Chapter 564: What Is Letting Go and What Is Not Caring
Perhaps it was our first meeting, but the atmosphere had become so stiff because of a man.
Ella, who had spoken to me first, now looked somewhat embarrassed, but still mustered the courage to apologize to me.
However, she couldn’t help but grumble inwardly.
Orelian really couldn’t read the situation—was it worth alienating a teaching assistant from the Witch Academy just for a man?
She really didn’t understand what was appealing about him.
But she took the opportunity to introduce herself and mentioned the names of the others.
“It’s truly an honor to meet Teacher Xiao Han here. May I ask if Teacher Xiao Han has only recently become a teaching assistant at the Witch Academy?”
“Yes, more or less,” I nodded.
It was nice not having to search for topics; the other party seemed determined to ensure the atmosphere didn’t go cold, even though this was our first interaction.
“That’s amazing! After we arrived here yesterday, we heard about your battle with that Assistant Liliana. We’ve heard so much about her, and it’s surprising that Teacher Xiao Han could so calmly defeat her.”
Ella didn’t hide her admiration at all; she addressed me as “teacher,” but when it came to Liliana, she referred to her directly as “assistant.”
“Yes, the impact of that event was quite sensational. I heard the battle affected the weather, almost covering the entire Magic Capital. Even at Aphhemia Academy, there seem to be reports about it,” another elf chimed in.
“I see. But the terrifying weather wasn’t caused by me,” I chuckled lightly, and that was the truth.
The power of the Excessive Consumption Spellbook could indeed reach such levels. Even under the influence of the Great Weakening Spell, Liliana’s understanding of the Excessive Consumption Spellbook could still create such circumstances. Without the influence of the Great Weakening Spell, I estimated that Liliana could have potentially decimated the entire Magic Capital relying only on that one move.
“But even so, that means your strength surpasses that of your opponent, Teacher Xiao Han!” Ella disregarded my earlier words and rephrased it to flatter me, “In fact, after we arrived yesterday, we wondered if we would be lucky enough to meet Teacher Xiao Han. It’s too bad we didn’t run into you yesterday, but we did today.”
“I was mostly reading in the hotel’s book lounge and didn’t go out much, so naturally, you wouldn’t have seen me,” I explained, then took a light sip of the porridge.
I really liked the meat porridge here. It was cooked to be very thick, with added bits of vegetables and minced meat, tasting somewhat salty. Having a bowl of it in the morning was really warming.
“Reading? I also enjoy reading. I didn’t expect Teacher Xiao Han to keep reading and enriching herself even as an assistant. You really love learning,” Ella remarked.
“Of course, after all… knowledge is power. If you can’t even understand your studies, don’t expect to win in battles,” I said with a smile, and it was obvious who I was subtly mocking.
But… does anyone have the right to say that Liliana isn’t working hard enough?
It seemed not, as Liliana could recall almost all the high-consumption spell information at the Witch Academy and above. Excluding the small spellbooks, her understanding of spellbooks accounted for more than ninety percent of the total spellbook types.
Whenever an opponent raised their hand to cast a spell, she could already recognize it, and she also combined her practical combat experience to know how to respond, how to counter, and at the very least, how to dodge with minimal harm.
Could one say that such a person isn’t diligent or studious?
No, but I could still say she hasn’t truly grasped the material. I admired her memory and practical application, and I understood that she was nearly at the pinnacle of the Witch Academy. I guessed that her current character was also related to her status; she surely wanted to improve. Perhaps her stage was the Void, but if she didn’t make changes, her conclusion would also be the Void.
In the Void, it wasn’t the same nurturing environment as the Witch Academy. Her behavioral patterns were destined to fail; what should be learned in battles is the thought process—the strategies to break through, not fixed counter techniques.
That’s why I said she hadn’t learned thoroughly; tactics can’t last forever. If one doesn’t understand the deeper meanings, then that path becomes a one-way street. Only the thought process can continuously respond to various situations, allowing one to remain calm in the face of change.
Afterward, Ella shifted the conversation to other topics, making the atmosphere much less rigid than before.
Even the topics changed from initial flattery to lighter daily conversations, although I was somewhat disinterested in these kinds of topics among girls.
For instance, they discussed some trendy brand items, handbags, cosmetics, etc., along with high-end tailored clothing and jewelry accessories.
When discussing jewelry, they also talked about the most eye-catching auction item, the Heart of Cold Wave.
However, from their discussion, it seemed they didn’t know this item was part of 【Extraordinary Knowledge】. The player sitting by seemed a bit unusual.
Perhaps he was bored by a bunch of girls chatting about various trivial matters?
But he wanted to leave, and no one stopped him, not even Orelian, who had brought him.
Taking this opportunity, Orelian freely talked about her emotional experiences.
I must say, this elf had quite a rich romantic history, completely contrary to the noble and untouchable essence of the elf race.
Maybe that’s the contrast of elves; even Ella and Yao Beijuan appeared unfazed by it.
Meanwhile, I was quite absorbed, as who doesn’t enjoy hearing about someone else’s personal experiences?
Even if they were fake, they could feel real, depending on how well she crafted her stories. Who wouldn’t love to embellish their beautiful past experiences?
At that moment, I held my spoon with my right hand, gently scraping the bottom of the bowl of rice porridge, then brought it to my lips; alas, the porridge had turned cold.
I glanced at Yao Beijuan beside me, who was currently looking down, barely interjecting a word in our previous conversation.
Perhaps… she too had realized something.
People often have habits they don’t pay attention to but are noted by others unconsciously. Even if they don’t know specifically what it is, it can evoke memories in familiar ways.
“By the way, Sister Xiao Han, you might not know this, but Beijuan actually has an ex who also attended your Witch Academy.”
At this moment, the girls shifted their way of addressing me from “Teacher Xiao Han” to “Sister Xiao Han.” Even though they didn’t know my actual age, it no longer mattered, did it?
The most sensitive topic for girls should be age, right?
However, after bringing this up, Yao Beijuan, who had kept her head down the whole time, suddenly looked up, seemingly startled at the mention of herself, almost instinctively wanting to stop this topic from continuing.
“Oh.” I nodded with interest at her words, indicating that I had understood, “I know about this matter.”
“Huh? Sister Xiao Han, you actually know about this? Well, that person was quite well-known at the Witch Academy for a time, with a name similar to yours, so it’s natural for you to look into it, haha…” She quickly made an excuse for my reaction and began explaining to me.
But…
I didn’t need an excuse or misunderstandings to avoid these trivial matters.
“Have you considered the possibility? For instance… I could be that person you’re talking about. Why would I go to the trouble of investigating myself?” Once I said this, I cast my gaze toward the stunned elves; it was quite amusing. Perhaps I had intentionally come here just for this moment of fun?
Maybe…
Perhaps I really enjoyed watching others look flustered, akin to how I once struggled with social interactions, facing the topics and questions of others, just like them now—awkward and unsure.
“Surprised? After all, the odds of having the same name in the same academy are quite low.” I retained my previous tone, reminding them again.
But at that moment, whether it was Ella, the joking Orelian, or even the previously unnoticed Lila and a few other girls, they were practically short-circuiting!
Even after they processed the information, they opened their mouths but were left speechless.
To break the ice… or flip the table?
They seemed unable to do either… None of them were little girls. Even if most girls are emotional beings, none were acting sensibly right now.
Not a single one dared to speak for Yao Beijuan, as if what had been said earlier was merely a joke, inner thoughts full of complaints… this reality was even less likely than the odds of sharing the same name! Wasn’t it?
“But… Sister Xiao Han, you… Beijuan, she…” At this moment, Ella broke the awkward silence first, but what she said came out in fragments, clearly due to nervousness. This situation wasn’t about whether they should flip the table, but whether I would!
“As she said, since she has let go, then I have no reason to hold on, right, Yao Beijuan?” I looked at her. At that moment, she appeared to be the least affected by the emotional reversal.
“Ah?” She seemed to just register what I said, responding instinctively after I called her name.
“Honestly, I quite liked the atmosphere earlier. It’s not that I was just putting on a show with you all; I genuinely don’t care much,” I played with my spoon in the bowl, then glanced at them, finally landing on Yao Beijuan, “Thank you for coming to speak with me. I mostly spend my time alone, and you, Yao Beijuan, don’t seem at all like someone who has ‘let go.’”
“Learning to let go is an essential skill. If you proclaim yourself the Child of Fortune but are stuck in the past because of a relationship, then there is no future for you. If you can’t let go, I can play the villain and help you move on,” I said with a smile.
Once I mentioned “no future,” I felt an unmistakable pulse of anxiety from her, as my Heart Sense made me realize she cared about her value. Perhaps once she learned she was the Child of Fortune, she gained a clearer understanding of what she cherished most—her future, which was the value she could continuously exhaust.
On another level, I also believed in fate.
Even if I couldn’t comprehend it fully, I understood this: even if it was a cursed bond, it was still a connection. It can’t be forcefully ended, nor can it be avoided; it can only be resolved through specific means. I was willing to pay a price to completely sever this relationship.
“No… it’s not necessary…” Yao Beijuan tried to gesture she didn’t need it, but every one of her outstretched fingers awkwardly twisted and straightened, betraying her chaotic thoughts, “I just want to ask… during the joint examination at Bobapop Islands, I saw you, and I… saw that you saw me… why…”
“Why what?”
“Why didn’t you target me…”
“Why would I target you? However… I did target your team at Aphhemia Academy; I think your senior who participated in that joint examination should have had quite a say.”
“Is this how you show you don’t care? I understand… I will work hard to let go…”
“No, not caring means that even if you’re sitting across from me, I can still enjoy my breakfast and chat with you, rather than you, who can’t even look me in the eye.”
“Where did the once confident Yao Beijuan go? Or have you been dulled by the extraordinary world, becoming an ordinary person who doesn’t smile?”
Once I finished that sentence, I stood up and removed the soundproof spell; after all, chatting so loudly in a dining area still affects other people’s dining experience.
“Thank you all for your warmth earlier. If there’s a chance, let’s gather again next time. Fate will bring us together again,” I smiled lightly, issuing my final farewell. This dining experience was quite fulfilling, to say the least.
“Goodbye…”
“Sister… Sister Xiao Han, goodbye.”
