Chapter 208
Like the manga, the forums had little about me. Everyone discussed Ye Lin’s mole status, with some trying to deduce the student mole from her.
No luck—she was equally gentle to all, showing no favor to Mo Xiaotian, even from my perspective knowing both moles.
But after this chapter, I understood a bit. Though raised by “Black Flash,” Ye Lin had little loyalty, caring only for her sister. She might now care for Meng Huai, Lei Ze’en, and maybe Jiang Tianming’s group unknowingly, but she wouldn’t favor Mo Xiaotian for being the “Saint.”
After the manga and forums, I studied my new skill. The “Must-Hit Gear” was distinct, silver, requiring some Mental Energy to create.
Thanks to my forum post, its cost wasn’t high—one “Must-Hit Gear” equaled ten regular ones, but both were trivial for my current Mental Energy.
The downside? It had a ten-minute cooldown. If spammable, its attack power would be huge.
Sadly, “Dream Bubble” was recently used, and the next window wasn’t open, so I couldn’t study it deeply or check if its weakness-finding was consistent.
No rush—there was time. I’d have another “Dream Bubble” chance before the Tri-School Competition to study it.
In the days after Ye Lin’s departure, the teachers’ mood was off, especially Meng Huai and Lei Ze’en. Meng Huai was typically stern, but Lei Ze’en, usually cheerful, stood out when grim.That was understandable—losing a comrade hurt. What Class S couldn’t accept was others’ attitudes: they started shunning Meng Huai and Lei Ze’en.
Well, it wasn’t incomprehensible. As Ye Lin’s close classmates, their association with her traitor status implicated them.
Understanding was one thing; accepting another. In class, Qi Huang scowled at her phone: “Annoying! Everyone’s asking if the teachers are shady. Want to know? Ask them directly! Why snoop around me?”
Her temper flared, blacklisting the nosy ones. Not cursing them out showed her improved restraint.
“My relatives are asking if I should transfer,” Ai Baozhu said, equally annoyed. “Are their heads for decoration? If Teacher Meng were a problem, we’d be dead a hundred times.”
“They just want Meng and Lei to be guilty. Evidence? Hah, they don’t care,” Si Zhaohua said sharply.
Academy teacher was a cushy job, almost a lifelong post unless fired. Though risky during student missions, it was relatively safe, with high pay, respect, and great benefits—one of the best in the Ability world. But the bar was high, requiring elite Ability users.
Meng Huai and Lei Ze’en held two spots, one as Class S' homeroom, blocking others’ paths.
“The board’s pushing to fire them,” Wu Jin said quietly, worry in his gray eyes. “My dad refused.”
Though the principal rejected the push, Wu Jin’s tone suggested trouble. Endless Ability Academy wasn’t Wu Di’s dictatorship—several voices held sway.
Wu Di became principal by overpowering others, but he couldn’t beat trust for Meng Huai and Lei Ze’en into them. If they incited students to boycott, it’d be messy.
“What do we do?” Mo Xiaotian’s face crumpled. “I don’t want a new homeroom teacher.”
Though he seemed carefree, he knew who was good to him. Meng Huai was strict but always first on the scene in trouble, pushing him to improve. Mo Xiaotian genuinely liked him.
Not just Meng Huai—cheerful Lei Ze’en was also a favorite, or he wouldn’t worry for them. “Simple,” Jiang Tianming stayed calm, always rational. “If we ace the Tri-School Competition, the teachers will be fine.”
Zhao Xiaoyu got it, nodding: “Right. We’re Teacher Meng’s track record. If we score high, as the ‘top seller,’ he won’t be fired.”
“We need at least first place to shut down rumors,” Wu Mingbai flashed a sunny smile.
Mo Xiaotian, sharing his vibe, clenched his fists: “Let’s do it! First place in the Tri-School Competition!”
Most raised fists, brimming with confidence: “Let’s go!”
From the back, I watched, sighing: “Classic shonen manga…”
“What?” Feng Lan didn’t hear, asking curiously.
I shook my head, teasing: “Thought you’d join their cheer.”
Unlike me, Feng Lan, an original manga character, had a friendship arc with the protagonist group. After past events, he’d bonded with classmates, no longer as cold, even gentle with them.
His expression grew complex but quickly cleared, looking at the grinning group: “Kinda silly.”
I nodded gravely, fist-bumping him: “Great minds think alike.”
The next few days, everyone trained hard. With less than a month to the midterms’ Tri-School Competition, they needed results. Even teachers marveled at their intensity. Once “Dream Bubble” was ready, I studied my Ability. “Must-Hit Gear” was useful even now.
Recreating classmates, I tested it on “Jiang Tianming.” The Gear hit directly, showing nothing special. Same with “Lan Subing” and “Wu Mingbai.”
After three tests, the Gear showed no unique traits, except it hit targets even when I fired blindly, truly living up to “Must-Hit.”
But where was the weakness-finding? I wondered if it failed or if I misjudged—the forum-inspired “Must-Hit Gear” might only hit, not find weaknesses.
I didn’t give up. I created another opponent: “Ai Baozhu,” a defense type. Her [Gorgeous Domain] would stop even Gears.
If “Must-Hit Gear” hit her by detour like the others, it’d fail—her defense was a full 360-degrees.
This time, I got results. As the Gear reached [Gorgeous Domain]’s pink barrier, a familiar translucent shield appeared, letting it enter as an attack.
The shield was too obvious, so Ai Baozhu spotted it, leaving only a slight arm scratch. But “Must-Hit Gear” only needed to “hit”—mission accomplished.
I finally recalled the shield: the “Anti-Barrier Crystal Ball” effect! “Must-Hit Gear” used my prop to bypass her defense—insane!
Stunned, I repeated the test. Same result: the Gear cheated, using my prop to break her defense and deal damage.
What if I had no useful props?
Curious, I created another opponent with [Isolation], blocking all contact while active.
First, I set [Isolation] with a cooldown. The Gear vanished briefly, reappearing to strike when the Ability expired.
Second, I set [Isolation] without a cooldown. How would “Must-Hit Gear” attack if nothing could approach?
The Gear shot toward the simulacrum’s eyes. I raised an eyebrow—[Isolation] covered head to toe, so aiming for the eyes was a miscalculation.
But as it neared and was about to be blocked, it exploded like a flashbang.
The light was blinding—even I, at a distance, saw white. The simulacrum, facing it directly, screamed, clutching their eyes and staggering back.
I was floored—didn’t expect that.
After brief shock, I laughed. Perfect—the new skill didn’t go off-course. It guaranteed hits and found weaknesses.
But damage was indeed unstable. Against Jiang Tianming’s trio, it depended on dodging. Ai Baozhu took near-zero damage. The simulacrum…
I checked: aside from severe eye damage, they were fine. The flash caused temporary blindness—long-term unclear, but short-term, without special healing, they’d stay blind. I roughly understood “Must-Hit Gear.” On a standard arena, with its ten-minute cooldown, it had one shot per match.
For Ability users without defenses, relying on dodging, it was like a regular Gear—damage based on evasion.
For those with defenses immune to Gears, it was an unpredictable bomb. Even I didn’t know its damage.
Clearly, this skill was for defended opponents. With luck, it could deal massive damage, eliminating them. If not, minimal damage still gave a way to break their defense.
Time flew, and soon it was the day before the Tri-School Competition.
Though aligned with midterms, they didn’t fully overlap. The competition ended before exams, so well-connected students not studying could watch live.
Others could catch the broadcast or replay.
It and the year-end international competition were annual Ability world events. The domestic one was more fun—anyone winning was a spectacle. The international one involved national pride, far more serious.
Mu Tieren, unable to compete, got a ticket as compensation from Endless Ability Academy for his Life Tech Machinery Co., Ltd. injury.
Ling You also got a ticket from the Academy. As a trump card they protected, her benefits were top-notch.
Feng Lan, the Feng Family head, had no ticket worries—he could gift one to each Class S member. Si Zhaohua and Ai Baozhu could too, being from big families.
Zhao Xiaoyu relied on herself, snagging a host role, watching for free while commentating.
On her host role, Ai Baozhu asked curiously: “Who’s your co-host, Xiaoyu? Is he handsome?”
Hosts were usually one male, one female. Zhao Xiaoyu, having rehearsed, must’ve met her partner.
“Deng Chuan, a first-year from Houde Ability Academy. Handsome, of course. Hosts need sharp tongues and good looks,” she answered, hyping herself up too.
Everyone laughed.
Soon, Class Started—Lei Ze’en’s lesson. With the competition tomorrow, most classes were self-study, except this one.
Lei Ze’en explained the Tri-School Competition’s flow. Though previously covered, it was not done in detail: “It has three rounds. First is individual battles—five matches, first to three. But all five must be fought for scoring. If a match ties, causing an overall tie, an extra round’s added.”
No time for questions, he continued: “One person can fight multiple matches but can’t continue after losing. Extra rounds bar previous fighters, win or lose.”
Losers couldn’t fight again, making the order crucial. If the opponent sent weak players first, send a strong one to sweep. If they led with a powerhouse, send a defensive type to drain their Mental Energy.
It was like the strategy of Tian Ji’s horse race—tactics mattered. Unless one side was overwhelmingly strong, then brute force won.
On to team battles, Lei Ze’en sipped water: “Five per team, after individual battles. Normally, there’s rest time, but if someone’s badly hurt in individual battles, they can’t join the team battle. Don’t worry too much, though…”
His words trailed off, his expression dimming. Taking a deep breath, he continued: “The Academy’s hired another doctor. Minor injuries will be healed.”
Ye Lin’s involvement soured his mood. Speeding up, he finished: “Last is the entertainment match. The main competition ends after the first two rounds; this one’s just for fun, unrelated to scores. Rules vary, announced by organizers. The lineup’s usually voted by the audience—perform well earlier to get picked.”
After the rules, he added: “Teacher Meng mentioned points, right? After individual and team battles, schools are ranked by points. Ties lead to an extra round, like individual battles.”
Done, Lei Ze’en tapped the desk: “Questions? Speak now. You, Mo Xiaotian! Stop looking around.”
Mo Xiaotian scratched his face, standing unabashedly: “How many days do we compete?”
“Usually three: one for individual, one for team, one for entertainment,” Lei Ze’en answered. “But there can be exceptions.”
“What exceptions?” Everyone got curious.
Lei Ze’en recalled: “A few years back, an individual match dragged on—neither side yielded, they were in a stalemate for two hours. That day’s matches didn’t finish, and thus delayed the whole program a day.”
“Who won?” Wu Mingbai asked the key question.
Lei Ze’en chuckled briefly, shrugging: “They tied. Later, they added a rule: stalemates over ten minutes are automatic ties.”
Two hours for a tie—pointless effort. But it helped fix a rule loophole.
After Mo Xiaotian sat, Jiang Tianming raised his hand, asking: “Do we decide the lineup, or do teachers?”
Individual and team battles raised the issue of who fought. If students chose, everyone might want to fight, causing disputes.
But if teachers decided and their choices clashed with students’ wishes, what then? If they lost, would teachers take the blame? They wanted to help Meng Huai’s situation through the competition, not add chaos.
“Mostly teachers,” Lei Ze’en confirmed. Students choosing would cause too many disturbances. “But we can discuss. If most disagree with the lineup, you can bring it up.”
Unsure of their thoughts, he answered honestly: “We’ve decided—first up is Si Zhaohua.”
The room erupted. Si Zhaohua’s Ability was strong, making him a logical opener, but everyone in Class S wanted to fight. If he swept five, what about them?
“Teacher, other schools might send Attack Track Ability users first. Going head-on won’t gain much. Why not send me to drain their stamina and Mental Energy?” Jiang Tianming argued for his spot.
Individual battles had no rest—except for high-level Mental Energy users like me, most couldn’t recover quickly. Sending a weaker player to exhaust the opponent was smart.
Not just Jiang Tianming—Wu Mingbai, Mo Xiaotian, and Qi Huang wanted to go first. Qi Huang even admitted she was weaker than Si Zhaohua, suggesting she go first to gauge the opponent’s strength.