Chapter 431: Children of Destiny and Their Supporters
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 431: Children of Destiny and Their Supporters
"This..." The girl was suddenly caught off guard by my counter-question. For a moment, she didn't know how to respond, only managing a stammering reply. "It’s just... I heard that you voluntarily gave up your status as a Child of Destiny, Sister Xiao Han. Is that true? You weren't originally a Child of Destiny, but you gained the world's recognition through your own hard work! Why would you give up such a wonderful opportunity?"
"Oh..." Hearing her question, I thought about it for a moment before it clicked. "That’s right. I destroyed the Luck Seed with my own hands. Also, there’s something I need to clarify: I don't work hard to gain the world's recognition. I do it for myself, understand? In this world, nothing good comes without a price."
"But... without a Luck Seed, how will you compete for ownership of this world when the time comes?"
"Why would I want to compete for ownership of the world? And besides, where did you hear that?" I looked at her skeptically, then shifted my gaze to the others. Hong Chenyi looked like she wanted to say something but hesitated; Dongli Yiren and Guan Qiuling had complicated expressions, and even Yu Yuetian seemed slightly curious.
"What’s with those looks? Did you guys force some weird setting on me while I wasn't looking?"
"No... we didn't originally plan to ask about this, but... since the question's been raised... we’re actually a bit curious too. Sister Xiao Han, do you realize you have a group of supporters of your own now?" Seeing the girl at a loss for words, Hong Chenyi quickly stepped in to take over the conversation.
"How do I have supporters now? I was only gone for a little while. What on earth happened at the Academy?" I asked, completely bewildered.
The situation felt like everyone knew what was going on except me, and they were trying to get the answers they wanted from a person who knew nothing.
"Let me explain, Sister Xiao Han," Dongli Yiren said, stepping forward to describe the situation as she understood it, seeing as everyone else was being tight-lipped. "During the time you were away, most of those known to be Children of Destiny have gathered their own followings. Some are groups of supporters that formed spontaneously. It’s not just here at the Witch Academy; I’ve heard similar things are happening at other academies too."
"And somehow, word got out that being a Child of Destiny is the ultimate qualification to compete for the title of the world's strongest. People are using that as a justification for picking sides."
"Compete for the strongest? They certainly have vivid imaginations." I couldn't help but chuckle at the explanation. What use was being the strongest in this world?
What short-sighted person came up with that reasoning?
Anyone who understood the truth of this world could see at a glance that this was, at most, a bit of fun... Wait, fun?
It couldn't have started at the Witch Academy, could it?
"Actually, there are several versions of the rumor. Some say it's about being the strongest, some say it's about seeking the Truth, and others say it's about something else entirely. There’s even a rumor that you can speak to the world and have any wish granted."
"Do you believe that?" I asked them directly.
"Uh... we didn't believe it at first, but the rumors are getting more and more intense."
"A lie is still a lie, no matter how many times it's told. You should understand that, right?" I continued. We were all adults now; we should have at least some level of individual judgment.
I knew that for ordinary people without access to information, judging truth from falsehood was a gamble, but I knew the reality. I had stated it clearly; whether they believed me or not was out of my hands.
I had told them the truth; that was enough to keep my conscience clear.
"Well... it’s become the general trend. Sister Xiao Han, many people in our class know that even if you aren't a Child of Destiny, they still silently and firmly support you."
"So, what do you want from me?" I looked at the girl with a smile.
"This... while I can't answer for everyone, we all have the same goal. We just want you to know that we’re behind you, supporting you."
"Oh." I nodded and said nothing more. We had talked for ages without getting to the point. If there was no reason to support someone—if it was just one-sided and unconditional—it was meaningless. If she had said something like "I really want to get ahead," I could at least confirm her value as a follower.
I didn't want people who followed blindly or were swayed by emotion. Who knew when they might turn on me?
Even if I wasn't afraid of them, it would still be a nuisance.
After chatting with them a bit longer, I excused myself on the grounds of updating my dream data and left.
Once I had vanished, the group looked at each other. Finally, Hong Chenyi spoke up.
"Well, that’s as much as I can help. It was just a coincidence that you ran into Sister Xiao Han today and got to talk to her. Consider the favor returned, okay?"
"Thank you, Sister Yi. I'll be going now."
"Haha, no problem! Take care! Feel free to find me if you need anything else." Hong Chenyi waved them off with a smile and watched as they disappeared.
"Hong Chenyi, are you exploiting Sister Xiao Han?" Dongli Yiren was the first to speak up, unable to hold back after hearing Hong Chenyi's words.
"How is it exploiting? Sister Xiao Han was going to find out sooner or later. Don't you know her? She won't care about those girls. Besides, they paid a referral fee, and they're my classmates, so it was hard to say no. How about... I treat everyone to dinner tonight?"
"The one you should be treating is Sister Xiao Han. You’d better explain this clearly to her too," Yu Yuetian added, having been quiet until now.
"Hey... I didn't really do anything, did I? Why are you all looking at me like that? This time really was just a coincidence, I—" Hong Chenyi was a bit flustered. Looking at the people she lived with every day, was what she did really that wrong?
"No, what we mean is: we want a cut."
"Fine, fine. I'll splurge tonight. Just remember to call Sister Xiao Han when the time comes."
* * *
Meanwhile, inside the dream.
I suddenly found myself in a deserted space.
I had just applied to update my virtual dream image data. It seemed the Academy intended to use my image in the dream as a permanent test subject for the Monthly Exams.
I didn't mind; in fact, I thought it was quite fun. After all, who would turn down the chance to be the final boss of a Monthly Exam?
Just as I was wondering what would happen next, a figure suddenly appeared nearby.
"Hello. You're Yang Yuehan, right? I saw you just applied to update your dream data?"
"Uh, yes. Are you... a teacher?" I asked instinctively, looking at the woman before me. She had a powerful aura; she couldn't just be a virtual character.
"Something like that. I’m responsible for the maintenance of the Primal Dream within the Academy, along with other chores—like this."
"What do I need to do?" I asked curiously.
"It’s simple. Just demonstrate your strength. In a moment, you’ll face a virtual dream opponent that will synchronize with your data in real-time. It’s as simple as that."
"That’s it?" I found it hard to believe.
"Yes. Don't overthink it. The power of the Primal Dream is far beyond your imagination. And there’s no need to speculate on how it works. Baseless guessing won't do you any good; it'll just cause unnecessary mental fatigue."
"Thank you for the reminder, Teacher," I said with a nod.
The witch teacher was right. When I first learned my data was being used as a dream character for others to challenge, I had been worried. I’d wondered how it worked and even feared my secrets might be exposed.
But those guesses were useless and only added to my stress. I decided to stop worrying about things I couldn't control.
"By the way, will this update affect the upcoming Monthly Exam?"
"It’ll have a small impact, but not much. The workload isn't as big as you think. Just stay focused. Your opponent is about to be the most troublesome one you've ever faced, because she will be an almost perfect replica of yourself."
"Understood." I nodded, bracing myself for battle.
Seeing that I was ready, the mentor didn't waste time with ceremonies and started the process immediately.
Soon, a figure appeared before me.
It was a silhouette that looked exactly like I used to. But as it faced me, its appearance began to shift. Its irises turned blood-red, its long hair became snow-white, and the internal energy of a Body Cultivator began to swirl around its body.
Seeing the transformation, even I couldn't help but be impressed. It even changed its appearance?
It possessed the power of Body Cultivation in an instant.
As expected... this might truly be the most difficult opponent I had faced to date.
The saying "a person's greatest enemy is themselves" wasn't just a joke, even if it was a situation one would normally never encounter.
But the Primal Dream had made it a reality.
"Begin."
As the teacher spoke, the two figures collided in an instant, followed by the sound of a violent impact.
* * *
Evening.
"I’m telling you... why isn't Sister Xiao Han out yet? She can't be planning to live in the dream pod, can she?"
"Should we... go order first and then call her?"
"No, Sister Xiao Han is famous for ignoring phone messages. What if she doesn't pick up?"
"True..."
The girls had just emerged from their dream pods. They had been practicing combat in the dream, but this kind of last-minute training didn't yield much improvement, and they had mostly just been bullied by their dream opponents.
Just as they were talking, one of the dream pod covers slid open.
"Hmm? You guys are still here?"
Having just detached from the dream, I opened the pod instinctively. My vision was still a bit blurry, but I immediately recognized the familiar backs of the girls outside.
"Sister Xiao Han is out! Come on, dinner's on me tonight!" Hearing my voice, Hong Chenyi turned around immediately and announced with a wave of her hand.
"You? Why the sudden treat?" I rolled my shoulders and stretched my limbs. The phantom pains from the dream battle had followed me back into reality.
"Oh, you know... I made a little extra cash thanks to Sister Xiao Han. The others insisted on a cut, so I have to treat everyone. But don't order anything too expensive, I don't have that much money... How about skewers?" Hong Chenyi said, rubbing her hands together.
"And Sister Xiao Han, don't worry about what those girls said earlier. They just want to ride your coattails, nothing more. If they bother you, just ignore them. You aren't the Class 14 monitor anymore, and you don't even attend classes. There’s really no need to get involved with them."
"I know that. It’s just wishful thinking on their part. But... skewers sound good. I’ll let you splurge today, then." I placed a hand on Hong Chenyi’s shoulder and smiled.
It had been a long time since the start of the semester, and I hadn't really been treated to a meal yet. This was one of the few chances I had to hang out with my roommates; I was usually too busy. I wasn't going to miss it.
Before long, we arrived at a spot near our dorm. It was an outdoor skewer stall, not very crowded, run by a senior sister whose face showed the marks of time. It looked like she was another witch who had chosen not to become a Transcendent Witch and was instead living out her days here.
The four of us spent a long time picking out food, and then Hong Chenyi paid the bill with a pained expression.
"Sister Xiao Han, it’s rare for our whole dorm to have a meal together like this. We all know how amazing you are, and even though we hardly see you, we want to thank you for still seeing us as your roommates."
"Hong Chenyi, what are you talking about? If I didn't see you as roommates, what would I see you as? You make me sound so cold-hearted."
"Well... it’s just that even though we’re in the same year, it feels like we’re drifting apart. The semester isn't even over, yet the gap between us makes it feel like we live in two different worlds. We were worried that we wouldn't even get a chance to cling to your leg before you ran off. It’s a bit frustrating..."
Hong Chenyi seemed to have opened the floodgates, pouring out what was on her mind.
It was the first time I had heard them talk about our relationship like this.
"Drifting apart... Honestly, I feel that way sometimes too. It’s a helpless feeling. We’re roommates, but things feel strange. After a few sentences, it feels like we aren't on the same wavelength... I didn't know how to act around you. I’m a bit passive. Before I came to the Witch Academy, I was actually quite introverted. I didn't even have friends back then..."
"Haha, it’s okay! No need to make the conversation so heavy. I started it. As long as we know you still care about us, that’s enough. Next time the dorm has a group activity, we’ll definitely make sure to invite you!"
"Thanks. Oh, by the way, that alchemy item I gave you before is actually for summoning me. I told you about it. If you want to see me, just use it. Don't worry about bothering me. If I’m busy, the worst that happens is I won't respond."
"That’s great! We won't be polite next time, then. Do you drink, Sister Xiao Han?"
"Alcohol? No, I don't really drink that."
"Then juice it is! Let’s eat our fill before we head back!"