Chapter 364: An Impending Brief Parting
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 364: An Impending Brief Parting
"Sister Bai Yu~ Here is the dessert you ordered..."
At some point, Fool's Dream had slipped off Sister Bai’s lap and was now returning with the dessert in hand. She must have overheard Sister Bai mentioning it earlier and taken it upon herself to ask at the front desk.
"Thank you~"
Bai Yu looked at Fool's Dream with a hint of surprise, then leaned over to take the tray, accepting the coffee and the sweets.
"You're welcome! Carrying things is part of my job, even if it’s a bit tiring... but I’ll make sure to exercise and get stronger from now on!"
"It’s fine. You just worry about staying cute, little one. Leave the heavy lifting to the older sisters," Bai Yu said with a smile, patting Fool's Dream’s small head and ruffling her sensitive little ears, clearly enjoying the interaction.
"No, no... the cat cafe provided us with a place to work. We can't just... slack off. We need to learn other things too."
"Is that so? You want to learn other things..." This little Fool's Dream reminded me of a certain skill I had brought back before: the "Fool's Dream Drink."
It was a magical concoction that could briefly boost one's Transcendent elemental affinity and grant energy vision. It was made entirely from natural, hand-pressed juices with zero additives. I had brought back many seeds and even asked Sofiri to help with the cultivation and breeding. If the fruits grew well, I could recreate the Fool's Dream Drink.
It used to be the Fool's Dream clan's specialty. However, as they lost their original bodies and the stripped-away Nightmares took their memories and much else with them, they had forgotten the craft entirely.
"I just remembered. Since you want to master a new skill, how about learning how to mix the Fool's Dream Drink?"
"Fool's Dream Drink? Eh? It... it has the same name as us!" Fool's Dream exclaimed, her face full of surprise.
"That’s because it was named after your people," I said with a smile.
"Eh? Really? Oh... Sister Xiao Han, you did say... that we lost our memories. Could it be...?"
"You guessed right." I nodded.
I had told them about their memory loss before. It seemed their cognitive abilities were improving nicely. I had stayed in Ninglan New City for several extra days specifically to wait for the locals to finish purging the Nightmares before I used the Great Wisdom Enlightenment Art on them.
Now it seemed Fool's Dream’s little head was indeed spinning faster—certainly more flexible than back when she was my assistant in the Beyonder base in the Underground District.
"The Fool's Dream Drink is a beverage your people created yourselves. When we first met, you used it to give us a very warm welcome."
"Really? So Sister Xiao Han really knew us that long ago. No wonder... no wonder you take such good care of us."
"Of course. But... even if we hadn't met before, you're all so cute that I would have looked after you anyway. So, do you want to learn?"
"Yes! I definitely want to learn!"
"Alright, but it might take some time. Due to some... special circumstances, your original home was destroyed. However, I took the seeds of the fruits used to make the drink, and we're trying to grow them now. Once we can cultivate them on a large scale, we can truly recreate it."
"I see. That’s okay, we can wait! Anyway, thank you for telling me all this, Sister Xiao Han!"
"It’s nothing. I just felt it was better for you to know some things."
Of course, I wouldn't mention the things they shouldn't know. I would naturally let them inherit things of value, but the bad memories were better left in the past.
"Xiao Han, this is for you."
At that moment, Sister Bai returned the tray to Fool's Dream and took her coffee. She then pushed the dessert in front of me.
"Thanks~"
I didn't decline and accepted the mousse cake. Fool's Dream, meanwhile, trotted away with a tray that was nearly as big as she was.
Watching Fool's Dream leave, my gaze eventually fell back on the mousse cake.
"Sister Bai..."
"Hmm? What is it?"
"It's just... roughly when are you leaving?"
"Hmm... probably in two days," Bai Yu said after a moment of thought. "I need to get everything at the Academy settled, handle the paperwork, the graduation process... there really is quite a lot to do. I'm sorry, I don't think I'll have much time to spend with you over the next couple of days."
"Why are you apologizing for that? It’s a good thing you have your own business to attend to, Sister Bai."
"Really?" Sister Bai looked at me with a smile, as if trying to confirm my words.
"Ugh... fine, fine... I'm a little sad..."
I turned my head away, not daring to look her in the eye. Before, it hadn't mattered if I didn't see her for ten days or a fortnight, but now... as expected, what I feared wasn't just not seeing her, but the possibility of never seeing her again.
"See? Isn't it better to just say it?"
"Yeah..." I nodded, but then another thought struck me. "By the way, Sister Bai, they say every Senior Sister who graduates from the Witch Academy can leave behind a Witch Secret Realm. Did you leave one?"
"A Witch Secret Realm... oh, I think I actually forgot. But it's not mandatory. After all, cutting out an extra piece of space to create a Secret Realm is quite a significant expense."
"Eh? Cutting space? Sister Bai, you can already do that?!" I stared at her, eyes wide.
"How should I put it... Xiao Han, now that I've reached the Transcendent level, you know about the Real Five Senses, right? And Real Time?"
"Yes, yes." I nodded quickly.
"Real Time is a more authentic version of the world. Any action taken within Real Time produces a corresponding phenomenon in False Time. At least, that’s how I understand it. Once you reach Real Time, you'll realize that the attribute of 'space' is actually quite fragile. To me, it’s like a body of water; without external interference, it stays stable and still, but if I reach out, I can stir it at will. It’s something like that."
"I see..."
"Yes. Remember the concept of the Real Five Senses? It’s like your Spirit Vision. Take touch, for example. True Touch grants me a level of tactile perception that even allows me to feel the fluctuations of space. Because of this ability, I can say for certain that almost any Transcendent-level being can tear through space at will. True Touch is the foundation for tearing space with your bare hands; it’s no longer just a tactile sensation in the ordinary sense."
"Regarding the difference between Real Time and False Time for the senses... False Time focuses more on the 'feeling'—vision, hearing... the emphasis is on the sensation. But Real Time focuses more on the first half of the 'Five Senses'—Sight, Hearing, Smell, Taste, and Touch. It’s closer to the essence of perception."
"Tearing... space... with your bare hands!" I subconsciously swallowed, my attention fixed on that terrifying feat, though I mentally noted her explanation of True and False Time.
I had expected space to be relatively fragile, but for a Transcendent lifeform to tear it open with their bare hands? That was a bit too shocking.
"Yes. However, tearing space isn't just about opening a simple portal. It can trigger a spatial backlash. The interior of torn space is fraught with danger; even with my current strength, if I were to enter, I’d be torn to shreds."
"Oh... that’s slightly more acceptable." I breathed a sigh of relief. Space had managed to retain a shred of its dignity; otherwise, it would have just been a soft persimmon for any Transcendent to squeeze.
Still, it reminded me of the rift that opened when that Great Spellbook was formed. That had been equally dangerous.
"So, you don't plan on leaving a Witch Secret Realm, Sister Bai?"
"No. Mostly because I don't have the energy—and frankly, I don't have the money. Maybe after I strike it rich in the future, I can come back and add one."
"When you strike it rich, remember to keep me as your pet... I'll be waiting for you, Sister Bai. Then I can just eat, sleep, and wait to die..."
"Is that so? I don't think you're the type to just 'wait to die,' Xiao Han. Besides... a Witch's lifespan is very long. Waiting to die would be a very tedious activity."
"If Sister Bai is with me... it won't be tedious." I picked up a small spoon, gently scooped a bit of mousse cake, and held it up to Sister Bai’s lips.
"Is that what you think, Xiao Han?" Bai Yu looked at my hand. How could she miss the underlying implication?
Nevertheless, she reflexively opened her mouth and took the cake into her mouth.
"Yes," I whispered, nodding. Seeing her eat the cake, the smile on my face deepened. I gently withdrew the spoon from between her lips.
Then, I pulled my hand back, scooped another bite, and—while it was still warm and moist—sent it into my own mouth.
"Mmm... it really does taste good~" I said softly, though it was unclear exactly what I was referring to.
"Ahem..." Seeing me savoring the moment like that, Bai Yu gave a light cough. "Xiao Han, who taught you to do that?"
"I learned it myself. You taste quite good too, Sister Bai."
"Are you looking for a scolding, Xiao Han?" Bai Yu asked, putting on a look of mock indignation.
"Mmm~ Actually, you could be more direct, Sister Bai... do you really have to wait until the very end to realize it's too late?"
"Alright, Xiao Han, this isn't the place for that kind of talk," Sister Bai whispered, lowering her voice.
"Oh? So it’s okay when the time is right? Then... Sister Bai... on the last night before you leave... how about I go sleep at your place?"
"No!"
"Eh? But... I've never even been to where you live... You've lied on my bed, but I've never lied on yours..." I said, feigning a look of deep sorrow.
"I know what you're trying to do, Xiao Han. I'm not leaving forever. Are you really that eager to just give yourself away?"
"Give myself away? What do you mean?" I put on a confused face, as if we were on completely different wavelengths. "I just want to have a heart-to-heart on the same bed and say goodbye properly... and to make up for the regret of that time you slept halfway with me and then ran off in the middle of the night."
"Is that so?" A flicker of a crack appeared in Sister Bai’s composure, but I caught it.
"Of course. What else did you think, Sister Bai? Could it be... you were thinking of something lewd? 'Give myself away'? So... you like that kind of thing, Sister Bai~"
"I was not! You're overthinking it!" Sister Bai’s face flushed red as she hurriedly tried to defend herself.
"Really? What a pity... actually, lewd things aren't out of the question..." My hand subconsciously brushed against my lower abdomen as a warm current surged through me.
Though I could control these bodily instincts, I chose to let my body follow its natural course.
"I've actually been abstaining for quite a while... ha... haha, just kidding. Don't take it seriously, Sister Bai."
Seeing her expression, I quickly realized I had played with fire a bit too much. I hurriedly explained, and even the heat rising within me was instantly extinguished.
"You shouldn't do... that... too frequently when you're alone, Xiao Han. Even if it's natural for a girl, you shouldn't overdo it."
"Well... I don't want to admit it... but I haven't done it even once..."
"I hope so... girls need to take care of their bodies and not overextend themselves... hmm?" Bai Yu trailed off, not knowing how to continue. After all, it wasn't something she could discuss too openly. She just hoped Xiao Han would be sensible. But then, her eyes caught something on my fair, delicate neck—a black leather collar.
It wasn't a fetish item, just a decorative one, and quite subtle at that. Otherwise, she would have noticed it sooner.
"Xiao Han, that thing on your neck..."
"A collar. What about it?"
"Why would you think to wear something like that?"
"If I don't wear this, what should I wear? A leg ring? Actually, I'm wearing one of those too. Want to see?" As I spoke, I grabbed the hem of my skirt as if to pull it up.
"Wait! Stop!"
"What's wrong?"
"Just... stop."
Bai Yu called for a timeout to catch her breath. She hadn't expected Xiao Han to have such a teasing, vexing side. Was she being played with again?
While Bai Yu took a moment to compose herself, a clicking sound came from in front of her. She looked down to see the collar that had been around my neck lying unfastened on the table.
"Xiao Han, you..."
"If you don't like it, Sister Bai, I don't have to wear it. But if you don't mind... then please, put it back on for me with your own hands~"
I rested my chin in my hands, looking at her with a beaming smile. I leaned forward, pressing myself against the counter just to be a little closer to her.
"This..." Bai Yu subconsciously picked up the collar. It still held the warmth of my skin.
In the next instant, a sharp crack echoed from the coffee cup beside me. A fissure appeared in the ceramic, and coffee began to seep out, pooling onto the tray below. Above us, the decorative indoor light flickered once and then died. The table I was leaning on began to groan and creak as if it were about to collapse. I sat up straight and snapped my fingers, using a spell to reinforce the table and chair.
"What was that?!"
Now it was Bai Yu’s turn to be shocked. What was with that sudden string of accidents?
But she reacted quickly. She remembered what she had been told when she severed her Ley Line Shackles... the Misfortune Curse!
She was a Transcendent now and could easily ignore such a curse, but I couldn't.
"It's the Misfortune Curse~ If you don't hurry and put the collar back on me, Sister Bai, I might find myself in danger at any moment~" I explained with a laugh.
The collar was a high-grade alchemical item given to me by the Academy Dean, specifically designed to suppress curses. Without it, I wouldn't be able to stand the Misfortune Curse. Just look at how much happened in the few moments I had it off. If this became my daily life, I’d be driven insane.
"This..."
"It's an alchemical item that suppresses the Misfortune Curse bestowed by the World Consciousness~"
"I know, but..."
"It's a rare opportunity. Don't you want to experience the feeling of fastening a collar around my neck with your own hands, Sister Bai? It feels quite wonderful~"
"Sigh... tell me these things sooner next time..." Bai Yu stood up helplessly, holding the collar, and walked over to me.
"I just wanted to experience the feeling of you putting it on me yourself. Just like when you put that leg ring on me before."