Chapter 95: Basic Spellcasting Class
The moon hung high in the sky, stars scattered sparsely, and the night wind carried a chill.
Due to having indulged in a few extra glasses of "Fairy's Kiss," Janna's steps wobbled slightly on her way back to the dormitory.
"Fairy's Kiss is indeed pricey, but its taste is truly delightful."
That afternoon, Janna had intended to treat Vivian, Soro, and Richard. However, upon attempting to pay, she discovered that all three had arrived earlier and each had tried to settle the bill. Ultimately, it was Klan Roland, the first to attempt payment, who covered the entire expense.
Though the Feathered String Tavern wasn't inexpensive, it wasn't beyond Janna's means.
Moreover, such necessary social expenditures were part of her monthly budget, posing no significant burden.
When Janna later approached Klan Roland to reimburse him for everyone's share, he dismissed her with a single remark: "You're treating me like an outsider," and refused the money.
Seeing this, Janna didn't insist further. After all, in the "workplace," such exchanges were commonplace. Being treated this time meant she would reciprocate next time.
These mutual gestures not only established connections but also facilitated closer professional relationships.
Overall, the gathering had been quite pleasant.
Especially at her table, Janna felt everyone got along harmoniously, without any conflicts—though there was a slight oddity.
"Vivian and Liji were unusually polite today, almost as if they'd changed personalities. And Soro was acting out of character, seemingly more reserved than before. Only Richard behaved relatively normally—"
Vivian and Liji barely conversed throughout, and when they did, the topics invariably revolved around Janna.
Despite their politeness, Janna sensed a lack of genuine familiarity between them.
She attributed this to their first meeting and assumed they were simply not yet acquainted.
However, Soro Flare's bashful demeanor, juxtaposed with his burly appearance, gave Janna an unsettling feeling.
Silently summoning her Character Panel, Janna confirmed her Charisma remained at 9.9 points, not yet reaching the extraordinary threshold of 10.
She then closed the panel and fell into contemplation.
"Perhaps I haven't made my stance clear enough, leading to unnecessary misunderstandings—"
As the heartthrob of White Coral Academy, Janna was well aware of her popularity. Admirers were countless, but she consistently responded to their affections with cold indifference.
Confessions were directly rejected.
Secret admirers received no acknowledgment.
While Janna generally treated others with warmth, she was resolute in her approach to unwanted attention, leaving no room for misinterpretation or unwarranted expectations.
Soro Flare was no exception.
Her guiding principle remained unchanged: any obstacle on her path to becoming a witch would be eliminated.
This journey was destined to be accompanied by knowledge and magic; anything else would serve only as support, not as burdensome distractions.
"A solitary retreat seems necessary—"
High Charisma had its advantages, but it also brought complications. Once she officially surpassed into the realm of "Extraordinary Charisma," even roadside rooks might be enchanted by her.
"That's the nature of a double-edged sword. If wielded properly, it's an unexpected trump card. If mishandled, it easily invites trouble—"
The moonlight was cold and clear.
Feeling the chill in the night breeze, Janna's inebriation subsided somewhat.
She sighed softly, gazing at the bright moon unobscured by clouds.
Stepping on the shadows cast by the steps, she walked thoughtfully back to her dormitory.
A week passed swiftly.
With the continued success of the second weekend performance of "Bloodshadow Rose," Janna's popularity in Turin City soared.
In just two days, multiple theaters had approached her, attempting to recruit her.
However, the quality of a theater's scripts was more crucial than its actors.
An actor's fame and popularity ultimately stemmed from excellent works.
Without strong scripts, even the most beautiful faces would see their popularity wane, leading to a sharp decline in income directly tied to an opera actor's fame.
Therefore, after objective comparison, Janna chose to remain with the Nightingale Opera Troupe.
Even though the offers from other troupes were slightly higher, aligning with her initial motive of entering the opera industry "for the money," their script quality paled in comparison to "Bloodshadow Rose" and "Song of the Ocean," lacking long-term development potential.
"It's time for class."
[Today's Quest: Master a new spell;
Quest Reward: 100 Talent EXP, 500 Skill EXP, and a random reward.]
Looking at the newly triggered quest on the Quest Panel and noting that her Talent EXP for "Soul Projection" was just one percent shy of upgrading to A-level, Janna realized that completing this quest would mark her talent's official advancement.
"Good morning, Miss Janna! You look as radiant as ever today."
"Good morning, Door Spirit."
After gently closing her dormitory door, Janna took her wand and the textbook for "Basic Spellcasting" and left the dormitory building.
"Vivian mentioned yesterday that she's taken on a monster-clearing mission this week and will be busy, unable to attend classes for a few days..."
Seeing the empty entrance of the cafeteria, Janna, accustomed to having Vivian accompany her in various activities, felt a bit unaccustomed to being alone again.
After a simple breakfast of toast and hot milk, Janna checked the time and quickly headed to the magic tower, taking a seat near the front in the fifth-floor public classroom.
"Is this seat taken?"
Just as Janna was about to review the textbook content before class, a deep, hoarse voice suddenly sounded beside her.
"Oh, it's you. No, it's not taken. Please sit."
The one who proactively sat beside Janna was Bell Moonshadow, who had been defeated by her twice.
Since the last outdoor combat class, Bell Moonshadow had disappeared for several days.
When Janna saw her again, Bell appeared normal, having shaken off her previous despondency and becoming more diligent.
The only noticeable change was that since that incident, Bell Moonshadow had deliberately avoided Janna.
Her gaze no longer held the previous defiance but instead carried a hint of awkwardness. Janna, however, paid it little mind.
Today, seeing Bell Moonshadow voluntarily sit beside her, Janna found it slightly odd.
She tucked a stray lock of hair behind her ear, and seeing that Bell remained silent, she lowered her head and continued her morning review.
"I admit, you're indeed a bit stronger than me—"