Chapter 196 : Chapter 196

Chapter 196: Notice on the Rules of the Exchange Competition

"Mmm it still feels weird."

At this moment, one of my hands was holding a small spoon, the other resting under the table, and on my lap was a small, pure black kitten, the very same Little Dark Cloud that had come to rub against my leg earlier.

Every cat in the Witch Cat Cafe had a collar with a cat tag engraved with their name.

Stroking a small cat like this while eating the small snacks Big Sis Bai ordered was actually quite nice.

"What's wrong?"

"Nothing, it's just that in a situation like this, with Big Sis Bai sitting opposite me, it just feels weird. Do you really have nothing to do? By the way, Big Sis Bai, you… how many years have you been at the Witch Academy now?"

"Why the sudden interest in this?"

Bai Yu stirred the coffee in front of her, added another sugar cube, and asked with a smile.

"It's nothing, just asking. After all, we're just sitting here with nothing to do, we have to find some topics to talk about, right?"

"Hmm… it's been the tenth year, I suppose," Big Sis Bai said.

"Eh? The tenth year? Isn't that the last year?"

I was surprised.

I didn't expect Big Sis Bai to be so much older than me?

I couldn't tell at all.

Is it also because of Witchification?

"So what if it's the last year? I have no problem completing my studies. Graduation isn't something to rush. Most students graduate from the Witch Academy after becoming a Transcendent Witch, which is after ten years."

"I see, then the last year should be. I remember it's about completing a self-selected project or something. Is there really no rush for that?"

"This can't be rushed. If you really rush it, that would be the worst-case scenario. Let's not talk about this topic, after all, it's still a bit far off for you, Little Han."

Bai Yu took a sip of her coffee, preparing to change the subject.

"By the way, that topic you talked to me about last night you weren't affected by it today, were you?"

"That honestly, no. I spent the whole morning and afternoon practicing and adapting in the Dream State. I only saw it when I replied to you earlier, but I didn't look closely."

"Is that so? It's best that you didn't see it. That information has no benefit other than to disgust people. I thought Little Han would be very worried."

Seeing my unconcerned look, Bai Yu also breathed a sigh of relief.

Although Bai Yu knew that Little Han's coming to the Witch Academy wasn't her own decision, she was the one who had facilitated it on that basis, including the most crucial step of inserting the Magic Power Source into her body, turning her into a Reserve Witch.

"I was indeed a bit worried before, but now that I've thought it through, it's fine. Besides, the academy network is on a real-name basis. I didn't pay too much attention to it before, but thinking about it now, it can indeed reduce a lot of unnecessary trouble."

"So there's no need to be so worried. By the way, I've got some information about tomorrow's exchange competition. Want to know about it in advance? Although this information will be announced tomorrow anyway."

"Big Sis Bai can even get this kind of intelligence?"

"It's just for reference. After all, some things need to be finalized before the specific details can be discussed. Everything is still subject to the official announcement tomorrow."

"That's true," I nodded and said.

"This time, there are more than thirty academies, big and small, participating in the exchange competition. And the format of the exchange is not the one-on-one battle type like the Newcomer Competition."

"And the exchange competition is arranged to be held in the Primal Dream State, and the entire competition process will be live-streamed. Each contestant will have an exclusive live broadcast perspective, as well as a free perspective and a God's perspective for this exchange competition."

"Live stream? I think I know about this."

I nodded.

Basically, everything Big Sis Bai had said so far were things I already knew, like the Dream State exchange, which was mentioned from the very beginning.

And something like a live stream was obvious if you thought about it.

Otherwise, if no one watched this exchange competition, that would be the biggest problem.

It would be a huge waste.

"So you know. Then this will be simple. I'll get straight to the format of this exchange competition."

Hearing my words, Bai Yu stopped beating around the bush and went straight to the point.

"This exchange competition feels a bit complicated, but overall, it's a modified version of a battle royale type on a super-large map. The exchange rankings are generally compared based on two leaderboards: academy ranking and individual ranking."

"Two leaderboards?"

I asked curiously.

"Yes, after all, each academy has different focuses, and the general background is an academy exchange, but the specifics of the competition are carried out by students, so there are two divisions: academy ranking and individual ranking. This also represents two types of rewards, individual ranking rewards and academy ranking rewards, which are all awarded from prizes provided by the various major academies."

"It sounds so troublesome. Since there are two leaderboards, the exchange competition will definitely develop in two directions, right?"

I continued to ask.

After all, this was the difference between individual and collective, and rankings always needed a specific point of contention to be determined.

"Yes, there will be academy scores and individual scores in the exchange competition. This is the basis for ranking on these two leaderboards. Then there's the matter of obtaining these two types of scores. About this…"

At this point, Bai Yu paused and didn't continue.

"What's wrong?"

"The specific details haven't been announced yet. The various academies probably haven't finished their discussions. After all, the major academies are good at different things, so there will be a lot of controversies."

"Indeed. So, is there anything else about the exchange competition?"

"Yes, for example, regarding the use of many external items in the Dream State. Alchemical items, weapons, potions, and so on, these also need to be considered. Oh, I almost forgot a very important setting."

"Hmm?"

"That's the reward issue. The rewards are not just from those two leaderboards; those are post-competition rewards. There are also random rewards during the competition, generally things dropped during lulls or intense battles in the exchange competition, mainly to get you all to fight over them."

"A large amount of supplies will also be dropped during the competition. Some of those supplies are rewards that can be taken out of the Dream State, which you need to guard well. Some are items for use within the Dream State that can help you deal with the exchange competition and gain an advantage."

"Oh, it's like the difference between temporary props during the competition and final rewards, right okay, I've basically just repeated it, but I get the general idea."

"It's good that you understand, Little Han. Big Sis Bai and I will be cheering for you from outside the Dream State."

"Then look forward to my performance, okay?"

I said with a smile, then raised the small spoon in my hand and bumped it against Big Sis Bai's fist.

"Mhm, go for it."

Afterward, I continued to learn some more information from Big Sis Bai.

After all, this kind of advanced gossip was still very necessary to study.

It would also save me from being in a flurry after learning the news tomorrow.

But in the end, because we didn't know the most important specific information, Big Sis Bai and I didn't talk for too long.

We could only say to be prepared.

But the chat between Big Sis Bai and me was the happiest thing.

We even ordered dinner right here.

The Witch Cat Cafe didn't just offer things like afternoon tea and desserts; you could also order a proper meal during certain time slots.

After some inquiry, I learned that the Witch Cat Cafe actually had private rooms with various themes, as well as many hidden services that most people didn't know about.

It really opened my eyes.

For the rest of the time, Big Sis Bai didn't continue to accompany me.

After all, coming to the Witch Cat Cafe was a spur-of-the-moment idea for both me and Big Sis Bai.

I, on the other hand, spent the rest of my free time in the Meditation Room.

After all, Meditation was the main way to increase mental power, and it was a rare opportunity for me to come to a place like the Meditation Room.

The next day.

After a full night's sleep, I was also ready to receive the announcement of the rules for the upcoming exchange competition.

This was a big deal.

To ensure that every contestant received it in time, it had to be personally notified by the counselors.

The specific information would also be distributed as a notice through the Academy System.

As for me, I was called to Teacher Ji Niang's office very early on.

"Regarding this exchange competition, our Witch Academy has also had friendly exchanges and communication with various academies, and the detailed exchange rules have finally been decided."

At this moment, Ji Niang's tone when speaking to me was a bit official, and the specially emphasized "friendly" was probably not as friendly as I imagined.

What on earth had happened in the past two days to result in such an attitude?

"The arrangements for this exchange competition have already been announced to the whole academy, but you are a contestant, so you have a more detailed set of contestant rules to understand. Take a good look at it today, pay attention to the bottom line of the rules, and for the rest the academy has your back."

"O… okay," I said, looking at Ji Niang.

But seeing her like this, she definitely didn't call me over just to tell me to go back and look at something I was supposed to look at anyway.

"Good that you know. There's one more thing, about the Newcomer Competition."

"Eh? Isn't the Newcomer Competition completely over?"

"Over? The rewards for the top ten haven't even been given out. Does that count as over? You really think they can interfere with the rules of our Witch Academy just by banding together? The contestants after the top ten have all received their rewards, only the top ten haven't. Are you willing to accept that?"

"I'm indeed not willing," I nodded and said.

I had suppressed this emotion before, and now Teacher Ji Niang brought it up again.

"It's right not to be willing. Take these things. If anyone from another academy asks, just say it's a club sponsorship. It has nothing to do with the academy anyway."

"Uh exploiting a loophole?"

"What are you saying? Just understand what I mean, don't say it out loud."

Ji Niang stuffed the things into my hand and said to me.

It seemed the academy was also taking this exchange competition very seriously.

"By the way, I'll use the Magic Power Sources for you first, you can digest the rest yourself."

As Ji Niang spoke, she stuffed three hundred Magic Power Sources into my body all at once.

Just like last time, the entry of so many Magic Power Sources into my body would bring about a huge change in me, and the number given was also very subtle.

With these three hundred Magic Power Sources, my Magic Power Source upper limit just broke a thousand, reaching the threshold where I could use a Super Consumption Spellbook without any alchemy item supplements.

And I happened to have such a Spellbook, though I had never used it.

"This… is a bit much…"

I exclaimed.

"A lot? Not at all. This exchange competition is not a very pleasant affair, Little Han. Remember the secrecy contract you signed before?"

Ji Niang shook her head, then with a snap of her fingers, an Isolation Spell enveloped the entire office.

"Eh?"

"What I'm about to tell you next is also considered part of the secrecy contract. If you don't want to hear it, you can leave right now. If you want to hear it, you may have to bear more obligations, and as a price, you can know more of the truth."

"Uh… Teacher Ji Niang, if you put it like that, how could I possibly choose not to listen…"

I sighed and said.

"What? Are you the type who seeks the truth?"

"Truth-seeker? I don't know what that is, but I know that since I have the qualification to obtain the truth, I will naturally not choose to be deceived. People, well, are always worried about living in a false world. It doesn't matter even if obtaining the truth can't change anything, not to mention this is something closely related to me, even if it might cost me a price," I said.

I wasn't the type to blindly chase after the truth.

Just like when Big Sis Bai told me not to interact with Tan Han, I didn't get to the bottom of it.

But Teacher Ji Niang asking like this, perhaps she was sure I would agree, and the atmosphere around here had been built up to this point.

To put it comfortingly, since I've already made the trip, I can't just go back like this, right?

And curiosity is a very terrifying thing.

Once aroused, it can't be suppressed simply.

It will scratch you like a cat's paw at all times, even breeding unnecessary fantasies and causing paranoia, and so on.

Besides, I already knew about the script, so knowing a bit more wouldn't hurt.

"Then I'll be direct."

"Mhm."

"This is also about the script. Remember the script theory Lina told you about?"

"I remember," I nodded.

"I told you before that Tan Han is the protagonist in the script, and now we need to update that setting."

"Now, Tan Han is the first protagonist to appear in this script, but she is no longer the only protagonist."

"Not the only protagonist? A multi-protagonist type?"

I said in surprise.

"Yes."

"So there's one more person I need to be wary of? Who? Don't tell me it's someone I know again?"

I said helplessly.

"No, no, no, you misunderstood. It's not that one more has appeared, but… many. And we don't know if there will be more later. But you were right about one thing, among them, there is one that you know."

"Yao Beijuan?"

I lowered my head and asked.

"It seems you know. Anyway, don't worry too much about this matter. The one who should be worried is Tan Han, but we can't tell Tan Han about this clearly yet."

"There's one more thing this isn't the multi-protagonist novel script you understand, but a battle royale. There is only one protagonist."

"One…"

I repeated the word.

What a cruel word, even crueler than "battle royale," it's almost like this exchange competition?

"Yes, they have to fight for Destiny. You understand what Destiny is, you have Destiny on you too, so even if they don't know about things on the level of the script, or even the concept of Destiny, Destiny will guide them forward. You might also be troubled. I heard you dealt with one yesterday?"

"That blood clan member is also a protagonist?"

I asked.

"Not sure, maybe. When we know there are many protagonists, who is or isn't a protagonist is no longer important."

"Then besides chasing Destiny, do they have any characteristics to distinguish them?"

I asked again.

"You've stumped me there. In essence, they're not really different. Oh, I remember now, the thing their talents awaken is very consistent, and that is the Seed of Destiny. This is the reason they are called protagonists, or you can also call them Children of Destiny."

"The proof of identity is actually a specific physical object? Can't the Seed of Destiny be snatched away?"

I continued to ask.

"Snatched away? Can't be done. Oh I can't speak in absolutes. The Void is so vast, there must be other ways, but those must be higher-level powers. You don't need to worry about that," Ji Niang said with assurance.

"Is there anything else?"

After a moment of silence, I continued to ask.

"That's all. I'm just letting you know. The choice is yours. Because of this matter, Tan Han's value in being the 'only one' has been greatly diminished, which means you don't have to be too concerned about this identity. I saw that your relationship with Tan Han was a bit stiff before."

"Just this?"

"Yes, just this. Don't worry about too much. No matter how the world changes, no matter how bizarre it gets, aren't you still living your life? Thinking too much will only add to your troubles."

"Thank you, teacher, I understand."

"Oh, right, one more thing."

Just as I was about to leave, Ji Niang called out to me again.

"What else? Teacher Ji Niang, can you say it all at once?"

I said helplessly.

"This exchange competition, it's estimated that Tan Han will become the core focus, or rather, this is the first stage set for those protagonists to compete on the same platform. If you don't want to get into a world of trouble, you can try to stay out of the conflict. Because there are too many protagonists involved this time, there might not be any room for supporting characters and cannon fodder. Of course, the choice is yours, what will you choose?"

"I…"

"Shh… go back and think about it carefully, don't rush to answer me. A promise made too early will only carry more burdens. You can be freer," Ji Niang interrupted my answer.

"Thank you, I will consider it. I'll be leaving then."

"Wait."

"What else is there, Tea… cher… Ji… Niang?"

I slowly turned around and asked.

"If you decide to get involved in this vortex of protagonists, then… don't hold back. I've experienced many scripts, but I've never seen one in this format. You have to open my eyes."

"The academy also has certain hopes for you. Some teachers at the academy even think you might be a hidden Child of Destiny, but there's no evidence. Of course, don't pay too much attention to this saying. From what I know of you, I don't think you'd want to be a Child of Destiny, right?"

"Mhm, I understand," I nodded and said, then left without looking back.

Because I had an appointment with Big Sis Bai today to discuss the specific details of the exchange competition.

After all, looking at things from my perspective alone would have omissions, so I agreed to Big Sis Bai's proposal yesterday.

And the location was still the Witch Cat Cafe.