Chapter 157: Post-Match Interaction
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 157: Post-Match Interaction
After leaving the infirmary, I couldn't help but let out a long sigh. I wasn't sure if it was out of sentimentality or some other inexplicable reason.
"What’s wrong? Still haven't figured things out?" Bai Yu asked, unable to stop herself from speaking up when she saw my expression.
"Figured what out? I’ve got it all figured out, Sister Bai. It’s better if we just don't mention that stuff anymore. Let’s talk about something else."
Seeing her look so worried that I hadn't moved on was actually a bit funny. I wasn't the type to let something like this keep me in a bad mood.
Besides, now that I had signed that contract, it was definitely for the best not to discuss it.
With that thought, I reached for my phone to check the time, but as my hand brushed against my thigh, I realized my leg ring was gone.
No wonder I had felt like something was off since leaving the room.
"Wait, where’s my leg ring?"
I froze for a second, then remembered that after being heavily injured in the infirmary, my clothes had been stripped off to apply medicine to the bruises. I’d changed into a new outfit afterward.
After all, my original clothes had been reduced to rags in the explosion. If I were still wearing those, I’d be looking even more "breezy" than a beggar.
The outfit I was wearing now was borrowed from Sister Bai. I didn't know why she kept so many spare sets of clothes in her storage equipment, but according to her, it was just to be safe.
In the Transcendent world, you could run into all sorts of situations; keeping a few changes of clothes on hand was common practice.
This set felt a bit baggy on me, especially around the chest. It made my own "poverty" in that department feel very apparent.
"It’s here. Sorry, Xiao Han, I forgot to give it back. The outfit I gave you didn't seem to have a matching leg ring." Sister Bai realized her mistake and spoke up.
"Wait, you can put storage equipment inside other storage equipment?" I stared at the leather leg ring in her hand, my eyes wide with surprise.
"Of course. Space is a very stable attribute, so don't worry. Though, this leg ring is a bit damaged," Sister Bai said, looking at the leather strap with a hint of regret.
"It’s fine as long as it still works. Most of my stuff is still inside, after all." I found a spot to sit down. "Sister Bai, how about you help me put it on this time?"
I fixed my gaze on her face. Ever since the first time she bought me clothes with a leg ring, I’d noticed her obsession with them... even though she didn't seem to like wearing them herself.
I hadn't called her out on it until now. I watched her closely and caught a flash of surprise and a fleeting spark of delight before she masked it with an awkward, reserved expression. Satisfied with her reaction, I didn't take back my request.
"I... I’m helping you? Why the sudden request?"
"You’ve only helped me put it on once before, and never again since."
As I spoke, I lifted my left leg. My skirt, which wasn't very long to begin with, slid down my thigh, revealing smooth, pale skin.
"Does Sister Bai prefer the left leg or the right?" I watched her expression—her pupils were practically vibrating—and I couldn't help but giggle. Did this count as teasing her?
In my mind, this level of playfulness shouldn't really count as "teasing."
"Uh, I like the left... wait, no! Xiao Han, are you actually trying to tease me?" Bai Yu blurted out before suddenly realizing something was wrong. What did she mean, she "liked" it?
"How is this teasing? It’s just helping with a leg ring. If you can't do it, I’ll just do it myself," I said, reaching out toward her.
"Heh, I am definitely putting this leg ring on you today." Sister Bai grabbed my ankle and lifted it, looking like she was determined to pay me back for the teasing I’d just dished out.
"Whoa—!"
I hadn't expected her to be so forceful. My leg was yanked up so suddenly I nearly lost my balance.
Before I could even think of struggling, I felt the sensation of leather sliding over my ankle. Sister Bai’s hand followed the strap up my calf, moving smoothly until it reached my thigh.
The back of her hand brushed against the inside of my other leg as if by accident, sending a ticklish sensation through me.
Then, about two-thirds of the way up my thigh, I felt a sudden constriction. It was that unique, snug pressure of a leg ring, tightened just to the point where it bit into the skin without being uncomfortable. I felt her fingers adjusting the buckle.
"There. You want to tease me? You’re still a bit too green for that, Xiao Han." Once she was finished, she gave the side of my thigh a firm pat, instantly snapping me out of my wandering thoughts.
"Too green? Where am I green?" I shot back, the word seemingly triggering a reflex.
"Wait, Xiao Han! You’re learning bad habits." Bai Yu was stunned by my retort. She pulled me up, looking like she was about to give me a spanking.
"Wait, wait, wait! I’m sorry! My mistake!" I quickly hopped away and turned around to apologize, trying to laugh the whole thing off.
"Hehe, Sister Bai, let me ask you something."
"What is it?"
"Is your fetish leg rings? Because if it is, I can wear them for you every day, you know?"
"A fetish... what’s wrong with having a leg ring fetish?" Seeing that she’d been found out, Bai Yu just admitted it outright, her tone turning quite tsundere. "Don't you have things you like too? Short skirts, stockings, garters... You don't even know where the clips on a garter belt go, yet you still like that stuff..."
"Enough! Stop! Don't air out my dirty laundry like that! Fine, I admit I have broad tastes, okay? Jeez... let’s not talk about this. Where are we going next?"
Blushing furiously, I cut her off before she could say more. I walked over to the railing of the spectator stands and looked down at the arena. It had already been restored to its original state; the efficiency was truly impressive.
I checked the time. There was still a while before noon.
However, the class group chat had absolutely exploded.
I had tons of private messages too. Just glancing at the list, I could see everyone was asking if I was okay.
I posted a message in the group chat to let everyone know I was safe, then started replying to the private messages one by one. I didn't keep the conversations going, though; I didn't have the time or energy to chat with everyone.
Stirring up the group chat was enough. After answering a few questions, I took the chance to slip away while they were still buzzing.
Most of them were interested in the outcome of the match. Quite a few felt that the fight should have ended in a draw at the very least.
Others were complaining that the academy’s matchmaking system was garbage, pitting the two strongest freshmen against each other right at the start. They claimed they could do a better job of seeding the matches with their eyes closed.
It was clear my classmates really cared about me.
They were also very concerned about my injuries.
After all, I had fallen from a significant height at the very end. It looked painful just watching it, let alone the explosion that preceded it.
Of course, some were curious about what spell I had used. To avoid any misunderstandings, I chose not to answer that.
If they started thinking every Fireball Spell could be that powerful, the disappointment they’d feel when they actually learned it would be crushing.
"Yang... Yang Yuehan?"
"Hmm?" Hearing my name, I instinctively looked up from my phone and found myself facing a familiar figure.
"Oh, if it isn't our Vice Class Monitor. I didn't expect you to come see me. But I’m sorry, I lost the very first round."
"I... I didn't come to see you! I just happened to be passing by the infirmary." Tu Xingyue looked away, though she settled down a bit when she saw Sister Bai standing next to me. "And... I don't blame you. Facing Tan Han in the first round... you performed brilliantly. Back then..."
"Is that so? I’m relieved to hear you say that. I’ve been feeling pretty bad about it, since I promised you and then messed it up. Since you’ve forgiven me, I’ll accept that with a clear conscience, okay?"
"Accept it then! I... I won't bother you anymore..." Tu Xingyue glanced at Bai Yu one last time before turning and making a run for it.
"Sister Bai, you scared my Vice Class Monitor away," I said with a smile, glancing at Bai Yu as I watched Tu Xingyue’s slightly flustered retreat.
"Your Vice Class Monitor?" Bai Yu clearly zeroed in on those words, her tone turning a bit strange. "Is she the one who helps you manage the class when you’re not around?"
"Yeah. She’s a really good girl."
"A 'really good girl'? That’s high praise coming from you, isn't it? Who was the last person you described that way?"
"It was... uh, let’s not talk about her." I looked at Sister Bai helplessly. Why was this coming up again?
I had almost managed to forget about it.
The last person I’d described that way was, naturally, my ex-girlfriend. Unfortunately, we broke up over the break—if you could even call it a breakup.
She used to be my deskmate and one of my few friends. Later, I thought we should give it a try, and we hastily entered a relationship.
I hoped she was doing okay at Afuhemi Academy. I wondered how strong she was now. Her final College Entrance Exam score had skyrocketed, so she was probably doing great.
"Fine, we won't mention her."
Bai Yu stepped forward and leaned against the railing next to me. As she leaned over, the railing pressed against her impressive curves. At that moment, they seemed like the most gravitationally significant objects in the world, pulling my gaze toward them.
"What? Even if Xiao Han is a girl now, you shouldn't stare so blatantly, should you?" Bai Yu couldn't ignore my intense gaze. She reached out and ruffled my hair.
"I... ahem, what’s wrong with looking?" I said, blushing. It was impossible to resist, but I’d been caught red-handed this time.
"It’s fine. You’ll be this big too someday, Xiao Han. Want me to give you a hand right now?"
"Huh? Give me a hand?"
While I was still daydreaming about her saying I’d be that big one day, I realized she had moved behind me. Her arms reached under mine, her hands resting on the railing in front of me.
"Wait... Sister Bai, what are you doing!"
"Oh? Even Xiao Han can get flustered?" Bai Yu pressed closer. The sensation the railing had just enjoyed was now being pressed against my back.
I... I was being cornered!
"Alright, alright~ I’m done teasing. You’re way too easy to mess with, Xiao Han." Seeing my reaction, Bai Yu shook her head almost imperceptibly and let go, refraining from any further "handiwork."
"You’re the one crossing the line, Sister Bai! I never knew you were like this. Even if I am a girl, we... we shouldn't be that intimate, right?"
"It’s actually very normal for girl besties to be like this," Bai Yu explained.
"Really? Don't lie to me, Sister Bai. You’re my only source for learning how to be a girl." I looked at her with a sincere, questioning gaze.
"Of course. Why would I lie to you? Come on, while we still have time, I’ll take you to the market outside. It’s a special version that only happens during the Freshman Competition. It’s the liveliest time of the year!"
"It’s also a way for freshmen to learn about the Witch Academy and get in touch with the Transcendent world. Just think of it as accompanying me for a stroll. We can see if there’s anything you can use for this afternoon."
"There’s no way. This afternoon is the loser's bracket; it’ll be a total stomp," I said confidently. But despite my words, I was taking it seriously. The afternoon’s elimination round was going to be a massive melee.
"It’s good that you’re confident. But your repertoire is still too small. You need to learn how to utilize alchemy items. It takes time to adapt to a spellbook, but you can pick up alchemy items very quickly. It’s my fault this time for not giving you enough preparation. On the field, you—"
"Stop right there! This has nothing to do with you, Sister Bai! Besides, the bracers were a huge help. You shouldn't be blaming yourself for this, hey!"