Chapter 102: Unlocking a New Map in the Academy
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 102: Unlocking a New Map in the Academy
"What's the matter? Not used to it? My broom might not be the latest model, but I only got it recently. Don't you want to give it a go? Like you used to say—feel the 'speed and passion.'" Sister Bai watched me standing there unmoved and nudged me again.
"I... well, alright then, I won't be polite!" Under Sister Bai’s repeated prodding, I finally accepted the proposal.
Although I had experienced the joy of flying in the open during my flight license assessment, this was the first time I could do so without any restrictions!
Moreover, I was going to be carrying Sister Bai with me. This was something I wouldn't have even dared to dream of before!
I straddled the broom and sat down. It immediately began drawing on the mana within me, pulling a larger amount than I usually needed during practice.
It seemed that while this broom was better than my old one, its consumption was also higher. Fortunately, I already had three Mana Sources, which was more than enough to fly Sister Bai around for a good while.
"Sister Bai, are you settled?" I looked back to check. After all, the person sitting in the back didn't get to enjoy the soft "air cushion" that comes with piloting. I wasn't sure if she was used to it.
"Yes, I'm ready," she replied, sitting sidesaddle. Judging by how she kept adjusting her position, though, she clearly wasn't comfortable.
"Well then, we're taking off~!"
I controlled the broom to lift off. Having someone behind me made the sensation unfamiliar, so I didn't dare fly too recklessly at first.
"Hehe, Sister Bai, it doesn't feel great sitting back there, does it?"
"No, it really doesn't. There's no built-in cushion, so it's quite hard on the backside. Why didn't you tell me before, Xiao Han?"
"I just assumed they were all like that before I started learning," I said helplessly. "Hold on tight, I'm about to speed up~!"
With a burst of acceleration, we turned into a dark blur, streaking across the sky.
This drew gasps of wonder from the newly enrolled students below. Although they occasionally saw a Senior Sister flying overhead, this was the first time they had seen someone take off from so close by.
It only served to heighten the freshmen's expectations for the Transcendent world.
After all, who wouldn't yearn for the ability to fly?
I cast a Protection Spell on myself to block the intense airflow from the high-speed flight. Unfortunately, I didn't know how to cast it on others yet, otherwise, I would have given one to Sister Bai.
"Xiao Han, I didn't expect you to have a Protection Spell already. I was going to tell you to slow down."
"The Shopkeeper at the Baking House gave it to me for helping out with a few things," I replied, immersed in the thrill of high-speed flight while still finding the breath to answer Sister Bai's question.
I had wanted to experience this kind of speed for a long time, and I hadn't expected to realize that dream so soon.
"Sister Bai~ where are we going? Why don't you pick a direction for me?" I shouted over the whistling wind.
"Wherever you like. This direction is fine," Bai Yu said with a smile, tossing the decision back to me.
"Alright then~ I'll just land wherever the wind takes us. If it's not fun, it's your fault, Sister Bai."
I looked down at the buildings below. The layout and construction of the academy were very deliberate.
The most prominent area was the central teaching district. It was the most advanced part of the school, housing teaching buildings, laboratories, libraries, and more. This zone was the heart of the Witch Academy—the very reason it was called an academy.
There probably wasn't much "fun" to be had there. It was better to stay away from the formal study areas. Today, I’d head toward the outskirts to see if there were any sights I hadn't encountered yet.
The Witch Academy was massive, and I hadn't "opened" much of the map. Combined with my regular, disciplined lifestyle, I actually didn't know much about how the academy's different zones were divided.
As I began to decelerate with Sister Bai in tow, I got a clearer look at the area below. It was very lively, with street after street filled with Senior Sisters busy with their own affairs.
It was as if they had no idea today was the start of the new school year.
"Xiao Han, why did you come here? This place isn't fun."
"I was thinking the same thing. It's all Sister Bai's fault."
"Yes, yes, it's all my fault. So let's leave quickly; there's nothing interesting here," Bai Yu said with a smile, taking the blame and urging me to move on.
"But it looks so lively here, and I've never been. Think of it as 'opening the map.' I want to see what they sell; maybe I'll need something from here later?"
I didn't take Sister Bai's advice. To me, any part of the academy I hadn't visited was worth exploring!
Especially a busy, vintage-looking district like this. Shopping here was like opening a blind box—you never knew which shop might be hiding something interesting.
Besides, places like this were usually like flea markets: the goods were diverse and cheap, and there was always the chance of finding a hidden gem.
"This..."
"Just walk with me for a bit~ Sister Bai~" I said coaxingly.
"Fine... but stay close to me. Don't go running off, okay?" In the end, Bai Yu couldn't resist my pouting and agreed to my decision.
"Hehe~ I won't run off."
Walking through these streets, I felt a massive contrast to the high-tech, advanced atmosphere of the rest of the academy.
Yet, it felt strangely familiar. There were roadside vendors and crudely built stalls, with merchants hawking strange wares and calling out to passersby every now and then.
"Sister Bai, the things here are so strange. What is this?" I asked curiously.
"Mostly materials containing Transcendent energy, but many of them are useless junk that can't be utilized effectively. They're specifically meant to be sold at high prices to trick clueless newbies. Even if you buy them, they're just trinkets to fiddle with."
"Oh... is it all like that?" My eyes kept scanning the area, constantly taking in new sights.
A few Senior Sisters came up to try and sell us things along the way, but Sister Bai blocked them all. It was a good thing she was here; otherwise, I didn't know how many times I would have been swindled.
Even with the Boys' Enrollment Subsidy I received from the academy, I wouldn't be able to afford much here.
"Well, those things do have other uses, but you probably won't need them at your current stage. If you want to buy a little souvenir, you should look at the Alchemical Products made by the alchemists. Items with no practical effect aren't expensive, and they're fun to play with when you're bored."
Sister Bai led me to a small alchemy shop filled with all sorts of exquisite trinkets. Activating my Spirit Vision, I could see the Transcendent energy swirling within them; they were definitely genuine Alchemical Products.
"Welcome, you two! See anything you like? These are all my practice pieces, so it's buy-one-get-one-free. I'm just selling them at the cost of materials to make back some of my expenses, hehe~" The Senior Sister greeted us with a smile. She was quite blunt, admitting they were just practice runs to recoup costs.
It seemed that was indeed the case.
Since she was being so honest, she probably wasn't trying to scam us, right?