Is The Super Famous Sorceress The Villain?

Slap, slap, slap! Several minutes passed as Katrina continued slapping Dasha. The scene was so heartbreaking that I couldn't bear to keep watching.

"Ah… ah…" Dasha Vienna let out small gasps in a surprisingly high-pitched tone. I never imagined seeing Dasha Vienna behave so submissively, but considering who Katrina is, I don't blame her.

Slap! This time, Katrina slapped Dasha harder, causing her to collapse onto the ground. However, due to the impact, the phone Katrina carried in her shirt pocket flew out. The small black square device landed right in front of us.

To my surprise, the screen turned on from the impact. Seeing the background image on Katrina's phone, I couldn't help but startle.

I rubbed my eyes several times, confused, trying to see better. 'My eyes are playing tricks on me', I thought. What I saw could definitely not be real. Right?

I looked again at the phone screen, still lit, and there it was, that image was still there. This isn't just my imagination! But why does Katrina have that image?

On the phone screen, I saw a photo of Katrina next to another, taller girl. In the image, Katrina wore the same clothes as now, although she looked younger and smaller. She was blushing, and, unlike now, she had long black hair. She looked so cute...

The girl beside her was taller, with short black hair and bangs covering one of her eyes. She wore tactical combat clothes and black gloves. What stood out the most was her intense yellow eye.

Is that Gardnier? The ex-leader of the Trio Encanto? I had never seen her in person, but from Warren's description in the park, it had to be her.

Why does Katrina have such an image? What does it mean? I didn't know what to feel.

However, I made a mistake... Seeing the phone for the second time, my emotions betrayed me, and I accidentally let out a scream. "Ah!"

The noise was loud enough to catch Katrina's attention.

Warren's hand began trembling even more, and he whispered in my ear, "Mila, what the hell is wrong with you? We're dead! Dead!"

Katrina began approaching us slowly. A shadow covered her face, making it impossible to see her expression.

When she arrived, I could see her face through that small frame in the shadow world. Katrina placed her hand as if trying to touch an invisible glass. Her face was serious, as though she were trying to see something but couldn't.

Suddenly, a smile appeared on her face. She asked calmly "Warmonger, are you there?"

Then, Katrina's hand began to pass through the screen until it materialized in the purple space where we were, or, as Warmonger called it, the shadow world.

According to Warmonger, Katrina was also a black-eyed sorceress, which allowed her to access this place, even though she couldn't see anything from the outside.

Katrina's hand slowly approached until it stopped just inches away from my face.

Thump, thump, thump. My heart pounded uncontrollably. If she found me here, what would happen to me?

"Yes, I'm here, Katrina," replied Warmonger as he took Katrina's hand.

Katrina pulled him until Warmonger exited the shadow world. He now stood by her side, though noticeably trembling. Katrina, however, continued smiling.

Suddenly, she raised her hands, causing Warren to flinch as if fearing she would hit him. Katrina blinked several times and then extended her arms, as though inviting him for a hug. "What's wrong, Warmonger? Come here."

Warren's face showed hesitation. Beads of sweat ran down his forehead. I don't blame him; if it were me, I'd also be terrified.

Warren took a few steps toward her but stopped a short distance away.

"What's wrong, Warmonger? Are you scared?"

"N-no, I…"

"Come here."

Warren completed the distance, and when he reached her, Katrina wrapped him in a strong hug. Since he was slightly taller, he had to lean down a little. Katrina placed one hand behind his head, pressing him firmly. A chilling smile appeared on her face as Warren trembled like a small child.

"You know I'd never hurt you, Warmonger. I've told you many times how important you are to me, haven't I?"

"Y-yes, I know…"

"You're my most powerful weapon, please don't forget that."

Most powerful weapon? Katrina's words sounded more like she saw Warren as an object rather than someone important to her.

While I tried to make sense of her words, I noticed that Katrina was looking in my direction with a smile that could scare even the bravest.

"I know you're there. You don't need to hide." Said Katrina.

Warren, still trapped in the hug, tried to turn to see if Katrina was referring to me, but he couldn't move.

Thump! Thump! Thump! Huh? Does she know I'm here? My heart raced uncontrollably.

Katrina released Warren and began approaching the pile of rubble where I was hiding. With both hands on her hips, she said:

"Come on, come out. Or do you prefer I drag you out by force?"

Gulp. I swallowed hard. What do I do? Is this the end?

However…

"Come out already, Leandra."

Huh? Leandra?

A girl with a white shirt, blue skirt, and long purple hair stepped out from behind the pile of rubble. Leandra Oikonomou stood before Katrina, tears in her eyes and her head bowed.

"Sniff, sniff… S-sorry, Katrina. I…"

Seeing her, Katrina sighed. "You're worried about her, aren't you? Go on, see her."

Leandra ran, heartbroken, toward Dasha Vienna.

"Dashi!" she cried in a broken voice.

Quickly, she placed Dasha on her lap, soaking her face with tears.

"Dashi, Dashi…"

"L-Leandra? You're as noisy… As always…" Dasha whispered weakly, though with a small smile.

Leandra gently caressed her face, drawing closer, while Dasha wiped away her tears.

What is this? These two…? Seeing them so close, I noticed a slight blush on both their faces. The scene seemed taken straight from one of those yuri mangas I always read. It was like lily blossoms surrounded the two girls.

Once more, I turned my gaze to Katrina. Her face was expressionless, tinged with slight sadness.

Seeing her, I thought: What made her like this? The Katrina in the phone image looked innocent, while the Katrina now was cold and calculating. What are you trying to achieve, Katrina? Why do you do these things?

"Let's go, Warmonger," Katrina said as she turned. "Let's leave the two lovebirds alone. Besides, there are some things we need to discuss."

"Y-yes…"

Lovebirds. So Katrina thought the same. Or was this one of those cliché scenes where both would blush and yell, "It's not like that!"?

Katrina and Warmonger slowly walked away.

I turned my gaze to Leandra and Dasha, still on the ground, but my eyes widened in shock.

"Is… is this…?"

Their faces were incredibly close! 'A kiss?' I thought, but due to the angle and Leandra's long purple hair, I couldn't clearly see what they were doing.

Wait a minute! I thought. That fanfic I read just became canon!

The scene was so sweet that my old fangirl spirit awakened for a moment. However, I quickly recalled the conversation those two had that day in the abandoned building and the terrible things that happened there. They're the Trio Encanto—the real villains of this story.

If I have this power, at some point, I'll have to face them… But a doubt started to form in my mind. If that day comes, will I have the courage to do the right thing? Or will I become like them? And if I face Katrina, would I be able to cure her of all her poison?

As those thoughts troubled me, I saw Leandra and Dasha helping each other up. Then, they rose into the sky at great speed until they disappeared completely.

Watching their figures vanish into the clouds, I decided it was time to leave this strange place. But—

Bump!

"Huh?" I murmured, rubbing my forehead. I had collided with that small screen, which now seemed to block my exit.

"Warren? Hey, is anyone there?!" I asked nervously, but there was no response.

"Help meeeeeee!" I, Mila Velerth, was trapped in this place.