The Witch's Imaginary Land: Redemption Comes After Sticking Together

Page 8

“Since we’re going to learn magic, we can’t let anyone disturb us. How about it? This place is big enough, isn’t it?” Li Hui subtly withdrew his hand and skillfully walked up to the virtual character. “Aesop, turn on the battle simulation.”

"Processing, Level 2 privilege holder detected, command executing." Aesop placed his hand in front of Li Hui, spreading it upwards. Li Hui gently floated magic on his fingertips and ran it across Aesop's palm to verify his identity. "Also, you have a message waiting to be received."

"Hiss, could it be a message from your master?" Jiang Kehan ​​looked at Li Hui's furrowed brows with surprise, wondering who Aesop's master was that could make Li Hui show such an expression.

Aesop glanced at him with a human touch, then nodded slightly guiltily: "Should I answer the call?"

"Aesop, play it. I hope it's something serious." Li Hui had already guessed what Aesop's owner was going to say. A hint of helplessness flashed in her eyes, and her expression was somewhat painful. However, since the other party was her deputy who handled affairs in her place when she was not at the academy, she could not ignore the other party's message.

"Hui'er! You haven't returned to the academy for three days. My Hui'er's energy is severely depleted. Can you really bear to watch your most loyal deputy look at the sky pitifully every day, feeling utterly dejected?"

A crisp voice came from Aesop's mouth, but unlike the electronic tone he had just used, it was clear that these were the words spoken by the owner himself.

"hiss"

Both Li Hui and Jiang Kehan ​​couldn't help but gasp. Was this really the case?

Jiang Kehan's gaze drifted back and forth between Li Hui and Tian Kongtian, recalling what the other party had just taught her about the sense of distance between witches. She was a little unsure of what was going on. It seemed that the other party was a very good friend of Li Hui, but judging from the helplessness and embarrassment revealed in Li Hui's expression, it seemed that this was not the case.

However, the other party's tone quickly became serious, and he showed Jiang Kehan ​​what professionalism meant in a completely different manner.

"During the few days that Hui'er was away, we simulated three small-scale competitions, organized a wilderness hunt for the lower grades, made a preliminary assessment of each witch's potential, and prepared for the upcoming witch duel competition. At the same time, we published the eighth issue of the spell publication, which received high praise from the academy."

Wow, that sounds really high-class. Jiang Kehan ​​was stunned, feeling like the other person had become a different person.

"Finally, everyone else is looking forward to the Chief personally attending the opening ceremony of the next official school selection competition, and I, Ariel Haynes, would like to express my own expectation as well. We need you, Chief!"

Because the Witch Academy adopts a free course selection system, the Little Witch Council, which is composed of internal members, is actually responsible for managing the other students. It is divided into six seats according to the enrollment schedule of six months and the total study time of three years. The one who has the most decision-making influence is the chief of the academy, who can also be called the most talented and powerful little witch in these three years.

And Li Hui is now the undisputed chief.

Chapter 5 Spellcasting

Although the other party's tone was sincere, Li Hui clearly had her own plans. She simply watched as Aesop gradually stopped relaying the information and then waited for the other party to slowly begin the activity.

Jiang Kehan ​​noticed that the silvery-white metallic patterns in the gaps were beginning to gather energy. Then, in a flash, a dark blue semicircle, resembling a spaceship shield in a star system, suddenly appeared centered on Aesop and gradually expanded, completely enveloping them and the area.

Before Jiang Kehan ​​could react, the terminal on her wrist beeped. She looked over in confusion and subconsciously inputted magic power, but the projected interface was completely incomprehensible to her.

What? There are six major schools of magic, divided into nine levels? And there's witch magic that skips the casting process by relying on the nature of magic, and "casts" entirely by shaping and controlling magic?

The thousands of spell models recommended dazzled Jiang Kehan, and the witch magic that could easily create monstrous waves made her yearn for it. She wished she could be like her and overwhelm her enemies with her lightning-fast spellcasting speed.

But when she couldn't resist clicking on it, she was shocked to be prompted that a message had popped up.

"Dear Ms. Jiang Kehan, your balance is insufficient."

Jiang Kehan ​​then noticed that each spell had a price marked on its corner, and the witch's magic was sold by course, without guaranteeing that she would learn it.

Having just been released and not even receiving social subsidies, her balance was a huge zero.

"Damn, the monopoly on magic! How come I'm still being exploited in this other world?" Jiang Kehan ​​felt a pang of sympathy. She suddenly understood why the social subsidies were specifically marked as "sufficient to support the normal living expenses of a witch who doesn't learn magic." It seemed that learning magic was truly a bottomless pit.

She reluctantly looked away from the various spells and found that Li Hui had somehow come closer and was looking at her thoughtfully.

"Huh? I remember that transforming a witch involves free spells and initial living funds provided by the witch organization, right?" Li Hui asked with a hint of doubt.

Maybe it's because I just came out of somewhere that might have been a prison. Also, is the perk of transforming into a witch really that good?!

Jiang Kehan ​​felt a pang of heartache, grieving for the funds and magic she had lost before even seeing them.

"Is there any way to get free spells?" she asked weakly. There was no other way; when you're poor to a certain extent, you become this humble.

"Hiss, let me think." Li Hui recalled the ways she knew to acquire magic, but it seemed that none of them were suitable for Jiang Kehan. Even the most basic way was designed for little witches who knew general magic. It was a bit difficult for someone like Jiang Kehan, who didn't know any magic.

"I do know quite a few spells, but without the corresponding potions, even if I tell you, you can't learn them immediately. Witch magic requires long-term practice and is even more dependent on talent than spells."

Li Hui's eyes suddenly lit up, as if she had remembered something, and she told Jiang Kehan ​​with a hint of excitement.

"However, I remember that although spells and potions purchased online can only be used by the purchaser to prevent the Witch Agency from registering the witch spellbook incorrectly, some basic spells are still assumed to be available to all witches. This restriction has been removed. Let me look for them."

Li Hui approached Aesop and asked, "I remember Ariel prepared some potions as a backup. Do you have any?"

Aesop's eyes flashed with data, and after confirming the information, he slowly replied, "The master prepared potions for the members participating in the witch duel tournament according to the number of people, to complete the spell table, including two basic spells."

"Hiss, do I have the authority to use it?" Li Hui frowned. If it wasn't a potion for personal use, she wouldn't be able to take it directly.

"Rest assured, we have prepared more of each type of potion than we need, and the funds will be directly reimbursed by the academy. As the chief, you have the right to use them directly, and it will not affect the participating members."

While Li Hui and Aesop were discussing it, Jiang Kehan ​​had already used her terminal to look up the relationship between spells and potions. After reading some simple and easy-to-understand information, she roughly understood.

Potions are a special means of assisting in learning spells. After drinking them, they will activate the magic power within the witch's body according to a pre-set logic, thereby shaping the spell model and accelerating the learning process by releasing it personally.

Although one can learn spells without potions, if a witch has a good affinity with spells, potions are often beneficial and harmless, and also save time. Even if the affinity is poor, it will only cause a slight decrease in casting speed, and this problem can be corrected by learning the principles of spells. Therefore, it is a means that is more beneficial than harmful.

However, it was also mentioned above that if the spell and the witch's compatibility are too poor, forcibly learning it with potions will lead to magic pollution, which will inhibit the development and control of magic. Although the witch will eventually reach her original maximum amount of magic, the time required will be greatly extended, and she will need to practice for a long time to make up for the loss of control over magic. It is very not worth it.

This is why witches need to test compatibility before purchasing spells.

No wonder the information recommends buying spells online and from reputable institutions. These places offer test strips and a guaranteed quantity of potions to help you learn them immediately, truly making it a worthwhile investment.

At the same time, Jiang Kehan ​​also looked up the basic spells that Li Hui mentioned that all witches were supposed to know. She compared them with the social subsidies and found that the prices were generally very low, some even less than the price of a takeout meal. Obviously, this was also part of the hidden subsidy, because she saw that the purchase rights for these spells were only open to witches.

Meanwhile, Li Hui had confirmed the quantity of the potion and returned to Jiang Kehan's side.

"I'm sorry, I didn't prepare for this situation before dragging you here to learn spellcasting. As compensation, I will personally reimburse the academy for the cost of the potions, so it's on my tab."

She looked somewhat apologetic. For a witch, casually inviting others would damage her credibility, especially since it would waste other witches' time and energy, which would be seen as a sign of disqualification and incompetence.

"It's nothing. I'm already very happy that you invited me to learn magic, and I'll pay for this little bit of money." Jiang Kehan ​​didn't take it to heart. In her opinion, it was just a small matter. Moreover, she had already completed the social subsidy procedures on the terminal, and the funds had been automatically deposited into the terminal account. Having money in hand gave her confidence.

Li Hui had made up her mind and did not give Jiang Kehan ​​the right to refuse. She changed the subject and said, "Let me teach you the prototypes of these two spells first. We'll try casting them when the potion arrives."

Jiang Kehan ​​could easily understand that the other person was deliberately changing the subject, but thinking that the two spells shouldn't be expensive, she went along with it and nodded, "Okay."

"Hmm, I don't have Kehan ​​as a friend yet. Add her and I'll send you the two spell models." Li Hui hesitated. She had very few friends on her device and didn't like adding strangers. She hadn't even added her deputy, Aili'er, as a friend, so the other person could only contact her through messages.

However, looking at this little witch who was nominally "monitoring" her, she sighed inwardly and sent her terminal friend request to Jiang Kehan.

I hope you can bring me some surprises, Jiang Kehan.

From the moment they met, Li Hui held the reins in their relationship. Jiang Kehan ​​thought she had seized an opportunity, but little did she know that she was the "prey" he had chosen, and that his purpose in approaching her was perhaps just a passing fancy.

Jiang Kehan ​​awkwardly added her first friend. She was still not very familiar with the terminal's interface, but she noticed that the other person's online name was Li Hui, which showed that she was a witch who did not hide her true self. It was a pity that the terminal did not have a social circle, otherwise she would definitely collect it carefully and hand it over to the witch agency as data.

Not knowing if the other person had any dark history, she recalled the content in her original WeChat Moments that was only visible to her, and felt a sense of social annihilation wash over her from head to toe. It was as if her past self had launched a psychological attack.

However, she was quickly drawn to the spell models that the other party had sent her. Both spells belonged to the "Arcane," one of the six major schools of thought. Their philosophy was to use the truth of existence to allow magic to change reality, or to create their own truth and force reality to follow their own laws.

The two spells are named "Frost Shield" and "Rain Prayer".

The Frost Shield is somewhat abstract. Although this level of spell is called a shield, it is actually more like emitting a special cold aura that gradually freezes enemies that get close. In witch duels, it is usually used as a hidden move, which is suddenly activated when the opponent gets close to interrupt the opponent's spellcasting rhythm. More abstractly, in daily life, it is a temporary refrigerator for witches when they go on a picnic.

They truly managed to balance combat and daily life.

Praying for rain is easy to understand; it involves using magic to summon rain. But what's interesting is that this rain can be mixed with the witch's "personal touches," altering its properties.

For example, concepts like coffee rain, lollipop rain, or even cold and pain.

Chapter 6 Cat Ball

Soon after, the potion was delivered. To Jiang Kehan's surprise, it was not delivered by another witch, but by a small, round animal that was slightly larger than her palm, with a tail that could wrap around itself. It had cat-like ears, crystal-like eyes, and a tiny mouth.

This magical creature's mouth, when opened, was probably only the size of Jiang Kehan's index finger. It had three short whiskers on each side that would twitch. Its eyes were dark in color, unlike those of a normal creature, and somewhat resembled colored contact lenses. Most importantly, it had no limbs and just hopped over like a small yoga ball!

Moreover, compared to the body-to-tail length ratio of other felines, this magical creature's tail is short, so it doesn't look disproportionate or terrifying; instead, it appears quite docile and delicate.

"This is Meowball, a little guy that we witches adore." Li Hui, who was explaining the principles of magic to Jiang Kehan, noticed that the other party was distracted. Following her gaze, she found the bouncy little guy and explained to Jiang Kehan ​​with a smile.

"Don't let her cute and silly appearance fool you, Meowball is a natural spellcaster. Unlike us witches, they have their own unique spell system. Although the power is not great, the functionality is full of advantages. So many witches raise their own Meowball. However, they have a bad personality and like to bully small animals."

As if hearing Li Hui's praise, Miaoqiu gathered its strength, pressed itself into an oval shape, and then accurately jumped into her arms from ten meters away. It nudged Li Hui with its head, squinted its eyes, and excitedly let out a "Meow!" as if it was trying to be cute.

Li Hui removed the potion, which was wrapped in a specially made metal box, from the other's tail and handed it to Jiang Kehan, gently combing the cat's fur.

"Want to touch it?"

After a brief hesitation, Jiang Kehan ​​looked at Miaoqiu sticking out its tongue at her, as if making a face, and couldn't help but pat its head.

It's as soft as cream, yet has a slightly rough, gritty texture. It's a little cool, making you want to knead it. And when you comb the fur all the way down, the fur will stand up slightly, tickling you, like someone is stroking your palm with their fingertips.

"It's a wonderful feeling, I can't put it down." Jiang Kehan ​​looked up and realized that she had unknowingly stood very close to Li Hui, so close that even his breath, which he tried to suppress, still brought a little moisture to her hair.

She wasn't easily embarrassed, but she started to feel regretful about her height, as it always made her seem like she was deliberately trying to be cute.

"Ha, interesting. There are almost infinite races of catballs, and many witches like to collect them. But, well, it's really expensive." Li Hui suppressed the urge to back away. She wasn't used to people getting so close to her; apart from her two mothers, no one had ever gotten this close to her before.

Today, Ms. Jiang Kehan ​​scores!

Li Hui ultimately suppressed her urge to back down, awkwardly changing the subject, and suddenly felt a little deflated.

Are you really not trying to seduce me, Miss Jiang?

However, she also knew very well that this was completely unintentional on the other party's part, which was the most difficult part. She couldn't refuse the other party with a righteous and clear statement, nor did she have a reason to do so.

"But Kehan, why don't you drink the potion first? The cat ball won't run away."

Seemingly confirming Li Hui's words, Miaoqiu broke free from Jiang Kehan's grasp, jumped directly from her shoulder onto her head, and arrogantly let out a "meow!" sound.

Jiang Kehan ​​felt the warmth coming from her head and was both amused and exasperated.

"Okay, although there are still many things I don't understand about the spell model and principles, I understand clearly how to cast spells and the precautions for taking potions!"

After speaking, she focused her attention on the metal box that Li Hui had handed her earlier. The box was exquisite, with two clasps-like objects on the front, but even with Jiang Kehan's witch eyes, she couldn't see a single gap. She tried to pry it open, but the box didn't budge.

Since it wasn't opened by force, then it must be magic?

Jiang Kehan ​​pondered for a moment, then tentatively channeled her magic into the two latches. Sure enough, with a crisp "click," the top of the box suddenly began to contract from the middle to the sides, and a blast of cold air escaped.

It's so cold! Jiang Kehan ​​was a little surprised as the air conditioning hit her face.

She thought the potions would be like those in the game, where they could stay effective no matter how much they were bumped or knocked around, but it turned out to be surprisingly reasonable that they needed to be refrigerated?

After the mist dissipated, Jiang Kehan ​​saw three cylindrical test tubes, each about the size of a baby's arm. The contents were not pure liquids, but rather different paints mixed together without any signs of mixing, creating a dazzling visual effect.

Two of the bottles were labeled "Praying for Rain," and they looked like a starry night sky, with twinkling stars in the darkness and some wispy white clouds.

The "Frost Shield" is completely different, resembling millennia-old ice deposits in the far north, azure with tiny bubbles interspersed throughout.

In addition to the label, each bottle had a piece of white paper pressed against the stopper; this was to test the witch's affinity with the spell.

Jiang Kehan ​​was a little excited, but she still chose the easier "Frost Shield" first. She took out the potion, handed the rest along with the box to Li Hui, and did not forget to take the little guy lying on her head down.

Meowball grumbled, somewhat displeased, as if shouting, "Foolish little witch, I wasn't kicked down by you! I wanted to get down myself, understand?"

Unfortunately, the language of the cat ball is a very special subject, which normal witches do not delve into, nor can they buy related knowledge.

But that didn't stop Li Hui from picking up the cat ball with a smile, and holding its tail slightly when Jiang Kehan ​​couldn't see it.