Chapter 523: Trouble is Life’s Norm
As the huge event that took place at the Witch Academy during the night gradually came to an end, the appearance of Principal Mei Linde and Principal Beif Alanna together calmed the discussions arising from the incident.
However, the gossip among the extraordinary witches could not be suppressed.
This incident was merely an improvement of the Great Spellbook, with the appearance of Void Rifts only causing localized damage and affecting surrounding buildings.
Most of the remaining students at the Witch Academy did not possess the ability to passively sense the Void Rifts, and those who did, upon witnessing the gathered witch mentors, realized that this was not something they could involve themselves in—at most, they could only watch the commotion from a distance.
Then they became innocent students caught in the repercussions when the Heart Realm unfolded.
However, rumors about the headmaster creating another Great Spellbook spread, and Principal Mei confirmed that this Great Spellbook was related to her attempts with the Great Knowledge Seed, revealing nothing more.
In the Principal’s office.
“Xiao Han, are you sure you don’t need to create the Great Spellbook solo, and instead want me to take the credit?” Mei Linde asked.
“Um, thank you for helping me out, Principal. I know this puts a lot of pressure on you, but once my abilities…”
“No, you misunderstood.” Mei Linde interrupted, “This is not pressure for me; it’s an honor. In my eyes, you have enough capability to bear this honor. A genius naturally deserves the treatment of a genius, and questioning is the self-deception of the weak.”
“But I hate trouble…” I weakly replied, my gaze subconsciously drifting away.
Though Principal Mei said she brought me here to avoid the storm, I felt the winds here were no gentler.
It was still night, and the sky had not yet brightened, but for witches with vibrant nightlife, it was all the same.
The event that took place that night had directly alarmed both headmasters.
Not just the headmasters; Deina, who was unwittingly implicated, was brought here as well, and Sister Bai rushed here after learning about the situation from the Knowledge Shadow.
At that moment, the three Little Dreams ran over from Teacher Deina’s side and awkwardly comforted me with their clumsy actions and words.
“Trouble… It’s not good to just label everything, both foreseeable and unforeseeable, as trouble. Xiao Han, you still have too little experience and think too much. If you don’t put a little pressure on yourself, you’ll never know how colorful life can be.”
“Is that so…”
Regarding the headmaster’s remarks, I naturally began to reflect.
I am somewhat aware of my current situation. I am transitioning from a previous existence devoid of relationships to a life filled with them, yet I still rely on my old thought patterns to experience the present, thus living in fatigue and emptiness.
In the past, I was ruled by excessive unnecessary emotions and everyday trivialities. I needed to fight for breathing space for the “self” as much as possible.
However, as I continuously changed myself and finally broke away from that quagmire, my way of thinking did not change along with it.
I was still subconsciously avoiding various troubles to buy time for myself while allocating my time extremely painstakingly to “serious matters,” thus initiating a new form of internal friction.
Yet, it was only after I recognized my mistake that I realized facing so-called troubles by reasonably allocating time to handle them until the problems were solved would eventually yield a small yet positive feedback loop in daily life.
Such constant suggestions could profoundly affect me, prompting significant transformations.
This was not only a positive advancement in time management, daily life, and achievements but also a deep understanding of the essence of life.
While the headmaster was teaching me, she was simultaneously imparting a comprehension of life through the Knowledge Tree.
After all, many things cannot be conveyed through ordinary language; they need to be understood through personal experiences. I had never thought that such “small matters” sometimes require specialized learning, and now, I even needed guidance from others on how to live.
This was a new experience for me, a new attempt.
“It looks like you have come to an understanding?” Seeing my expression, Mei Linde wore a satisfied look.
But she also couldn’t help but exclaim that having this Great Knowledge Tree made teaching Xiao Han much easier. The language barrier has always been a barrier to teaching quality, but now, with the Great Knowledge Tree, it was much more convenient.
“Um, more or less.”
“Then, I won’t help you suppress the information about your creation of the Great Spellbook; of course, I won’t actively promote it either. You should know that even if I don’t make it public, it will spread very quickly, and at that point, you’ll be standing completely within the vision of the extraordinary witches.”
“Mei, is this going to be too hasty?” Principal Beif interjected seriously, even omitting her usual teasing.
“Of course, I will apply for a Little Witch identification for you. With this, at least you will have a safety guarantee. No extraordinary witch will act against a Little Witch, but that’s about it.”
With Mei Linde’s statement, I also learned from the Great Knowledge Tree what acquiring the identity of a Little Witch represented.
Typically, a Little Witch refers to an extraordinary witch who has fallen from the extraordinary level, losing the essence of life associated with that level but is still accepted by extraordinary witches.
Thus, they are called Little Witches.
In unusual circumstances, specific situations require analysis, needing an extraordinary witch to act as a guarantor and draft a Witch Contract.
The content of this contract guarantees acceptance by other extraordinary witches as part of the witch community.
Usually, the execution power of this contract is horrifying, and it automatically dissolves upon promotion to extraordinary witch.
In fact, all witches who have fallen from the extraordinary level to become Little Witches would go through a formal signing of this Witch Contract, pledging loyalty to the Primordial Witch and the Witch Race.
Naturally, I did not refuse this; it did not conflict with my decision. If I could be truly accepted by the extraordinary witch race, sacrificing something was inconsequential.
It seemed that things were thus finalized. The headmaster seemed to have arranged everything perfectly while I was still worrying.
Sister Bai approached at this moment. I originally thought she would worry and lecture me, but in the end, she only gently patted my head to comfort me.
“Um… I thought you would give me a lecture…”
“If I lecture you, would you listen?” Sister Bai asked with a smile.
“Well…”
“So, what more can I say? I can only choose to trust you…” Bai Yu said, her mind recalling those scenes from the past—her fierce struggle against Tan Han, becoming gravely injured, the anomalies during the improvement of the Great Spellbook in Fool Village, the fights and revival in Ninglan New City, and the current situation…
Xiao Han seemed to have changed a lot but also appeared unchanged.
She witnessed Xiao Han’s transformation from the past to the present, but some things never changed—she would always risk everything during special moments.
Yet she repeatedly witnessed her powerlessness. Only when she lost all the prideful resources in front of Xiao Han did she finally recognize her own inability. At this moment, she clearly understood that all she had left was Xiao Han’s affection for her.
Thus, she realized she could no longer become a hindrance to Xiao Han.
Bai Yu considered herself just an ordinary girl. She had the usual assumptions that come with growing up, but unlike other girls, she had achieved extraordinary witch status, allowing her the opportunity and confidence to recognize her mistakes and correct them. She was not constrained by her environment.
This is similar to those girls who express extreme opinions online; their existence is profoundly influenced by the environments they are in.
They persist in their views, unwilling to repent, largely due to the constraints imposed by their surrounding environments and cognition.
They internally understand that even when they realize they are wrong, it is challenging to turn back. They fear losing their status in their original environment and being blamed.
To them, admitting a mistake is like revealing their last trump card; once exposed, it signifies an irreversible course. As long as they do not reveal that card, they can still find a sliver of self-soothing and maintain the status quo.
However, Bai Yu felt she would not be like this; she had escaped that environment, elevated her understanding, and the cost of admitting mistakes was nearly zero.
Since she could do better, why wouldn’t she choose to improve?
At this moment, Deina, who had been happily munching her snacks, was forced to take in some “dog food.” The idea of her catgirl witch eating dog food… she truly did not dare to refute that. The high-end situation she found herself in offered no chance for her to interject. She was brought here merely because she was also a participant in this matter.
So she could only silently stay by the side, lowering her presence while also petting the catgirl Dream; nothing felt more comfortable than the atmosphere right now.
Principal Mei Linde guaranteed a teaching assistant becoming a Little Witch, and this Little Witch even completed the creation of a Great Spellbook on her own!
Earlier, when comforting the witches, Mei Linde had mentioned that this Great Spellbook was called the Great Knowledge Tree, the direct test result of the Great Knowledge Seed not long ago.
Each of these matters astonished Deina to the point her jaw almost dropped, but she quickly accepted this as a trial; after all, the headmasters couldn’t be lying to her for no reason.
Moreover, she felt that, given her relationship with Xiao Han, obtaining a Great Knowledge Seed should not be difficult, right?
However, she didn’t dare to express these inner thoughts directly; they would have to wait until after the matter was settled.
After talking with the headmaster, the topic seemed to have become uninteresting.
“Since everything is fine, let’s head back. Oh, Xiao Bai, stay behind. I have something to discuss with you.” Mei Linde waved her hand, letting the matter pass. Since the sequence of events was already clear, there was no need to waste any more time.
Sister Bai, who originally wanted to escort me back, was suddenly called to halt. I glanced at the headmaster in confusion, seemingly asking if something was up.
“It’s about the work arrangement of the academy’s faculty. Xiao Han, you should head back.”
“Okay…” Since the headmaster had said so, I could not linger any longer and could only obediently leave.
After I left, the atmosphere lightened up a bit. It was clear Deina was not done enjoying her snacks and was reluctant to leave.
“Do you know why I wanted you to stay?” Mei Linde asked, her tone unchanged, seemingly a routine inquiry.
“Is it about Xiao Han?” Bai Yu sighed and turned to ask the headmaster.
“Something like that. Normally… I wouldn’t meddle so much, but who asked you to fall for Xiao Han?”
“Does the headmaster have any advice?” Bai Yu involuntarily clenched her hands, a bit apprehensive about what the headmaster might say that she wouldn’t be able to accept.
“Don’t be so confrontational; I’m not going to break you and Xiao Han apart.” Mei Linde stepped closer to Bai Yu, her tone relaxed, “You probably understand Xiao Han’s situation. It may be difficult to accept what I’m about to say, but… I don’t want you to become a burden to Xiao Han. Do you think my words are absurd? An extraordinary witch becoming a burden to a Little Witch?”
“No… I agree with what you said, headmaster.” Bai Yu shook her head, a weight seemingly lifted off her chest.
“Is that so? Well then… what I’m about to say is just my suggestion. Perhaps… you should try some courses offered by the academy, particularly the courses on the love perspectives of witches. This is an educational course provided to help students build their worldview and values as extraordinary witches. It might inspire you. I hope you can become Xiao Han’s companion on her journey; no one is perfect.”
“Xiao Han’s flaws are evident. I don’t expect her to completely change; that’s a salient part of her character… right now, she’s trying to smooth out her edges for you, transforming toward what she views as perfection. But absolute perfection, how could it possibly be perfect? She’s losing some things that belong to her. And you… I hope you can protect all of this for Xiao Han from now on; it’s not too late. What do you think, sister Bai Yu?”
…
Leaving the headmaster’s office, I felt a bit regretful for agreeing so quickly under her persuasion.
To publicly disclose tonight’s events… this would burden me with pressure far beyond my expectations. I could hardly imagine how my upcoming days would be… unpredictable.
At this moment, the Little Dream who followed me also approached, and I bent down to randomly pick one up— it was Yu Yun.
“Sister Xiao Han, earlier you really frightened us, but thankfully you’re okay now.”
“Yeah, I’m alright now, so you don’t have to worry that much. Also, I have some good news to share with you.” I smiled and teased Yu Yun, who I was holding.
“I don’t think there’s better news than you being safe now!” Yu Lan interjected from the side.
“Is that so? Then finding a method for you to use the Great Knowledge Seed isn’t good news too?”
“Huh? That… that’s good news! But still, if the price was you being in danger, then it wouldn’t be worth it.”
“It is worth it, Yu Lan. It absolutely is worth it. Although there were some issues during the process, things generally remained within expected bounds. I just want to show you through my actions that when you encounter difficulties, you don’t have to hesitate; every problem has a solution, and we are those who find the solutions.” I lifted Yu Yun and let her climb onto my shoulder, then wrapped the other two Little Dreams in my embrace.
“Oh…” the Little Dreams nodded gently, still seemingly unclear.
“It’s okay, I don’t expect you to understand this principle right now; you just need to know.”
“Mm~ It’s time to go back. I hope tomorrow… no, today is already a new day, so let’s hope that today we can complete the nurturing of the Great Knowledge Seed. From now on, you will be my most capable assistants, helping me complete the exploration of the extraordinary!”
