Chapter 198: Spirit Spell · Unity of Knowledge and Action
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 198: Spirit Spell · Unity of Knowledge and Action
"Xiao Han, what's wrong? Did I speak too fast for you to keep up?" Bai Yu asked, waving a hand in front of my face when she noticed me spacing out.
"Huh? Oh, no. I was just thinking about something else. This exchange competition really is quite complicated," I replied, quickly waving my hands in dismissal. It wasn't great to be caught daydreaming about my own affairs when Sister Bai was being so helpful.
But focusing back on the competition—were the rules actually complicated? Not really. It was just a fancy wrapper for a free-for-all. At the end of the day, you just had to be the last one standing. Everything else was mostly window dressing.
For the next while, I continued discussing the specific rules with Sister Bai. The exchange competition didn't forbid alliances between academies; if you had the silver tongue to negotiate a treaty, that was considered a skill in its own right.
Moreover, since this was taking place in a dreamscape, many things were actually simpler. One could even say "anything goes."
As I gathered more information, I began attempting to memorize the layout. There was no such thing as a mini-map in the dreamscape. If you weren't familiar with the terrain, you could easily get lost.
Of course, a powerful enough person could memorize the entire topography, but no one was foolish enough to waste that much time just to record a map.
While one could determine their general location based on regional characteristics, not everyone possessed that ability. At the very least, I couldn't do it instantly; I could only manage enough to ensure I didn't lose my way under normal circumstances.
However, I had the Memory Bookshelf spellbook. Aside from text, those blank pages could naturally record images. Some spells didn't necessarily need magic modifications to gain extra utility; their inherent properties could be used in extraordinary ways if applied correctly.
For instance, could a book record a three-dimensional map?
Normally, no. But this was a spell effect, not an ordinary book. The only thing limiting this ability was my own power of expression.
And was my expression lacking?
Not necessarily. The things Spirit Vision could perceive were far more abstract than physical reality, but I was slowly adapting. I could even use the Ley Line System to create models within the spellbook.
Could modeling express what Spirit Vision saw?
Clearly, it wasn't enough. It required using existing forms for abstract representation, supplemented by annotations. This was exactly why those with insufficient Spirit Vision levels couldn't even understand certain data—they simply couldn't imagine it.
Since I was recording this map for my own use and didn't need anyone else to understand it, I could describe the map within the Memory Bookshelf spell.
"Xiao Han, your map is so abstract. Will you actually be able to read it later?" Bai Yu stood beside me, her brow furrowed as she looked at my finished product.
"Of course. And if that doesn't work, there's always this version." I manipulated the book, causing it to fan out into individual pages. They stacked and layered themselves to form visible contour lines, sketching out a three-dimensional representation of the terrain.
"The Memory Bookshelf spellbook can be used like that? Wait, Xiao Han, you've already learned how to use it? I thought the threshold for this spellbook was..."
"The threshold is basically non-existent for me. My understanding of spellbooks has become quite thorough lately. I've found that even if you don't fully understand a spellbook's intended purpose, you can still use it flexibly."
Take the Memory Bookshelf, for example. It was meant for simple recording and data exchange; it didn't inherently possess this "rendering" capability. But some abilities have to be discovered on your own. You shouldn't just look at what a spellbook was originally designed to achieve; you have to look at how its function can be extended, and what effort is required to reach that new effect.
"Is that so?"
Though Bai Yu didn't quite grasp the technicalities or the full weight of what I was saying, it didn't stop her from being shocked.
Breaking free from the framework of a spellbook and wielding the Transcendent at will—wasn't that exactly what she pursued? She had tried casting spells without a spellbook before and failed. Well, it wasn't a total failure, but it didn't meet her expectations. Her mentor hadn't supported the behavior, though she had expressed understanding.
Now, seeing this scene before her, she finally had to ask. She had wanted to speak up earlier, but none of the modified spells had touched her as deeply as this moment.
"Xiao Han, how do you do it?"
"Hmm... Know the spellbook, understand the spellbook, modify the spellbook, and use Spirit Vision."
"Understand... the spellbook. Spirit Vision... So that's it." Bai Yu suppressed the urge to ask further. She realized what she was facing: a massive chasm created by the difference in Spirit Vision levels.
As expected, her cognition had outpaced her actual ability. Her confusion stemmed from her power being unable to keep up with her thoughts.
This single realization made one thing clear: the answers she chased lay within Spirit Vision. She recalled her mentor's words about the importance of Spirit Vision and the significance of becoming a Transcendent.
Sometimes, without experiencing it firsthand, you truly don't realize how much "weight" is behind the word "important."
"Hey~ Sister Bai, you okay? Did you figure something out too?"
"Oh... you could say that. I've realized a few things." Bai Yu didn't intend to explain, but she knew she was going to be very busy in the coming days.
"Let's get back to the rules. Didn't you say the contestants have a more detailed set?"
"Oh, that. No rush. Recording the map took some effort, but I've got the gist of the important parts. Teacher Ji Niang gave me some things today—potions. It should be fine if I drink these all at once, right?"
"Hmm? These... these are all permanent enhancement potions. She's certainly generous. Generally, potions don't have major conflicts, and if there were any risks, Teacher Ji Niang would have warned you. But to be safe, you should probably space these three out a bit."
"I'll do as you say, Sister Bai." I opened a Constitution Improvement Potion. Physical fitness had always been my weak point. While body strengthening and transformation spells could temporarily bridge the gap, I didn't mind the extra help. If my base stats were higher, those spells would naturally become even more effective.
And I remembered I had one more spellbook I hadn't used yet. Though I'd only been given one, I wasn't about to turn it down.
I wanted to see exactly what it was. Even a high-consumption spellbook wouldn't change my life that much; it would just be another tool in the kit. It wasn't like they'd give me a thousand-point consumption book, right? I didn't lack power right now, and my primary strength didn't come from high-consumption spellbooks anyway.
There are many ways to kill a person. It's not always about how terrifying the magical damage is. To some extent, a basic spellbook that is just enough to kill the opponent serves the same purpose as a high-consumption one.
But as I integrated the spellbook into my body under Sister Bai's watchful eye, my heart skipped a beat when I read the description.
A Non-restricted Spellbook!
Spirit Spell · Unity of Knowledge and Action.
After seeing the name and carefully reviewing its capabilities, I was genuinely startled by its function!
This was different from typical Evocation or Illusion spells; it was a Spirit Spell.
It was somewhat similar to the concept of "words becoming reality," but this specific spell was self-targeted. It could only be used on oneself, ensuring that what was said was what was done—achieving a true state of "Unity of Knowledge and Action."
My understanding of that phrase was still rooted in philosophy: the alignment of mind and behavior, the harmony between the internal and external.
Perhaps in my hands, this spell wouldn't necessarily reach those philosophical heights, but it was clearly a spellbook that could drastically improve my learning efficiency!
What did I need most right now?
Wasn't it exactly this kind of spellbook?
I knew I wanted to learn. The Transcendent world was infinite; constant study, understanding, and practice were the only correct paths.
But I couldn't always translate those thoughts into action.
Temptation, exhaustion, laziness, emotions, personal state, inner doubts—these were the stumbling blocks for everyone's grand ideals.
The important thing was how to overcome them.
And this spell undoubtedly... solved a massive problem for me. Of course, its uses likely went beyond that, and I might not even be able to utilize it to its full potential yet.
If this spell weren't restricted to the self, its value would be so high that it never would have ended up with me.
Even as it was, its value was likely beyond what I should currently possess.
So... was this a sign of the Witch Academy's expectations for me?
Clearly, the academy had already placed Tan Han and me on two different developmental tracks.
What an unexpected spellbook. I imagined Teacher Ji Niang had put in a lot of effort to secure this for me.
Now, I suddenly possessed three such spellbooks. As long as I had the time to develop and settle in, I couldn't even imagine how far I could go.
"Xiao Han, are you alright? What is that spellbook? Will it help you?" Bai Yu didn't ask for the specific effect, only if it provided a boost. Everyone had their secrets, and if I didn't volunteer the info, she wouldn't pry.
"I'm fine. I've never been better!" The joy in my heart was written all over my face. Even Bai Yu blinked in surprise at my declaration.
Just then, my phone suddenly rang. I checked it; it was a call from Tan Han.
Bai Yu waited until I hung up before speaking.
"What is it, Xiao Han? Who was that?"
"Oh, it's Tan Han. she's invited the other contestants from the Witch Academy to a lunch gathering. She wants to discuss the exchange competition—probably something about coordinating tactics," I explained.
"I see. We have been here for quite a while. Should we head out?" Bai Yu began tidying up. We had ordered quite a few sweets and drinks while analyzing the competition details; thinking was, after all, brain-taxing work.
Since I had woken up early and skipped breakfast, I had just eaten here.
"True, it's already that time. Tan Han called for a meal, but I doubt I'll be able to eat much. A bit of a waste."
"It's fine. The point of your lunch isn't the food. Coordination between students from the same academy is very important for this competition."
"I suppose so," I said with a shrug.
However, I probably wouldn't be able to contribute much to the tactical discussion. I wasn't good at that sort of thing, and with so many variables in this competition, pre-set tactics might not even hold up. It would likely come down to improvisation.
Still, I should go to keep everyone in line. Everyone there was a top talent among the Witch Academy freshmen; I wasn't sure if Tan Han could handle them all on her own.
Besides, among the Freshman Top 10, I only knew Tan Han and Shi Huiyu. I didn't even know the names of the others.
Maybe I should familiarize myself with them before I get there.
After leaving the Witch Cat Cafe, Sister Bai and I went our separate ways. I drifted off slowly on my broom, while Bai Yu went back to her own business.
The recent experience had made Bai Yu realize something. She hadn't understood it before, so she hadn't prioritized it, but now she knew the importance of Spirit Vision and the metamorphosis that came with becoming a Transcendent. It aligned perfectly with the path she was chasing.
It was her final year. Originally, she hadn't been in a rush, planning to coast through her project until graduation and take her time with the promotion to Transcendent Witch.
But now, she realized she couldn't just drift along. She had a clear goal: become a Transcendent Witch. However, according to her mentor, once she achieved that, she would have to leave this Main World to "witness" the world of Witches. She knew that returning would be difficult—perhaps only as a teacher at the academy.
She didn't know how long that would take. If she didn't see Xiao Han for that long, what if... and with the Script opening up during this period... how could she rest easy?
Sighing, Bai Yu opened her phone to relax on the Academy Network and see which way the wind was blowing. She had used her personal connections to suppress information regarding Xiao Han, but it was ultimately a drop in the bucket.
As she scrolled through the forum, a headline made her heart skip a beat, immediately bringing bad omens to mind.
“Every Innate Spirit Vision User to Date Has Been a Lunatic: Using Real Cases to State the Facts”
Wasn't Xiao Han an Innate Spirit Vision user? It was hard not to connect the two at this specific timing, even though Bai Yu knew very few people were aware of Xiao Han's status.
But this was how these things fermented.
This again?
Who exactly was spreading this kind of news?
Fuming, Bai Yu clicked on the poster's profile. She felt it was necessary to resolve a few more "troubles" before she fully committed to her own Transcendent exploration.