Chapter 800: Returning to the Witch Academy
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 800: Returning to the Witch Academy
"It’s fine, let’s head out first." Dean Mei split off a clone and walked toward us.
Returning to the academy was simple enough; a single teleportation spell would do the trick. Moreover, with two Transcendent Witches guarding one Little Witch, plus the Dean’s clone, the probability of an accident was incredibly low.
However, despite the low risk, the Dean’s clone didn't choose to simply tear through space and open a standard portal. Instead, she opted for a fixed-point teleportation, which was far more stable.
According to the clone, this method was highly resistant to external interference—a high-level sequence derivative spell of the teleportation channel variety.
Regardless of the technicalities, we arrived safely in Dean Mei’s office.
Thinking back to the sudden incident earlier, I really hadn't expected the Rebel Witch’s "reputation" to be so terrifying. The Wizard Academy had been so frightened they practically joined forces with our Dean just to usher her away!
The witch who called herself Sheryl looked quite ordinary; she didn't even stand out much among a crowd of witches.
I suppose you really can't judge a witch by her cover...
Though the ending had been a bit unexpected, the matter could be considered "successfully resolved."
"Phew~ Alright, we’re finally back." Dean Mei’s clone let out a long sigh and walked over to me. "Xiao Han, how was the trip? You must have gained quite a lot, right?"
"Yeah... I really did." I nodded, admitting it readily.
While the gains weren't exactly what I had initially expected, I had managed to optimize two of the three rituals for Self-Generated Mana. I had also found the final piece of the puzzle for my Soul Depiction technique. As long as I was given enough time, I could perfect them all!
"It seems we aren't talking about the same kind of 'gains.' I was referring to the rare experience of being personally targeted and hunted by a Transcendent. Quite the thrill, wasn't it? It was much more direct than the last League Hunting Exam... It’s good for you to experience more of that. It’ll keep you from getting too cocky and thinking you can go anywhere just because the Main World is big."
"Ugh... I’m sorry! I’ve caused more trouble for the Dean again..." I apologized sincerely.
This time, I was definitely guilty of knowing better. I had foreseen the possible outcomes but had turned a blind eye to the potential development and consequences.
I really was too focused on my own affairs...
"I’m not blaming you. Children like you always have their own little ideas. They might be a bit out of line sometimes, but don't worry about it. At least for now, we witches are still here to back you up."
"Besides, we’ve gained a new sister," Dean Mei added, her gaze shifting to Ariel.
"Is it finally my turn? Is no one going to explain what exactly happened?" Ariel asked with a hint of helplessness, though her eyes were fixed on me. "I have some guesses, though... Let me think. My ascension to Transcendent was part of your plan, wasn't it? They call you Xiao Han—can I call you that too?"
"Yes, of course. And you guessed right; your ascension was indeed one of my plans. However, I didn't actually help much." I admitted this freely. After all, it wouldn't be hard to find out if she looked into it.
"Then I suppose I should thank you for giving me a new life? Looking at it that way... the things I encountered after returning to the Payne family must have been orchestrated by you as well, right? It’s almost funny... I didn't even see through it back then~"
"Maybe it was because, at that time, you wanted to believe?" I added.
"You’re right. I wanted to believe, so back then..." Ariel suddenly thought of something. "Mentor Chris... was she fake too?"
"You probably already have the answer in your heart, don't you? Tell me, even after your soul was reshaped, are you still troubled by things like this?" I asked curiously.
"You said it yourself—it was just a 'reshaping.' Some hurdles can't be cleared just by the enlightenment brought by a happy life... At that time, I truly believed Mentor Chris was willing to come and save me..." Ariel trailed off, her tone filled with an indescribable sense of regret and disappointment.
"You care that much? Just because she didn't show up? But she’s always been in your heart, hasn't she? She gave you the mental strength to pull yourself together so many times; that alone shows how much she matters to you. Why not think of it as you being the one who failed her first? Why can't you be the proactive one to go find Mentor Chris and seek reconciliation within yourself?"
"I should go find her? And what’s with the lecturing tone, Xiao Han? I admit the first half of my life was a bit miserable, but if you add up all the lives I experienced through the Project, I’ve got plenty of life experience, okay!"
"But you have to admit that the things that fundamentally influenced the second half of your life didn't escape the framework of your original cognition. You simply lived in the world you hoped for, which changed your personality—making you more confident and optimistic—but it didn't actually raise your level of understanding."
"I say, you two... what are you arguing about?" At that moment, Dean Mei’s clone stepped between us.
The witches in the office who were adjusting the Qi Observation Art instruments also stopped what they were doing to enjoy the show.
"We aren't arguing~ We’re just discussing personal insights regarding the Project~" Realizing I was being a bit too stubborn, I quickly waved my hands.
"Well, Xiao Han’s last point isn't wrong. Ariel, you’ve only just ascended to Transcendent. A Project isn't a one-time tool to be discarded after use. Don't let blind confidence make you forget to improve your own cognition. Perhaps... you really should go see your mentor, even if it’s just to say goodbye before you leave."
"Dean Mei... I mean, Sister Mei, do you also think I should go?" Seeing that the Dean was siding with Xiao Han, Ariel finally voiced her difficulty. "It’s not that I don't want to, I just haven't thought of a good excuse. Looking like this..."
"If you can't find an excuse, just buy a bouquet of flowers and confess. If it works, everyone’s happy; if it fails, just say you were joking." I fanned the flames from the sidelines with a terrible suggestion. Mentor Chris had done so much for her; if she couldn't repay the debt, shouldn't she just offer herself in return?
Learning that she hadn't truly forgotten her mentor’s kindness at least proved her mind was in the right place.
If she refused to acknowledge Chris as her mentor just because of a lame reason like her not showing up at the end, I would have considered Ariel an ungrateful wolf.
Having looked into Ariel’s past from a bystander’s perspective, I knew exactly how much Mentor Chris had sacrificed for her. She had even been willing to accompany Ariel to uncover the truth of her past.
And that was just a fraction of what I had unearthed.
Back then, there were no [Great Knowledge] Seeds or Ley Line Identification Arts. The equipment and effort required to accurately retrieve memories from the Ley Lines were nothing like the simple process I used now.
"What kind of ridiculous idea is that!" Ariel froze for a moment upon hearing my words, her face turning bright red instantly.
"Blushing? Just what kind of R-rated scenes are you imagining? Do you actually have those kinds of thoughts about Mentor Chris?" I added, twisting the knife.
Only now did I see the traits of an ordinary person in Ariel. I knew it... even a Project couldn't completely change a person in such a short time.
Ariel hadn't been replaced; Ariel was still Ariel. She had simply returned to the state she could have achieved if things had been better.
"Alright, Xiao Han, stop teasing Ariel." Dean Mei stepped in again to cut me off.
Mei Lind hadn't expected Xiao Han to have such a side to her. Or perhaps... she felt this might be Xiao Han’s true self? The fact that the girl was willing to show a different side of herself represented a level of trust...
Mei Lind recalled how stiff and cautious Xiao Han used to be every time they met. Now, she was bold enough to tease another Transcendent Witch right in front of her. That was certainly a form of progress.
"Let Ariel choose for herself."
"I have no objection, of course," I said. "Can you call me when you meet her? I’ll just watch from the side and won't say a word."
"Absolutely not!" Ariel rejected my proposal immediately.
It looked like... she might actually be considering the feasibility of a confession. Otherwise, I couldn't imagine why she’d need a private meeting. But since Dean Mei told me to stop teasing her, I kept my mouth shut.
I shrank back and stood next to Sister Bai to avoid being hit by any "dog food" Ariel might eventually produce. Sister Bai placed a hand on my shoulder, her body leaning slightly against my back.
"Fine then~" I looked up as Sister Bai’s other hand patted my head, flaunting our own affection before I looked back at Ariel with satisfaction. "By the way, when do you plan to summon the Primal Witch’s clone to descend? You probably don't have much time left in the Witch Academy."
"That... if I don't summon the Primal Witch’s clone, can I stay here forever?" Ariel pursed her lips, looking away from our display of affection. After all, the casual interactions of a couple always dealt the heaviest critical hits to a single person.
She was seriously considering my question, but her answer was quite absurd.
"I’m afraid not. The number of Transcendents in the Main World is kept constant. If you don't leave, another witch has to. Besides, only a witch recognized and registered by a Primal Witch is considered a true member of the witch family. Though, I would certainly welcome you back to the Main World as a visitor."
"Then how much longer can I stay in this world?" Ariel asked.
"Normally, staying for two or three days isn't an issue. You have quite a lot to do during this time. Although you’ve technically outgrown being a student and were previously a teaching assistant, the Witch Academy doesn't mind holding an extra graduation ceremony for you, taking graduation photos, and so on. Most importantly, you need to sever your Ley Line Shackles. Only then can you completely leave the Main World that nurtured you and witness the vastness beyond."
Dean Mei gave Ariel a brief explanation. This was exactly what Sister Bai had gone through back then; I even remembered being in some of her artistic photos.
"It seems there really is a lot to do..."
"It’s fine. I’ll register you, and then you just wait for the process. In the meantime... use this free time to do what you feel is important."
"Mm... thank you..."
Ariel finally nodded, a hint of melancholy in her eyes.
"And I need to say thank you to you as well." Ariel looked at me solemnly. "Thank you for giving me the chance to choose for myself again... If it weren't for you, I..."
"It’s nothing~ Your ascension gave me a lot of inspiration too, so we’re even." I waved it off casually. After all, the one who put in the effort was ultimately herself. If she hadn't worked hard and hadn't had her past accumulations, she would have been nothing more than a source of amusement in my eyes.
Just as Ariel was about to leave, I suddenly remembered something and quickly pulled her back. "Wait! I just thought of something."
"Is there something else?" Ariel asked, sounding suspicious. "If you’re going to tell me to confess to Mentor Chris again, act like I didn't ask."
"Pfft... haha, what? You’re still thinking about that joke?" I couldn't help but laugh. It seemed that really had stuck in her mind. But I actually had serious business.
I took out a seed and held it out to Ariel. "This is a [Great Knowledge] Seed. Compared to a regular Knowledge Seed, its functions and permissions are higher and more complete. I hope it helps you... As for how to use it... you can ask your Mentor Chris. I hope she’ll teach you personally, hand-in-hand."
"Thanks." Ariel looked at the seed in my hand, her eyes sparkling with surprise.
She had seen [Great Knowledge] Seeds before. They were items that circulated among Transcendent Witches. Only a very few silver-tongued teaching assistants could beg one from their mentors, and she happened to be the type who wasn't very good at asking her mentor for things.
Thinking back, she remembered Chris asking her if she wanted one... but she had refused. At the time, she was afraid her mentor would use it as leverage to make her betray her family.
After taking a long, winding path, she had betrayed that suffocating family anyway, and now she had finally received this [Great Knowledge] Seed.
After seeing Ariel off, only the familiar group remained in Dean Mei’s office.
"Xiao Han, what are you two still doing here? Expecting me to prepare breakfast for you?"
"Uh... is it morning already? I didn't even notice. I thought the Dean might have kept us here to talk about other things."
"Other things? Are you interested in that Rebel Witch?"
"Yeah... I’m a bit curious about how things are going now," I said, nodding.
"That Rebel Witch’s actions this time were very abrupt. She likely acted on a whim because of your situation. She’s probably plotting something again." Dean Mei could only conclude that much. A Rebel Witch wouldn't just tell anyone their plans.
And plans that weren't shared were usually things most witches wouldn't approve of.
"The matter isn't over yet, so it’s hard to say. Why don't you two head back first? Xiao Han, didn't you say you gained a lot? You need time to digest what you’ve learned recently."
"Alright..." I said, feeling a bit disappointed.
However, the techniques for Self-Generated Mana and Soul Depiction were indeed very important. Having made my decision, I took Sister Bai’s hand and said, "Then we’ll be going now?"
"Mm~ Take care. I look forward to seeing your results."