Chapter 561: The Arrival of the Students from Aphhemia Academy
The water in the bathtub flowed warm and slightly hot, gently lapping at my neck.
Although this bathroom featured a bathtub rather than a more luxurious hot spring, the ergonomic design of the bathtub allowed me to feel completely relaxed once I lay back.
The bathwater was slightly tinged blue from bath salts; although the effects of the salts were essentially negligible for me, I simply enjoyed the novelty.
No one dared to disturb me right now, and out of boredom, I began to check the information on the perception technique and the real-time status of that player I had marked earlier.
In fact, from the very first moment when I faced off against Liliana, I anticipated that it would create quite a stir, but I didn’t expect it to cause such a large commotion. Even so, those players hadn’t budged an inch, which truly made it seem like their opportunities went to waste.
At that time, my battle with Liliana attracted the attention of the vast majority, even involving a lot of security forces for the preview event. Despite the circumstances, they chose not to act, which really made me feel like those players were holding back for something big.
Or perhaps their goals extended beyond just a Heart of Cold Wave; if that’s the case, what else could it be?
Also… the Child of Fortune!
How many Child of Fortune might be gathered at this auction?
I estimated that the Witch Academy’s three students would definitely be invited by the All-purpose Association; they couldn’t possibly abandon their credibility for these interests. Regarding invitations to this auction, aside from the regulars each year, the new student groups from each session would receive their invitations based on their acceptance, but wasn’t their perspective equally important?
Furthermore… there were also other academies.
Looking at the simplified form presented by the perception technique, players had already locked onto the targets they prioritized. Based on current information, it appeared that those targets were also in the lineup for invitations and were likely using this as a stepping stone to connect with this invitation-based auction.
This was the macro information of the perception technique. With the more information I gathered, the more I could comprehensively interpret the data from the perception technique. The rest was simply a matter of waiting; after all, I wasn’t in a hurry right now.
After indulging in the last few moments with my eyes closed, I finally got up satisfied from the bathtub and went to the shower to rinse off the bath salts from my body.
With a snap of my fingers, the excess moisture separated, and I draped a light sleep dress over myself. I had to say, the seamless clothing spell was indeed fantastic.
After changing into the sleep dress, I immediately flopped onto the soft bed, and my wonderful night began.
However, at this moment, it seemed that someone else’s night was far from delightful.
Tonight, every club with a bit of influence had basically obtained recordings regarding this battle.
The two major clubs did not expect that this seemingly cavalier attempt would lead to such a huge problem.
Now, the most troubled were likely the members of the Witch Secret Realm Association, considering that the person they fought was nominally one of theirs and even held the position of a teaching assistant.
If it had been before, they would have been very cautious when probing someone at the teaching assistant level. Furthermore, since everyone grew steadily and systematically, revealing their growth trajectories at the Witch Academy was a matter easily discovered.
However, this time, they had to admit that they had acted recklessly. Given that the other party was merely a new student who had been enrolled for half a year, they impulsively made a violent layout, and the opponent turned the tables and responded with a slap in the face, which was indeed far beyond their expectations.
Such a person was bound to become an Extraordinary Witch, surpassing them.
However… this does not mean they lacked the qualifications to become Extraordinary Witches. When looking at the probabilities of achieving the status, this group of individuals was among the most likely.
Yet, a simple promotion to an Extraordinary Witch and leaving the Main World was a choice many hesitated to take.
People cannot be without attachments; those bound to succeed were mostly from families of good standing and harmonious environments. Otherwise, how could they nurture such healthy, outstanding, confident, and spirited children?
To make such children give up everything they currently possess to become so-called extraordinary—abandoning their family and companions for the sake of supposed power—is something they cannot do with such ruthlessness.
And those families that treat their children as wagers or investments offer their children no inherent advantages from the start. Hard work… who doesn’t work hard?
However, a person’s character really determines too many things, and those who manage to rise above are bound to escape their origin families when opportunities arise.
Though the Witch Academy did not make it explicit, among the graduates who chose to graduate rather than merely complete their studies, those with poor family backgrounds were indeed in the majority. In fact, among those who could choose to advance to Extraordinary yet chose not to, those from happy and intact families were likewise the majority.
This alone indicates a lot.
Regarding this issue, the various Extraordinary Academies were all aware, yet they had not opted for aggressive interference as it was unmanageable. In fact, excessively aggressive interventions could lead to contrary results, making it unnecessary to exert effort without reward.
This conclusion was also the result of many Extraordinary Academies trying in vain after multiple attempts.
This phenomenon arose from the dominance guidance and consciousness shaping exerted by the World Consciousness and Earth Vein Shackles on the local life, often referred to as the “Lock-type World Belonging.”
This is also one of the reasons why the Extraordinary Academies tend to adopt a more hands-off approach with students. There is no need for excessive investment in a specific student; when a student becomes outstanding, they will easily attract the attention of World Consciousness. They will then be recognized as a resource-type talent and are likely to shine brightly in the Main World. Afterward, the student will be guided by external forces, developing various bonds that are difficult to sever and enhancing their sense of belonging to the Main World.
The World Consciousness intervenes in individual will in this manner to handle talent loss.
During the phases when the world script has not started, it is these individuals who carry the direction of the world’s fortune.
As the script commences, these individuals also bear part of the fortune, yet they will also become facilitators for the Child of Fortune, as they inherently serve as an invisible force in the flow of fortune, even becoming consumable capital for achieving the Child of Fortune.
…
This night, many people suffered from insomnia due to this and many became frantic.
A new day dawned.
The hotel at this moment, as they promised, had already returned to its original state; only time would tell how many people had been worn out during the night.
However, one must admire their strong execution capability.
As the new day arrived, more people came to participate in the preview, with many drawn by the news released last night.
When I went for breakfast in the morning, I could indeed sense that the way people looked at me was different from before.
In their gazes were mixed feelings of reverence and worship, or simply an inability to meet my eyes.
Perhaps this was the fame effect resulting from establishing authority.
If before I was someone that anyone could easily dismiss as soft as cotton, then now I was a strong person that could crush them with a squeeze.
The last person who provoked me had already been carried away; no one wanted to be the next unfortunate soul rubbed into the ground by a book.
This sudden change was still hard for me to accept; after all, being the center of attention wherever I went was indeed uncomfortable. Ultimately… there are gains and losses; at least no one was looking for trouble in front of me.
After enjoying a delightful breakfast, I met Jiao Xiaoshuang again.
Her presence was not only to fulfill her role as my exclusive receptionist but also to extend the All-purpose Association’s apologies and compensation, acknowledging that part of the incident was due to their oversight, which ultimately led to this catastrophe. However, when it came to compensation, she said nary a word.
Since the compensation was in place, I naturally wouldn’t pursue the matter. However, I was surprised to find that Jiao Xiaoshuang also brought another apology and compensation from the Witch Secret Realm Association, written by Tracy.
That senior student who took the same batch of written and interview assessments as I did, and like me, had now become a teaching assistant—I remembered her quite well.
In the letter, she elaborated on this incident and the responsibilities of their association while also apologizing on behalf of Liliana for her recklessness.
Looking at this letter and the compensation… I had to say, they knew how to handle things.
At least for now, my perception of this association had slightly improved.
However, the moment they conceived the idea of testing my strength, I realized we were not on the same page. I wouldn’t develop any fondness for them due to their tiny gestures of goodwill.
Perhaps the next time we meet, I might greet them with a smile, but that would be merely my own cultivation; if they intended to use me, there was no way I would allow it.
Having gone through the provocation incident, I suddenly grasped a principle: staying out of others’ games is equally a reflection of one’s capabilities.
Nonetheless, due to the situation, I would naturally join the auction orchestrated by them, as I had my own reasons. It just depended on who stood at the higher tier—ultimately, who’s using whom was yet to be seen.
Moreover, I was also here to enjoy myself.
After handling these trivial matters, I returned to the less crowded study hall to continue my quiet study.
I found that if it had been my previous self facing a major event, it would have been difficult for me to concentrate on reading—much like when I couldn’t focus on rune literature during the matches as a spectator.
However, now I discovered I was gradually able to do so; my inner urgency seemed no longer a reason, and I no longer feared the anxiety of missing key moments due to timing.
Because I knew that as long as I wanted to keep reading, time would conveniently reserve the right amount for me.
Not long into the morning, the hotel welcomed another batch of guests.
A unified convoy entered the hotel area, and the waiting attendants seemed to be ready.
As dozens of vibrant figures emerged one after another from opened car doors, the morning sunlight shone upon them, and they adjusted their ethereal robes tied with exquisite belts, adorned with their academy’s emblem.
Just as they disembarked, the few in the front subtly formed a center of attention, and these long-distance guests were the Forest Elves from Aphhemia Academy.
This time, Aphhemia Academy had also been invited to the auction.
Guided by the attendants and receptionists, they moved in an orderly fashion and presented their invitation letters.
Their steps were light and graceful, resembling elves who had accidentally wandered into the city while maintaining their unique elven aura.
Curious gazes surrounded them, intrigued about what kind of guests warranted such a spectacle.
The elves seemed accustomed to such attention, retaining their composed expressions, though a few slightly younger boys and girls in the back appeared somewhat self-conscious. However, under the guidance of their seniors, they did not seem overly restrained.
For the subsequent arrangements, the elves clearly seemed familiar, gracefully entering the lobby and politely nodding at the receptionists or passersby. Both guests and receptionists found themselves captivated by their elegance during this first encounter.
The receptionists quickly facilitated all their checks. Being distant guests, they had to be settled in before the auction concluded.
The elves naturally didn’t feel the need to maintain their aloof elegance, mingling and chatting warmly among themselves. They discussed the upcoming auction and recent hot topics, also helping the first-time new students to acclimatize to the atmosphere here.
After going through some necessary procedures, many elves began to disperse in small groups.
Faced with such graceful elves, many people felt the urge to strike up a conversation, whether the noble-looking male elves or the elegantly poised female elves; their appearances were almost transcendent compared to humans.
Only when numerous people mustered up the courage to approach and faced rebuffs did they realize elves were also a proud race.
But as proud as they were, they still came to the auction hosted by the Witch Academy for valuable items.
“Bebe, are you still worried?” At that moment, a tall elven girl approached another girl with concern. The girl being addressed as Bebe was Yao Beijuan, a new student from Aphhemia Academy.
As one of the few Children of Fortune from Aphhemia Academy, destined to become a strong figure at the very least, she naturally attracted more attention from upperclassmen.
The worries on Yao Beijuan’s mind revolved around her parents, who had recently encountered an accident just before the semester began and had been hospitalized due to a traffic incident.
This was no mere accident; it was a premeditated act!
Her parents were both in the hospital, and if it weren’t for their luck, she feared she might not see them again.
Upon the report reaching Aphhemia Academy, they promptly issued an investigation task. However, several days later, there was still no news, and for now, her parents remained under the academy’s protective shield, allowing her to breathe a temporary sigh of relief.
“Well, let’s not talk about that; I trust in the academy’s strength.”
“Then don’t look so glum; cheer up a bit,” the elven senior comforted her, before her gaze shifted toward the approaching representatives of the Witch Academy.
The reason Aphhemia Academy made such a grand entrance this time was that they had received some leaked information from the All-purpose Association of the Witch Academy.
It seemed they had some knowledge regarding the outlaws active outside the Extraordinary Academy; they speculated that the perpetrators who attacked Yao Beijuan’s family were affiliated, so they had brought her along.
“How about we go get breakfast first? After all, we arrived here quite early and then had to ride over here without having breakfast yet. Then I can accompany you to explore the auction preview,” suggested the senior.
“Okay, fine…” Yao Beijuan nodded but appeared somewhat distracted, clearly lost in other thoughts.
