Chapter 857: The Faith of Fool Dream, Pure and Flawless
“Sage…”
Mei Linde had heard from those witches who returned from Fool Village that they referred to Xiao Han as a Sage.
“Xiao Han, how long do you plan to play this role-playing game? I really don’t want to discourage you, but what you said sounds… rather childish, like a game of pretend, very boring and meaningless…”
“So…” Mei Linde continued without giving me a chance to respond, “what exactly did you see in Fool Dream that led you to make such a choice?”
In fact, there was something Mei Linde did not explicitly state: Xiao Han never does anything meaningless. Even the art of self-generated magic she learned a thing or two about from her communication with Bai Yu.
If Xiao Han truly selflessly did these things, she would never afterwards leave all the tasks to Yi Rui and the others and run off to do something else.
This transformation in the process, Xiao Han must have “gained” something from it.
After this experiment proved unhelpful to herself and was fully entrusted to Yi Rui, one could say she arranged her time and energy very compactly, and Yi Rui and the others were happy with it, just like before.
As for what Xiao Han gained from this experiment, no one knew, but Mei Linde speculated that it was most likely related to the concept of self-generated magic.
However, Mei Linde truly did not know what exactly those concepts were.
Nevertheless, the concept of “prototype self-generated magic” and the hypothesis of “infinite magic power” indeed emerged as products of in-depth research on self-generated magic, and these were the biggest achievements of this experiment.
At this moment, facing Mei Linde’s inquiry, I was also pondering how to respond.
What did I see in Fool Dream?
It was a feeling that language can’t describe. The most direct and profound relationship between me and Fool Dream was a kind of inclusivity from top to bottom, as well as an appreciation— the most genuine expression towards something lovable and beautiful.
Perhaps I hadn’t even realized how sincere my longing for beautiful things was.
Perhaps in the past, I would have felt ashamed, avoided, and been timid to face beautiful things like many ordinary people, turning into anger and shame… or even destruction…
That was my most helpless moment, encountering the helplessness of my own desires. The only thing I could do with my hands raised was destruction, and then self-righteously enjoy those fleeting moments of comfort in the gutter.
Thus, my feeling towards Fool Dream was a kind of compensation from my innermost desires. When I reached out my hand, I found that… I could actually provide them comfort.
More importantly… they called me Sister Sage!
I felt as if they were a group of innocent little angels living in my heart.
Of course, they were definitely not the bird people from the Holy Angel Academy; they were not worthy.
The strength of a person comes from the inner strength, which was my previous pursuit. I bid farewell to my original family and stepped out of my past shadows, but I lacked a healing process after all the harm done to me.
Since I wanted to pursue higher goals, I needed a strong inner self. The so-called personality of the strong is called cowardice and pretentiousness in the weak.
No one can give redemption to oneself; only I can. Fool Dream seemed more like a projection of my longing for beauty, a kind of innocence I lacked in this life.
“Sister Mei, before enrolling, I was once a mental patient. Even I thought so. It just happened that I could live independently. After gradually getting in touch with Fool Dream, I saw many things in them that made me envious.”
“Those were the things missing from my childhood: innocence, straightforwardness, sincerity, trust, optimism, curiosity… They carry everything I longed for. These things have nowhere to accommodate them in reality, but I can.”
“Now, all the Fool Dreams have built the Fool Village in my Soul Dream. They have constructed countless places of residence under my Great Knowledge Tree, swimming in the ocean woven by Knowledge Power.”
“Playing pretend is not childish; the identity of Sage is also not just an identity. It’s the recognition of all Fool Dreams towards me, and it’s the responsibility I have taken on voluntarily.”
As I said this, a thread of light golden silk encircled around my fingertips. This was an anchoring from each Fool Dream to me, and also the recognition from each Fool Dream towards me.
I did not know what this illusory power was. It was weak, so weak that at this moment, it couldn’t do anything, not even as much as a Small Fireball Spell.
However, at this moment, this recognition from Fool Dream meant much more to me than its practical effect.
“Power of Faith?!”
The four words spoken by Mei Linde, the academy head, widened her eyes and instantly silenced the office.
“What?”
I was slightly taken aback, looking at Principal Mei in surprise. What did she mean… power of faith?
Was this thing in my hand… the power of faith?
My thoughts instantly returned to when Principal Mei first mentioned how to arrange Fool Dream.
I had little exposure to the concept of the power of faith.
After all, I had a very deep stereotype about this concept, such as faith being toxic, faith exploiting, and followers being harvested, etc.
These ideas were very inconsistent with my understanding, and I did not want to impose these concepts onto Fool Dream.
But now, the principal said this power was the power of faith?
“You harvested the power of faith from Fool Dream?”
“…” I silently looked at Principal Mei. I didn’t like the word “harvest.”
Nor did I like my actions described as such a lowly thing.
“I’m sorry; I used the wrong term.” Upon seeing my expression, Mei Linde realized her phrasing was inappropriate, but her understanding of faith and gods also came with very deep stereotypes.
“In many belief systems within the Void, the harvesting model is common, but Xiao Han, you need to understand that harvesting is merely a subjective definition of this action by life. That describes the relationship between gods and followers, but belief systems are not solely composed of gods and followers.”
Upon witnessing Xiao Han exhibiting the power of faith, Mei Linde felt that many things did not need further explanation. She also roughly understood the relationship between Xiao Han and Fool Dream.
The belief system is indeed a very subjective and undefinable system.
Those who view it as power consider it a path of ascension.
Those who view it as a covenant find it more important than life itself.
Those who take it as a contract treat it as a commitment to practice in life…
“I understand how Xiao Han plans to approach this. I didn’t expect you to unintentionally walk down this path. Since you’ve given your answer, I will not pursue it further.”
“What?” I looked at Principal Mei, confused and a bit surprised. So my long speech has not yet convinced her regarding this strand of power of faith?
“Wait… I don’t have that kind of relationship with Fool Dream! I just…”
“I understand, of course I do. Trading a Great Spellbook for the faith of a burgeoning group carrying ‘Extraordinary Knowledge’ is not a loss. Moreover, you will ultimately grant them true life. I must say, Xiao Han, your idea… I can only rate it as mediocre,” Mei Linde said with a smile.
Did Mei Linde not know about Xiao Han’s relationship with Fool Dream? After hearing that long speech earlier, she certainly understood. Now, she was merely providing a step down.
The main goal of this conversation was to “provide a reasonable explanation,” and she would not pursue it further. After all, this explanation was something she did not particularly care about, but processes must still be followed.
She also cared for Xiao Han. After all… how could other extraordinary witches perceive the dismantling of a Great Spellbook for no reason?
They had never even touched a Great Spellbook!
At most, they had touched a Great Knowledge Seed, which barely counted.
“I really don’t have that kind of relationship with Fool Dream…”
“Xiao Han, it’s alright…” At this moment, Bai Yu stepped forward and blocked my intention to explain further. Bai Yu naturally understood what Mei Linde meant.
I knew too, but… I just wanted to clarify!
Feigning ignorance while knowing full well, I suspected Principal Mei was holding a grudge over me dismantling her Great Spellbook.
“Alright, alright… I’m sorry, Principal. Since the matter has ended, I’ll take Xiao Han and leave.”
“Mm, take care~ I won’t see you off.” Mei Linde waved her hand, eager to send her guests off. She truly did not know what else Xiao Han might reveal while lingering here.
After all, Xiao Han had shared that she used to be a mental patient; what else could she possibly be afraid to say?
But speaking of mental illness… Mei Linde also paid a bit more attention to that.
The reason she swiftly ended that topic was that she had tapped into one thing—Xiao Han could not turn back on this matter.
If those Fool Dreams were a spiritual construction in Xiao Han, akin to a self-redemption, she understood this indeed could not be helped.
It was just like one couldn’t take away the cat held by a depressed patient, right?
At the beginning, she was worried that Xiao Han had too many good things and would not cherish them. The value of the Great Spellbook, even in the relatively closed Main World, was an extremely scarce resource.
…
“Xiao Han~ Don’t blame Principal Mei; she actually knows everything.”
Bai Yu was now comforting Xiao Han beside her. She liked seeing Xiao Han expressing such intense emotions because it felt more real to her.
Xiao Han always suppressed her emotions, whether happiness, anger, or sadness, and she would not release them out. Even external compliments could meet resistance within her.
And this reunion…
Though she was very accommodating to Xiao Han, she felt it was not right.
Even if it was just a display of urgency and defensiveness due to a small misunderstanding, for Bai Yu, who had Heart Sense, she was able to sense a more vivid Xiao Han in that moment.
From the moment Xiao Han began to speak out, refuting Principal Mei, she felt that kind of intense emotional fluctuation within Xiao Han. From that moment on, she knew what Xiao Han was doing couldn’t be deemed objectively right or wrong.
“I definitely know she knows!” I instinctively bit my lip, gradually calming down.
Moreover, I understood that this matter had somewhat been unburdened.
However, just this conversation had brought me a lot of trouble.
For example… the power of faith.
I had never thought this would be the power of faith.
Perhaps I should reshape my understanding of faith; it turned out that faith could be so pure…
I would not regard it as a form of power; that would tarnish the purity between Fool Dream and me and remind me of the indescribable relationships between faith, deities, and followers.
Because the birth of divine faith stems from the ignorance of its followers, as well as the deceit of the deities.
This was a stereotype I held towards the belief system, and I did not want Fool Dream to exist in such a manner.
But looking at it now, faith itself is very pure, yet those who use it might not be.
Sister Bai comforted me for a long time, and although I had long come to terms with it, I still repeatedly enjoyed her soothing presence without getting tired.
As we chatted, we ended up discussing where to go next.
“By the way, Xiao Han, do you have any plans coming up?”
“Um… yes, many. It looks like I have a lot to do soon. No, wait… I should apply for another laboratory with Principal Mei!” I suddenly remembered this matter, feeling a bit regretful that I had left so quickly earlier.
After all, the laboratory over in the experimental area was still working on the topic of self-generated magic, and so were the other laboratories. To be honest… I also had a renovated private laboratory underground in my villa.
But I couldn’t really carry out much there.
The reason I wanted a laboratory was mainly that if anything uncontrollable happened, it could be resolved quickly without affecting others.
And in my villa’s lab, it was next to someone else’s place.
“How about we go back now?”
“Forget it, forget it~ There’s no need to turn back for this now. I still haven’t figured out how to face Principal Mei. Let’s wait for a while until this matter calms down.”
“In fact, I can substitute for you to talk to the principal.”
“No way! You have to accompany me!” I immediately dismissed Sister Bai’s suggestion.
It had been a bit uncomfortable without Sister Bai by my side these days. I needed to properly replenish her energy!
“Alright~” Sister Bai smiled slightly, seemingly pleased with this answer. “So now it seems you’ve returned to that old mode of yours? Every day is filled with experiments and the like?”
“Um…” With Sister Bai pointing this out, I realized this problem: Was this the daily pattern in Sister Bai’s eyes?
“Not anymore… I will accompany Sister Bai, and also… Fool Dream, you don’t know, now Fool Dream has already settled in my Soul Dream~ They are really cute! I also really want them to come to reality…”
“If you want to, then go do it~ I, Sister Bai, will support you!”
“This would be quite a big project… After all, there are too many Fool Dreams, and…” and also because the Grand Wisdom Enlightenment Spell had been dismantled, I currently had no time to explore how to use it. Without the “Spellbook” platform, its usage could no longer rely on the Spellbook model for understanding, and I needed time to adapt.
“Forget it~ Let’s not talk about this for now. When I came here earlier, I heard the principal mention something about self-generated magic. Since I’m part of the experimental team, I’ve been offline for so long, so I should go check on them.”
