Chapter 175: Methods to Improve Learning Efficiency
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 175: Methods to Improve Learning Efficiency
Riding my broom out of there, I finally breathed a sigh of relief. I felt like I was having a run of exceptionally bad luck today—of all the people to run into, it had to be the one I wanted to see least.
Just a short while ago, I was busy worrying about how to help Hong Chenyi deal with her ex-girlfriend problems. Now, it was my turn to handle my own. Talk about rotten luck.
I needed to get away from this den of trouble as quickly as possible. I didn't even want to go back to the dormitory; I headed straight for the laboratory. I’d even set my lunch delivery address to there.
But obviously, some things can't be covered up just by avoiding them.
For instance, the morning's matches were no longer the main topic of discussion at the academy. Instead, everyone was buzzing about the elves from Afuhemi Academy, the first visiting school to arrive.
Quite a few senior sisters were posting "thirst" comments, drooling over those beautiful elves with their golden hair and pointed ears.
Actually, if you scrolled through the forums, you’d find very few posts making lewd comments about the handsome male elves.
That alone spoke volumes.
However, many of the new students were quite taken with the male elves. To this, the senior sisters simply remarked that the freshmen hadn't been "witchified" enough yet and didn't truly understand the beauty of girls.
Meanwhile, in our Class 14 group chat, photos of the elves were being circulated like crazy.
I had originally thought those elves were just at the Arena to watch the matches, but it turned out that was only a fraction of them. The elves who had just arrived at the Witch Academy were being escorted by crowds of senior sisters to experience the local culture, with more than just one or two teachers leading the way.
What was being circulated even more, however, were the images of me and Yao Beijuan in the contestant spectator area of the Arena.
Clearly, this was the work of the News Agency, who were experts at candid shots. Even if it wasn't them, it was definitely some other meddling busybody.
After all, a student from Afuhemi Academy coming all the way to the Witch Academy specifically to find someone—no matter how you looked at it, there was a story there.
People in the class group were constantly @-ing me.
On top of that, plenty of gossipy types were DM-ing me directly to ask about it. It got to the point where I couldn't just pretend I hadn't seen it. In the end, I brushed them off with the excuse that we were just "acquaintances catching up." They were clearly unsatisfied with such a perfunctory response, but I wasn't about to reveal anything more.
I decided to set the matter aside for now and give it the cold shoulder. Let them speculate all they wanted. Even if they made up a ridiculous short story on the spot, I wouldn't reply with a single word.
I’d wait for things to settle down before showing my face again.
Back at the laboratory, I felt a sense of relaxation as if I’d returned home. Look at this spacious classroom, feel this damn Ley Line Operating System... oh, and look at this spellbook structure specimen I’d tinkered with until it broke. How nostalgic.
There was also the temporary permanent solidification spell area that Teacher Ji Niang had set up for me to test spell effects.
Without hesitation, I cast the spell: Elemental Spirit's Blessing.
Of course, I kept this version controlled; it didn't have the exaggerated effects I’d unleashed in the arena.
I realized I still didn't understand this spell well enough. If I had to make a comparison, researching the Fireball Spell felt like fumbling with an old-school flip phone, whereas this Elemental Spirit spellbook felt like a top-of-the-line computer. There were too many variables to consider. If I continued with my previous mindset, I’d run into serious trouble, especially regarding structural modifications.
It was like an old phone—you could mess with it however you wanted and it would still basically work. But a computer was high-precision tech; changing even one part required careful verification of everything else.
Hadn't I ended up asking Teacher Ji Niang for help before because of that "benign trait" issue?
Even though Teacher Ji Niang had explained it clearly, I still instinctively felt a bit muddled. I felt like I was struggling to keep up with my own progress.
It was as if I were walking ahead alone, but my own limitations were my heaviest burden.
It’s fine... this situation shouldn't last much longer. Tomorrow, the final Freshman Top 10 will be decided, and after that, the rewards for the Top 10 will be announced. At that point, there’s a chance I’ll get a spellbook that can improve my learning efficiency.
But I couldn't pin all my hopes on that. I needed other methods.
For example, looking for information in the library. In the transcendent world, there were surely other means besides spellbooks.
I hadn't been there long when Teacher Ji Niang came out of her office and over to me. Clearly, having skipped the Arena, she saw I was here and came over out of curiosity.
"What's this? Even during the short lunch break, you're so diligent that you've come here to study spellbooks? Not going to go catch up with that little elf?"
"Uh... Teacher Ji Niang, please don't tease me like that," I said, rubbing my forehead.
"Teasing? She just got to the Witch Academy and sought you out immediately. There's definitely something going on. Half the academy is speculating about your relationship right now."
"Ugh..."
Faced with Teacher Ji Niang bringing it up again, I simply stopped responding. She was really poking a sore spot.
"Alright, I'll stop messing with you."
Ji Niang realized she might have pushed a bit too far. Having made her point, she dropped the subject. However, sensing that the wisp of luck hadn't dissipated, she felt a secret sense of relief.
Ji Niang knew exactly why Afuhemi Academy had arrived so quickly. The fact that they’d caused such a stir the moment they arrived made it hard for her not to imagine the worst.
But looking at it now, the other party hadn't managed to snatch that easily obtainable wisp of luck. As for Tan Han, Lina was watching over her; they likely wouldn't find an opening there for the time being.
Moreover, she had just learned from Lina about the bet Tan Han had proposed.
At the very least, it showed that many things were moving in a favorable direction.
Ji Niang looked at the fire element spirit beside me and spoke again. "Are you planning to tinker with this spellbook again?"
"Hmm? Yes." Seeing Teacher Ji Niang shift the topic back to spellbooks, I quickly snapped into focus. "Teacher, I had an idea. Can a spellbook have other spellbooks, or parts of spellbook structures, or rituals nested inside it?"
"Of course. You can do whatever you want with a spellbook. After all, a spellbook isn't such an inflexible thing. As long as you have the technique, you can achieve even more incredible things." Teacher Ji Niang was momentarily surprised by my idea, but then she spoke with firm conviction.
"What do you mean by 'more incredible things'?" I asked curiously. I felt like Teacher Ji Niang’s words held a deeper meaning.
"Heh, think about it yourself. Open up your mind; don't let yourself be limited." Ji Niang gave me no hints.
"So, if I wanted this elemental spirit produced by the spell to be able to cast spells itself, that's doable?" I asked, pointing at the element spirit beside me.
"Naturally. But don't forget what I said: you need the technique. Don't get too obsessed with useless 'modding.' Most attempts like that are a waste of time. You need to focus on practicing your own skills. Learn to categorize, summarize, and apply what you know flexibly, rather than just doing a bit of everything."
"Right..." I nodded tentatively, though I only half-understood. I hadn't quite grasped the trick of it yet.
"It seems you still don't get it. Let me give you some examples of geniuses. Do you think modding a spellbook is very impressive?"
"It should be, right?" I said cautiously. After all, this kind of technique already allowed me to crush anyone at my level.
"You can't just look at this world. Remember the Void outside the world I told you about? It's a vast place. For geniuses, modding a spellbook is as common as eating. They grow through constant struggle; every battle tempers them, and every fight inspires new ideas. They will mod, derive, and apply spellbooks directly based on the combat situation. That is a genius."
"Doing it during a battle? How is that possible?" I asked, frowning. How could anyone figure out a new and correct direction for a modification that quickly?
Even I only summarized my shortcomings and found a direction after attempting a battle, then researched it later.
In the heat of the moment, how could that be possible?
"Don't say 'impossible' every time you encounter something new. You have to learn to acknowledge the excellence of others! Though, I trust I don't need to remind you of that?"
"I understand. I'm just curious how they do it." I lowered my head in thought. If geniuses could do such things, it could probably only be attributed to innate talent.
Was this the gap between different lives?
"I'm glad you think that way. My intention isn't to discourage you, but to hope you maintain a humble attitude on your path forward," Ji Niang lectured. She didn't mention that the examples she cited were all Witches who had not yet become Truth Witches.
Anyway, she was certain Xiao Han knew nothing about the Void, so wasn't the truth of the outside world whatever she said it was?
"I understand," I said with a nod. "Teacher, I have one more question."
"Ask away," Ji Niang replied.
"Are there other ways to improve learning efficiency or help with memory besides spellbooks?"
"Of course there are. It seems you're not stupid; I thought you were just going to wait around for the Top 10 rewards," Ji Niang said with a smile.
"Really!" I asked excitedly. I had only intended to ask on the off-chance, not expecting much. Now she’d given me a real lead.
"What are they? Can I get my hands on them?"
"Don't be in such a hurry. There are many things that help with learning. For example, there's a whole category of potions and magic potions—those that improve memory or increase brain activity. But all medicine has some level of toxicity, let alone transcendent potions. The side effects can be quite significant."
"Then there are alchemical items and transcendent items. That depends on the specific information and effects of the item. Alchemical items are man-made, so their effects might not be great and they might have many restrictions. Transcendent items are too random; their effects can't be accurately confirmed. While they can be very powerful, using them requires paying an equivalent price."
"That... sounds like I'd be overdrawing my own life. Side effects, restrictions..." My lips twitched as I listened to Teacher Ji Niang. It sounded much less reliable than a spellbook.
"It's not exactly overdrawing. In the words of wizards, it's just equivalent exchange. As long as you get what you want and the price is something you can bear, it's a perfect trade. Why? Do you want to try?"
"I really do."
I nodded. I was being driven crazy by runes and all that data. Even though I hadn't been studying for that long, maybe I was just the type who wanted quick results.
"Then you can give it a try. I recall you're not short on money right now. The resources the academy has tilted toward you—those coins are, in a sense, no less valuable than mana sources or spellbooks. It's a form of compensation for you."
"The entry-level threshold for buying those potions is measured in Mithril. For alchemical and transcendent items, even renting them costs a lot of Mithril, and the purchase threshold starts at Orichalcum. Many are even traded through bartering. From the look of you, you probably don't know the purchasing power of Orichalcum yet, do you? You need to learn more of this common knowledge. But don't go wasting your money, understand?"
"Got it."
I nodded helplessly. She sounded just like a nagging mother teaching her kid to be thrifty.
I actually did know a bit about Orichalcum; I had a rough idea of its value and purchasing power.
"But where do I go to buy these things?" I asked again.
"For potions, I recommend the Witch Plaza. Forget the small alchemy shops in the academy, unless the shopkeeper is an alchemist themselves. Even if you don't buy potions for memory or learning efficiency, a simple Refreshing Potion is good. It's effective for dealing with mental exhaustion."
"As for alchemical or transcendent items with those effects, they're often 'available but priceless.' Some of the academy's auction houses might have them, but they'll definitely be very expensive."
"The academy has auction houses?" I asked in surprise. But then again, if the Witch Academy had a commercial complex like the Witch Plaza, an auction house wasn't that far-fetched.
It was normal for a transcendent world to have auctions. If this were a novel, the protagonist would surely find some hidden treasure or make an enemy there.
But if it was an auction...
It looked like I was out of luck. Potions were more realistic—at least they were easy to get.
Actually, I was still a bit afraid of the side effects, but the Refreshing Potion Ji Niang mentioned sounded okay. Just a mental boost shouldn't have serious side effects, right?
If even that had severe side effects, the potion probably wouldn't have a market.
"Of course. The academy has plenty of such places. Most of these auction sites are organized by certain clubs. Many auction houses are invitation-only; after all, you need proof of assets to participate. And those assets aren't just money—they're coins like Orichalcum, Mithril, and Red Copper. This is a high-end transcendent world auction, after all; it's different from the outside world."
"I see..."
I suddenly felt like a total country bumpkin. I’d never been to an invitation-only auction, or even a regular one. It seemed there was still a lot I needed to learn.
"Yes. But I don't think you need to worry about the invitation-only part. With your current fame, strength, and potential in the academy, those clubs will likely be the first to try and get on your good side. When you have a moment, go back to your villa and check your mailbox. You might find an invitation they've sent you," Ji Niang said with a smile.
"I see..."
I kept repeating the phrase. I basically never used my mailbox. The last time I checked it was when my wand arrived. It turned out the mailbox in front of the villa wasn't just a decoration. If she hadn't said anything, I would have thought it was just a design element for the front yard.
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[Author's Note: Descriptions of various races (based on AI-generated images)]