Chapter 218: Over-consumption Spellbook · Fire Rain Domain
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 218: Over-consumption Spellbook · Fire Rain Domain
"This fire rain is truly unreasonable... even though I'm the master of the domain, I can't avoid its effects."
But that was normal. For instance, I could easily fall prey to my own Illusion Clone spells.
I could feel my connection to the domain; I could even create blind spots within the domain's attacks. However, using this level of spellbook for the first time felt like piloting a massive cruise ship—even the slightest deviation could lead to drastically different outcomes.
At my current stage, I lacked the ability to fully control it. My efforts felt ineffective, like scratching an itch through a boot, or like a whip that was too long to manage, refusing to obey my commands. I could only control the domain from a macro perspective; even moving the domain itself required a massive price.
"You bastard! If you had a trump card like this, why didn't you use it sooner?! I'll kill you!"
"Just stay put. You wouldn't want the blessing the World Tree gave you to be completely useless, would you?"
With a wave of my hand, a massive deluge of fire rain poured down, encroaching on their safe zone beneath the World Tree. Splattering sparks caused looks of terror to dawn on several faces.
This seemed to be the limit of my control, though they didn't seem to realize it.
This domain was consuming energy at a frantic pace. It was a method of continuous, pure suppression—a powerful means of creating an ideal fire-element environment.
Strangely, it triggered a connection to the "Resonance" inspiration I had just mastered.
I had already realized that I could modify and develop low-consumption spellbooks for various uses, but high-consumption spellbooks could be constantly developed for new purposes even without modification.
One's strength was reflected in both their innate abilities and the spellbooks they used. Even if someone managed to force out a spell from a high-consumption spellbook, it would be like a child swinging a heavy club—nothing to fear. A classic example of this would be making an example of Tan Han again.
Without the corresponding research, merely knowing how to "release" a spell was the lowest level of mastery.
Therefore, even when limited by the upper bounds of a spellbook, the more knowledge the Senior Sisters learned, the better they could utilize the power and value of high-consumption spellbooks.
It was like the "Resonance" I now mastered. It was contained within the "Fire Rain Domain" spell. It wasn't that the Fire Rain Domain had specific rules for such use, but rather that it possessed the ceiling and space to allow for it.
I had already experimented with Earth Resonance and Water Resonance. Now... it was time for Fire Resonance.
I had originally planned to sense the resonance between the Fireball Spell and flames within a forest fire, but clearly, this Fire Rain Domain was far more suitable.
The Elves' cursing continued, but after my previous threat, they naturally didn't dare to move. Once they acted, the damage wouldn't just be to one person, but to everyone under the World Tree's protection.
As time passed, the power of the Fire Rain Domain gradually diminished. Since I wasn't using my own mana to sustain it, the spell's effects could only consume the initial mana used to activate it.
However, the sustained high temperatures had already caused large sections of the leaves at the top of the World Tree to wither and burn.
The World Tree taught me a lesson through itself: some trees are simply non-flammable. But the Fire Rain Domain taught me another: nothing is non-flammable; the temperature just isn't high enough.
Taking advantage of the Fire Rain Domain's final embers, I managed to roughly figure out the application of Fire Resonance.
"The fire is dying down... Kill them!"
As Elves who had been forced into helplessness under their protection, they were naturally hyper-focused on the intensity of the fire rain. At the Fire Rain Domain's final moment, they chose to strike.
Whether they could win was a secondary issue; taking action had become a matter of the Afuhemi Academy's dignity—a question of whether they would resist in the face of oppression.
"How many lives do you have to squander on me like this?"
I watched them and pointed a finger. The resonant fire rain suddenly swarmed toward them like swallows returning to their nest. This resonance was more precise and terrifying than mere reliance on domain control.
"Ah, hiss... Elf Blessing!" As the first one suffered a setback, more Elves channeled the power of nature to activate their blessings. If no one had the courage to charge out now, people might think Afuhemi Academy had sent some bottom-tier student to the exchange competition.
After a few exchanges, they experienced the same powerlessness I felt when they had suppressed me with firepower earlier.
Currently, the World Tree was enduring the suppression of the Fire Rain Domain, and its canopy had even caught fire. This alone spoke volumes.
As I ruthlessly sent them flying once more, I marveled at the sturdiness of their blessings. The protective measures of these Elves were, in some ways, even stronger than my Energy Shield and Shield Blessing.
As they were defeated and fell to the ground, the scorching flames singeing the fabric of their clothes, a familiar voice caught my attention.
I hadn't noticed before, as the unique Mother God Hymn Ritual attire of Afuhemi Academy wrapped them up tightly.
"Yao... Bei... Juan." I drew out her name, my voice devoid of emotion.
This time, I was the one to speak first. I hadn't expected her to be here preparing the ritual. I thought she would be like the first time—loudly and tactlessly shouting my name and annoying me.
This time, she was actually quiet. It didn't fit the personality I knew.
"I didn't expect you to come back so soon."
"Xiao Han, I think there's some misunderstanding between us. Can you stop targeting us like this just because of our relationship?"
Yao Beijuan spoke as if she were having an outburst. Her blessing had become somewhat fractured under the final embers of the Fire Rain Domain.
"There is no misunderstanding. But congratulations on growing up. You've become... someone who doesn't just tactlessly shout at people the moment you see them. It's less annoying."
"An... Annoying?" Yao Beijuan hadn't expected such a response from me.
"Yes, indeed. Especially when I could see all sorts of gossip interviews on the Academy Network before the competition started, and you even specifically ran over..."
I began to list the only things that had bothered me since the start of the term, all of which started with Yao Beijuan's arrival. But that wasn't something I could control.
However, I stopped mid-sentence.
I noticed my Luck Threads were acting up again, just like what happened with Yu Mengrui.
Yao Beijuan was a Child of Destiny, as confirmed by Teacher Ji Niang. She needed so-called Luck.
But I wouldn't give it to her. The connection was already severed. I wouldn't go soft; not even a single bit.
This was different from Yu Mengrui's situation. To prevent something like that from happening again, I wouldn't say another wrong word.
"I'm sorry... I... I didn't know these things would cause you such trouble..."
"Yao Beijuan, stop talking! We're enemies right now!"
"I just feel like all of this is fate..."
"You, sigh..." The schoolmates beside her were speechless. This was supposed to be the moment for a counterattack, yet it had turned into a chat between her and her "partner." Did she think they didn't exist?
"But I didn't intend to come looking for you immediately back then. I was sort of... by Teacher Ariel..."
Outside, Ariel was once again backstabbed by her "good student."
Yao Beijuan wanted to continue, but I didn't stop her. I knew she was eloquent, but none of it could serve as an explanation that would sway me.
"Now, it's time to put an end to everything."
I looked up at the last of the fire rain in the sky. This meant putting an end to the Fire Rain Domain, putting an end to my dispute with the Elves, and similarly, putting an end to my relationship with Yao Beijuan.
Setting aside the facts, couldn't I still be friends with Yao Beijuan after ending that kind of relationship? Of course, many people would say so out of politeness.
But "setting aside the facts" didn't work with me. What happened couldn't be treated as if it hadn't. A severed relationship should be cut cleanly. Friends... my definition and criteria for friends were very strict.
Even Tan Han was merely an "academic friend."
Even those few in the villa were my "dormitory friends"—the kind with a prefix.
My only true friend was probably Sister Bai.
In the end, I shrugged. No one knew what the gesture meant; they all thought I was showing no reaction.
Everyone could only watch as the final fire rain, under my control, pierced straight through the World Tree. The scorching heat permanently snapped a branch on one side of the tree, leaving an unquenchable fire at the break.
That was the fire that had pierced through the World Tree's self-protection. Without that layer of protection, it was ultimately just a tree.
Perhaps the actual main body of the World Tree had transcended the definition of a tree, but here, it was merely a branch of the World Tree simulated in a dream, and a shrunken version at that.
Thus far, not a single person from Afuhemi Academy was injured; only the branch of the World Tree was broken.
Having taken the hit, the World Tree could no longer support the Mother God Hymn Ritual. The sky-piercing pillar of light shattered, leaving only the crimson fire clouds in the sky yet to dissipate.
"Wait! What kind of benefits did the Sea Clan give you to make you work this hard?!"
Finally, as I was about to leave, Lin Qinlin asked the question that puzzled her. She couldn't understand why the Witch Academy would help the Sea Clan. Was it pure hatred for the Three Top Academies, wanting to find another academy to suppress them?
"Naturally, it's to make this exchange competition as chaotic as possible! You think our Witch Academy doesn't hold grudges? Your 'good teachers' started this by delaying our Freshman Top 10 rewards until now. You should be glad... if I had received those rewards, you wouldn't even be able to lift your heads."
Finally, I rode my broom and left them with a thumbs-down gesture to express my dissatisfaction.
Everyone knew about this; they just hadn't said it out loud. Moreover, I was merely stating the obvious.
If I were being crushed and said such things, it would be an excuse. But saying it now was a pure slap in the face.
I wanted them to know exactly how incompetent and shameless they were.
If even one fool among them felt guilt or self-reproach, then my words weren't in vain. After all, the sturdiest confidence is broken through self-doubt.
Furthermore, I was saying this as a student, directly stating my dissatisfaction. These were things the Academy couldn't say directly, as they had to save face for the various major academies. But what did a "clueless" student's rambling have to do with the Academy?
Before leaving, I checked my Luck. It hadn't decreased, which made me breathe a sigh of relief.
Better go back and see how those Sea Clan folks are progressing.
* * *
Back at Afuhemi Academy.
"Are you okay, Yao Beijuan? Are you hurt?"
"No... I'm fine."
"You, really... I told you not to waste your breath on that heartless person."
"Quick, check the World Tree! If we can't proceed with the next ritual, our academy might truly become the first one to exist in name only..."
Only after I had completely left did Afuhemi Academy fall into total chaos. The injured, the ritual, the World Tree...
At this moment, their final struggle had ended like a farce.
On my way back, I drank a few more recovery potions. After all, my Mana Source had already reached four digits, which was undoubtedly a high value. That was why I said using the Fire Rain Domain was a luxury. If I needed to maintain it, it would likely require even more mana. Moreover, the sensation of having so much mana drained at once was very uncomfortable—it felt like my body was being hollowed out.
Using mental power to control such a spellbook was also extremely taxing.
I saw the simulated sun in the sky already sinking toward the sea in the west.
Presumably, the first night of the exchange competition was coming. Every academy would feel a distinct exhaustion, or perhaps they were gathering strength to prepare for a comeback at night.
Since the Witch Academy was so active during the day, they certainly wouldn't have much activity at night. And they were right—I kept a very regular schedule.
How should I spend the night...
Should I just find a place to bury myself and sleep?
I had indeed consumed too much energy over the past half-day, having gone through various battles and arguments.
When I reached the sea, I saw signs of battle in the distance.
Wait, was... was the base being raided?
The holy effects of the Holy Light could be felt even from a distance.
I hurried over, only to find the Sea Clan locked in combat with two angels.
"Seriously, is your Sea Clan really this weak now? Can you not handle it whenever a few guys show up?"
"Yang Yuehan? Where did you go? Do you have any idea what these guys..."
"From the Witch Academy? I think we might be able to cooperate." Seeing my arrival, the two from the Holy Angel Academy subconsciously assumed I was attracted by the Sea Clan's ritual and spoke up to seek cooperation.
"Cooperate?" I repeated with a smile, my gaze drifting toward Enara, giving her a look.
"How do you want to cooperate?"
"I assume your Witch Academy doesn't want the Sea Clan to gain points either, right? In that regard, we have plenty of reason to cooperate, don't we?"
"True. If you're having a hard time, you don't want others to have it easy either, right?"
"You bastards, do you really think our Sea Clan is made of clay?!" Enara spoke with anger, and all the Sea Clan members stood ready.
"Heh, I just exhausted the Elves' ritual at the Afuhemi World Tree, so I've consumed quite a bit. If you want to cooperate, the most I can do is provide some blessings from the sidelines. What do you think?"
"It was you! You were just at the Afuhemi World Tree?"
One of the Holy Angel Academy students looked shocked. After all, anyone who wasn't blind had seen the phenomenon at the World Tree.
Such a phenomenon must have been caused by someone using a forbidden method or a combined attack by multiple people.
But now they were being told it was done by a single student from the Witch Academy. Whether it was a lie or not, it was something to be taken seriously.
"By the way, I don't have time to chat with you. If you don't hurry up, I'll deal with both of you together!" I spoke with displeasure.
"Then we officially cooperate."
The Holy Angel Academy student straightened up and began to channel a divine art.
Enara of the Sea Clan also cooperatively organized a counterattack.
"Watch out, I'm giving you blessings. Don't just stand there and get focused by the Sea Clan." I said, my tone slightly flippant.
But the next moment, what they received wasn't a blessing from me, but a backstab.
"You!"
"From the Holy Angel Academy, right? Commissioned by another to take your life. Didn't your teachers tell you not to listen to Witches before you left the academy? Or did you just not remember?"
After backstabbing one of them, even though his angel halo hadn't shattered yet, his body was heavily injured. He couldn't maintain flight and plummeted into the water.
The Sea Clan members burst into laughter at the incredulous looks on the angels' faces.
The other one was also backstabbed by me, but it wasn't fatal. After all, I couldn't backstab two people simultaneously in such a short time. However, he couldn't escape now either.
"Witch! What is the meaning of this! The Sea Clan is our—"
"Since when was the Sea Clan my enemy? I only know that you are... sur·round·ed."
As I finished speaking, the Sea Clan also turned their weapons, pointing them directly at the Holy Angel student.
"You! You people! The Witch Academy actually allied with the Sea Clan!"
"Correct. As the price for obtaining information, please die!"
"Ah! You Witch Academy people are simply damnable! Our Holy Angel Academy won't let you off!"
"Just talk."
Facing the Holy Angel I had already wounded, I quickly subdued him.
Then, I brought the two of them over to the Sea Clan.
"I have to say, Enara, your Sea Clan's combat power still needs improvement. Where was the momentum you had when you fought me?"
"You have the nerve to say that? The opponent was from one of the Three Top Academies, and there were two of them. I have a contract and must prioritize the ritual. And you're blaming me?"
"Fine, fine."
"By the way, how do you plan to deal with these two Holy Angel students? They're worth 6 points to you, right?"
Enara looked at me meaningfully. Six points—she knew my situation. I hadn't died once so far.
Sitting at the top of the rankings, I was like a mockery of everyone else's incompetence.
"I don't know. I'm bored. How about I put on an 'Angel Halo Firework' show for you? Consider it an early celebration for the smooth preparation of your Sea's Wonder Crown Ceremony."
"Angel Halo Firework? What's that?"
"Hehe, you'll see."