Chapter 1179: The Listener at the Tea Party
The changing room was very quiet, with only the sound of fabric rustling and fingers gently brushing against it. It felt as if there was a silent understanding between us, as though our hearts were racing with excitement. The slightly tall floor mirror reflected solemn silhouettes until our gazes collided in its surface.
Sister Bai’s fingers danced among the ribbons, the tips dyed with an ethereal floral fragrance, as if she were gently caressing a work of art. Facing the mirror, she silently performed a graceful ritual.
The overall black-themed formal gown accentuated my silence, emanating a sense of mystery. It exhibited its texture with the rise and fall of my breath, resembling the sea under the moonlight—deep and layered.
“Sister Bai, this…”
“Shh~”
Sister Bai gently placed her hand over my lips.
“Indeed, the quiet Xiao Han fits this gown the best. Even without heart sense, Chu Shibulei can feel what your needs and beauty are through your aura~”
I didn’t speak, only quietly watched myself in the mirror and the silhouette of Sister Bai beside me.
I vaguely remembered that Sister Bai seemed to enjoy dressing me up, but when was the last time…?
Just as I fell into my memories, the clasp of the gown suddenly tightened at my waist, and a hand glided over the delicate fabric along my spine. The gentle touch of skin against fingertips sparked involuntary shivers of instinct within me.
In this moment, my body, returning to instinct, was the most honest confession. Sister Bai’s fingers paused at the waist tie, suppressing the urge to loosen it, as soft magic coalesced into threads to form her most adeptly tied bow.
The natural drape of the skirt concealed my white legs; the gown was splendidly fitted yet not overly seductive, the light fabric balanced between temptation and abstinence, with the hem’s slit seeming like a balance scale that would sway gradually as I walked.
Sister Bai silently lifted one of my hands, as a velvet-smooth lady’s glove glided over the inner part of my elbow. It was my first time being so meticulous about wearing such gloves.
Though I deemed it unnecessary, Sister Bai never tired of discussing the details and accessories of this gown.
I took the wide-brimmed hat Sister Bai handed me. In the mirror, I seemed to shed the childishness of “never growing up,” stepping into maturity. Sister Bai appeared very satisfied.
This aura, apart from height and mature femininity, was also….
A slightly shorter witch, but otherwise not much different. Especially with the hat brim gently pressed down, it exuded a newfound sense of mystery.
“It feels pretty good~” I said.
But this aura was shattered by my words. I seemed to still be that same person… The recklessness and whimsy in my words somehow couldn’t be linked with maturity.
“So that means you really like it, Xiao Han?” Sister Bai had nothing more to say, regardless of maturity, I would always be her Xiao Han.
“It’s just okay, I guess?” I faintly recalled the last time I felt the need for a sense of ritual was at that auction, but afterward, I realized… it was just like that.
I had thought about what to wear for this, and the changing spell I mastered was also given to me by a witch sister during that time.
Was this time… similar?
Intuition told me it was, I just hadn’t ‘experienced’ it yet. My emotions at this moment shouldn’t be rarefied but joyful!
Transforming a concrete event into an abstract “experience” made everything seem simpler.
“Sister Bai, what’s the theme of this tea party…?
“Are you finally remembering to ask?” Sister Bai smiled and said, “I thought you, Xiao Han, didn’t care~”
“After all, I am the initiator of this tea party; if I didn’t know… that would be terrible.”
“This tea party is about memories~”
“Memories?”
“The past and memories are the path Xiao Han you have traveled, and the people you met, celebrating this moment of you together.”
“…”
And you—Xiao Han, your role is that of a listener.
“A listener?”
“Listening to what others think of you—it’s a tea party, isn’t it? It’s all about sharing. The original Witch Tea Party was initiated by witches who, far apart in the void, gathered together guided by an opportunity to share their experiences. All witches are both speakers and listeners.”
“And Xiao Han, you… express your efforts through your rising path. You have portrayed the words you need to express through your experiences in the academy; all that remains is for you to simply be a listener at the tea party~”
“A listener at the tea party?”
That’s right; it’s about listening to the past you, from a perspective you’ve never seen before.
Time flew, and two days passed in the blink of an eye.
For many, this was just an ordinary day; the battles and confrontations outside the Main World continued unabated.
The shock brought by that “All-Race Gourmet” was gradually overshadowed by the feats of various talented individuals within the void.
Those geniuses fought recklessly, for in the early phase of the Coming-of-Age Ceremony, this was their stage.
Perhaps this was the biggest “void stage” they could ever reach in their lives.
Soon, even more exceptionally talented beings would arrive, turning the duel into an escalation, where they would merely become the backdrop for these prodigies.
Even those who considered themselves geniuses were hardly more than a threshold before the void’s prodigies. Who in the void does not strive?
In the end, it all comes down to that 1% talent.
The void’s stage is one governed solely by talent, where relentless effort is merely a ticket. No one enjoys watching dull “effort” on stage, whether it’s the audience or the prodigies standing atop it; they hope to see talent beyond effort!
In the void, there are those who say: without talent, there’s no direction even in effort.
Countless people have tried to break the so-called talent theory, but the numerous mediocrities in the void are the biggest obstacle to breaking this rhetoric.
And ironically, all those who want to refute the talent theory are mediocrities.
When they break their predetermined fate, they still cannot prove it because their determination, rebellion, and persistence… are the talents they have honed themselves.
The void offers no such thing as fairness; winning at the starting line provides an overwhelming advantage. Those who scream and shout about injustice are merely lacking the courage to confront the disparity.
The duels between geniuses in the void are as plain as that.
The experiences between people and the meanings they attribute to themselves embellish the simplest truths.
In the end, these chaotic things block their own vision.
Within the Witch Academy, on this ordinary day, some dressed extravagantly for the occasion.
“Haha~ Yiren! Where did you buy that gown? You weren’t lured into buying it by that salesgirl senior, were you? It’s so risqué!” Hong Chanyi’s laughter echoed in the villa dormitory.
“You’re not any better off. Besides, don’t upscale banquets in movies always dress like this?
After finishing her words, Dongli Yiren’s voice became softer, ultimately rendering her a bit insecure.
If it weren’t for this grand tea party hosted by Sister Xiao Han, she wouldn’t have taken it so seriously.
Listening to that little one, Yu Yun, say that there would be many extraordinary witches present at the tea party, she naturally couldn’t afford to lose face, especially since she had lived with Xiao Han… Losing face was one thing; what if it affected Xiao Han?
“Movies? Hahaha~ Movies are all lies! They focus on visual effects, satirizing the decadence and corruption of upper-class families. Those dressed like this are probably just escorting clients, right?”
Dongli Yiren stopped speaking, her gaze shifting to the nearby Guan Qiuling and Yu Yatian.
Her inner balance had been restored somewhat. The four of them used to be boys, what did they know about formal gowns?
The gown was something they all bought together; if they were deceived, they were deceived together.
If blame was to be assigned, it would be to that shop they visited! Or rather, in an academy like the Witch Academy that pursues individuality and indulgence, such gowns were rather “normal.”
Don’t blame them for liking Sister Xiao Han.
They did their best.
They were grateful just to have managed to wear the gowns correctly.
Can you believe it? Four gowns, four different ways to wear them; why must girls’ clothes be designed so complicatedly?
Dongli Yiren felt she would rather waste brain cells on her subject than figure out how to wear pretty dresses.
But… after getting dressed…
Dongli Yiren lifted her skirt and instinctively swayed her waist, feeling the hem move with her form… it seemed pretty nice…
Stop! Stop!
Realizing what she was doing, Dongli Yiren immediately froze! Did she actually think women’s clothing was rather comfortable?
Damn…it’s all the fault of witch transformation.
After venting, Dongli Yiren settled her mind.
“Ahem… it’s getting late; isn’t it time to head to the tea party?”
“Are we going now? It feels like there’s still some time left.”
“Didn’t you say that being punctual is a lady’s elegance? Even if you’re late, it should be tolerated with grace?”
“You’re a lady?” Hong Chanyi smiled and asked Yu Yatian.
Well—looking at Xiao Yu like this, she actually does seem like a gentle lady, mixed with a pure and untouchable aura~
There’s nothing wrong with getting there early; since we know nothing, at least getting there early helps us to familiarize ourselves. If we arrive last, wouldn’t we bump into those extraordinary mentors?
So that makes sense! Let’s head out early; we can vote on it, I vote for leaving early.
“Right, let’s go early,” Hong Chanyi stated.
“Early sounds good,” Yu Yatian murmured, pursing her lips.
1
So it looks like that’s a unanimous decision.
Dongli Yiren nodded.
Then, everyone took out the envelope, which contained the invitation and proof to enter that mysterious tea party. With the infusion of magic, the proof shimmered with light.
Soon, their forms disappeared from the spot.
Meanwhile.
In the instance realm.
Four figures suddenly appeared in a dense forest.
Where… is this? Have we arrived?
The first to react, Hong Chanyi instinctively observed their surroundings; the thick foliage and light piercing through the leaves made slender beams.
It looked somewhat like the Witch Secret Realm?
Perhaps it really was; after all, don’t forget that Sister Xiao Han has indeed become extraordinary! The Witch Secret Realm could certainly be summoned with ease, right?
While these individuals pondered their next destination, Yu Yatian’s gaze pierced through the forest and spotted buildings not far away.
Wait… is that a building?
A building? All this time it was actually just greenery? Below our feet, it seems to indeed be a small path.
Hong Chanyi quickly recognized the situation following Yu Yatian’s words. “I have to say… that wouldn’t be a vast estate, would it?”
If it’s an estate, then this area must be a garden quite close to nature.
With the four of them conversing, they quickly exited the tree-covered area and beheld the full view of the estate before them.
However, here they encountered another girl.
Look over there… is that Sister Millien?!
It seems so?!
It appeared their discussion was overheard, for Millien turned to their direction, visibly surprised upon seeing Dongli Yiren and her friends.
She was astonished, but her expression quickly shifted to understanding.
Millien certainly recognized these four, or rather was quite familiar with them; they were former roommates of Xiao Han and holders of her business card. In fact, she had slightly benefitted from their rise.
So Millien smiled and nodded gracefully to the four of them, watching them approach.
Of course, Dongli Yiren and the others moved forward.
After all, meeting a senior they knew and were familiar with was a perfect opportunity to seek some advice.
Though the four of them were vastly different from this high-ranking member of the Baking House Society, the core representative of the Union Society, and the actual controller of the Natural Disaster Group, in this tea party naturally divided the Witch Mentors and students.
At least, that’s how they thought.
“Sister Millien~ What a coincidence to meet you here!”
Among the four, the most outgoing, Hong Chanyi, took on the main role of socializing, while the remaining three stepped forward to greet her as well.
The one least adept in socializing, Guan Qiuling, already positioned herself behind the other three.
“Hello! I really didn’t expect to run into you at this time; I thought I had arrived early enough,” Millien replied warmly to the four, though a fleeting trace of envy flashed in her eyes.
Meeting these four here represents that Sister Xiao Han still remembers their past friendship, something she couldn’t envy.
“Is Sister Millien the one helping Sister Xiao Han host this tea party? It does feel a bit early at this hour.”
“No, this time, I am also an invited guest. It seems you are here for the first time? Shall we go together?” Millien extended the invitation to the four of them, not minding accompanying them.
“Sure, sure~” Hong Chanyi quickly nodded in agreement on behalf of the other three.
Being a first-time participant in such a tea party, having a senior to guide them was far more reassuring than coming alone!
“Don’t be nervous. From what I know, this is also Sister Xiao Han’s first time hosting a tea party of this scale. Just think of it like… coming home. I believe Sister Xiao Han hopes for it too. She hasn’t changed… If you get nervous, Sister Xiao Han will be even more nervous. If she ends up in an awkward silence, you’ll have to step up and liven things up~”
Millien said jokingly with a smile.
She understood Sister Xiao Han well; even though she didn’t have the qualification to help host this tea party, she instinctively wanted to alleviate Sister Xiao Han’s worries.
