Chapter 182: The Baking House Manager’s Predicament
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 182: The Baking House Manager’s Predicament
"Huh? What?!"
I stood in the spectator stands, watching Lina walk away with my own two eyes, and let out two sounds of pure bewilderment.
The crowd in the arena gradually began to disperse, leaving me standing there, still unable to believe what had just happened.
What about my reward?
What about my spellbook?
Where did my spellbook go?!
Why the sudden mess? If things had followed the normal procedure, everything should have concluded tomorrow. The rankings would be announced, the rewards distributed... I wasn't even going to fuss over the fact that they deliberately didn't put the study-efficiency spellbook as the first-place prize just to keep me from competing for the top spot.
But now, I’m getting nothing at all!
Afuhemi Academy!
It was that elf’s doing. I recognized her voice. Fine, fine—you want to play it like that?
First Yao Beijuan, then her teacher, coming at me one after another to ruin my day. I’ll remember this.
Heh... This time, I won't even need Teacher Ji Niang to tell me; I won't be showing any mercy.
Since they love "exchanging" so much, I’ll be sure to ex-change a few things with them myself!
I’ve spent the whole afternoon waiting here like a clown, and someone even turned me into a meme. Do they think this is easy for me?
Was I waiting here to watch those matches? No! I was waiting for the spellbook I’ve been dreaming of!
The rewards had already been announced, and now they just slap me with a delay? Talk about a buzzkill.
Whatever. I’ll just go back and pop some pills. Since I have nothing to do tomorrow anyway, I’ll spend the time researching spellbooks and prepare to pull off something big.
Originally, I planned to focus on studying runes and put spellbook research on the back burner, since I didn't have any rivals to worry about. But given the current situation, I can't let it go. I absolutely can't.
I probably won't even be able to sleep tonight.
And yet, I’m powerless to change the facts.
As I walked out of the contestant area, I ran straight into Sister Bai.
"Sister Bai~ You actually waited here for me~"
Seeing that familiar figure, I immediately lunged into Sister Bai’s arms. In this malicious world, only Sister Bai’s vast... heart could offer me a sliver of warmth.
"Xiao Han, there are so many people watching." Seeing me pounce like that, Bai Yu subconsciously pulled me into her embrace.
In Bai Yu's memory, the old Xiao Han would never have been so proactive. But she found this version of Xiao Han incredibly cute. In fact, if they weren't in public, she might have even held Xiao Han close to let her experience the full comfort of "Sister Bai’s special facial treatment."
"Right..."
After closing my eyes and relaxing for a few seconds, I quickly snapped out of it and stood up.
I’ve noticed that since I became a girl, my relationship with Sister Bai has become much more intimate. Seeing that she didn't seem to mind, I breathed a sigh of relief. It looked like she was okay with it.
Still, I had enough self-awareness to stop mooching off her like that.
"Sigh... I feel so mentally exhausted..."
"Xiao Han, is something wrong?" Bai Yu felt a sense of loss when her arms became empty, but she quickly realized that Xiao Han’s mood seemed a bit off.
"It’s just... everything got ruined just now. The rewards I was supposed to get tomorrow are now delayed indefinitely. Who knows when I'll get them?" I sighed again, lamenting the fickleness of fate.
"I see. You really value this reward, don't you? Are you eyeing that high-consumption spellbook?" Bai Yu asked tentatively.
"No, Teacher Ji Niang said there was a spellbook in this competition that could improve study efficiency. It’s most likely that non-restricted spellbook..."
"I see..." Bai Yu nodded. "Xiao Han, don't be too sad. Look on the bright side: you didn't get the reward today, but the rewards later will be even more generous. There’s no need to fret over a day or two, right?"
"Since you put it that way, Sister Bai... Sigh, I just feel like I’ve been so busy lately that stopping now gives me this sense of unease."
"That just proves you need rest even more. The Witch Academy is different from other schools. Pushing yourself that hard might actually be counterproductive. Blind effort doesn't mean anything; you have to master the right methods."
"I’ve had enough 'chicken soup for the soul' to last a lifetime~ I understand the logic, but when it comes to knowledge, it’s all about rote memorization. How can there be a 'wrong direction' for that kind of effort?"
"Let’s not talk about that. Let’s think about what to do with the rest of the day." Bai Yu reached out and patted my head, her tone incredibly doting.
"True."
I pulled out my phone to check the time. It was only mid-afternoon. In a normal curriculum, afternoon classes wouldn't even be over yet, and the time after class is when students truly have their freedom.
Speaking of what to do, I actually wanted to take this opportunity to buy some potions. According to my original plan, I would have received that spellbook tomorrow, and my potions would have run out right around then, so I wouldn't have had to waste money buying more.
It was really annoying; I hate it when my plans are disrupted.
But since I was with Sister Bai, I naturally had to consider her thoughts as well.
"Sister Bai, do you have any recommendations?"
"You’re asking me? Honestly, I don't really know where to go either. The Witch Academy is huge—so huge that there are places even I haven't visited. But it’s also very small—so small that whenever I want to go somewhere, I can't find a destination."
"Sister Bai, are you trying to be poetic on me?" I teased from the side.
"Actually, I’d rather hear what you want to do. You don't have to name a place, just tell me what you want to do, and I can take you there."
"I see... Unfortunately, there isn't enough time," I said with a hint of regret. It would be evening soon. I’m a person with a very regular schedule. A few hours is enough to do many things, but not enough to do anything substantial.
"I’m actually still thinking about this whole 'Transcendent' thing. Sister Bai, you know how long I’ve actually been in contact with Transcendent power? The whole thing still feels a bit surreal to me."
"Why the sudden melancholy?"
"I’m not! Just making an observation. Since you asked what I want to do right now... I want to go buy some potions. But making a special trip just for that makes me feel like an idiot." Thinking back to when I went to buy potions alone, I felt so out of place at the Witch Plaza.
"It’s fine. Won't it be better with me accompanying you? If I’m with you, it’s not a 'special trip' anymore."
"I guess you’re right."
And so, our goal after leaving the arena was to purchase potions.
Potions are very common in Transcendent academies. Sister Bai knew much more about this than I did; after all, she was a "slick veteran" who had been around the academy for years and had dabbled in almost everything.
As we talked about potions, Sister Bai mentioned that there would be lessons on them in future courses. However, the teaching only goes up to the introductory level. The academy has no obligation to turn every student into a potion master.
The academy merely provides a direction, allowing the right people to discover the path that suits them, and then letting them choose whether to pursue it further.
If they choose to, they just need to find a mentor willing to take them on to officially start their development in that field.
It’s safe to say that almost all senior sisters have some level of potion-brewing ability, though it’s usually limited to conventional potions.
Sister Bai herself had taken elective courses in potions because she had experienced their benefits and naturally fantasized about having a talent for brewing them.
Unfortunately, Sister Bai said she didn't have the talent for it, though she still retained a few brewing techniques.
Thanks to Sister Bai’s knowledge, I learned a lot of common sense regarding potions.
For example, the Refreshing Potion I thought was so great is actually one of the most cost-effective potions available, while the Everlasting Memory Potion is just a very ordinary type among memory-enhancing potions.
In this regard, Sister Bai knew more than me, so she was well worth learning from. In the end, while explaining potion-related knowledge, Sister Bai took the opportunity to buy quite a few and gave them to me as gifts.
And Sister Bai was the one who paid. It was only then that I realized just how bottomless Sister Bai’s wallet was. Back when I was still using regular money, I was always worried, but now I realized how shallow I had been.
Even if I became "overnight wealthy" now, I probably wouldn't be as rich as Sister Bai... I really want to know how these senior sisters make their money...
Or is a rich lady like Sister Bai just an outlier?
Unfortunately, Sister Bai wasn't willing to tell me.
Time flies when you’re having fun. By the time we finished shopping for potions, there was still quite a bit of time left.
This was a huge surprise. I felt like a long time had passed.
But thinking about it, I used to rarely go out. When I did, I’d take a slow bus and waste a ton of time on the road. Now that I have my flight license, I just fly everywhere directly. It’s incredibly convenient and saves so much time.
"It seems quite early. Xiao Han, is there anything else you want to do?"
"I don't think so... I guess I’m still not suited for the 'normie' life."
"If you’re not suited for it, don't force yourself. You just need to know what you’re doing." Bai Yu shook her head. She could see that I was still a bit anxious, but that’s not something that changes overnight. "How about we head back? I’ll walk you."
"Eh? We’re going back already?"
"Well, I can see you don't really want to keep going, do you? I told you not to force yourself. Let’s go. Do you want to take me to your dorm to meet your roommates?"
"Eh? That... that won't be necessary. They don't really know you, Sister Bai, and..."
"Then I won't go in. I’ll just drop you off. Besides, I have my own things to take care of too~"
"Eh? Sister Bai, if you have things to do, don't waste your time with me like this!"
"It’s fine. It’s not urgent. I’m sure I can finish it today."
After Bai Yu finished speaking, she flew with me toward my dormitory.
But soon, I spotted the bakery across the street from my villa. At this hour, the senior sisters were still working in the shop?
Didn't I remember them saying they’d snagged tickets for the arena?
I even saw them cheering for me in the stands, though I never got a chance to say hello.
Come to think of it, I haven't been to the Baking House in several days. I’m still a member of that club and a part-time employee there.
Even though I’m not short on money now, the thought of exchanging Mithril for cash still hurts. After all, Mithril coins and Orichalcum coins can easily be exchanged for money, but money can't necessarily buy you much Orichalcum or Mithril, even if they are common Transcendent materials.
Everything is relative. When the level of the item is different, you have to pay a much higher price.
"What? Want to go check out the Baking House? I can go with you." Bai Yu noticed my gaze lingering on the shop below and spoke up beside me.
"Eh? But Sister Bai, don't you have your own things to do?"
"I do have things to do, but I haven't started yet, so it’s basically the same as having nothing to do~"
"Ha? You can even put it like that? But I really do want to go see. There seem to be quite a few people down there. Ever since school started, the bakery has been getting a lot of customers." I rode my broom and slowly descended in front of the shop.
As soon as I landed, I saw Senior Sister Ying Shiqian busy inside through the glass.
Even when I pushed the door open and the bell chimed, she was too busy to notice me.
"Senior Sister Ying Shiqian, still busy?"
"Mhm... Huh? Xiao Han?! Oh! What are you doing here? I’ve missed you so much these past few days!~" Seeing me, Ying Shiqian was so excited she tried to pounce on me, but I held her back with one hand.
Beside me, Sister Bai silently withdrew her hand, pretending nothing had happened.
"It’s only been a few days. I saw you guys cheering for me at the arena, you know?"
"Really? I thought you didn't see us. Our seats were a bit off to the side, hehe."
"Oh? Xiao Han actually has time to visit the bakery?" At that moment, Senior Sister Tang Yihan also came out from the back, carrying a large cake to be sliced at the front.
"Eh? I just got back. I saw you guys were still busy on my way, so I stopped by. You don't mind, do you? I’ve been so busy lately that I haven't been able to help out."
"It’s only right that you’re busy. You’re a contestant representing your class; you can't let helping us delay you. Besides, Xiao Han is a real dark horse this year. You and Xiao Tan are both favorites to win."
"Exactly! Just thinking that the first and second place of this year are both members of our Baking House club makes me so excited!" Ying Shiqian added from the side.
"Wait, are you Xiao Han?"
A senior sister who was browsing for sweets nearby confirmed this unbelievable fact from our conversation!
To just run into one of the favorites of the freshman competition in a random bakery—this definitely called for a photo and some "skinship"!
"It really is her! It’s my first time seeing her this close. Can I have an autograph? Or a photo together!"
"Count me in! I want a photo too."
As the first person recognized me and asked for a photo, the other senior sisters in the shop swarmed over to join the fun.
"Wait, let me in too."
Seeing me surrounded by so many people, Bai Yu immediately squeezed in, swatting away a few wandering hands and standing protectively behind me.
The chaos lasted for a while before finally settling down.
I looked at the Polaroid photo they gave me before leaving, feeling a bit dazed. At least Sister Bai was in the photo too.
"Sister Bai, I didn't expect you to join in on the fun."
"It’s nothing. Next time you run into these senior sisters, learn to say no. Their intentions might not be that pure."
"Got it."
Just as I was about to say something in rebuttal, there was a sound at the door, and a person I hadn't seen in a long time appeared.
It was Shopkeeper Xia Li.
"I was wondering why the shop was so lively. So it’s Xiao Han. It really has been a few days. I saw a crowd as soon as I arrived. Good thing I didn't bring Xiao Tan along, or the shop would be packed to the rafters."
"True." I nodded. Tan Han was a walking headline, and her aura was something I couldn't match. She really was more popular than me on the academy network.
However, I wasn't sure if it was my imagination, but the moment Shopkeeper Xia Li walked in, I thought I saw something flash across her body. Because of this anomaly, I decided to activate a deeper level of my Spirit Vision.
But when I saw Xia Li through this vision, I was instantly startled by the image before me.
The faint, flickering thing suddenly burst into its true, illusory golden light. They were thin, delicate threads, and I immediately connected them to what they were—Luck. The same kind of Luck Threads that Tan Han wove!
But unlike the single strand wrapped around me, the threads on the shopkeeper were tangled and knotted, as if they were trying to bind Xia Li tight, as if to draw and quarter her. Yet, in reality, Xia Li didn't seem affected at all. But was she really unaffected?
I asked myself but found no answer.
All I knew was that the current Shopkeeper Xia Li gave me the same feeling Tan Han did back then—as if she were being led by the nose by fate.
Those Luck Threads didn't seem to belong to Xia Li. The other end of the taut threads stretched out into the distance until they vanished.
The scene truly sent a chill down my spine.
Could Tan Han have done this?
Or... was this the "consequence" of being near Tan Han that Sister Bai had mentioned?
It seemed I’d have to ask Tan Han about this the next time I saw her.
My gaze fixed on the knotted Luck Threads, and a thought surfaced in my mind: I wonder if I can untie this?
After all, I had a strand of Luck Thread myself. I could interfere with it. But the ones on Xia Li might be different; they didn't belong to me.
However, now that I understood the concept of Luck Threads, my Spirit Vision allowed me to see them. I should... be able to touch them, right?