Chapter 244: Potential Trouble After the Exchange Competition
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 244: Potential Trouble After the Exchange Competition
"Yang Yuehan... this little one is truly full of surprises. It seems she didn't trigger a scripted disaster this time?"
"That’s what happens when someone is blessed with Luck. Scripted disasters are most potent against those without it. Now that Yang Yuehan has acquired Luck—a leap from nothing to something—those who entered the fray alongside her are being treated accordingly."
After I left, the witches began to chat amongst themselves. Various topics cropped up, but the primary focus remained on the matter of Luck. Aside from the Witch Academy, the biggest winners of this Exchange Competition seemed to be the Holy Angel Academy and, as a mere filler, the Moe Cat Academy.
On the surface, the Moe Cat Academy was just a small school among the beast-kin institutions, and the Holy Angel Academy—one of the Three Top Academies—was the first to have its entire team eliminated. Neither seemed to have fared well, but that was all just a facade.
"Xi Lan... you saw it, didn't you? Xiao Han has already begun attempting to construct a Domain." Lina sat beside Ji Niang. Although the grade department head claimed to be incredibly busy, she had still made an appearance at the arena.
"I saw. And didn't she fail?" Ji Niang replied.
"What an interesting little girl. The Domain level isn't something a non-Transcendent should be able to touch, especially a freshman who barely understands runes... Is it that Floating World Level Spirit Vision that gives her such confidence? And that Fire Rain Domain Spellbook... that must have cost you quite a bit, didn't it? The value of a Domain-class spellbook... that's no toy for a freshman."
"You talk too much. Go back to your work; I’m leaving."
"You really should get going. Xiao Han has stirred up a real hornet's nest this time. The Luck from taking first place is all credited to her name..."
"I'll explain things to her. Also, don't you lot go getting any ideas about her."
"That depends on whether you have the ability to keep her. Your precious Xiao Han shone far too brightly in this competition. She’s attracted too much attention... even from other academies. Innate Spirit Vision... you know exactly what that implies."
Ji Niang knew perfectly well what Lina meant by those parting words.
It meant big trouble. If not for the struggle over Luck, the label of "Innate Spirit Vision" alone would have made her the most dazzling focus of this generation.
But Luck was tied to many things: Luck branches, the River of Causality, the World Will, and the further development of the Main World... Outsiders never truly belonged to the Main World, and they were well aware of that.
Ordinarily, a Child of Destiny controlled by a script should grow smoothly. That was how it was supposed to be, but with the interference of Outsiders, the World Will would eventually take notice. While the Abyssal Demons certainly played a part in this script's abnormal development, the World Will remained the core director.
The World Will deliberately repelled Outsiders. Lifeforms below the Transcendent level were typically cast out upon descending into this world. Even if they managed to stay by force, they would suffer the World's Curse, resulting in abysmal luck. Their power would be constantly drained by the world, and a long stay would result in being branded by this world, shackled by its laws and unable to leave.
Consequently, most Outsiders who descended were either at the Transcendent level or were natives of this world. Only then could they stay safely. This was why the teachers at the Transcendent Academy were all at the Transcendent level.
* * *
Currently, I was eating with Sister Bai at a restaurant with very few patrons. It was a private establishment run by another senior sister Bai Yu knew in the academy—the kind of place you’d never find without an introduction.
The restaurant specialized in high-end cuisine. The senior sister hadn't even planned on opening today, but Sister Bai had practically dragged her out of bed.
This senior sister had already graduated. Lacking the ambition to push for the Transcendent level, she intended to spend the rest of her life running this private restaurant using her personal connections.
Everyone has their own path, after all; you can't force these things.
However, upon hearing the meal was for me, she immediately began making arrangements. It seemed she was also the type who followed my progress closely.
"You're benefiting from Xiao Han's fame today, you know? Even I have to call her 'Senior Sister,'" Bai Yu said with a smile. "Also, let me formally introduce her. This is Isha Yuan. You can just call her Sister Yuan."
"Oh, Bai Yu, really! Why didn't you tell me sooner that you knew Xiao Han? We could have avoided that misunderstanding earlier, right, Xiao Han~?"
"You should really fix that habit of falling for every pretty face you see," Bai Yu teased.
Since Isha Yuan was already living her "retirement" life, she sought entertainment by paying close attention to the most popular freshmen of each year. She had reached the point where she "loved" every one of them.
Of course, this was also her way of investing in every talented newcomer.
If Bai Yu hadn't felt that Isha's culinary skills were truly superb, she wouldn't have been willing to bring Xiao Han here. She felt it would be a crying shame not to experience it.
"Hello, Sister Yuan~" I said softly from the side.
"Aww~ Haha, Xiao Han is so cute! The contrast between her now and how she was during the match is just too much. I love it~"
"Go prepare the ingredients already, you!" Bai Yu reached out and slapped away Isha's wandering hand.
"I know, I know! Honestly, showing up at this hour... do you have any idea how rushed I am?"
"Then bring out your best hidden stock. It's not like I won't pay."
"What a joke. I'm treating Xiao Han to dinner. Why would a free-loader like you be paying? Just sit there quietly and watch me perform~"
Isha delivered a verbal backstab that left Bai Yu completely sidelined.
But in the end, it was still a free meal. With my comfort, Sister Bai felt a bit better. I had to admit, a restaurant with only three people—the guests and the chef—felt quite nice. Isha truly did bring out her hidden treasures: beast meat preserved with a long-term Permanent Solidification Spell. It was clearly not from an animal of this world.
"You're in for a treat today~ This piece of meat is Transcendent-grade meat I got from outside the world through my connections. While the texture isn't mind-blowing, the flavor absolutely surpasses most ordinary meats in our world. The key is its rarity. Rarity is where its value lies." Isha sighed as she wiped her Long Sabre with a cloth. She carefully sliced a single piece from the meat before cautiously putting the rest away.
"That's all you're cutting?"
"Rarity makes things precious, don't you understand? I'd start the bidding for a piece of this in Orichalcum, you hear me?"
"I don't understand, but I'm deeply shocked," Bai Yu said bluntly. Even she hadn't known Isha possessed such high-quality goods. It seemed they were getting a massive bargain.
"Today, we'll use this meat for an appetizer sashimi. You should be laughing in your sleep~ Here, Xiao Han, this is yours." Isha grumbled at Bai Yu but immediately switched to a completely different attitude when facing me.
"Thank you, Sister Yuan."
"It's nothing. I'm just glad you like it. If you ever want to eat, you can contact me directly. Oh, let's exchange contact info."
"Okay."
Bai Yu didn't stop her. She knew Isha had a wide network; establishing such a connection would save me a lot of trouble in the future.
"Here, take this sauce. It was made using magic potion brewing techniques. It's my own secret recipe~"
"Brewing a magic potion?" I was slightly shocked. Brewing magic potions and concocting regular potions were entirely different fields. Just looking at the price, the threshold for magic potions was much higher than for ordinary ones.
"Yes, Sister Yuan used to be a Potion Master—the certified kind. Later, she pivoted to magic potions and got her certification there too," Bai Yu explained.
"She's that amazing?"
"Of course! Your Sister Yuan is amazing in many ways. Hurry and try it~ This dipping sauce is, in a sense, a magic potion itself—a potion that makes food even more delicious~"
"Mhm..." I picked up my chopsticks, lifted the exquisitely plated piece of sashimi, and dipped it into the sauce. Perhaps subconsciously, I used my Spirit Vision to see the flow of energy within it; it faintly hummed with the essence of a ritual.
Nom...
As the sashimi entered my mouth, a texture similar to ordinary raw meat danced between my teeth. Then, the sauce exploded. It stimulated my taste buds, and a unique flavor instantly occupied my mind. It was like a beautiful symphony, every flavor leaping across my tongue in a harmonious and rich blend.
My taste buds were entwined in a dense fragrance that left me intoxicated.
Under the influence of the sauce, the texture became delicate and complex. The savory flavor spread through my mouth, as if the entire world had been filled in an instant.
Is this... high-end cuisine combined with Transcendent power? It really is far more delicious than ordinary food!
And this was just the appetizer. The sauce was likely the main star, wasn't it?
The so-called Transcendent creature's sashimi had actually become the accompaniment.
"Xiao Han, your performance in the Exchange Competition was simply stunning. Do you know? The other academies looked like they were sitting on cold benches. Their faces were dark the entire time. It couldn't have been funnier."
"Actually... it was alright..."
"Don't be modest. Excessive modesty is just another form of arrogance. Tell me, how did you get so strong? From the moment you started that forest fire, the entire competition fell into your rhythm!"
"I was really just taking it one step at a time..."
"And what about that ex-girlfriend of yours? Were you especially annoyed by her?" Isha continued to ask. After all, that massive fire had been the turning point. Who would believe there wasn't a bit of a personal grudge involved?
"Uh... actually..."
"Xiao Han, if you don't want to talk about her, you don't have to. Sister Yuan, what kind of question is that?" Bai Yu cut in.
"It's really nothing. We just had an amicable breakup over the holidays. Running into her again was just... one of those things," I said simply with a sigh.
"I see... long-distance relationships really are unreliable. Breaking up is normal. But... if I may ask, Xiao Han, were you a boy before?"
"I... Sha... Yuan!" Bai Yu warned from the side.
"Oh, I was just asking! Xiao Han's performance in the competition was so brilliant, and her style of doing things has a very masculine flair. Of course, when she makes sweets, she's also very... okay, I'll stop." Under Bai Yu's murderous gaze, Isha finally shut her mouth.
"Xiao Han, after this competition, you might run into some trouble. But don't worry, if anyone bothers you, just call me."
"Bother me?" I looked at Sister Bai in confusion. I didn't understand what she meant. Were there senior sisters in the Witch Academy who disliked me and would come looking for trouble?
"Since Bai Yu brought it up, I'll weigh in too. Xiao Han, this Exchange Competition involved many academies, so the rewards are incredibly generous. They cover resources from various schools, making them very tempting."
"If you run into polite seniors, they might try to trade, bargain, or even buy things from you fairly. The impolite ones will just come and demand them. I hate those types the most. If they don't get what they want, they might challenge you. Don't underestimate how low some people in the Witch Academy can sink."
"Doesn't the academy do anything about that?" I asked curiously.
"Of course they do. Teachers will certainly look after a genius student like you. But then what? Every time they annoy you, you run to a teacher? That would deplete your perceived value in the academy. You'd be seen as having a cowardly personality—someone who only thinks of finding a teacher when faced with a problem, lacking the ability to solve things yourself. Your competence would be questioned."
"I see... I can already imagine their disgusting faces!" I said quickly. It seemed the Witch Academy was a very pragmatic place after all.
Fame really did bring a mountain of trouble.
"It's fine. You can come to us. Even though those people are gross, a good portion of the academy is still reasonable. But mostly, it depends on your own methods."
The meal was a complete experience. Though it started as a dinner, it eventually turned into a lecture from Sister Bai and Sister Yuan.
I began to take the potential troubles I might face seriously.
Before, school had just started, and the Class Competition had interrupted any trouble before it could find me. Then came the Exchange Competition with all those other schools. But none of that was the "norm" for the Witch Academy. These two sisters certainly understood the academy better than I did.
Of course, besides the trouble and trivialities, we discussed many other things—like an analysis of my current situation and how to use my advantages to thrive in the academy.
However, I still wanted to spend my time in the academy my own way.
As for everything else, I’d cross those bridges when I came to them. If the worst came to the worst, I’d find a teacher. Their concern about my value dropping in the eyes of the academy was trivial to me, though I didn't argue the point.
Besides, even against seniors, I wasn't afraid. If they had to resort to bullying a freshman, how strong could they really be?
When the time came, it wasn't certain who would be robbing whom.
"Oh my~ Can't you stay and chat a bit more? Leaving so soon. Well, make sure to visit more often to support my business~ But remember to book in advance! Anyway, I'll see you both out."
"Mhm, goodbye, Sister Yuan~"
After saying goodbye to Isha Yuan, I patted my stomach, feeling satisfied as if I’d eaten all the good things I’d missed over the past few days in one go.
Similarly, I gained a deeper understanding of magic potion technology. If I had the chance, I wouldn't mind trying to learn some related knowledge.
"Sister Bai, Sister Yuan is such an interesting person."
"Yes, she's a very impressive senior I know. When I met her, she hadn't graduated yet. At the time, I thought she would become a Transcendent Witch, but I didn't expect her to make this kind of choice in the end."
Speaking of Isha Yuan, even Bai Yu felt a bit wistful, though it was just a passing sentiment. "Let's not talk about her. Let's talk about something else. Xiao Han, during the competition, you said it was wasting too much of your time. Are you going to continue researching your spellbook?"
"Researching the spellbook... no. That's too metaphysical. I haven't grasped the specific essentials yet. Besides, I've found that the best time to research a spellbook is during combat. Right now, I have more important things to make up for."
"Is that so? Something more important? Do you mind telling Sister Bai?"
"Of course not. The most important thing is... combat techniques..."
"Combat techniques?"
"Mhm. I lack the combat techniques to maximize the power I already possess." I nodded.
This was something Tan Han had taught me. Of course, Tan Han's combat system centered on transformation spells, which was why she placed such emphasis on the role of technique in battle.
I couldn't completely mimic Tan Han's style. Although I liked close combat, I didn't have many transformation spells, and they weren't strong enough to be the core of my combat system.
But I still needed to learn those techniques. It was about developing a mindset. It was also about facing opponents who used technique as their core; I needed to understand them well enough so I wouldn't be crushed in that department.
* * *
Meanwhile, elsewhere.
In the accommodations provided for the various academies visiting the Witch Academy, many people were facing difficult choices.
Archie of the Holy Angel Academy had brought shame upon his entire school with his willful behavior. Even if the mentors didn't punish him, the whispers and pointing from his fellow students were impossible to ignore.
He was currently engaged in self-reflection, constantly offering prayers to the Holy Light and his faith. Though called prayer, it was actually a form of self-exploration and cultivation. These prayers were similar to the Witch Meditation Method of the Witch Academy, though the form and effects were different.
Over at the Wizard Academy's side, the atmosphere was incredibly oppressive.
As one of the Three Top Academies, they had turned in such a dismal performance in this competition. Their own Wizard Tower had been split open by someone!
Now, the outside world was laughing at them, calling them useless failures who were worse than the "birdmen." They had become a complete laughingstock.
They didn't even dare to imagine what kind of treatment they would receive upon their return. Would they be kicked out of the Wizard Tower? That would probably be the best-case scenario.
The Wizard Tower was a symbol of honor for the Wizard Academy!
They had ten people in total for the competition, and they had even selected three to control the Wizard Tower instead of just one!
And even then, someone had taken their tower down!
Even their academy crest—the Wizard Tower representing supreme glory—had been parodied by someone from the Witch Academy as being split by a sword. This showed just how humiliating their defeat was.
"Before we return to school, you all stay right here. And while you're at it, use those brains you haven't used in a long time to think about why your performance in the competition was so pathetic!"
"And you, Lucien. You were the one I had the highest hopes for. You volunteered to be the leader; you should reflect the most!"
Andrew snorted coldly, his gaze shifting away from Lucien. If not for the Luck seed within the boy, he wouldn't have wasted a single second on this fellow who had been utterly mediocre since enrollment.
As Wizard Andrew left, Lucien gripped the hem of his clothes tightly. He felt the irony of it all. As the leader... he hadn't enjoyed a single benefit of the position!
Go back like this?
No... he couldn't go back like this. If he did, his fate would be worse than death. All his efforts in the competition were a joke...
He had naively thought that by giving his all, he could reduce his punishment. But facing wizards who prioritized logic and profit, all of that was nothing more than a self-comforting fantasy.