Chapter 260: Accumulation and Study in the Library
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 260: Accumulation and Study in the Library
I walked along, flipping through the materials and information I had taken from Teacher Ji Niang. A large portion of it consisted of notes Ji Niang had compiled herself to guide me; I had only personally read a small fraction of the source material.
If I wanted to further modify or even derive new versions of the Memory Bookshelf spellbook in the future, I had to understand these concepts. After all, if possible, I didn't want to rely on Teacher Ji Niang forever.
Adjusting my glasses slightly, I opened my phone and flipped the camera to look at my reflection. I certainly had a pretentiously scholarly air about me...
Alright, even I was starting to find it a bit much after looking for too long. I snapped a photo and sent it to Sister Bai, just in case I ran into her in the library and she didn't recognize me—that would be awkward.
Sister Bai had been getting busy lately, too. I should probably try to bother her less when I didn't have anything important.
She replied quickly with a simple "?", followed by a message asking how I was doing.
I briefly explained my situation, chatted for a few more sentences, and ended the conversation. What gives? She didn't even say if I looked good. Is it because I didn't show her the leg ring?
Still, I felt Sister Bai was being a bit overprotective. The academy was still an academy; no one would dare be truly reckless here. Besides, I had completely changed my appearance, hadn't I?
However, once I stepped out of the teaching building, I began to reconsider. I wasn't sure if it was just my imagination, but as I walked out, I felt several gazes drifting toward me.
Their outfits were somewhat eccentric, immediately reminding me of those types from the Witch Coven...
No way... is this my first time seeing—no, technically my second time seeing—campus bullying? They had an unfriendly aura about them, loitering around with nothing better to do.
The way they looked at me gave me the same chilling sensation as being stared at by a cold-blooded animal, especially as their eyes tracked my movements, filled with scrutiny.
How annoying... I really want to just slaughter them all so they stop bothering me... Wait!
Where did that strange thought come from? Thinking about killing people at the drop of a hat is definitely weird, right? This isn't a dream anymore.
It had to be the influence of the Witchification!
Ignoring the potential trouble, I headed straight for the library. What I had just seen confirmed that the threats from others within the Witch Academy were real; it wasn't a joke.
But I still didn't understand why they were being so brain-dead as to keep bothering me. Had I not shown enough overwhelming power in the dream to crush their spirits?
Or was it just pure wishful thinking? Did they think I was an easy target and wanted to make my life miserable?
After all, the Witch Academy had the Discipline Squad on patrol. If any high-magnitude spell destruction occurred, they would detect it immediately. However, ordinary spells were a different story; those blind spots were where these people operated.
The Witch Academy was massive, and it was impossible for the Discipline Squad to cover every inch, though the Central Teaching Area was definitely under strict surveillance.
Even so, seeing them staking out the place suggested they were likely just messengers or disposable pawns sent to test me.
Unfortunately for them, Yang Yuehan had vanished from this moment forward. In her place, the Witch Academy gained a white-haired girl named "Moon."
Upon arriving at the library, I followed my previous habit and picked a seat on the first floor. To prevent being approached by senior sisters with ulterior motives like last time, I did my best to find a secluded corner.
Setting down my materials, I went to the same section as before to look for books on runes.
Because I trusted my reading speed and recording methods, I pulled down any rune-related book that looked interesting. If I couldn't finish them today, I’d take them back; if I couldn't finish them at home, I’d continue tomorrow.
"Runology? These books... if I may be blunt, reading randomly like this is useless. It's too disorganized..."
"Hmm?" I turned my head and saw a senior sister nearby. After confirming she was talking to me, I found myself at a loss for how to explain.
I’d been caught doing something "stupid" again...
"You're doing this... Oh! You're fishing for senior sisters, aren't you? I hate people like you. If you're not going to actually learn anything, don't hog so many books and stop others from reading." She sized me up, and as if she’d just had an epiphany, her tone became judgmental.
"I am studying seriously. If my actions have inconvenienced you, I apologize, but don't lump me in with that crowd," I retorted without hesitation. Setting aside the fact that everyone has their own way of learning, I detested being labeled by someone who didn't understand the situation.
Even if my study of runes was broad and messy, it wasn't as if I couldn't organize it. With my Memory Bookshelf, organizing knowledge was easier for me than for anyone else.
I took the books I was interested in and turned away, unwilling to waste more words on her.
It was just a minor interlude—the kind of thing that happened whenever I acted unusually in the library, as common as being hit on.
Once I started reading, I cast a Practical Learning Spell on myself. Knowledge isn't a collection of isolated islands; everything is interconnected.
With this spell active, the content recorded in my Memory Bookshelf became much more flexible.
It wasn't just the text of the books; it included the linkages—the associations and insights triggered while reading—which were recorded as "notes."
This didn't just drastically improve my learning efficiency; it provided a completely new way of understanding. After all, a human brain has its limits, but spell effects are infinite. Some things can only be grasped through constant association.
Time passed quickly.
Over the next few days, many senior sisters in the library noticed a new regular. That striking white hair was very conspicuous among the crowd.
Even though the senior sisters at the Witch Academy loved perms, dyes, and various powers that changed their hair and eye colors, natural white hair was still rare.
For those who hadn't yet adapted to a long lifespan, white hair represented aging and decay—it was a negative trait associated with unpleasant concepts.
If you asked me, I’d say this world lacked the ancient tradition of admiring "youthful faces with crane-white hair," but I believed that one day, everyone would become a white-hair enthusiast. That path was just a bit long for now.
The senior sisters who enjoyed studying in the library naturally welcomed another quiet companion.
As for the opportunists who hung around the library to flirt, they had also gotten to know me.
The moment they saw that signature white hair, they knew I was a "tough nut to crack"—someone who wouldn't give them the time of day.
Even if they tried to use the runology books I was reading as a conversation starter, I would never discuss anything outside of the subject. Because of this, after a few days, no one bothered me anymore.
Quite a few senior sisters figured I was just a "steel-straight girl." In the Witch Academy, relationships between girls were very common, serving as a way to relieve stress or find emotional support and companionship.
Furthermore, the older the senior sisters got, the more they felt that... actually, the girls around them were quite easy on the eyes...
As for the senior sisters who held onto their original sexual orientations, they could always leave the campus to pursue "true love" or find other distractions. Although there were many restrictions on leaving the academy, there was always a way if one was determined.
Just like Bai Yu, who lived outside the academy for a long time.
The Witch Academy was very open about education; if you wanted to learn, you learned. If not, that was up to you. Wasn't the Witch Coven proof of that?
During these few days, quite a lot had happened at the academy. Even though I spent all my time in the library, it wasn't like I didn't check my phone.
First, as I faded from the spotlight, the craze surrounding me gradually died down. Tan Han became the new leading figure of the freshman class. During this time, Tan Han actually contacted me, asking how I was, why I had disappeared, and inquiring about Secret Realm exploration. I mostly gave her direct rejections. Additionally, as Tan Han gained clarity on her own path, she proactively withdrew from Ji Niang's research group. Although she had only been in it for a few days, it was her own choice.
If a path is right, keep going; if it's wrong, cut your losses early. I'm sure Ji Niang agreed with her withdrawal.
I wasn't surprised. I felt that Tan Han staying in Ji Niang's group, even just as a name on the roster, would have been a burden to her because she didn't belong there.
With my "disappearance," the ones most anxious were the students of Class 14. If I hadn't occasionally popped into the group chat to say something, they probably would have thought I’d gone missing.
Though they seemed used to the class monitor being absent, most of them still remembered my kindness.
Furthermore, the series of incentives and rewards Ji Niang announced—all sourced from me—made other classes incredibly envious.
Many were shocked that the class monitor would share her rewards with the class. Of course, a significant number of people felt it was only right; after all, the resources given to the first-place winner numbered in the thousands, so obviously they were meant for the whole class. They had all sorts of justifications.
Teacher Ji Niang simply watched from the sidelines. She wouldn't correct them. Even though she was the counselor for Class 14, she had no explicit obligation to fix their attitudes. If they came to her later complaining about "unfairness," she would remain just as indifferent. The Witch Academy didn't revolve around them.
Ji Niang only agreed to my request to privately give Tu Xingyue an extra reward. It was a Ley Line Memory I had specifically prepared for her; I hoped she would like it.
Class 14's "charitable" behavior put considerable pressure on the monitors of other classes.
Most class monitors felt that the rewards they earned weren't even enough for themselves, so how could they share with others?
Naturally, this led to instances of moral kidnapping and others who refused to budge. However, those complications had nothing to do with me; it was just the greed of the weak.
Don't talk to me about "fearing inequality more than scarcity." Don't be fooled by the relaxed atmosphere of the Witch Academy; the transcendent world is governed by the law of the jungle. That was the fundamental reason why I prioritized strength alongside knowledge and skill.
Meanwhile, news of the "Witch Secret Realm" was announced. This announcement was for the first through third years. Since the first three years were dedicated to fixed theoretical courses, there usually wasn't a massive gap in combat power unless a student had their own special methods.
This Secret Realm was nominally hosted by a Witch Academy club, and registration was voluntary. The Witch Secret Realm Club would screen the applicants.
Sharp-eyed people naturally noticed Tan Han's name. Tan Han's strength was enough to make even third-years take notice. However, Yang Yuehan, the recognized number one freshman, was missing from the list. This almost caused the "Xiao Han fans" to storm the Witch Secret Realm Club. Eventually, the President had to step out and clarify that Yang Yuehan simply hadn't signed up, emphasizing that participation was voluntary...
Only then did the matter settle down. Renata, who knew the inside story, was also questioned by the current President, and they eventually had to accept my "willful" behavior.
But they were people in the know.
As long as the pre-selected candidates appeared, the academy's task would be considered complete, and the academy would cover for the rest.
The hint that Yang Yuehan wasn't being "prioritized" by the academy quickly reached those with connections. Consequently, they shifted their focus back to Tan Han.
Since enrollment, Tan Han had received various forms of special attention from the academy. This tangible favoritism was obvious to everyone. A dark horse is still just a dark horse; in the end, they couldn't compete with a "seed candidate" backed by the academy's massive resources.
That was the conclusion they reached: just follow the academy and bet on Tan Han. And during this Secret Realm trip, Tan Han indeed outperformed many senior sisters, her performance so brilliant it seemed she was determined to prove her title as the top freshman.
If she could be recruited, that would be best. Many clubs were dissatisfied that Tan Han had joined a mere Baking House club, and many senior sisters patiently extended olive branch after olive branch.
But Tan Han didn't accept any of them.
Actually, Shopkeeper Xia Li had also advised Tan Han on whether she should leave. She asked this sincerely because Xia Li knew Tan Han's value; staying in her "shallow pond" would prevent her from truly spreading her wings.
Xia Li wanted to say the same to Xiao Han, but unfortunately, she hadn't seen her. She sent messages, and while I replied, I always said I was busy whenever she asked what I was doing.
Xia Li lamented that she couldn't seem to keep up with the thoughts of these top students.
And I continued to stay in the library, still reading books on runology.
Runology is essentially endless, but the runes recorded in the library are finite. If I used my high-level permissions to access more books, I might discover new runes, but I didn't do that.
As I said, runes are infinite. I wasn't trying to master every single one; I was just observing, learning, recording, and understanding.
Any single rune, if picked out for research, could generate a stack of literature and data taller than I am. Therefore, knowing what to prioritize was crucial.
In these nearly seven days, all I did was gain a basic understanding of runes and their characteristics. I was building my foundation and broadening my horizons so that when I researched my spellbook, I wouldn't be staring blankly at a rune, having no idea what it was.
Only when I was truly stuck on a specific problem would it be time to dive deep into a single rune.
It was like Teacher Ji Niang; her research also required a vast amount of reference literature.
Vast knowledge might seem impressive, but its primary purpose is convenience. The rigor of research ultimately requires professional literature for actual investigation and comparison.
At that moment, I closed my book and gently picked up the coffee beside me, taking a sip.
Another book finished. Over these days, I had learned the reading habits of the senior sisters. During the first few days, I was stiff and serious, as if I were cramming for an exam. That kind of intensity is efficient for short bursts, but it wasn't sustainable for me.
After a while, I found I needed to use the Unity of Knowledge and Action spell to suggest focus to myself just to keep reading. It wasn't until a senior sister kindly advised me and bought me a cup of coffee that I slowly learned to relax.
If you can't relax while reading, eventually you won't be able to take anything in.
Even if my reading efficiency dropped slightly, it was better than the alternative—if I had kept up my previous style, my efficiency would have eventually plummeted even further.
So, this leisurely way of reading was the optimal solution for me at this stage.
If you can't enjoy what you're doing, your efficiency will suffer. The prerequisite for this theory, however, is strong self-control. You must know what you need and not use "enjoyment" as an excuse for pure hedonism; otherwise, it's meaningless.
Having gained a preliminary understanding and recognition of runes, looking back at my previous spellbook modifications gave me a sudden sense of clarity.
The biggest beneficiaries were the three derived techniques I had created for my Evocative Magic.
The most memorable derivation was "Focusing." After learning about runes, I dug deeper into it. While studying, I had come across a category of runes that caught my eye; their combined effect was "Spell Penetration." This was a concept that went even deeper than my "Armor Piercing" concept for the Focusing technique.
It wasn't exactly an improvement, but rather a fusion of Armor Piercing with Spell Penetration.
If before I was simply using a special technique for brute-force armor piercing, then the armor piercing now endowed with Spell Penetration was on an entirely different level.
This week of study also taught me humility. Only when one realizes their own insignificance in the face of knowledge are they qualified to begin climbing the mountain of wisdom.
Originally, I had the grand ambition to dabble in everything, but just the application of Focusing combined with "Spell Penetration" was already more than enough for me to handle.
If I hadn't realized that this week wasn't the time to research Spell Penetration, I would have wandered off the path again.
I gathered the rune-related books on my table and returned them to their original places. Some of them had already been reserved by other senior sisters.
Over these days, I learned that the library had its own study circles. For instance, the one I interacted with most was the Runology Circle, and I had even been pulled into their group chat.
I also got to know some senior sisters who were interested in Rune Rituals. Although I wasn't yet familiar with their names, we got along well in the chat.
They would recommend specific rune books. The reason I could learn and understand runes so quickly was largely due to the recommendations from the group leader.
The senior sister who had mocked me on the first day was also part of this circle. Later, we resolved our conflict in the group. It turned out she had been frustrated by girls who were just there to "fish," which was why she had mocked me without a second thought. I didn't mind; in fact, I would have forgotten about it if she hadn't brought it up.
"This... is the book you wanted, right? I'm finished with it. You're the one who asked for it in the group, right?"
"Eh? Thanks. You finished it so fast? But this runology book mainly focuses on rune combinations for Alchemy Transmutation Rituals. Are you planning to get into Alchemy too?"
"Yeah, I have that idea," I replied.
Mainly, I wanted to try something different.
Ever since I felt the rhythm of battle, sitting still for too long made my body feel like it was starting to rust.
Of course, the main reason was to reconnect with the outside world a bit. Staying isolated for too long would cause a lot of trouble.
"Really? From the group chat, it feels like you know a bit of everything when it comes to runes. I'm also planning to take the Alchemy path. Senior sister, please guide me!"
"Uh... we'll see. I might not be in the library much for a while. I'm planning to do some other things."
"Eh? You're not coming anymore?"
"Yeah." Honestly, being called "senior sister" by these senior sisters... it was still a bit embarrassing... but it did give me a strangely pleasant feeling.