Chapter 207: Who Can Resist a Cute Cat-girl?
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 207: Who Can Resist a Cute Cat-girl?
"This... this is Moe Cat Academy?"
As I drew closer and confirmed the appearance of the little ones nearby, I finally recognized which academy they belonged to.
Their school was actually called Moe Cat Academy, also known as the Cat-people Academy. Because the name often sparked certain fantasies in the outside world, the Witch Academy’s introductory guides to various Transcendent academies described it as a place for raising "moe" creatures.
In fact, the Witch Academy website that introduced this school even referred to it as the "Cat-girl Academy." Due to the name, the student body was overwhelmingly female, and the few boys there were mostly of the shota variety.
With their adorable faces, cat ears, and nimble tails, their very existence catered perfectly to many people's specific tastes.
However, the above was merely a surface-level description. No matter how cute they were or how much they were called "moe creatures," that was only their appearance. At its core, this was still a Transcendent academy. When they actually got serious, their ferocity was far greater than the strength I gained from my simple Cat-person Transformation spell.
Within the Beast Academy faction, there was another school called the Tiger-kin Academy. Together with Moe Cat Academy, they were known as the "Twin Beauties" of the feline Transcendent academies. Who would have thought their strength would be roughly equal? At least, that was how the Witch Academy introduced them.
"Who's there!"
My approach quickly tripped their alarms. Cats are naturally sensitive to their surroundings, so I hadn't expected to remain undetected for long.
"Hello there~ I'm from the Witch Academy. Just passing through, I mean no harm..."
"Go away! We don't welcome outsiders here!"
Before I could even finish, they put on "ferocious" expressions and began trying to drive me away.
"Eh? There's no need to be so xenophobic, is there?"
I was a bit surprised by their reaction. I had assumed that with their looks, they would be easy to get along with, but instead, they were acting like they were guarding their food.
They became... not cute at all. I had originally been wondering if I could pet a cat-girl or two.
"How about I help you complete your ritual? My Witch Academy just finished ours, and we're on a cooldown. There shouldn't be any conflict between us, right?"
As I said this, the cat-girls gathered there began to whisper among themselves.
"Um... she doesn't seem to have any malice. Maybe we should..."
"You'll believe anything anyone says! We're in a competition with her!"
"Just make her leave. We might not have the energy to deal with her in a bit."
"Ahem, that little sister is right. I really don't have any bad intentions," I said, following the lead of the cat-girl who had spoken up for me. She was the most timid-looking one of the bunch.
Of course, whether she was acting was another story. This was the Exchange Competition; the academies wouldn't actually send a "moe creature" here just to lose face. Was she just that good at hiding it, or was it a double bluff?
Regardless, her words made me feel quite well-disposed toward her. Who wouldn't like a cute cat-girl who easily trusts others?
Even if it was an act, so what?
"You all look like you're bracing for a major problem. Hmm... let me guess. Are you afraid of the Beast Academy?" I asked with a smile.
"Beast Academy" was a broad concept, a collective term for schools like Moe Cat Academy and Charm Fox Academy. The "Top Beast Arena Academy" also fell under this umbrella, but it didn't represent the entire "Beast Academy" name.
I wasn't sure what the relationship between these schools was—were they equals, or was it more like a system of affiliated academies?
"What we're afraid of is none of your business!" A cat-eared boy nearby snapped at me, looking as if I'd stepped on his tail.
"Let me guess... is the Beast Academy trying to stop you from holding your ritual?"
"Holding a ritual is a right every academy possesses! Stop making wild guesses!"
"Exactly! We're just in a simple competitive relationship."
"Alright, alright. Then I'll just go tell the other Beast Academy schools that Moe Cat Academy is preparing a ritual. Besides... why don't I see any other Beast Academy rituals being prepared in this area?"
At my threat, their expressions shifted instantly. Although I didn't actually need to notify the other schools, if I went around spreading news, it would signal that I was siding against Moe Cat Academy. It would be purely making trouble for them.
"Wait! Big sister from the Witch Academy, if you promise not to sabotage our ritual and are even willing to help us, we can naturally welcome you..."
"Mengrui! Have you gone mad? You're inviting a Witch at a time like this!" The little cat-girl was interrupted by the cat-boy before she could finish.
"Enough! I don't want to keep harping on this, but at least... at least for this exchange competition, I am the nominal leader! And, and our ritual is also..." The cat-girl named Mengrui plucked up her courage and argued back, though she still looked like she was forcing herself to be brave.
"Hmph. You said it yourself: 'nominal.'" The boy she yelled at was clearly unconvinced.
Standing to the side, I understood the situation. Whatever the reason—whether she had a moment of clarity or just an overflow of sympathy—I had at least gained support.
"Since the nominal leader has acknowledged me, I won't stand on ceremony." I smiled and walked toward the timid cat-girl.
"Is your name Mengrui? You're so cute~"
"My full name is Yu Mengrui. And, Big Sister Witch, don't touch my head! And no ears either!" Although Yu Mengrui had verbally acknowledged my "legal" status, she still instinctively moved into a defensive posture as I approached.
"That's a lovely name~ My name is Yang Yuehan. You can call me Xiao Han, or Sister Xiao Han if you like." I walked over to a fallen log and sat down.
I had mostly forgotten the details of Moe Cat Academy's ritual. I only remembered the name was something like the "Fish and Rice Sharing Banquet." With so many academies, I had only made sure to skim the information on each. There was no way I could remember everything after just one look; I hadn't recorded it in my Memory Bookshelf, and it wasn't exactly vital knowledge or a legendary event.
However, seeing them working so busily and in such an orderly fashion, I didn't disturb them. Watching a group of adorable creatures working seriously was a form of enjoyment in itself, wasn't it?
Besides, I wasn't exactly slacking off. The ritual light pillar was standing right here, which would surely attract many people to investigate. For me, this was a "mob farming spot."
After all, the academy's score wasn't everything; my personal ranking was also very important.
Since I had let quite a few points slip away earlier, I felt it was best to make up for it now.
After forcing a conversation with them, I managed to learn a bit about their situation.
If the relationship between other academies and their affiliates was like master and servant, then within the Beast Academy faction, it was a matter of absolute strength and hierarchy.
The Top Beast Arena Academy was the pinnacle of the Beast Academy faction, and it even had a Subsidiary Half-Beast Academy. Under its intimidation, many other Beast academies were under pressure. They didn't dare show any intention of holding a ritual until that top academy had secured its points.
One could say the Beast Academy faction embodied the law of the jungle to the fullest. Academies without status didn't even have the right to hold rituals, even in this exchange competition with its fair rules.
In such an environment, Moe Cat Academy's decision to prepare a ritual was a statement of defiance.
Even so, I didn't hold much hope for them. Among the current batch of rituals, they had a formidable rival: the Wizard Academy.
That was why I had agreed to help. Their chances of success were tiny. If they actually succeeded, wouldn't that be a massive snub to the Wizard Academy?
If the scores were tied and Moe Cat Academy's ritual succeeded, as long as there wasn't a massive point gap, Moe Cat Academy would always be ranked second.
Furthermore, Moe Cat Academy wasn't large enough to attempt a second ritual.
I also heard them say that the preparation for this ritual was Yu Mengrui's idea. That surprised me; I hadn't expected such a timid cat-girl to have that kind of grit.
As the ritual preparations continued, several groups did indeed come to interfere.
But I harvested them all. Attacks of this level were truly nothing more than a "harvest" for me. Their fighting styles reminded me of the opponents who used transformation spells back in the confrontation matches.
However, these guys were stronger and more agile than those who merely used spells.
Of course, the cat-girls of Moe Cat Academy didn't just stand by and watch me protect them. Still, my contribution was significant. I could even see a trace of lingering fear in their eyes after the battles.
As for what they were afraid of, it was naturally the external pressure they would face after this ritual.
Previously full of confidence, they had realized after a few "beatings" that they truly didn't have the strength to defend their ritual independently.
"What's wrong? You seem quite depressed." I crouched down in front of Yu Mengrui. This time, even when I reached out to pat her head and flick her ears, she didn't say anything. It seemed her body was already compromising.
"This... was always going to be a ritual with no result. I knew it... only failure awaits us... and maybe even isolation from the Beast Academy..."
"If only I hadn't been so stubborn..."
"What do you mean, stubborn! Stop talking like that! Was this decision made by you alone? What's the use of crying here? Are you denying your own mistake, or are you denying all of our hard work!"
"Well said!"
I gave the cat-boy a thumbs-up. Honestly, I wasn't that into cat-eared shotas; I much preferred cat-girls.
But his values were in the right place, even if he was a bit abrasive.
In this rare gap without enemy harassment, Moe Cat Academy was going through a crisis of self-doubt.
"Alright, everyone, let's get moving. Even if this ritual is destined to have no result, are you just going to stop?" I clapped my hands to encourage them.
The atmosphere gradually became busy again.
"Sister Xiao Han, do you also think our ritual can't be completed?"
"Heh, pretty much. Perhaps you don't know yet." I sat down and pointed toward a distant pillar of light. "That was the first ritual to light up. That's the Wizard Academy. And that direction, needless to say, is the direction of the World Tree—most likely Afuhemi Academy. And look over there, the Land of Eternal Darkness. How's that for pressure?"
"Yeah..."
Yu Mengrui nodded. She finally understood how heavy the words she had spoken in a moment of passion truly were.
"But it's okay. Think back—did you make this decision to get points, or to resist the pressure of the Beast Academy?"
"The Beast... um..."
"Exactly!"
I said with a smile. After getting a general idea of the Beast Academy's situation, the original intention behind their decision to hold a ritual could only be this. That "newborn calf" spirit of defiance against the status quo was stronger than the desire for points.
"It looks like your ritual involves a lot of cooking. Once it's ready, treat me to a meal, and I'll go stir up some trouble at the Beast Academy's place for you."
"It's the Fish and Rice Sharing Banquet! Not just 'cooking'!"
"Right, right~ The Fish and Rice Sharing Banquet. Since it's about 'sharing,' you won't mind sharing it with me, right?" I said soothingly.
"Actually... even if you didn't ask, we would have given you a portion. The Fish and Rice Sharing Banquet ritual requires the participation of outsiders. Without outside friends working together and sharing the final result... that's why I took the risk to let you stay, actually..."
"Haha... so that's how it is..."
I chuckled, not minding at all. I suppose I shouldn't be surprised.
Time ticked by, and I watched them continue their preparations. But the timing was very "un-meow."
By the time their preparations reached the busiest stage, a lot of time had passed. The longer it dragged on, the more passive they became. No one knew if the ritual would be shattered in the next moment.
Even I could feel the atmosphere becoming less lively than before.
Even the number of harassers had dwindled. Perhaps they felt the cat-girls were no longer a threat, or perhaps I had killed too many of them.
In short, while the external threat level had dropped, the internal mood had become uncomfortable.
The next moment.
The pillar of light shrouding the area shattered with a thunderous crash, the massive commotion startling everyone present.
Even for me, it was the first time I had witnessed the moment a ritual was broken from such a close distance.
The site for the Fish and Rice Sharing Banquet was heavily damaged, the equipment was ruined, and the qualification to hold the ritual was gone. Only the items they held in their hands remained.
The only pillar of light still standing was in the direction of the Wizard Academy.
At that moment, all the cat-girls stopped what they were doing. There was no crying, no breakdown; it seemed everyone had accepted this outcome.
Yu Mengrui let out a slight sigh of relief, as if an invisible shackle had been loosened from her neck.
"Everyone... our ritual preparation has failed..." Yu Mengrui spoke. Though her words were sad, her tone carried a sense of liberation. "But please, let's finish the uncompleted Fish and Rice Sharing Banquet together! Even if the ritual is no longer recognized, we..."
"Of course we don't need you to tell us that! I put so much effort into this, I'm not giving up just because of that!"
"Exactly. And it really is about time for dinner..."
As they chimed in one by one, everyone became enthusiastic again. It was a cheerful feeling, as if they were no longer cooking for a specific purpose.
Cat-girls really were such healing, adorable creatures. Too much pressure was more than even they could bear, so sometimes, one really shouldn't force themselves under pointless stress.
"I have some basic cooking skills. Let me help you." I smiled and walked toward Yu Mengrui. Seeing her suddenly becoming a bit flustered with the work, I stepped in to assist.
But before I could do anything—before I had even finished the sentence—a golden thread of Luck detached from me and drifted toward Yu Mengrui.
"Hmm?"
My expression changed instantly. I reached out and grabbed that strand of Luck... What was going on? The Luck was leaving on its own?
And its target seemed to be Yu Mengrui!
"Is something wrong?" Yu Mengrui stopped what she was doing when she saw my sudden reaction.
"Oh, nothing. Just a little insect, it seems." I pulled at the thread of Luck as if it were nothing. I had been ignoring their existence, but this sudden movement made me take notice.
Anything related to Luck usually involved a Child of Destiny or a protagonist of a Script. I recalled what Teacher Ji Niang had told me—the protagonist was no longer unique.
Thinking about it, I could guess what was happening.
And they possessed something that could prove this identity.
A "Luck Seed."
I had never seen what one actually looked like, but that didn't stop me from using Spirit Vision to see through Yu Mengrui.
"Is that... a Luck Seed?"
I muttered to myself. It was an illusory aggregate existing within her body. Looking closer, it looked like an unknown seed that had been left out for a long time—its surface dry, shriveled, and cracked.
Was Yu Mengrui also a Child of Destiny?
This was quite a dramatic turn of events. So, my inexplicable journey up to this point... was it also the correction of a Script?
Regardless, I might as well blame the Script. Since it was an existence I couldn't comprehend, it was the perfect scapegoat.
Now, a choice lay before me. Should I give this strand of Luck to Yu Mengrui?
This involved too many things: the gambits between Children of Destiny, and the interests of high-level figures that remained unknown to me.
What a headache.
Yu Mengrui was just a timid little cat-girl. I even wondered if her weakness was genuine, or if the academy had simply valued her status as a Child of Destiny... which would explain why she was the "nominal leader."
This Luck was something I had directly or indirectly obtained from Tan Han. To just give it away like this...
Aiding the enemy... I wondered if that label would be pinned on me.
But then I remembered what Teacher Ji Niang had said to me.
The choice was mine, but the academy had also given me many benefits.
This was just a gamble between choices.
In the end... the academy's side won out slightly.
So, I pulled the thread of Luck back.
But the thread I pulled back no longer clung to me as it had before.
At that moment, I realized this Luck no longer completely belonged to me; I was simply refusing to let go.
In other words, this cute cat-girl had "stolen" something of mine without even knowing what was happening.
Perhaps Luck never belonged to anyone from the start? After all, it didn't have a name written on it.
"Um... Sister Xiao Han, you're our guest. Let us professionals handle this! Even though it's not a Fish and Rice Sharing Banquet anymore, we'll turn it into a Cat Rice feast for you!"
"...Okay."
I hesitated for a moment before finally agreeing.
As soon as I agreed, that strand of Luck instantly disintegrated, scattering to a degree that even I couldn't grasp. It slipped through my fingers as if it had found a new master.
I gave a silent "tsk." Had I done something wrong? It seemed no one was in the wrong; the development of events was already beyond my prediction.
I simply watched quietly as the power of Luck nourished the Luck Seed within Yu Mengrui, watching it go from dry and cracked to moist and sprouting... Time passed.
"Alright! Sister Xiao Han! It's time to eat~"