Chapter 146: Pre-match Mobilization Meeting for Class Monitors
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 146: Pre-match Mobilization Meeting for Class Monitors
"Hmm? You're here this early?"
When I arrived at the laboratory, I couldn't find Teacher Ji Niang. I headed to the office next door and found her still eating breakfast.
She looked quite surprised to see me so early.
"Yeah, I felt pretty inspired after reading those papers yesterday," I nodded. "I wanted to strike while the iron is hot and try a few things out."
"Is that so? Well, I won't stop you if that's what you've decided," Ji Niang said, raising an eyebrow before glancing at the time. "Just keep in mind that you might not have much time for research today. It's still early, so you can manage your time for now."
"Oh? Is there something going on today?"
"Xiao Han, the Freshman Competition is tomorrow. Did you really think today would be a day off?"
"Um... what is there to do?" I mused for a moment before asking. My understanding of the Freshman Competition was limited to what I'd found on the Academy Network—I knew it would last for several days, but shouldn't the official matches start tomorrow?
"You aren't worried at all, are you? Then again, the official notices are only being sent out today. It's my fault; I forgot to tell you in advance. You're going to be busy today: student participant data, rehearsals, notifications, precautions, and most importantly, the announcement of the tournament format."
Ji Niang rattled off a long list that left me stunned. I hadn't expected a simple competition to involve so much hassle.
In the past, I never had these kinds of worries, nor did I ever have the opportunity to experience them.
"That much trouble? All in one day?"
"Of course. You still have a bit of time, though. Around nine o'clock, the Academy will issue a notice for all freshman class monitors to assemble. Just follow the instructions then."
"Alright." I checked the time; there was indeed a while left, and I couldn't let it go to waste. "In that case, Teacher, I'll go try to analyze my new spell first."
"Go ahead. I'm glad to see you working so hard, but don't push yourself too much—especially with this competition coming up. Oh, I almost forgot again. I prepared something for you. I think you'll find it very useful."
"Hmm? What is it?" I paused just as I was about to turn away and looked back at Teacher Ji Niang. Had she prepared another spellbook or alchemy item for me?
But hadn't she already given me the Spirit Cat Summoning Spell?
Or did she also think that spell was useless and decided to give me a more powerful one?
"It's information regarding runes. You must be familiar with them by now from studying spellbooks, right? Those irregular symbols densely layered within the books that you can't quite understand. I only mentioned they were called runes before, but I never explained them in detail. Take this book, Analysis of 300 Common Runes. If you can master this, you'll gain a much deeper understanding of average spellbooks."
"This is...!"
My eyes widened in disbelief. I didn't even react until Ji Niang actively pressed the book into my hands.
"I borrowed this from the library. Once you feel you've mastered it, help me return it. Also, I should let you know that books and knowledge in the library are categorized by permission levels. This book is the kind that cannot be borrowed with student authority. I'll find a way to get you some higher permissions, though; after all, you can't keep coming to me for materials forever."
After handing me the book, Ji Niang explained the situation. Generally speaking, library permissions weren't something a teacher could just secure for a freshman with a single word. But who told her to be so influential?
With the data and experimental footage she had recently organized being inducted into the library's collection, she didn't believe her application would be rejected.
"Understood. Thank you, Teacher," I said, bowing sincerely in gratitude. Although I had been to the library many times, I truly hadn't known about the permission system. But if it required special access, the books inside had to be the real deal, right?
While I wasn't exactly great at reading profound theories and knowledge, I would force myself to figure it out.
What Teacher Ji Niang gave me this time was far more valuable than a simple Mana Source or spellbook!
* * *
Back inside Research Room 8401.
The first thing I studied was the Spirit Cat Summoning Spell, mainly because its consumption was massive—ten times that of a Fireball Spell!
While there might be a difference in energy levels due to mana conversion rates, the actual consumption was undeniable.
If it only summoned a simple house cat, it wouldn't be worth it.
However, I had looked over the test evaluations for the spirit cat yesterday, and I had greatly underestimated its strength.
Being named a "Spirit" naturally meant it possessed transcendent capabilities; it wasn't as weak as a common pet.
The spirit cat inherited all the typical feline traits: flexibility, agility, and speed.
According to the data, the summoned spirit cat could be controlled to release abilities like Blazing Claws. Most of its transcendent abilities were self-enhancements; it couldn't cast fireballs or anything like that.
I had actually tested it, and it was true. However, the power of those enhanced claws was terrifying—enough to leave deep gouges in a steel plate!
If that hit a human, wouldn't it be even more horrific? I wondered if I'd have to give the victims rabies shots... probably not, right?
After all, this was a spell effect. The true strength lay in the raw power of the summoned entity itself.
As Sister Bai had said, freshmen generally had weak physiques. If they were entangled by such a swift and agile spirit cat, a single swipe of those claws could mean the difference between life and death.
"Mmm-hmm~ Little kitty~ Be a good girl for me~ Who's a cute girl? You are~"
At that moment, a figure was leaning lazily against the lab bench, teasing the spirit cat with her hand.
No need to wonder—that figure was my Illusion Clone. Yesterday, I had briefly suspected this Illusion Clone possessed its own consciousness, given how agile it was and how its speech patterns were indistinguishable from a normal person's.
It even knew how to tease me!
However, both the spellbook's description and the clone itself told me that it had no independent thought. These behaviors and actions were merely projections of my own subjective consciousness.
It was a strange collision between my own cognition and the spell. Essentially, she was another "me." My own inner thoughts were being projected outward, much like a dream.
I looked at the clone. So, deep down, was I the type who loved petting cats and couldn't resist cute things?
Unfortunately, I had never owned a cat.
Once I admitted that to myself, I really did feel like giving it a try.
But unfortunately, time was tight. I didn't have enough time to make any modifications to this spell. I had barely managed to construct its internal spellbook model, and I didn't have a viable modification plan yet.
After all, "magic modification" wasn't just random tinkering. If I broke the spellbook, it would be gone for good. Even if I wanted another, I'd have to shamelessly beg Teacher Ji Niang, and I didn't know if she had a second copy.
I found summoning spells to be quite interesting—specifically this kind that summoned a spell effect rather than a lifeform from somewhere else.
Its plasticity was much higher than summoning spells based on soul contracts with living beings.
But time waited for no one. Soon, it was nine o'clock, and my phone buzzed with a notification. It was a specific notice issued by the Academy system.
Just as I was checking the details, Teacher Ji Niang came in to remind me that it was time.
According to the notice, the class monitors of every class were to gather in a specific meeting room.
There, they would undergo unified information registration and be briefed on precautions and other matters.
I naturally wouldn't dally. I hopped onto my broom and flew out of the lab. I didn't even take the elevator; I just flew straight out the window. This sort of thing was actually quite common and didn't count as a flight violation, though it wasn't exactly encouraged.
When I arrived at the designated location, quite a few people had already gathered. Judging by their auras and the Mana Sources within them, they were most likely freshmen—and perhaps every single one of them was a class monitor.
From this, one could see the disparity between monitors.
Some had dozens of Mana Sources and several spellbooks, while others had Mana Sources in the single digits and only one spellbook.
I didn't see any "unlucky guys" without spellbooks; it seemed they had all received special treatment.
I also spotted a familiar figure in the crowd: Tan Han.
I looked away immediately to avoid making eye contact and causing unnecessary trouble. I chose to hang back and avoid her gaze.
But just as I was hiding my presence and looking away, Tan Han glanced in my direction. Once she spotted the familiar figure, she suppressed the urge to go over and question me.
"Hello, excuse me. Is this the meeting room for the freshman class monitors?"
As I stood in a corner of the corridor, I was greeted by a girl with a soft, sweet voice.
"Hmm? Yes, it should be here," I replied reflexively. Turning around, I saw a delicate-looking girl who gave off a timid, shy impression.
After looking her over, I felt a bit puzzled. Usually, the people coming here were class monitors, right?
Was she a monitor too?
Which class?
How did someone so timid become a class monitor?
As a monitor, one enjoyed a massive tilt in resources. Not long after the start of school, they should have obtained far more Mana Sources and spellbooks than others. Was there no one in her class to challenge her?
"Thank you. I thought I'd found the wrong place. Um, my name is Annie Stephens. You can just call me Annie. Can we be friends?"
"Annie?" I raised an eyebrow. That name didn't fit the naming conventions of this region; she was probably from another province. But that didn't matter. I was happy to befriend such a cute girl. Besides, who knew if we'd ever meet again? It was best to leave a good impression.
"That's a lovely name. I'm Yang Yuehan, but you can call me Xiao Han. I'm the monitor for Class 14. Since you're here, I assume you're a monitor too?"
"Ah? Yes, actually. I'm from Class 66. I look forward to working with you." Annie said, even giving me a polite bow!
"I wouldn't go that far, but let's both do our best," I said, waving my hands dismissively.
"Yes, let's do our best. But, um... Xiao Han... why is everyone waiting outside instead of going in?"
"Hmm... good question. I don't know either. Maybe they're waiting for whoever has the key?" I checked the time. It was already past nine. Although the notice said the meeting started at nine-thirty.
Surely no class monitor would be late for this, right?
Counselors would definitely notify them in advance for something this important—unlike Teacher Ji Niang.