Chapter 187: Sister Bai's Surprise
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 187: Sister Bai's Surprise
Back inside, I put my phone away. As for the question Tan Han asked me earlier... I’d just act as if she never asked.
The atmosphere suddenly felt a bit strange, but I silently prepared to return to my seat.
"Tsk, how awkward. A problem that could be solved with just two words. Is it really that hard to tell her your Spirit Vision is Floating World level?" My clone appeared beside me, her tone teasing. She aimed right for my sore spots—perhaps because my subconscious felt the same way.
So what if I told her? I was just answering someone who asked a question.
"Floating World. My Spirit Vision level is Floating World," I said as I passed by Tan Han.
"What?"
"I’ve told you once. I won't say it a second time." Ignoring Tan Han’s shocked expression, I walked to my seat and began fiddling with my spellbook.
"See? Doesn't it feel better to just say it? Phew~ Look, nothing happened even though Tan Han knows. Don't you want to see the look on her face?"
"I bet she’s about to say, 'How could you possibly have Floating World level Spirit Vision?'"
"Is that so? I see. As expected of a genius who could enter the Witch Academy." After the initial flash of surprise, Tan Han accepted the reality, effectively slapping my clone’s metaphorical face.
Combining this answer with her own understanding, many of her questions seemed to be resolved instantly.
Floating World—that was a level three stages higher than her own. No wonder Xiao Han could see through the internal structure of a spellbook so easily. No wonder she could modify spellbooks with such ease. Was this the shortcut to the Transcendent, the window to observing the extraordinary?
It was enough to bridge a massive gap. With such an ability, perhaps even "strength" was something Xiao Han could acquire effortlessly, requiring only a little time to settle.
As for why Xiao Han’s Spirit Vision was at the Floating World level, Tan Han didn't ask. This level was clearly abnormal; perhaps it was an innate talent, or perhaps something else.
There was no point in being envious or jealous. Just as some were born aristocrats and others were born beggars, she understood this point very clearly.
"I'm no genius. For all you know, I might just be a lunatic. But I don't think we need to discuss this topic anymore. By the way, something happened earlier, and I’ve been meaning to ask you a question. Is that okay?"
"Sure, go ahead."
"Do you know what this is?" I casually plucked a Luck Thread and held it in front of Tan Han.
"Huh? There's nothing there?" Tan Han watched my strange movement. From her perspective, I had just plucked at the air on my own body and was now asking her a question with an empty hand.
But she quickly realized that I wasn't the type to play such jokes. "Wait, is it something you see with your Spirit Vision?"
"You can't see it..." I lowered my head in thought. Logically, as the protagonist of a Script, shouldn't Tan Han be able to see this?
"Theoretically, it is indeed something I see with my Spirit Vision. Since you can't see it, I have my answer. Thanks, sorry to bother you."
"I see... the world of Spirit Vision in your eyes must be very wonderful, right?" Tan Han said, looking at me with a hint of envy.
"Wonderful? If all of it could be understood, then it could indeed be called... wonderful... I suppose." I spoke with uncertainty, leaving her with a bit of anticipation.
As for when she actually reached that world, she could find her own answer then.
"That’s the realm of the mentally ill. If you want to know if it's wonderful, why not just go to a psychiatric ward and ask? Oh~ I forgot, we seem to have a history of mental illness ourselves."
"Shut up." This time, I directly dispelled the clone. Honestly, she just had to bring up the one thing I didn't want to talk about.
"Hmm?" Tan Han was a bit confused by my sudden outburst. She instinctively felt I wasn't talking to her; otherwise, the change in attitude would have been too drastic.
"Sorry, my Illusion Clone said some weird things to me. I wasn't talking to you," I said apologetically.
"An Illusion Clone? The one from back then..."
"Yes, that one," I nodded.
"An Illusion Clone can actually make its own caster fall under the spell?"
"Yeah, and it can chat. The spell is controlled by the caster's subconscious, so it often says shocking things during conversations. Sorry, it's a habit of mine. I often use this spell to help me break out of various mental loops and fixed mindsets," I explained. Though, I hadn't had this habit for long... since yesterday, maybe?
"A spell can be used like that?"
Tan Han was amazed by my use of the spell. Using an Illusion Clone for self-dialogue, letting the subconscious help the conscious mind break through mental ruts?
She felt a new spark of inspiration, a feeling she had never experienced before. At this moment, she realized she had been pursuing power so relentlessly that she had overlooked too many things.
"Um... could I meet this clone of yours?" Tan Han asked cautiously. At this moment, she had made up her mind to acquire such a spell for herself. There were too few people in the academy she could truly talk to. She had many halos, but she had also lost a lot.
Sometimes she knew she was the one who wouldn't let herself go. If she had this spell, could it fill that void?
"You want to see her? She often does things beyond my control. I'm afraid she might interfere with you," I said.
"Quick, quick, quick! She asked for it! If this girl wants to see what I can do, let her! Aren't you bad at dealing with people? Let me do it. I'll handle her for you. Just a mere junior—let this senior teach her how to be a proper ♀woman~"
"Hurry up~ Sister Bai is coming soon, right? I'll handle Tan Han for you, and you can go have your secret tryst with Sister Bai. Isn't that a great division of labor?"
What do you mean 'secret tryst,' you idiot! I cursed inwardly.
"Is there a problem?"
"No, I'm just afraid you won't be able to stand her. Even I find her a bit much. But since you want to see, then so be it. However, when you see her, she might appear to you as how you perceive me."
In the end, I relented. I walked up to Tan Han and gave a slight wave of my hand. After confirming she was under the spell, I returned to my seat.
"Hello, junior. I'm glad you asked to meet me. Now your wish has come true. Anything you want to ask? I'm much more understanding than that tight-lipped version of me." My clone walked right up to Tan Han.
"Hello. Are you Xiao Han's clone?"
"Oh, no. If possible, I'd prefer you use your previous title and call me Senior. Calling me a 'clone' is quite rude."
"Alright, Senior Xiao Han."
"Ah~ that 'Senior' really hits the spot. You might not know this, but that closet pervert is actually very happy inside, she just won't show it. She wears a mask every moment of her life..."
"Ahem." I suddenly coughed, interrupting the clone.
"Sorry, Xiao Han. I think I see why you were worried."
"Yeah. I'm ending the illusion effect now."
"Wait, actually, I think having a clone like this is quite nice."
"It's Senior. Call me Senior Xiao Han," the clone corrected from the side.
"Yes. With Senior Xiao Han around, I suppose I won't have to trouble you with many questions, right, Xiao Han?" Tan Han said, pointing to the spellbook model beside her.
"I'm still completely lost on this, but Teacher Ji Niang expects me to master this spellbook today."
"That’s unlikely. You can ignore Teacher Ji Niang's requirement," I said. Even for me, mastering a spellbook in a single day was a tall order.
"But I'll do my best." Tan Han didn't directly reject my suggestion but said she would work hard.
"By the way, did you see the academy announcement today?"
"I did. Which one do you mean?" I asked.
"The one about the academy opening the Dreamscape equipment pods to warm up for the upcoming exchange competition. It's to let us students adapt to the Dreamscape in advance. I heard that entering the Dreamscape for the first time can cause physical discomfort."
"I've heard of it," I nodded.
"Do you want to go try it? There's a lot of combat training content in the Dreamscape. It's perfect for practicing battle techniques."
"The Dreamscape... maybe not today," I said, shaking my head.
"True. Today is my first time trying to understand a spellbook; I shouldn't give up halfway. Besides, there will probably be a lot of people trying it out today. How about we go tomorrow?"
"Sure, that works." I nodded.
Actually, I agreed because I realized my lack of practical combat experience. Although I believed in overwhelming strength, technique could also be overwhelming. Like the Wand Combat Technique I learned from the Ley Line memories—combined with knockback spells, I could even go toe-to-toe with transformation spells.
I remembered that the Freshman Top 10 rewards included a custom alchemy item. Should I take this chance to customize a magic wand suitable for that combat style?
But those rewards were already gone. Thinking about it now still made me sad.
"Xiao Han, are you okay?" Tan Han asked, seeing me lost in thought.
"She's fine. She's just spiraling into the pain of her Freshman Competition Top 10 rewards being delayed again."
"Shut up. Watch what you say, or I'll silence you for good," I glared at the clone.
"Al... Alright, let's get back to business."
Tan Han hurriedly stepped in to smooth things over. She had finally witnessed how I could be so at odds with myself. But would a clone really go as far as airing out all the dirty laundry?
Soon, Room 8401 fell into a busy atmosphere. I was busy familiarizing myself with illusion-related knowledge, while Tan Han used my permissions to struggle through fields she couldn't otherwise reach.
I didn't stop until there was a knock on the classroom door.
It was clearly Sister Bai.
So, before Tan Han could move, I headed to the door.
When I opened it, Sister Bai’s familiar, smiling face appeared before me.
"Sister Bai~" I closed the door behind me as I stepped out, greeting her.
"Xiao Han, the person inside just now..."
"Uh... it's Tan Han." I felt a bit awkward at Sister Bai’s inquiry. Our previous agreement hadn't been voided for long, and in Sister Bai’s eyes, it probably looked like I was getting involved with Tan Han again.
"Um, Tan Han asked to join my research group on her own. I only found out this morning."
"It's okay, Xiao Han, you don't need to explain. I understand. Just make sure you maintain proper boundaries," Sister Bai said with a smile, patting my head.
"Okay."
"Alright, alright. We just met and you're already like this. I came here with a surprise for you! Don't you want to know what it is?"
"Eh? What is it?" I asked curiously.
"It's a spellbook."
"A spellbook?" I tilted my head, not quite sure how this was a surprise. Was I lacking spellbooks?
Or was that spellbook...!
"That's right~ It's exactly what you're thinking! Memory Bookshelf! A spell that can help you with your memory!"
"Re... Really? Sister Bai, why did you go out of your way to get me this?" I took the spellbook material she handed me, still feeling a bit surreal.
"I saw the state you were in yesterday and heard what you said, so I went looking for it. It was actually a coincidence; I happened to learn about a related spellbook and spent a little something to get it for you."
"Eh? So when you said you had things to do yesterday, it was for this?"
"That's right~"
"Then... I..." Thinking about how I had pushed Sister Bai away yesterday, telling her to go do her own thing, only to find out she was looking for something for me... I felt a wave of shame! I really... felt... so indebted!
And even for someone as wealthy as Sister Bai, she used the word "cost" to describe it. That cost couldn't have been low, could it?
I remembered how pained the Shopkeeper looked back then. Wouldn't this spellbook be even more precious?
"Alright, Xiao Han, don't overthink it. Just use it well. Consider it a small token of my affection."
"Ugh... okay! Sister Bai, you're too good to me!"
"So, Xiao Han, do you have anything to show your appreciation?"
"Eh?" I stared at Sister Bai blankly, not expecting her to say that.
This was a tough one!
How should I show it? Give her money? Is Sister Bai short on money? Give... give resources? Or what?
"Xiao Han, what's wrong? Haven't thought of anything? Then give me a kiss~"
"What! A kiss!" My face instantly turned beet red at Sister Bai’s words...
"Just think of it as a friendly interaction between besties, okay? Right here on my cheek." Seeing my reaction, Bai Yu was quite satisfied. She eventually took a step back and pointed to her cheek.
At that moment, the crisp sound of footsteps echoed in the stairwell. Someone was holding a phone, looking at an address: Room 8401.
"Well... okay then. Is interaction between besties really that intimate?" Although I still wanted to complain, it felt like the arrow was already on the string and had to be fired. Besides... the request wasn't that excessive, was it?
I couldn't help but feel Sister Bai had some ulterior motives...
Regardless, I leaned in. At this distance, I could even smell a faint, delicate fragrance on her. It was the first time I realized Sister Bai was the "fragrant" type.
In the end, I closed my eyes and gave Sister Bai’s cheek a light peck. It was soft, barely making a sound.
"Eh? Xiao Han, did you kiss me? I didn't feel anything~"
"I already did!"
"Can you do it again? I really didn't feel it just now~" Sister Bai said with a smile.
"Hon... Honestly! This is the last time!" I whispered emphatically before kissing her again, this time making a soft, audible sound.
Clatter—
A louder sound rang out from nearby, like a phone dropping to the floor. Both Sister Bai and I instinctively looked in that direction.
"You! You two! I knew your relationship wasn't normal!"
At the end of the hallway, by the stairs, a figure made a trembling accusation. Then, she scrambled to pick up her phone—not knowing if it was broken—and fled down the stairs in a panic.
"Oh? Was that... Yao Beijuan? I didn't get the name wrong, did I?"
"Ye... Yeah, that was her." I belatedly pulled away from Sister Bai.
"What's wrong, Xiao Han? Your ex-girlfriend has already misunderstood and left. Why are you still pushing me away?"
"Um, sorry. I didn't expect that to happen..."
"Now that the misunderstanding has occurred... what do you want to do? Are you going to explain?" Bai Yu pressed further.
"Explain what? I have no obligation to explain anything to her," I said, turning my head away.
"True. Well, I'll be going then," Sister Bai said to me with a satisfied smile, preparing to leave.
"Eh? You're leaving already?"
"Yeah. What, can't bear to see me go?"
"No... not at all."
Bai Yu didn't say anything more and turned toward the stairs.
As she turned away, the smile on her lips was impossible to hide. At least things were progressing smoothly, and she had killed two birds with one stone, hadn't she?
The Script really was interesting... she truly had to thank Teacher Xi Lan.
Bai Yu silently deleted the chat log entirely before putting her phone away. There was no need to reply; the other party had surely seen everything.
Another favor owed. In the end, it was just the life of a worker~
Consider it the price to be paid after learning about the concept of the Script. As long as the result was good and met the other party's requirements, it was fine. And besides... she got to enjoy a little perk along the way.