Chapter 273: Wisdom Enlightenment, Late Arrival Guest
The first monthly exam at the Witch Academy has begun.
It is also a theoretical exam; the primary focus of the curriculum at the Witch Academy for the first three years has been on theoretical studies. Practical training is usually assessed based on scores, with rankings predominantly motivated by class standings.
After all, grading practical skill is challenging. If the entire year were to rank scores, it could turn into a competition many times more extensive than the actual contests.
As such, this theoretical monthly exam draws the eyes of many, particularly those new students who are initially under scrutiny. Perhaps the excitement from the contests had greatly stimulated their mindset, leading many students to feel that they cannot compete with others.
If they can’t match in combat, they believe they surely can’t be outperformed in theory.
This mindset fostered a strong motivation among many to study theory diligently.
After all, no one excels in every area; being proficient in both academics and physical skills is somewhat unrealistic.
However, Tan Han has thoroughly dealt them a heavy blow. Let’s not forget that Tan Han scored full marks in the college entrance examination to enter the Witch Academy; how could she struggle with theoretical studies?
New students, struck by this revelation, finally understood the comprehensive crushing power of an academic genius.
In this environment, many new students discovered that Yang Yuelan, who ranked first in the recent exchange competition, did not participate in this theoretical monthly exam, which became an outlet for the frustration of those who couldn’t handle it.
Unfortunately, the academy would not explain or comfort them, and I couldn’t hear their filth and ridicule.
After tiring themselves out with insults on the academy forum, they realized that the person they were cursing seemed to have evaporated from existence in the Witch Academy; it felt as if their punches landed on cotton.
Many began to maliciously speculate whether the Witch Academy had expelled her. After all, her performance in the exchange competition was evident, tarnishing the academy’s reputation and angering other institutions. Who knows where her body might be lying now?
However, it was clear that most with such vicious guesses were new students. Senior students were not so naive; even the experienced seniors know what the Witch Academy represents. Teachers here would be eager to recruit students like Yang Yuelan, so how could they expel her over such matters?
After being scolded by the seniors on the forum, the new students were begrudgingly more subdued online.
Thus, the seniors taught the new students one thing: strength is always the best means to silence the weak.
Just because you struggle doesn’t mean others do too; if they are unwilling to make foolish mistakes with you, then you’re truly the foolish one.
“Tan Han, how have you been feeling lately? I see you always running to the library. The monthly exam is over; do you think there’s anything you need to catch up on?” Lina asked Tan Han before her.
Even though Lina is Tan Han’s advisor and the head of their grade, it’s still difficult to get Tan Han to sit down for a chat.
Tan Han is famously busy at the Witch Academy. Since she narrowly lost to Yang Yuelan in the exchange competition, she seems to have toned down significantly while also clearing things up with Lina, establishing her own goals in the academy.
Of course, it’s uncertain whether the goals Tan Han found are genuinely derived from the academy’s guidance through a scripted plan.
What remains unchanged is Tan Han’s need for overwhelming strength.
As the number of Children of Fortune at the Witch Academy increased, Tan Han could clearly sense that the academy’s attention on her had waned compared to before, although she unfortunately did not inquire why.
Even without further inquiry, Tan Han had some thoughts; perhaps her performance had been disappointing to the academy?
“Yes, I still have a lot to learn, not just what’s in the textbooks,” Tan Han replied apathetically, nodding. If this had been the Tan Han before, perhaps there would have been a hint of pride in her tone.
“Don’t be so cold when speaking to me; I prefer your old self, back when you were spirited and challenging the teachers. What’s gotten into you… still not recovered from the stimulation?”
“It’s not the stimulation.”
“Then aren’t you curious as to why Yang Yuelan has been missing without a trace for some time? With your relationship, she surely would have told you.”
“She didn’t say anything; her phone has no signal…” Tan Han shook her head.
“Well, I thought you two were friends. It seems she hasn’t even told you. For your information, she accepted a task and entered a secret realm. Interested?”
“Witch Secret Realm? Which one?” Tan Han asked curiously. The fact that it was a realm capable of causing someone to forgo theoretical exam rewards indicated much.
“Fool Village Secret Realm; the connected task is Wisdom Enlightenment.”
“Thanks, I’ll go check it out when I have time.”
“Hey, wait! Why are you so impatient? Aren’t you going to listen to me?” Lina called out, rubbing her forehead, a bit pained.
“I think researching directly might yield more detailed information than listening to you. Is there any intelligence that won’t be recorded in the library?” Tan Han turned to ask.
“Not at all; I just meant to say that it seems there are quite a few people focused on this secret realm. Sigh… it’s all my fault for being too anxious.”
“Aren’t all secret realms like that? It just depends on how many people go.” Tan Han was unconcerned. In the previous trial of the Witch Secret Realm, she had never feared either, and there were many competing with her, yet they still couldn’t outperform her.
“Confidence is a good thing; fine, there’s no reason to hold you back. Just remember, entering the Witch Secret Realm isn’t just something you can do with strength alone.”
At this moment, inside the secret realm.
I and Sister Bai have fully adapted to life here. Our daily needs are adequately met, with our life revolving around practicing meditation techniques to assist in Fool Dreams and organizing various games for them.
One could say we are thoroughly enjoying ourselves—at least, that’s true for this group of Fool Dreams.
I am steadily acquiring the rune impressions from the Fool Dreams. I initially thought that obtaining impressions and gaining insights would be the time-consuming steps in the next three phases, but those turned out to be completed first.
Conversely, practicing meditation has lagged behind.
I’ve helped Sister Bai elevate the meditation practice to a high level of meditation, and I’ve done the same for myself. However, reaching advanced meditation requires at least half a month of time.
Nevertheless, the benefits of consistently quieting my mind to practice meditation have become apparent at this moment.
Active thinking and improved memory are foundational benefits, while the most straightforward feeling is that I currently don’t have any spell effects enhancing my abilities; it’s pretty close to what it was like when employing practical application spells.
It’s hard to imagine the kind of being I will become once I use this spell again.
At this moment, I’m playing in the water with Sister Bai; Fool Village Secret Realm features a rain forest with an ample water supply. Natural waterfalls are present wherever there’s a drop, and the water quality here is clean and unpolluted, making playtime quite enjoyable.
After all, a monotonous life, aside from meditation, needs other spices, and unless the academy intervenes, there’s hardly any chance of connecting to the internet here.
I can only k*ll time with some offline games on my phone but will eventually tire of them; sometimes going for a walk reveals many interesting things in the world that surpass playing on a phone.
“Hehe—Sister Bai, look! Water bomb!”
“Eh? Wait, you hit my clothes…”
“Isn’t that just right? Sister Bai looks so alluring when wet.”
“Alright, Xiao Han, daring to make suggestive remarks at your sister?” At this moment, Bai Yu also showed no mercy, sending a wave of water towards me.
“Ah—” This sudden impact made me tumble into the water.
“Xiao Han, are you okay? Xiao Han?” Bai Yu looked at me submerged, flashing a look of panic as she rushed forward, only to be splashed by me.
“Hehe, I was pretending.”
“You scared me to d*ath; don’t do that again, alright?” Bai Yu admonished worriedly.
“Got it, got it. Sister Bai, why is it that you suffer a loss like this every time?” I got up from the water, shaking my head to fling the excess water, while my hand subconsciously tugged at the collar that had stuck to me due to wetness. Indeed, the feeling after getting soaked is quite uncomfortable.
“Okay, okay, we’ve bathed, and had our fun in the water; it’s time to head back.”
“There’s nothing fun about going back.” I shrugged, departing the water’s edge. “By the way, Sister Bai, how’s your meditation coming along?”
“About ten more days, and I should be able to complete advanced meditation,” Bai Yu replied thoughtfully as she stepped onto the shore.
“Eh? More than ten days? I feel like it’ll take me half a month; you’re so fast, Sister Bai!”
“No matter how fast, it still requires you to constantly delve into it, doesn’t it? Sometimes, you realize that talent in cultivation doesn’t represent everything, but unfortunately, I understood this a bit late.”
“Realizing this now is still not too late, right?” I picked up my change of clothes, ready to put them on.
“Wait, dry yourself off before you put something on,” Bai Yu reminded, tossing over a towel.
In fact, Sister Bai could completely use spells to dry off quickly; losing her spellbook does not mean she cannot use spells. I can still utilize spells, such as the fireball spell I’ve fully mastered or the small water ball I’ve figured out while playing in the water.
In higher grades, seniors tend to try casting spells without a spellbook; it’s not impossible, just not as powerful.
For example, a water ball that could inflict serious injury when cast with a spellbook would only serve as a water fight tool when performed outside of it.
After changing into a fresh outfit, I also quickly washed my previous clothes, ready to hang them out to dry later.
“Let’s go; we should indeed return.”
Happy times are always short, and is the water fight just for fun? Not necessarily; there’s something delightful about seeing the clothes on Bai Yu gradually soaked, clinging to her body, offering lovely tantalizing visuals.
The water fight merely accelerates this process of enjoyment with Sister Bai.
Thinking back, I still feel somewhat unsatisfied.
But at this moment, it’s indeed time to stop.
Upon returning to Fool Village, every Fool Dream here is familiar with me, having interacted with me before; they have adapted to my presence and no longer find it strange.
“Eh? Why is the village bustling again today?” I curiously observed the village as a flurry of Fool Dreams seemed to be busy, so I casually asked a passing Fool Dream.
“Eh? I heard there are guests arriving in Fool Village again. I went to pick fresh Moxi fruit before sunset!”
“So did I; I’m going to fetch spring water from the mountains outside the village; the water there is the sweetest.”
The Fool Dreams I encountered welcomed me back and informed me of the situation.
Hearing this result, I was somewhat surprised—there are guests again?
Unexpectedly, after such a long time, this Fool Village Secret Realm has welcomed new guests once more, and I couldn’t help but feel curious; if they found this distant secret realm among an immense number of Witch Secret Realms and even spent an Aoqin to enter, I doubt there could be such a foolish benefactor in the world.
Maybe it was a teacher’s recommendation; perhaps it’s even possible that a maintenance senior from the Witch Secret Realm Association brought them here.
This secret realm is special, and it certainly has dedicated seniors responsible for maintaining it. It has managed to continue existing up to now largely due to the contributions of those overseeing it.
“It seems new people have arrived here again, and we will inevitably have to interact with them. Xiao Han, how do you plan to respond?” Bai Yu asked me immediately.
“As for me… I’ll take it as it comes. If they want to interact with me and ask about some things, I can naturally tell them. If they have a good attitude, I’ll share some information, but if not, we won’t play with them.” I responded.
In truth, I don’t mind if some intelligence leaks out here, but I certainly can’t let them benefit without effort. Their acquisition of information must come at a commensurate cost and is also dependent on my mood.
Some people know too much, and the actions they take are rarely sensible.
So I’m not planning to actively engage with them, but I should still express my gratitude.
Thanks to their arrival, tonight Fool Dreams will host another banquet for them, and I can gain some insights from it.
Though my meditation has reached an advanced level, no one can guarantee that advanced is the highest level. Even if the spellbook reaches completion, deriving from it still requires inspiration and insight.
Fool Dreams aspire to and seek to become true life; their wishes interspersed with ceremonies will always spark amazing fireworks.
Perhaps the secret of Wisdom Enlightenment lies within?
Just as I was pondering this, the door of the village head’s house in the center of the village suddenly opened, and a figure stepped out.
As we looked over there, the person immediately spotted us.
After all, standing among a throng of petite Fool Dreams are two normally sized girls, so it’s certain to catch their attention.
As I glanced at the person, I confirmed that I didn’t know them; I just felt… somewhat familiar.
Upon seeing the amount of magic source within them and the aura they conveyed, I had a strange sensation of newness.
“Yang Yuelan…”
Once the person recognized me, their pupils instinctively contracted as they called out my name.
“Hmm? You recognize me?” Since the person called my name, not responding would be impolite.
“How could I not recognize you?” At this moment, the figure spoke through gritted teeth.
“Uh… do we have some kind of grudge?” I curiously scratched my head and asked.
“I’m a student in your class, the class leader person!”
“Ah?”
I looked at the girl before me, and her words made me feel as if my brain had momentarily shrunk. I didn’t remember having such a girl in class.
No… after the exchange competition, there was a transferred student to our class, named Luxien.
She’s from the Wizard Academy…
“Oh→↑↓oh! You’re Luxien!” My gaze towards Luxien instantly shifted, holding a somewhat meaningful look.
“You! What’s with that look!” Luxien felt uneasy under my gaze, coupled with a slight fear of standing before me.
“It’s nothing… just… curious why you’re here.”
“Am I not allowed to come?” Luxien swallowed nervously, glancing at Bai Yu beside me, then turned her head and walked away.
I didn’t stop her. I hadn’t expected to meet Luxien here; it was somewhat intriguing. Luxien is from Class 14, and her arrival here is likely due to Teacher Ji’s advice. At this point, I’m more curious about what Teacher Ji is up to.
The task of Wisdom Enlightenment is known to be long-term, does she really give Luxien a leave?
“Xiao Han, do you know her?” Bai Yu came closer to ask me.
“Uh-huh~ Sister Bai, if you watched the exchange competition, you would be familiar with her too.”
“She… oh…” Bai Yu quickly reacted, “Luxien… that name… Wizard Academy?”
“If you know, there’s no need to say it out loud!”
