Chapter 174 : Chapter 174

Chapter 174: Give Me a Chance to be Friends

After a brief chat with Big Sis Bai, I returned to the contestants' rest area, where at least I wouldn't be disturbed by outsiders.

Yao Beijuan's appearance really caught me off guard, especially the fact that someone with her personality would represent Aphrodite Academy in an exchange with the Witch Academy.

And the way she found me was so bizarre, just because of a name?

When a normal person encounters someone with the same name but a different gender, they wouldn't immediately think that person is someone they know, would they?

To even deliberately come all the way here to ask, wouldn't it be incredibly awkward if it wasn't me?

Besides, she was disturbing a contestant.

And they didn't give me a good impression.

Those two elves completely shattered the beautiful perception I had from two lifetimes of elves as fantasy beings.

Weren't elves supposed to symbolize nobility and purity?

It couldn't just be a mask they wear on the outside, right?

But thinking about it, that seems plausible.

If elves were truly like that, how could she have made it to one of the Three Great Top-tier Academies in this world?

Moreover, through Spirit Vision, I could sense that their power was completely different from a witch's.

Their power seemed to be born from within their bodies.

Their bodies had completely deviated from human structure, becoming vessels to carry that power.

It seemed the physical structure of the elf race itself conformed to some kind of ritual, bearing that power.

That transcendent power was very magical.

It seemed that not only could mental power interfere with it, but the elf's own physical state, emotions, and actions could also interfere with the operation of that energy.

Unlike our Magic Power Source, which is always stable, so stable that even mental power cannot interfere with it.

It's getting more and more interesting.

I kind of want to take their bodies apart to see that power of theirs ahem, the side effects of studying spellbooks are acting up.

I want to see the internal structure of everything I see.

No matter what, they were also human no, they probably couldn't be considered human anymore, right?

Just similar, myself included.

Just as I was about to read the rune book, a figure blocked my view.

I closed the book in annoyance.

Why do so many people have to interrupt me right when I decide to study?

When I looked up, a familiar face was leaning in front of me.

“Tan Han?”

Didn't I remember that we had no contact after our conversation that time?

What was it this time?

I watched as she sat down next to me, not caring if the spot was taken, just like the previous times.

But this time, it was truly empty.

I remembered that the topic of our last conversation was quite harsh, right?

Why was she approaching me again?

Although I no longer had any external factors making me reject Tan Han, she probably came over for a reason.

Was it because she saw me meeting with that student from the Elf Academy earlier, or was it about the exchange competition?

“Hmm, from your tone, it seems you're not so repulsed by me anymore,” Tan Han spoke first.

“You can tell that just by listening?”

I shook my head, wondering what Tan Han was up to.

“Of course I didn't just hear it. Do you remember back then, what I said about the power of destiny I control?”

As Tan Han said this, she seemed to get lost in reminiscence herself.

“I know, but those who delude themselves into thinking they can control destiny will ultimately be toyed with by destiny. Destiny is by no means something that can be controlled,” I said, shaking my head and continuing to express my viewpoint.

Destiny, even for those who resist it, perhaps destiny had already arranged a script for the resister's success.

Some unknowable things can never be figured out no matter how much you think about them.

But did that mean one should just give up?

Of course not.

Destiny was nothing more than a hindsight critic, jumping out to laugh at everyone after everything had ended.

As long as I treated it like a buffoon, wasn't the development of events still up to me?

Although it sounded a bit presumptuous to say so, I had to find a way to convince myself, right?

If I couldn't convince myself, I would become confused.

But as long as I was firm about one thing, then I wouldn't be confused.

After all, a day of happiness is still a day, and a day of suffering is also a day.

People's joys and sorrows are not interconnected, which is why the world is so colorful.

If the world were simpler, life would not be so painful.

Take the matter with Yao Beijuan for example.

Her appearance made me panic for a while.

I was afraid she would pester me, afraid she would mock me for being a pervert, afraid she would expose the fact that I used to be a boy…

In short, there were so many things, constantly consuming a great deal of my energy and emotions.

But looking at it objectively, it was just a matter of my ex-girlfriend looking for me.

What could she really do?

The worst that could happen was just exposing the fact that I used to be a boy…

“Are you still so resistant to destiny? Then what if I said I came to find you this time following destiny's guidance? I feel like your resistance towards me seems to have disappeared.”

“Destiny's guidance…”

I looked at Tan Han with some disbelief.

She was so willing to be driven by destiny and even enjoyed it?

Sure enough, the teacher was right.

Everyone has their own way of living.

Perhaps I was being prejudiced.

So what if she was the protagonist of a script?

She didn't seem to be the "my fate is my own, not heaven's to decide" type.

But she was right.

My only resistance to her now was her ethereal constitution that could potentially bring me trouble.

“I still remember the excuse you used back then that we were not people of the same world.”

Tan Han turned her head and looked towards the arena.

At this time, the tournament was nearing its end, so the afternoon matches would have to wait until the afternoon.

“But I don't think so. We are both ordinary people who have just stepped into the transcendent world. We are from the same world, and you are even ahead of me.”

When Tan Han said this, it was obvious she had done some serious self-reflection.

“Mhm, there doesn't seem to be anything wrong with saying that.”

I tacitly agreed with her statement, but was that really just an excuse?

At that time, I truly believed so, because in every aspect, she was indeed leagues ahead of me.

But what about now?

Her identity as a young lady in the outside world?

It seemed worthless in the face of the transcendent world.

Her identity as a rich woman?

I have a lot of money now too, given by the academy.

So much Arcanite Gold, I don't even know how to spend it.

Her identity as the protagonist in the script?

In my eyes, she was just a puppet of destiny.

Teacher Lina and Teacher Ji Niang had made this quite clear to me.

“So, do you think we have a chance to become friends?”

“Hmm… that's a tricky question. I haven't even figured out my own definition of a friend. For you to ask so bluntly, the answer is definitely no.”

I spoke in a slightly relaxed tone, which was also a refusal of her formal attempt to make friends.

If this was how friends were made, I personally felt it was unnecessary.

“So that's how it is. Then let me explain. The definition of a friend is varied, with many categories. There are close friends who know each other inside and out, fair-weather friends for wining and dining, nodding acquaintances you meet by chance, and even friends for academic exchange.”

Tan Han listed so many at once, but I still felt that her real intentions were elsewhere.

“I've learned something new,” I said softly.

I naturally understood all this, that even friends came in many types, and most friendships in society were merely superficial.

“Then… let's make another bet. Bet on giving me a chance to become your friend. No need for troublesome friendship maintenance, just simply… friends for academic exchange.”

“Heh… your intentions are so obvious it's like you're hitting me over the head with your abacus.”

Listening to Tan Han's words, I almost burst out laughing.

Then I recalled the last question from our previous exchange, when she asked if the spellbook I used at that time was for Fireball.

It was probably related to that.

How interesting.

“So, what's your decision?”

“If it were before, I naturally wouldn't bet again, because I'm not a gambler. But since you've been talking to me here for so long just for this purpose, I should at least give you a chance, right?”

I said, shaking my head.

Tan Han herself seemed to realize her problem.

Like me, she had enrolled in a transcendent academy, and everyone's understanding of the transcendent was different.

The initial Tan Han was just like this, pursuing power.

She constantly learned the common knowledge of the transcendent, came to know about the Magic Power Source and spellbooks, and constructed this distorted self-perception.

But I knew very well that the transcendent was not like that at all.

What was the difference between that and casting skills in a game?

The true transcendent should be about constantly exploring the unknown, to see how the transcendent constructed this fantastical world.

If Tan Han wanted to delve into the essence of the transcendent with me, I naturally wouldn't mind.

Putting aside the trouble Tan Han might bring me, as a protagonist, couldn't she also bring some benefits?

Risk and reward coexist.

Didn't Big Sis Bai know this back then?

She was just afraid I would get caught up in the risk, because Big Sis Bai felt my safety was more important than any so-called reward.

“So, what do you want to bet on?”

I asked nonchalantly, wanting to see what trick she had up her sleeve this time.

Since she dared to bet, she must be confident of winning.

But if it was a bet where the outcome was obvious at a glance, I wasn't a fool.

And that would also mean she wasn't serious about becoming my friend.

Since she was trying to make friends this way, how could I not be a little fussy?

“The afternoon match is 25 advancing to 13, so there's one bye. Let's bet on who gets the bye, how about it?”

“What if neither of us guesses correctly?”

I asked, a flash of surprise crossing my face upon hearing the bet.

“Then it's a draw.”

“And if I win?”

“Then… I'll give you that spellbook with the one-thousand-point magic consumption.”

“You're playing for such high stakes?”

I said in a surprised tone.

“Is it high? It's only worth one Fireball spell. I think it's very fair,” Tan Han said in a serious tone.

“Heh…”

The current Tan Han seemed to see things even more clearly than I did.

If she became my academic friend in name, then she could learn from me how to use spellbooks flexibly.

If she couldn't become my friend, she would have no way to learn that ability herself.

Her strongest move could still be countered by her opponent, or not even need to be countered.

She naturally remembered the morning's match, the Flame Lord, which was a hundred-point-consumption spellbook.

If she faced that, she could even be taken out without a scratch.

How could this not make her nervous?

It was too pressing!

It even made her think of the time when she first came into contact with the Witch Meditation Method.

She only felt the gap between her and the other party widening, and even felt that what the other party had said back then, "we are not people of the same world," meant exactly this!

She was the one being left behind!

“Alright then, so you go first or I go first?”

I asked casually.

Even now, I wasn't too clear on the names of the remaining contestants on the field.

If I had to guess, I would naturally guess Tan Han.

“You first, of course.”

“Then I guess you, Tan Han.”

“Then it's my turn. I guess you, Yang Yuehan.”

“Heh, is it fun to play like this?”

I laughed after hearing Tan Han's words.

It really was a completely expected result.

“Of course it's not fun, but since our first match, you probably guessed it too, right? There have been manipulations behind the scenes in the subsequent matches. It seems like we have many choices, but if there's really a bye, it's highly likely to be between the two of us. But let me be clear, I haven't asked beforehand, and I don't know the result either, so the bet is fair.”

Of course, she didn't mention her own ability.

That was her own ability, so it didn't count as cheating.

“Since you've put it that way, I'll reluctantly believe you,” I said with a shake of my head and a smile.

“Then I'll take your good wishes and hope I get to rest this afternoon.”

“Who wins and who loses is still uncertain. Are you leaving now?”

Tan Han asked, seeing me stand up.

“Mhm, since the purpose has been achieved, I'll take a half-day rest first.”

“Not going to chat some more? I still have quite a few topics I want to talk about, like that elf from before.”

“So you can be this gossipy too?”

But I didn't sit back down.

After all, I really wanted to leave, but I didn't mind chatting about this topic before I left.

“Of course, who doesn't like gossip? I heard from the seniors over there that the elf came looking for you specifically. Do you know each other?”

“She's my ex-girlfriend,” I said very casually.

But I didn't say this without thinking about the consequences.

On one hand, it was to prepare myself for the worst possible outcome that Yao Beijuan might bring, to let me adapt in advance.

On the other hand, it was to add some weight to my budding friendship with Tan Han, and also to show trust in her.

And to see what this rich young lady thought about the fact that I used to be a boy.

If she couldn't accept it, then we could end things prematurely, saving me from any accusations of deception later on.

Besides, the other party was a script protagonist.

Who knew if hiding the fact I used to be a boy would become the fuse for some bizarre incident.

If Tan Han accepted this, she might also face a choice.

If this matter were exposed, and at the Witch Academy, if it was something hard to accept, then as my friend, Tan Han, how would she react?

Actually, I was just curious as to how Tan Han would choose.

I didn't care what her choice was.

Even if the entire academy hated me, I still had Big Sis Bai who would like me and comfort me.

Because this was something I was destined to possibly face from the moment I stepped into the Witch Academy.

It was just that now, with Yao Beijuan's intervention, this fact had become more likely to be exposed.

Mainly, this secret weighed on my heart like a thorn, and it wasn't as if no one knew about it.

Looking at it now, quite a few seniors already knew.

From their reactions, the level of acceptance was pretty good.

But I wouldn't go around proclaiming this kind of thing either.

That would just be asking for trouble.

“Ex… ex-girlfriend?”

Clearly, Tan Han was also shocked by the fact I had stated, but she quickly came to her senses and covered her mouth.

Fortunately, because Tan Han and I were here, many people had consciously left.

And since it was now the end of the morning competition, the contestants left after their matches.

Who would stick around here for no reason?

The audience in the distance couldn't hear the conversation here either.

“Mhm, it means exactly what you think.”

After that, I didn't say much more and left directly.

After all, some things were not suitable to be discussed too much.

And some topics seem very tempting to talk about, but after starting, the desire to continue just disappears.

At this moment, Tan Han watched me departing back with a complicated expression, but in her heart, she still found it unbelievable.

“Little Han… she… she is, a lesbian?”