Chapter 196: Notification of the Exchange Competition Rules
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 196: Notification of the Exchange Competition Rules
"Hmm... it still feels a bit strange."
I had a small spoon in one hand, while my other hand rested under the table. Curled up on my lap was a pitch-black kitten—the same "Little Dark Cloud" that had come over to rub against my leg earlier.
Every cat in the Witch Cat Cafe wore a collar with a name tag engraved on it.
Stroking a kitten like this while snacking on the treats Sister Bai had ordered was actually quite pleasant.
"What's wrong?"
"Nothing. It just feels a bit odd sitting across from you in a place like this, Sister Bai. Do you really have nothing else to do? By the way, Sister Bai... how many years have you been at the Witch Academy now?"
"Why the sudden interest in that?" Bai Yu asked with a smile, stirring her coffee before dropping in a sugar cube.
"No reason, just asking. We're just sitting here anyway, might as well find something to talk about, right?"
"Hmm... it’s been ten years now," Sister Bai said.
"Eh? Ten years? Doesn't that make this your final year?" I was surprised. I hadn't realized Sister Bai was... that much older than me. She certainly didn't look it. Was that also because of Witchification?
"What if it is my last year? I'll have no trouble finishing my studies. As for graduation, there's no rush. Most students only graduate from the Witch Academy after becoming Transcendent Witches, which usually takes more than ten years."
"I see. Then in the final year, you're supposed to... I think it was completing a self-selected project or something? Is there really no rush for that?"
"You can't force these things. Rushing is actually the worst thing you can do. Let's drop the subject; it's still a bit far off for you, Xiao Han." Bai Yu took a sip of her coffee, preparing to change the topic. "By the way, that topic we discussed last night... you weren't affected by it today, were you?"
"That? To be honest, no. I spent the whole day from morning to afternoon practicing in the dream realm. I only saw the messages when I replied to you earlier, and even then, I didn't look closely."
"Is that so? It's for the best. That information serves no purpose other than to disgust people. I was worried you'd be anxious, Xiao Han."
Seeing my indifferent attitude, Bai Yu breathed a sigh of relief. Although she knew Xiao Han hadn't chosen to come to the Witch Academy himself, she was the one who had facilitated it, including the most crucial step: placing the Mana Source into his body to turn him into a Prospective Witch.
"I was a bit worried before, but I'm fine now that I've thought it through. Besides, the Academy Network uses a real-name system. I didn't think much of it before, but now I realize it saves a lot of unnecessary trouble."
"Exactly, so there's no need to worry. By the way, I've managed to get some information regarding tomorrow's Exchange Competition. Want a head start? Though the details will be officially announced tomorrow anyway."
"You can even get intel on this, Sister Bai?"
"It's just reference material. Some things can't be discussed in detail until they're finalized. Everything is still subject to tomorrow's official announcement."
"Fair point," I nodded.
"Over thirty academies, large and small, are participating in this Exchange Competition. The format isn't a one-on-one duel like the Freshman Competition."
"Furthermore, the Exchange Competition will take place within the Primal Dream and will be fully broadcast live. Every contestant will have their own dedicated stream, and there will also be a free-roam camera and a God's-eye view for the event."
"Live streaming? I think I heard about that." I nodded. Most of what Sister Bai was saying matched what I already knew—like the dream realm setting. As for the live stream, it made sense; it would be a massive waste if no one watched an event of this scale.
"Oh, you knew? Then this is simple. I'll get straight to the format," Bai Yu said, cutting to the chase.
"This Exchange Competition is a bit complex, but overall, it's a 'magic-modified' version of a massive-map Battle Royale. The rankings are split into two leaderboards: Academy Rankings and Individual Rankings."
"Two leaderboards?" I asked curiously.
"Yes. Since each academy has different specializations, and the overarching theme is an inter-school exchange, the competition is carried out by the students. Thus, we have both rankings. This also means two sets of rewards—individual and academy—which are provided by the participating schools."
"Sounds like a hassle. With two leaderboards, the competition will surely develop in two different directions, right?" I continued. After all, there's a clear distinction between individual and collective goals; rankings need specific objectives to be contested.
"Yes. There will be Academy Scores and Individual Scores within the competition, which serve as the basis for the rankings. As for how to earn these scores..." Bai Yu paused, trailing off.
"What is it?"
"The specific details haven't been released yet. The academies probably haven't reached an agreement. Since everyone excels at different things, there's bound to be a lot of controversy."
"True. Is there anything else regarding the competition?"
"There is. For instance, the use of external items in the dream—alchemy items, weapons, potions, and so on—needs to be considered. Oh, I almost forgot a very important setting."
"Hmm?"
"The rewards. There aren't just the post-match rewards from the leaderboards; there are also random rewards dropped during the match. These are usually deployed during lulls in the action or in the heat of battle to force contestants to fight over them."
"A large amount of supplies will be dropped during the match. Some are rewards that can be taken out of the dream realm, which you'll need to guard, while others are items for use within the dream to help you gain an advantage in the competition."
"I see. So it's the difference between temporary match props and final rewards... Okay, I'm basically just repeating what you said, but I get the gist."
"As long as you understand. Xiao Han, I'll be outside the dream realm cheering for you the whole time."
"Then look forward to my performance?" I said with a smile, lifting my small spoon to bump it against Sister Bai's fist.
"Mhm, good luck~"
I spent the rest of the time gathering more details from Sister Bai. These early "insider tips" were worth studying. It would save me from being caught off guard when the news officially broke tomorrow.
However, since the most vital specifics were still unknown, we didn't talk for too long. We could only prepare as best we could.
Still, just chatting with Sister Bai was the highlight of the day.
We even ordered dinner right there. The Witch Cat Cafe didn't just serve afternoon tea and desserts; they also served full meals during certain hours.
Through our conversation, I learned that the cafe even had themed private rooms and various "hidden services" that most people didn't know about. It was a real eye-opener.
Sister Bai didn't stay with me for the rest of the evening. After all, our visit to the cafe had been a whim. I spent my remaining free time in a meditation room. Since meditation was the primary way to increase mental power, I figured I should make the most of my rare visit to such a facility.
* * *
The next day.
After a full night's sleep, I was ready for the announcement of the Exchange Competition rules.
This was a major event. To ensure every contestant received the information promptly, the counselors had to notify everyone personally. The specific details would also be broadcast via the Academy System.
I was called to Teacher Ji Niang's office early in the morning.
"Regarding the Exchange Competition, our Witch Academy has had a... friendly exchange of ideas with the other academies, and we have finally settled on the detailed rules."
Ji Niang's tone was unusually official. The way she emphasized "friendly" made me suspect it was anything but. I wondered what kind of chaos had gone down over the last two days to put her in this mood.
"The general arrangements for the competition have been sent to the whole school. However, as a contestant, there is a more detailed set of rules you need to understand. Take today to look them over carefully. Pay attention to the boundaries of the rules. As for the rest... the Academy will back you up."
"O-okay," I said, looking at Ji Niang. Given her demeanor, I knew she hadn't called me here just to tell me to read something I was going to read anyway.
"Good. Also, there's the matter of the Freshman Competition."
"Eh? Wasn't the Freshman Competition completely over?"
"Over? The rewards for the Top 10 haven't even been issued... you call that over? Did they really think they could band together and interfere with the rules of our Witch Academy? Every student ranked below the Top 10 has received their rewards, but the Top 10 haven't. Are you really content with that?"
"Of course not," I nodded. I had suppressed that frustration before, but now Teacher Ji Niang was bringing it back to the surface.
"Good. Take these. If anyone from another school asks, say they're club sponsorships. It has nothing to do with the Academy."
"Uh... exploiting a loophole?"
"What kind of talk is that? Just understand the meaning; don't say it out loud." Ji Niang shoved a bundle of items into my hands. It seemed the Academy was taking this Exchange Competition very seriously.
"By the way, I'll help you integrate these Mana Sources first. You can digest the rest yourself."
As she spoke, Ji Niang funneled three hundred Mana Sources into my body all at once.
Just like last time, the influx of so many Mana Sources brought a significant change to my body. The number she gave me was also very specific.
With these three hundred, my total Mana Source count hit exactly one thousand—the threshold required to use an Over-consumption Spellbook without needing supplementary alchemy items.
I happened to have such a spellbook, though I hadn't used it yet.
"This... is quite a lot..." I remarked.
"A lot? Not at all. This Exchange Competition won't be a pleasant affair, Xiao Han. Remember that Confidentiality Contract you signed?" Ji Niang shook her head, then snapped her fingers. An Isolation Spell instantly enveloped the entire office.
"Eh?"
"What I'm about to tell you is also covered by that Confidentiality Contract. If you don't want to hear it, you can leave now. If you choose to listen, you may take on more obligations, but in exchange, you will learn more of the truth."
"Uh... Teacher Ji Niang, when you put it like that, how could I possibly choose not to listen?" I sighed.
"What? Are you one of those 'Truth-seekers'?"
"A Truth-seeker? I don't know what that is. But I know that if I'm qualified to know the truth, I won't choose to be deceived. People always worry about living in a fake world; even if knowing the truth doesn't change anything, it's still better than being in the dark. Besides, this concerns me directly, even if it comes at a price," I said.
I wasn't the type to obsessively chase the truth—for instance, when Sister Bai told me not to associate with Tan Han, I didn't pry. But Teacher Ji Niang likely knew I would agree. Besides... the atmosphere was already built up to this point.
To put it simply, I was already here; I couldn't just go back now.
Curiosity is a terrifying thing. Once piqued, it can't be easily suppressed. It claws at you like a cat, breeding baseless fantasies and paranoia. Given that I already knew about the "Scripts," learning a bit more wouldn't hurt.
"Then I'll be blunt."
"Mhm."
"This is also about the Scripts. Remember the Script theory Lina told you about?"
"I remember," I nodded.
"I told you before that Tan Han was the protagonist of the Script. We need to update that setting now."
"Tan Han was the first protagonist to appear in this Script, but she is no longer the only protagonist."
"Not the only one? A multi-protagonist type?" I was stunned.
"Yes."
"So there's another person I need to be wary of? Who? Don't tell me it's someone else I know," I said helplessly.
"No, no, you misunderstand. It's not just one more... it's many. And we aren't sure if more will appear later. But you were right about one thing: one of them is someone you know."
"Yao Beijuan?" I asked, lowering my head.
"So you knew. Regardless, don't worry too much about it. Tan Han is the one who should be worried. However, we can't explain this to her yet."
"One more thing... this isn't the kind of multi-protagonist story you're thinking of. It's a Battle Royale. There can only be... one protagonist."
"One..." I repeated the word. What a cruel concept. It was even harsher than the term "Battle Royale." It felt almost like... this Exchange Competition?
"Yes. They must compete for Luck. You understand what Luck is; you have it on you as well. Even if they don't understand the concept of Scripts or Luck, Luck will guide them forward. You might be targeted. I heard you handled one yesterday?"
"That vampire was a protagonist too?" I asked.
"Unclear. Maybe. When you know there are many protagonists, who exactly is one becomes less important."
"Then... besides chasing Luck, is there any characteristic that distinguishes a protagonist?" I asked again.
"You've got me there. Essentially, they aren't that different. Oh, wait, I remember now. Their Awakening Talents are all consistent: a Luck Seed. That is why they are called protagonists, or Children of Luck."
"The proof of their identity is an actual physical object? Can't the Luck Seed be stolen?" I pressed.
"Stolen? Impossible. Well... I shouldn't be too certain. The Void is vast; there must be a way. But it would require a much higher level of power. You don't need to worry about that," Ji Niang guaranteed.
"Is there anything else?"
After a moment of silence, I spoke again.
"That's all. I just wanted to let you know. The choice is yours. Because of this, Tan Han's value as the 'unique' protagonist has plummeted. That means you don't have to be so cautious about her status. I noticed your relationship with her has been a bit strained lately."
"Just that?"
"Yes, just that. Don't overthink it. No matter how the world changes or how bizarre it gets, aren't you still living your life? Thinking too much only brings unnecessary worry."
"Thank you, Teacher. I understand."
"Oh, one more thing." Just as I was about to leave, Ji Niang stopped me again.
"What now, Tea-cher-Ji-Niang?" I asked, slowly turning around.
"Tan Han will likely be the focal point of this Exchange Competition. Or rather, this is the first stage prepared for those protagonists to compete together. If you don't want to get dragged into a mess, you can try to... stay out of the conflict. Because there are so many protagonists involved this time, there might not be any room for 'supporting characters' or 'cannon fodder.' Of course, the choice is yours. What will you choose?"
"I..."
"Shh... go back and think about it. Don't rush to answer me. Making a promise too early only adds to your burden. You should be free." Ji Niang cut off my response.
"Thank you. I'll consider it. I'm leaving now."
"Wait."
"What is it now, Ji... Niang... Tea... cher?" I asked, turning back slowly.
"If you decide to dive into this vortex of protagonists, then... don't hold back. I've seen many Scripts, but never one in this format. Show me something new."
"The Academy has high hopes for you. Some teachers even think you might be a hidden Child of Luck, though there's no evidence. Of course, don't take that too seriously. Knowing you, I doubt you'd want to be a Child of Luck anyway, right?"
"Yeah, I know," I nodded and left without looking back.
I had an appointment with Sister Bai today to discuss the specifics of the Exchange Competition. Looking at things alone would lead to oversights, so I had agreed to her suggestion yesterday.
The meeting place was, once again, the Witch Cat Cafe.