Hate Me, Witch!-Chapter 93: The Vow in the Blizzard

Ailora dreamed of Ceylan again.

Steam and fire engulfed everything around her. Metal twisted and deformed under the heat, and chunks of the ceiling collapsed one after another, shattering into scattered fragments upon hitting the ground.

The girl lay buried beneath the rubble in a narrow space, hot air stirring up smoke and dust so thick it choked her breath away.

She kicked and struck the cracked, scorching walls in vain, trying to escape before the air ran out—but in such a confined space, she couldn’t muster any strength.

And she was just a young girl, far too small to break free.

I’m going to die.

As that thought surfaced in Ailora’s mind, she suddenly heard it—

The faint whimper of a small beast, carried by the howling wind.

With a deafening crash, the wall collapsed—

A blizzard swept against Ailora’s face, and a Snow Ferret’s fluffy tail brushed past her.

“Xia Ya.”

Ailora whispered, staring at the hazy silhouette of a boy amidst the thick black smoke.

She recognized the owner of that Snow Ferret, Silver—

A boy she had known for a long time, a childhood friend she cherished like a secret treasure, something she had never shared with her family.

Sometimes, he would take her to the snowfields to watch herds of migrating reindeer.

Other times, they would cut holes into the frozen lake, using the openings to fish with Silver, then build a fire to roast their catch and share it together.

But in the end, he was nothing more than a childhood companion.

A fleeting figure in a temporary phase of life—someone she would inevitably drift apart from, separated by differences in status, talent, and fate, walking paths that would never cross again.

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As she lay trapped beneath the rubble, Ailora had called out countless names in her heart.

Yet the one who came to save her…

Was a boy of her own age.

"Get up, Ai."

"That was just the first wave of the Beast Tide. A second wave could hit at any moment."

"We need to leave Ceylan—now. Luckily, I know a shortcut."

The boy’s voice came from the thick smoke.

"But I can’t walk."

Ailora glanced down at her legs.

Filthy blood mixed with melted snow, forming a murky pool.

Through the torn flesh, she could see—bone.

A wound from earlier, when debris had crushed her legs. Then, after struggling desperately against the walls, she had only made it worse.

"If we can get you to a Healer-class Beastmaster in time, you shouldn’t suffer any permanent disability…"

She saw the boy emerge from the black smoke, crouching beside her to inspect her injuries.

"No choice, then. Hold onto my neck."

The next moment, Ailora felt her body grow light as he lifted her from the rubble, carrying her on his back without hesitation.

The girl clung to him as they left the ruins behind, the burning city shrinking in the distance.

The Northern winds howled through the open plains, a blizzard carrying ice shards that melted against her delicate skin, stealing what little body heat she had left.

"So warm…"

Her blood loss left her drained, sleepiness creeping in.

She leaned her head against Xia Ya’s shoulder, her voice growing weaker.

"Hey! Wake up! You’re getting hypothermia! That’s why you feel warm!"

"Is that so…" Ailora’s consciousness blurred.

Xia Ya shook her violently.

"Don’t fall asleep! Never sleep in the Icefields! Travelers who close their eyes in this snow never wake up again!"

"Just hold on a little longer—over that ridge is a hunter’s cabin. Inside, there’s a seal-oil lantern, a warm fireplace, and dry firewood."

"And if I remember correctly, they keep a spare sled and sled dogs. Once we get there, we can cross the Icefield to the Redfrost Lord’s City."

Ailora murmured softly, her arms still looped around his neck.

"I see."

"Stay awake. Think about something else."

"This wasn’t a natural Beast Tide—it was deliberate."

"Their movements were too unnatural, and the high-tier Beastmasters stationed here didn’t issue any warnings ahead of time… Don’t you want to know who was responsible for Ceylan’s destruction?"

"I do." Ailora nodded faintly, but her voice was barely audible now.

She could no longer feel her legs.

Then—her hands grew numb as well.

Ailora leaned in close to Xia Ya’s ear, whispering:

"Leave me behind. I won’t make it to Redfrost."

At that moment, she felt it—

The frail body carrying her through the storm suddenly bristled with anger.

"You’re not allowed to die."

"If you die, then I’d be the fool who ran all the way here to save you, only to carry your body through the Icefields like a clown."

The boy stopped walking.

He undid his fur-lined coat, pulling Ailora from his back and wrapping her inside it, pressing her against him.

"My First Soul Pact is with Silver, my Snow Ferret. I get physical resistance from it, so I handle the cold better."

"Right now, I’m the only thing left in this place that can keep you warm."

"…You don’t mind, do you?"

Ailora felt her bare cheek press against Xia Ya’s skin, separated by nothing.

His body shielded her from the wind, his chest radiating warmth.

"I don’t mind."

Her voice was soft.

"You still don’t sound too lively…" Xia Ya sighed.

"That won’t do. Someone with no will to survive won’t make it out of this Icefield alive."

"If you don’t want to talk about my boring topics, then let’s talk about something you’re interested in."

"Girls your age… let me guess. Dress-up dolls? Romance novels? Fancy ornamental pets?"

"…Why did you save me?" Ailora asked.

"Do I need a reason to save someone? Aren’t you my friend?"

Ailora shook her head weakly.

"I have many ‘friends’ back home… but when the Beast Tide came, they all ran away."

"Not one of them tried to save me."

Xia Ya’s footsteps faltered for a moment.

"Shouldn’t a girl your age be thinking about love and butterflies? Believing in a world full of kindness and warmth?"

Ailora didn’t respond.

She only gazed up at him with those sky-blue eyes, watching his profile in silence.

"Alright, fine. I admit I’m a little selfish."

Xia Ya sighed.

"I get jealous of noble brats with personal maids. I envy childhood sweetheart romances from storybooks. I hate those fake, manipulative women who deceive good people."

"You should’ve died in Ceylan. But I saved you."

"So now, your life belongs to me."

"Your past, present, and future—everything about you can only exist for me."

"And I…"

Xia Ya’s tone suddenly turned serious.

"I need a loyal, reliable, skilled, and—preferably—a beautiful girl who can fight."

"Because, let’s be honest—every man dreams of having a badass, gorgeous bodyguard."

He looked down at her.

"Will you be my beautiful girl?"

"…Alright."

Ailora’s whisper faded into the wind and snow.

"Then you’d better live."

"Otherwise, you’ll just be a frozen corpse buried in the Icefield. And that’s not beautiful at all."

Xia Ya hoisted Ailora higher onto his back, gripping her tightly as he pressed forward through the storm.

Xia Ya quickened his pace, carrying Ailora as he pushed deeper into the frozen snowfields.

Their thin silhouettes, leaning against each other for warmth, stretched long in the storming blizzard.

Between the howling winds, only occasional words drifted through the air—

"Don’t die, Ai."

"You still have so many beautiful things to experience. The world isn’t just this snowfield and that frozen city…"

"Like the vast ocean, like a forest under the setting sun…"

"And… like kissing, like holding someone close…"

"And like—that moment when you fall in love."

"So live. Stay alive—and see those things with me."

Redfrost Territory – Main City

The train station was overflowing with people.

Word of Ceylan’s destruction had already spread.

Being the nearest city to Ceylan, Redfrost was now packed with refugees from neighboring towns, all desperate to flee.

No one knew how long the Beast Tide would last.

If a fortified city like Ceylan, guarded by high-tier Beastmasters, could fall overnight, what place could truly be safe?

Ailora sat on a steam-powered train, her luggage in hand, waiting for departure.

It had taken them an entire day and night to find the hunter’s cabin.

Xia Ya had treated her wounds with the medical supplies inside, bandaging her legs as best as he could.

After a brief rest, they rode a sled pulled by dogs to the main city of Redfrost.

From there, the plan was to take a steam magitech train to the City of Knowledge.

Xia Ya said that city was completely different from the harsh, rugged North—a place where everyone spoke gently, a city filled with scholarly wisdom, where newbie Beastmasters like them could study theory and build a foundation.

"I’m going to the municipal library. I need to look something up."

"If I’m late, don’t wait for me. I’ll catch the next train."

With that, Xia Ya disappeared into the crowded station.

So Ailora sat there, alone, guarding their meager belongings in the train car.

That was everything they had.

A few spare clothes, some food—barely worth a few Rhine Gold Coins.

During their escape from Ceylan, Xia Ya had grabbed some valuable jewelry, but it was all spent on hiring a high-tier Healing Beastmaster to treat her legs.

The little that remained had been used to buy the two train tickets in her hands.

With the Beast Tide raging, ticket prices had skyrocketed.

Everyone wanted to flee the freezing, barren North and head toward the civilized interior.

Ailora kept glancing toward the station entrance over and over again.

But that thin silhouette she was waiting for never appeared.

A sudden fear took hold of her.

Xia Ya never left her any money for another ticket.

All their possessions were at her feet—Xia Ya had nothing on him.

If he didn’t come back, she’d have to go to that unfamiliar city alone.

Xia Ya had spoken so highly of it, but Ailora knew nothing about it.

She only planned to go because Xia Ya was going.

"Quite the talent you have there."

An elderly voice spoke from behind Ailora.

She turned to see a white-haired old woman in a simple white robe, accompanied by several elegant female attendants.

Unlike the chaos and panic in the station, this woman stood calm and composed, as if the world’s turmoil had nothing to do with her.

Her gaze was warm as she looked at Ailora.

"Your Soul Talent is remarkable. You have the potential to become a Master—perhaps even a Titled Beastmaster one day."

"Would you like to be my disciple?"

The station erupted into a frenzy.

Gasps, whispers, and shocked exclamations filled the air.

Even the attendants following the old woman looked surprised, their eyes filled with awe and envy.

Among the murmuring crowd, words like "Titled-tier," "Great Figure," and "Six-Ring" echoed repeatedly.

The old woman must have noticed Ailora’s confusion, for she introduced herself with a gentle smile.

"I am from the White Chalk Tower, a guest scholar of the Noble Alliance. I was invited by the Empire to investigate the Beast Tide in the North."

At these words, the commotion grew even louder.

Everyone understood what such an invitation meant.

This was a Six-Ring Titled-tier Beastmaster—

In all of the Empire’s Northern territories, only the Northern Inspector held a Six-Ring rank.

To be chosen as her disciple was an instant rise to power.

A thousand envious gazes fell upon Ailora, each person wishing they could trade places with her.

But despite this golden opportunity, Ailora felt no joy at all.

She kept staring at the station entrance, her heart growing more restless with every passing second.

The old woman noticed her unease and glanced around.

"Where is your guardian? I would like to speak with them."

"I have no parents…" Ailora answered softly.

"But… I’m waiting for someone."

The old woman’s gaze softened.

"If that’s the case, then come with me to the City of Knowledge first. I’ll have the Lord of the City leave a message for the one you’re waiting for."

"Congratulations, Junior Sister!" One of the white-robed women spoke cheerfully.

"This is the first time in five years that Teacher has taken in a disciple!"

She smiled warmly, picking up Ailora’s luggage.

"Let’s go. Second-class seating is too crude. We should discuss this properly in Teacher’s private suite."

More admiring stares followed Ailora.

The White Chalk Tower was different from most transcendent factions—it didn’t demand merit, service, or political contributions.

They only taught.

To be taken under their wing was a privilege few could ever hope for.

If not for the Tower’s strict female-only policy, countless Beastmasters would have fought for a chance to enter.

"…No."

Ailora shook her head.

She opened her mouth to refuse—

Ding-ding!

The train’s brass bell rang.

A long whistle signaled departure.

Relief spread across the passengers’ faces—they were leaving the frozen North at last.

But Ailora’s fear only grew stronger.

He still hasn’t come back.

Where is Xia Ya?

Suddenly—

She stood up, yanked her luggage away, and jumped out of the moving train.

A stunned silence fell over the crowd.

No one could comprehend why a girl so young would throw away an opportunity like this.

But Ailora didn’t care.

She landed on the platform, ignoring the pain in her injured legs, and sprinted toward the exit.

She followed the signs, running and stumbling toward the municipal library.

But before she even made it halfway, her legs gave out.

White bandages stained red as fresh blood seeped through.

Just as she was about to collapse—

A hand caught her.

"Silly girl."

A boy’s helpless voice spoke.

"Why’d you make yourself such a mess?"

Xia Ya sighed.

"That old woman was one of the kindest Six-Ring Beastmasters you could ever hope for."

"If you went with her, you’d have gotten the best education, the best Beast cubs, the best resources."

"Your life would be far better than it ever was in Ceylan."

But then—

He heard Ailora’s soft whisper.

"I want to be… your beautiful girl."

Xia Ya froze.

"…You actually believed that?"

"That was just some nonsense I made up… to keep you alive."

"Then Make a Vow."

"You’ll understand when you grow up—verbal promises mean nothing compared to real benefits."

"I only saved your life. That doesn’t give me the right to claim your entire future."

Ailora didn’t answer. She simply followed Xia Ya’s footsteps, staying close beside him.

Xia Ya sighed, a trace of helplessness flashing through his dark eyes.

"Are you really sure you don’t want to go with the White Chalk Tower?"

"That’s an opportunity of a lifetime—there are people across the entire Western Continent who would sell their souls to become her disciple. Some would even buy alchemical potions just to turn themselves into women for the chance."

Ailora shook her head.

"Following me is going to be hard. I take stupid risks all the time, and there’s a good chance you’ll end up dead."

"Go with her instead… If you really want to repay me for saving your life, you can do it after you graduate from the White Tower."

Another shake of the head.

"You do realize, White Tower only accepts women… but we’re just a boy and a girl, alone together. Aren’t you worried I might do something to you?"

"We’re still young, but soon enough, we’ll grow up. By then, I could do whatever I want to you."

"Not afraid."

Xia Ya’s words finally stopped.

He looked at the golden-haired girl before him, his voice turning serious.

"Then make a vow."

"From this day forward—I will keep you by my side."

"I won’t abandon you. I won’t let you go. Even at the edge of death, we will never be separated."

"And I will help you uncover the truth about what happened in Ceylan."

"But in return, you must live."

"You must value your own life—and always be someone useful to me."

"Alright."

Ailora nodded softly, then linked her pinky with Xia Ya’s.

It was a gesture he had taught her as a child—

A vow that, no matter how many years passed, no matter the distance between life and death, could never be broken.

"Good. Then let’s go."

The Night of the Engagement Banquet

A deep, resonant bell tolled in the distance, pulling Ailora from the depths of meditation.

The banquet was about to begin.

She rose silently, left the meditation chamber, and washed up in the washroom.

Standing before the full-length mirror, she changed into a form-fitting evening dress, then descended the stairs.

Below, a black-haired, dark-eyed boy was leaning idly against a carriage, lazily teasing a Snow Ferret perched on his shoulder while humming an off-key tune.

"Want some milk tea?"

Xia Ya’s voice rang out.

"It’s cold as hell outside—here, warm your hands."

He handed her one of the two steaming cups, then raised his own to take a sip.

"Oh, and I grabbed some roasted sweet potatoes from a street vendor earlier."

Lifting a paper bag, Xia Ya smirked.

"You’ve been locked up in the meditation chamber for days. I bet you’ve been living off nutrient supplements. You need real food."

"There’s a banquet later, sure—but I doubt we’ll get to sit down and eat."

Ailora took the warm cup and bag, sipping her tea.

The heat spread through her chest, melting the cold that had settled inside her.

In the past seven days, she had thought about many things.

What would Xia Ya do about this engagement?

She had already prepared for the worst.

Because to her, the hatred of her childhood had faded into the past—

Now, she cherished this rare, peaceful life with Xia Ya far more.

But the moment she saw him again, all her worries vanished.

One look.

That was all it took for Ailora to understand what was in his heart.

He might say that vows and promises are unreliable,

But he honors them more than anyone.

She nibbled on the roasted sweet potato, warmth filling her frozen memories.

Then, halfway through, she offered the rest to Xia Ya.

"As expected of my thoughtful little cotton jacket."

Xia Ya grinned, taking it and devouring it in three bites.

With a content sigh, he patted his stomach.

Just then, the carriage stopped.

Before them stood a magnificent palace—

The Hall of Oaths.

This palace did not belong to the Imperial Family but to the Eight Oathbound Houses.

Yet even compared to the royal palace, it was not inferior in grandeur.

At the Empire’s founding, the Eight Oathbound Houses had gathered here, and their decisions alone could shake the Empire and the entire Western Continent.

Tonight, the Borgia Family had chosen this place to host the engagement banquet.

Inside, the palace glowed brightly, illuminated by thousands of magitech lights.

With it came an oppressive atmosphere—

Powerful presences, deep as the abyss.

Chaotic voices, swirling through the air.

Xia Ya hopped down from the carriage and extended a hand toward the golden-haired girl behind him.

"Let’s go."