Chapter 146: Pre-competition Mobilization Meeting of Class Leaders
“Eh? You’re here so early?”
When I arrived at the laboratory and didn’t find Teacher Ji, I went to the adjacent office and saw her having breakfast.
She seemed a bit surprised to see me so early.
“Yeah, I read those papers yesterday and got quite inspired, so I wanted to take advantage of it and try some things out,” I nodded and said.
“Is that so? Well, this is your decision, and I won’t stop you, but you might not have much time for research today. It’s still morning, so you can still manage your time a bit,” Teacher Ji raised her eyebrows and glanced at the time as she spoke.
“Huh? Is there something going on today?”
“Xiao Han, tomorrow is the new student competition. Do you really think today is free of events?”
“Um… What could possibly be happening?” I pondered for a moment before asking. My knowledge about the new student competition was just a quick search on the campus website. I knew it would last several days, but shouldn’t the actual competition start tomorrow?
“You don’t seem worried at all. But that’s understandable; this information will only be released today. It’s also my fault for forgetting to inform you in advance. Today, you’ll be quite busy—student participation information, rehearsals, notifications, important details, and most importantly, the competition format announcement, among other things,” Teacher Ji quickly rattled off, leaving me stunned. I didn’t expect that a simple competition would involve so many complexities.
I never had such troubles before nor experienced anything like this.
“Is it really that complicated? Just for one day?”
“Of course! You still have some time, around nine o’clock, when the academy will issue a notice for the class leaders to gather. Just follow the arrangements at that time.”
“Alright.” I checked the time; there was indeed a bit of time left, so I couldn’t waste it like this. “Then, Teacher, I’ll go try to analyze my new spell.”
“Okay, go ahead. But I’m glad to see you working so hard; just don’t push yourself too much, especially with this competition. Oh, I almost forgot—I also prepared something for you, something I think you’ll really need.”
“Huh? What is it?” I halted mid-turn, looking back at Teacher Ji. Could it be a spellbook or an alchemical item she prepared for me?
But didn’t she already give me a Spirit Cat Summoning Spell?
Or did she think this spell wasn’t useful and was planning to give me a more powerful one?
“It’s information related to runes. I assume you’re already familiar with these since you were studying spellbooks? Those irregular symbols densely packed in the spellbooks that you couldn’t comprehend—I only mentioned they are called runes without giving you a detailed explanation. Here, have a look at this ‘Analysis of 300 Common Runes.’ If you master it, you’ll gain a deeper understanding of general spellbooks.”
“This!”
I widened my eyes in disbelief, only realizing it was when Teacher Ji actively handed me the book that it truly sank in!
“I borrowed this from the library. If you think you’ve mastered it, please return it for me. Also, let me mention that books and knowledge in the library are divided by access levels. This book is the kind that students can’t borrow, but I’ll find a way to help you gain some access. After all, you can’t always rely on me for resources.”
After handing me the book, Teacher Ji began to explain. Generally speaking, access to materials in the library isn’t something just any teacher can grant for new students, yet she’s so confident because of her recent organization of materials and experiment recordings, all of which are now included in the library. She believes she can get it approved.
“Thank you, Teacher.” I sincerely bowed, realizing that although I had been to the library many times, I hadn’t realized there were different levels of access. But since there are levels, the books there should be substantial, right?
Though I’m not particularly skilled at digesting profound theories and knowledge, I would force myself to understand.
What Teacher Ji sent me was far more valuable than just a magic source or spellbook!
Returning to the 8401 laboratory, I decided to first study the Spirit Cat Summoning Spell because its consumption was incredibly high, reaching ten times that of the Fireball Spell!
Although there might be a difference in spell levels due to magic conversion rates, the consumption is certainly substantial.
If it were just to summon a Spirit Cat, I could overlook that.
Yesterday, I reviewed the evaluation of the Spirit Cat within the summoning spell, and I significantly underestimated the cat’s abilities.
Named “spirit” for a reason, it certainly possesses extraordinary means and isn’t as weak as an ordinary house cat.
The Spirit Cat has inherited various feline qualities, like agility, speed, and swiftness.
According to the data, the summoned Spirit Cat can also be controlled to use techniques like claw enhancement, among others, most of which enhance its own extraordinary powers and cannot conjure spells like fireballs.
I also conducted practical tests, and indeed, the enhanced claws are incredibly powerful, capable of leaving deep scratches on steel!
Wouldn’t it be even more dreadful on a human? Would I need to give rabies shots to any injured person? Probably not, right?
After all, it’s the spell effect that makes the summoned individual so powerful.
As Sister Bai mentioned, new students generally have weak physiques; if they get entangled by such a swift and agile Spirit Cat, one swipe could be life-threatening.
“Meow meow~ little kitty~ listen to me~ pet pet~ so cute~”
At this moment, a figure leisurely leaned against the lab table, playing with the Spirit Cat.
No need to be curious; this figure is my Illusory Clone. I had thought yesterday that it had its own consciousness because its agility and speech closely resembled a normal person!
It even teased me!
However, both the spellbook introduction and this clone confirmed that the clone has no independent consciousness; all of its actions and behaviors are projections of my subjective awareness.
It’s as if a wonderful collision of my cognition and the spell occurred, so, in essence, this clone is indeed another version of me, with my thoughts projected out—almost like dreaming.
Looking at this clone, I realized that I also seem to be someone who enjoys petting cats and cannot resist cute things.
Too bad I’ve never owned a cat.
Once I admitted this, I indeed felt like trying it out.
But now, regrettably, with only this bit of time, I couldn’t make any magical modifications to the spell. I barely managed to construct its internal spellbook model, and had no viable modification plans.
After all, magical modifications aren’t just arbitrary changes; if I broke this spellbook, it would be completely gone, and even if I wanted it back, I would need to shamelessly beg Teacher Ji. Who knows if she has a second copy of this spellbook?
I found summoning spells to be very interesting, especially those that summon the effects of spells rather than a life form.
Their adaptability is much higher than summons that require a life contract.
But time waits for no one. Soon, it was nine o’clock, and my phone buzzed with a specific notification from the academy system.
As I checked the details, Teacher Ji also arrived to remind me that it was time.
According to the notice, each class leader was to gather in specific meeting rooms for a meeting.
There, unified information registration and notices would be provided, among other things.
I naturally wouldn’t slack off and flew out of the laboratory on my broom, skipping the elevator altogether and taking off from the window. Though it’s actually quite common and not considered flight infringement, it isn’t encouraged.
When I arrived at the designated location, there were indeed many people already there. Judging by their presence and the magical sources within them, they were likely new students—all possibly class leaders from a particular classroom.
From here, the differences between class leaders were noticeable.
Some had magical sources reaching dozens and multiple spellbooks, while others had only single-digit sources with just one spellbook.
I didn’t see anyone without a spellbook, which means they all seemed to have received special treatment.
Among the crowd, I saw a familiar figure—Tan Han.
I chose not to look her way to avoid causing any unnecessary trouble, so I decided to momentarily retreat and avoid eye contact.
As I averted my gaze, Tan Han, however, looked this way. When she recognized me, she restrained her impulse to approach and ask.
“Hello, excuse me, is this the meeting room for the new student class leaders?”
While I was standing in a corner of the hallway, a slightly soft-spoken girl greeted me.
“Huh? Yes, it should be here,” I responded reflexively, and when I turned around, I saw this timid girl, who gave off a shy impression.
After sizing her up, I became curious. Aren’t most of the people here class leaders?
Is she a class leader too?
Which class does she lead?
How did such a timid person become a class leader?
As class leaders, they enjoy terrifying resource tilt, gaining far more magical sources and spellbooks soon after school starts. Did no one compete in her class?
“Thank you! I thought I had the wrong place. Oh, my name is Annie Stevens; you can just call me Annie. Can we be friends?”
“Annie?” I raised an eyebrow. That name doesn’t seem to follow the naming conventions around here; it must be from another region. But that doesn’t matter; I’m happy to befriend such a cute girl. Who knows if we’ll meet again in the future? It’s good to leave a positive impression.
“What a lovely name! I’m Yang Yuelan; you can call me Xiao Han. Since you’re here, I assume you’re also a class leader?”
“Ah? Yes, I’m from Class 66. I look forward to working with you!” Annie responded politely, even bowing to me!
“I’m flattered; let’s work hard together,” I quickly waved my hand.
“Yes, let’s, but… Xiao Han… why are so many people waiting outside instead of going in?”
“Um… good question, I don’t know. Maybe they’re waiting for someone to open the door?” I glanced at the time. It was already past nine, although the notice stated the meeting would start at nine-thirty.
There shouldn’t be any class leaders who would be late, right?
For such an important matter, the advisor would surely inform them in advance, unlike Teacher Ji.
