Chapter 30: An Unexpected Entrance and a New Role

With some time remaining before the afternoon classes, I decided to seek out Teacher Qieluo.

I wanted to delve into more advanced meditation techniques. As a diligent student, surely it wouldn’t be excessive to get a head start?

My current meditation method seemed to have reached its limits; without further enhancing my spiritual power, I would remain stagnant.

If I were to wait for achievements to naturally boost my strength, who knew how long that would take?

However, I faced a rather straightforward problem: I didn’t know which office Teacher Qieluo occupied. She had indeed told me to find her if I encountered any issues, but she hadn’t specified her location.

I had an option: ask the class monitor. Surely they would know?

Yet, that wasn’t my usual approach. It seemed better to search myself; a homeroom teacher’s office couldn’t be too far from their class, could it?

If I truly couldn’t find it, then I’d ask the monitor.

****

I continuously roamed the corridors of the academic building. Each classroom door displayed basic class information, and office doors were clearly marked with the names of the teachers working inside.

It seemed quite user-friendly, I thought.

I scrutinized each door, all the while mentally rehearsing potential topics for our upcoming conversation.

‘And, of course, the crucial meditation technique.’

If possible, I also intended to subtly convey my dislike for being the center of too much attention, then observe Teacher Qieluo’s reaction.

I needed to prepare responses for various reactions. If her attitude deviated beyond my simulated conversations, I feared I would instantly revert to my old self.

To my socially awkward self.

In such a state, I would easily be led astray, perhaps even making elementary mistakes out of nervousness. I detested that side of myself, so I was determined to prevent such a situation.

Soon enough, I located Teacher Qieluo’s name. It was surprisingly quick, almost too quick, as I hadn’t even fully prepared for all the potential scenarios.

‘Would I have to rely on improvisation?’

Perhaps that wasn’t so bad. Presenting my true self before Teacher Qieluo—reserved, nervous, shy, even unconsciously trembling when faced with someone of a stronger aura—would require no acting at all.

I stood before the door, preparing to organize my thoughts one last time, when a voice suddenly emanated from within.

‘Standing outside for so long, are you not planning to come in?’

The sudden voice jolted me, an unexpected opening!

Of course, she was an extraordinary witch. A mere door wouldn’t conceal my presence from her.

The person inside had probably already witnessed my awkward expression through the door!

But now, there was no turning back.

As I reached out to open the door, the handle turned on its own, and the door slowly swung inward.

‘Must I personally invite you inside?’

‘No, it’s not!’ My nervousness flared beyond my control. ‘This opening was far too awkward, wasn’t it?’

I saw Teacher Qieluo’s desk facing the door, and she gazed at me with a faint smile, then extended a hand. ‘Please,’ she offered.

‘No, no! Teacher Qieluo, please don’t! I… I…’ At that moment, I felt all my rehearsed words vanish. My limited vocabulary failed to form anything coherent.

I even suspected she was merely teasing me, wanting to see me in this state.

I was utterly helpless.

However, I knew this wouldn’t last long. Teacher Qieluo surely didn’t have the time to simply amuse herself by teasing me, so she would have to steer this awkwardness herself.

‘Quite the change after just one day, hmm? Ren, correct? Your teacher hasn’t misremembered, has she?’ Qieluo observed the Witch’s Heart at my waist with evident satisfaction. Here was a genius from her class, one who had achieved Witch’s Heart resonance on the very first day. How many such talents had Witch Academy seen since its founding?

She had sensed the surge of magic from the dormitory building last night. Such a powerful reaction might be imperceptible to those who hadn’t reached the extraordinary realm, but any extraordinary witch could detect it with absolute clarity, like a blazing bonfire in the dead of night.

A magical reaction of this magnitude was beyond the control of any regular student. True mastery of magic was only achieved after becoming an extraordinary witch; before that, preparatory witches could only stir it through special secret techniques.

Compared to such possibilities, the theory of a magical backlash following the first Witch’s Heart resonance seemed far more plausible.

Achieving Witch’s Heart resonance on the very first night had drawn many teachers out to observe, though their interest was merely in witnessing the spectacle. Consequently, the dormitory building had been scoured by countless teachers’ mental probes that night.

At that moment, no student’s secret could remain hidden.

Thus, she knew of Ren’s transformation and recognized her instantly.

‘Yes… yes…’ I quickly nodded, thinking, ‘Just as I thought, we’re getting to the point.’

‘Ren, is there something you need from me?’ Qieluo asked casually, settled comfortably at her desk.

After all, other teachers also shared this office.

My gaze flickered over to the other two occupants. I didn’t recognize them.

What was certain, however, was that they, like Teacher Qieluo, each possessed their own distinct charm.

‘Um… I wanted to ask about meditation techniques. The introductory meditation method… it doesn’t seem to be helping me much anymore.’ I carefully chose my words. Originally, I’d planned to directly ask for a better method, but given the current situation, I decided to lay the groundwork first.

‘So, you want to switch to a more advanced meditation technique? Just say so directly, no need for circumlocution. Do you want it or not?’ Teacher Qieluo asked with a smile.

‘Yes! I want it!’ I exclaimed loudly, affirming my resolve in response to her words.

‘You want it, but it’s not available yet. The textbooks for basic meditation techniques will only be distributed after the assessment in seven… no, six days.’

‘Huh?’ A look of confusion crossed my face. ‘Was I just played?’

‘What a waste of my dramatic expression!’

‘Alright, Qieluo, must you tease your precious student like this? If you don’t want her, she can transfer to our class,’ the elder sister beside her quipped with a grin.

‘Jueyanhua, if you dare lay a hand on her, I’ll demolish your alchemy lab.’ Qieluo retorted, equally unwilling to back down. Though she spoke with a smile, her words held true; she genuinely would, and had done so many times before.

Then, Qieluo turned to me, a smile still gracing her lips. ‘Don’t listen to that woman. Let’s continue discussing the meditation techniques.’

‘…’ I nodded obediently, but a thought gnawed at me: ‘Didn’t she just say it wasn’t available? What else is there to discuss?’

‘In principle, that is correct. However, at the academy, while school rules are inviolable, almost anything else can be circumvented—even principles—provided you pay a small… price.’ Qieluo revealed the unspoken rules of Witch Academy with a smile. ‘So even unwritten rules had to yield to the official school regulations?’ I wondered.

‘Um… Teacher, what kind of price would I have to pay?’ I asked cautiously. If it exceeded my expectations, I wouldn’t push for it; I would simply turn and leave.

But for merely acquiring textbooks a few days in advance, the cost shouldn’t be too significant, should it?

‘What do you think about becoming the class representative for our meditation technique course?’