Chapter 159: The Great Melee Begins
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 159: The Great Melee Begins
After getting a general idea of the situation online, I went out for some fresh air.
Of course, the main reason was that Sister Bai had brought over my clothes and other things. If she hadn't called, I wouldn't have realized I’d been scrolling through videos for so long.
"Hehe~ Sorry to trouble you with the trip, Sister Bai."
I spoke with a hint of embarrassment as I took the clothes from her.
"It’s nothing. Just make sure to prepare a few extra sets to bring with you tomorrow. It’s inevitable that clothes will get ruined during matches, so it’s necessary to have spares on hand," Sister Bai lectured me.
"I know, I know~ I will. Um... I’ll go change now."
After saying goodbye to Sister Bai again, I cradled the new clothes. This set looked brand new; Sister Bai seemed to know my measurements perfectly. I had originally thought she was going to my dorm to pick some up.
However... as I lifted the new clothes she’d prepared, a leg ring fell out from inside. Well, it seemed Sister Bai’s love for leg rings hadn't changed a bit.
There was really no helping it~
Since this was one of Sister Bai’s few hobbies, how could I not indulge her?
I quickly changed into the new outfit. It fit my body perfectly. I had been a little worried that I wouldn't be used to the feel of new clothes, but it seemed I had underestimated Sister Bai’s eye for fashion.
I was honestly envious of her ability to determine measurements out of thin air.
Finally, I fastened the new leg ring and transferred the items from my old one into the new one.
Everything was ready.
It was time to get some air and see how the other freshman class monitors were fighting.
I walked to the contestants' viewing area and found my seat at spot No. 14. The seats here were incredibly comfortable soft chairs, a stark contrast to the cramped hard seats in the general audience section.
It would have been perfect if I had some popcorn right now, but getting some would require a long detour to the concessions area, and I didn't feel like putting in the effort.
I took a moment to look at the contestants currently on the field. Unsurprisingly, this appeared to be the last batch. Once this round of confrontation matches was over, the winner's bracket rankings and the loser's bracket summary would be finalized.
The Resurrection Match in the afternoon would be a scramble among the loser's bracket—182 people fighting for a mere 18 spots. It was nothing short of madness. Even for me, being besieged by everyone at once wouldn't be a pleasant experience.
And that scenario wasn't impossible. Because of what happened this morning, everyone knew I was a threat. It was inevitable that some would think of pooling their strength to eliminate the strongest player first. It would only take a little bit of prodding to make it happen.
Therefore, I needed an absolute deterrent to force them to fight over the remaining 17 spots instead.
In this regard, the Illusion Clone was a very useful ability—it could distract them and prevent them from focusing all their fire on me alone.
Ultimately, they were all competitors. Every one of them was sharp; no one would enjoy being used as someone else's tool.
As long as they couldn't reach a consensus, they would remain a disorganized rabble with nothing to fear.
Just as I was thinking this, my surroundings suddenly went quiet, leaving only the distant roar of the audience.
There had been quite a few contestants here chatting loudly, so the sudden silence naturally surprised me.
Then, I saw a figure walking toward me. She seemed to be the focal point of everyone's gaze, making it impossible to ignore her.
Tan Han... why was this girl pestering me again? She was from Class 1, and her seat wasn't even in this direction.
As the silence passed, gossip quickly began to ripple through the air. After all, in their eyes, Tan Han and I were rivals!
Especially since I had narrowly lost to her, they naturally assumed our relationship was poor. Some were even speculating whether a confrontation would break out right here in the stands.
But they were clearly overthinking it.
"Xiao Han..."
I leaned back in my seat, took a deep breath, and looked up to meet Tan Han's gaze.
"About the match..."
"It's over, obviously. Only the weak wallow in the past. Don't tell me you're still thinking about it," I said, cutting her off. The moment she opened her mouth, I knew exactly what she wanted to say.
"..."
Tan Han hadn't expected such a response. The words she had prepared instantly turned into useless vocabulary, losing any chance of being spoken.
"Fine. But I still wanted to apologize for what happened before."
"Apology received. Is that all?"
"But I haven't even said what I'm apologizing for yet," Tan Han argued, frustrated by my repeated interruptions.
"We haven't interacted much; there are only so many things it could be. I'll just assume you're apologizing for everything at once, and I accept."
I met her eyes. When a matter is seen through completely, there is no need for excessive words—just like now.
But clearly, Tan Han hadn't seen through things as clearly as I had.
"But... I still have many things I need to explain to you." Tan Han walked over and sat in the seat next to mine. Although there was a small table-like gap between us, I still felt she was a bit too close.
"Excessive explanations are just verbal decorations for past events. Rather than explaining to me, you're really just trying to convince yourself. Don't think of me as someone too complicated. I've already accepted your apology; keep the explanation for yourself."
I continued speaking at a leisurely pace.
However, just as Tan Han was about to speak again, I cut her off first.
"If you still haven't understood that I'm trying to keep my distance, then please allow me to put in earplugs before you start explaining."
"Also, you're sitting in someone else's seat. Yours is over there."
Faced with this dismissal, Tan Han let out a sigh. She felt utterly powerless. This "warm face meeting a cold butt" situation was incredibly awkward for her.
In the past—or even now—she had never been treated this way. Moreover, with so many people watching, it made her look even more embarrassed.
But she understood. Right now, I was in no mood to listen to her, so no matter how much she said, it would be useless.
Tan Han couldn't understand why everything had turned out this way.
Was it because she had acted conceited on the field? Or because of the crazed expression she’d worn in that space of talent? Or perhaps because she had only won the first confrontation match through sheer luck?
It seemed every one of those was a contributing factor.
But in Tan Han's view, it all started from the moment they met in the library. That incident had led to the current breakdown in communication.
In her worldview, only communication could dispel misunderstandings between people. Now, even the path to clearing those misunderstandings was blocked.
"Xiao Han, that bet before the match... does it still count?" Tan Han asked instinctively. But as soon as the words left her mouth, she felt it was inappropriate and added, "Forget it, let's say it doesn't."
"Of course it counts."
I turned my head to look at her. Her "retreat to advance" tactic—bringing up the bet and then immediately offering to cancel it—was well-played. But against someone who took things literally, that kind of move wouldn't work at all.
"Um... I've forgotten exactly what we bet. Would you mind repeating it?"
"Why you are keeping your distance from me."
"Mm... alright." I agreed with a light smile. It seemed Tan Han understood after all.
I naturally remembered the terms of the bet: I was supposed to tell her the whole story. But that would involve far too much.
Now that Tan Han had changed her question to simply why I was keeping my distance, it seemed she realized I wouldn't reveal everything.
Furthermore, her tone was very deliberate. She wasn't asking from the position of a winner; she was negotiating and seeking my consent. That made a difference.
I suppose I was making things difficult for this young lady.
"Because we aren't from the same world. That is the most direct reason."
I stated it plainly from the start. This sentence carried multiple meanings, depending on how Tan Han chose to interpret it.
She was a wealthy young lady, I was a poor kid; she was the protagonist, I was a supporting character; she was an Academic God, and I was just an ordinary student.
Well, that last part wasn't quite right. I couldn't really be called an ordinary student anymore; I was one of the top performers among the freshmen.
The gap between Tan Han and me was huge, but I was confident I would catch up. Just not yet. It was like the gap between an Academic God and a new student at the very beginning—I had already closed that distance. After all, catching up takes time.
Even if Tan Han was some so-called "protagonist," she was still a living person, and so was I. How could a person be trapped to death by a mere "script"?
I just haven't been able to jump out of it yet.
If this so-called script was a grand game of chess involving this entire world, then those teachers and the higher-ups of the other academies were the players.
Would everything change once I became a Transcendent Witch?
Was it possible for me to become one?
Naturally, it was. I couldn't stay confined to this world forever; I wanted to see the world outside.
Even if I jumped out not as a player but merely as a bystander, I wouldn't be swept up in this muddy water.
What I feared was being a pawn in someone else's game without even knowing it.
Fortunately, the Transcendent world had methods of resurrection. That was one of the reasons I could feel at ease.
After all, if a person isn't afraid of the threat of death, there isn't much else to fear—unless it's a fate worse than death.
"Just because we aren't from the same world?" Tan Han asked again.
"Yes. Being around you brings trouble—endless trouble. Even if you mean well, I can't afford the cost."
"Is that your answer?"
"It is," I said with a nod.
After all, anyone could see it. Just by having one match with Tan Han, I had fallen into massive trouble—signing confidentiality contracts and learning truths that someone my age shouldn't have to bear.
And what did I get in return?
So-called academy compensation?
Or so-called Luck?
I still felt it was far from enough.
Speaking of Luck, I looked at the thread of Luck floating around my body, blending into my hair like a stray strand.
This was Luck, not the "Fate" Tan Han believed it to be. However... if she insisted on seeing it that way, I wasn't in a position to correct her.
Ultimately, I had no obligation to fix her mistakes.
By the way... should I find a time to ask Teacher Ji Niang how to use this Luck?
I was a bit afraid this thing would become like puppet strings used to control me.
Compared to this ethereal Luck, I preferred more practical things, like improving my control over Spirit Vision. Both times I saw Tan Han's Spirit Eye, it gave me a deeper understanding and control over my own Spirit Vision. I couldn't help but think in that direction.
"Anyway... thank you for the answer." Having received her answer, Tan Han stood up as if to leave.
Though she clearly scoffed at the answer I gave, she didn't press further.
"May I take the liberty of asking one last question?"
"That depends on what it is."
"I want to know... throughout the entire match... did you really only use a Fireball Spellbook?"
I froze for a moment upon hearing her question. I hadn't expected her to ask that!
It showed she had a good eye.
"Yes," I nodded firmly.
"How did you do it?" Tan Han followed up immediately. It was clear she believed me now; she didn't say "impossible" like she had the first time, but instead asked how.
But unfortunately, the current Tan Han couldn't do it. It was like trying to do fine carving without the right tools—her hardware simply didn't meet the standard.
"That's a second question. You said you'd only ask one last one."
"Sorry, I got ahead of myself. Anyway... I won't disturb you further." Tan Han realized her slip-up and didn't push. Instead, she masked her embarrassment by looking toward the arena.
"Good luck in the afternoon match. I believe a hurdle like this won't stop you."
"Heh, I'll take your word for it."
* * *
With the first round of the elimination tournament completely over, all 364 contestants had finally finished their first matches.
The winners advanced, and the losers were eliminated.
The Great Melee in the afternoon would be the final struggle for those in the loser's bracket.
A massive light screen above the arena displayed the upcoming schedule and procedures.
The countdown for the next match began.
The entry list for the Great Melee was also announced at that moment.
The time in between served as both a break between rounds and time to reset the arena.
Since this was a Great Melee, the individual partitioned areas of the arena weren't suitable for a 182-person brawl, so they needed to be integrated.
Furthermore, this hour was meant for the last batch of contestants to recuperate—healing injuries, recovering stamina, and restoring mana. The healing potions, recovery potions, and mana-replenishing potions used during this time were all provided by the academy.
The interval was only one hour; the official start time would be in the afternoon.
During this time, the space above the arena wasn't left empty. Highlight reels from the first round were played on a loop. After all, the arena was being live-streamed; they couldn't just broadcast an empty field.
They might as well have sent someone to sneak into the prep area for private interviews.
I stood up and walked toward the preparation area. It would be inappropriate to keep sitting in the viewing area.
My movement naturally drew many eyes, especially from the contestants who, like me, were about to participate in the Resurrection Match.
Once I reached the front, the referees began explaining the precautions for this Great Melee.
These were the finer details of the rules. The Great Melee allowed for behaviors like ganging up on individuals, and alchemy items below a certain restriction level were permitted.
The criteria for elimination were shouting a surrender, losing the ability to resist, or losing mobility.
Referees stationed around the field would clear eliminated contestants in a way that didn't interfere with the match.
Of course, walking out of the designated area voluntarily or being forced out also counted as a surrender.
The match would continue until only 18 contestants remained.
Naturally, "the strong protecting the weak" was forbidden. If such behavior became blatant—or if someone openly admitted to it—the referees would eliminate both the protector and the protected.
One could expect that this Great Melee wouldn't last long, but it would certainly be spectacular.
However, many contestants would likely take a conservative approach. After all, standing out too much would make one a target.
"Everyone, if there are no more questions, you may enter the field freely. There is still some time before the start. If you have any doubts, you can continue to ask me here."
Following the referees' announcement, the contestants were guided onto the field. The central open-air arena, no longer divided into sections, was massive.
There were no fixed starting positions; it was a free-for-all.
As long as you felt a spot gave you an advantage the moment the match started, you could even stand in a corner.
Once we entered the field, a strange sight occurred. A large "vacuum zone" formed around me near the edge of the arena.
It seemed they were truly wary of me...
But that was fine. At the very least, it meant that just by standing there, I had enough power to deter them.
Rather than enjoying that feeling, I preferred to focus on my own spellbooks.
I had recently acquired quite a few spellbooks, many of which were types I had never used before. Compared to these currently "fancy" spellbooks, I still preferred my Fireball Spell and Energy Shield.
They were old partners I knew inside and out, and they were incredibly smooth to use. But that didn't mean I didn't know how to use the others.
You had to realize that I now possessed and could use powerful spells that cost a hundred mana. Thinking back to Tan Han's Flame Lord Summoning Spell—the way crimson flames stretched for miles and lava surged from the ground in an instant.
Surely my "Blessing of the Elemental Spirit" would be just as impressive.
It was just that the manual inside the spellbook wasn't very clear; it only provided a description and usage steps.
Upon casting, the spell would grant a random Elemental Spirit's blessing and provide a guardian spirit that would follow me.
It was like a combination of a buff and a summoning spell. The Elemental Spirit would increase damage for spells of the corresponding element, boost the caster's affinity for that element, and add extra damage to attacks.
The description of the blessing's effect made it sound like it could both tank and deal damage.
The accompanying guardian spirit would also autonomously assist the caster in releasing spells, including both offensive and defensive types.
It seemed to be a very versatile spell, especially helpful for elemental spell turrets.
The only downside was the "random" aspect. It would heavily restrict a caster's combat style and required the caster to have many elemental spells ready for any situation.
After all, if you gambled wrong, it was equivalent to wasting a hundred mana!
I wondered if this spellbook could be modified to specify an element.
Unfortunately, there was no time left for me to research that.
"All contestants have entered the field. Attention, contestants: one minute of preparation time remaining before the battle begins!"
Following the referee's loud announcement, the giant screen above the arena switched to a one-minute countdown.
The stands were already packed. Many people spontaneously began counting down, their voices echoing throughout the arena.
When thirty seconds remained, the atmosphere reached its peak. Almost everyone was shouting along with the rhythm of the countdown.
Everyone on the field was rubbing their hands in excitement. Under the pressure of the atmosphere, some even had their alchemy items primed and ready to go.
Some even ignored my deterrent and stepped into my warning range.
"10!... 9!... 8!... 7!..."
"3!... 2!... 1!"
"Match start!"
With the referee's loud shout and the blast of a massive starting horn—
In an instant, the glow of spells flashed across the entire arena!
The referees were also on high alert, as the beginning of the match was always the peak time for eliminations.
Instant ambushes and unexpected strikes would be the most lethal attacks.
Even I didn't dare to hold back. I started with a protection spell to ensure my safety. The body strengthening from my bracers and the Cat-person Transformation, being alchemy items, were also released very quickly.
These two spells ensured I had room to maneuver against any attack and served as self-defense if anyone got close.
Every person here was a top student from their respective classes. The spells they possessed were varied and numerous. The most balanced and comprehensive abilities were naturally the various transformation spells.
A single transformation spell could solve problems like a weak physical body, lack of offensive power, or poor defense.
Looking around, there were quite a few contestants using transformation spells.
As I scanned the field, I was met by those closest to me.
"Everyone, focus fire and eliminate No. 14! Otherwise, once her spell takes shape, she can take us all out!"
With just a simple sentence, the people nearby set aside their differences and looked toward me. It was exactly as I had predicted, though not everyone would listen to her.
After all, the massive explosion that had swept the entire arena earlier was still fresh in everyone's minds.
But only I knew that such a terrifying explosion happened because ice and fire spells had clashed.
Even if I sacrificed another Fireball Spellbook, I couldn't cause such a terrifying explosion on my own.
Unfortunately, they didn't understand the reason. They simply didn't want to be eliminated en masse; otherwise, their desperate struggle would be a joke.
But I wasn't afraid of being ganged up on. Or rather, I had already moved past the stage where this level of encirclement scared me.
With my enhanced physical stats and the agility of a cat-person, I could use my Energy Shield even more recklessly, even using it to maneuver multiple times in mid-air.
They didn't have such means unless they had flight spells or alchemy items.
Otherwise, only long-range spells could reach me. But I was confident I could teach these freshmen, whose spells all had significant "casting bars," a lesson: if you can't aim, don't shoot.
As I rapidly approached the person who had first called everyone to action, my mind raced. Compared to jumping through the air using Energy Shields for leverage, wouldn't it be faster to just ride a flying broom?
A flying broom was an alchemy item too! And since it was a functional item with no offensive power, it was well within the permitted range.
It seemed like a viable option.
But first, I had to deal with this loudmouth!
This girl, who had already completed a Tiger-kin Spell Transformation, was quite a threat.
That terrifying muscle mass, those sharp claws, and the feline agility granted by the Tiger-kin form were all her weapons.
Who on earth had managed to eliminate someone like her?
Her appearance stood in stark contrast to my Cat-person Transformation.
But clearly, my agility was still a level above hers.
And her transformation spell naturally couldn't withstand a direct hit from my fireball to the core ritual of her spell.
Her attack was blocked by my Energy Shield. In fact, I didn't even really need to "block" it; as I made contact with her, the Energy Shield jammed the pivot point of her arm, stripping the strike of its power.
As a physical attack, it failed to even chip away at the Energy Shield's mana. A pity, really.
When the spell was broken, her Tiger-kin transformation instantly dissolved, returning her to her original form. Before she could even process what had happened, I kicked her right out of the arena.
As she tumbled into the arms of a referee, her tournament run came to an end.
"Your turn!" Without stopping, I turned toward the others who had been incited, looking at them like prey.
Ganging up on me? You've certainly got guts!