Chapter 511: Mutual Investment with Luxien
“What’s wrong? Are you starting to feel aesthetic fatigue?”
Seeing that I was already showing signs of dozing off, Bai Yu paused in what she was about to say and asked in a slightly lively tone.
“Um… I’m feeling a bit dizzy…” I pretended to act a bit unwell.
In fact, with my current physical fitness and memory, it was impossible for me to be made sleepy by such things, but as Sister Bai said, I was indeed starting to feel some aesthetic fatigue.
“Sigh~ Sister Bai, please don’t push me like this… Um, I still feel this way isn’t suitable for me…” I pleaded.
After all, if learning doesn’t have interest as a driving force, it can be really uncomfortable. Although I thought it was great at first, as Sister Bai explained it this way, I gradually realized a problem: her teaching method… had issues.
I didn’t know if it was a problem for others, but it was indeed a problem for me.
“Not suitable?” Suddenly being addressed this way, Sister Bai was taken aback for a moment.
“Hmm, it’s not that I think your teaching is bad, you know I haven’t really attended normal classes. How about… you record this knowledge using the Knowledge Tree and I’ll take my time with it?”
“Alright…” After pondering for a moment, Sister Bai didn’t insist further, as she also felt that this way seemed a bit too tedious. Then Bai Yu rested a hand on her forehead, “We really shouldn’t do such boring things here. Alright, alright~ It was Sister Bai’s mistake. Let’s do something else.”
“Hmm, does Sister Bai have anything else to do? You’re now an official instructor at the Witch Academy, so you must also need to communicate with other instructors, right? Spending all your time on me might lead to gossip~”
“Ha~ If I cared about that, I wouldn’t have been with you all this time. Does Xiao Han have her own things to do? Since that’s the case, I shouldn’t hold you back any longer.” Sister Bai naturally understood my implication and didn’t feel too sad about it.
“I… was pretty obvious about it…” I said somewhat shyly.
“Hmm, just a step away from directly saying you need some personal space~” Sister Bai pinched my cheek and smiled, “I know we’ve been stuck together these days, and you want some personal space. How could I refuse? If anything happens, just call me directly, and I won’t hold you up.”
“Isn’t Sister Bai curious about what I’m going to do?” Seeing Sister Bai decisively turning away, I couldn’t help but ask.
“Of course I’m curious, but if Xiao Han doesn’t say, I won’t ask.” Sister Bai turned around and smiled.
“I plan to promote the Knowledge Seed, and… I already have a candidate.” I said without hesitation and with a smile, showing no signs of concealment.
“So that’s it?” A hint of surprise flashed in Sister Bai’s eyes as she continued with a smile, “Then I wish you success, but make sure to act within your limits~”
“Thank you~”
After receiving Sister Bai’s affirmation, I no longer hesitated. Earlier, I had seen that Luxien was on this yacht, so finding her wouldn’t be difficult.
At this moment, Sister Bai didn’t say anything more. She went directly to the pool bar to order an alcoholic drink, then turned to look in my direction, quietly observing my movements.
It didn’t take me long to find Luxien on the yacht. At this moment, she was surrounded by a few young girls playing some mini-games.
Surrounded by cheerful music, this little group appeared rather insignificant amid the lively scene.
“Teacher Xiao Han~ You really are here!” As I walked in, one of the girls beside Luxien noticed my arrival and eagerly struck up a conversation.
“Of course, isn’t it normal to come here to relax?” I smiled and approached them, watching the mini-game they were playing. The rules weren’t complicated and seemed a bit childish, but it was just right for playing with friends.
With their enthusiastic invitation and Luxien’s somewhat awkward expression, I joined in to play with them. After all, I rarely had such opportunities to play with others, and people seldom initiated conversations with me.
Regardless of their warm invitation to play, it perfectly filled some voids in my heart.
Though the game was a bit rough around the edges, it became one of the rare moments of joyful emotion I had aside from my relationship with Sister Bai. Indeed, a good atmosphere makes happiness quite simple.
As my relationship with them gradually grew closer, their curiosity about me also began to surface, and the conversation topics would inadvertently lead to questions about me.
After all, my existence was quite mysterious to students from other classes, or even to those in my previously attended class, their understanding of me was limited.
For the unknown, they naturally developed an inquisitive curiosity, but I wasn’t going to disclose everything. This was merely an art of conversation, and I wouldn’t open up to them just because we were having a good time playing games.
It was only after they had played enough that, upon Luxien’s suggestion, we moved to another area to play.
“Come on, you must be looking for me? What’s up?” Once they had all left, Luxien collected her previous laughter and turned her head to ask me.
“Is that so direct? Are you that sure I’m here to find you for something?” I smiled and countered.
“Although I haven’t interacted with you much, you don’t strike me as the type to waste time here without a purpose. Moreover… your social skills are really lacking… If it weren’t for the fact that those girls were considering your role as a teaching assistant, they wouldn’t have played with you.”
“I see… I’m really that bad?” Suddenly being pointed out by Luxien made me somewhat silent. I hadn’t paid much attention to this before, and I thought I was getting along well with those girls. I didn’t expect them to see me this way.
“You don’t need to think too much about it; girls are generally like this. If you’re not part of their little group and your values don’t align with theirs, they will show some exclusivity. They were trying to cozy up to you at first, but it seems you didn’t give them a chance.” Luxien explained.
“Is that so? That’s complicated. If interactions between people are this complex, I’d prefer to be alone for some peace.”
“You inherently have the privilege to be capricious, so your choice is naturally yours to make. But I can’t… Let’s be frank, is there something you want from me?” Luxien didn’t bother with small talk and walked toward the nearby bar.
“I said I came to offer you some benefits, do you believe that?” I smiled softly and followed her, agreeing with what she said; no one was perfect. I didn’t possess great interpersonal skills, but I had the strength to be capricious.
“Benefits? I don’t believe in free lunches. Just tell me, what is worth your time being here?” Luxien took a sip of a pre-mixed drink and looked at me.
“Alright, I’ll be straightforward. I want to invite you to help me test something, or rather, a spell.”
“Testing a spell?” Luxien was taken aback. She hadn’t expected to be approached for this reason, “Why? Why me?”
“I just feel you’d be the most suitable.” I chuckled softly, and then snapped my fingers, enveloping Luxien and me in a soundproof spell. “Let me ask you a question: If there were a spell that could give you perfect memory, would you be willing to try it?”
“Perfect memory!” Luxien’s eyes widened in surprise, a mix of astonishment, and intrigue. She had fantasized about such a spell but deemed it unrealistic. Even the All-Purpose Association didn’t have such convenient spells to simply enhance memory.
“It seems you’re interested.” Seeing her reaction, I was quite satisfied, thinking she might become one of my key promoters. The next thing to consider would be her demands.
“Of course. Who wouldn’t be tempted by such an ability?” Luxien pouted a bit and said, “Do you have a spellbook of this type?”
“I do have such a spellbook, but I’m not talking about that spellbook. Luxien, remember the Knowledge Shadow spell I cast on you during the joint exam?”
“Of course I do.” Luxien nodded. The effects of that spell were quite extraordinary; aside from the times it left her questioning her life while she spoke, it had no other drawbacks. “What does this have to do with it?”
“Introducing a little at a time seems too slow. Let me show you something. Don’t rush to doubt; just bear with me and ask questions after you’ve seen it all.” I said while waving my hand, causing a simplistically designed UI panel to appear before me and Luxien.
Luxien had seen this move before; the Knowledge Shadow could do such things. However, seeing it again made her unable to help but marvel.
If a third party were observing, they would find they saw nothing at all.
“I want to introduce you to something called the Knowledge Seed. You can think of it as a spellbook-like entity. The way to use it is by integrating it into your forehead—into the Sea of Consciousness. Its most basic function can give you perfect memory.”
I briefly began to introduce it to her while the information recorded on the panel I was pushing towards her contained much more than what I was saying, with many parts being quite detailed.
After a moment, having finished reviewing the information, Luxien suddenly raised her head, her face a mask of shock as she looked at me incredulously.
“How… is this possible?”
“In the Extraordinary World, anything is possible. Just remember this phrase. Now, the matter becomes simpler; the choice is in your hands. What’s your decision? Will you accept this benefit?” I asked with a smile.
“So what’s the cost I must pay?” Luxien looked slightly hesitant and finally gritted her teeth to ask.
“Costs? No, no, at least you don’t have to give me anything. The Knowledge Seed is something I intend to promote anyway, but I currently can’t reach the level of mass production, so I need someone to help me test its effects.”
“So it still carries risks, right?” Upon hearing my words, Luxien quickly calmed down and understood many things. But facing such temptation, it was still difficult for her to resist.
“Everything comes with risks. Did you think your Magic Source and spellbook weren’t dangerous? In the Outside World, many people would avoid these. But I can give you the most basic guarantee: it won’t cost you your life.”
“Then… have you conducted clinical trials? How can you give such a guarantee?”
“I am the first experimenter. You didn’t think I just found some strange experimental item, did you? This thing was created by me; I am its initial carrier and first experimenter. I know it inside and out. If you’re still not at ease, another Extraordinary Mentor has also tested it and has seen effects with no side effects so far.”
I explained to Luxien, “And the information you just saw was feedback collected during that mentor’s testing. I have high hopes for you; I think you will develop it to a whole new level.”
“So what happens after I help you gather the information? Will you take it away? What will I have left?”
“What are you worried about? Of course, I won’t take it away. Once the Knowledge Seed takes root in your Sea of Consciousness, it will hold no further value for removal, and it will only belong to you. I won’t interfere with it; after all, it isn’t unique.”
“…Really?” At this point, Luxien couldn’t hide her excitement. She didn’t think the other party would deceive her in this place, and since another Extraordinary Mentor had also undergone this method’s testing, it could be confirmed as stable.
Of course, the main reason was that she couldn’t refuse the complete backup of memory and the Knowledge Shadow. Although that Knowledge Shadow wasn’t too agreeable during the joint exam, its ability was truly terrifying!
As for the so-called Earth Vein Identification Technique mentioned last… she had no concept of it. But for the first two effects, she was indeed quite tempted.
“Of course it’s real. If you can’t trust it, we can always sign a Witch Contract, can’t we? If you ultimately decline, I can go looking for someone else. This is my first attempt at promoting it, and the first batch of slots is limited.”
“You don’t need to induce anxiety in me. You proposed a condition I can’t refuse. What do you want me to help you experiment with?” Luxien interrupted me and spoke.
“That doesn’t need to be so formal; after all, the development can’t be rushed. I also don’t think you’ll be able to help me sufficiently in a short time. The only reason I approached you is that I noticed your identity as a Child of Fortune and out of curious anticipation to see if anything miraculous might occur.” I said with a smile, my tone devoid of politeness as I directly belittled her, applying some pressure while simultaneously sparking her competitive spirit and natural rebellious instincts by undermining her value.
“Is it just because of that?!” Clearly, my words sparked an emotional response from Luxien, a rebuttal filled with indignation.
“Of course. When I saw you in the library before the joint exam, you still seemed a bit clumsy, so you were the first one who came to mind this time. Consider it a favor; don’t let me go home empty-handed. Do you dare to accept this mutual investment?”
“I certainly dare! What’s there to be afraid of!” Luxien quickly responded, her tone imbued with some vigor.
Seeing her so eager, a smirk appeared at the corner of my mouth. Wasn’t this precisely what I wanted?
