Chapter 143: Thanks for the Invite, My First Experience with Campus Bullying
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 143: Thanks for the Invite, My First Experience with Campus Bullying
But it wasn't over yet.
A ritual circle manifested before my hand. This spell was cast far faster than theirs; my hand reached through the ritual, looking as if I were physically grasping the fireball.
In an instant, the fireball elongated, taking the shape of a spear—tapered at both ends and thick in the middle.
In truth, it was simply a Fireball Spell stretched from both sides, but at this moment, I used it as a lance, pressing the tip right against their noses.
"Se... Senior! Big shot! We were wrong! We got the wrong person! Really!"
The delinquent girl beside her didn't hesitate. She immediately shifted her posture and prostrated herself, forehead hitting the ground in a perfect kowtow. The one I was pointing the spear at didn't dare move a muscle.
She had no idea what this spell was. A moment ago, it looked like a Fireball Spell, but now it had suddenly turned into a spear that could be held by hand.
How could a Fireball Spell be held for that long?
Was it some kind of summoned flame weapon?
No matter how she looked at it, this didn't seem like something a freshman should be capable of.
"We're sorry! We were just doing a favor for someone! We were just getting paid to do a job!"
"Please! Cancel the spell! If... I mean, if it goes out of control, it'll be bad for all of us. It'll... it'll attract the Discipline Squad..."
"Doing a favor? For who?" I cocked an eyebrow. So someone actually paid to have people come looking for trouble?
Who?
I didn't recall offending anyone.
"That... we can't say. Please! Senior, we'll give you all the money we made, just let us go! The one we were looking for is just a freshman from this year's intake..."
They were being as humble as humanly possible, though it seemed they had misunderstood who I was.
This was getting a bit boring. Weren't upperclassmen supposed to be somewhat capable? Was it really okay for people with this level of strength to come out and pick fights?
"Why can't you say?" I continued to press.
"A contract! We signed a Witch Contract! If we talk, we'll be liquidated! The contract's binding power won't even let the words out!" The senior sister was crying piteously now. If she were shedding actual tears instead of just sweat, I might have almost believed her.
Then again, this was the academy, and we weren't in a particularly remote area. she likely banked on the fact that I wouldn't dare kill her, but she was terrified I'd "teach her a lesson."
If they ended up disfigured or with broken limbs, it would cost them a fortune. Healing spells were rare, and a single trip to the infirmary was exorbitantly expensive. And if a fire burned their clothes off, they'd be left here... she didn't even dare finish that thought.
"A contract, huh..." I knew a bit about those, having signed one myself. If that was the case, I couldn't really force it. However, I still had questions. "The freshman you were looking for—who is it?"
"It's... it's the monitor of Class 14, Yang Yuehan..."
Since it was a question they could answer, they blurted it out instantly.
It seemed they were definitely looking for me.
"Xiao Han, it's no use. I have a general idea of what's going on. Leave the rest to me." At that moment, Sister Bai walked over from a short distance away. "Also, Xiao Han, that stunt you just pulled nearly scared me to death. Don't you ever do that again!"
"Sister Bai! Oh, okay, I got it." Seeing Sister Bai appear, I immediately dropped my "cold expert" act.
After getting another small scolding from her, I quickly adopted a repentant attitude.
Admittedly, my actions just now were a bit reckless, but what part of the Transcendent world isn't dangerous?
Even casting a spell could result in blowing yourself up.
If you're afraid of even that, you might as well stay away from the Transcendent world entirely.
"Um, so... Sister Bai, I'll leave this to you?" I asked tentatively. Now that she was here, there probably wasn't much left for me to do.
"Yes. The following scenes aren't exactly suitable for minors. Xiao Han, please excuse yourself for a moment." Sister Bai waved her hand, signaling for me to leave.
"Um... alright then..."
I turned and walked around the corner with some reluctance. Honestly, I was curious to see how Sister Bai dealt with these types. After all, who doesn't love a bit of "blood flowing into a river"?
But soon, heart-wrenching screams echoed from behind me. The cries were so agonizing they could make a listener weep and a bystander mourn. It almost made me feel bad for them.
After a while, the noise stopped, and Sister Bai reappeared before me.
"Sister Bai~ Is everything settled?" I asked happily. As for whether Sister Bai might have been hurt, I wasn't worried at all. If those girls were terrified of me, Sister Bai would have handled them with zero effort.
"Mhm, it's fine. You won't run into these problems again," Sister Bai said in a doting tone, even reaching out her hand to pat my head.
"Is that so? Then, Sister Bai, can you tell me why they were looking for me?" I felt her hand resting on my head. As a guy, I didn't usually like people touching my head, but since it was Sister Bai, I didn't mind. Besides, I was a girl now, so I wasn't worried about it stunting my growth or anything—that's just a superstition anyway!
"Remember those posts on the Academy Network about the freshman battle power ranking predictions?"
"I know them. Is it related to that?" I asked curiously.
"Yes. To gather more intelligence before the official competition begins, people use various methods to test the freshmen. For example, these 'random' encounters where someone picks a fight. The monitors of other classes are likely facing the same situation as you right now."
"Huh? They're that blatant? Doesn't the academy do anything?" I widened my eyes in disbelief. This was textbook campus bullying, wasn't it?
Harassing contestants before a match—weren't they afraid of the academy coming after them?
"Naturally, they'll step in, but these 'gray area' behaviors are hard to regulate. You know how it is; the academy won't go to great lengths over such trivial matters. Besides, those girls wouldn't dare go too far with a freshman, or they'd just be asking for trouble."
"I guess..." I sighed. I couldn't believe their method of gathering intelligence was so... sigh. Wouldn't it have been better to just pay me for an interview?
If they'd given me the money they gave those delinquents, I would've been happy to talk!
Now, not only did they leave a bad impression, but they didn't even get much info... Wait, actually, they did. I showed off my Fireball Spell and energy shield. That's basically my whole kit.
Dammit, I didn't even get my hands on their money. To have them follow me for so long just to pick a fight, the payout must have been decent.
"Don't worry. They won't dare try a second time, or I'll make sure they get more than they bargained for."
"Mhm, I'm not really worried. Sister Bai, have some faith in my strength! I've been at the academy for a while now; I'm not a total newbie anymore. I understand how things work."
"Yes, I've seen your growth, Xiao Han. So, where to next? To your laboratory? Do you want me to walk you there?"
"Well... that 'fight' just now made me realize that researching spellbooks doesn't necessarily have to happen in that lab. Sister Bai, do you know if the academy has a place where I can test spells freely? I remember there being something like that, right?" I asked after a moment's thought.
"Places like that? There are quite a few. Spell testing grounds, stress-testing facilities, things like that," Sister Bai recalled.
"Let's go to a testing ground then. Do they have private rooms? Or is it all open-access?"
"Their main feature is independent space testing. Spells are dangerous by nature and can affect others, so they're usually private."
"Great! Let's go try it out there!"
I made the decision on the spot. Sister Bai led the way, opening the map to the Spell Testing Ground for me—I hadn't been there yet.
Once we arrived, Sister Bai booked a standard testing room for me. It was only when it came time to pay that I realized how expensive the fees were!
Upon further inquiry, I found out that specific equipment—like disposable testing targets, practice dummies, or permissions for permanent solidification spells with special effects—all cost extra.
Fine, everything costs money. Suddenly, the free laboratory seemed a lot better.
But Sister Bai had already paid... sigh.
If people didn't know better, they'd think I was being kept by Sister Bai.
"Xiao Han, do you need some testing dummies?" Bai Yu asked, tilting her head.
"Ah? No need for that. The spells I'm testing don't really require a visual representation of power. Besides, this room comes with some free dummies and force gauges, right? No need to waste more money," I said, waving my hands dismissively. The spells I wanted to test were Spirit Cat Summoning and the Illusion Clone Sister Bai had given me. Neither was the type to deal direct damage.
I looked around the room. Though it was empty, the walls, floor, and ceiling were covered in combat scars. The interior was reinforced with solidification spells to ensure the entire building wouldn't collapse from an explosion.
Of course, there were limits on the spells allowed here—mostly regarding high-consumption spells. That didn't concern someone like me, who couldn't even use a spell that cost triple-digit mana.
"Xiao Han, which spell do you want to try first? Or do you want to try the Illusion Clone I gave you?" Bai Yu stood to the side, looking quite expectant. "I should warn you, though: the Illusion Clone is a bit special. Its effect only works on targets that are susceptible to illusions, just like you. The dummies and tests here won't be enough to properly test that spell."
"Eh?"
"They have professional testing personnel here, but the advance fee is quite high. Would you like to hire one, or should I help you test it?"
"Eh? You'll help me test it, Sister Bai? But if I use this spell on you..." I looked at her in surprise. I hadn't expected her to offer.
"It's just an illusion, it's nothing. Don't underestimate your Sister Bai. Or... would you rather use it on yourself?"
"Eh? I can use it on myself?"
"Of course. Spells don't distinguish between friend and foe. Why wouldn't you be able to use it on yourself?" After explaining, Bai Yu walked to the opposite side of the room. "While we still have time, let's consider this a bit of post-lunch exercise. Let's begin."