Chapter 444: Sister Bai, I Don’t Want to Be a Student Anymore!
Coming out of the Academy Head’s office, I felt a mixture of excitement and discomfort.
The Academy Head called me not to make me do hard labor or anything like that, as Teacher Deina had anticipated; instead, she emphasized some matters related to the new teacher.
It was obvious that the Academy Head had made it clear, almost saying that Sister Bai was coming back.
In short, Sister Bai was likely among this batch of new teachers; otherwise, there would be no reason to specifically call me over.
The prospect of seeing Sister Bai again naturally excited me to the point that I still felt a little euphoric.
However, the subsequent statement that the academy does not promote “teacher-student relationships” left me dumbfounded…
The Academy Head focused on explaining this issue, and describing it as “not advocating” was a rather gentle way of putting it.
The main reason lies in objective factors: the Extraordinary Witches and the prospective witches, even the quasi-witches, essentially belong to two different species. Even though witches may appear similar to humans, it is a matter of the difference in life forms.
Furthermore, due to the nature of witch transformation, once one advances to the Extraordinary Witch level, the transformation process will tend to be completed in a short period. The essence of witch transformation is actually a form of racial assimilation. Compared to other species that undergo transformation leading to disparities in body and thought, witches do not have such concerns. They have long had a systematic method of “assimilation,” beginning with the gradual process of “witch transformation” as soon as they come into contact with magic power.
The sense of identification among witches is very strong; however, when faced with non-similar beings, they tend to be quite indifferent, unless the other party is an Extraordinary being of the same level. It is difficult to hold an equal conversation otherwise.
So, while the Witch Academy teaches a group of students to become witches, in the eyes of witches, they do not see the students as equals, and they do not regard them as witch cubs or beings about to become peers. After all, a naturally born witch cub, from the moment of its birth, inherently possesses the essence of the Extraordinary, which is a fundamental difference.
Surveys show that the relationship between most witches and students in the Witch Academy is actually quite similar to the care between a master and a pet. It’s a kind of hierarchical benevolence, but this fact is not actively disclosed to the students.
So, without revealing the truth, many students are completely unaware of the actual situation; they simply believe that they are more favored by the teachers. What they do not know is that this could just be their appearance aligning with the preferences of the witches.
After all, in the witches’ perception, witch transformation is also referred to as an XP modifier, a concept that can assimilate various races into a form that roughly meets their XP criteria.
Students transformed into witches also conform in appearance to the aesthetic preferences of most witches, so the relationship between teachers and students is quite complex.
Thus, the academy’s stance against teacher-student romantic relationships seems to hinder students from currying favor with their teachers, but it is actually a way of protecting the students. This is because Extraordinary Witches are destined to develop a one-sided affection for students, which may change for various reasons and result in becoming a “bad girl.”
However, from the witches’ perspective, they may never realize this, just as most humans cannot spend their lives with pets. Life expectancy is also a significant reason; any student who has not advanced to become an Extraordinary Witch risks never being able to do so.
Moreover, most witches are also attracted to beauty, and the lifespan of a human being is just a trivial portion compared to the lifespan of a witch. Soon after, humans will grow old and d*e, and the brilliance of a human life is like a stunning flower, receiving the witch’s favor only during its bloom. Initially, they might be very interested, but as they watch the other age, even if using potions to maintain their appearance, after experiencing separation and loss, most witches tend to avoid such thankless endeavors.
After all, some witches will see things more clearly during this process, while others may suffer from long-term depression.
Hence, the Academy Head called me over, on one hand, to educate me on this aspect, and on the other, to prepare me psychologically, as she felt that Bai Yu, after experiencing a period of witch life, might be different from the Bai Yu I had previously interacted with.
At this point, I felt a jolt in my heart, as I was genuinely afraid of the situation the Academy Head described…
I had imparted the Grand Wisdom Enlightenment Spell to Sister Bai; would she suddenly see through everything? Wouldn’t I be left with no tears to cry?
However, the Academy Head slightly reassured my emotions and also mentioned other matters, such as my current situation.
My situation is fundamentally different from that of the other students in the academy.
First, I have broken the Earth Vein Shackles. Don’t underestimate the importance of this action; it carries profound significance.
If Extraordinary Witches regard people in the Main World as miserable pets confined to a cage, then I am like a bird that has escaped its cage.
Although breaking free from the cage means I will experience the “social beatings” that those still in the cage cannot comprehend, namely the curses of misfortune, this has been temporarily suppressed by the collar the Academy Head gave me.
Extraordinary Witches teach other students how to escape this cage as if separated by a barrier, but with me, there is no such barrier. The witches are even willing to take me to witness more beauty from the outside world, teaching me more things through richer means.
From the attitudes of those witches towards me, it is clear that the difference in how they treat me compared to other students is significant.
Moreover, utilizing the abilities and theoretical knowledge from Self-Awakened Body Cultivation and the transformation through the Academy Head, along with other skills, I have birthed the self-generated magic that is a unique talent of witches, giving me recognition among witches beyond the framework of “master and pet.” They are more willing to regard me as a “Little Witch.”
From the Academy Head, I learned about the concept of “Little Witch.”
This concept does not refer to any stage during an ordinary person’s advancement to become an Extraordinary Witch but to those witches who have once reached the level of Extraordinary Witch or were born as Extraordinary Witches, but for various reasons, have fallen from that level. This category of witches is termed “Little Witches.”
They possess the knowledge and all that comes with being an Extraordinary Witch, but their essence of life has fallen, losing the prefix of “Extraordinary.” However, they still retain their self-generated magic talents, mastered spellbooks, magic sources, knowledge, etc. This is what defines a Little Witch.
In fact, there are quite a few Little Witches, many of whom have sustained such deep injuries to their essence of life that they may never again advance to become Extraordinary Witches and experience a significant reduction in lifespan. Yet, they are still acknowledged by the witches.
As for why there are so many of this group of Little Witches, it is due to witches’ inherent nature of seeking fun, finding entertainment, and their penchant for self-destructive behavior.
Extraordinary Witches inherently possess this nature, so how could the group of Little Witches not grow large?
Radical Extraordinary Witches often engage in various self-destructive behaviors under the guise of being sisters within the Little Witch club.
However, one thing must be understood: only by surviving is it possible to return and become a Little Witch. Most Extraordinary Witches who push the boundaries of self-destruction are likely to either succeed or d*e on the spot, with only a tiny fraction possibly returning through the rescue of other witches. It can be said that this is an extremely rare situation.
This sufficiently demonstrates how terrifying witches’ self-destructive nature can be.
Thus, from the Academy Head’s perspective, my unique situation actually represents a “promotion” to a Little Witch in a special manner. Although it is not through the standard path to become a Little Witch, my existence has been acknowledged by the witches in this way.
The Academy Head even joked that upon entering the Little Witch mutual aid association, no witch would question my authenticity.
Therefore, this is why I am more favored and taken care of by the witches compared to other students.
However, there is still a limit to all this; after all, I am indeed not an Extraordinary Witch and cannot engage in equal discussions with them. So, I do not have too much entitlement to be willful.
To be honest, the Academy Head was merely explaining to me the reasons behind the special treatment I’ve received in the academy, helping me clearly understand my position.
The Academy Head naturally knows about the relationship between Bai Yu and me, but she wouldn’t intervene too much. After all, she does not understand Bai Yu’s feelings and does not know whether Bai Yu would still be interested in the former Xiao Han. So, she could only suggest and not impose, as she is one of the heads of the Witch Academy, with a greater concern for the Extraordinary Witches.
Thus, the Academy Head can only provide me with a bit of advice.
For instance, she suggested that when I see Sister Bai, I shouldn’t suddenly do something outrageous like rushing towards her. It’s best to first gauge the nature of my relationship with Bai Yu to see if it can continue as before.
If it cannot, and I were to forcefully bother her, even if I were punished, as Academy Head, she would have to enforce the rules impartially and wouldn’t show favoritism.
Bai Yu’s attitude is the primary premise.
If pressure isn’t effective, the Academy Head suggested that I focus on advancing to become an Extraordinary Witch sooner rather than clinging to past ties. At least after becoming an Extraordinary Witch, I would have the qualification and opportunity to pursue her again, as the Witch Academy does not prohibit romantic feelings between teachers. This is a freedom among witches.
And this is my only opportunity. If, after overcoming previous obstacles, Bai Yu still remembers me, the only hindrance between me and Sister Bai would be my identity as a “student.”
Thus, the Academy Head presented me with a choice: to become a “Teaching Assistant.”
Generally, teaching assistants are occupied by newly minted instructors at the academy; however, Extraordinary Witches really do not need to sharpen their teaching skills through assistants.
Therefore, few new instructors choose this transitional role and prefer independent teaching.
Nevertheless, the position of teaching assistant remains very necessary, so the Witch Academy has a precedent of taking students as teaching assistants, which has continued to this day.
After all, most instructors at the Extraordinary Academy have their own responsibilities to manage, and many trivial matters require assistance from teaching assistants. Some teaching assistants may even need to substitute for teachers in lectures, as many witches have their own topics or projects to research, and not all witches possess cloning abilities.
Moreover, having teaching assistant experience is advantageous for students who wish to return as teachers after graduation.
However, it is quite difficult for students to become teaching assistants; it’s not as simple as just wanting to be one, as being a teaching assistant is considered a half-instructor role, having mostly broken away from the student identity category, establishing a preliminary grasp of power within the Witch Academy.
Yet, this power is contingent upon the Extraordinary Witches. If the witch they follow believes that the teaching assistant has overstepped, they can revoke the assistant status at any time.
This power applies only to students becoming teaching assistants. If an Extraordinary Witch becomes a teaching assistant, it is merely swapping one witch for another or directly becoming an independent teacher. There is no issue with that.
The reason is simply that they are Extraordinary Witches; their status ensures they cannot be demoted to the student category and, at most, may leave the main world voluntarily because they are not suited to be teachers.
So… if I want to continue being with Sister Bai, becoming a teaching assistant is essential to obtain that identity.
Once I become a teaching assistant, I would no longer need to participate in necessary tests like monthly exams and final exams among the students.
Of course, these words were intentionally said to me by the Academy Head, as in the history of the Witch Academy, there has never been a genius who qualified to be a teaching assistant without having completed three years of courses.
It can even be said that this rule of exempting tests like monthly exams and final exams has not been around for long.
I naturally saw the Academy Head’s encouragement and hints in her words, as not having to participate in the month-end and final period exams means that I can withdraw from the “script,” eliminating me as an unstable factor, resulting in mutual satisfaction.
To this end, the Academy Head also listed the benefits I would receive as a teaching assistant, entirely giving off an impression of someone eager for me to become a teaching assistant as soon as possible to no longer interfere with the new students.
I felt helpless; this was probably the first time the Academy Head hoped so much for someone to pass the teaching assistant qualification test.
It seems that if the Academy Head continues to push behind the scenes, the process for me to obtain the qualification would not be easily met with obstacles.
One could say that the Academy Head’s proposal is a win-win situation: the academy is happy to reduce instability, and I am happy to have the chance to be with Sister Bai!
It can be said that this visit was immensely rewarding. I learned a lot of things and received good news, and the thought that Sister Bai is coming back lingered in my mind for a long time.
So much so that I currently don’t want to do anything, just waiting for Sister Bai’s arrival. However, deep inside, there is also a slight fear, worrying about how much witch transformation would affect Sister Bai.
But I also understand clearly that even if there is a slight possibility that Sister Bai would no longer feel the same affection for me, I would not cling to her.
As the Academy Head said, I will strive to become an Extraordinary Witch as quickly as possible.
I won’t entangle myself or question Sister Bai about why because it is meaningless. Degrading admiration only questions the other person about their feelings; genuine affection only silently strives to reach an equal level, to communicate with the other side equally. This is a mutual choice. The worst outcome would simply be an amicable separation after reaching an understanding.
Rather than turning my feelings into a multiple-choice question thrust onto the other party, compelling them to choose, such affection seems cheap to me, and I feel it’s unworthy for the one who has to choose.
Sister Bai is the most important person to me in this world, oh no… the most important witch! Therefore, I will treat any matters related to her with utmost seriousness.
Holding onto this thought, I quickly returned to my dormitory. I have realized my emotional control has slipped, but in the face of matters regarding Sister Bai, I am willing to let my emotions take limited control over my perception.
Admiration without losing rationality—this is my attitude.
So, for now, I should quickly find something to do to pass the time…
