Chapter 781: The Conclusion of the Freshman Competition and the Sister's Roommate
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 781: The Conclusion of the Freshman Competition and the Sister's Roommate
“Today, we stand here to witness the spirit and grace of another generation of freshmen at our Witch Academy. I have watched your performances throughout these past few days of competition, and you have far exceeded my expectations...”
High above, Mentor Barnier looked down upon every freshman, delivering her closing remarks as the Year Director for the final stage of the Freshman Competition.
This competition had been organized in haste, yet the results were surprisingly good. Though it lacked the grand scale of previous years, the freshmen had not disappointed her.
Her only regret was that she hadn't been able to secure even more benefits for these children.
“The purpose of this competition was to make you realize the nature of struggle within the Transcendent World. In previous years, only the class monitors were allowed to participate in the Freshman Competition. However, I hoped that every one of you would experience it. You might have been injured, you might have been heavily battered, and some of you even experienced death—but none of that matters. Once you step into the Transcendent World, you must adapt to its rules...”
“Every attempt you made on the field, every time you fell and climbed back up, will become wealth on your path of growth. As your Year Director, I know that for every student to reach the Witch Academy and stand here listening to me, it represents your infinite potential and possibility. Perhaps no one will push you in your future studies, but I only hope you remember what I say now: do not let yourself fail your own talent and ability...”
As the Year Director, Barnier could spin inspirational rhetoric at a moment's notice. Though she had faced such scenes countless times, she couldn't help but inject her own genuine emotions whenever she looked at these children.
Once these "formalities" were concluded, the segment everyone had been waiting for began.
The awards ceremony for the Freshman Competition rankings.
This year followed the precedent of the last—where the top ten rankings were not strictly differentiated due to unforeseen circumstances—but the rewards for the top ten remained incredibly generous.
Even the rewards for those outside the top ten were enough to make everyone envious. Although many of them didn't quite understand what those rewards represented, any reward related to the Transcendent World was far beyond the reach of ordinary material goods.
Furthermore, because the competition was rushed, "very material" rewards like prize money were also included. The sheer amount of the direct cash prizes was enough to make many lament that they could spend the rest of their lives counting money in leisure.
However... it wouldn't be long before they realized that ordinary currency lost its meaning once it reached a certain amount. To go further, one needed the more precious Transcendent currency. Ordinary money could only improve one's quality of life; it could not pave the way further down the Transcendent path.
After the grand awards ceremony concluded, Barnier, acting as Year Director, announced another plan she had been plotting for a long time.
She would introduce the top ten finishers of the Freshman Competition to the Omni-Link Arena ahead of schedule, registering them for the Power Network Ladder Ranking Tournament to let them truly make their mark!
This year, the freshmen hadn't faced provocations from other external Transcendent academies. Without pressure, there would be no motivation.
Even if all ten of them lost their matches against the upperclassmen, it would be a defeat with honor!
The strong remain strong by becoming braver with every battle.
If a single fight could crush someone and leave them despondent, then such a person could hardly be called "strong."
Judging by this attitude alone, Mentor Barnier’s cultivation philosophy was clearly on the radical side, yet not many witches voiced any opposition.
The weakness of the weak stems from the heart. No matter how much power one wields, a weak heart will always lead to a rout.
As the Freshman Competition drew to a close, the crowds in the training hall gradually dispersed.
Before long, they would return to their normal curriculum.
As the other students were leaving, Barnier kept the ten strongest performers of the competition behind.
She still needed to tell these children about certain special matters and other precautions.
“First, congratulations once again on achieving a top-ten rank in this Freshman Competition. You can collect your rewards from your respective counselors later. They will also explain how to use those prizes and provide instructions.”
“Understood, Teacher!”
“Mentor Barnier, did you keep us behind for something else?”
“Of course. It’s mainly regarding your upcoming matches in the Omni-Link Arena. You should be aware of it by now, right? I mentioned it in the final summary. In short, just do your best,” Mentor Barnier explained to the group.
“It doesn't matter if you can't win a single match. I will still provide you with a guaranteed baseline reward. Besides, you’ve only been enrolled for a few days; don't be discouraged if you lose. Of course... if anyone wants to withdraw, you can say so now. I won't force you to experience setbacks and failure.”
“I’m not afraid of those senior sisters! If our power levels are the same, it’s not certain who will lose!”
“Confidence is a good thing.” Barnier glanced at the lively, confident girl and offered a word of encouragement. Then, her gaze swept over the other nine girls. “It’s alright. Don't force yourself into a corner just because of the attitude of those around you. Acknowledging your own weakness is also a threshold you must cross on the path to becoming powerful.”
After waiting a moment and confirming that no one wanted to give up the opportunity, Barnier smiled with satisfaction.
“Very well! I know that for you to fight your way out of a competition of tens of thousands, each of you possesses your own pride and drive!” Barnier said with great emotion.
“But to participate in the Omni-Link Arena's Power Network Ladder Ranking Tournament, you are still too green. In the Freshman Competition, the Power Network energy level you used was at its lowest to reduce cases of severe injury or death. However, the energy level in the Arena is at normal output, and your opponents will be far more experienced.”
“So, before I officially let you participate in an academy-wide event under the title of the 'Freshman Top 10,' I’ve found a few sparring partners for you to help you adapt to the combat intensity of the senior sisters!”
As Barnier spoke, she clapped her hands. Several figures emerged from the corridor on one side of the training hall.
They all shared the same posture, their long white hair drifting naturally in the breeze of the training hall. Their somewhat cold faces bore expressions devoid of much emotion.
“That... that’s that senior sister!” The ten people present recognized the five figures immediately.
“It... it’s actually this senior sister?!”
“That’s right. I’ve invited the clones of Teaching Assistant Yang Yuehan, who has become quite famous in the Witch Academy recently... You can also call her Senior Sister Xiao Han.” Mentor Barnier introduced them enthusiastically. After all, these were the five clones she had specifically requested to stay.
Barnier had to admit that Xiao Han’s clones were incredibly useful. They were far more obedient than any random student she could call upon. Moreover, as clones, they worked tirelessly without a single word of complaint. She almost regretted only keeping five.
“Hello. You can call us Senior Sister Xiao Han, or just Sister Xiao Han.”
The clone at the front gave a simple self-introduction to the ten freshmen, whose eyes still held a hint of naivety.
“I know! When I first enrolled, it was this Sister Xiao Han who guided me!”
Just as that student said, all ten people present recognized the senior sister before them.
After the freshmen finished their excited greetings, Barnier spoke up from the side: “Alright, quiet down. Don't try to suck up to her. Although the five before you are all clones of Teaching Assistant Xiao Han, her main body is monitoring your behavior at all times. Don't leave a bad impression on your senior sister.”
“Today’s competition ended early, so for the remaining time, I will organize matches between you and this senior sister’s clones to simulate the high-pressure combat environment of the upperclassmen. Don't worry—I’ll have her hold back during the fights. Of course, you all need to learn from this. The fact that you made it this far proves your comprehension isn't lacking.”
“Understood~” the ten responded cheerfully, the atmosphere completely devoid of tension.
And so, amidst the cheer, they split into pairs, preparing to take turns training against the Xiao Han clones.
Before long, they had partitioned off areas on the existing training grounds.
There was nothing too flashy; the atmosphere remained relaxed.
“Settle down now—don't be too rowdy. The senior sister before you is the serious type. For the coming period, I have applied for course exemptions for you. Don't worry about your theory classes; these Arena matches will count as extra special contribution points regardless of the outcome. The contributions you make will ensure you don't have to worry too much about your theory grades.”
Of course, the main reason Barnier could say this was that with the promotion of the Knowledge Seed and the way theory courses were taught, the content requiring rote memorization could be compressed almost infinitely. That was why theory attendance could be so willfully exempted.
In the future, the Witch Academy would continue to streamline the time wasted on useless theory for lower-year students, returning that time to more meaningful pursuits and giving them more autonomy in their learning.
“Come on, come on! I need to fight! Let me experience the combat techniques of a senior sister! Sister Xiao Han!”
Very quickly, someone couldn't wait to step forward and experience the pressure.
In truth, these ten were still taking this fight somewhat lightly, or rather, they were still in a playful mindset.
Besides, their opponents were just clones!
They weren't even the main body, and she had to multitask to control so many at once.
But Transcendent methods were never something that "newbies" who had just touched the Transcendent could understand. Transcendent power in reality never cared for reason or logic, let alone so-called "balance." There was only absolute power.
The challenge awaiting them... would be hell!
“Hey, wait! Let me go first, let me go first~” In one of the pairs, a girl spoke up quickly.
“Fine~ I’ll let you go first to scout out her strength,” the girl beside her conceded.
“Senior Sister Xiao Han~ Senior Sister~ do you remember me?” Upon stepping onto the field, the girl didn't rush to fight but tried to strike up a conversation.
“You?” The clone opposite the girl paused for a moment, then shared a specific memory through the Great Knowledge Seed.
“I remember. Shi Liqun, that’s the name, right?”
“Yes! Senior Sister really does remember me! I’m your brother’s... ah, no, sister’s roommate now! Do you remember?”
“I remember. Are you trying to pull rank? I won't treat anyone differently,” the clone said.
“Ah, no, no, no! I just want to demand an explanation on behalf of my roommate, your sister! I want to know... are you still a qualified older sister?!” At this moment, Shi Liqun seemed as though she had been preparing this for a long time, acting out of a sense of justice, using this opportunity to ask the question burning in her heart.
“Older sister...” the clone repeated the title, seemingly without emotion. “I am not a very good sister. But if you want to question me on her behalf, then have her stand before me herself! Let her ask me that question to my face, instead of shrinking behind you and letting you ask it for her.”
“Hiss...” Shi Liqun sucked in a breath of cold air. She felt an aura that was difficult to deal with, as if a single sentence had crushed her interrogation through sheer presence.
Similarly, it made it hard for her to follow up... Was this the arrogance of the "genius sister" persona?
Shi Liqun’s mind was racing with imagined scenarios, but since she was already on the field, her chuunibyou-esque words were already loaded.
“Very well... then I will pass those words along to her... One day, I will bring her to stand before you with her head held high!”
“If you can truly change that wretched disposition of hers, I’ll consider it a personal favor. This is a promise I make on behalf of the main body. But for now... this is a battle between us.” The clone didn't want to waste any more time on this very personal topic. She raised the short training wand from the side of the field; her meaning was clear.
The commotion on Shi Liqun’s side naturally drew the attention of others. Those few lines of dialogue sounded like a massive piece of gossip, making everyone want to dig deeper.
In the distance, Barnier’s attention was also caught by the situation.
“That little one is named Shi Liqun, right? She’s in the same dorm as that Yang Yunhan, and in the same class, I think?” Barnier quickly pulled up the information from the integrated data in the Great Knowledge Seed.
“Yes, Yang Yunhan... I have to say, the difference between her and her nominal sister is like heaven and earth,” another mentor chimed in from the side.
“Who’s to say she won't have her own 'butterfly from the cocoon' moment? Back then, Yang Yuehan’s enrollment was completely unremarkable too. It was Ji Niang who single-handedly fished her into the Witch Academy. I have to say, that sister really has an eye for talent. I’m envious.”
“She has her own unique traits, alright? She’s currently the only one in the Main World who can be called a 'normal' Innate Spirit Vision user—though Xiao Han can't exactly be described as 'normal' anymore. The devastation Spirit Vision wreaks on her cognition subjects her to mental torture every waking moment. Combined with her childhood trauma, it’s easy for her to fall into her own world.”
“Isn't she being looked after by that newly ascended Saint Realm sister, Bai Yu? I’m a bit jealous; fate truly is a mysterious thing.”
“Xiao Han doesn't just rely on Innate Spirit Vision. Even without it, she’s the late-bloomer type. Once she becomes a Transcendent Witch and touches Real Time, at worst, she’ll just be back at the same starting point as when she enrolled, but with even deeper foundations. Her rise will be even more explosive than it is now.”
“Oh, you all... stop talking about Xiao Han. Once this topic starts, it never ends. Let’s focus on our freshmen. Speaking of which, besides these ten children, which other promising seeds have you taken a liking to?” Barnier spoke up to smooth things over, pulling the conversation back to the task at hand.