transformation - Dorothy’s Forbidden Grimoire

Finally, amidst the enthusiastic applause of the audience, Adèle Brieuse made her reappearance. She had shed the male attire from her first performance and now wore a vibrant red dance dress. Her fair complexion and captivating beauty, complemented by the red gown, drew yet another enthusiastic cheer from the audience. Behind Adèle, a group of young men and women also emerged, all dressed primarily in shades of red. However, their costumes were not as striking as Adèle's vivid red outfit. These dancers were members of the Feiteng Dance Troupe, set to accompany Adèle in this next performance. Once all the performers were in place, the music began. Unlike the upbeat and lively number from Adèle's initial performance, this composition was slow and melancholic, with an undercurrent of sorrow. Adèle commenced her dance against this backdrop of mournful music, with the Feiteng Dance Troupe providing her accompaniment. Adèle's movements this time were as gentle, smooth, and graceful as the music, filled with a feminine allure unlike the powerful vibes of the first performance. The accompanying dancers circled her, sometimes close, sometimes distant, varying their tempo in union with Adèle to complete this grand dance. This time, Adèle's dance was titled "Scarlet Mother," infused with elements of theatrical storytelling. It seemed to narrate the tale of a mother and her children. Positioned at the center stage, Adèle represented the mother, while the surrounding dancers symbolically portrayed the children. When Dorothy first heard the dance's name, she wondered if it was some kind of secretive dance, prompting her to be wary. But upon closer examination, she found no indication of any concealed dangers and felt relieved. "It seems there's no problem with this performance... I might just be overly sensitive. I should relax and enjoy it..." Just as these thoughts passed through Dorothy's mind, her gaze focused sharply on a spot on the stage, and she furrowed her brow. "This feels... strange?" Dorothy thought to herself as she watched a particular dancer—a woman in a red short skirt with brown hair tied up—onstage. This dancer was positioned behind Adèle. Compared to the others, her movements seemed somewhat stiff, and her expression was noticeably wooden. Dorothy, having a vantage point close to the stage, could observe such details clearly. "That dancer... seems peculiar... and oddly familiar... This wooden expression, these unnaturally stiff movements... Where have I seen this before?" Deep in thought, Dorothy quickly identified the source of familiarity through her scholarly knowledge. "When I controlled a puppet with the corpse puppet ring without activating 'Kai,' it resembled this experience... In my experiments with puppet control, those puppets exhibited similar behavior..." Considering this, she extended her spiritual threads to investigate further. She discovered that the dancer was indeed deceased; the one accompanying Adèle was a corpse puppet. "That dancer... is a corpse puppet!?" Dorothy was startled by the realization. Just then, she noticed that the dancer in question diverged from the choreographed path, drifting closer to Adèle with her dance steps. Underneath her skirt, she retrieved a small knife—crafted from white stone, etched with ancient, cryptic symbols—as she danced, approaching Adèle from the rear. Grasping the knife, the expressionless corpse puppet dancer moved closer to Adèle. Chapter 269: Puppet Dance Inside the Feiteng Theater, orchestra members passionately played their instruments. The poignant, sorrowful melody resounded through the vast, shadowy space, lingering in the ears of every spectator. Onstage, under the watchful eyes of all present, the red-clad Adèle continued her enthralling dance. Adèle's limbs moved naturally and beautifully, akin to the fluidity of flowing water. Combined with her crimson dance dress, the fluidity sometimes seemed like flowing blood, driven by a heartbeat through veins. Her graceful movements captivated the entire audience, who were all absorbed in the performance. Unbeknownst to everyone, this magnificent dance harbored a latent peril. With nobody noticing, one of the dancers had discreetly slipped from her position. Dancing her way towards Adèle, she gradually drew closer in what appeared to be a planned dance movement. The audience, thinking this was part of the performance, failed to perceive the abnormality. Some of the other dancers noticed the deviation but did not dare to break character, fearing they would ruin the ongoing performance. They could only watch as the dancer approached Adèle from behind. They did not see the prepared engraved stone dagger under her skirt. As she twirled and danced, the rogue dancer finally reached Adèle's back. Under the guise of a choreographed spin, she drew her white stone knife and aimed to stab Adèle's back, poised to soak her beautiful red dress with real blood. At the moment the dancer tightened her grip on the knife and lunged at Adèle, her body suddenly trembled slightly, causing her aimed hand to miss its mark. The dagger brushed past Adèle. In the shadows, a pair of eyes narrowed at the sight. This dancer's irregularities finally drew a reaction from the audience, with many exclaiming in surprise. Other dancers, recognizing something amiss, hesitated momentarily, but the orchestra, positioned lower than the stage, continued the music. The performance teetered on the brink of chaos. At this crucial juncture, Adèle sidestepped, seizing the dancer's wrist holding the dagger with a deft move. With a subtle shake, she dislodged the knife, and as it clattered to the floor, Adèle pulled the dancer into a close hold, securing her waist with the other arm. In an instant, Adèle and the dancer assumed a duet pose. With commanding strength, Adèle led the dancer in a continuation of the performance. The would-be assassin and targeted dancer now entwined in a captivating duet. The audience's gasps of shock swiftly morphed into astonishment and applause. As Adèle spun onstage, her sharp gaze swept across the halted dancers, jolting them back into action, prompting them to continue with the music. Thus, the music persisted, the dance continued. With the audience applauding, Adèle and the dancer in her embrace embarked on an impromptu duet, transforming the performance into an unforeseen pair dance. Under Adèle's lead, the previously unresponsive dancer navigated this new routine, while the other dancers resumed their accompaniment as usual. Throughout the dance, Adèle scrutinized the dancer's wooden expression. She lowered her voice, her lips parting slightly as she softly inquired. "Are you... Maria?" As if responding to Adèle's question, the dancer's previously rigid demeanor softened, her expression becoming more lifelike, akin to a genuine person. "You were almost killed; it's best to stop this performance now." Facing Adèle, the woman known as Maria replied quietly. Adèle gently smiled and continued in a low voice. "I know, thank you. But as long as the music plays, the dance must go on." "Do you know how to dance, stranger?" Holding "Maria," now seemingly aware of the situation, Adèle asked with a smile. Maria replied directly. "I don't." "No worries, I'll lead. Just follow me." With those words, Adèle exerted a bit more force, amplifying their dance's dynamics. Maria attempted to match Adèle's moves. Through Adèle's quick-witted improvisation, the routine seamlessly adapted into the duet, carrying the performance forward. Adèle, a masterful dancer, keenly perceived that Maria was indeed inexperienced. Yet, using refined techniques and subtle cues, she managed to guide Maria's movements, ensuring they fit within the dance's framework without incident. As the music continued, the originally theatrical dance began to veer off-script, transforming into an impromptu performance centered around Adèle and "Maria." While the accompanying dancers were bewildered, they relied on their extensive experience to adjust and keep pace. Their choreography remained largely unchanged, but Adèle and "Maria" were venturing into new, uncharted dance territory. At first, Adèle guided "Maria" through each step, noticing the dancer's initial awkwardness. However, as time passed, Maria's movements grew increasingly fluid. She began to anticipate some steps, following Adèle's lead with an unexpected grace, displaying a rapid adaptability that surprised even Adèle. Learning at such a rapid pace, Adèle was amazed to sense that Maria was absorbing the improvisational choreography in real-time—learning and immediately incorporating new steps under Adèle's guidance. In less than a minute, Maria transitioned from a passive follower to an active participant in the dance. "Fascinating..." Witnessing Maria's astounding growth in such a short time, Adèle's smile deepened. She deliberately increased the difficulty of the choreography, testing the limits of Maria's learning speed. Their movements became faster and more open, pushing Maria to elevate her dance skills beyond her original level. The synergy between guide and learner captivated the audience, who repeatedly gasped in awe. Meanwhile, the theater staff, who had watched the rehearsals, were dumbfounded. The performance on stage bore no resemblance to their organized run-throughs. Despite their anxiety over the unscripted improvisation, everything seamlessly unfolded without mishap. As Adèle and Maria's dance escalated in intensity and complexity, their footwork quickened. The performance, spiraling upward in a crescendo, neared the borders of madness, transcending typical dance conventions. An unease seeped through the music. Though Adèle pushed the dance to new extremes, she recognized the music nearing its conclusion. Time constraints prevented her from testing Maria's mysterious potential further. As the final strains of music drew her back to reality, she gradually reduced the dance's intensity, synchronizing with the other performers to smoothly transition to the finale. Finally, as the last notes faded, Adèle and Maria ceased their dance, aligning with the other dancers to take a bow. The auditorium erupted in unprecedented applause. Chapter 269: Puppet Dance The theater surged with excitement. Following such an extraordinary performance, a multitude of audience members leapt to their feet in fervent applause, electrified by Adèle's performance. Some of her long-time admirers were especially animated. "Adèle! Adèle! Adèle!" The audience's rhythmic chants filled the hall. As the grand curtain began to descend, the performers gradually disappeared from view. Behind the curtain, the dancers rushed to congratulate Adèle, while the theater staff, previously on edge, rushed forward to surround her. While the performance seemed like a triumph, those aware of the true events knew their nerves had been strained to the limit. Amid the post-performance buzz, Adèle was peppered with questions and reassured everyone with smiles and explanations of her well-being. Yet throughout, her eyes scanned the crowd for her dance partner, "Maria," whose presence had vanished completely behind the curtain. "Gone..." In the chaos, Adèle softly murmured, observing the bustling stage. --- Though the curtain had fallen, the animated discussions continued among the exiting audience members, all abuzz with commentary on the spectacular event they had witnessed. "Unbelievable... truly unbelievable. Was that the legendary dance of Miss Adèle? It was stunning. Her partner also performed brilliantly. At first, I thought she was going to attack Miss Adèle, which scared me but then realizing it was part of the act—what a genius move." Just moments before, Nephthis had been passionately applauding in her seat and now remarked with admiration to Dorothy beside her. "Miss Dorothy, did you see that?! I feel like coming here was absolutely worth it... hmm?" Nephthis's voice trailed off, noticing something amiss with Dorothy, who was sprawled in her seat, dabbing sweat from her brow with a handkerchief, slightly panting as if exhausted. "Miss Dorothy, are you alright? Is it too hot?" "Ah... perhaps. I might have overdressed, and it's quite crowded," Dorothy replied, exhaling in relief. Yet her exhaustion stemmed from other causes. In a sense, Dorothy had just accompanied Adèle's entire dance spiritually. Indeed, rather than it being the deceased Maria, it had been Dorothy manipulating her movements through spiritual threads, dancing alongside Adèle. Upon discovering that Maria was a corpse puppet controlled by another, ready to assassinate Adèle mid-performance, Dorothy promptly intervened. She leveraged her expertise as a Scholar to employ puppet-mastering techniques. Using her spiritual threads, she wrested control from Maria's handler. Maria had been manipulated by an extraordinary object similar to Dorothy’s puppet ring, characterized by clumsy and expressionless movements with limited speech capability. The controlling force was weak compared to Dorothy's adept command over her own spiritual threads. Thus, during Maria's attempted attack on Adèle, Dorothy successfully redirected the attack. Initially, Dorothy planned merely to alert Adèle. However, to continue the performance uninterrupted, Adèle instinctively caught Maria's arm, intent on maintaining the dance, seemingly oblivious to the danger she had just evaded or the potential threats still looming. Intrigued, Dorothy decided to engage by controlling Maria in the dance. To better perform, Dorothy utilized her vast knowledge, learning from Adèle’s directional cues on the spot. Curiously, Adèle soon sensed Dorothy's extraordinary adaptive skill and purposefully increased the dance's complexity, testing the limits of Dorothy's learning capacity. Despite Dorothy managing to adapt to the escalating difficulty, the intensity left her drenched in sweat. With each challenging step, the improvisation felt increasingly chaotic and unrestrained. Had the music not drawn them to a close, Dorothy sensed Adèle might have led their dance into forbidden realms. "This woman truly is an enigma," Dorothy mused internally, diverting her focus to ponder Maria's situation. During Dorothy's control of Maria, she continually felt the original handler striving to regain control with an extraordinary artifact but was consistently overpowered by Dorothy. Dorothy grew curious about Maria's manipulator. Thus, after the performance, she purposely relinquished control, having decoded instructions directing Maria to immediately leave. She discerned the handler had expended additional mystical energy in their contest of wills. Perhaps the original controller of Maria intended to retrieve her. Dorothy speculated this as she left a single strand of spiritual thread attached to Maria. She pretended to lose the struggle for control, gradually relinquishing Maria back to the controller. Unsurprisingly, once the curtain call was over, Maria swiftly fled the stage amidst the commotion. Thanks to the thread still connected to her, Dorothy could track Maria’s location. If the controller aimed to retrieve Maria, Dorothy could likely identify them as well. 'Now, where might Miss Maria be?’ With this thought, Dorothy began to sense Maria's whereabouts. --- Within a dimly lit restroom in the Feiteng Theater, a dancer in a dark red gown entered and closed the door behind her. She approached the mirror, staring at her reflection—Maria’s expression was vacant and lifeless. After a brief moment of stillness, Maria raised her right hand, which held a simple iron dagger. With stiff, puppet-like movements, Maria reversed her grip on the dagger and aimed it at her abdomen, stabbing without hesitation. One stab, two stabs, three stabs… Her face remained emotionless as she relentlessly pierced her own abdomen, blood splattering across the restroom, staining its walls. Next, she lifted the dagger to her face and, with deliberate force, traced several large cuts across her features, even gouging out her eyes. Finally, Maria discarded the dagger out the window, then collapsed on the floor. With wide, unseeing eyes, she dipped her hand in the pooling blood to scrawl letters on the floor with shaky efforts. A series of letters materialized slowly, each crooked and jagged. Upon completing the final letter, her head slumped, and her body lay motionless. The bloody letters she wrote spelled out a simple name. "Adèle" Chapter 270: The Crime As night fell at the Feiteng Theater, the exceptional performance had ended, yet the auditorium buzzed with audience chatter. They marveled at the spectacular show they had witnessed. Many continued discussing Adèle's seemingly improved dance skills. Others analyzed the meaning behind the "Scarlet Mother" dance and the surprise ‘assassination’ that had turned out to be part of the choreography. Curious audience members wondered about the unknown young dancer who had kept pace with Adèle, speculating on her future in the spotlight. Meanwhile, the host reappeared on stage, praising the performance before the audience. Backstage, still adorned in her vivid red dress, Adèle picked up a discarded white stone dagger from the floor. Her fingers traced its intricate engravings, pausing upon the symbol of a circle and triangle. Her expression was grave. "Have you found Maria?" Adèle inquired, turning to a theater staff member standing nearby, who promptly responded. "We’ve searched the entire backstage but found no trace of Maria. We’re looking in other parts of the theater now." The staff member in a white shirt and suspenders glanced at the dagger in her hand, concern etched across his face. "Miss Adèle, considering what happened, should we halt the performance?" "No, everyone worked hard preparing for this show. Let's not stop it over my personal issue. Continue with the next program," Adèle replied calmly, assuring him. The staff member nodded in agreement. "Yes, ma'am." After he left, Adèle inspected the dagger one last time before tucking it away and heading backstage for the upcoming act. --- In the audience, Dorothy no longer focused on the show. Her attention was on tracking Maria's location through the spiritual thread. Her senses told her Maria was still inside the theater, near the auditorium, yet far from the backstage. 'What’s happening? Why is the puppet stationary? Is the controller there tampering with it?’ Dorothy wondered, noting the puppet remained static for several minutes. Its controller might indeed be there. To avoid alerting Maria’s original handler, Dorothy minimized the spiritual thread’s visibility, sacrificing sensory input for stealth. Her thread only conveyed location, so she discreetly retrieved a gecko puppet from her magical box to scout the area. She swiftly maneuvered the puppet from beneath the auditorium seats, stealthily exiting towards Maria’s position. The gecko puppet scaled the walls of the corridor, nearing Maria’s location soon enough. Through the puppet's eyes, Dorothy suddenly heard a piercing scream echo ahead. "Ahhhhh!" Startled by the cry, Dorothy accelerated, directing the puppet to the source—the restroom, where a middle-aged woman sat horrified, her face pale as a sheet. Sensing something amiss, Dorothy maneuvered the gecko into the restroom, confronted by a grisly scene. Blood dotted the walls in the cramped area, a thick pool spreading across the floor. At its center lay a familiar figure—Maria, motionless, her face pallid, eyes wide, one a hollow cavity. Deep cuts marked her face, and blood gushed from her ravaged abdomen. Her fingers, pointing forward, traced several crooked letters spelling a name Dorothy knew well. ‘That manipulator... resorted to such tactics...’ With the gecko puppet relaying the scene, Dorothy pondered this in disbelief. Back in the auditorium, she rose from her seat, drawing Nephthis’s curious gaze. "What’s wrong, Miss Dorothy?" "Nothing. I just need a quick restroom break," Dorothy replied curtly, leaving her seat. After passing through the sound-muffling doors into the corridor, she found a discreet corner. There, she enlarged the opening of her magic box, allowing a figure to climb out.