Chapter 74: Shopkeeper: A Double Blessing Calls for a Proper Celebration
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 74: Shopkeeper: A Double Blessing Calls for a Proper Celebration
"What? Something this important and you—you didn't tell me immediately?!"
Finally, Xia Li managed to choke out those words. From where I was standing, it looked like the Shopkeeper’s face was turning beet-red with indignation.
"We couldn't help it. We only found out a little while ago ourselves, and the moment we knew, we immediately pulled Xiao Han into the club," Senior Sister Tang Yihan explained from the side.
"Exactly, exactly!" Ying Shiqian chimed in, completely ignoring the fact that she had been rolling around on the floor crying and throwing a tantrum when she first heard the news.
"Shopkeeper, it’s really not that big of a deal. There’s no need for such a fuss, and don't blame the Senior Sisters."
I could feel the atmosphere getting awkward. Right now, Tan Han was supposed to be the center of attention; for me to suddenly jump out and steal the spotlight would be a total lack of social grace. Naturally, I had to step forward and soothe the Shopkeeper.
"What do you mean! What kind of talk is that!"
Xia Li shattered the current mood, her forceful attitude seemingly suppressing an intense wave of excitement.
"Absolutely not! Something like this must be celebrated properly! On one hand, we’re welcoming two new members to our club! On the other, we’re celebrating Xiao Han’s successful first meditation!" Shopkeeper Xia Li declared, her tone unwavering.
Beside her, my lip twitched. How many times had the Shopkeeper insisted on "celebrating" in just the last few days?
Does she really just need any excuse to throw a party?
"Shopkeeper, if this celebration involves going back to that same place for a meal, I think I’ll pass..."
"Yeah, didn't we just go there a few days ago?"
"You—you—you! How could you two be like this! Fine, we’ll go somewhere else this time!"
Xia Li looked at Ying Shiqian and Tang Yihan, fuming. She was clearly annoyed that they weren't following her lead, but the celebration had to happen—she had already proposed it, after all—so she had no choice but to pick a different venue.
Despite her outward irritation, she was actually so giddy from this windfall that she felt like she might faint.
First, there was the top student of this year’s intake. She had originally been planning how to comfort the little genius she’d "abducted," assuming that an Academic God would naturally be full of pride and arrogance.
But the girl had been remarkably calm. After a few rounds of "guidance" from the Senior Sisters, she had somehow, inexplicably, accepted her current situation.
Normally, someone like Tan Han would have been far out of Xia Li’s reach. Her appearance would have triggered a massive bidding war among the various clubs. Even the class assignments, which hadn't been finalized yet, were becoming a headache because so many teachers were fighting over her.
Tan Han, however, remained indifferent. Her personal opinion was obviously vital, even if she hadn't been consulted when she was first spirited away to the academy. Now that she was officially a freshman at the Witch Academy, she was entitled to a high degree of freedom and respect.
In the end, Tan Han had grown annoyed by the constant recruitment attempts from various Senior Sisters and chose Xia Li. Her reasoning? Since Xia Li was the one who had "abducted" her to the academy, Xia Li had to take responsibility for her.
Many club presidents had cursed Xia Li for her dumb luck, but Xia Li didn't care. Tangible benefits were all that mattered. That was why she had rushed Tan Han here—to seal the deal before anyone could change their mind. Even if Tan Han regretted it later, leaving a club required going through a formal process. In the meantime, Xia Li might even be able to use Tan Han’s reputation to recruit a few more members.
And now, having arrived at the bakery, she was told that the freshman part-timer she’d picked up on a whim was actually a genius too!
Who would even believe such a story?
At that moment, Tan Han dropped her previous cold demeanor and took the initiative to approach me.
I had noticed the change in her behavior and wasn't particularly surprised. Her gesture was clearly an attempt to build rapport. It was an honor to be friends with an Academic God, of course. Even if it didn't bring me any direct benefits, being able to mention such a connection to others would be a huge boost to my reputation!
As for being actual friends... I didn't dare hope for too much. I had enough self-awareness to know that the gap in our status was too wide. Such friendships are usually hard to maintain, and the power dynamic is always skewed. To put it bluntly, the continuation of such a friendship often feels like charity from the superior party, a dynamic I found incredibly stifling.
While the Shopkeeper and the two Senior Sisters were bickering, Tan Han struck up a conversation with me. The topic quickly drifted toward meditation.
"By the way, Xiao Han, have you been reading any books on meditation lately? Could you give me a recommendation?"
"As for books, I haven't actually read that many. If I had to recommend one, I could give you the one I just finished. I haven't had a chance to return it yet. Let me go grab it for you."
I remembered the book I had borrowed from the library. It was a very common text on meditation. Aside from explaining the various precautions and the specific steps of the process in detail, it didn't have much else.
I took the opportunity to pull the book out and hand it over, fulfilling Tan Han’s request.
"This one?" Tan Han said, looking slightly surprised as she took it.
"Oh, have you read it?" I asked, noting her expression.
"No, I haven't. A Senior Sister told me this book is just a pop-science introductory reader for the Witch Meditation Method. She said it doesn't have any real substance... But thank you for the recommendation anyway. I’ll study it carefully," Tan Han said solemnly as she tucked the book away.
"Uh... well, you don't have to force yourself. The best method is the one that suits you. Senior Sister Ying Shiqian also recommended some books on the Witch Meditation Method and rituals; you could probably try those too."
I felt a bit embarrassed. I hadn't expected the book I’d picked to be dismissed by other Senior Sisters as a mere "introductory reader" with "no substance." It had seemed clear and concise to me, far better than those incomprehensible tomes that read like gibberish... Was my reading comprehension really that poor?
I almost spiraled into a crisis of self-doubt.
Just to be safe, I passed along Ying Shiqian’s recommendations as well.
To be honest, while my understanding of the Witch Meditation Method came from books, my actual success had very little to do with anything in that library.
Spirit Vision was the primary reason. Unfortunately, that was something I could never explain to anyone.
In a way, my Spirit Vision was my "cheat code." It was just a pity that in this world, everyone who touched the Transcendent had some kind of cheat; mine just happened to be a bit more powerful.
I needed to find an opportunity to go to the library and look up what "Spirit Vision" and the subsequent "Floating World" actually meant.
"Come along, my club members! We’re off to eat something delicious!"
Judging by the Shopkeeper’s voice, they had finalized the plan. I didn't really mind where we went; anywhere was better than eating bread in the bakery all day.
This time, because both Tan Han and I were going, we had to rely on Senior Sisters Ying Shiqian and Tang Yihan for transport.
As for Shopkeeper Xia Li... her broom-riding was far too aggressive. At the very least, Tan Han had made it clear she wasn't interested in experiencing that a second time.