Chapter 22: The First Day: A Witch’s Debut

Early in the morning, I woke up feeling energetic and began to get ready.

The most troublesome task was dealing with my long hair, which had become quite disheveled overnight.

Thankfully, a comb was available. I carefully smoothed out my hair, fearing I might break a strand.

Naturally, as I went about these preparations, my mind was preoccupied with how to explain my sudden transformation.

After dressing, I fastened the Heart of the Witch to my waist. Its bright pink hue shimmered even more brilliantly under the morning sun.

My usual philosophy had always been to keep a low profile, but the witchification of the Heart of the Witch shattered that notion completely.

I didn’t wish to make any sacrifices, meaning concealment was impossible. The initial shock upon entering class would be inevitable.

However, my strategy afterward would be to continuously normalize my unique state, thereby downplaying my inherent advantages.

My aim was to frame it all as a mere coincidence, a feat I intended to achieve through subtle manipulation.

This would lower expectations, diminishing others’ attention, potential hostility, or even—more importantly—their jealousy.

I took a deep breath, observing my reflection in the mirror. My attire was decent, and I appeared more spirited than the day before.

Picking up my phone and securing my ID card, I then opened the dormitory door.

It was just past six in the morning, nearing seven. With official classes starting at eight, I presumed no one else would be in class this early.

My early arrival was strategic. If I were the first one there, with classmates trickling in afterward, I’d attract less attention.

However, if I arrived late, facing the stares of the entire class, the pressure would be unbearable.

As I exited the dormitory, I even felt numerous gazes fixed upon me. I continually reassured myself that it was merely a figment of my self-conscious imagination.

They weren’t truly interested; perhaps just a curious glance, nothing more, and certainly nothing that would lead to further interaction.

To divert my attention, I began contemplating how to address the imminent challenges.

For instance, if someone were to inquire about the extent of my transformation.

I wouldn’t outright conceal that I had resonated with the Heart of the Witch and undergone witchification.

However, the phrasing of this explanation would require careful thought to minimize the shock it might cause others.

I would then subtly steer the conversation towards incense, informing them that the academy sold it.

This would allow me to gauge their interest in purchasing. If they showed any, I might even try selling it to them myself, earning a small profit. That wouldn’t be too much to ask, would it?

Regarding my swift resonance with the Heart of the Witch, I’d attribute it to the incense.

Should they question the exorbitant price and how I afforded it, I would claim to have purchased it with a loan.

This would create the impression that I was penniless and burdened by debt.

Such an image would deter any attempts by classmates to forcibly seize academic credits.

My greatest headache in class was Long Shi. If he were to demand protection money, I truly wouldn’t be able to resist him.

However, I needed to make it unequivocally clear that he wouldn’t be able to extort anything from me.

After all, I possessed no academic credits, and my loan capacity had already reached its limit.

Furthermore, the knowledge that the school provided loans was crucial information, and there was no harm in sharing it with them.

If questioned about my audacity, I would simply reiterate Kereiya’s words from yesterday.

After all, becoming a witch, even with debt, was far preferable to being conscripted into the servant army. Debts could always be repaid over time.

Another potential query might concern the specifics of resonating with the Heart of the Witch.

I would claim I had been utterly exhausted, and in a daze after condensing my spiritual power, I had simply attempted to resonate with the Heart of the Witch.

I would explain that I was too drowsy to notice, only discovering my transformation upon waking.

Then, I would deftly redirect any further questions to Teacher Qieluo, advising them to seek answers from her directly.

These were the primary scenarios I anticipated. Many minor details and potential questions remained, requiring me to formulate comprehensive responses.

I despised socializing. If I ever appeared natural in a social setting, it was solely due to meticulous prior preparation.

With these thoughts, I decided to head to the cafeteria for breakfast, all the while meticulously refining my planned responses.

Regardless of my preparations, resonating with the Heart of the Witch on the very first day was an utterly shocking development.

No excuse, however elaborate, could truly obscure that undeniable fact!

The complications proved far more intricate than I had initially imagined.

For breakfast, I spent a few academic credits on a steamed bun-like item. My expenditures yesterday had been excessive, necessitating a more frugal approach.

I could continue eating this bun all the way to class, letting others witness my apparent destitution—so poor that this was all I could afford.

With a mix of apprehension and resolve, I made my way towards Class 14.

Peering through the window, I noted the almost empty classroom. Clearly, only the most dedicated scholars arrived at such an early hour.

Among the few present was the half-angel, Air.

As our class monitor, a little extra diligence was hardly surprising.

The moment I stepped into the classroom, I felt her gaze, filled with an inquisitive confusion, as if wondering if I had mistakenly entered the wrong room.

Silently, I turned and took my seat. My desk was in the first row, conveniently located near the door.

I set down the half-eaten bun, a deliberate prop to subtly illustrate the meager nature of my breakfast.

Only after I was seated did I finally relax. Excellent, she hadn’t approached me.

Now, I simply needed to maintain a low profile. ‘Achievement,’ I thought, ‘you must truly exert yourself! Minimize my presence to the utmost!’

Carefully, I picked up the book on Meditation Methods, a subject we had just covered yesterday.

However, holding it, I felt a pang of awkwardness. There seemed to be nothing left to glean from its pages.

Today’s lesson was Alchemy and Materials; I should have been reviewing that textbook instead.

With a slight flush, I closed the book, preparing to retrieve the thickest volume on my desk—the textbook for Alchemy Materials.

Its sheer bulk alone hinted at the daunting amount of information contained within.

Just then, our class monitor stood up!

My heart sank. I immediately feigned nonchalance, tracking her movements from the corner of my eye.

No way. Was she actually heading in my direction?

Since there was no escape, I resolved to face it head-on.

The worst possible scenario, after all, was merely attracting the class’s attention and dealing with some minor subsequent annoyances.

Deciding to seize the initiative, I spoke first. “Is there something you need, Class Monitor?”

Upon hearing ‘Class Monitor,’ she visibly paused, a flicker of surprise in her eyes.

She quickly regained her composure, however, and replied with practiced ease, “Ah, pardon me, if I’m not mistaken, you are… Ren, correct?”

“That’s right,” I confirmed immediately. I had to admit, this class monitor was remarkably sharp; she actually remembered the name of the person sitting here!

I couldn’t recall doing anything noteworthy yesterday… Wait, wasn’t I called upon by Teacher Qieluo during the Meditation Methods class? Was that when she took notice?

I observed Air. Either she possessed an extraordinary memory for every student’s seat, name, and appearance, or she had specifically noticed me during yesterday’s Meditation Methods class.

Regardless of the reason, it was clear I had entered her sphere of attention.

And that, I knew, spelled endless trouble!

“What is this?” Air inquired, though her eyes continually flickered between mine and the Heart of the Witch at my waist.

“It’s exactly as you suspect,” I replied, carefully unfastening the Heart of the Witch and placing it in my palm.