Stay if You Want, Otherwise Get Out

From the current situation, things were largely as Diana had described.

In fact, during the original rehearsal, Bei Adolis's final line about 'growing stronger and stronger' hadn't been part of the script.

But that night, Bei Adolis had improvised and added that sentence, which ultimately led to the current result.

While their intention was indeed to use other races to attract individual players to enter the market...

This was a case of getting exactly what they asked for. However, because the effect was too good, it led to a shortage of management personnel in some areas.

Fortunately, the mid-to-low-level management already consisted of Transmigrators with management experience, so at most, it was just a matter of hiring more people. No major blunders occurred in that regard.

Diana set down the document and picked up another one.

“However, it’s not without its downsides.”

“Oh? What are they?”

Lan Qingyou showed a bit of interest.

“Because so many people came for the auction, many products—especially the edible fast-growing mushrooms and the fully automatic multi-functional golems—have spread across the entire Kalim continent through those tourists, even without any formal advertising.”

“According to the weekly commodity report provided by Bei Adolis, sales of various goods have increased by at least fifty percent compared to last month.”

As she spoke, Diana flipped the table in her hand and waved it before Lan Qingyou’s eyes.

Though it was brief, Lan Qingyou saw it clearly.

Earning money would surely make anyone happy, and an alchemist like Lan Qingyou, who claimed to be 'not interested in money,' was no exception.

However, it wasn't so much about the money itself as it was the fun of earning it.

She was certain that Bei Adolis was gaining even more emotional value from this than she was.

“Additionally, some of the races that moved here hope to have their own tribal land to avoid being disturbed by outsiders.”

With one matter settled, Diana picked up another document.

“Oh! People are already dreaming of a free lunch?”

Lan Qingyou snorted coldly.

What a joke. This talk of 'disturbances' was nothing more than an excuse.

In the end, didn't they just want to squeeze some gold coins out of the Witch race?

The only rule in the Abandoned Land was mixed living.

She was sure that Diana must have made this very clear when they were invited to come.

“So, what is the opinion of the Administrative Department?”

“Stay if you want, otherwise get out.”

“Indeed.”

Hearing Diana’s six-word mantra, Lan Qingyou shrugged somewhat helplessly.

It had only been a week, and people were already unable to resist trying to take advantage of the Witch race.

Lan Qingyou understood this perfectly.

After all, you’d be a fool not to take a bargain if it was offered.

No food tasted better than what you got through free-riding.

But understanding it didn't mean she would tolerate people trying to take advantage of her.

Just as Diana said, it was a settled matter when they were invited to settle in the Abandoned Land; trying to go back on it now was impossible.

Races that were this shameless deserved a heavy hand.

Thus, she left the matter for Diana to handle directly.

“By the way.”

Before leaving, Diana seemed to suddenly remember something.

“What is it?”

“Outside the core area, there’s a man claiming to be your teacher who says he wants to see you.”

“Hmm?”

Lan Qingyou was stunned.

Teacher? Aside from Albert, her self-appointed teacher, where would she have another teacher?

It couldn't be a teacher from her middle school days, could it?

“His name is Seymer. He said he taught you chemistry before.”

“...”

Oh, Professor Seymer. She remembered now.

While the two didn't technically have the formal title of teacher and student and their relationship was purely transactional, if one were to be pedantic, she truly did count as Professor Seymer's student.

Lan Qingyou simply waved at the row of potion-brewing golems standing nearby to have them take over the brewing process.

Then, she walked out of the large workshop with Diana.

They didn't fly far before Lan Qingyou saw Professor Seymer at the Northeast District entrance.

Just as she had seen on the magic desk before, he wore a long robe and glasses, looking every bit the refined gentleman.

At first glance, it was hard to associate such a person with a bomb maniac who manufactured explosives.

“You’ve been on a leave of absence for quite a long time.”

“...”

It just goes to show that once someone has done a certain job for a lifetime, they won't forget it even when they have free time.

It was a form of muscle memory.

So...

Upon seeing a student who had been on a long-term leave of absence, he couldn't help but make such a quip.

Of course, as the student, Lan Qingyou very cooperatively looked embarrassed.

“Well then, Clan Leader, I have things to do, so I’ll be going now.”

Seeing from their expressions that they knew each other, Diana didn't linger. She clutched her documents and left immediately, giving Lan Qingyou no chance to stop her.

What a joke.

As a student of Blue Star’s strongest business school, she had already had enough of the teacher profession during her school days.

She wanted nothing more to do with such creatures.

Watching the twenty-something Clan Leader get scolded and embarrassed by a teacher was an entertaining sight...

But just in case.

Teachers' attacks usually dealt splash damage; if she stood nearby, the fire might be directed at her at any moment.

“Haha, Professor Seymer, I wonder what you’ve come to see me for.”

Watching Diana’s retreating back, Lan Qingyou opened her mouth but ultimately failed to keep her there, so she could only offer an awkward smile.

“I came this time because I wanted to ask you about a few things.”

Professor Seymer adjusted his glasses.

“Oh? What specifically?”

Lan Qingyou was momentarily surprised, then realized the reason.

Since she hadn't logged into the magic desk for a long time, he had no other way to contact her besides coming in person.

While he could have gone through Shang Chuan, Shang Chuan was far busier than she was now; it was normal not to see him for days.

“About evolving my race.”

“Go on.”

“As the Clan Leader of the Witch race and the first evolved being, you must know quite a lot about various races and their characteristics, right?”

“I suppose so. I know most of the ones I’ve come into contact with, like the thirty or so races currently in the Abandoned Land.”

Lan Qingyou thought for a moment and nodded, though she didn't overstate her knowledge.

After all, she really didn't know about the ones she hadn't seen.

“But why are you asking this, Professor? From the look of it, you’re still a Transmigrator...”

“I simply want to evolve, but I haven't made up my mind yet.”

Good heavens.

As expected of a bomb maniac. While others found obtaining evolution items as difficult as reaching the heavens, Professor Seymer made it sound like he was just picking something out at a supermarket.

“Then do you have any ideas?”

Lan Qingyou asked with interest.