Chapter 733: Investment from the Third Academy Head
The scenery within the world fragments is actually not uncommon; it’s just a novelty.
So, after I, Principal Mei, and several other witch sisters took a tour, we all came out.
This time, Principal Mei mostly helped me clear those spatial markers, resolving the mess left by the Wizard Academy in the world fragments and addressing the potential issue of leaking spatial coordinates.
However, since Principal Mei could quickly lock down and eliminate tens of thousands of spatial markers, it indicates that her perception ability as an Extraordinary Witch has reached a level capable of covering an entire world fragment. These markers are located in various special areas within the world fragment, illustrating how terrifying such an ability can be.
Even so, Principal Mei hinted that I might find residual wood elemental sprites within the world fragments, suggesting that there are indeed elves left hidden by the wizards somewhere.
But with one or two, it doesn’t make much difference; it’s just a surprise to bump into someday.
“After going around like this, Xiao Han, have you thought about how to utilize this world fragment?” Principal Mei asked. “Or do you have no good ideas for now?”
“Well… I indeed don’t have any good ideas,” I shook my head.
After all, the earth veins in this world fragment can’t withstand much disturbance, so large-scale terrain modification and deforestation are naturally difficult.
Thus, the things I can do within the world fragment are significantly limited.
And if I were to raise something or plant anything to create economic value… it seems unfeasible.
“However, I do have some other ideas, but they are still in the conceptual stage. I want to try planting the Wanlian Main Network Tree here and see if I can transform it into something that can protect the earth veins. I still feel that the earth veins within the world fragments are too fragile,” I explained.
Moreover, I have some other ideas.
I want to plant the type of seeds related to plant technology here. If possible, this area is likely to become a botanical garden or a tech park for plant technology?
Of course, trying out some mutated beasts similar to those in the Expanding Realm, which have undergone the Grand Wisdom Enlightenment Spell, might provide me with materials to study the skill of bestowing wisdom and the derivatives of the Great Knowledge Seed.
This skill and this derivative… ever since the Expanding Realm was refined, I’ve almost forgotten about them.
Mainly because there are no experimental subjects, and I’ve indeed been too busy lately.
“The earth veins in the world fragments are indeed very fragile; this is a common problem of the world fragments, so they are essentially consumables that need continuous maintenance,” Principal Mei nodded, acknowledging that this is indeed a problem.
“But if you, Xiao Han, can rely on the Wanlian Main Network Tree to maintain the earth veins of the world fragments, I believe many witches will seek cooperation on this skill.”
“Huh? Such a skill can’t possibly not exist, right? Isn’t it said that the Witch World already has a process for developing world fragments?” I asked incredulously.
“There is indeed such a skill. Looking at the Witch Race, there are quite a few categories of skills, but there are many problems that need to be solved. For example, the most common issue is difficulty in popularization, along with cost problems. So ultimately, it’s often easier to just switch it out or find a Star Alchemist to help with repairs.”
“Alright, but I currently don’t have much energy to deal with this,” I sighed, not wanting to delve further into this issue.
“So, you mean you’re planning to leave this world fragment idle for now?”
“Pretty much. Is there something you want, Principal Mei?” I nodded and asked, feeling like Principal Mei had more to say on the matter.
“Has Xiao Han ever thought about refining this world fragment into an instance realm?” Principal Mei asked.
“Huh?”
“Surprised? The current world fragment still uses the wizards’ techniques. Such a massive and cumbersome world fragment is not only inconvenient but also can’t be stored in regular storage equipment.”
“Huh? This can’t be stored in storage equipment?”
Clearly, storage equipment can store storage equipment…
I complained silently.
“Of course, while storage equipment can be nested and stacked, it cannot accommodate a world fragment. This involves some important theories on the spatial level. If Xiao Han is interested, I can recommend some related books for you to look at.”
“Then… fine, but when you mentioned refining it into an instance realm, what did you mean…” I curiously inquired.
While I also wanted to ask how Principal Mei contained this world fragment, I ultimately refrained from doing so. It was probably some special storage device or a kind of spatial sealing technique.
“Of course, it’s about using Alchemy, the skill with which witches are most familiar, to encapsulate this world fragment. The instance realm alchemy of the Witch Race is much more powerful than this witchcraft; at least, once refined, it won’t be so large,” Principal Mei said, glancing at the enormous witch weapon beside her with a hint of disdain.
“Can it be placed into storage equipment then?” I asked.
“Mm-hmm… If it’s the main body, it still can’t. A world fragment cannot be put into regular storage equipment, but its main body can be made into a decorative pendant that meets witch aesthetics. Are you sure you don’t want to give it a try?”
“Of course, I want to try.” Hearing that it could be so convenient, how could I not want to give it a shot? “But… how do I do this? Should I find a Star Alchemist witch to help?”
“If you trust me, I can help you get this done.” Principal Mei said.
“Really?”
“Of course. Speaking of Star Alchemists, while they are indeed rare and mostly involved in developing small worlds at the Void Border, the Witch Academy does have such witches. At least, quite a few Star Alchemist witches have participated in the main world’s earth vein repair skills.”
“Then to employ such a witch sister, it would…”
“You’ve always divided value so clearly, haven’t you?” Principal Mei interrupted my question. “Many things cannot be measured by the value of ordinary tasks.”
“Huh?”
“I was joking. If Xiao Han really intends to offer an equivalent cost to obtain the qualification for refining the instance realm, I’ll be frank: you currently lack that foundation.”
“You saw that the witches who entered with us do not have their own instance realms. Though they claim to be poor witches, they are still extraordinary witches with a terrifying foundation. The invisible value they possess—knowledge, experiences, insights, skills, even experimental products and by-products, etc.—is all immeasurable.”
“So…” I asked hesitantly.
“You can see this as an investment that a certain someone is making in you, how about that?”
“Investment?”
“Yes, just like that time I invested in you with the Great Spellbook. I even regret being so rash about asking you for two original spell sequences of Fool Dream.” Although Principal Mei said this, she didn’t seem particularly regretful.
Did she lose out?
Investing in a development potential as boundless as Xiao Han, ultimately only needing two original spell sequences…
Not at all.
Mei Linde understands that the two original spell sequences of Fool Dream were merely equivalent chips at the time. Xiao Han now doesn’t grasp the concept of original spells, but later… she welcomes Xiao Han to repay for these two original spell sequences in any way she deems fit.
In any case, she would end up at a loss.
However, measuring her relationship with Xiao Han in terms of gain or loss was ultimately somewhat detached, which is why she rarely brings it up.
“Alright…”
Hearing about yet another investment, I lowered my head in acknowledgment. I once loathed debts; once I owed one, I would pay it off immediately when I could.
But now… I’m already deep in debts.
Aside from the most obvious investment in the Great Spellbook from Mei Xuzhou, the debts of gratitude owed to the other witch sisters manifest in various ways. They might say I owe them nothing, but this friendship is real, and I will always remember it.
Not to mention those witch sisters who selflessly helped me during the research of the Great Spellbook, followed by the Wanlian Main Network Tree laboratory I built in the Expanding Realm, and then to the development team of the Power Network…
Along the way, most of those who helped me were Extraordinary Witches. I vaguely recall the second Academy Head I met, Principal Beif Alanna; initially, I thought she was stern and aloof, but eventually, she gave the impression of being funny and combative. However, this was merely my perspective—a reflection of her affection towards me. To other students, she is still the powerful academy head I first saw!
“So… can I curiously ask who this Star Alchemist witch sister is that will invest in me?” I asked.
Since the other party wants to invest in me, I should know who they are, right?
“Her name is Serena Palitzer. You should have heard of her; I remember I mentioned her to you.”
“Serena…” Upon hearing this name, I contemplated for a moment and quickly identified a witch, “It’s that one! That Academy Head!”
Isn’t this the third Academy Head I know!
Moreover… she also accepted my Great Knowledge Seed!
“Looks like you still remember!”
“That Academy Head is actually a Star Alchemist?” Even now, I was somewhat surprised.
“Yes, the more experienced witches tend to accumulate some less commonly used skills,” Mei Linde explained.
“If that’s the case, then I will trouble Principal Mei this time.”
“You agreed so quickly?”
“Yeah.” I nodded. Since many things are already destined, there’s no need for me to worry too much.
At least, so far, my journey has been quite smooth, hasn’t it?
Building a good relationship with an Academy Head is definitely not a loss.
So on this topic, I quickly made my decision without much hesitation.
Principal Mei also promised that, according to her experience, I should be able to receive the instance realm by around the beginning of the next semester.
I have to say, the sealing style of the wizards for world fragments is indeed not very suitable for me; such a giant thing is only convenient for fixed storage, and then recording the spatial coordinates for transmission.
This makes me understand why there were so many spatial markers in that previous world fragment.
After bidding farewell to the academy heads, I prepared to return to the laboratory.
I aim to record my thoughts over the next couple of days to provide to Yi Rui and the others.
Although the experiments on the rebirth spell and the improvement of the Magic Source Body Cultivation Method are under their charge, I am responsible overall for the Self-Generated Magic project.
Technically, I only need to continuously experiment with Self-Awakened Body Cultivation and Self-Generated Magic, exploring their relationship and summarizing the ritual methods for their birth and structure. However, out of concern for them, I still try to offer as much help as possible.
Moreover, Bai Sister is also involved in this current experiment.
According to Bai Sister, she has nothing to do during the holidays. Except for her essential training, she mostly accumulates knowledge, such as self-learning Rune Literature, reviewing real editing techniques, etc.
So she simply decided to do something more meaningful, like helping me attempt the creation of this brand-new body cultivation model.
Bai Sister, after all, is an Extraordinary Witch with a solid foundation in body cultivation, possessing absolute authority to guide a group of students.
Even if Bai Sister might not be able to provide any new ideas for innovation, it would still be very simple for her to prevent them from making common sense mistakes.
After all, Yi Rui and the others are just rookies recently introduced to the basics of body cultivation.
Just as I was planning, I found myself having mistakenly walked out of Principal Mei’s office.
“Hmm? Strange…”
I uttered a soft exclamation, feeling something amiss. Logically, I should have chosen to teleport directly back to the laboratory.
However, when I realized something was wrong, I quickly noted the oddity.
“Again, it’s Fortune.”
Furrowing my brow, I pulled a thread of fortune from myself. I have to say, if you don’t pay attention to fortune, it’s easy to fall into traps, but once you’re aware of its existence, it’s nothing at all.
Originally, I thought this was just pure fortune propelling me into some script, but now I couldn’t care less about this trivial matter; I had more important things to do.
Until I noticed the anomaly of that thread of fortune.
This thread of fortune didn’t seem to float hazily in the shallow layers of fortune but rather appeared… artificially refined.
And as far as I know, only one person could refine fortune—Sister Trix, the Fortune Alchemist.
I grabbed the thread of fortune, feeling somewhat helpless yet a little expectant.
After all, Sister Trix’s attempt at refining that lucky coin alchemical item on me… barely counts as successful?
I don’t even know if it counts as a success. In any case, the final stage was completed, but it didn’t become an alchemical item and instead turned into an extraordinary item due to my “willfulness.”
I still haven’t understood the effect of this “inauspicious” lucky coin that glows with a crimson fortune.
Using extraordinary items requires an equivalent cost compared to alchemical items.
Never mind… I hope Trix can accept this; after all, I only made the choice I thought was right.
Holding onto that thread of fortune, I followed it to a… café.
“Oh? You came~ I just felt the thread of fortune snap and thought you wouldn’t arrive~” In a booth of the café’s open area, a familiar figure was lounging there.
She seemed somewhat surprised that I showed up on time.
“Sorry, Sister Trix, it was hard to get accustomed to this fortune-driven encounter. I thought the world consciousness was pushing me back into some script again,” I sincerely apologized as I sat down opposite Sister Trix.
“Well, that’s my fault~ Next time I’ll be more careful; I almost forgot that Xiao Han can also see fortune,” Sister Trix said with a mix of annoyance and a hint of apology. “How about next time I directly use fortune to write an invitation? I originally thought such unexpected encounters would give us more joy from life, but this time it turned out to be a blunder on my part.”
