Chapter 168: The Multi-Academy Joint Exchange at the Witch Academy
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 168: The Multi-Academy Joint Exchange at the Witch Academy
After leaving Teacher Ji Niang’s office, I didn't rush back. Instead, I turned and headed straight into Laboratory 8401.
I planned to use a few more Ley Line memories here to see what I could get. If things turned dangerous, at least Teacher Ji Niang would be close enough to save me.
However, the influence of the first memory hadn't quite faded yet. In my current state, I was clearly unfit to keep opening memory blind boxes.
So, I followed the lingering impressions and began practicing the Body Strengthening Technique. Its effects seemed excellent, though it wasn't an overnight fix; it required long-term persistence.
I truly needed a technique like this to train my body. After all, I often spent entire days in the lab researching spellbooks. Now that I was starting to learn Runology, my daily exercise was bound to fall short of the mark.
What if I got fat?
Besides, the food lately had been far too good. I really needed some self-control.
Maintaining a perfect figure, increasing flexibility, and improving physical fitness and balance—these were benefits no girl could refuse, right?
I was no exception. There was a great sense of achievement in grooming myself until I was so perfect I couldn't find a single flaw. I just wondered which lucky guy would get to enjoy all this in the future.
Well, no surprises there—it’ll be me, of course!
Sigh... Just thinking about it was making me narcissistic.
Next, I took out two more memory blind boxes. I planned to use only three today to test my luck. I’d save the rest for after I’d returned home, bathed, changed, and reached a state of mental purity.
Should I give some to the others in my dorm?
After all, these memories weren't a hard requirement for me; they were just nice to have.
"Let's look at this one first." I picked one at random from the two in my hand. Following Teacher Ji Niang’s method, I guided the memory to flood into my mind.
Instantly, that familiar sensation returned.
Images flickered in my mind: two figures engaged in close-quarters combat. However, this duel was different from what I understood as fighting.
Both sides were senior sisters holding wands. I quickly realized what this was: Wand Combat. it was a set of techniques based on using a wand to handle various melee situations, incorporating rapid-casting tricks to blend physical strikes with magic.
It seemed... somewhat useful?
But only marginally. It might make me more composed if someone tried to jump me, but I wouldn't use a fragile weapon like a wand for actual brawling. This style required custom-reinforced wands, and I had no intention of replacing mine yet.
I closed my eyes and cleared my mind, entering a meditative state. Although meditation also consumed mental power, entering that world allowed me to adapt to the discomfort quickly. I also discovered that I could practice within the meditation world.
Because... it was a dream.
Though, it couldn't compare to that so-called dream device. That was the dream of a Primal Witch—truly terrifying. Here, I could only rely on my mental power to construct scenes I was familiar with.
Once I was sure I had recovered, I couldn't wait to open the third blind box.
Unfortunately, the third memory was quite useless. I couldn't even summarize what it taught me—it was mostly various standards and regulations for the service industry. I suspected this Ley Line memory had been harvested from somewhere near a commercial district.
After a brief recovery, I pushed the memory aside. I found that when I didn't actively try to recall it, the pressure it exerted on my mind decreased significantly. It even seemed to fade faster. I suppose... you win some, you lose some.
At least now I knew that if I pulled a useless memory, I could use this method to relieve the mental strain.
I checked the time. It was still afternoon, so I had plenty of study time left.
However, I faced a dilemma. Should I continue the tedious study of runes, or research spellbooks for the upcoming Freshman Competition?
Instinctively, I leaned toward the spellbooks. They were far more interesting than runes.
Moreover, I was accumulating more and more spellbooks, yet my only reliable spells were still Fireball Spell and Energy Shield. That wouldn't do!
I already had three spellbooks with a hundred-point consumption, and even one with a thousand-point consumption. If someone asked what my specialty was and I replied, "I'm good at Fireball Spell," it would be incredibly immersion-breaking, wouldn't it?
Yet, my intuition told me to study runes because they were more fundamental!
But how much could I really learn in less than half a day?
A flurry of conflicting thoughts clashed in my mind.
Finally, looking at the book I had already pulled out... I compromised.
I’d let Teacher Ji Niang decide!
I planned to ask her if she had any spells to enhance memory or learning efficiency. I’d see if I could be thick-skinned enough to ask for such a spellbook. If I got one, I’d keep studying runes; if not, I’d research spellbooks!
With that, I hurried back to Teacher Ji Niang’s office.
"Hmm? Why are you back again?" Ji Niang asked curiously as I reappeared.
"Um... Teacher Ji Niang..." I hesitated, trying to figure out the best way to word it. I still wasn't used to shamelessly asking for things.
"If you have something to say, just say it. Don't dawdle," Ji Niang said bluntly, seeing my hesitation.
"Um, Teacher Ji Niang, do you have any spellbooks here?"
"Didn't you just get a bunch? Why do you want more? Don't you know that biting off more than you can chew is a bad idea?" Ji Niang lectured me immediately.
"It's not that! It's... do you have any spellbooks for enhancing memory or learning efficiency?"
I added quickly. Surely those kinds of spells shouldn't be lumped in with combat magic.
"Oh? You actually thought of that?" Ji Niang looked surprised. "There are indeed spells like that, but unfortunately, I don't have any. They are very rare. Even minor spellbooks of that type are fought over. You understand the value of such magic, right?"
Ji Niang was genuinely impressed. Usually, students didn't think of these things on their own. She hadn't expected me to raise the issue so early in the semester.
She wondered if it was a sign of a dedicated academic mindset or just a desire to find a shortcut.
"I see..." Hearing her answer, I gave up hope. Since she said she didn't have any, I wouldn't keep pestering her.
I should have realized—everyone would want a method like that. Why would it be left for me?
"But don't be in such a hurry." Ji Niang stopped me as I turned to leave, seeing my disappointed face.
"Eh? Is there another way to get them?"
"Heh, who knows? But you might want to look forward to the rewards for the Freshman Competition. The prizes for the Top 10 won't be announced until the very end. Who knows what might be in there?"
"Are you saying one of the Top 10 rewards is that kind of spellbook?!" I turned back instantly, excitement reignited.
"Did I say that? I don't think so. No one knows the rewards for the Top 10 until they're announced. I have nothing for you." Ji Niang looked away, acting as if she had just been making idle conversation.
"I see." Looking at her expression, I felt reasonably certain. It seemed the heavens themselves wanted me to research spellbooks.
Still, I couldn't get my hopes too high since she hadn't given a definitive answer. But the possibility was enough.
I just didn't know which rank in the Top 10 would hold such a prize. Once confirmed, it would mean I’d lose the luxury of choosing my rank freely.
Which meant I might not necessarily clash with Tan Han... Wait, if I thought about it, was this also part of the Script?
Terrifying. They were actually using my own interests to lure me! I’m most vulnerable to that!
Suddenly, a message box popped up in front of Teacher Ji Niang. Her expression turned serious.
"Xiao Han, you should head back. I have some business to attend to. If you want to stay in the lab, go ahead. Just remember to lock the door when you leave." Ji Niang stood up and hurried past me, the notification box still floating before her.
She moved so fast I barely had time to react.
"Eh? Teacher Ji Niang, where are you going?" I asked instinctively.
"Teacher business. Kids shouldn't pry. I'll tell you when the time is right." Ji Niang brushed me off with a playful tone and ushered me out of the office.
I stood there as the door clicked shut, still a bit dazed. Was something big happening at the academy?
To summon the teachers so urgently... I saw other teachers emerging from their offices as well. Some simply jumped out of the hallway windows, leaving nothing but a trail of mana in their wake.
That speed... they had to be breaking some limit, right?
But they were Transcendent Witches and teachers; I doubted the Discipline Squad would dare stop them.
I was so jealous.
I quietly returned to Lab 8401. Hehe, no one’s around. Perfect. I was going to try my hand at modifying a high-consumption spellbook. I had plenty of mana sources now—enough to treat a hundred-point spellbook as a standard tool.
* * *
Meanwhile, in the Witch Academy’s Grand Conference Hall.
This was the largest meeting room in the academy, divided into two sections. The center featured a round table for the Deans, surrounded by seats for the faculty.
However, this emergency meeting didn't require every teacher's presence. The primary audience consisted of the counselors and instructors for the Class of 1145 freshmen.
Those who couldn't attend in person joined via remote Ley Line projection.
Currently, only one Dean sat at the central table in person. Two others were present as semi-transparent Ley Line projections, and some seats remained empty. The Deans were busy people; attending via projection was already a sign of great respect.
One seat even featured only a display screen and a speaker without a video feed. Clearly, that Dean had absolutely no time but still insisted on participating.
"Thank you all for coming on such short notice. I won't waste words. For those who aren't here, inform them yourselves. The following content will not be recorded in writing or any other format. After the meeting, all Ley Line data regarding this session will be shredded."
As the only Dean physically present began the meeting, the gathered witches fell silent.
Hearing that the information wouldn't be recorded and even the Ley Line data would be destroyed meant the matter was of the highest gravity.
The last time such measures were taken was regarding the World Script. This was likely no different.
"As of now, the Witch Academy has received exchange applications from dozens of Transcendent Academies. The earliest, Afuhemi Academy, will arrive tomorrow. After deliberation, we have accepted a multi-academy Freshman Exchange Competition, and we may utilize our Primal Dream."
As the Dean finished, the witches didn't look too shocked, though the sheer number of participating academies raised some eyebrows.
"Dean, the freshmen have barely started. Is such a grand exchange necessary? It seems excessive."
"Exactly. Our own freshman competition isn't even that interesting yet."
"Freshmen haven't had time to accumulate experience or resources. Why all this fuss?"
"And having so many academies come here is going to be a massive expense."
"Alright, quiet. Listen to me." At the Dean's command, the witches who wanted to complain shut their mouths and listened intently.
"It’s true that freshmen don't have much to fight over. But this isn't just about freshmen anymore. What if the ones actually clashing are the Children of Destiny?"
"Not long ago, we obtained new intelligence. A second Luck Seed has appeared. I have personally confirmed this."
The room erupted into chaos the moment the Dean finished.
"A second Luck Seed? Then what about Tan Han?"
"That’s impossible, right?"
"What’s going on? Are we playing 'Real or Fake Child of Destiny'?"
"I think the Main World Consciousness is just messing with us."
"Impossible. Tan Han’s Luck Seed is the real deal. Her luck is genuine, and she’s even developed the Spirit Eye."
"Tan Han was confirmed as the Child of Destiny through this year's College Entrance Exam Ceremony. Her talent awakening was the Luck Seed itself. With the luck of the entire world gathered in that ritual, she can't be a fake."
"I never said anyone was a fake." The Dean slammed her hand on the table, instantly silencing the room. "You’re right. Tan Han is a Child of Destiny. A ritual that spans the entire world like the College Entrance Exam doesn't make mistakes. Don't bring your old, linear thinking into this."
"A second Luck Seed has appeared. While the demons of the Abyss likely have a hand in this, the reality is that the Script has veered away from our understanding."
"This Script is no longer a single, linear narrative. If a second Luck Seed has appeared, there will be a third, and perhaps many more!"
With that statement, the reality of the situation was set in stone. The witches had no choice but to accept it.
"The demons of the Abyss are definitely behind this—that Lesser Demon Academy. But the fact that so many Transcendent Academies are coming to 'exchange' with us points to the worst-case scenario: other academies are likely following suit. There might already be dozens of Luck Seeds out there. They lack the 'irrigation' of luck, so they want to use their seeds to snatch a piece of Tan Han’s pie."
"This is no longer a struggle for the title of Child of Destiny. No wonder Tan Han was so easily 'lured' to us. It turns out they realized this before we did. This has turned into a Battle Royale for Luck Seeds to fight for the luck needed to hatch!"
These words came from another Dean. None of the witches questioned the logic.
But their last shred of hope vanished.
"Are they insane? By interfering with the Script like this, do they want to drag all our races into the Script’s game? Aren't they afraid of it all collapsing?"
"The fact that Tan Han has already stepped onto the path of a witch cannot be changed. Think about it from their perspective—with the Abyss taking the first step, which race would see an opportunity and not grab it?"
"Exactly. As long as the final winner isn't the Abyss, they’ll use the excuse of 'diversifying luck' to prevent the demons from achieving their goal."
"Our consensus remains: we cannot allow the Abyss to become the fifth Transcendent Race of the Main World."
"Tsk... an open conspiracy? This move by the Abyss is truly disgusting."
"Aren't the demons always disgusting? Though, I must say, I quite like the Abyssal Succubus Witches. They’re exactly my type."
"Don't bring your kinks into such a serious meeting! You're gross. I ought to punch you."