Chapter 37: Sudden Academy Confrontation
As the sky emitted a deep rumble, it was as if the curtain concealing it was being drawn back.
Twisted cracks extended outward from a certain point in the sky, the high temperature and light streaming through the gaps distorted the air, making the sky appear blurry.
More and more seniors from the academy flew towards the torn area on their brooms.
It looked as if the sky had collapsed, with terrifying flames wildly piercing through and widening the cracks.
The edges of the cracks resembled a shattered mirror, constantly shedding fragments that disappeared in mid-air before they even hit the ground.
Everyone seemed prepared to face the possible battles ahead, and the ground shook even more violently.
I closed the glass door of the store and crouched down in a corner, bracing myself in case the building collapsed and trapped me underneath. I held tightly to the badge on my chest, which was my only means of attack at the moment, even though I had never used it before.
Senior Tang Yihan told me that the power of magic was immense, and I listened intently; if I encountered danger, this might be my last resort.
From time to time, I glanced through the glass to see what was happening outside; an incident like this had occurred at the academy, where were the teachers?
Why weren’t the academy’s teachers coming out to resolve this situation?
Instead, many seniors seemed to be forming defensive formations in the sky in perfect harmony.
At this moment, I was alone in the store, and this lack of security felt terrible; why hadn’t Senior Tang Yihan returned yet?
Just as I was complaining, the sky erupted with a violent roar once again.
This time, it felt as if the heavens had truly collapsed.
I cautiously moved to the shop entrance; if I sensed something was wrong, I would have to abandon the store and flee.
The store manager and two seniors were here; this was really beyond my capability. I wanted to protect the store and continue this part-time job…
This was only my second day on the job, and I hadn’t even gotten paid yet…
At that moment, too many thoughts raced through my mind, but when I looked up at the sky, a gigantic scar-like formation spanned the horizon, as if the heavens had been sliced open.
The horrifying energy flowed visibly, distorting the edges of the cracks, creating a scene that would remain etched in my memory forever.
The dissipation and transformation of energy formed enormous thermal currents on the horizon, and the dazzling light seemed to shape a second sun in the sky.
I could feel the temperature inside the store rising significantly.
Out of fear, and having never experienced something like this before, my sweat soaked through my uniform; I couldn’t tell whether it was from the fright or the heat.
Sure enough, when celestial beings fight, mortals suffer. Despite the academy not even being in session, how could such a situation arise?
I hadn’t heard of any external dangers in this world, no invasion of alien beasts, and no Abyss Demons taking over…
The society was peaceful.
Why was there such a terrifying aftershock of battle?
My mind felt as if it was about to overload at this moment, leaving only fear of the unknown.
I could only remember Sister Bai mentioning the barrier; this horrifying situation must mean that the academy’s barrier had been breached, right?
Barriers can also be broken?
Shouldn’t such a setting usually be the final line of defense in novels? How could this happen?
I gripped my phone tightly, uncertain of what to do.
Should I call someone?
Senior Tang Yihan had mentioned before leaving that I could call her if there was a problem, but would asking her about something like this really be okay?
In the end, I called her, even though I felt she wouldn’t be able to resolve this matter. However, as a senior who had graduated from the Witch Academy, she must know what was happening, right?
“Hello… Senior Tang, can you hear me?”
“I can hear you, Xiao Han. How are things on your end?” Soon, I could hear the sound of the senior’s voice mixed with the howling wind from the other side.
“I’m fine, Senior. What is happening? Is it going to affect us?” I hurriedly asked.
“It’s the Holy Angel Academy’s birdmen teaming up with the Wizard Academy to attack us at the Witch Academy; they really have some nerve.”
“Ah?”
Hearing the senior’s words, I was immediately stunned; was this an academy war?
How could it have happened so suddenly? Shouldn’t the academy mobilize all students and actively engage in battle during such an incident? Why was there no movement at all before the sudden attack?
I had far too many questions to ask at this moment.
“It’s okay, Xiao Han. You should be fine staying in the store. Just protect yourself and prioritize your own safety.”
“Okay, alright.”
After I agreed, Senior Tang Yihan hung up the phone immediately; it seemed the other side was also in a hurry and didn’t have time to explain everything to me. I looked at the seniors riding brooms in the sky.
Could one of them be Senior Tang Yihan?
Just seconds after I was disconnected, my phone rang again; someone was calling me, and the caller was none other than Sister Bai.
It seemed Sister Bai was very concerned about me; she must have been trying to call earlier and continued until now. Right after the last call ended, she was calling again.
So I answered without hesitation.
“Sister Bai.”
“Xiao Han, are you okay?”
As soon as the call connected, I heard Sister Bai’s slightly panicked voice.
“I’m fine, I’m doing well.”
“Good to hear you’re okay. Take care of yourself; the battle at the academy is too close to where you live, and safety comes first.”
“Mm, I understand. I don’t want to d*e right now. Wait, Sister Bai, do you know what’s happening?”
“Hmm, judging by the energy levels and the fighting situation, it’s likely the students from the Holy Angel Academy.”
“Students?”
I looked at the situation on the horizon; could students create something like this?
“Why aren’t the teachers from the other academies intervening?” I hurriedly asked.
“Of course they can’t, and they shouldn’t. The opponents are all students; teachers can’t intervene. Even if they wanted to, they would probably be stopped by the students in the academy. This is a conflict between student groups; if teachers intervene, it would imply that the students of the Witch Academy are all weak, understand?”
“I… think I get it…”
I gazed out at the situation, feeling both fear and a sense of yearning; this kind of power fascinated me too much.
Is this what it means to be strong?
“Xiao Han, are you in the dormitory? I’m coming to find you. Just stay where you are.”
At that moment, Sister Bai’s voice came through the phone again.
“Ah? You’re coming to find me? Wait, I’m not in the dormitory.”
“Not in the dormitory? Then where are you? You haven’t gone near the battlefield, have you?” Sister Bai’s tone turned tense.
“No, I wouldn’t be reckless like that. I’m still at my part-time job, and the location is in Xinmengli District, at a bakery…”
“The Red Velvet Bakery?”
“Ah? The Red Velvet Bakery?” I was caught off guard by Sister Bai’s question; the bakery hadn’t explicitly mentioned what kind it was, but it did specialize in red velvet cakes.
“That should be it? It’s not far from my dorm…”
“Alright, stay there and don’t move. I’m coming to find you.”
