Chapter 257 : Chapter 257

Chapter 257: Renata, the Former President of the Witch's Secret Realm Club

After bidding farewell to Teacher Ji Niang, I played with the Spellbook Shelf Spellbook I had exchanged for with those resources all the way.

I had to admit, the nesting doll ability of this spellbook was truly impressive.

After I used it, similar to the Memory Bookshelf, it also formed a bookshelf, and the other spellbooks it carried would be presented as book-style spell effects.

Although its only ability was to carry other spellbooks, it did the best job in categorizing spells, as if they were arranged in a table of contents, which was extremely convenient for me to find.

Compared to the previous "chaos" of carrying them directly in my body, the effect of this spellbook turned my other spellbooks into "order."

This was indeed a very good experience for someone with many spellbooks.

After trying it out for a bit, I roughly figured out its use.

I had to say, this spellbook that required hundreds of magic power just to start up but only did the job of collecting was something no one could stand.

Any other high-consumption spellbook would be an incredibly powerful type when used, at least visually it would look very oppressive, but this thing only generated a bookshelf…

It felt a bit like I had been swindled out of something for nothing.

The grand vision Teacher Ji Niang painted was truly too big.

Derivative spells… were indeed not something I could achieve right now.

And now, looking back at the derivations of my few evocation spells—Floating, Resonance, Focus Point—they all seemed a bit childish.

But these were the fruits of my painstaking exploration at the time, my hard work, and also my main means of attack.

I'll just have to accumulate slowly.

Compared to the matter of the spellbook, before I left, Teacher Ji Niang told me one more thing.

Our Class 14 had another transfer student.

Her name was… Lucianne.

Putting aside what kind of person a transfer student at this time would be, just the name Lucianne sounded somewhat familiar.

Then, from Teacher Ji Niang's meaningful gaze, I confirmed some things.

She really was that person from the Wizard Academy…

The Witch Academy even dared to touch students from the Wizard Academy.

Were witches really that formidable?

The key issue was that I didn't see the Wizard Academy causing a scene at the Witch Academy.

The Wizard Academy was one of the Three Great Top-tier Academies, right?

Don't be a coward.

Alright, my troublemaking nature was showing itself again.

I shook my head and threw that thought away.

“Student Yang Yuehan, a pleasure to meet you.”

“Hm? Hello…”

I was walking down the stairs, not even out of the building yet, when I was stopped by a senior in the first-floor hall.

Out of politeness, I also offered a symbolic greeting, since the other person seemed quite polite.

“Let me introduce myself. I am Renata Hutt. Just call me Renata. I'm the former president of the Witch's Secret Realm Club. I've already graduated, so I'm considered one of the club's veterans.”

The tall senior before me, with a perm of big waves, gently placed a hand on her chest and spoke to me in a gentle tone.

“Ah? Former president… veteran?”

After her self-introduction, she completely shocked me.

What kind of person was this, to come looking for me?

And she was from the Witch's Secret Realm Club.

This club should be considered semi-official, right?

A veteran, with so much free time to come find me?

It couldn't also be for the Super Consumption Spellbook, could it?

They controlled so many witch secret realms; even if it was just temporary management, they shouldn't need to ask me for this.

“Are you shocked? Just treat me as a regular senior. Seeing you were in a hurry to leave, you probably haven't eaten yet, right? How about I invite you to a meal?”

“Er… that's not necessary, is it?”

I politely declined.

What kind of meal was this?

I was afraid it might be a Hongmen Banquet.

I originally thought I was fully prepared to deal with other seniors, but who knew they'd throw a king bomb at me right from the start?

Are they even letting me live?

“It's fine, this meal is on me. After all, I'm the one asking something of you. It's not entirely one-sided. I have a trade I'd like to discuss with you. I wonder if you're interested?”

“A trade… can you tell me about it now?”

I took a deep breath to calm myself.

After all, I had to face this kind of thing eventually.

At least she wasn't looking for trouble right from the start, was she?

“What else could it be? Junior, you really have a talent for playing dumb, don't you? How about it? Do you agree?”

As Renata spoke, she led me to a car.

I looked at Renata with some surprise.

I didn't expect her to drive.

Wasn't it more convenient to use a broom?

However, there were quite a few vehicles in the Witch Academy.

After all, weren't the roads between the Witch Academy buildings meant for cars?

They couldn't have built roads just for the academy's buses, right?

“A personal habit. There are always some things one can't let go of. Although I like to drive, I've also obtained a flying license.”

Renata opened the passenger door and gestured to me, “Still haven't decided? I am very sincere. The identity I represent can explain a lot of things. If you're willing to have a meal with me, you can save yourself a lot of trouble.”

“Thank you.”

After saying that, I nodded and sat in the passenger seat.

Of all the things Renata said, this was the only sentence I took to heart.

I did indeed hate trouble, so I suppose I was played by her.

It was just a meal.

“Fasten your seatbelt… then it's time to go.”

Renata skillfully got into the car, fastened her seatbelt with one hand, and the car then let out a low roar.

The next moment, a strong feeling of being pushed back came over me, carrying me away from this place at an extremely high speed.

“Are you okay? Although a car's speed can't compare to a flying broom, it has the most primitive operational feel. I like this feeling.”

“Is… is that so?”

I looked at the rapidly advancing scenery in front of me, and the streams of light constantly receding on the side.

This person drives so crazily?

She clearly looks like a very gentle person…

The car sped along, taking me away from the Central Teaching Area and towards the most bustling commercial district of the entire Witch Academy.

After I got out of the car, I stood in front of a huge hotel.

Renata then tossed the car keys to the welcoming senior in uniform who came over.

“Let's go. Don't be reserved. There's a first time for coming to any place. The Witch Academy isn't just about the teaching area for studying and the dormitory area for sleeping. You should experience some of the other interesting things.”

Renata led me inside, but I couldn't agree with her words.

Not everyone would like or get used to certain lifestyles.

If one really wanted to experience other interesting things, then why not go to the fields and try planting rice seedlings?

The farmers might find it very interesting; you should experience it.

And weren't high-end places just the same?

Phony masks, unspoken rules, every three sentences revolving around benefits, fake smiles, posturing, threats, exchanges, cutting one's losses… these things were no less tiring than manual labor.

Under the guidance of a waitress, we came to a seat by the window.

From here, one could see the night view of the bustling lights below the tall buildings.

The lights were dazzling, and one could even see witch seniors riding brooms weaving through the high-rises.

I had been wondering before.

This was the Witch Academy, and those who stayed were graduated seniors.

Even if there were so many people in each batch, it couldn't possibly support a huge city that covered the entire city of Modu from the real world, right?

And now I kind of understood.

Spells… much of the basic labor had been replaced by spells.

Many roles like the welcomers, those standing still, were puppets created by spell effects, and some that weren't spell effects should be alchemy puppets.

Alchemy and spells in the Witch Academy seemed to have developed to a degree beyond my expectations.

“Any dietary restrictions?”

“I don't think so…”

I thought for a moment and said.

“Then I'll order. You don't mind if I do it, right? Or would you like to?”

“I won't trouble you.”

“Alright then.”

Renata turned to the side and spoke to the waitress.

This young lady was not a puppet, probably a senior working here full-time.

I wonder what the salary was here to make her willing to work here.

Speaking of which, as long as one mastered some skills, they shouldn't be very poor, right…

“Do you mind if I call you Little Han?”

“It's fine, most people I know call me that.”

“Good.”

Renata smiled and said, as if deliberately trying to get closer to me, “This belated congratulations is also a celebration for you taking first place in this exchange competition.”

“Thank you, but there's really no need for this.”

“So Little Han, you're so unceremonious. If it were someone else, who knows what they would do right now, yet you are the same as usual, without any change.”

“I don't like trouble,” I continued.

But at this moment, the waitress on the side began to pour us wine.

“Wait, I don't drink.”

“Oh? You don't drink? Then let's switch to juice. But… Little Han, you're an adult, right? You should really try drinking.”

“Thank you for the suggestion, but I'll stick to my opinion.”

If I counted my past life, I don't know how long I've been an adult, but I still don't like alcohol.

Drinking leads to mistakes, and it also makes me recall the drunken state of my cheap father from before… it was truly unsightly.

“It's fine, it's just a suggestion. People with strength have the right to define right and wrong, don't they?”

“Mm… but, let's get to the point. Let's skip the pleasantries.”

“So direct. Although the food hasn't arrived yet, that's true. I don't like those tedious things either, it's just that I subconsciously… Anyway, I apologize first, but it's better if some things aren't heard by others. Let's talk after the food is served.”

At this point, Renata turned her head to look at the scenery outside through the huge one-way floor-to-ceiling glass.

“Let's talk about something else first. Little Han, can you guess how many undercurrents are hidden beneath the prosperity outside?”

“Actually, I don't want to know.”

“Haha, I really like this straightforward personality, but some things are just like that, beyond one's control, unless… you possess the power to suppress everything.”

Renata and I chatted like this for a few sentences, and then my juice and the dishes Renata ordered arrived.

“Come, let's toast to our friendship.”

I didn't reply, just picked up my glass and gently clinked it against hers.

I didn't think there was any so-called friendship between her and me in this short time.

It was impossible.

From beginning to end, she seemed to be stepping on all my landmines, self-righteously displaying her way of treating people.

And I no longer had the initial shock of her being a veteran of the Witch's Secret Realm Club.

Perhaps after this brief contact, I realized that she was just a graduated senior?

“Can we talk business now?”

I asked.

“Indeed. Little Han, what are your thoughts on the things you possess now?”

“Thoughts? In what aspect?”

“Mm… thoughts on their value.”

“Very precious.”

“Indeed very precious, that's absolutely right. Then can you guess how many people's attention such precious things would attract?”

Renata continued to ask.

“Most of the seniors in the Witch Academy, I suppose,” I said.

I could feel her guiding the conversation, but I didn't mind, because the point of guiding a conversation is to break through the other person's mental defenses and make them fall into your rhythm.

If my decision could be broken by just a few words from her, then there was indeed no need for me to persist.

In other words, I was firm in my belief that my choice was not wrong.

She couldn't sway me, nor should she think about taking any spellbook from me.

“That's right. The vast majority of seniors are like that. After all, a Super Consumption Spellbook is simply too precious. That's what you're thinking, right?”

“Yes.”

I nodded, my expression unchanging.

This kind of rhetoric, anticipating the other person's thoughts, was useless against me.

It was a basic guiding technique to control the other person's rhythm.

“I watched the entire exchange competition this time. I have to say, the most exciting part of the competition was undoubtedly you, Little Han. Especially those two times you used that Super Consumption Spellbook.”

“It was alright.”

“So cold, but that's fine. But I'd also like to ask, how does it feel to use such a spellbook?”

“You haven't used one?”

“I have, but unfortunately, after I stepped down as president, that Super Consumption Spellbook no longer belongs to me. Some spellbooks don't belong to individuals, but to positions. When I was in office, I even possessed a Myriad Spellbook. The only pity is that I never used it. Funny, isn't it? To possess it but never use it.”

“Mm.”

I nodded, inwardly thinking that her way of playing the victim was a bit too low-level.

“So you all want my Super Consumption Spellbook, is that right?”

I asked directly at this moment.

“Of course, a smart mind like yours should understand this point after a little thought. Since you've made it clear, may I ask for your thoughts?”

“No.”

I shook my head and said.

“So straightforward. But with this reward, having two Super Consumption Spellbooks yourself is a bit too conspicuous. Aren't you afraid?”

“It's fine.”

“So sparing with your words. Actually, this kind of thing can't be forced. I never thought I would take your Super Consumption Spellbook on our first meeting, but won't you listen to my conditions? I came with sincerity,” Renata continued to probe me.

“Anything related to the spellbooks is off the table for me. Other things are negotiable,” I said, making it clear.

Whether she believed me or not was none of my business.

Besides, she mentioned our first meeting.

What, if it doesn't work this time, she's thinking about next time?

I don't have that much time to waste with you all.

To put it bluntly, after studying for ten years until graduation and still not becoming a Transcendent Witch, but instead lingering in the Witch Academy playing these little tricks, what was this?

Can't they see the bigger picture?

Even if they didn't want to become a Transcendent Witch, compared to this, I still admired Senior Yisha Yuan more.

No trouble, no fuss.

And the Witch's Secret Realm Club came up with this kind of operation, an inherited spellbook, graduated veterans.

What, are they planning to treat the Witch Academy as their own home?

“I see… so other things are negotiable…”

At this moment, when Renata heard my words, a smile immediately appeared on her face.

It didn't seem fake, but she must have gotten a satisfactory result from my last sentence.

So her target wasn't the Super Consumption Spellbook, or rather, it wasn't just the spellbook.

Was there something else among the exchange competition rewards that was worthy of her

attention?

I naturally didn't think she was a big sucker who would want to take the things from the other academies…

“In this exchange competition, I saw that you, Little Han, also had an ex-girlfriend. I wonder… what do you think of me, your senior?”

Renata put down her knife and fork at this moment, striking a seductive pose, while under the table, that pair of long, slender legs wrapped in black stockings was cautiously probing forward…

“Not much.”

I commented.

And she was far worse than Big Sis Bai.

But just as I said that, I suddenly felt a sensation like an electric shock, with the fine, smooth touch of stockings rubbing against my calf and ankle…

Clatter.

The metal knife and fork fell onto the tablecloth-covered table.

Her movements suddenly stopped, and I also pulled my foot back.

“I have no such intention.”

“What a pity.”

Renata tactfully withdrew her foot, looking disappointed.

“I originally thought I could be the one to fill the void in your life. I was being sentimental.”

“Indeed.”

I said without being polite.

“That's true. Little Han has such high standards, how could you possibly fall for me? But since you, Little Han, are so insistent on holding onto your spellbooks, let's talk about something else.”

“What do you want?”

“Shouldn't you know better than I do what you have? I thought you had guessed.”

Renata elegantly handled her knife and fork, cutting a piece of unknown meat and putting it in her mouth to chew slowly.

And I also quickly checked myself.

Apart from the spellbooks, I didn't have many valuable things…

“The custom-made alchemy item voucher…”

“Clever! I didn't expect you to guess right, Little Han. Alchemy items! Alchemy items are just as important as spellbooks, and in some ways, even more important. And what's more important is… custom-made.”

“Then… state your terms?”

I said.

She was right, I was just guessing.

But I wasn't in urgent need of alchemy items right now.

What can alchemy items increase?

Combat power?

Survival?

Special effects?

This was different from what I was pursuing.

In the academy, nothing had to be your own—magic power sources, spellbooks, equipment, including alchemy items.

Only the knowledge you learned, the skills you mastered, were truly your own.

Everything else was just icing on the cake.

From her needs, I could tell that we were not on the same path.

Then there was no need for much nonsense.

The rest was just a game of interests.

“You know I'm from the Witch's Secret Realm… don't misunderstand, even we don't dare to meddle with the witch secret realms, or the teachers would kill us. But we do have our own privileges.”

“Such as?”

“Such as intelligence on special secret realms, and the qualification for restricted secret realms!”