Chapter 757: A Reunion with Tan Han
“This stand in the Wanlian Arena, was it prepared for guests like this?” Ying Shiqian followed behind me to an excellent vantage point in the arena and exclaimed.
Not only was the view exceptional, but this area was also the second most captivating spot for the audience, aside from the competition stage itself.
High emotional intelligence would describe it as highlighting the distinguished identity of a special guest, while low emotional intelligence would imply to the onlookers in the ordinary viewing area that those seated here held an unusual status.
So, when I brought Ying Shiqian here, guided by a professional attendant, some people in certain areas of the viewing area recognized me and momentarily held their breath.
I glanced at the competition field and scanned the stands, and indeed, the inner space of the arena was somewhat different from my previous impressions.
Here, one could easily see the massive canopy belonging to the Wanlian Main Network Tree just by looking up.
However, compared to such a vast venue, the number of people seemed quite few. At least, it appeared pitifully sparse compared to the overcrowded scenes during previous competitive and exchange matches.
But since the school had just started, a significant number of students had just returned after being away, some were new students who had just enrolled, and others were spending their time and energy at the market and club recruitment events.
Even so, the fact that this arena could gather so many people indicated the intensity of the competition here.
However, many people present were actually not current students but rather graduates who still lingered at the Witch Academy.
These graduates might have a mindset of retirement, enjoying a worry-free life at the academy, while some still held hopes of being promoted to Extraordinary Witches and continued to strive forward.
The arena was a good place for these individuals to pass the time, whether by becoming challengers on the combat stage or spectators in the audience.
Yet, amidst the vast crowd, I quickly locked onto some special groups. Although they were somewhat far away, even spanning the entire arena, body cultivation awareness could be more comprehensive than mental perception to a certain extent.
I wasn’t sure what those people were doing, but I could sense their tension as they subconsciously realized my presence.
“Do you need any other services?”
“Thank you, but no.” I waved my hand to indicate that I had no further needs. “However, I have another question to ask. May I go to the contestant area to meet someone, Tan Han?”
“Uh… I’m sorry… Generally speaking, that’s not allowed…” The attendant hesitated slightly before answering my question.
“Generally speaking… then how can I meet her?” I continued to inquire, questioning whether these people’s principles were as steadfast as they claimed.
“Generally speaking, nobody is allowed to disturb contestants without reason, especially those about to take the stage. However, we are aware of your relationship with contestant Tan Han, so we will inquire with her if she’s willing to meet you. If she agrees, we can arrange it, but if she declines… then we apologize.”
“I see, that’s reasonable.”
Leaving the choice to Tan Han is indeed the most appropriate method. After all, even the most distinguished guests cannot break the arena’s rules. They do have their methods; if Tan Han requests to meet a friend, then it wouldn’t be against the rules.
“I will go to the contestant area to ask her, please wait a moment.”
With the attendant’s departure, only Ying Shiqian and I remained.
“Ah~ this service truly is… I’ve really benefited from your connections, Xiao Han. I didn’t expect to come here to watch the competition.” Ying Shiqian was quite excited, entirely the opposite of her sleepy demeanor from earlier during the club recruitment.
She hadn’t even taken a seat; she had spent all her time at the edge of the stands enjoying the best view.
“The privilege from identity and ability, that’s all. Senior Ying Shiqian, what are your thoughts on Tan Han’s match this time?”
“Huh? Me? Thoughts? I’m just a spectator~ I’m not very knowledgeable about battles, but I believe Tan Han will win again!”
“Intuition?”
“Yes~ Women’s intuition!” Ying Shiqian replied with a smile.
“So, Senior Ying Shiqian, what do you think those people keep challenging Tan Han for? Since they keep challenging her, it indicates that Tan Han hasn’t lost, right?”
“Of course, it must be for the Absolute Cold Wand; what else could it be for?”
“Really?” I shrugged, not denying this statement.
The Absolute Cold Wand was just a gimmick. Within the Witch Academy, it had already formed a long-lasting node of fortune. Though everyone was aware of the existence of fortune and the arrangement of the script, so what?
What is called “awareness” can very well be part of the script?
Even I, with my profound understanding of fortune, and having severed the Earth Vein Shackles, still find myself frequently driven by fortune.
Thus, everyone here forms a huge script event, pushing Tan Han, the Child of Fortune, to constantly endure trials.
Isn’t this also part of the Child of Fortune’s growth?
My conclusion is based on the fact that Tan Han has been continually challenged, growing stronger to the point that she can face opponents at the teaching assistant level.
If it were just her alone facing so many teaching assistants, club members, and senior students, she definitely wouldn’t withstand their tactics.
So, while others seek to challenge Tan Han, the value she displays should secretly garner support from many.
After all, if a person has value, there will inevitably be those who maintain her.
And the first to step up is actually the Store Manager, who on the surface is the one supporting her.
When a person demonstrates their inherent value, it results in the formation of two opposing groups around them.
Malice and goodwill.
Currently, for Tan Han to break free from her situation and gain an advantage, she needs to continually grow and digest the impact of the Absolute Cold Wand.
She needs to become valuable enough that even if she loses the Absolute Cold Wand, the groups that release goodwill towards her will continue to help her.
This is a long-term “main storyline” for Tan Han because it’s impossible for her to instantly become strong without accumulation and time. The special subplots interspersed are the key to her rise.
Of course, this is merely my conjecture.
Moreover, this conjecture is based on the premise that Tan Han will eventually lose those external things. What if her script is to turn the Absolute Cold Wand into a Great Spellbook, becoming part of her strength?
But if that’s the case… what about the Ancient Ice Transformation Technique?
Tan Han should firmly grasp it under the influence of fortune, not be led into handing it over to a girl named Xiao You through some operation.
Handing it over willingly and being robbed are two different concepts. At that time, fortune would have had ample opportunity to transform Tan Han and Xiao You into opposing relationships, but the final outcome was not so.
Thus, the Ancient Ice Transformation Technique does not belong to Tan Han in terms of fortune.
In the early stages, this transformation technique undoubtedly brings immense combat power enhancement to Tan Han. Even now, there’s no way to eliminate an Excessive Consumption Spellbook.
If this spellbook had no special significance, there would be no need for such elaborate efforts; it would just be used as a tool.
“Xiao Han, do you think those people didn’t come for the Absolute Cold Wand?” At this moment, Ying Shiqian asked, her tone somewhat uncertain.
“Be confident, Senior Ying Shiqian. I simply asked, ‘Really?’ so there’s no need to overthink,” I smiled at her.
I didn’t intend to continue this topic. Sometimes, getting caught up in the script is just a futile thought; anything can be explained by coincidence.
If you give this coincidence a certain meaning, it becomes the script. If you don’t ascribe it meaning, it’s merely an experience.
“By the way, Senior Ying Shiqian, do you really enjoy watching this kind of real combat in the arena?”
“Of course I do~”
“Then have you ever thought about stepping onto the stage yourself?”
“Me? Step on stage? I think I’d better pass~ Didn’t I just say I’m not very knowledgeable about battles?” Ying Shiqian quickly waved her hand.
“Being brave enough to give it a try can easily open the door to a new world~” I said with a smile, then stood up to the railing beside Ying Shiqian.
“I think I better not… I’m just a mediocre person without much future, and I’ve begun to enjoy a life of eating and waiting to d*e.” As she said this, Ying Shiqian seemed to realize that she had said something a bit inappropriate, her tone softened. “In that case… Xiao Han, do you think it’s terrible to know someone like me?”
“Not at all. If everyone did what I expected, I realize that would be an even worse world.”
I said this genuinely, but there was actually a follow-up: how to achieve a sense of accomplishment in a world where no one would change simply to meet my expectations.
“That’s true~ Everyone has their own way of living. Actually, I’ve even thought about my way of dying. Xiao Han, by then, you’ll probably be an Extraordinary Witch, right? Will you come to my funeral?”
“I should; I’ll bring a piece of cake from Senior Tang Yihan to place at your grave. You shouldn’t mind, right?”
“Huh?! Who wants her cake? I’ll definitely live longer than that person!”
“That’s not necessarily true, after all, weren’t you the first to taste her new products?” I countered with a smile.
“Tch… I can’t refute that… What if one day she poisons me? That would mean she might actually place her cake on my grave!”
“Wait, why are you being so serious about such a strange angle?” Moreover… if Tang Yihan really invented a cake that even a Resurrection Spell couldn’t undo, that would indeed be genius.
What started as such a heavy topic about d*ath had turned into something cheerful.
However… I actually hope that all the people I know can ascend to become Extraordinary Witches, including Ying Shiqian, but I won’t force anything.
As Ying Shiqian and I chatted back and forth, the attendant who had left earlier returned.
“Sorry to interrupt, contestant Tan Han has agreed. She is waiting for you in the contestant area now.”
“Looks like we have to leave here first.” I turned to the attendant. “Let’s go, we can’t keep Tan Han waiting too long.”
“So soon? Such high efficiency.” Ying Shiqian hurried to keep up.
After leaving the viewing area, we followed the corridor into the interior of the arena.
After a few twists and turns, we finally arrived at the contestant area.
After some perception, it seemed the contestant area was located under the arena, with different entrances depending on the areas. The most common was entering from the side of the field.
There were also types that came straight from the lift to the competition stage, but clearly, such a stylish entrance wasn’t something everyone could enjoy.
However… Tan Han was not among them.
Her opponent was of the level of a teaching assistant, and battles at this level would attract many spectators.
As I pushed open the door to the contestant preparation area, the internal environment unfolded before my eyes, and there stood Tan Han.
“Long time no see, Tan Han.”
The Tan Han before me had shed much of her previous frivolity and gained some composure. Perhaps it was the underground’s enclosed setting that gave it a somewhat gloomy atmosphere, no matter how bright the interior design was, it couldn’t dispel that kind of oppression.
At this moment, Tan Han seemed to still be in the pre-match preparation stage. Her attire was quite cool and form-fitting, highlighting her figure perfectly, with large areas of skin exposed, seemingly waiting to put on her exclusive battle uniform.
However, even so, I remained unmoved. In my eyes, Tan Han couldn’t evoke any desire; all I saw were the scars on her body.
I didn’t believe that students at the Witch Academy would bear scars like those. The only reason those scars remained could only be that the body’s owner had chosen to leave them.
“Xiao Han, it’s indeed been a while. I didn’t expect you to come here?” Tan Han responded naturally, as if greeting a long-lost friend.
But through heart sense, I could sense the fatigue that emanated from her heart.
“School has started~ Taking the opportunity to give myself a break.” I shrugged. “But I’m serious, the scars on you are a bit unsightly.”
“Is that so?” Tan Han paused slightly, surprised that I brought it up so soon. “These scars are left from battles, reminders and lessons from every mistake I’ve made; their existence has meaning.”
“Don’t be so eager to prove their significance to me~ Sometimes… the more one emphasizes something, the more it signifies a lack of it,” I said with a smile, not as blunt as before since I too had grown.
“…”
“Shopkeeper Shali~ You’re here too, and you as well.” Noticing that Tan Han had fallen silent in response to my words, I had to shift the topic elsewhere.
As I looked elsewhere, my eye fell first upon Shopkeeper Shali.
The unnamed person was Xiao You, the one who took away Tan Han’s Ancient Ice, and the fact that she was still here with Tan Han suggested that their relationship was indeed quite special.
“Xiao Han… I didn’t expect you to come.” The shopkeeper seemed a bit uneasy as she spoke.
“I met Senior Ying Shiqian at the club recruitment, so I learned about your situation and came. You didn’t even give me a heads-up about such a big event; Shopkeeper, you really don’t see me as part of the baking club~”
“Sorry… Xiao Han,” Shali said, her tone apologetic. However, she did seem touched by my comment of being part of the baking club. “This matter mainly concerns me and Little Tan. If it involves you, it would create a lot of trouble… after all, you hate troublesome situations, right?”
“That depends on the situation~” For instance, when I had plenty of time on my hands.
