Chapter 207 : Chapter 207

Chapter 207: Who can say no to a cute catgirl?

"This... Is this Mengmao Academy?"

After I got closer and confirmed the appearance of the little ones nearby, I recognized which academy they belonged to.

The other party's academy was really called Mengmao Academy, also known as Cat-person Academy.

Because the academy's name often sparked many people's fantasies in the outside world, according to the Witch Academy's introduction and summary of the various Transcendent academies, this academy was truly an academy for raising cute creatures.

Even the Witch Academy's website introducing this academy would call it the Cat-eared Girl Academy.

Because of the academy's name, the proportion of girls in this academy was extremely high, and the remaining boys were mostly like cute young boys.

They had cute faces, cat ears, and agile tails.

It could be said that their existence happened to be right up many people's alleys.

All of the above was a surface description of the academy.

No matter how cute the other party was, to be called a cute creature was only their appearance.

This academy was essentially a Transcendent academy.

The level of terror when they got fierce was even stronger than my simple cat-person transformation spell.

There was another academy in the Beast Academy called the Tiger-person Academy.

It could be said to be the twin jewels of the feline Transcendent academies along with Mengmao Academy.

Who would have thought that the strength of these two academies would be similar?

At least that was how the Witch Academy described it.

"Who is it!"

My approach quickly triggered their vigilance.

After all, cats were very sensitive to their surroundings, and I didn't doubt that I would be discovered so easily.

"Hello I'm from the Witch Academy, just passing by. I have no ill intentions..."

"Go away, we don't welcome outsiders here!"

But before I could finish speaking, the other party put on a very "ferocious" look and started to drive me away.

"Eh? You don't have to be so exclusive, do you?"

I was a little surprised to see them like this.

I originally thought they would get along well with their appearance, but now they looked like they were protecting their food.

It became not cute at all.

I was originally thinking about whether I could pet a catgirl.

"How about I help you complete the ritual? Our Witch Academy just completed our ritual, and there's a gap. There shouldn't be any conflict between us, right?"

As I finished saying this, the few catgirls gathered here started discussing among themselves.

"Um... I don't think she has any ill intentions, why don't we..."

"You believe whatever she says! We're in a competitive relationship with her!"

"Let's get her to leave quickly, we might not have the energy to deal with her later."

"Ahem, that little sister is right, I have no ill intentions," I said, following the words of the catgirl who had just expressed sympathy.

That one was also the meekest among these few catgirls.

Of course, whether it was an act or not was another matter.

This was the academy exchange competition.

The academy couldn't possibly send a cute creature here to be disgraced.

Was it a good disguise or a reverse role-play?

But at this moment, for her to be able to say such words, I still had a good impression of her.

Who wouldn't like a cute catgirl who could easily trust others?

So what if it was an act?

"You all look like you're on high alert. Is there a big trouble? Hmm... let me guess, are you afraid of the Beast Academy?"

I asked with a smile.

The Beast Academy was a concept, a collective term for academies like Mengmao Academy and Charming Fox Academy.

And the "Top-tier Beast Academy of Athletics" was also classified as a Beast Academy, but it couldn't represent the name Beast Academy.

I didn't know what the relationship between these academies was like.

Were they equal or was it a type of affiliated academy?

"What we're afraid of is none of your business!"

At this moment, the cat-eared boy beside them retorted as if his tail had been stepped on.

"Let me guess, the Beast Academy won't let you hold a ritual, right?"

"Holding a ritual is a right that every academy has! Don't make wild guesses!"

"That's right! We're just in a simple competitive relationship."

"Alright, alright, then I'll go inform the other Beast Academies that Mengmao Academy is preparing for a ritual. And... why don't I see any other Beast Academies preparing for a ritual in this area?"

With this threat of mine, their expressions quickly changed.

Although there was no need to inform the other academies, if I were to spread the news, it would mean that my inclination was towards the opposite of Mengmao Academy, which was purely adding trouble for myself.

"Wait! Big Sis from the Witch Academy, if you promise not to disrupt our ritual, and are even willing to help us, we can naturally welcome you..."

"Mengrui! Are you crazy! How dare you invite a witch at this critical moment!"

The little catgirl was interrupted by the cat-eared boy beside her before she could finish.

"Enough! Although I don't want to emphasize it, at least... at least for this exchange competition, I am the nominal team leader! And, and our ritual also..."

The catgirl named Mengrui summoned up her courage and started to refute, putting on a brave front.

"Hmph, you also know it's only nominal," replied the one who was yelled at, clearly unconvinced.

But I, on the side, understood.

No matter the reason, whether the other party had a sudden epiphany or an overflow of sympathy, I had at least gained support.

"Since the nominal team leader has acknowledged me, then I won't be coy," I said with a smile as I walked towards the meek catgirl.

"Is little sister's name Mengrui? So cute."

"My full name is Yu Mengrui, and Big Sis Witch, don't touch my head, and my ears are off-limits too!"

Although Yu Mengrui verbally acknowledged my "legitimate" status, she still subconsciously made a defensive gesture when I got close.

"What a nice name. Big Sis's name is Yang Yuehan. You can call me Little Han, or Big Sis Xiao Han is fine too."

I went to a fallen tree trunk and sat down.

I had probably forgotten about Mengmao Academy's ritual.

I only remembered that the name seemed to be the Fish and Rice Sharing Banquet.

After all, there were so many academies, and I had only skimmed through each one.

But how could I remember everything after just hearing it once?

I hadn't recorded it in my Memory Bookshelf, and it wasn't something worth remembering or important knowledge.

However, seeing them busy here in an orderly manner, I didn't disturb them.

Wasn't it a kind of enjoyment to watch a group of cute creatures working seriously?

And it wasn't like I was doing nothing.

With a ritual light pillar standing right here, it would definitely attract many people to check the situation.

This place was a "mob grinding spot" for me.

After all, the academy score wasn't everything to me; my individual ranking was also very important.

Since I had let a lot of points slip by before, I felt it was better to make up for it now.

After forcibly striking up a conversation with them, I got a slight understanding of their situation.

If the relationship between other academies and their affiliated academies was that of master and servant, then within the Beast Academy, there was an absolute suppression based on strength and hierarchy.

And the Top-tier Beast Academy of Athletics was the top academy among the Beast Academies, and this academy also had an affiliated Half-beastman Academy.

Therefore, under the deterrence of this academy, many Beast Academies were actually forced by pressure and didn't dare to show any intention of holding a ritual before that academy had obtained its score.

It could be said that the Beast Academy perfectly embodied the law of the jungle.

Academies without status weren't even qualified to hold a ritual, even in this exchange competition with fair rules.

And in such an environment, Mengmao Academy was still preparing for a ritual, which showed an attitude.

Even though I didn't have much hope for this, because among this batch of rituals, they had another formidable enemy, the Wizard Academy.

This was also why I agreed, because their chances of success were too small.

If they could succeed, wouldn't it be a mockery of the Wizard Academy!

In the case of the same score, if Mengmao Academy's ritual was successful, and there was no crushing score difference, Mengmao Academy would forever be in second place.

And Mengmao Academy's size was not enough for them to hold a second ritual.

And I heard from them that the preparation for this ritual was proposed by Yu Mengrui, which I didn't expect.

That meek catgirl actually had such courage.

As the ritual was being prepared, this place did indeed suffer many attacks from those who came to obstruct it.

But they were all harvested by me.

This level of external enemy attack could indeed be called "harvesting" for me.

Their fighting style reminded me of the opponents who used transformation spells during the competition back then.

But they were much stronger and more agile than those who used transformation spells.

Of course, the catgirls of Mengmao Academy couldn't possibly just watch me and wait for my protection, but my contribution among them was not to be underestimated.

I even saw a trace of lingering fear in their eyes after the battle.

As for what they were afraid of, it was naturally the external pressure they would face after this ritual was held.

They, who were full of confidence before, also realized such a problem after being beaten up.

They indeed did not have the strength to independently defend their ritual.

"What's wrong? You seem very down right now?"

I half-squatted in front of Yu Mengrui.

At this moment, even when I reached out to touch her head and flicked her ears with my fingers, she didn't say anything.

It seemed that her body had compromised on something.

"This... was a ritual with no result from the beginning, I knew it... what awaits us is only failure... and even isolation from the Beast Academy..."

"If it weren't for my willfulness..."

"What do you mean you were willful! Don't say such discouraging words. Was this decision made by you alone! What's the use of crying here? Are you denying your own mistake, or are you denying the efforts of all of us!"

"Well said!"

I gave this cat-eared boy a thumbs up.

Actually, I wasn't really into this cat-eared young boy; I still preferred catgirls.

But his values were upright, although his words were also very harsh.

In this rare interval without harassment from external enemies, Mengmao Academy was also experiencing such self-doubt at this moment.

"Alright, everyone get moving. Even if this is a ritual destined to have no result, are you just not going to do it?"

I clapped my hands to encourage them.

And the atmosphere here gradually became busy.

"Big Sis Xiao Han, do you also think our ritual can't be held?"

"Hehe, about that, maybe you don't know yet."

I sat down at once, then pointed to a pillar of light in the distance.

"That was the first ritual to light up, that's the Wizard Academy. In that direction, needless to say, is the direction of the World Tree, most likely Aphrodite Academy. And look over there, the Land of Eternal Darkness. What do you think, a lot of pressure, right?"

"Mmm..."

Yu Mengrui nodded at this moment.

She now knew how heavy the passionate words she had spoken back then felt at this moment.

"But it's okay. Think about it carefully. Was the decision you made back then to get points or to resist the pressure from the Beast Academy?"

"Beast... Mmm..."

"That's right!"

I said with a smile.

After roughly understanding the situation of the Beast Academy, the original intention of their decision to still hold the ritual could probably only be this.

The belief of a newborn calf not fearing a tiger, that kind of rebellious faith, was stronger than obtaining points.

"I see you guys seem to have been cooking the whole time for the ritual. When it's done, treat me to a meal, and I'll help you stir up some trouble at the Beast Academy's place."

"It's the Fish and Rice Sharing Banquet! Not cooking!"

"Alright, alright Fish and Rice Sharing Banquet. Since it has 'sharing' in the name, you probably don't mind sharing with me, right?"

I said soothingly.

"Actually... even if you didn't say it, we would have given you a share. The ritual of the Fish and Rice Sharing Banquet requires the participation of outsiders. Without the joint efforts of friends from outside, and finally sharing together... so, I took the risk of letting you stay, actually also because of this..."

"Haha... so that's how it is..."

I chuckled lightly, not minding.

It should be said that this kind of thing should be expected, right?

Time passed bit by bit, and I watched them continue to prepare for the ritual, but this time passed very un-meow-steriously.

And it had been a long time since their ritual preparations reached a busy stage.

The longer it dragged on, the more passive they became, and they didn't even know if the next moment would be when the ritual was shattered.

Even I could feel that the atmosphere at this moment was not as lively as before.

There weren't even many people coming to harass them anymore.

Perhaps they felt that they were no longer a threat, or perhaps I had killed too many.

In short, after the external environmental threat level decreased, the internal situation became less comfortable.

The next moment.

As the pillar of light shrouding this place shattered with a boom, the huge commotion startled everyone present.

Even I was witnessing the moment a ritual was shattered at such a close distance for the first time.

At this moment, the venue for the Fish and Rice Sharing Banquet used for the ritual was heavily damaged, the utensils were directly damaged, and the qualification to hold the ritual was shattered.

Only the things in their hands were slightly preserved.

As that single pillar of light still stood there, that direction was exactly the direction of the Wizard Academy.

At this moment, all the catgirls stopped what they were doing.

There was no crying, no breakdown.

It seemed that everyone had accepted this ending.

And Yu Mengrui also let out a slight sigh of relief, as if an invisible shackle had been loosened from her neck at this moment.

"Everyone... our ritual preparations have failed..."

Yu Mengrui spoke at this moment.

Although her words were sad, her tone carried a sense of relief.

"But please continue to complete the unfinished Fish and Rice Sharing Banquet together! Even if this ritual is no longer recognized in the end, we..."

"Of course you don't need to say it! Why would I give up on something I worked so hard on just because of this!"

"That's right, and it's almost mealtime..."

As they said one thing after another, everyone immediately became enthusiastic, as if it was the kind of joy of cooking not for a certain purpose.

Indeed, catgirls are such healing and cute creatures.

Even catgirls can't bear too much pressure, so some things really can't be forced on oneself because of fearless pressure.

"I have some cooking basics too, I'll help you guys."

I smiled and walked towards Yu Mengrui, seeing that she was suddenly busy and a bit flustered, so I went forward to help.

But before I could do anything, even just as I said those words, a strand of golden destiny separated from my body and floated towards Yu Mengrui.

"Hmm?"

My expression changed drastically at this moment.

I reached out and grasped that sliver of destiny.

What was going on, the destiny actually left on its own?

And it seemed that its target was Yu Mengrui!

"What's wrong?"

Yu Mengrui also stopped what she was doing when she saw my sudden abnormality.

"Oh, nothing, it seems to be some small insect."

I seemingly unintentionally tugged at the thread of destiny.

I had always ignored their existence before, but the current unusual movement still made me feel it.

Anything related to destiny was none other than the Child of Destiny, the protagonist of the script.

I recalled what Teacher Ji Niang had told me.

At this moment, the protagonist was no longer unique.

Thinking with my brain, I could probably figure out what was happening now.

And they possessed something that could prove this identity.

"Seed of Destiny"

I had never seen what it looked like, but it didn't stop me from seeing through Yu Mengrui with Spirit Vision at this moment.

"Is that... the Seed of Destiny?"

I muttered to myself at this moment.

It was an illusory aggregate existing within her body.

If I looked more closely, it was like an unknown seed that had been placed for a long time, its surface dry, wrinkled, and cracked.

Is Yu Mengrui also a Child of Destiny...

This is truly a dramatic development.

So, my inexplicable actions up until now were also a correction of the script?

Anyway, no matter what, just blame it on the script. Since it's an existence I can't understand, then it's the best scapegoat.

And now, such a multiple-choice question was placed before me.

This sliver of destiny, should I give it to Yu Mengrui?

This involves too many things, the game between the Children of Destiny, and the still unknown interests of the higher-ups.

This is really a headache.

Clearly, Yu Mengrui is just a meek little catgirl.

I even suspected that Yu Mengrui was a true submissive, and the academy just valued her identity as a Child of Destiny, so... the nominal team leader also made sense.

This destiny was obtained by me directly or indirectly from Tan Han.

To just give it away like this.

Aiding the enemy.

I wonder if this hat will be placed on my head.

But I recalled what Teacher Ji Niang had told me back then.

The choice was mine, but the academy also gave me many benefits.

This was just a game between choices.

In the end the academy's side won slightly.

So I pulled the thread of destiny back.

But the pulled-back thread of destiny was no longer as inseparable from me as before.

At this moment, I knew that this destiny didn't completely belong to me anymore, it was just that I hadn't let go yet.

In other words, this cute catgirl had "snatched" something that belonged to me without even knowing it herself.

Perhaps destiny never belonged to anyone from the beginning?

After all, there was no place on it to write a name.

"Um... Big Sis Xiao Han, you are our guest, let us professionals handle this kind of thing! Although this is no longer a Fish and Rice Sharing Banquet, we will make it into a cat meal to treat you!"

"...Mmm."

I hesitated for a moment, but in the end, I agreed with a "mmm".

And as I agreed, that sliver of destiny instantly disintegrated and scattered to the point where I couldn't even grasp it.

They slipped through my fingers, as if they had found a new master.

I secretly clicked my tongue.

Did I do something wrong?

It seemed that no one did anything wrong.

The development of things was already beyond my prediction.

I just quietly watched as the power of destiny nourished the Seed of Destiny in Yu Mengrui's body, watching it go from withered and cracked to nourished and sprouting.

Time also passed bit by bit.

"Alright! Big Sis Xiao Han! Time to eat."