Chapter 258: The Oddity of the Witch Academy, the Sorceress Club
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 258: The Oddity of the Witch Academy, the Sorceress Club
"Not all Secret Realms are open to the public, and not every entry is free of prerequisites. You understand the value in that, don't you?"
"Embezzlement of public resources?" I mocked.
"No, no, no, don't think of it like that. We wouldn't do such a thing, nor could we. We've all signed contracts. We simply have the right to select qualified individuals for certain special Secret Realms... like you... or perhaps... Tan Han?"
"I think I get the gist of it..."
Renata was being quite obvious. Some Secret Realms were so precious that they required a threshold for entry. However, many people met that threshold, and since the Secret Realm itself didn't pick the best of the best, the power of choice rested in her hands.
"What do you know?"
Renata asked with a look of curiosity. She seemed completely unconcerned about the time, content to wear me down as if she had me exactly where she wanted me.
"Can you be more specific? Which Secret Realm, what can I gain, and is it worth a custom Alchemy item?" I didn't answer her question, choosing instead to counter with my own.
"What you can 'gain' is irrelevant; it only matters what you can 'take.' A Mana Source—Spellbook, or other things. Seeing how reluctant you were to part with your spellbook, I imagine you need this quite badly?"
"What about Transcendent Arts?" I asked. I needed those right now. Sacrificing a custom Alchemy item for a chance to acquire Transcendent Arts would be a very worthwhile trade.
"Transcendent Arts? Forgive me, but what field are you referring to? Alchemy, Rune-making, Formations, or Forging? That's a broad range. Please be more specific."
"Any of them."
"Any? Are you just desperate, or is your appetite simply that large? If you don't set conditions, you'll be the one losing out~"
"Let's start with Alchemy then," I said. I was quite curious about Alchemy, having heard much about things like the Rule of Equivalent Exchange and Human Transmutation.
"Your tone is very casual. Are you sure you're not joking with me?" Seeing how flippantly I made the decision, Renata tested me with a half-joking tone.
"I am not."
I shook my head. However, Renata's mention of Tan Han had put me on high alert. Tan Han could be considered the main force in the current Script.
Combined with what Teacher Ji Niang had told me about the academy's major moves—preparing to funnel the Luck distributed across the academy toward the Children of Destiny—it was hard not to connect the dots.
"Let me take a bold guess. Is the academy proposing to open a Large World Secret Realm for freshmen to explore?"
"Oh? My... it seems I underestimated your information-gathering abilities. But you only got one part right~ That part was indeed proposed by the academy. Since you've guessed it, there's not much more for me to say... another day without any extra profit." Renata looked distressed, as if she were truly hurting from missing out on a side hustle.
"Is it really okay to say that to my face?"
"Of course. Since we've reached this point, I'll show some sincerity. You aren't on the pre-selected list for this Secret Realm~ I don't know why. Even though you're the champion of the Exchange Competition and the publicly recognized strongest freshman with the title of Calamity Witch... the academy didn't give you a reserved spot." By the end, Renata's voice had dropped to a whisper.
"Maybe you offended someone, or maybe it's something else. Since you're so outstanding, perhaps you should go ask your teacher."
"No need." I shook my head. The moment she revealed there were reserved spots and I wasn't on the list, I basically knew the mechanism. Barring any surprises, everything was following the Script.
This was a matter concerning the Script; the important characters naturally had to be present.
I was a secondary character. They wouldn't make an exception just because I was talented. In fact, if I were too talented, I might ruin the grand play staged for the distribution of Luck.
I was the most unstable factor. I saw that clearly.
Even if Teacher Ji Niang didn't stop me from participating, if I wanted to join of my own volition, I would have to pay an equivalent price. It was a roundabout way of discouraging me.
"Alright... then your decision is..."
"I'm not going, obviously. That's not a major event I should be meddling in. I have plenty of other things to do."
"Eh?"
Renata's confidence instantly vanished, replaced by shock. The development seemed to have veered off course.
Normally, shouldn't one be furious upon learning they were being isolated and treated unfairly by the academy?
Then they would run back to question their teacher or make a phone call. Protecting one's interests is basic human logic. If someone shows no desire for or intent to defend their interests, they are either a fool, or the person who thinks they are a fool is the real fool.
Renata didn't think she was a fool, but the person in front of her clearly wasn't one either. Where did it go wrong?
She had banked on this scenario when she sought out Yang Yuehan today. The girl should have been at her happiest receiving her rewards; bringing such bad news then should have been even more provocative to her emotions.
Could she already be an old hand at controlling her emotions?
But... she's just a freshman!
"In that case, I suppose we have nothing left to discuss."
"Wait! Aren't you going to do something? Or do you plan to go back and demand answers? You won't get a result. You can confirm it now, and I am your only chance!"
"You're getting anxious." My single sentence instantly silenced Renata.
"Heh... sorry. I ended up being lectured by you instead." Snapping out of it, Renata adjusted her expression, returning to her original poise. "In that case, I can only say our negotiation has failed. What a shame."
"It's not that much of a shame," I said.
"Wait a moment, though. I have a few warnings for you."
"Warnings? What... are you planning to threaten me?" I stopped my departure and turned back to look at Renata.
"Don't think so poorly of me. I'm just a Graduated Witch who wants to be a 'salted fish' and coast while resources roll in. I just want you to be careful. From now on, more eyes will be coveting what you have. At the same time, once the academy's attitude of neglecting you spreads, your situation might become even more precarious. Also... watch out for the Sorceress Club."
"The Sorceress Club? Why?" I listened to Renata's words. Since she was offering genuine advice, I wasn't about to be impatient.
"Heh, you don't know? That's all I'll say. If you want to know why, you can search for it yourself. It'll be much more detailed than anything I could tell you."
"Thanks."
I gave a simple word of thanks and prepared to leave again. I had no reason to stay.
However, I did pull out my phone to search for the Sorceress Club. Since Renata told me to be careful, they were definitely a threat.
Is it because... they don't like the look of me?
When I searched the Academy Network for the Sorceress Club, the first result was an introduction.
The founding of the Sorceress Club traced back a long time; it was a legacy club. This club specifically recruited freshmen who had been "kidnapped" into the Witch Academy.
Specifically, those who harbored resentment toward the academy. Initially, it wasn't a club but a group—a gathering of those who refused to accept their fate after being brought to the Witch Academy.
The first president—the group’s leader—had originally been accepted by a Wizard Academy. She refused to acknowledge her identity as a Witch, but she had to admit she had become a "girl." After the initial adjustment period, she began to rebel. She stopped identifying as a Witch and instead pursued her original goal—the Wizard Academy—calling herself a "sorceress."
They began causing trouble in the Witch Academy, with their most prominent traits being skipping classes, refusing to choose mentors, and skipping exams.
They constantly tested the Witch Academy's bottom line, eventually discovering that the Transcendent Witch teachers didn't care about them at all. So, they became even more brazen.
Even if they verbally refused to acknowledge their status as Witches, the academy had already registered them. Later, someone used that self-proclaimed "sorceress" leader's name to register the Sorceress Club in the Witch Academy... and thus, the club was born.
It was theatrical yet somewhat logical. But if you asked me, they were just bored, and the teachers were too hands-off.
The Sorceress Club had survived to the present day. While I didn't know if its nature had changed, skipping class had become a tradition. Even if they didn't acknowledge their Witch identity, the group had existed for a long time and accumulated a substantial inheritance—after all, its members were known for all sorts of mischief. Snatching spellbooks was likely their main way of acquiring them...
Since they voluntarily gave up their Witch status, they naturally didn't receive the academy's resource allocation—unless they were particularly thick-skinned.
I even saw rumors of "Oddball Sorceresses" on the Academy Network, with statements like "Me not being a Witch ≠ Me not taking the academy's resources." Clearly, the Sorceress Club was constantly innovating...
I understood why Renata told me to be careful. In the eyes of the Sorceress Club, I was probably a fat sheep.
I already had one, and with the addition of the Over-consumption Spellbook from the first-place prize, I now had two.
These were foundation-level spellbooks. How could they not be envious?
I also saw many incidents of past freshmen being bullied by the Sorceress Club. However, the Sorceress Club's status in the Witch Academy was awkward; they were basically street rats. The higher the grade of the Senior Sisters, the more they despised them.
There were even cases where, when the Sorceress Club bullied freshmen, many Senior Sisters were willing to step in and help. After all, rescuing a freshman was a great way to strike up a conversation.
As I scrolled down with interest, I suddenly saw a familiar figure.
Tan Han!
And Minian and the others.
"Tan Han and the others... attacked by the Sorceress Club... but they turned the tables... Heh, they went after Tan Han that quickly?" I shook my head and smiled. They probably couldn't find me, so they went for Tan Han. Of course, it could also be the "trouble-magnet" halo of a Child of Destiny starting to work.
But it was good that Tan Han gave them a lesson. I was also glad I had been relatively low-key these past few days.
I was either using a different identity, going to Secret Realms, or grinding away in the villa.
Seeing that they had been dealt with by the Discipline Squad patrolling the skies, I felt relieved.
Since they had sounded the alarm, the maintenance of order would be significantly strengthened, and the Sorceress Club would likely become more low-key.
Looking at the few self-proclaimed "sorceresses" who had been caught, I couldn't help but marvel at the biological diversity of the Witch Academy.
Still, I'd better not stay out for too long in the future. I should stick to riding my broom when traveling; at least that way, I can run fast.
Maybe those "sorceresses" don't even bother getting Flight Licenses because they refuse to acknowledge that they are Witches?
I shook my head with a smile and left the hotel...
Looking back at the place, I doubted I'd want to come here again. It didn't suit me. I found that I was always influenced by my environment.
Just like in a dream, I would subconsciously act without restraint, but here, I felt a sense of oppression.
At least I got a free meal today and gathered some information. The only pity was not finding a Secret Realm I liked.
Similarly, this gave me a new appreciation for the value of what I currently possessed. The opportunity for a custom Alchemy item was also very important.
Better head back quickly. I actually had one more thing I wanted to do: use the Ley Line Memories.
Out of those thousand fragments, I had filtered them down to just three. This was after my strict quality control. Similarly, I had specifically selected some suitable memories for my roommates.
For example, a massive memory of a Planter cultivating Transcendent plants for Dongli Yiren, and complex combat memories for Hong Chenyi. I hoped she could learn a little bit to make up for her lack of real combat experience. Didn't she say she wanted to go to a Secret Realm with me?
It's better not to go without some skill.
The three I kept for myself were naturally the best and most complete memories.
One was a memory formed from Alchemy techniques. This was why I had told Renata I wanted Alchemy when she asked what field I was interested in.
The second was related to "Body Arts." I hadn't valued it much at first, but after a second screening, I realized its importance.
This was a Body Art technique on par with spell techniques.
It was a form of Body Arts cultivation using Transcendent power. Unlike spells, this acted directly on the self. It wasn't a temporary effect like a Body Strengthening Spell, but a permanent physical enhancement.
What I cared about more was the technique of using Transcendent power within these Body Arts. It wasn't like spells where mental power steered Transcendent energy, or where spells and rituals drove the effect.
Instead, it was a means of wielding the Transcendent purely through the combination of the body and a Body Arts term: "Mental Realm."
This opened up a whole new line of thinking for me. Combat techniques could have such a pure concept.
Body Arts: techniques that exist for combat and killing.
As expected, in the Transcendent world, the only limit is one's imagination... So, I definitely had to study these Body Arts. The content of the third Ley Line Memory was more conventional: practical combat skills.
It was more complete and possessed more technique and beauty than the one I planned to give Hong Chenyi. It also contained more detailed personal insights, all captured perfectly by the Ley Lines. One could say that while it was an ordinary memory without flashy highlights, it was the most perfect one.
"I'm back~"
I didn't encounter any danger on the way. Upon returning to the dorm, I found they weren't in the living room.
They were probably all busy with their own things.
It was a bit of a shame I couldn't hand these things to them personally.
I asked in the dorm group chat, and in the end, only Guan Qiuling replied, saying she was in her bedroom.
I really had come back much later than usual. If I hadn't been called away by Renata, I wouldn't have eaten so late.
Better focus on other things. Tomorrow, I still have to go to Teacher Ji Niang's place to finalize my Memory Bookshelf spellbook.