Chapter 801: Attempts to Potionalize the Demonized Reshaping Metamorphic Rebirth Spell
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 801: Attempts to Potionalize the Demonized Reshaping Metamorphic Rebirth Spell
"That was quite the exhausting night~"
By the time we stepped out of the Academy Dean’s office, the morning sun was just beginning to peek over the horizon, casting a thin sliver of light across the world.
"As expected of Xiao Han—saying something so suggestive without even trying."
"Sister Bai, why are you teasing me at a time like this?" I asked helplessly.
"Is it not allowed?"
"Of course it is~"
"Then it’s fine, isn't it? Let’s change the subject. Have you thought about what you want to eat? You should put something in your stomach in the morning."
"Let’s go to the canteen. Anything simple will do. It feels like we haven't been to the canteen in ages," I suggested.
"Which one? Or should we just go... wherever?"
"Wherever is fine~" I said with a light chuckle.
There were several canteens in the Central Teaching Area, all marked by numbers and scattered in different directions. Most were located along the main thoroughfares leading to the teaching buildings, making them very convenient for students to grab a bite before heading to class.
I felt a bit ashamed to admit that I hadn't visited all of them yet. However, as long as Sister Bai was with me, it didn't really matter where we went.
Chatting about trivial things, we eventually arrived at Canteen No. 1.
The dishes offered at Canteen No. 1... if I had to describe them, were quite formal and generally lacked any specific regional bias. I’d heard that the higher the canteen number, the more "creative" the dishes became—rumor had it some even transcended the boundaries of what was edible for normal humans.
Of course, I had seen a bit of that myself. For instance, the pungent dishes specifically designed for Transcendent Taste Sense cultivation were the definition of "dark cuisine."
But we weren't here to look for trouble today. After everything we had just experienced outside the academy, we just wanted something light. Besides, this was breakfast!
Actually... it was mostly because we had eaten so much rich food while we were out that we needed a change of pace.
The canteen’s breakfast options ranged from dry bread with butter to a lavish spread of morning tea dim sum. In the end, we just picked out a few things we liked and found a seat in a quiet corner.
"Is that all you're eating, Xiao Han?"
"Mm~ I just grabbed a few things that looked tasty." I picked up a soft, fluffy little bun and gently tore it open. A rich, milky aroma wafted out. I took a small bite; it was sweet, but not cloyingly so.
"Want to try?" I tore off half and offered it to her.
"Let’s see how your taste is, then." Sister Bai didn't take it with her hand. Instead, she leaned in and took a bite directly from mine.
"Mmm~ It’s not very sweet, despite the strong milky scent," she commented.
"Being 'not too sweet' is the highest praise for a dessert!"
"Is that so?"
"Yeah~ At least, that’s what I think. If something is too sweet, you get sick of it quickly." I popped the remaining half into my mouth, letting the milky aftertaste linger on my palate.
"So that's how you feel."
"Uh-huh~ Of course... Wait, are you twisting my words again? I was literally just talking about the dessert! Don't make it sound like I'm hinting at something else!"
"Does it matter? I actually agree with the sentiment. Maybe you're just being too sensitive, Xiao Han?"
"Hmph~ As expected of Sister Bai, saying something that makes me misunderstand so easily!"
"Are you still dwelling on that line?" Sister Bai realized what I was doing and couldn't help but laugh.
"I remember everything! Hmph hmph~" I let out a proud little snort. "Anyway, enough nonsense. Once we finish breakfast, I suppose we’re back to our daily routine? Do you have any plans, Sister Bai? Just the usual classes?"
"Yeah~ the usual. I’m still teaching Body Cultivation, same as always," Sister Bai said leisurely, as if she had already entered a state of early retirement.
"Didn't you say you wanted to teach those Demonized Body Cultivation methods and Body-Manifested Spell-type Body Cultivation courses? Or did the application not go through?"
"Xiao Han, surely you haven't forgotten the prerequisites for teaching those techniques? Even for Body-Manifested Spells, one must establish a connection with a Mana Source, and that connection isn't just a simple matter of mental interference."
"Oh... right..." I finally remembered. Transcendent Witches possessed Self-Generated Mana by nature; the relationship between their bodies and their Mana Sources didn't require the Demonized Reshaping Metamorphic Rebirth Spell. But if they were to teach others... they would need that method to help students cross the threshold.
"Then... what about those Witch sisters who teach Body-Manifested Spells? How do they solve it?" I didn't recall any of them coming to find me.
"They asked me for help. Although I don't have the spellbook for the Demonized Reshaping Metamorphic Rebirth Spell, you taught me the framework. I used the initial version of the Metamorphic Rebirth Spell, which has a resonance limit of one hundred Mana Sources," Sister Bai explained. "Xiao Han, it’s okay that I used it for others without asking, right?"
"Of course it's okay." I shook my head to show I didn't mind.
I had always intended to promote Self-Generated Mana. Even if the perfected version of the Demonized Reshaping Metamorphic Rebirth Spell—the one that reaches ten thousand Mana Sources—were to be spread, it wouldn't matter.
Setting aside the fact that Tan Han is our only success story so far, those three rituals alone are an immovable barrier to generating Self-Generated Mana.
"Sister Bai, I was planning to spread this anyway. How about you find some time to learn the latest version of the Metamorphic Rebirth Spell? The new version has a resonance limit that exceeds the ten-thousand mark. If possible, I want it to be shared."
"Would that be... Alright, I understand." Sister Bai started to ask hesitantly, but she quickly realized the logic. This specific Metamorphic Rebirth Spell was the entry point for the Demonized Body Cultivation method. It was vital, but ultimately, it was only the beginning.
Without it, Body-Manifested Spell-type Body Cultivation couldn't be promoted, and neither could Self-Generated Mana.
One should never overestimate the initiative of the masses. While those with vision would never miss such an opportunity, most people wouldn't go looking for trouble unless absolutely necessary.
Who wouldn't want to just be a "salted fish" and lie around?
After finishing our meal, Sister Bai and I prepared to go our separate ways.
Sister Bai was going to formally apply for the Demonized Body Cultivation course schedule and discuss the promotion of the method with her fellow Body Cultivation sisters. After all, they had invested a lot of energy into the path of Body-Manifested Spells; none of them wanted to see it end in failure. They hoped the Body Cultivation curriculum would one day shine brilliantly within the Witch Academy.
As for the knowledge regarding the new version of the Metamorphic Rebirth Spell, I would transmit it directly through the Tree of Great Knowledge once I had it organized. It wouldn't take much time.
I, on the other hand, had other arrangements.
With April’s advancement to Transcendent finished, I was about to become visibly busy.
First, there was the inspiration for perfecting two rituals.
The first was the Shaping Ritual. This required Yi Rui and the others to cooperate with me on research. I had a feeling that if the Shaping Ritual was perfected, it would greatly accelerate her work on the Structuring Ritual.
Then there was the Perfecting Ritual, which required Tan Han’s cooperation for experimentation.
During the days I was away, I had originally planned to give Tan Han new rituals for continuous testing. But the original plan couldn't keep up with the current one. Now that I understood the operating mechanism of Self-Generated Mana, I intended to complete the continuous perfection of Self-Generated Mana on Tan Han in one go.
And then... there was contacting Millian.
I needed to exchange intelligence with her—specifically, about my trip to Monopeng City.
I felt that this recent whim of mine had been very meaningful. I also believed that there were many more people like April within the Witch Academy.
The turmoil in Monopeng City would soon spark heated discussions in the outside world. Although the Witch Academy was isolated, it wasn't ignorant; the people here cared quite a bit about external events. After all, it served as gossip for students during meals. If they didn't talk about that, they’d be stuck talking about girl talk, petty rivalries, or—heaven forbid—academic knowledge.
So, after saying goodbye to Sister Bai, I took the initiative to contact Millian.
It turned out Millian was just about to deliver a batch of materials to the laboratory. Since only she had the authority to enter and exit the lab, she had to do it personally. I decided to walk with her.
Along the way, I gave her a rough summary of what had happened over the past few days.
"You're saying that the teaching assistant who fought Tan Han... has already advanced to become a Transcendent Witch?" Clearly, Millian’s focus was a bit different from mine.
"In terms of the result, yes. But don't worry, April will probably only stay at the Witch Academy for a few days before leaving this Main World."
"I see. I was mainly worried that she might still hold a grudge over that battle and cause unnecessary trouble for you, Sister Xiao Han."
"Don't worry~ Even if she had the ability to stay here forever, she wouldn't cause trouble for me. In fact, she ought to thank me," I said with a smile. "But I’d rather you focus on her transformation from a teaching assistant to an ordinary person, and her experiences within her family."
"It is indeed lamentable. I have some impression of the Hawthorne family, though I didn't know much about them in the Wizard Academy's territory. I only learned about her family because of that battle."
"Do you think there are many people like April in the Witch Academy? People coerced by their families..."
"As long as someone belongs to a family, they face this issue. The only difference is whether they accept it, endure it, or resist it," Millian said, shaking her head.
"You see things quite clearly, Millian. You're from a family too, aren't you? If I recall correctly... the Baker family?" I suddenly brought it up. Speaking of that family, I also knew a teaching assistant named Winnie Baker. I’d met her in the Expansion Realm; we weren't exactly on bad terms, but we weren't friends either.
"Yes... though I am a member of the family, I'm from a very distant branch! I just carry the name. There aren't even restrictions on the children in my branch applying to Transcendent academies... My family life is actually quite good, nothing melodramatic," Millian explained quickly, as if afraid I would make some negative association.
"I know all that. There's no need to explain so pointedly. Since I'm willing to let you follow me, I won't harbor groundless suspicions against you."
"Thank you for understanding, Sister Xiao Han."
"It's a small matter. But we've strayed off-topic. Let's change the subject—what do you think would happen if someone spread anti-family rhetoric in the Witch Academy?"
"Anti... anti-family?" Millian was shocked by my sudden jump in topic, but she recovered quickly. "This... I know you don't like the families, Sister Xiao Han, but directly promoting that kind of sentiment is a thankless task. Even in the Witch Academy, most of the people who hold the power of discourse are from families. There's really no need to challenge them on their home turf..."
"It's fine, I was just asking. Don't be so nervous. If we don't directly promote anti-family sentiment, we can just change the topic. Let them talk about April. A teaching assistant treated as a pawn by her family, who returned home in disgrace after a failed mission, was shunned by her kin, and faced constant targeted harassment in her daily life—only to be enlightened by someone and advance to Transcendent. What an inspirational story."
"Inspirational..." Millian repeated the word, unsure which part of that story qualified as such.
But soon, Millian thought of many implications.
If April’s story spread, the ones who would benefit most were the teaching assistants raised by the families. This story proved that those assistants weren't just tools to be discarded once their value was drained, nor were they useless.
If a family mistreated them, they still had the possibility of advancing to Transcendent! Once they advanced, the family would lose all control over them. If they ever returned to the Main World, they might even seek revenge!
Though the path was arduous, the mere existence of one such case would be enough to make the families extremely uncomfortable.
More importantly, there was another key figure in this story—Sister Xiao Han!
If a family wanted to target Sister Xiao Han, they would have to think twice. If they crossed her, and she suddenly felt like "coaxing" one of the assistants they had spent so much effort raising into advancing to Transcendent, they would have nowhere to cry!
There was already a precedent.
It sounded exaggerated, but people who didn't know the truth would fill in the blanks with their own imaginations. April was able to advance because she already had the necessary foundation; not just anyone could do it.
I continued discussing the details of this plan with Millian, including how to steer the narrative, until we reached the laboratory.
"Eh? Wait, it's Sister Xiao Han! Millian, you came with Sister Xiao Han?"
As I appeared in the lab, the girls—who had grown used to my absence over the past few days—looked up. When they heard someone coming, they had assumed it was just Millian delivering materials.
"Are you that surprised to see me?"
"Yes~ It feels like Sister Xiao Han is a humanoid walking buff. Even if you don't do anything, just having you in the lab makes me feel like my IQ is skyrocketing."
"Isn't that a bit of an exaggeration?"
"Not at all!" The girl bypassed me and went to Millian’s side; clearly, she was there to pick up supplies.
"By the way, what kind of materials are you all buying from Millian? I'm curious. Aside from Transcendent test papers and precision measurement reagents."
I was genuinely curious. For most people, those disposable precision tools were necessities, which I understood, but most of those functions could be replaced by the Ley Line Identification Art. I felt that our experiments were more "human-consuming" than "material-consuming."
"Oh~ it's potion ingredients! Some of us have a background in Potions. Our Demonized Reshaping Metamorphic Rebirth Spell has reached a stage of relative perfection, right? But as you said, Sister Xiao Han, this technique isn't the only path. Its fundamental purpose is to link the Mana Source with the body. So, we're trying to use the Demonized Reshaping Metamorphic Rebirth Spell as a base to transcribe it into a Potion Ritual. We want to see if we can replace the spellbook format with a potion."
"After all, making spellbooks takes a lot of time, and only mentors can do it. Plus, the Metamorphic Rebirth Spell is constantly being updated. Since you said you want to promote Self-Generated Mana, Sister Xiao Han, we figured we should find a format that's easier to distribute~"