Chapter 243: Leaving the Arena
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 243: Leaving the Arena
"Sister Tan Han? Hey! Are you okay?!"
"It’s so huge... isn't that sword the one from the Fallen Land?"
"What just happened? Sister Xiao Han... I saw on the rankings that she withdrew from the match?"
"I'm fine..." Tan Han shook her head as she stood up, leaning on Minian for support.
The strike from the ignited sword tip had directly devastated her transformation effect, destroying the spell in the most violent way possible. However, the blow hadn't landed on her actual body. That was the "broken" part of transformation spells—their survival capability was incredibly high.
"I... had a fight with Xiao Han."
"Huh? Sister Xiao Han fought you again?"
"I was the one who brought it up," Tan Han said, shaking her head.
"Then... who won?"
"I don't know. That girl Xiao Han... she always does the unexpected. Don't just stand there. Go clean up the rest of those guys. Points... don't you still need points? There should still be a few left right now."
"But, Sister Tan Han, aren't you going? You're only a few points away from Sister Xiao Han’s first-place spot..."
"Oh, you. Stop asking. Sister Tan Han obviously has her own reasons," another girl chimed in.
"If I tell you to go, then go. Stop dawdling," Tan Han said, feigning a look of annoyance.
"Yes, yes, ma'am! It’s our time to shine now!"
Watching them leave, Tan Han finally breathed a sigh of relief. She turned and looked at the giant sword behind her. Even she hadn't expected Xiao Han to mark this giant sword again when she visited the Wizard Tower ruins. Using every available resource—that was certainly Xiao Han’s style. She just hadn't expected that strike to be used on her.
However, as Tan Han was reminiscing about the battle, she felt a commotion behind her. She turned to see several figures approaching.
"Why are you guys still here?"
"Hehe, I'm several kills behind the person above me, so... I'm not going to bother trying. I want to hear what just happened!"
* * *
Meanwhile, in the reality realm.
The moment I withdrew, I felt a wave of discomfort, a stiffness as if my body hadn't moved in ages.
A moment later, I opened my eyes and saw the transparent pod door.
I moved my arms slightly. I’d been lying here for several days, hadn't I? It was a strange sensation, like I had just woken up from a long sleep.
After all, the place I went was a dreamscape. Does that make this exchange competition just one big dream?
It should be morning now. Since it’s morning... there probably won't be many people around.
But when I looked through the pod door at the arena, I realized there were crowds of people sitting out there.
As I placed my hand on the handle to push the door open, the roar of a lively crowd snuck through the gap and into my ears.
The door swung open, revealing a wider field of vision. I stood up somewhat unsteadily and stretched my legs. A helpful senior sister wearing a volunteer vest started to come over to support me, but I politely declined.
In reality, the sun had just risen. Even though the exchange competition was at its very end, there were still this many people present.
I could see others like me exiting their dream pods, though they didn't get the "supportive volunteer" treatment.
I turned and scanned the entire arena. Looking at the cheering crowd in the stands, I could faintly hear them chanting my name in unison.
"Xiao Han! Look over here! Whoo-hoo!"
The arena was overflowing with their passion. If it weren't for the magical barriers protecting the stands, they probably would have charged straight down.
However, I still spotted the people I cared about most. They had rushed to the very front, ignoring their seats entirely. The front railing looked like it was about to be crushed under their weight.
I reached out and waved toward Sister Bai, giving her a brilliant smile. Then I waved to Shopkeeper Xia Li... Senior Sister Ying Shiqian, and Senior Sister Tang Yihan. I hadn't expected them to show up in person.
That shout just now had definitely come from Ying Shiqian.
Even the numerous massive screens suspended above the arena were now mostly showing my face. It was honestly a bit embarrassing.
After soaking in the cheers and adoration of the crowd, a wave of bashfulness followed. This was my first time facing such a scene. It was different from when we first entered the dream pods; back then, all the other contestants were with me. Now, while I couldn't say everyone was cheering for me, it was certainly the vast majority.
With a slightly flustered gaze, I scanned the front row and saw a group of teachers. Among them, I spotted my counselor, Ji Niang, and the department head, Lina. I didn't recognize the others, but they were surely counselors and teachers from other classes. I didn't even know their names.
But it didn't matter. Now that I’d found them, I jogged straight over.
They were teachers, after all. They would know better than I what to do next.
"Little one, you did well." Ji Niang’s smile was completely undisguised. It was clear she was very satisfied with my overall performance.
"Hehe... Um... Teacher, now that the match is over, there isn't anything else to do, right?"
"You... Goodness, what else do you want? An award ceremony? If you want one, just tell us what kind, and we'll make it happen."
"An... award ceremony? I think I'll pass. Just give me the rewards later." I declined politely. An award ceremony sounded like too much trouble. If Tan Han wanted one, she could have it.
"That’s a pity. If you wanted one, we’d have an excuse to keep those other guys here. The competition isn't even officially over yet, but some academies have already tucked their tails and run. It’s quite a shame."
"Run? Did they not want their rewards?"
"Even if they don't want them, we’ll still send a grand delegation to deliver the rewards and rankings to them. Something this important must be made known to their entire academy," Ji Niang said with a laugh.
As I arrived, the other teachers gathered around me as well, talking to me as if I were some rare animal. Teachers naturally have a fondness for top-tier students.
After a good while, Ji Niang finally pulled me out of the crowd, her protective intent quite obvious.
Several teachers had indeed been trying to scout me, but most of it was just meaningless chatter. Right now, I just wanted to do my own thing.
As for the rewards... I’d collect those after my emotions had settled down for a bit.
Plus, Shopkeeper Xia Li had a share for me too. I’d finished the job for her, so I wondered what kind of good stuff I’d be able to scavenge this time.
"Um... Teacher, can I go now?"
I’d already spent quite a bit of time here, and I was hungry. In the dreamscape, my body was maintained by nutrient solution, but that doesn't actually fill your stomach.
I also really wanted to go back and take a shower. It had been two days.
Besides, I didn't know how much trouble was waiting for me after this match. Just thinking about how to face my classmates, the heated discussions in the group chats, and those goofballs in my dorm...
My life felt so full... I almost felt like a "normie."
Even though I didn't actually have that many friends.
"Go on, go on. Honestly, look at the unholy hour you chose to exit the match. You made me get up so early. I'll hand over your rewards once they've been processed in a few days."
"Thank you. Sorry for the trouble, Teacher." I nodded with a smile. I was actually quite calm about the rewards now, because I knew very well that I had earned them.
"It’s fine. Oh, right. Regarding your previous family information... if you want to know, the academy’s power can easily..." Ji Niang lowered her voice, her tone slightly testing.
"No thanks. What do the trivial matters of the old Yang Yuehan have to do with the Prospective Witch Yang Yuehan? Right, Teacher?"
"Hehe... What a great mindset. I overstepped," Ji Niang said, shaking her head with a smile. "By the way, if you want to leave, take the side path. There will probably be a lot of people at the main gate, and you don't look like the type who can handle that kind of situation. Also, take this..."
"Eh? Thank you, Teacher. But this is... a spellbook?" I caught the item she tossed to me. With a quick glance, I could feel the spellbook inside.
"Yes, a basic consumption spellbook. But it’s very practical. It’s for changing your appearance. I think you need it right now, don't you?"
"Oh! Thank you, Teacher!"
"Stop thanking me and take it. Compared to your rewards, this thing is worth absolutely nothing."
After receiving the spell, I didn't stand on ceremony and immediately began trying to use it.
Although it was a basic consumption spellbook, the description of the effect made it seem somewhat complex.
It was a Disguise Spell. The effect was limited to the area above the neck—features, hair, that sort of thing.
If you weren't familiar with "character creation," there was a high chance you'd turn yourself into a freak.
I experimented a bit, looking at my phone’s camera as I changed into various looks. It was a wonderful feeling!
And since it was a magical effect, it felt real to the touch. It wasn't an illusion or something fake. The mana consumption to maintain it was negligible for someone as "wealthy" as I was now.
Most importantly, it could change hair and eye color. This was basically free hair dye and colored contacts without having to worry about hair damage or eye irritation.
As expected, in a transcendent world, many industries from the outside society have completely withered away.
But who’s to say that isn't a good thing?
I stared at my reflection in the phone, a bit dazed. In my past life, I had absolutely no resistance to white-haired girls!
If it weren't for the constant notifications popping up on my phone pulling me back to reality, I probably would have played with it for a while longer.
I opened my contact list. There was a long row of red notification dots waiting for replies, but my eyes immediately landed on Sister Bai, who was on my "Special Follow" list.
I’d look at the others later.
I saw many private messages from classmates congratulating me on the victory, as well as the exploding class group and mutual aid group.
I’m really sorry... I’m only one person. Replying to everyone is going to take forever.
Sister Bai’s message was also a cheer and a blessing for the end of my match. She also asked where I was and told me not to go through the main gate.
I briefly told Sister Bai which side path I was taking. I didn't know if she’d be able to find me that quickly. If not, she could just wait for me at any restaurant or canteen. I was just too hungry.
Even though it was technically morning, I’d treat this as a cheat meal. I just hoped I wouldn't get an upset stomach.
As I walked down the secluded path that few people knew about, I replied to their private messages one by one.
I also got a bit active in the class group.
After all, I was the class monitor. Once the rewards were distributed, I wouldn't mind sharing some of them so they could all feel the love from their monitor.
Oh, and there was Tu Xingyue, the hardworking vice-monitor who had been acting as monitor in my stead. She’d really had it rough~
Meanwhile, as I left, many people were also enthusiastically exiting the arena, preparing to camp out at the gates. If they caught me, they might even get to pet the cute Xiao Han or something.
However, a significant number of senior sisters stayed behind. The exchange competition wasn't over yet; it would only end when everyone was eliminated and only one remained. I could imagine there were still people struggling bitterly in the ancient battlefield or the sea regions.
But things were different on the Witch Academy’s side.
Facing the withered World Tree, Tan Han swung her blade and cut it down. It was now like an ordinary dead tree; there was no resistance at all as it was sliced and toppled. However, the massive stump it left behind was very conspicuous.
"Let’s hold another Witch Tea Party here. Time to fleece the system one last time," Tan Han said.
It was a pity there had to be an interval between rituals, otherwise Tan Han would have gone into infinite fleecing mode.
"Including this time, that makes four. That means we’ve obtained four extra rewards. Once we get them, we’ll split them equally. Remember to save a share for Xiao Han."
After Tan Han finished speaking, she brought out a pre-made Red Velvet Cake and carefully placed it in the corresponding position.
"Of course! Sister Xiao Han contributed so much to this competition. We were basically just riding her coattails..."
"Don't put yourselves down too much. Your roles were just as vital, weren't they?"
"Anyway, thanks for the hard work, everyone."
* * *
Even on the side path, I was cornered by several senior sisters. I was forced to give out autographs and even had my cheeks pinched...
Even though I’d changed my hair color and tweaked my features, they still recognized me. I really shouldn't underestimate those high-year senior sisters.
"Sister Bai~ You’re finally here!" Seeing the familiar figure, I couldn't help but call out.
"Hmm?" Bai Yu was stunned for a moment when she saw me, then she realized. "Xiao Han, what happened to your hair?"
"Oh~ It’s nothing. Just the effect of a Disguise Spell. Sister Bai, do I look good with white hair?"
"Not bad... but it doesn't really match those clothes," Sister Bai commented as she looked at my style.
"Eh, whatever. I’ll leave it like this for now. Teacher Ji Niang just gave me this Disguise Spell. It’ll save me a lot of trouble."
"I see... Let’s go. Let’s get out of here first. Xiao Han, what do you want to do next?"
"Eat, obviously! I haven't eaten in days! I didn't have a single good meal in the dreamscape. I want food!" I said firmly. After all, who isn't a closet foodie?
"Alright, alright~ Sister Bai will take you to get something delicious." Bai Yu’s tone was doting. She instinctively reached out and stroked my long hair, her hand sliding down from my hair to my back... then my waist...
No one knew how Bai Yu had spent these past few days. Even though she was very busy—having clarified her own path and project, she had a lot to do—she had still been watching the exchange competition the whole time.
She had even come here specifically today just so she could see Xiao Han step out of the dream pod at the first possible moment.
In the dreamscape, every time she saw Xiao Han talking to that girl named Yao Beijuan, she felt an indescribable sensation.
Now, seeing Xiao Han right here beside her, it felt truly wonderful.
I felt Sister Bai’s hand patting my head. Although I don't usually like people touching my head, I’d make an exception for her.
If others touch my head, I won't grow taller. But if Sister Bai does it, then I’ll firmly believe in science and resist feudal superstitions. Besides, if being with Sister Bai means I don't grow taller, that’s actually fine. It’s okay for a girl to be short.
However, in that gesture, I felt a hint of friendship that seemed to exceed the boundaries of just being friends...
I should just cherish what we have for now. I’m not ready for that kind of thing yet. After my experience with Yao Beijuan, I’ve become somewhat resistant to those kinds of relationships. Back then, I only did it to make up for the regret of never having a girlfriend in my past life. The result was that the regret was gone, but it brought me even more headaches.
Truly, whether you have a partner or not, it’s like the paradox of a walled city: those inside want to get out, and those outside want to get in.
If I can just keep this relationship and stay by Sister Bai’s side, I wouldn't mind...
Only when I started to look at myself honestly did I realize that my dependence on Sister Bai seemed to exceed my own understanding.
As expected, I’m still so weak that I need a pillar of support to continue living a normal life... My constant exploration and study of the transcendent—wasn't it all just to master greater power to fill the void in my heart?
But in the end, that power is just power. Compared to transcendent power, there is a certain connection that is far more important to me.