Wang Yue remained behind.
The Black Priest descended from the pulpit to personally clear her doubts, explaining exactly what “Witch Transformation” entailed.
Simply put, her sincerity had moved a supreme being. Grace had fallen from the heavens, granting her physical traits similar to a demon’s. The small black horns and the slender tail extending from her tailbone were marks of demonic favor. The true forms of gods never appeared in the mortal world; they proved their existence through miracles. Witch Transformation was one such miracle.
“Your mana affinity is now unparalleled. In the future, you will surely surpass most of your peers and become a luminary. However, there are many geniuses among them. Even if you aren’t the absolute best, do not be discouraged. And if you are the best, it is only as it should be. Avoid arrogance and stay grounded; maintaining a good mindset is crucial…” The teachers surrounded her, offering earnest guidance and instruction.
Wang Yue nodded repeatedly, acting the part of a submissive student. Inside, she was still panicked. She was, after all, an undercover agent. Standing right under the noses of several powerful witches made her terrified of being exposed.
“It is nearly time for class,” Headmistress Gwendolyn reminded her. She turned to another teacher. “Wang Yue, your first freshman class is Pharmacology. Mrs. Ross, you teach Pharmacology for Class 5, correct?”
“Yes, Headmistress,” replied a plump woman with a flower pinned in her hair.
“Take her with you.”
***
Wang Yue walked toward the classroom with Mrs. Ross, chatting briefly about the curriculum.
Mrs. Ross found that this young student had done her homework. Once a few questions were explained, Wang Yue grasped the concepts immediately. The teacher grew increasingly fond of her, becoming quite warm.
“The key to brewing Witch’s Ointment lies in strictly standardized procedures. It is tedious but not difficult; it requires patience and mental focus. Even the dullest student can master it with enough practice.”
“Teacher, can focus and patience be improved through training?” Wang Yue asked.
“Yes. The Occultism class will teach ‘Meditation’ to hone the spirit. You can also use music, painting, or yoga to train yourself to stay focused for long periods. These are easier to pick up than pure meditation.”
“Is that for people with weak wills?”
“Correct. Those with truly singular focus don’t need such crutches. However, meditation isn’t just for focus. Its greatest purpose is to refine the spirit, making it clear and impregnable, so it isn’t corrupted by the demonic forces omnipresent in the Evernight Realm. Without it, one turns into a raving monster…”
When Wang Yue and Mrs. Ross entered the classroom, it caused a minor stir.
The students had all seen the “Divine Grace” earlier. Some were envious, some jealous, and others merely curious.
Dorothy raised her eyebrows happily, gesturing toward the empty seat beside her. Wang Yue went over and sat down.
There were thirty-six students in Class 5, residing in dorms 201 through 206—six more than the other classes. A quick glance revealed many familiar faces. Aside from her roommates, the blonde, red-eyed Lilith, the aristocratic Lulu’anna, the “Pickle Master” Medeili, and the disabled sisters were all there.
Lilith glanced at her and quickly looked away, a huff practically audible from her nose. Medeili was hugging a large jar containing a snake and a crow soaking in some unknown liquid.
As for Lulu’anna, she had just begun to recover from the blow to her vanity caused by Wang Yue’s beauty, only to be struck again by the “Divine Grace” in the hall. She was slumped over her desk, looking as wilted as a frost-bitten eggplant.
“Master… your tail… can I touch it?” Dorothy whispered, her eyes watery and full of longing.
“In your dreams.”
Wang Yue lifted her robe, wrapped the tail around her waist, and hid it away. She wasn’t letting anyone touch it.
“Tch, Master is so stingy.”
“Shut up and listen.”
“Hey, hey, Master… my feet… what do you think of them?” Dorothy hooked her finger into the heel of her shoe and slipped it off, lifting one foot. She was wearing white cotton socks; her small, flat foot wiggled cutely.
“Wait, do you really think I have that kind of fetish?”
“Don’t you?”
“Take your stinky foot away!”
“Wuuu… they don’t smell, really…”
On the podium, Mrs. Ross suddenly looked up. Her sharp gaze landed on Dorothy. “The pink-haired girl in the third row, please repeat what I just said.”
Dorothy’s mouth hung open; she was at a complete loss.
“Stand up,” Wang Yue whispered a reminder.
Dorothy scrambled to her feet. Wang Yue’s voice, thin as a thread, drifted into her ear.
“The purpose of Witch’s Ointment is to outline Stigmata. Stigmata serve as beacons and portals to communicate with demonic will and receive mana infusions…”
“Student Wang Yue, and this one… Dorothy, I believe? Both of you, go stand by the podium as punishment!”
Clearly, trying to pull tricks in front of a witch was futile. No sound escaped her ears.
The two of them obediently left their seats to stand in the corner. Mrs. Ross tapped the blackboard with her pointer and continued:
“Witch’s Ointment cannot be stored for long. It must be prepared and used immediately because several ingredients lose their freshness quickly, or even become toxic. Therefore, a witch must first learn to concoct it. Only with the ointment can you cultivate mana and use witchcraft.”
“The recipe for Basic Witch’s Ointment is the simplest and easiest to master. Turn to page four of your textbooks. The ingredients are rosemary, lavender, citrus seeds, Ghost Mallow, milt, and ewe brains…”
“Among them, the milt and Ghost Mallow must be fresh. The rosemary and lavender must be dried. The brains can be fresh, pickled, or frozen… Our next Pharmacology class will be in the lab, where you will learn how to concoct Basic Witch’s Ointment.”
By the podium, Dorothy whispered, “Master, I’m sorry…”
“Stop talking. If you say one more word, we’re going to be sent to stand outside.”
Dorothy quickly clamped her mouth shut.
For Wang Yue, the coursework wasn’t hard at all; it was actually quite simple. She had, after all, completed high school. Her cognitive abilities weren’t comparable to twelve-year-old girls. The lower years of the Witch Academy were basically a kiddie pool to her.
After class ended, Wang Yue stayed behind.
“Mrs. Ross, I have a question I’d like to ask you.”
