Chapter 196 – Notice of the Exchange Competition Rules
“Um… it still feels weird.”
At this moment, I had one hand holding a small spoon, while the other was resting under the table. A pure black little cat was lying on my legs, the same one that had just come over to nuzzle against me—Little Black Cloud.
Every cat in the Witch Cat Café wears a collar with its name engraved on the tag.
It’s actually quite nice to pet a little cat while eating the snacks that Sister Bai ordered.
“What’s wrong?”
“It’s nothing, it’s just that sitting across from Sister Bai in this kind of setting feels strange. Aren’t you doing anything? By the way, Sister Bai, how many years have you been at the Witch Academy now?”
“Why the sudden concern?” Bai Yu stirred her coffee, added a sugar cube, and smiled as she asked.
“It’s nothing, just a simple question. After all, sitting still is boring; we have to find some topics to talk about, right?”
“Hmm… it should be the tenth year now,” Sister Bai said.
“Huh? The tenth year? Does that mean it’s your final year?” I was surprised; I didn’t expect Sister Bai to be so much older than me. I couldn’t tell; is it because of the witch transformation?
“What’s it to you if it’s the last year? Graduation is not a problem for me; there’s no rush for graduating. Most students become Extraordinary Witches at the Witch Academy ten years after starting.”
“Oh, I see. So for the last year… I remember it’s supposed to be about completing a self-selected topic or something. Isn’t that really urgent?”
“That can’t be rushed. If it really becomes urgent, that would be the worst-case scenario. Let’s not talk about this topic; after all, for you, Xiao Han, it might be a bit far off.” Bai Yu took a sip of coffee, preparing to change the subject. “By the way, about that topic we discussed last night… you’re not feeling affected by it today, right?”
“About that… to be honest, no, I spent the time from morning to afternoon adapting and practicing in the Dream World. I only saw your reply during that time, and I didn’t look closely.”
“Oh really? It’s good if you didn’t see it. Those messages are only nauseating and have no benefits. I thought you would be very worried.”
When Bai Yu saw my nonchalant expression, she relaxed a bit. Although she knew that Xiao Han coming to the Witch Academy wasn’t her decision, she played a crucial role in facilitating it, including, most importantly, inserting the Magic Source into her body, transforming her into a prospective Witch.
“I was indeed a bit worried before, but now that I’ve come to terms with it, it’s fine. The academy network is under real-name registration; I didn’t pay much attention before, but now that I think about it, it can indeed reduce a lot of unnecessary trouble.”
“So there’s no need to worry that much. By the way, I managed to get some information regarding the exchange competition that will happen tomorrow; would you like to learn about it in advance? Although this information will be announced tomorrow anyway.”
“Sister Bai can even get this kind of intel?”
“It’s just some reference information. After all, some matters need to be established before we can discuss specific details. Everything still depends on what is officially announced tomorrow.”
“That makes sense.” I nodded.
“This time, more than thirty colleges will participate in the exchange competition, and the format of the exchange will not be like the one-on-one battles of the New Student Competition.”
“Moreover, the exchange competition will be held in the Primordial Dream World, and the entire competition process will be live-streamed. Each contestant will have a dedicated live-stream perspective, as well as a free-view perspective and a god’s eye view for this exchange competition.”
“Live-streaming? I think I’ve heard of this.” I nodded; most of what Bai Yu was saying were things I already knew, like Dream World exchanges had been mentioned from the start, and live streaming makes sense. Otherwise, no one would watch this exchange competition, which would be the biggest issue and a tremendous waste.
“So you know. In that case, I’ll get straight to the point about the format of the exchange competition.” Once Bai Yu heard my response, she cut straight to the chase.
“The exchange competition feels a bit complex, but overall, it’s based on a large-scale map battle royale format. The overall exchange rankings will be compared using the school rankings and individual rankings.”
“Two rankings?” I asked curiously.
“Yes, because different colleges have different focuses, and the background is an exchange between colleges, but specifically, it’s students competing, so there are both college rankings and individual rankings, which also represent two types of rewards: individual ranking rewards and college ranking rewards, which are provided by the respective colleges.”
“This feels so troublesome. Since there are two rankings, the exchange competition would definitely develop in two directions, right?” I continued to ask, as this was the distinction between individual and collective; rankings should have a specific point of competition to rank.
“Yes, the exchange competition will have college scores and individual scores, which form the basis for ranking on these two rankings. Then there are ways to obtain these two types of scores. About that…” At this point, Bai Yu paused, not continuing.
“What’s wrong?”
“The specific details haven’t been announced yet; it seems that the various colleges haven’t discussed it well yet. After all, each college specializes in different areas, and there would be significant disputes.”
“Indeed. Is there anything else about the exchange competition?”
“There is, such as the usage of many external items in the Dream World, alchemical items, weapons, potions, etc., which also need to be considered. Oh, I almost forgot, there’s one very important setting.”
“Hmm?”
“That’s the rewards issue. There are not only the rewards from the two rankings, which are post-competition rewards, but also random rewards during the competition, generally used for providing boosts during lulls or intense battles in the exchange competition. The main reason is to encourage you all to compete for them.”
“During the competition, a large amount of resources will be dropped; some can be taken away from the Dream World as rewards, which you need to guard, while others are items within the Dream World that can help you gain advantages in the exchange competition.”
“Oh, so it’s like the difference between temporary items during the competition and final rewards, right? … Okay, I just reiterated what you said. Anyway, I understand the general idea.”
“As long as you understand, Xiao Han. Sister Bai will always be cheering for you outside the Dream World.”
“Then I look forward to my performance?” I said with a smile, lifting my small spoon to gently touch Sister Bai’s fist.
“Yes, good luck~”
Then I continued to learn some further information from Sister Bai, as these insider tips gathered in advance were indeed valuable for research.
It would save me from being a bit flustered after learning those messages tomorrow.
However, in the end, because I didn’t know the most crucial specific information, Sister Bai and I didn’t chat for too long; we could only say to prepare well.
But the conversation with Sister Bai was the happiest thing.
We even ordered dinner right here, as the Witch Cat Café not only serves afternoon tea and desserts but also allows ordering main meals at certain times.
After understanding this, I found out that the Witch Cat Café even has various themed private rooms and many hidden services that the average person doesn’t know about.
This truly opened my eyes.
For the remaining time, Sister Bai didn’t stay with me, as coming to the Witch Cat Café was merely an impromptu idea for both of us. I spent the rest of my free time in the Meditation Room, after all, meditation is the main method to enhance mental power, and I rarely came to a place like the Meditation Room.
The next day.
After a full night’s sleep, I prepared to welcome the announcement of the exchange competition rules.
This was a big deal; to ensure every participant received it on time, the counselors had to personally notify everyone.
The specific information would also be disseminated through the academy’s system.
I had been called to Teacher Ji’s office early in the morning.
“Regarding this exchange competition, our Witch Academy has conducted friendly communication with various colleges, and the detailed exchange rules have been finalized.”
At this moment, Teacher Ji’s tone even had a bit of an official air, and the way she particularly emphasized “friendly” probably wasn’t as friendly as I imagined. What had happened in these two days to have such an attitude?
“The arrangements for this exchange competition have been announced to the whole school, but as you are a contestant, you still need to understand a more detailed set of rules for contestants. Make sure to read them thoroughly today; pay attention to the baseline of the rules, and as for the rest… the academy will shoulder it for you.”
“Okay… okay.” I looked at Teacher Ji, but seeing her expression, it was clear that her calling me over wasn’t just to have me go back and read the things I was already going to check.
“That’s good to know. Also, there’s another matter regarding the New Student Competition.”
“Uh? Isn’t the New Student Competition finished already?”
“Finished? The rewards for the top ten haven’t even been distributed… can we call that finished? Do you really think they can undermine our Witch Academy’s rules just because they joined forces? The rewards for contestants beyond the top ten have been distributed, but the top ten haven’t. Are you just going to accept it?”
“I certainly won’t accept it.” I nodded, as I had suppressed that feeling before, and now Teacher Ji brought it up again.
“It’s good that you’re unwilling to accept it. Here are these things; if anyone from other schools asks, just say it’s sponsored by the club. It has nothing to do with the academy.”
“Uh… a loophole?”
“What kind of saying is that? Just understand what I mean; don’t say it out loud.” Teacher Ji shoved the items into my hands and said to me. It seemed that the academy took this exchange competition very seriously.
“By the way, I’ll go ahead and use the Magic Source for you; the rest, you will have to digest yourself.”
As Teacher Ji spoke, she shoved three hundred Magic Sources into my body in one go.
Just like last time, the influx of so many Magic Sources would bring significant changes to me. Moreover, the amount she provided was quite subtle.
With these three hundred Magic Sources, my Magic Source limit just broke one thousand, reaching the threshold to use the Excessive Consumption Spellbook even without Alchemical Item supplements.
And I just happened to have such a Spellbook, but I hadn’t used it yet.
“This… this is a bit too much…” I exclaimed.
“Too much? Not really. This exchange competition won’t be a pleasant affair, Xiao Han. Do you still remember the confidentiality contract you signed before?” Teacher Ji shook her head, then snapped her fingers, and a sealing spell enveloped the entire office.
“Huh?”
“The content I’m about to share with you also falls under the confidentiality contract. If you don’t want to listen, you can leave directly. If you do want to listen, you may have to take on more obligations, and as a price, you can learn more truth.”
“Uh… Teacher Ji, if you put it that way, how could I choose not to listen…” I sighed.
“What? Are you one of those truth seekers?”
“Truth seeker? I don’t know what that is, but I know that since I qualify to obtain the truth, I certainly won’t choose to be deceived. People are always worried about living in a false world, even if knowing the truth doesn’t change a thing, it doesn’t matter. Moreover, this thing is closely related to me, even if it may cost me.” I responded.
I wasn’t the type that blindly chased after truth, just like when Sister Bai told me not to get involved with Tan Han; I didn’t probe further. But Teacher Ji asking me this way perhaps gauged that I would agree, and… the atmosphere around us had built up to this point.
To put it in comforting words, having come this far, I couldn’t just go back empty-handed, right?
And curiosity is a terrifying thing; once it’s piqued, it can’t simply be suppressed. It claws at you like a cat’s paw, and can even breed pointless fantasies and a sense of persecution. Moreover, I already knew about the script; learning a bit more wouldn’t hurt.
“Then I’ll get straight to the point.”
“Okay.”
“This also relates to the script. Remember the script theory that Lina mentioned to you?”
“I remember.” I nodded.
“In the past, I told you that Tan Han is the main character in the script, but now we need to update that setting.”
“Now Tan Han is the first main character to appear in the script, but she is no longer the only one.”
“Not the only main character? A multi-character type?” I was astonished.
“Yes.”
“So now there’s another troublesome character I need to be wary of? Who? Please don’t tell me it’s someone I know?” I said helplessly.
“No, no, no. You misunderstood; it’s not just one more; it’s… many, and we don’t know if there will be more in the future. But you weren’t wrong when you said earlier that one of them is someone you know.”
“Yao Beijuan?” I asked, lowering my head.
“It seems you know. In any case, don’t worry too much about this matter; you should be more concerned about Tan Han, but we still can’t explain this matter clearly to her.”
“Another point is… this is not the multi-character novel script you understand, but a battle royale, where there is… only one main character.”
“One…” I repeated the word; how cruel it sounded, even more so than “battle royale.” It felt just like… this exchange competition?
“Yes, they will compete for Fortune. You understand what Fortune is; you also have Fortune, so even if they are unclear about the script level of things and don’t even know the concept of Fortune, it will guide them forward. You might also get into trouble; I heard you dealt with one yesterday, right?”
“That bl**d Clan member is also a main character?” I asked.
“Unclear, maybe. When we know there are many main characters, it becomes less important who is or isn’t one.”
“Then… apart from chasing after Fortune, do they… have any characteristics to distinguish them?” I asked again.
“That’s a difficult question. Actually, at their core, there’s not much difference. Oh, I remember; the thing they awaken in terms of talent is very consistent: that’s the Fortune Seed. That’s why they are referred to as main characters, or we can also call them the Children of Fortune.”
“So the proof of identity is a specific object? The Fortune Seed can’t be stolen?” I continued to ask.
“Stolen? That’s not possible. Oh, I can’t say too definitively; the Void is so vast, there are certainly other methods, but that would definitely be a higher-level power; you don’t need to worry about it.” Teacher Ji reassured.
“Anything else?”
After a brief silence, I continued to ask.
“That’s it; I just wanted to let you know. The choice is yours. Because of this matter, Tan Han’s ‘uniqueness’ value decreases a lot, which means you shouldn’t be too concerned about this aspect of identity. I’ve noticed that your relationship with Tan Han seems a bit stiff.”
“Is it just that?”
“Yes, just that. Don’t worry too much; no matter how the world changes or how strange it gets, aren’t you still living your life? Overthinking will only add troubles for yourself.”
“Thank you, Teacher. I understand.”
“Oh, wait, there’s more.” Just as I was about to leave, Teacher Ji called me again.
“What else is there? Teacher Ji, can you please say it all at once?” I said helplessly.
“This exchange competition will likely make Tan Han the core focus, or say this will be the first stage for those main characters to compete together. If you don’t want to attract trouble, you might want to try to… avoid getting involved in the disputes because too many main characters are involved this time, and there might not be any room for supporting characters or cannon fodder. Of course, the choice is yours; how will you choose?”
“I…”
“Shh… go back and think it over. Don’t rush to answer me; early promises will only burden you further. You can be freer.” Teacher Ji interrupted my response.
“Thank you. I’ll consider it, so I’ll take my leave.”
“Wait.”
“What else is it, Teacher… Ji…?” I slowly turned around to ask.
“If you decide to get involved in this swirl of main characters, then… don’t hold back. I’ve been through many scripts, but I’ve never seen this kind of format. Make sure to show me something spectacular.”
“The academy also has certain expectations for you, and some teachers even think you might be a hidden Child of Fortune. But there’s no evidence, of course; don’t take this statement too seriously. Based on what I know about you, I don’t think you want to be a Child of Fortune, right?”
“Hmm, I understand.” I nodded and left without looking back.
Because I had agreed to meet Sister Bai today to discuss the specific matters of the exchange competition. After all, viewing things alone could lead to oversight, so I accepted Sister Bai’s suggestion yesterday.
And the location would again be the Witch Cat Café.
