Chapter 258: The Oddities of Witch Academy, Witch Club
“Not all secret realms are openly accessible, and not every secret realm allows entry without qualifications. You understand the value in this, right?”
“Stealing from oneself?” I scoffed.
“No, no, no, don’t think that way. We won’t do such things, nor can we. We’ve all signed contracts; we simply select qualified individuals to enter certain special secret realms… like you… and also… Tan Han?”
“I think I have a rough idea…”
Renata’s behavior was rather obvious; some secret realms are so precious that they have entry thresholds. However, many who meet these thresholds are not selected, leaving the choice in her hands.
“What do you understand?”
Renata asked curiously, as if she was not concerned with time and was just hanging around with me, as if she had me figured out.
“Can you be more specific? Which secret realm, what can I gain, and is it worth a custom alchemical item?” I did not answer her question but asked another.
“What you can gain doesn’t matter much. It’s all about what you can get. A Magic Source Spellbook, and other items. Seeing how reluctant you are to part with the spellbook, I think you really need this, right?”
“And what about extraordinary skills?” I inquired. Now I really needed those and would be willing to trade off some of the alchemical item customization opportunities to acquire extraordinary skills. That would be a worthy deal.
“Extraordinary skills? Excuse my bluntness, which aspect do you mean? Alchemical techniques, talisman making, formations, forging? This range is quite broad, please specify further.”
“Any of them will do.”
“Any of them? Are you being too greedy or is your appetite just too big? Not stating conditions could lead to losses, you know~”
“Then let’s start with alchemy.”
I said, as I was quite curious about alchemy. I had heard many things about it, such as equivalent exchange, forging, and so on.
“Your tone is very casual. Are you really not joking with me?” Seeing me make a decision so hastily, Renata half-jokingly probed.
“I’m not.”
I shook my head. However, since Renata mentioned Tan Han, I began to pay serious attention. Tan Han could be considered the main force in the current script.
Along with what Teacher Ji told me before about the academy having significant movements, preparing to transfer the fortune allocated to the academy onto the Child of Fortune.
It was hard not to connect the dots.
“I’ll take a bold guess: is it that the academy proposed to open a large secret realm to gather new students for exploration?”
“Oh? Wow… It seems I underestimated your information-gathering ability. But you guessed only part of it~ This point is indeed a proposal from the academy. Since you’ve guessed, I won’t say much… another day of not catching any gains, huh.” Renata wore a distressed expression, as if she really felt unprofitable.
“Is it really okay to say this in front of me?”
“Of course, it’s perfectly fine. Since our topic has reached this point, let me express my sincerity: this time, you’re not included in the designated quota for the secret realm~ I don’t know why; clearly, you were the champion of the exchange competition, now recognized as the strongest new student with the title of Catastrophe Witch… but the academy hasn’t included you.” By the end, Renata’s voice had dropped very low.
“Perhaps you have offended someone, or there are other reasons. Since you are so outstanding, maybe you could ask your teacher.”
“No need.” I shook my head. When she revealed to me that there was a designated candidate, and I wasn’t one, I already figured out what the mechanism was — everything is being followed according to the script.
This is inherently related to the script, and crucial characters must be present.
I am a secondary character; I cannot be accommodated just because I am outstanding. If I were too good, I might disrupt the grand play set up for distributing fortune.
I understand very clearly that I am the most unstable factor.
Even though Teacher Ji did not prevent me from participating, if I had the subjective willingness to participate, I would need to pay the corresponding price.
This is effectively a subtle discouragement.
“Alright then… so your decision is…”
“Of course, I’m not going. That’s not something I can meddle in; I have many other things to do.”
“Huh?”
At my response, Renata suddenly went from confident to astonished. The development of events seemed to take her by surprise.
Shouldn’t she be angry upon learning she’s been isolated and treated differently by the academy?
Then run back to question the teacher, or just call to protest? Protecting one’s interests is the most basic logic of human behavior. If someone does not express a desire to defend their interests when faced with them, that person must either be foolish or considers the one neglecting their interests to be a fool.
Renata doesn’t consider herself a fool, but it is obvious that the other party is not. What went wrong in between?
She must have been interested in this situation when she sought out Yang Yuelan today. That person should have been at their happiest moment receiving rewards. Bringing such bad news should have stirred up more of her emotions.
Could it be that the other party has already learned to control their emotions?
But… they are a new student!
“If that’s the case, then I think we have nothing left to say.”
“Wait! Aren’t you going to express anything? Or do you plan to go back and question? You won’t get results. You can confirm now, and I am your only opportunity!”
“You’re anxious.” A single line from me instantly silenced Renata.
“Hehe… Sorry, I’ve been lectured instead.” Realizing what happened, Renata adjusted her facial expression back to normal, “Since that’s the case, then I can only say our negotiations have failed; it’s truly regrettable.”
“Not really regrettable.” I spoke.
“But wait, I still have a few things I want to warn you about.”
“Warn? How… are you planning to threaten me?” I stopped my departure and turned to look at Renata.
“Don’t think the worst of me. I’m just a graduated senior now, thinking every day about lounging around, while resources flow in. I just want you to be aware; you will be eyed even more in the future. And if the academy’s neglect of you spreads, your situation may become worse. Also… be careful of the Witch Club.”
“The Witch Club? Why?” I listened to Renata. Since she was giving me good advice, I naturally wouldn’t be impatient.
“Hehe, don’t you know? That’s all I’ll say. If you want to know why, you can search for it yourself. It’s far more detailed than if I simply told you.”
“Thank you.”
I simply expressed my gratitude and prepared to leave again, as I really had no reason to stay.
However, I also picked up my phone to search for the Witch Club. Since Renata warned me, they must indeed be a threat to me.
Could it be… that they simply find me unpleasant?
When I searched for the Witch Club on the academy’s website, the first result was an introduction.
The establishment of the Witch Club dates back a long time and is considered a legacy club that specifically recruits new students who have been lured into the Witch Academy.
And they are people harboring grievances against the Witch Academy. Initially, this club wasn’t really a club; it was just a group gathered together to resist being dragged into the Witch Academy, unwilling to resign to their fate.
The original leader, who was also the first president, was initially admitted to the Wizard Academy. She did not acknowledge her identity as a witch but had to admit that she had become a “girl.” After adapting initially, she began to rebel, no longer considering herself a witch, but rather setting her original goal back to the Wizard Academy, calling herself a witch.
They started causing trouble in the Witch Academy, most notably by skipping classes, not selecting mentors, and avoiding exams, among other things.
They continuously tested the Witch Academy’s bottom line and ultimately found that the extraordinary witch teachers didn’t care about them at all, so they became even more reckless.
Even though they verbally deny their identity as witches, the academy has already registered them. Later, someone, not sure who, registered the Witch Club at the Witch Academy under the name of the self-proclaimed witch leader… and thus the club was formed.
Dramatic, but somewhat reasonable. But I have to say they must be bored, and the teachers don’t manage them at all.
The Witch Club has now existed for a while. I don’t know if it has changed, but skipping classes has become a tradition. Even if they don’t acknowledge their identity as witches, this has existed for so long that many have a legacy behind them. After all, they have done much evil and likely see stealing spellbooks as a primary means of obtaining them…
Since they voluntarily gave up their witch identity, they certainly do not enjoy the academy’s resources unless they have the audacity.
Moreover, I also saw some strange rumors about the witches online, such as “I am not a witch ≠ I will not take resources from the academy,” showing that the Witch Club is indeed constantly innovating…
I understood why Renata warned me to be careful; from the perspective of the Witch Club, I must now look like a fat sheep.
I originally had one, and with this first-place reward of an Excessive Consumption Spellbook, I now have two.
These are top-tier spellbooks; how could they not be envious?
I also saw many incidents where new students were bullied by the Witch Club, but the club has a very awkward position in the Witch Academy, basically regarded as street rats, particularly scorned by older seniors.
Even when the Witch Club bullied new students, many seniors were willing to step in because rescuing new students is a great way to spark conversations.
As I was scrolling down, intrigued, I suddenly saw a familiar figure.
Tan Han!
Along with Minian and the others.
“Tan Han and the others… ambushed by the Witch Club… only to be counterattacked… Hehe, they went after Tan Han this quickly?” I shook my head and chuckled. They couldn’t find me, so they went for Tan Han instead. Of course, it could also be that the halo of the Child of Fortune is causing trouble.
But it wouldn’t be bad for Tan Han to teach them a lesson, and I also took solace in having kept a low profile these past few days.
Not that I was swapping identities or entering secret realms, either just in the villa or rolling with others.
But since they were nabbed by the patrol team, I felt reassured.
Since they’ve rung the alarm, enforcement efforts would increase significantly, and the Witch Club would also tone it down.
Looking at those captured self-proclaimed witches, I couldn’t help but marvel at the biodiversity of the Witch Academy.
Yet, it would be best if I didn’t linger outside for long; I should travel by broom instead, as it would be faster.
There’s a chance those witches, although denying their witch identity, wouldn’t even go for a flying license, would they?
I smiled and shook my head, leaving the hotel…
Looking back at this place, I probably wouldn’t want to come here again; it doesn’t suit me. I find I am always influenced by my surroundings.
Just like in the dream world, I subconsciously behave recklessly, while here I feel a sense of oppression.
However, I did manage to get a free meal and some information today; the only regret is that I didn’t find the secret realm I desired.
Also, this made me reassess the value of what I now possess; the opportunity for custom alchemical items is just as important.
I should hurry back; actually, there’s something else I want to deal with quickly, which is to use the Earth Vein Memory.
From the thousand I sifted through, only three remain, and these were carefully selected by me. I also picked some suitable memories for the others in the dorm.
For example, a vast memory related to cultivating extraordinary plants for Dongli Yiren, and for Hong Chanyi, a complex combat memory, hoping she might learn a bit to make up for her lack of practical experience. After all, didn’t she say she wanted to accompany me to the secret realm?
It’s better not to go without some skills.
As for the three I kept, they are naturally the best and most complete memories.
One is a memory formed from techniques in alchemy, which is why when Renata asked what kind of skills I wanted, I said alchemy.
The second is related to “body techniques.” At first, I didn’t think much of it, but I later realized its importance during another round of selection.
This is a body technique equal to spellcasting techniques.
This technique uses extraordinary power in a way distinct from spells and directly affects oneself, and it is not simply a body enhancement spell effect but a permanent physical reinforcement.
What interests me more are how these body techniques utilize extraordinary powers; this differs from spells that leverage mental power to control extraordinary energy or are driven by spells and ceremonies.
This relies purely on the body combined with the technique’s specific term “spiritual realm” to harness the extraordinary.
This has opened up new avenues of thought about combat skills, revealing such a pure concept.
Body techniques exist for fighting and killing.
Indeed, the extraordinary world has no end to surprises… thus, I must strive to learn this body technique, while the content of the third Earth Vein memory is quite conventional, being practical techniques.
It’s even more complete and aesthetically pleasing than the one I prepared for Hong Chanyi, containing more detailed personal insights and reflections, all perfectly captured by the Earth Vein. Although this memory is ordinary and lacks highlights, it is the most perfect memory.
“I’m back~”
I encountered no danger on my way back. Upon returning to the dormitory, I found they weren’t in the living room.
Perhaps everyone had their own matters to attend to.
It’s a pity I couldn’t hand these things over to them personally.
I asked in the dormitory group, and ultimately only Guan Qiuling replied, saying she was in her bedroom.
After all, my return was indeed considerably later than before. Had it not been for Renata calling me away, I wouldn’t have had dinner this late.
I should better focus on other things. Tomorrow, I still have to visit Teacher Ji to finalize my Memory Shelf Spellbook.
