Chapter 263: The Importance of Wisdom Enlightenment
“It’s time to focus. I won’t go into too much detail, but to put it roughly, it’s like practicing skill proficiency in a game.”
“Now… you should understand the value of spellbooks at this moment, right? Compared to ordinary spells, spellbooks represent a more systematic form of spell advancement.”
“I… I understand…” I nodded heavily.
“Don’t think too much. Those are things you can’t touch right now. How does it feel? Too much knowledge isn’t comfortable, is it? Spellbooks have a lot of other values, but for now… I won’t reveal more to you.” Teacher Ji shook her head and returned to her chair.
Even though she just lectured Xiao Han, Teacher Ji still felt it wasn’t enough, but she was also gratified by the other’s rapid growth.
Is this what it means to be favored by the heavens? It’s truly enviable.
“Um… I won’t disturb you any longer, Teacher…”
Having received the answer I wanted, I had no reason to linger. I initially thought I had discovered something valuable, but it seemed like just something I wouldn’t need at this stage.
It brought me new knowledge but did not enhance my abilities at all. The sense of disparity was indeed quite large.
However, it wouldn’t be accurate to say I didn’t gain anything. From the start of the semester until now, I hadn’t truly mastered extraordinary power. Acknowledging this made me understand the importance of the knowledge and skills in the academy at this moment.
Perhaps this truth could be insignificant to others who believe that it’s not their time yet, that once they become extraordinary witches, it will belong to them eventually.
So they want to build their foundation at this stage, so that at the moment they achieve being an extraordinary witch, they can master the power that truly belongs to them, allowing for a complete transformation.
But actually, at that time, both spellbooks and magic sources would merely transition from tools to their own means.
Accumulating skills is what transforms the means they possess into potential for creation.
Although I still had many curiosities and questions regarding the details before and after the advancement of a spellbook, just as Teacher Ji said earlier, knowing too much can be very stressful. It’s similar to knowing how many days until the college entrance examination back in elementary school, which has no real significance.
Of course, the most important factor is that I haven’t mastered true power.
If I could grasp true power…
I recalled the life fruits that were contested during the Dream Exchange Competition, those versatile good things.
I remembered someone mentioning that this stuff could enhance natural power, so if I consumed it, could I command natural forces like an elf?
But I’m not an elf; perhaps it wouldn’t work… Their natural power relies on their elven bl**d, while I am fundamentally a witch.
“Are you leaving? What are your plans afterwards?”
As I turned to leave, Teacher Ji called out to me again.
“Um… I’m planning to continue being low-key for a while. I intend to master a skill first.” After some thought, I provided my answer.
After all, I don’t have many things that truly belong to me yet. Although I’ve started accumulating spellbooks, this kind of thing is universal. After hitting a wall with the Fireball Spell, I knew I should pause for a bit. As for how long to pause, it would naturally be until I reach witch transformation, and my mental power can handle magic. That would be the golden period for truly developing spellbooks to acquire stronger means.
Now, while I have plenty of capital, meaning Aoqin, I plan to master a skill, ensuring there will be money to earn later.
This behavior is somewhat akin to how I sought a part-time job at a bakery; learning a craft to earn money was my most straightforward thought in facing the unknown life ahead—staying true to my original intention…
“You want to remain low-key again? Are you addicted to it?” Teacher Ji teased.
“It’s okay. I’ve realized I enjoy a simple life.” Of course, I know I don’t really like a simple life; rather, it’s about breaking that past instinct of impatience towards everything and grinding away the traumas that life has inflicted upon me.
“Is that true? I don’t quite believe it. Back then, you… well, you weren’t saying that.”
“Teacher Ji, do you have something for me to do? If so, please just say it. Didn’t you say you were leaving soon? Why are you babbling with me for so long?” Seeing how much Teacher Ji had spoken to me, I was worried she had something urgent to discuss.
“Isn’t all this talking for your sake? And you’re complaining now? But I do have something for you to do.”
“Really?”
“Would I be joking with you? You’re fortunate to have such a responsible teacher like me. Enough of this, let’s get to the point. Open your academy system on your phone, search for the keyword ‘Wisdom Enlightenment,’ and look under task classification.”
“Wisdom Enlightenment?”
I asked curiously but followed her instructions anyway. Sure enough, as Teacher Ji mentioned, after searching, a task indeed appeared in the task section.
“This task… wait, how long has this task been up? Is it ten, hundred… over a hundred years old? Huh?”
I looked at the task in disbelief, then glanced back at Teacher Ji, unsure of who had the issue.
“This task was published during the popular period of the Witch Secret Realm, and this realm is one of the few not provided by graduates, but instead given by one of the original academy heads who established the Witch Academy. At that time, this action sparked a craze to complete this realm.”
“And it hasn’t been solved to this day?” I interjected.
“Yes, that’s why this task exists. This task is bound to this special secret realm. The interest in the realm rose quickly but also faded fast because the headmaster issued an impossible-to-complete realm from the start. There were no substantial rewards, and the trials were the main focus. The original intention of the academy head was good… sigh…”
“So, Teacher Ji, you found this task for me because you thought I had nothing to do?”
“Aren’t you planning to remain low-key for a while? This trial secret realm requires quite a bit of time, making it suitable for you. I was hesitant at first, but since you have time now, you might as well check it out. If you’re busy, just pretend I didn’t say anything.” Teacher Ji shook her head.
“Oh, so it’s not mandatory?”
“Of course not.”
“Alright, then I’ll check it out when I’m free. Thanks for the suggestion, Teacher.” I quietly noted this down, but before that, I wanted to master a skill first, like… alchemy.
I had been interested in it when I looked at runes in the library. The most critical alchemical ritual is composed of different rune rituals. Although runes only occupy a foundational part of alchemy, I, who understand almost all the basic runes, undoubtedly have a significant advantage.
Moreover, alchemy is also a skill that trains mental power. My mental power cannot just be improved through meditation without any practical combat; it needs to be capable of controlling magic. Before that, manipulating alchemy shouldn’t be an issue.
Besides, I also have some foundational knowledge from the Earth Vein Memory, and it’s been thoroughly recorded in the Memory Shelf. Plus, the professional equipment for freshmen in basic alchemy that I ordered from the library should also be arriving today.
“Let’s go. This isn’t your concern anymore.”
Seeing me leave, Ji sighed again. The Wisdom Enlightenment Witch Secret Realm is indeed a great place; she too had been there during her time at the Witch Academy. Unfortunately, by then, she was nearing graduation, yet the benefits she gained from it are still valuable to her today.
It even became one of the reasons she dared to venture into the field of understanding the creation of the Great Spellbook.
Some things can only be understood after reaching a certain realm. That was the true closure of education. Unfortunately, she did not meet a good teacher back then, but that doesn’t hinder her from becoming such a teacher herself.
Wisdom Enlightenment is truly crucial; the sooner, the better. If not for the restriction that the secret realm cannot be disseminated throughout the school, those academy heads would genuinely want to make it a part of compulsory education for all students.
However, many people fail to see the importance of such things.
Potions, magic potions… even many spell effects, those enhancing wisdom and mental effects can yield faster results. Yet, these are facilitated by external forces, not accomplishments derived from one’s own efforts.
That is a fundamentally different distinction.
“Haha, why overthink it? These matters can’t be forced.” Ji self-deprecatingly muttered to herself, but she had no intention of returning. Nonsense—what does an extraordinary witch need to go back to for meals or sleep?
It’s unnecessary. Even eating is merely a desire of the palate—a craving—while an extraordinary witch has already become an extraordinary existence. This is not just about power but a leap in the dimension of life.
She has many important tasks to accomplish. The plan for the Great Spellbook has already been put on the agenda. She needs a lot of preliminary groundwork and even to leave the Main World to personally go to the Grand Library of the Witch World to search for what she needs.
Oh… Plus, even though Ji is 99.99% certain of failing to create the Great Spellbook, she will ensure the best insurance for that 0.01% chance and sign a contract with the Primordial Witch guarding the Grand Library of the Witch World.
At this moment, I had safely returned to my villa.
“Sister Xiao Han, you’re finally back! Why are you later than usual today? I received a package for you, and it was full of warnings to handle with care. I didn’t even dare to touch it…” Hong Chanyi spoke up as soon as she saw me return.
“Is it here? Thanks, where is it?” I asked.
“Right at the door. I didn’t dare to move it. Is there glass inside or something? When I took it, it sounded like there were collisions inside.”
“Probably. Anyway, thanks.”
I gently lifted the large box, which was filled with various instruments. The so-called glass was likely test tubes or similar items. After all, alchemy involves many things; even scientific experiments require numerous instruments, and research in alchemy, as an extraordinary level endeavor, must also be similar.
“And you still thank me? By the way, Sister Xiao Han, you’ve become so low-key lately. It’s like you vanished from the Witch Academy; I can’t even find any clips of you on short videos.”
Hong Chanyi looked at me. The white hair made them very confused, but they could also see that their Sister Xiao Han seemed to have changed slightly compared to before, perhaps becoming more engaged?
“Isn’t that a good thing? The more famous you become, the more trouble you find. I’m here to learn extraordinary knowledge, not to become famous.”
“You’re right, Sister Xiao Han, but it’s a pity the things we’re studying now are too dry.”
“The more boring it is, the more you need to settle down…”
“Alright, alright, I won’t drink the soup anymore. By the way, Sister Xiao Han, are you really going to take me down to the secret realm?”
“Sorry, I’ve been so busy with my own matters that I forgot about you guys. However, I might be very busy again soon.” I sighed and could only apologize. I had originally thought about whether to take Hong Chanyi to the Wisdom Enlightenment Secret Realm, but recalling that Teacher Ji mentioned it was a long-term secret realm, I figured Hong Chanyi might not be able to cope with it.
“By the way, didn’t you partner up with Shi Huiyu? Doesn’t she have decent strength? You should ask her if she’s willing to take you to explore the secret realm. I discovered a great secret realm today that can stably obtain magic sources.”
“Stably obtaining magic sources! Is that true!” As soon as Hong Chanyi heard this, she jumped up from the sofa.
“Yes, but the entry threshold requires spending an Aoqin. You need to figure this out yourself.”
“Aoqin?” Hearing this, Hong Chanyi instantly wilted. She had deliberately researched these extraordinary materials and understood just how expensive an Aoqin is.
“I… Sigh, I might as well sign a loan contract with Shi Huiyu. The beginning is always tough, and I can pay it back later…”
“AIOwe? Are you going to borrow from Shi Huiyu? Be careful you can’t pay her back and end up in trouble~” I shook my head, advising Hong Chanyi.
“If I get into trouble, so be it. I can always pay my debts myself. If she doesn’t want to lend it, she wouldn’t have borrowed it from the beginning. I know her well.”
“Wow~ I didn’t expect you to be like this, Hong Chanyi.” I pretended to be disgusted as I spoke, “Well… Whatever you decide, just don’t trouble me, and I’ll be at peace.”
“Sigh! Wait! Sister Xiao Han! You still haven’t told me which secret realm you mentioned!”
“Zero-level Trial Secret Realm, where you can obtain up to five magic sources weekly, but from what I see, you probably won’t be able to max it out. Shi Huiyu might, but you may not.”
“My strength isn’t that weak, right? I’m also attending practical training classes…”
“In any case, if you want to go, make sure to understand it in advance. There are so many witch secret realms; surely one will suit you, and many with low thresholds are also suitable for you, but it doesn’t necessarily mean they will provide good things.”
After giving Hong Chanyi a brief explanation, I returned to my bedroom with all these items.
Actually, the villa is quite large, with three floors and many areas we haven’t utilized, like the specially designated laboratory for professional memory students on the first floor, etc.
However, it can’t be compared to the academy’s professional and paid alchemy rooms.
Yet it is very suitable for someone like me who is just starting out as an alchemy apprentice.
Surely, the alchemy experiments I engage in can’t blow up the villa, right?
That would be quite dangerous!
If I could blow up the villa, that might be a different story; that’s not a failure, that’s success!
A Fireball Spell may not even be able to collapse the villa.
Directly upgrading to a conventional combat method would result in a powerful attack without a casting time, okay?
While I was organizing and cleaning these tools, my phone suddenly rang.
“Oh? It’s Sister Bai.” I picked up the phone and answered without hesitation, “Hello~ Sister Bai, why are you calling so late? Shouldn’t you be busy lately?”
“Um… My project has reached a temporary pause, so now I have ample time…”
“Oh? The project is completed? Does that mean you’re about to become an extraordinary witch?” I asked excitedly.
If Sister Bai becomes an extraordinary witch, wouldn’t she directly be promoted to a teacher?
She might perhaps leave this world to explore the Void. I shouldn’t be so greedy as to keep Sister Bai around… Though I feel somewhat reluctant thinking like this.
“Still early, but… it might be soon? Who knows? Listening to your voice, are you busy with something?”
“Oh, just cleaning some tools~ But what exactly is the reason for your call, Sister Bai?”
“Can’t I call just to check on you?”
“…No, no, of course, you can! My phone is always open for you to call, Sister Bai~”
I froze for a moment, quickly realizing my reaction. I usually don’t like making or receiving calls.
In the past, phone calls were either nuisance calls or troublesome matters, which turned into my own stress response.
Perhaps that’s the true purpose of a mobile phone: not solely for important notifications but rather for casual conversation when apart.
But… even if I recognize this, changing myself is very difficult… But I will try to change, like right now, looking for a topic to chat about!
“Um… Sister Bai…”
“You say, we haven’t seen each other these days; do you need my help with something?”
“Are you free, Sister Bai? I want to take on a long-term secret realm exploration task.”
