Chapter 928: Lucianne, I’ve Already Resigned from the Club for You
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 928: Lucianne, I’ve Already Resigned from the Club for You
"Give us the details! Where is it? Are you talking about a laboratory ruin inside the Secret Realm?"
At this moment, no one cared about mockery or enjoying the drama anymore.
A laboratory ruin within the Secret Realm!
That was a goldmine!
It would contain research records regarding Great Spellbooks, and perhaps even special materials left over from experiments.
While they might not necessarily understand the data, that didn't mean others wouldn't. Before truly facing an insurmountable problem, everyone possessed a strange confidence, believing themselves to be geniuses.
The Witch Academy faction was overjoyed at the prospect of reconstructing data on Great Spellbooks, while the Wizards were thrilled by the pursuit of knowledge—any scrap of which could lead to a qualitative leap in their power.
Even the Elves and Holy Angels took this very seriously.
Though they didn't chase knowledge with the same fervor as Wizards, precious items never lost their value. At the very least, they could sell whatever they found to the Wizards or Witches.
However, just as they were about to press for more questions, Ian Garland fainted.
Between the battles and the breakout within the Secret Realm, the days spent as a girl after Lucianne swapped her gender for a Mana Source, the relentless humiliation, and finally being forcibly calmed by a mental sedation spell upon exiting—it had all been a continuous drain on her mental state.
That she had managed to escape while still conscious was already a miracle.
With all four escapees in poor mental condition and unable to provide further valuable information, the authorities had no choice but to let them rest and recover.
"Don't worry, our Witch Academy will provide the best possible environment for your recovery."
Though everyone was surprised by this sudden development, they were currently on the Witch Academy's home turf and had to rely on them.
There was no reason to refuse the Witches' kindness. What did the heavy injuries of these four matter? If they really wanted to settle scores... what about those who had died inside the Secret Realm?
The reason they compromised was that every academy was now aware of the situation. If the news had been shared privately and only the Wizard Academy knew, they wouldn't have hesitated to whisk these survivors back to their own academy for treatment.
But unfortunately, that wasn't an option.
Furthermore, now that Ian Garland had been "witchified," the Witch Academy had a legitimate excuse to forcibly keep her there. Even if the other academies attacked the issue of the forced transformation, it would result in nothing more than a war of words with no tangible benefit.
It was more cost-effective to let the Witches treat them and then wait to receive the information as soon as they woke up.
"Of course," Xing Anlei, as the Vice President of the Jack-of-all-trades Club, was the first to step forward and take responsibility for the matter.
After confirming that Ian Garland’s witchification was indeed complete, she said nothing more. She simply walked over to the other survivors who were in terrible condition and cast a blessing spell to ease their suffering.
"Classmate, if I may ask, do you know who forced the Mana Source into Ian Garland and turned her into a preparatory witch?"
"It was... it was Tan Han..."
Feeling the warmth of the blessing spell, the survivor responded in a raspy voice.
This name caused many brows to furrow.
Tan Han... many people remembered that name, especially those from the Witch Academy. And now, she had become a massive headache within the Secret Realm.
If the previous rumors about Tan Han teaming up with the Ancient Remnant Ice King to harm students were merely convenient slander, they weren't laughing now that she had actually done it.
As a member of the Jack-of-all-trades Club, Xing Anlei immediately clarified the situation, distancing the Witch Academy from Tan Han. She stated that they represented the Jack-of-all-trades Club and the Witch Secret Realm Club, and that Tan Han was merely a fragment holder.
After sending the "critically injured" survivors away, Xing Anlei quickly found a secluded spot to contact the President of the Jack-of-all-trades Club, Ming Xueming.
After a brief communication describing the situation, Ming Xueming fell silent.
"Yes... that student named Ian Garland had a Mana Source forced into her by Tan Han. So... should we give it a try?" Xing Anlei asked, lowering her voice toward the end.
"You handle the arrangements at the infirmary. I'll take care of the rest. If it doesn't work, I'll contact you again," Ming Xueming replied from the other end of the line after a moment of thought.
"Understood."
Xing Anlei nodded and hung up. Then, she dialed another number.
"Hello, this is Xing Anlei. Four critically injured students from the Wizard Academy will be arriving at the infirmary shortly. Take good care of them. They just came out of the Secret Realm with severe injuries and might have delayed-trigger Sleep Curses on them. Check if there are any other transcendent methods used on them. We didn't do a full check on-site. With injuries this heavy, how many days will they be unconscious?"
"Only one day? They are distinguished exchange students from other academies. Their health is the priority. You cannot use forceful means to wake them up. They hold vital intelligence; what if aggressive potions or spells damage their brains or memories? How many days will it take naturally?"
"Four or five days? Fine, I understand. I'll take the heat for you."
While Xing Anlei was busy arranging matters, Ming Xueming, having received the news, was waiting for a reply.
Her eyes were fixed on the private chat interface opened via the Great Knowledge Seed, her finger rhythmically tapping the back of her other hand.
Ming Xueming knew very well that while they might not get along with Tan Han, there was no need to act on impulse. Profit was also a valid metric for measuring a relationship.
Tan Han:What is it?
Soon, a reply popped up on the chat interface. Ming Xueming responded immediately.
Ming Xueming:I heard you forced a Mana Source into a student from the Wizard Academy.
Ming Xueming:I wanted to confirm this with you.
Tan Han:Just a personal grudge. You contacted me just for that?
Ming Xueming:I don't recall you having any grudge against that boy, Ian Garland.
Ming Xueming:And you don't seem like the type to hold such a petty vendetta.
Tan Han:Oh, the one with the grudge is Lucianne. I was just doing her a favor.
Tan Han:After all, as you know, they were all students at the Wizard Academy once. A few old grudges and insults are normal.
Ming Xueming:Is that so?
Ming Xueming:To think Lucianne is actually with you.
Tan Han:Of course. You all abandoned her, so I picked her up. Who else would she follow if not me?
Watching the message from Tan Han, Ming Xueming’s expression didn't change.
In the Secret Realm, it was a standard procedure for a team to abandon someone like Lucianne. She was only surprised that Tan Han had happened to run into her.
Regardless, Ming Xueming categorized this coincidence as nothing more than the final struggle of a Child of Destiny’s luck.
Tan Han:If you contacted me just to chat about this, I’m busy.
Ming Xueming:Wait.
Ming Xueming: From the survivors, I learned that they seem to know the location of a laboratory ruin within the Secret Realm.
Tan Han:Don't talk nonsense. I don't know anything about that.
Ming Xueming:I haven't even asked you anything yet~
Tan Han:[Heh.jpg]
Ming Xueming:How about we stop beating around the bush?
Ming Xueming:You should know something, right?
Tan Han:And you think I’d tell you?
Ming Xueming:You can state your price. Information has an expiration date. After today, it might be worthless tomorrow.
Tan Han:You mean you didn't ask those guys who escaped?
Ming Xueming:Oh~ they’re too heavily injured. They’ll probably be unconscious for a few days.
Ming Xueming:Also, your Sleep Curses are quite vicious.
Tan Han:?
Ming Xueming:Just kidding. What do you want?
Tan Han:Great Spellbook fragments.
Tan Han:Do you dare to give them?
Ming Xueming:We dare to give them, but do you dare to take them?
Ming Xueming:Actually, I’m curious why you want so many fragments.
Ming Xueming:Even if they can boost the strength of the Ancient Remnant Ice King, it’s nothing more than a futile struggle.
Tan Han:Heh... isn't that why we entered this Secret Realm? Is it any of your business?
Ming Xueming:True. It’s basic professional courtesy not to ask about the buyer's intent. Our club only has one Heart of the Cold Wave left. Surely that’s enough for a location?
Tan Han:So poor? That’s hardly enough to look at.
Ming Xueming:You’re being too greedy.
Tan Han:Then you’d better let those guys sleep for three or four days.
Seeing Tan Han’s attitude, a trace of helplessness appeared on Ming Xueming’s calm face.
Ming Xueming:Name your price. One Heart of the Cold Wave is all we have.
Tan Han:Share the locations of the fragment holders from the other academies with me.
Ming Xueming:Now you’re really pushing your luck!
Tan Han:Plus, let Lucianne resign from the club. She’s no longer a member of your Jack-of-all-trades Club.
Ming Xueming fell silent as she looked at the messages. She had underestimated Tan Han’s appetite.
Ming Xueming:What exactly are you plotting?
Tan Han:I’m not sure either (sincerely).
* * *
Meanwhile, in the Glacial Throne Secret Realm.
"Sister Xiao Han, what were you just..." Seeing Tan Han’s dazed expression, Xiao You stepped forward to ask.
"Oh, it's nothing. Our little act didn't get blown, but someone just contacted me," Tan Han explained.
"Who contacted you?"
"Mmm... the President of the Jack-of-all-trades Club, Ming Xueming."
When Tan Han mentioned that name, Lucianne, who had been silent on the side, suddenly looked up.
"They really are bold..." Tan Han remarked. "They’re asking me for the specific coordinates of the Dream Laboratory ruins."
"Wait, why? Didn't we let those guys go already?" Shi Ruizhi asked, confused.
"Yeah~ but those guys are probably going to be stuck in the infirmary for two or three days due to 'unknown reasons' and some club maneuvering. They locked onto me from the brief messages they got and are now contacting me to trade intel."
"Then... what about our plan? Weren't we going to use that news to distract them? What's the point if only the Witch Academy knows?" Shi Ruizhi asked anxiously.
"But they’re offering fragments and the general locations of other fragment holders in exchange. Aren't you tempted?" Tan Han looked at Shi Ruizhi.
"Well... that is..."
"It’s just the club’s usual style," Lucianne added, being the one with the most experience in the matter.
"Lucianne, how would you feel about leaving the Jack-of-all-trades Club?" Tan Han suddenly asked.
The question was directed straight at Lucianne.
"I..."
"I only exposed my identity because I helped you force that Mana Source into Ian Garland," Tan Han reminded her. After all, Lucianne didn't have the ability to handle a Mana Source herself; as a lower-year student, her mental power wasn't qualified, and she lacked the talent or affinity of self-generated mana to do it personally.
"Seriously, Lucianne, what are you worried about? Resources, status, reputation, identity, or family?" Shi Ruizhi asked.
"You’ve already listed them all... though I’m not afraid of having a ruined reputation or being penniless... but my family... my parents, they’ve already been supported by the family's backing..."
Lucianne didn't know how to explain it. When she was first brought to the Witch Academy and called home, her parents had scolded her mercilessly. They called the Witch Academy a trash school...
But after the club intervened, they enjoyed a shift in status they had never experienced before. When she picked up the phone again, it was full of praise from her parents... telling her to be obedient and to build more connections in the academy.
Every few days, they would tell her about what they were doing, how they had never enjoyed such treatment before, and how their son had finally made something of himself.
It didn't even matter to them that their son had become a daughter. In the face of profit, power, and status, nothing else mattered.
Her family was a tangled mess she couldn't cut through. She knew her family was toxic... but with every "they are your parents" and "our son has made us proud"... how could she break it off?
The most difficult relationship to escape is this kind of "boiling frog" affection. They never enjoy true happiness, yet they aren't pushed far enough to trigger a total explosion and a clean break. They just live in eternal suppression...
At this, everyone fell silent. Even if they couldn't fully empathize, they could imagine the misery involved.
"I’ve already resigned from the club for you. It was one of the conditions."
In the silence, Tan Han spoke up. She chose to play the villain. If Lucianne's parents chose to berate their child because they couldn't handle their own unearned wealth, that wouldn't be Lucianne's fault.
Shi Ruizhi looked at Tan Han in shock. She hadn't expected Tan Han to make such a decisive choice for Lucianne. She didn't quite understand it.
But Xiao You... after her initial shock, she quickly understood.
The two of them then looked at Lucianne, curious to see her reaction.
Lucianne... had no reaction. She only looked somewhat relieved.
When others had made choices for her in the past, she had felt shock, joy, fear, worry, anger, and regret... but in the end, she said nothing. It was as if all those emotions, woven together, had finally jolted her awake.
"Thank you..."
Lucianne’s words confused Shi Ruizhi even more. Lucianne was actually thanking Tan Han?
"No problem~ Do you want to try joining the Baking House? It’s a small club, not many members. The main members are... well, us here, and... Xiao Han."