd do anything for you, Sister."

Miss Blue Hair seemed suddenly excited, her eyes sparkling as she looked at Dorothy.

Ahem.....

Dorothy was quite touched by Isabella's enthusiasm.

Look, such a polite and enthusiastic kid, helpful to everyone except Alice.

But before she could express her thanks to Isabella, her arm was suddenly embraced by her sister beside her.

"Hmph, I'll take care of my own sister, we don't need you. Sister, don't bother with her. If you need anything, just come to the School Guard Team."

Alice made a face at her nemesis, then started dragging Dorothy away.

"Let's go, Sister, we need to buy books."

"Alright, alright."

Dorothy was rather helpless about the situation, so she could only politely smile and nod to the Miss Blue Hair opposite before being pulled away by Alice.

But, to her surprise, Isabella quickly followed them.

"Sister Dorothy, let me help too. Alice's grades are so-so, but I've always been in the top five of our entire school. As a witch of the Path of Omniscience too, I can give you much better advice."

The Miss Blue Hair gave a shady dig at her old rival while wearing a blossoming smile as she spoke to Dorothy.

At this, Dorothy was somewhat tempted, especially since her own sister's grades were indeed quite poor.

Alice: "...."

She really couldn't refute that.

Damn, I'll just focus on my studies when I get back.

The little witch, while sending a murderous glare at this damn fake childhood sweetheart, secretly made a firm resolution in her heart.