Chapter 11: 11. Chapter 11: Astrology Ritual

Chapter 11: The Astrology Ceremony

With the feast concluded, the banquet naturally drew to a close.

The first-year little witches followed behind their seniors out of the Great Hall.

After exiting the hall and walking down a corridor, they reached a small lobby.

One end of the lobby held a staircase, while the other connected to the castle's East Gate.

Beyond the East Gate lay a small plaza.

Standing in the plaza and looking back, the entire castle was brightly lit.

The academy castle was built upon a ridge, and beyond the plaza lay the cliffs.

Given the shed-like structures parked on both sides of the castle gate containing various broomsticks, this plaza was likely used for takeoffs and landings.

To the left of the plaza, a small path led down the mountain. The magical lamps along the roadside emitted a warm glow, winding downwards like a long, golden dragon.

Once outside the castle, the third and fifth-year seniors headed straight for the broom sheds, took their brooms, and flew away from the castle.

The first-year freshmen watched the seniors soaring into the sky with envy.

Turning to see the second and fourth-year seniors looking up at the sky with indifference, a blonde little witch spoke up perceptively

"Seniors, you should head off first! Don't worry about us; there's a map in the *New Student Guide*, so we can find our dormitories!"

After an awkward silence, Senior Tracy stepped forward and said with great solemnity

"It is a tradition of the Witch Academy. Starting from the first night of the semester, fourth-year students hold an astrology ceremony in the plaza for several days to divine the fortune of the coming term. We will all be staying here tonight."

As soon as she said this, the other fourth-year students were momentarily stunned, but then, as if reacting in unison, they began to chime in.

"That's right, that's right! The astrology ceremony. Little witches from other years cannot participate. You all should head off first!"

"Remember, no peeking! Being interrupted can cause the ceremony to fail and bring bad luck!"

...

The second-year little witches also confirmed

"It is indeed a tradition. The fifth-year seniors held their astrology ceremony here last year, and I think it lasted for an entire week!"

"I see. Then we won't disturb your astrology ceremony, seniors."

The little witches bid farewell to their seniors and set off down the mountain path in groups.

Only after seeing the juniors walk far away did the fourth-year little witches breathe a sigh of relief.

"I finally know why the seniors always hold the astrology ceremony here after starting their fourth year!"

"Who would have thought we'd be homeless on the very first day of school?"

"We've only just figured out the Inner Perimeter; we haven't even decided where to build our dwellings yet. Let's just hope it doesn't rain these next few days!"

"Once the fifth-year seniors move into the Outer Perimeter, we can inherit some good spots. It's a pity the dwellings themselves are cleared and cannot be inherited."

"Don't you dare try to snatch that tree hollow east of the Beast Jungle from me; I've already settled it with Senior Yuni."

"Dammit! I had my eye on that tree hollow too!"

...

Although there were magical lamps every few meters along the mountain path, the terrain was rugged and difficult to navigate.

Moran, Vasida, and Sylph were following Senior Lilith at the very back of the group.

"Senior Lilith, since fourth-years can't stay in the dormitories, where do you all live?" Moran asked curiously.

"Generally, we build temporary dwellings in the Inner Perimeter of the academy, just outside the Core Area," Lilith said.

"Have the seniors built their dwellings that quickly?" Sylph asked in surprise.

"It must be hard to build a Witch's Home. The seniors are amazing!" Vasida added.

"How is that possible!"

Lilith looked ahead to ensure no one was paying attention, then motioned for the three of them to huddle close, whispering

"Everyone is just building temporary shelters. Caves and tree hollows are the best options. Only those proficient in construction magic can build their own cottages, but even those are just ordinary huts; they can't be compared to a Witch's Home with a complete defense system.

Furthermore, you can only explore the Inner Perimeter starting in your third year. Some of the ordinary beasts in the Inner Perimeter are more dangerous than those in the Core Area.

Within a single year, you have to explore the Inner Perimeter, build a temporary shelter capable of resisting ordinary beasts, and complete your coursework. There simply isn't enough time.

The seniors haven't even finished building their dwellings yet!

Since we can't stay in the castle, the seniors will likely all be sleeping in the plaza tonight.

The astrology ceremony is just an excuse... I only guessed the truth because I know Senior Tracy's situation. Keep it a secret, okay? For the sake of the seniors!"

Moran and the others nodded obediently.

To protect the seniors' dignity, they acted as if they knew nothing.

"Senior, when do we start flying lessons?" Sylph asked. "Even though the dormitories are at the foot of the mountain, climbing up to the castle every day for class is a bit much!"

"Who doesn't want to fly early?" Lilith said wistfully. "Flying lessons only begin after second-years have refined their own broomsticks."

Was it because they cared for their juniors and didn't want to fly first?

Of course not!

The mountain path was indeed difficult, and every year, there were little witches who broke their legs on this road.

However, the entire academy was under the control of Lady Amisha; no matter how heavy the injury, timely medical treatment was always available.

Witches liked to help one another, but they would never treat looking after others as their own responsibility.

The reason they didn't fly was simply because they couldn't fly yet!

"Then does that mean we have to climb this mountain for over a year?" Sylph felt exhausted just thinking about it.

In all her life, she had never walked such a long distance.

She couldn't bear to imagine having to walk this far every single day for classes.

Moran was doing slightly better than Sylph. As a child, she hadn't had the opportunity to study, so she could only focus on physical training to improve herself.

Climbing this mountain wasn't a major problem for her; it was just a bit more than her usual exercise.

But the long commute to and from the castle would likely take several hours a day.

To her, this felt like a significant waste of time.

However, since the academy had arranged it this way, there was nothing they could do but find a way to adapt.

More than that, she was curious why the mountain where the academy castle sat was called "Mount Sanqing" on the map!

The name felt like a dream of the Taoist holy lands from Blue Star; it was too strange for it to appear here.

But the other little witches didn't seem to find it strange at all; no one had even noticed.

Moran couldn't help but ask her senior.

"Is 'Mount Sanqing' that strange? I think it sounds quite nice! Even the great bell in the academy's clock tower is called the 'Sanqing Bell.' They were all named by the three Great Witches when they founded the school," Lilith said.

"Do you know why they chose such names, Senior?" Moran asked.

"I read about it in the *Handbooks of the Witch Academy's Founding*. It said they drew inspiration from an otherworldly realm called the Cangyuan World.

In that world, Mount Sanqing was the birthplace and heritage site of a transcendent sect. 'Sanqing' represents the three strongest masters of that sect. Coincidentally, the Witch Academy was also founded by three Great Witches, who are the strongest of the witch race. Thus, Mount Sanqing carries a similar symbolic meaning for the academy.

The Great Witches gained some inspiration for founding the school from the people of the Sanqing Mountain in that other world, so they named the central mountain of the academy Mount Sanqing, and the same goes for the Sanqing Bell in the clock tower.

At the highest point of the academy castle, there is also a platform. In the later stages of flying lessons, high-altitude flight is practiced there. It is called the Jade Platform, and it is the highest point in the entire academy.

By the well in the dormitory area, there is a stone monument inscribed with 'Ancient Dan Well.'

All of these were inspired by Mount Sanqing in the Cangyuan World."

Lilith added, "If you're interested, you can read the *Handbooks of the Witch Academy's Founding* later; it goes into much more detail."

Moran committed the name to memory.

By the time they reached the foot of the mountain, it was already past midnight.

Even descending the mountain was too much for many of the first-year little witches.

Among the group of panting, sweat-drenched little witches, Vasida was the most conspicuous.

She looked almost exactly as she had when they first set out, without a single drop of sweat, seemingly not tired at all.

Facing the astonished gazes of the other little witches, Vasida explained sheepishly

"It might be because I eat so much; my physical stamina is a bit better than the average witch. But once I start feeling hungry, my energy levels drop straight down... Luckily, I ate enough tonight, so I don't feel much right now."

Recalling the scene of her eating earlier, everyone could understand.

Not far from the foot of the mountain lay the dormitory area.

It was reached after passing through a small grove of oak trees.

However, these dormitories were somewhat different from what everyone had imagined.

(End of Chapter)