Chapter 499: The Erupting Lava Draws a Definitive Line of Equality
“What…”
Tan Han looked astonished at the terrifying ice spear staff, feeling a bone-chilling coldness just by following its direction with her gaze.
The storm egg formed by the magnetic force field became hindered under this frigid domain, and the once-mighty magnetic storm grand spell could only emit an unwilling rumble after facing this strike.
Powerful forces clashed, unleashing a terrifying wind pressure that stung the skin with icy chills.
Tan Han turned her head to look at the figure she had previously sheltered behind; it wasn’t just her—everyone was shocked by this moment’s anomaly.
“Xiao You… Why?”
Tan Han looked incredulously at this figure, an inexplicable emotion choking her heart. She caught a glimpse of the person’s face and the slightly apologetic expression, a shard of ice slipping from the corner of her eye, and she was entirely wrapped in countless shards of ice.
An already empty magic power canister fell from above into an unnoticed corner, swirling snowflakes gathering around her before sliding down again, a horrifying momentum suddenly erupting from Xiao You.
The immense phantom of ancient ice took shape within the biting cold blizzard, as if awakened from ancient times.
The ice staff was gripped in her hand for the first time by the massive ancient legacy ice, the tip transforming into the sharpest ice blade as it was slowly pushed forward, penetrating the magnetic storm, destroyed by the terrifying magnetic force field, then reshaped once more.
Frost gradually covered Aen Galande’s arms, then his face and hair, and finally enveloped his whole body…
The terrifying energy fluctuations shook the frost away, but they could not awaken Aen Galande, who was gradually losing consciousness.
This was Xiao You’s first time using the ancient legacy ice transformation spell, and even she was astonished that she succeeded on her first try, considering she had failed several times the first time she attempted the fireball spell…
This illusion made her feel a momentary daze, the illusory figure at this moment seemed like the best teacher, teaching her in a way that she had never experienced in class, hands-on from how to manipulate the spellbook with her mental power first, countless pieces of information presenting themselves before her eyes, even vaguely skipping over textual representation to display knowledge in her mind.
With such a feeling, she completed the activation of the transformation spell just in the nick of time.
The first to condense was that most dazzling ice spear staff.
Then, the sensation of her entire body merging into solid ice and the unrivaled affinity for snow made her feel as if with just a thought she could whip up a blizzard.
When she had fully completed the transformation and grasped the legacy ice scepter in one hand, she realized this was not an illusion!
In that moment, the surrounding wind and clouds changed, heavy snow whirled, as if to freeze the air itself.
But soon, she woke from this intoxication of power, the surrounding snow and ice also coming to a halt.
Because she suddenly realized, this power did not belong to her, and this control over the spellbook equally did not belong to her!
She was merely a chip pushed onto the stage in this gamble, a source of amusement destined to be mocked by everyone.
A clown forced to perform spells before the original owner and seeking their forgiveness…
When Tan Han turned around, she couldn’t dare to meet her gaze anymore; the frost froze her tears, turning them into shards of ice that fell away, the legacy ice wrapping around her body, obstructing her line of sight, the spellbook she had once only looked up to was now effective upon her, her hearing was as if separated by a barrier from reality, and she could only hear the low whispers of that illusory figure in her ear.
She felt as if she truly became a puppet, acting on commands, and her only freedom at this moment was to slay the enemy who had offended her sister Tan Han.
At this moment, the reality she was unwilling to face and everything that had already occurred made her heart both relieved and helpless, as if only d*ath could end this farce, could calm Xiao Han’s rage, could bring peace to her restless heart, and only the end after d*ath and the complete darkness of nothingness could allow her anxious heartbeat to finally rest.
As for whether she would d*e like this or be resurrected by the resurrection spell… That would be a question she had to confront after she died.
She genuinely wished that after her d*ath, she would cease to exist entirely, and that her revived self would be a new personality, at least she wouldn’t have to inherit the memories of this moment nor bear this reality.
At this moment, she wanted to scream, yet could only summon endless coldness, the formidable enemy she had previously been unable to confront was now pierced through her limbs at her bidding, their once-proud power dissipating along with the fading glimmer in their eyes.
And then…?
“Then? Of course, it’s to end this boring joint examination, and ultimately you will obtain the liberation you seek, won’t you?”
The voice echoing in her mind suddenly pointed her in a direction.
At this moment, due to the terrifying momentum of the ancient legacy ice transformation spell, everyone retreated, feeling the extreme cold enveloped by the realm of ice and snow, no one willing to touch this fearsome solid ice that emanated unintentionally.
Low temperatures froze the moisture in the air, turning into falling snowflakes, the demon eggs that had previously been instantly slain by the magnetic storm were either hatching or hadn’t even had the time to form, now being covered or frozen by the snow.
“Ancient legacy ice transformation spell? Why is it with Xiao You?”
After pulling a safe distance away, the young girls couldn’t help but voice such a question.
Not long ago, the college’s online community was filled with slanderous comments claiming Yang Yuelan had used unclean means to snatch all of Tan Han’s spellbooks, including that Excessive Consumption Spellbook.
And now… this spellbook had dramatically appeared in the hands of one of Tan Han’s supporters…
This not only stunned Tan Han, even the senior sisters watching the live broadcast were equally bewildered.
Seeing such an earth-shattering reversal, everyone seemed to burst into cheers for the girl, but soon rational individuals began to sense something was amiss.
This was Tan Han’s most renowned ancient legacy ice transformation spell!
Within the Witch Academy, the Excessive Consumption Spellbook was essentially a well-known and nearly unique presence, which led most people to unconsciously associate this ancient legacy ice transformation spell as belonging to Tan Han, and indeed, that was the case.
At this moment, many senior sisters recalled that impulsive smear campaign and felt a twinge of shame and resentment, but that shame was quickly cast onto the real culprit.
For this moment and for a long time afterward, Tan Han’s support group would face a significant setback in reputation within the college’s online community.
The gaze returned to the Bobapop Islands, young girls displaying confused expressions, not understanding what had happened.
Only those young girls beside Tan Han lowered their heads in silence; it wasn’t that they knew something, but rather that they thought of something.
Those present in Tan Han’s support group had basically benefitted from that spellbook, and they recalled the conversation with Xiao You.
She claimed she would retrieve the spellbook belonging to Sister Tan Han; rather than giving it to others, it would be better for their own people to benefit. At that time, they had fought over the allocation of the spellbooks, each obtaining a decent amount of what they were satisfied with, and this became their shared secret.
Because they could see that Sister Tan Han’s determination to give away that spellbook far exceeded their expectations; they couldn’t foresee the potential consequences if this matter were disclosed.
No one asked Xiao You how she obtained that spellbook, nor whether she had also retrieved the Excessive Consumption Spellbook, because such things were not within their capacity to shoulder.
All of this only served as a talisman for an event that was bound to be exposed, one where they themselves didn’t know the truth.
Now, many were engaging in unfounded speculations, especially Luxien and Ninglan Qiuyue; they had witnessed Xiao Han’s abilities, perhaps… this was also part of her plan.
At this moment, Tan Han was also contemplating this possibility, but deep down she harbored another possibility, one she was somewhat afraid of and even reluctant to face.
She could tolerate those self-proclaimed followers carrying her name; during this joint examination, she had witnessed the true faces of so many people, whether timid, for profit, or for themselves… all of this had never been a burden for her. In fact, she viewed it as a selection, a divinely granted relief, an opportunity to solidify her resolve.
And throughout this journey, she also gained friends; those who followed her to this point were the friends she was determined to treat sincerely and respond to…
She had never felt the word “friends” to be so heavy, yet so fragile, and at this moment, she felt somewhat lost, as if she understood why Xiao Han took the term “friends” so seriously.
Once, she had also presumptuously taught the other what friends were, believing they placed too much importance on it; but now… she realized that for a moment, she had failed to the extent of not being qualified to lecture others.
Tan Han glanced back at the individuals behind her from a distance, and upon seeing their expressions differ from the others, she felt an inkling in her heart; a simple meeting of gazes seemed to say everything without needing words.
She subconsciously sought help from the illusory figure visible only to her…
Xiao Han did not dominate this Knowledge Shadow; when she looked at this “Xiao Han,” the latter also looked back at her; in Tan Han’s perception, the current Xiao Han was already smiling at her, as if watching a grand play.
Ultimately, it was that “Xiao Han” who spoke first.
“What are you looking at me for? Do you seek answers from me?”
“Um…”
“Then are they still your friends?”
“Yes… but…”
“What do you think is wrong?”
“It is…”
“It is something everyone commits… unavoidable, foolish acts.”
Tan Han slowly looked at this figure; the other understood her well because the other was merely a changed form of herself. The questions posed were no different than what she had asked herself.
“If friends can’t tolerate even a trace of error, then does friendship still exist in this world?”
“…”
“Whether they are still your friends is not their decision; it is yours. If you wish for an answer, then perhaps ask yourself if you are willing to bear their mistakes to compensate for this oversight?”
“…”
“Are you willing to wait for this bloody wound across your friendship to slowly scab over?”
“…”
“Then your choice is to continuously tear open the scab and reflect on the present pain in the future or let go of the current scar and wait for the scab to fall off, allowing this shallow scar to become proof of friendship, acknowledging that this is an indispensable obstacle in friendship?”
“That…” Tan Han, who had remained silent and speechless under the Knowledge Shadow’s questioning, finally gathered the courage to speak; she understood everything from earlier, and when her subconscious expressed itself, her answer arose, but now she faced her last question…
“What about Xiao Han? Xiao Han… what… should I do?”
…
While Tan Han was lost in thought, Xiao You had already found her final choice at this moment: to end this joint examination and welcome her destined fate.
She would take on this power; she would fulfill the tasks left incomplete by the Wizard Academy, and after everything was completed, she would plunge into the lava to achieve her self-destruction.
“What should I do… that restriction…”
“Do as I say; if it is a restriction, there are naturally methods to break it. You don’t need to think too much; I will clear all obstacles for you. If you cannot even succeed in such matters, then you are a worthless person who cannot even welcome your own outcome, because you are unworthy.”
As the words fell, a marking appeared in Xiao You’s vision that only she could see, countless pieces of information and instructions pointing out the path and methods in the simplest and clearest way.
The positioning and analysis of the restriction, the deconstruction and definition of its structure, the circulation and effects of runes…
This was her first time witnessing such an intuitive resolution of the problem; it made it seem effortless, allowing someone with no knowledge of restrictions to grasp it readily.
But all of this did not belong to her; she felt like someone who had received answers but whose reasoning was clear. Once she lost the answers, she would again lose the pathway to problem-solving.
At this moment, she seemed to see the immense gap between herself and the other; even a slight move from the other revealed a mountain of differences that placed a great chasm between them!
She dashed toward the Bobapop Volcano that had already been nearly destroyed by the magnetic storm grand spell, in front of everyone’s astonished gazes.
The runes on the solid restriction flowed, dazzling to look at, yet within this chaos, the Knowledge Shadow’s markings unraveling the strings pointed her to all the problems. She swung the ancient legacy ice spear, unleashing a violent blizzard for the broken volcano’s final cleansing.
The blizzard swept away the flying volcanic ash in perpetual motion, and with one strike, it suppressed the flowing restriction.
As if this strike directly pierced the vital point, the ice tip pierced the rune, and a massive force erupted from within the restriction, violently shifting the entire Bobapop Islands, a volcano that had been dormant for over a hundred years seemingly awakened, displaying the might of nature in this false world!
At this moment, I was also watching the scene from a distance, my use and development of the Knowledge Shadow seemed to have ascended a level; indeed, fortune always brings terrifying impetus at crucial moments. This journey was truly worthwhile.
Meanwhile, under the observation technique, luck entered its climax, and everything seemed to calm down; the Game of Fortune returned to tranquility, indicating that this joint examination had already been predefined.
However… the form of fortune on Tan Han’s side was somewhat interesting…
After I took over the Knowledge Shadow on Tan Han, everything she questioned and thought became clear to me; her insights also inspired me.
How interesting… is this really how Tan Han chose?
This joint examination has brought me immense gains, with each point reflected in every detail.
So now… let me temporarily close the pages of this script story that has already crossed its conclusion.
As soon as I made that decision, Tan Han, caught in a tangle, posed her innermost final question; once this question was completely resolved, she would no longer hesitate or be confused.
But clearly, this question seemed to have exceeded her subconscious understanding, for it posed a dilemma of seeking forgiveness rather than a matter of self-redemption.
“Me? Taking my things requires paying a price; even if they are returned in full, they must come with the most sincere apology.”
“However… I seem to recall saying earlier… um—if you clear all these demons, I will personally reward you… it really troubles me; do you think… returning what you gave me counts as compensating for the blank check I previously issued?”
Tan Han suddenly looked up at the Knowledge Shadow with a tone that felt completely out of place, a flicker of surprise crossing her eyes, but just as she was about to ask something, the Knowledge Shadow completely dissipated before her eyes; no matter how she called, the previously responsive Knowledge Shadow no longer appeared.
Because… the joint examination had ended.
With a tremor in the earth, the restrictions on the volcano completely vanished, and that icy body merged into the lava, the erupting lava resembling the grandest fireworks, drawing a definitive line for all life in this false world.
