Chapter 243: Leaving After the Match
“Tan Han Jie? Huh? How are you doing?!”
“So big… isn’t that sword the one from the Land of the Fallen?”
“What just happened? Xiao Han Jie… I saw in the rankings that she withdrew from the competition?”
“It’s fine…” Tan Han stood up, shaking her head, and with Minian’s support, got back on her feet.
The strike that ignited the sword tip severely damaged her transformation effect, destroying the magic in the most violent way, but that strike didn’t hit her main body, which is the perverse nature of the transformation spell.
The life-saving ability is very strong.
“I… had a fight with Xiao Han.”
“Huh, Xiao Han Jie fought with you again?”
“It was my suggestion,” Tan Han shook her head and said.
“So… who won?”
“I don’t know, that Xiao Han guy… always does unexpected things. Stop dawdling, you all clear out the remaining guys. Scoring… don’t you still need to score? There should still be some guys left now.”
“But, Tan Han Jie, aren’t you going? You’re just a few points away from Xiao Han Jie in the rankings…”
“You, you, stop asking. Tan Han Jie definitely has her own considerations for such things.”
“Go if I say go, no more lingering.” Tan Han feigned anger and spoke.
“Yes, yes, yes~ Now it’s our time to shine!”
Watching them leave, Tan Han finally let out a sigh of relief, turning back to the massive sword behind her. Even she hadn’t expected Xiao Han would mark this giant sword again on her way to the Wizard Tower ruins, but she would use anything available, which indeed suited Xiao Han’s character. She just didn’t expect that this strike would be used on her.
However, just as Tan Han was reminiscing about the recent battle, she felt a commotion behind her and turned to see several figures.
“What are you still doing here?”
“Hehe, I was still a few people away from the previous contestant… so I didn’t go for it. I wanted to hear what happened just now!”
At this moment, outside.
The moment I exited, I felt a discomfort, like my body had been stiff from not moving for a long time.
The next moment, I opened my eyes to see the transparent hatch door.
I slightly moved my arms; I must have been lying here for several days. It felt quite wonderful, like just waking up.
After all, I was just in the Dream World, so does this exchange match count as a dream?
At this time, it should be morning; there shouldn’t be too many people coming in the morning.
But when I looked outside through the hatch, I found so many people sitting out there.
When my hand rested on the handle to push open the hatch, a lively cheer crept in through the crevices and into my ears.
As the hatch opened, a wider view came into my sight. I staggered slightly as I stood up, moving my legs, and at that moment, a kind senior wearing a volunteer vest approached to help me, but I politely declined.
At that moment, the sun in reality had just risen. Although it was already the end of the exchange match, there were still so many people around.
I could also see others coming out of the Dream Chamber like me but without any support.
I turned around to scan the entire arena, listening to the enthusiastic cheers from the audience. I could vaguely hear them shouting my name together.
“Xiao Han~ Look at this! Oh oh oh~”
The arena was filled with their enthusiasm, and without the magic barriers from the audience stands, they might have rushed over directly.
Nevertheless, I still saw those I cared about the most. They rushed to the front, disregarding the seats, with the barrier in front being about to be broken down.
I extended my hand towards Sister Bai’s direction in response, giving a radiant smile, and then to Store Manager Shali… Senior Ying Shiqian and Senior Tang Yihan. I never expected they would also be on site.
The shout just now came from Ying Shiqian.
At this moment, even the large screens above the arena were showing my footage, making me a little embarrassed.
After enjoying the cheers and warmth from everyone, an intense feeling of embarrassment followed. After all, this was the first time I was facing such a scene, unlike when I entered the Dream Chamber; all the contestants were with me then. And although I couldn’t say everyone was cheering for me, it was certainly the majority.
In the somewhat flustered gazes that followed, I spotted the teachers in the front row, among them my advisor Teacher Ji and the grade director Teacher Lina. The rest I didn’t really recognize, but they were surely teachers from other classes, and I didn’t even know their names.
But it was okay; I found the place, and I directly ran over.
After all, they should know better than me how to proceed next.
“Little One, well done.” Teacher Ji’s smile at that moment was unreserved, showing her overall satisfaction with my performance.
“Hehe… um, Teacher, since the competition is over, there shouldn’t be anything else, right?”
“You… Oh, what else do you want? A prize ceremony? If you want one, we can arrange it however you like.”
“A… prize ceremony? Well, let’s skip that; just give me the rewards.” I politely declined; a prize ceremony is too troublesome. If Tan Han wants to hold one, let her do it!
“What a pity, if you wanted to hold one, we would have a reason to keep those guys around. Even though the match isn’t over yet, some academies have already run away; it’s quite unfortunate.”
“They… ran away? Don’t they want their rewards?”
“Even if they don’t, we still need to grandly send the rewards and rankings over! Such an important matter must be known by everyone from the respective academies.” Teacher Ji spoke with a smile.
With my arrival, the group of teachers came towards me, as if they were approaching a precious animal, saying various things. After all, teachers naturally feel a fondness for good students.
After a while, Teacher Ji finally pulled me out of the crowd, making it quite obvious that she wanted to protect me.
Indeed, several teachers had been saying some underhanded remarks, but most of it was meaningless chatter. I now just wanted to do my own thing.
As for the rewards… I’ll just wait until after my emotions settle before I take them.
Moreover, there’s also a share waiting for me from Store Manager Shali, after all, I had already helped the manager with things. I wonder what else I could get then.
“Um… Teacher, can I leave now?”
After all, I had been here long enough, and I was also hungry. In the Dream World, I had been sustaining my body with nutrient solutions, but they cannot fill my stomach.
It’s best to go back and take a shower; it’s been two days.
Not to mention that after this match, I have no idea how many troubles are waiting for me, just thinking about how to face my classmates, the heated discussions in the group, and those troublesome dorm mates…
It just feels like my life is so fulfilling… like a sense of living in a busy life.
Even though it seems I don’t have many friends.
“Let’s go, let’s go. Seriously, look at what a terrible time you chose to exit the match; you made me get up early. The rewards will be passed on to you once they’re sorted out later.”
“Thank you, Teacher.” I nodded with a smile, feeling quite calm about the rewards now, as I’m very clear that I deserve them all.
“No problem, oh, by the way, regarding the information about your family… if you want to know, the academy can easily…”
At that moment, Teacher Ji lowered her voice significantly, her tone somewhat tentative.
“No, what does the past of Yang Yuelan have to do with the preparatory witch Yang Yuelan? Right, Teacher?”
“Hehe… great mindset. I overstepped my boundaries as a teacher.” Teacher Ji shook her head and smiled, “By the way, if you’re leaving, take the side path. I think the front gate will be crowded, and you don’t seem like someone who can handle such a situation. And this…”
“Huh? Thank you, Teacher, but what’s this… a spellbook?” I received an item that Teacher Ji tossed to me. After a quick glance, I felt the internal spellbook.
“Mm, a basic consumption spellbook, but very practical for altering appearances. I thought you really need this now, don’t you?”
“Huh? Thank you, Teacher!”
“Don’t thank me; it’s worth next to nothing compared to your rewards.”
After taking the spellbook, I didn’t hesitate, directly starting to try out its spell.
Although this spellbook was a basic consumption spellbook, the introduction of the spell effects seemed somewhat complex.
It’s a disguise spell, with effects limited to the area above the neck, affecting features, hair, etc., and that’s about it.
If someone is not familiar with face-altering, there’s a high chance they would end up making an ugly face.
After a little experimentation, using my phone’s camera to watch myself change into various appearances, this feeling was truly wonderful!
And the spell’s effects felt great to the touch; it wasn’t an illusion effect, nor was it false. The maintenance cost was negligible for me, who was currently quite wealthy.
And the main thing is that it can change hair color, eye color, etc. Isn’t it like free dyeing and wearing colored contact lenses without worrying about hair quality and lenses?
Indeed, in the extraordinary world, many industries outside have already completely withered away.
But who could say this isn’t a good thing?
I gazed at my reflection in my phone for a while, and as my former self, I felt utterly defenseless against my white-haired self!
If it weren’t for the messages constantly popping up on my phone, pulling me back to reality, I might have continued playing for a while longer.
I opened my message list, a row of unread notifications, and I immediately targeted the one from Sister Bai.
I’ll check the others later.
I also saw many messages from classmates sending me congratulations on my victory after the match, as well as a flurry of activity in our class group, the mutual assistance group, etc.
I’m truly sorry… after all, I’m only one person; replying slowly will take a long time.
Moreover, Sister Bai’s message was a celebration of my match-ending victory and also asked where I was now, advising me not to go through the front gate.
I briefly told Sister Bai which side path I was taking; I wonder if she can find me that quickly. If not, I could wait at any random restaurant or canteen since I was absolutely starving.
Although it was technically morning, I might as well treat it as a cheat meal. I hope it doesn’t upset my stomach.
After that, I walked along the lesser-known side path out of the arena, replying to the private messages they sent me one by one.
I also interacted a little in the class group.
After all, I was the class leader; once the rewards were issued, I wouldn’t mind sharing some with them to let them feel the class leader’s care.
Oh, and Tu Xingyue, that diligent vice class leader who temporarily took over my position. I really owe her a lot.
At this moment, as I left, many were also enthusiastically vacating the premises, preparing to crowd various exits. If they blocked me, they might even get to touch the cute Xiao Han.
However, some seniors stayed behind since the exchange match wasn’t over. It would only conclude when everyone was eliminated, leaving one final contestant. One could imagine that some were still struggling in the Ancient Battlefield or the Sea Domain.
But things were different for the Witch Academy.
Tan Han faced the already withered world tree and severed it. It now resembled an ordinary dead tree; the process of cutting and toppling it faced no hindrances at all. However, the massive stump it left behind was very conspicuous.
“Let’s hold another Witch Tea Party here and sow the seeds of fortune once more.” Tan Han spoke.
Unfortunately, there are intervals required for ceremonies; otherwise, Tan Han was ready to endlessly gather resources.
“With this time included, that’s a total of four times, which means we have gained four extra rewards. We’ll split these evenly later; remember to leave a portion for Xiao Han.”
Once Tan Han finished speaking, she carefully placed a pre-prepared red velvet cake in its designated spot.
“Of course! Xiao Han Jie worked hard in this exchange match; we basically just took advantage of the situation…”
“Don’t downplay yourselves; your contributions were significant too, weren’t they?”
“In any case, thank you all for a trip.”
…
At that moment, even after taking the side path out, I was blocked by several seniors, forced to give out autographs and being playfully touched…
Even though I had altered my hair color and appearance, they recognized me. Truly, one can’t underestimate the senior sisters!
“Sister Bai~ you finally came!” Spotting a familiar figure, I couldn’t help but call out.
“Mm?” Bai Yu was taken aback for a moment upon seeing me, then quickly reacted, “Xiao Han, what happened to your hair?”
“Ah~ it’s nothing, just the effect of a disguise spell. Sister Bai, does my white hair look good?”
“Not bad… but it doesn’t really match this outfit.” Sister Bai evaluated my style with a glance.
“Huh? Doesn’t matter, let’s go like this for now. This disguise spell was just given to me by Teacher Ji; it can save me a lot of trouble.”
“Oh, I see… Let’s go, what do you plan to do next?”
“Of course, eat! I haven’t eaten in several days! In the Dream World, I barely had a few decent meals; I want to eat!” I said firmly, after all, who doesn’t have a hidden glutton side?
“Alright, alright~ Sister Bai will take you to eat delicious food.” Bai Yu spoke in a pampering tone. She subconsciously reached out and stroked my long hair, eventually gentle gliding down my back… around my waist…
No one knows how Bai Yu has been getting through these days. Even though she has been busy, being clear about her own path and topics, needing to juggle many tasks, she still kept an eye on the exchange match.
In fact, she purposely came over today just to see Xiao Han come out of the Dream Chamber at the first moment.
Throughout the Dream World, every time she saw Xiao Han talking to that girl named Yao Beijuan, she felt an indescribable sensation.
Now seeing Xiao Han right next to her felt so nice.
At that moment, I felt Bai Yu’s hand on my head. Although I don’t like others touching my head, it was fine for Sister Bai.
When others touch my head, I might not grow taller, but when Sister Bai does, it’s a matter of firmly believing in science and resisting feudal superstitions. Not to mention, being with Sister Bai and not growing taller doesn’t matter; being short as a girl is still okay.
Yet in these actions, I felt a friendship that slightly transcended the bounds of mere friendship…
I should cherish the present; I wasn’t ready for such matters yet. After experiencing Yao Beijuan, I had begun to resist this kind of relationship. Initially, it was merely to compensate for not having a girlfriend in my past life, but the result was that the regret was compensated for, yet it brought me more worries.
Indeed, whether one has a partner or not, it’s like the contradiction of city folks wanting to get out while those outside want to come in.
If maintaining such a relationship with Sister Bai continued, I wouldn’t mind…
When I began to face my own emotions, I realized my reliance on Sister Bai seemed to surpass my comprehension.
After all, I was still so weak that I needed a support to continue living normally… I constantly explored and researched the extraordinary, wasn’t it just to gain stronger power to fill my empty self?
But in the end, this power was merely power, and compared to extraordinary power, a certain relationship was even more significant to me.
