The cylindrical wooden restaurant was divided into four levels, each with its sides left open so one could directly see inside from the outside, and students were landing and taking off from there as well.
"The pumpkin pies in 'The Great Tree Restaurant' are amazing—sweet, cloying, soft, and fragrant. I always take a few back with after eating there, as a snack while reading at night," recomnded Yimi.
The three of them walked into the restaurant and swiped their cards at the wooden figure at the order counter. Soon, a wooden Autonomous ch brought out their prepared als on a tray, placing it on the surface.
With steaming pies, pumpkin pies, sausage, and warm vegetable drinks in hand, the three found a place to sit down and began to enjoy their lunch. Occasionally, they would see students landing and taking off from the viewing platform on the side of the restaurant, and could sotis overhear them discussing the latest news and interesting events.
"Have you heard? This ti the 'Ritual Faction's Big Sister Wei Ke is going to duel with the 'Transformation Faction's up-and-cor Elena in Shattered Stone Valley. They've been at each other's throats," a group of third-year students at a nearby table were discussing current events.
"What do the teachers say?" one girl asked as she picked up a croissant, sared her favorite maple syrup on it, and then took small bites.
"The teachers don't care. They said as long as it doesn't result in serious injuries, let them fight."
"Tsk, those old hags are so stingy," another student comnted disdainfully.
"That's what they did in their day; now that they are the old folks, they certainly don't condemn their past selves."
"Our academy certainly doesn't train good little girls. Since we're after individuality, it needs to be seen through to the end. Stir up trouble, fight your own battles, and don't go to the teachers for trivial things. If you feel bullied, find a club for so group warmth. The academy has always encouraged this."
"About to beco witches and still sniveling—historically, any Great Witch worth her salt didn't even blink while killing tens of thousands, unable to slap soone and still expect others to stand up for you?"
"Anyway, that's the drill. I'm tired of hearing it," a girl said lazily.
"Well, even though it's a bit extre, it's true," her comrade from the other side agreed.
"If it were another academy, there would be all sorts of rules and systems to follow, playing the part of the good child, and any special hobbies or habits would have to be mindful of others' opinions and views. But at Tri-Phase Moon, it's great because if you DON'T have a particular quirk or hobby, THAT would be what's considered odd."
"I really like it here. Back ho, I was always under my parents' strict control. Coming to the academy felt like coming to heaven. I can stay up and go for walks every night, and there's always midnight barbecues and brawls."
"Speaking of fighting, I learned a new spell recently. It allows you to suddenly summon a hand of ice behind your opponent to grab their neck. I used it the other day in a fight with that jerk from Class Three, gave them a real scare. They were so panicked they couldn't even recite their incantations properly, and I took them down easily, which was incredibly satisfying."
"That sounds fun. Teach it to when you have ti. Also, didn't you fight with that person last weekend? How co you faced off again?"
"We fight every week; didn't you know? It's scheduled—every Saturday afternoon by the streamlet, no calling for help. You really don't care about at all. What happened to being cronies for life?"
"Cough cough, when you say cronies, don't expect too much caring; as long as you're alive, that's all that matters."
"Quiet down and eat. I still have to figure out how to get the 'Little Purple Eggplant' from Class Two to agree to help optimize my 'Nightmare Puppet.' Without fixing that, I'm always dealing with wear and jamd gears."
"Still fussing with that? Your 'Puppeteer Faction' sure is troubleso—only a bit better than the 'Ritual Faction.'
"Listen to your sister's advice, don't bother with that anymore. It's the Interstellar Era now. The Federation's High-Rank Autonomous chs are on a completely different level compared to chanical Puppets, not to ntion the 'Godlike ch' equipped with a neural system. Those things scare even the large starships."
"I think it's because the 'Puppeteer Faction' wasted too much, leading to the downfall of the 'Witch Sect' back in the day. If the 'Ritual Faction' had been supported, not to ntion the mystique and luxury in style, but even selling lucky charms could net a tidy profit."
"Are you challenging ? If that's what you think, let's have a fight in the woods next to the restaurant after eating," said the girl sitting at the table, raising an eyebrow.
"Exactly, I am challenging you. I want to be the big sister, too. Let's fight today. Let my oversized fist shatter your impractical delusions."
As they talked, the two beca increasingly confrontational, while their tablemates seed indifferent to the squabble and continued to eat peacefully. After all, here at Tri-Phase Moon Academy, there was no better way to socialize than through combat. Everyone was a witch with ambitions of becoming a Legendary figure of unbridled power—why should anyone give way to you?
Instead of beating around the bush with twisted and decorated words, it was better to sort things out with a straightforward fight, using strength and blunt words to express oneself.
At first, this wouldn't be comfortable for anyone, but as students progressed through the years, they grew more accustod to this direct approach. The propensity to quickly engage in conflict greatly stimulated their desire to study Transcendent knowledge, without ntal strains building up. If you could win a fight, you fought; if not, you'd concede neatly. That way, the other person wouldn't harp on the loss, and it was all quite liberating.
At Tri-Phase Moon Academy, a witch who had never fought was by no ans a qualified student. The more one pursued the actualization of one's identity, the more necessary it was to break free from oppression and lancholy, to achieve a sense of individuality and unboundedness. Even if clashes led to injury, it would be the best nourishnt and the quickest way to recognize one's mistakes.
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