Chapter 174: Give a Chance to Be Friends
After chatting briefly with Sister Bai, I returned to the contestant’s rest area, where there wouldn’t be any outsiders disturbing me.
Yao Beijuan’s sudden appearance indeed caught me off guard, especially since her personality would represent Aphhemia Academy in communication with the Witch Academy.
And her way of discovering me was quite strange—just because of a name?
Normal people wouldn’t immediately think of whether a person of the opposite gender with the same name is someone they know, right?
She even deliberately came here to ask; wasn’t that rather awkward if it wasn’t the case?
Moreover, she was bothering a contestant.
The impression I got from them wasn’t very good either. Those two elves shattered my idealistic view of elves that existed only in fantasy from both of my lives.
Wasn’t it said that elves symbolize nobility and purity?
It can’t just be a mask they wear on the outside. But thinking about it, if elves truly were that kind of existence, how could they be mixed with the top three extraordinary academies in this world?
I could also feel through Spirit Vision that their powers were entirely different from those of witches.
Their strength seemed to be born from within, with bodies completely detached from human structure, becoming vessels that could carry that kind of power.
It seemed that the physical structure of elves conformed to some kind of ritual, bearing that force.
That kind of extraordinary power is fascinating; it seems it’s not just mental power that can interfere, but the physical state, emotions, and behaviors of the elves themselves all influence the flow of that energy.
Unlike our magic source, which is stable at all times—not even mental power can interfere with it.
It was becoming more interesting; I felt like wanting to dissect their bodies to see what kind of power they possessed… cough, I was experiencing the aftereffects of researching spellbooks, wanting to explore the internal structure of everything I saw.
After all, they were still humans… no, they probably shouldn’t be considered humans anymore? Just something similar, including myself.
Just as I was about to look at the runes book directly, a figure blocked my path.
I irritatedly closed the book; why were there so many people disturbing me just when I decided to study?
When I looked up, a familiar face was suddenly right in front of me.
“Tan Han?”
Didn’t I remember that my last conversation with her ended without any further interaction?
What was she doing here this time?
I watched her sit down beside me, seemingly unconcerned about whether others were around, just like last time. But this time, there really were no others.
I recalled that last time I spoke with her, the topic was rather cold-hearted; why was she coming over again?
Although I no longer had any external factors that made me reject Tan Han, she probably had something to discuss as well.
Was it about the previous encounter I had with that elf academy student, or was it related to the communication competition?
“Well, judging by your tone, it seems you’re not as resistant to me anymore,” Tan Han spoke first.
“You can tell that?” I shook my head, unsure of what she was plotting.
“Of course not just by hearing it; do you remember back then when I mentioned the kind of power of fate that I control?” Tan Han seemed to lose herself in memories as she said this.
“I know, but those who fancy controlling fate will ultimately be toyed with by fate; fate is definitely not something that can be controlled.” I shook my head again and continued to express my viewpoint.
Fate, even for those rebelling against it, could potentially have already been scripted by fate as a successful rebellion—there are some unknowable things that one just can’t understand.
But does this mean letting it all go?
Of course not; fate is merely the last laugh after everything has ended, appearing to mock everyone.
When I treat it as a clown, don’t things still proceed based on my own words?
Though that sounds a bit arrogant, I had to find something to convince myself, right?
If I couldn’t convince myself, it would lead to confusion; but as long as I was firm about one thing, then I wouldn’t be lost.
After all, one day of happiness is still a day; one day of suffering is also a day. Humans’ joys and sorrows are not interconnected, which is why the world is so colorful.
If the world were simpler, life wouldn’t be filled with so much pain.
Take Yao Beijuan’s case as an example; her appearance had caused me a period of panic, fearing she would cling to me, mock me for being a pervert, or expose the fact that I used to be a boy…
In short, so many matters consumed a lot of my energy and emotions.
But objectively speaking, it was just an ex-girlfriend reaching out to me; what could she really do?
The worst-case scenario was merely the exposure of my past as a boy…
“Are you still so resistant to fate? What if I said I came to find you this time guided by fate? I feel like your resistance to me has disappeared.”
“Fate’s guidance…” I looked incredulously at Tan Han, who willingly let herself be driven by fate and seemed to enjoy it.
The teacher was right; everyone has their own way of living.
Perhaps I was prejudging; so what if she was the protagonist in a script? She didn’t seem to be the type who would claim ‘my life is my own and not dictated by the heavens’.
But she wasn’t wrong; my current resistance to her only stemmed from the possibility of her bringing me trouble with her ethereal nature.
“I still remember that the excuse you used back then was… we aren’t from the same world.” Tan Han turned her head, looking toward the arena. By now, the competition was nearing its end, and the afternoon matches would have to wait.
“But I don’t feel that way. We are just ordinary people who have just entered the extraordinary world. We are from the same world, and you are even ahead of me,” Tan Han said this with clear self-reflection.
“Well, that doesn’t seem to pose any problem,” I somewhat accepted her statement; but was it really just an excuse?
Back then, I genuinely believed that because, in every aspect, she indeed stood much further apart from me.
But looking at it now?
Her status as a rich lady in the outside world seemed worthless in the face of the extraordinary world.
Her wealthy persona? I now also had a lot of money that the academy provided; so much Aoqin that I didn’t even know how to spend it.
Her identity as the protagonist in the script? To me, that was merely the pawn of fortune, as Teacher Lina and Teacher Ji had made pretty clear.
“So do you think we have a chance to become friends?”
“Hmm… that question seems a bit tricky. I haven’t even figured out my own definition of friends. If you’re asking so straightforwardly, then there’s probably no way we could become friends.”
I spoke with a slightly relaxed tone, as a rejection of her formal overture of friendship since, if friendship were to be established this way, I personally felt it unnecessary.
“Oh, I see. Then let me clarify a bit. There are many definitions of friendship; there are various kinds: deep friends who know each other well, superficial friends who only share pleasures, acquaintances who meet by chance, or even academic exchange partners.”
Tan Han immediately spouted out so many definitions, yet I still felt that her intentions were not purely about that.
“I’ve learned something new,” I said softly. I naturally understood that even friends can differ greatly, and most friendships in society are merely surface-level.
“So… let’s make a bet again. Bet on giving me a chance to become your friend. It doesn’t have to be a troublesome friendship; just a simple… academic exchange friend.”
“Haha… you’re putting all your cards on the table.”
Hearing Tan Han’s words nearly made me laugh out loud, then I recalled the last question during our previous exchange—she had asked if the spellbook I used then was the Fireball Spell.
It was probably related to this, which was rather amusing.
“So, what’s your decision?”
“If it were before, I naturally wouldn’t gamble again since I’m not a gambler. However, you’ve been talking to me for so long with this purpose, I should give you a chance, right?” I shook my head as I spoke.
Tan Han seemed to realize her own issue. She had started attending the Extraordinary Academy just like me, with everyone having their different understandings of the extraordinary.
The initial Tan Han pursued power in this manner; she kept learning about extraordinary knowledge, understood the magic source and spellbooks, thus establishing this distorted self-identity.
But I was very aware that the extraordinary wasn’t like that; it was not the same as playing a game and using skills.
True extraordinary existence should involve ceaseless exploration of the unknown, examining how the extraordinary constructed this fantastic world.
If Tan Han wished to delve deeply into the essence of the extraordinary with me, I wouldn’t mind. Aside from the potential trouble she might bring me, as a protagonist, wouldn’t she also bring some benefits?
Returns and risks coexist.
Didn’t Sister Bai know this from the beginning? She was merely afraid I would get caught in the risks because she thought my safety was more important than the so-called rewards.
“So what do you want to bet on?” I casually asked, curious about what she wanted to play this time. Since she dared to bet, she definitely had confidence in winning; but if it was a wager where victor and loser could be immediately known, I wasn’t foolish enough to fall for it.
And that also implied she didn’t value me as a friend enough. If we were making friends this way, shouldn’t I at least put on a real show?
“The afternoon match is 25 moving to 13, and one has a bye. Let’s bet on who gets the bye. What do you think?”
“What if no one guesses correctly?” I was a bit surprised by this bet and then asked.
“Then it would be a draw.”
“And if I win?”
“Then… I’ll transfer the spellbook that consumed a thousand points of magic power to you.”
“You’re going big?” I responded with surprise.
“Is that too much? It’s just worth a Fireball Spell; I think it’s fair.” Tan Han replied seriously.
“Ha ha…”
Now Tan Han seemed to be clearer than I was. If she became a nominal academic friend, she could learn how to flexibly utilize spellbooks alongside me.
If she couldn’t become friends with me, she would have no way to learn that ability. Her strongest means could easily be countered by an opponent, even without any exchange needed.
She surely remembered the morning match; the Fire Elemental… that was a spellbook with a hundred-point cost. If matched, it could even potentially cost her dearly without any damage.
How could that not make her nervous?
This felt urgent! She even thought back to when she first encountered the Witch Meditation Method.
She felt like the gap between her and the opponent was widening, and she even thought what that opponent had said, “we aren’t from the same world,” had such meaning!
She was the one being left behind!
“Well then, will you go first or will I?” I casually asked. Even now, I wasn’t very clear on the names of the remaining contestants; if I had to guess, I would naturally guess Tan Han.
“Of course, you go first.”
“Then I guess you, Tan Han.”
“Now it’s my turn; I guess you, Yang Yuelan.”
“Ha ha, is this how you have fun?” After hearing Tan Han’s words, I laughed; it was truly… an utterly predictable outcome.
“Of course, it’s not fun. But ever since our first match, I suppose you’ve already guessed the subsequent contests, right? There has been some behind-the-scenes manipulation; it appears we have many options, but if there is going to be a bye, it’s most likely between us two. But to clarify, I didn’t ask beforehand; I don’t know the outcome, so the gamble is fair.” Of course, she didn’t mention her abilities; that was her own strength, so it didn’t count as cheating.
“Since you said so, I guess I’ll reluctantly believe you.” I smiled and shook my head, “Then best of luck to you; let me rest this afternoon.”
“Who wins and who loses is still uncertain, are you leaving?” Tan Han asked as I stood up.
“Well, since I’ve achieved my goal, I’ll rest for half a day.”
“Don’t you want to continue chatting? I still have quite a few topics I’d like to discuss, like that elf from before.”
“Is that so? So you also indulge in gossip?” I asked, though I didn’t sit back down; I genuinely wanted to leave but was willing to chat about this topic before I left.
“Of course, who doesn’t enjoy gossip? I heard from a senior over there that the elf came looking for you directly. Do you know her?”
“She’s my ex-girlfriend,” I replied casually.
However, I didn’t say this without considering the consequences. One was to face the worst outcome that Yao Beijuan might bring me and to adapt in advance.
Secondly, it was to add some weight to the proposal of becoming friends with Tan Han, giving her a token of trust.
I also wanted to see how this rich lady would react to the fact that I used to be a boy.
If she couldn’t accept it, then we’d naturally end things before they began, and there would be no need to discuss deceit later on.
And after all, she was the protagonist in a script—who knew whether hiding the fact of my past would become a catalyst for some bizarre incident?
If Tan Han accepted this, she would also face choices.
If this fact got exposed, especially in the Witch Academy, and if it turned out to be hard for her to accept, then… as my friend, how would Tan Han deal with it?
In truth, I was just curious about how Tan Han would choose; no matter what choice she made, I wouldn’t mind. Even if the entire academy hated me, I still had Sister Bai who would like me and comfort me.
Because facing such things was inevitable the moment I stepped into the Witch Academy; it was just that Yao Beijuan’s intervention made this reality easier to expose.
The main issue was that this secret weighed on my heart like a thorn. Plus, it wasn’t as if no one knew—quite a few seniors already seemed to be aware.
From their reactions, the acceptance level wasn’t bad.
But I wouldn’t actively disclose such matters broadly; that would simply be inviting trouble for myself.
“Ex… ex-girlfriend?”
Clearly, Tan Han was shocked by the fact I revealed, but she quickly composed herself and covered her mouth.
Fortunately, because of my and Tan Han’s presence, many people left voluntarily. Moreover, it was near the end of the morning competition, and contestants left after their matches; who would be here watching for no reason?
The distant audience couldn’t hear our conversation just now.
“Yeah, it’s exactly what you’re thinking.”
Then I didn’t say much more and directly left, as some things weren’t suitable for excessive elaboration.
And while some topics seemed like they’d be interesting to discuss, once they started, there was no desire to continue.
At that moment, Tan Han looked at my departing back with complex feelings, still finding it hard to believe.
“Xiao Han… she… she is a… lesbian?”
