Chapter 428: Back to Witch Academy and the Inevitable Monthly Exam
With the completion of the summoning ceremony, a white light flashed over the scene, and a figure suddenly appeared above it.
“Uh… Where… is this? Teacher Ji?” Feeling the summoning ceremony completed, my body was no longer constrained by the ritual, and I slowly opened my eyes.
The first thing I saw was a very familiar place, followed by an even more familiar figure.
It was Teacher Ji.
“Xiao Han, you finally decided to come back, huh?” She turned to look at me with a hint of exasperation.
“Teacher Ji, I couldn’t help it this time either! If no one had summoned me, returning here would have been impossible!” After recognizing the situation, I quickly passed the buck. Anyway, this wasn’t my fault!
“That does seem so. Then if I hadn’t summoned you, would you have been stuck there forever?”
“No way! I’ve really missed coming back. You are truly my savior, Teacher Ji!” I flattered her hastily. “Uh, Teacher Ji, why did you call me back? Is there something you need me for?”
After all, I know that Teacher Ji has been researching Extraordinary Knowledge. She often spends days in the lab, emerging only occasionally. This office looks like the old one, so maybe Teacher Ji was out on business.
“There’s something. But it’s not related to Extraordinary Knowledge; the lab can still function without you. There’s something else going on.”
“I see.” I nodded swiftly, straightening myself up. Naturally, I knew Extraordinary Knowledge didn’t require me. So, I continued, “So what’s the reason you summoned me, Teacher Ji?”
“For what reason… Don’t blame me, Xiao Han. Have you taken any exams since you started school? I exempted you from some courses, but that doesn’t mean you can skip all exams.”
“Oh…” My teacher’s reminder and the stern gaze made me feel pressured. Then it clicked: another monthly exam?
“Isn’t it only been a semester? How many times have you participated in the monthly exams? How many times have you skipped them? Skipping classes and exams, is this really attending school? The academy has rules too.”
“Oh… Teacher Ji, if there’s course exemption, can we also apply for exam exemption?”
Chuckle from Teacher Ji. “Monthly exams are to gauge your progress, not a shortcut. Are the exams meaningless? Not completely, but they test what you learned last month.”
“But if I’m exempted, shouldn’t the knowledge I skipped be irrelevant?”
“Exemption is about saving time, not avoiding learning entirely. Otherwise, others may think you’re slacking off unless they understand your capabilities.”
“So, you want to put me to the test, right?”
“Of course, you can create challenges yourself. Quit skipping the exams. You’ve already skipped twice. Last time, the Headmaster took the blame, but now a whole month has passed, and the Headmaster won’t take the blame indefinitely.”
“Ok, ok.” I kept nodding. Since I was here, might as well take the exam.
Earlier, while in the Small World, I wished to return, and then Teacher Ji summoned me over. Perfect timing.
“Don’t agree so readily. There’s something else I need to discuss.”
“What’s next?” Curious now, what could be so important?
“Not major. The academy has changed during your absence.”
“Changed?” Surprised, could it be an expansion?
“Yes. You’re a special class. The academy plans to adjust how combat readiness is developed starting with your year. In the first three years, you get fixed curriculums with little practical experience, mostly theoretical knowledge.”
“Are the academy distributing more magic sources and spellbooks? Or offering special paths for new students?”
“The academy isn’t lacking in combat readiness. Besides, it’s not just about magic sources and spellbooks. For new pre-witches… well, excluding you, combat readiness isn’t the focus. Magic academy values scholarly witches greatly. It’s changed a lot since the earliest days when students had just one magic source and a few spellbooks.”
“Why’s that?”
“Blame Tan Han. She gave all her spellbooks to you?”
“Yeah, but I didn’t touch them.” Shrugging, not concerned if Teacher Ji believes me. “Is the academy making concessions? Developing higher-level combatants?”
“Correct, the initial method didn’t fit with interaction with other academies. Didn’t you notice? The dream competition; you and Tan Han were exceptional, with the rest lagging behind. Their skills were average among Extraordinary Academies, thanks largely to spellbooks. Anyone could do their feats with those books.”
“Huh, the academy’s not focusing on lucky students anymore?”
“At first, there was one lucky kid—Tan Han—now, the focus is on others too. Strange, yeah?”
“Still, all focus should be on lucky students.”
“That’s wrong. Their stage is the whole world, not just their little bubble. Peers aren’t background characters or cannon fodder. Lucky ones shine because of their inherent brilliance, not because they’re treated specially.”
“Oh…” I agreed with her. Of course, logic.
Quite profound!
But this can’t come out of nowhere.
“Has this change happened since the lucky student concept spread?” I queried cautiously.
“Caught that, yeah, part of it.”
“Understood. Now, don’t skip exams. Go prepare.”
“Got it, got it.” A push seemed to send me out of her office. Curiosity lingered, but it seemed I had to learn things elsewhere.
Ah, oh well. Dusting myself off, these clothes came from the Small World, but they fit in Witch Academy, with its personal style trend.
Outside Teacher Ji’s room, a fresh breath of air hit me. Unlike the Small World, the Main World felt more inviting.
However, another layer of discomfort quickly arose—the suppressive effect of the Great Erosion Spell. The stark contrast showed the overwhelming pressure of high-level magic and the suppression of extraordinary energy.
A sudden burst of inspiration struck me. It was almost like having a brilliant yet fleeting idea.
But I was accustomed to such contrasts as the Knowledge Tree matured, integrating key spellbooks and the Grand Wisdom Enlightenment Spell, making me incredibly powerful.
Though my methods remained unchanged, I could now do things previously unthinkable: swiftly adapting spells to various situations.
No more daydreams about prodigies. That shift was centered on me, so I knew my improvement stemmed from effort.
But this effort required corresponding resources.
After leaving Teacher Ji, hesitation crept in. Rationally, I should head to the library for relevant literature. Emotionally, I wanted to return to the dorm, checking on my roommates.
I missed them dearly.
Both rationality and emotion convinced me: gathering knowledge could wait, but the resulting insights were crucial. Shifting lifestyles enhanced understanding.
As for friends, they weren’t just acquaintances in the dorm.
But how were Dongli Yiren and Sophiry studying their planting techniques?
Did Guan Qiuling focus on herself after my talk?
Hong Chanyi? Hope she’s happy with Shi Huiyu.
Yu Yatian? Can she find peace?
More importantly, was Sister Bai back? Did she not find me? Likely, if she hadn’t returned, she’d probably seek Teacher Ji.
Pulling out my long-unused phone, tons of messages popped up.
Looks like many reached out?
Could be group chats.
Checking, top contact Bai—still no response. Impossible to reach her. Sighing heavily, I almost stopped reading.
Seeing the backlog, the remaining info wasn’t worth it.
But curiosity drove me on.
Not many contacts, mostly groups. Even saw a message saying my class leader position was revoked.
Realization hit hard—this stemmed from my previous reluctance to take on the role. Many cared about it!
But responding individually was futile. I could only dismiss red notifications.
Until I hit Tu Xingyue—who replaced me as class leader. Initially a vice leader, now fully promoted. Skimming her messages, I quickly closed the screen.
“Ew, annoying. Just a class leader role. Overkill?”
Then read red notes from Hong Chanyi. Unimportant stuff, mostly about summoning rituals.
“Alright, alright… Guess they feared summoning me would cause trouble. Such thoughts are misplaced.”
Shaking my head, noticed another entry…
“Sophiry? Seed matter… Important! Should check later. Maybe fruits don’t spoil?”
Certainly, preservation spells existed. She, as a cultivator, likely possessed them. No rush, a quick message would suffice, or visit soon enough.
