Chapter 157

Chapter 157 Chapter 157 After showering, Si Zhaohua emerged too. His habit was to bathe right after classes, unchanged even with the early dismissal here. “You’re showering right after getting back too?” Seeing Su Bei towel-drying his hair, Si Zhaohua asked, surprised. After a year together in Class' fifteen-student boarding setup, they knew each other’s habits. Su Bei typically showered before bed. “Sweaty from combat class,” Su Bei replied casually. “By the way, anyone challenge you to the arena today?” It was the second day, and Si Zhaohua’s class teacher’s one-day protection had expired, opening him to challenges. As expected, Si Zhaohua confirmed confidently: “Of course.” His assurance made the outcome obvious—no suspense. Reminded by Su Bei, Jiang Tianming messaged Lan Subing and Ai Baozhu about challenges. Soon, he looked up: “Baozhu was challenged and won. Subing got a ‘preliminary challenge.’” “‘Preliminary challenge’? What’s that?” Si Zhaohua asked, puzzled. Su Bei understood instantly: “Is she asking Si Zhaohua for help?” As mentioned, Support Track matches usually involved an Attack Track partner. Unless Abilities were same-type with clear strength gaps, Support Track was hard to compare alone. But partnering wasn’t fair either—partner strength skewed results. If Lan Subing paired with Si Zhaohua, even if she won, opponents might not accept it. Si Zhaohua’s strength was evident, and his Ability’s presence overshadowed others, making teammates less noticeable. Su Bei’s comment clarified the “preliminary challenge.” Si Zhaohua said: “I’m ready to help anytime.” “No, no,” Jiang Tianming shook his head. “She plans to face both alone.” Su Bei raised a brow, thinking briefly before asking: “What did she hear?” Lan Subing wasn’t one to show off. She wouldn’t initially plan to fight two alone unless something prompted her. Naturally, Su Bei guessed someone said something to her. As expected, Jiang Tianming, knowing Lan Subing well, had asked: “She said someone mocked her for relying on exchange student friends to win.” “But her Ability is [Word Spirit],” Su Bei said, baffled. A top-tier Ability like [Word Spirit]—how could it rely on others? They couldn’t ignore facts just because she joined Support Track. His words made them realize. Right—Lan Subing’s Ability questioned as useless? This world was absurd! Su Bei, who raised the issue, understood. In a manga world, the protagonist group getting mocked then slapping faces was standard. As long as it didn’t break basic rules, slight logic flaws were ignored. “So she decided to fight two alone?” Si Zhaohua’s handsome brows furrowed. “But Subing’s opponents aren’t weak.” Against Class F, numbers wouldn’t matter. But these were at least Class A strength, likely both. Notably, Alpha Ability Academy lacked a Class S, so each academy’s Class 1 matched Endless Ability Academy’s Class A. “I asked. Subing said she knows the challenger’s Ability and has a plan,” Jiang Tianming replied, his face mixing worry and trust, finally affirming: “She’ll definitely win.” Su Bei recalled something, giving Si Zhaohua a teasing, mocking look: “I bet they mocked Subing right after your match.” Si Zhaohua hadn’t considered this, stunned before mirroring the mockery: “If so, they’re really...” His upbringing kept him from harsh words, but the implication was clear. If they mocked Lan Subing after Si Zhaohua’s win, fearing his strength, they were weak and cowardly. Jiang Tianming hadn’t asked Lan Subing this, but Su Bei’s words seemed plausible. Per her account, the mockery came some time after the challenge was issued. He considered asking for the timeline but dropped it—pointless, and it’d only upset her again. With no homework and boredom setting in, Si Zhaohua glanced at his door-posted schedule: “When’s the match?” Jiang Tianming answered: “After school the day after tomorrow, at the field arena.” At the field? So everyone could see? Su Bei felt the world’s disparity again. His gauntlet opponents had shame, knowing win or lose, they’d be embarrassed, keeping it secret. The protagonist group’s opponents were different, brazenly fighting two-on-one publicly. Did they think winning this way was glorious? Si Zhaohua confirmed he’d watch tomorrow’s match. Jiang Tianming turned to Su Bei: “You’ll come too, right?” Su Bei shrugged, not refusing: “Yeah.” Back in his room, door closed, he began reviewing the manga’s latest update. The manga opened with Meng Huai announcing their three destinations, briefly introducing them before cutting to Feng Lan’s group on a bus. This showed that splitting into three teams tightened the pacing. Normally, this author would pad with daily life scenes. Since Delicious Nightmare Beast Farm wasn’t far from the academy, they took a bus. Compared to the other teams, this group felt more like a field trip—or study tour. Upon arrival, unexpectedly, Delicious Nightmare Beast Farm was in a Different Space. The bus dropped them at the entrance, where a staff member awaited. The staff explained this Different Space, and Su Bei learned via the manga about a rare type called Open Different Space. Due to their rarity, the school hadn’t covered them. With multiple Close Points, these spaces spawned diverse Nightmare Beasts. Typically, if a Different Space had multiple Close Points, the government swiftly sealed it, as two Close Points suggested more hidden ones. Without thorough action, trouble loomed. But Delicious Nightmare Beast Farm’s owner, a powerful Ability user, discovered this space first, turning it into a private Different Space and transforming it into the farm. All Close Points were controlled, periodically opened to introduce new Nightmare Beasts, then managed by staff for capture, feeding, and sales, sometimes aiding production. Barely settled, an incident occurred: a Nightmare Monkey escaped, aiming for their entry point. The group teamed up to capture it, ending this plot segment. Surprisingly, the story shifted to Su Bei’s group. Normally last with two main plots, it was mid-chapter. Su Bei guessed Wu Mingbai’s group was the core, saved for last. Alpha Ability Academy’s early plot was straightforward: a Flying Magic Carpet scene, arrival, and provocation by two locals. At the cafeteria, they were ogled by all students. Building suspense, the manga predictably switched locations. The Ability User Job Base, due to pre-training, was remote with vast grounds, featuring simulated environments. These included Different Space entrances, nearby restaurants, inns, and simulated school fields, corridors, and classrooms to acclimate Ability users. Through a guide, they learned the base served not just weak Ability graduates avoiding normal life, but also adults awakening Abilities later. Thus, it doubled as an adult school, helping late-awakened Ability users master powers and learn Ability world basics. Late awakeners’ Abilities were usually weak, but exceptions existed—like genetic mutations or those unaware their powers were Abilities, missing school. Since there was a chance to unearth gems, the government, seeing low-cost high returns, continued, also addressing Ability user employment. Besides job experience, Wu Mingbai’s group had a key task: teaching these adult Ability users. Their plot began with a lesson for new adult Ability users. Among mostly attentive students, Wu Mingbai’s sharp eyes caught a few feigning diligence. Magically, when questioned, they answered fluently. Though simple, these questions should’ve been tough for Ability world novices without listening. The idea that they had Ability user relatives teaching them beforehand was nonsense. Even Si Zhaohua’s Ability family kept him from Different Spaces and Ability topics pre-awakening. His first-day erudition came from frantic pre-term study. Pre-awakening silence prevented psychological gaps if no Ability emerged and reduced Nightmare Beast attraction, a scent-based lure. Facing Nightmare Beast risks, two strategies existed. Domestically, civilians were kept ignorant, making Nightmare Beasts, drawn to Ability users, less likely to bother them. Abroad, everyone was informed, making Nightmare Beast attacks random, though Ability users were targeted more. Both approaches had merit, depending on leadership’s views. Back to class, if Si Zhaohua’s elite family withheld Ability info pre-awakening, how did these students know? After class, Wu Mingbai checked their profiles. They’d arrived at the Ability User Job Base that day, awakened within one or two months. Except for one, the others had no Ability user relatives, discovered by Ability Government staff among civilians. Their ability to answer Wu Mingbai’s questions without listening was thus stranger. Barrage comments speculated: some thought they accessed special channels, others saw them as undiscovered genius Ability users, or government spies monitoring Wu Mingbai’s group. Each had logic, none too dark. Su Bei, however, suspected they were Black Flash organization spies. Unlike others, he had insider info. Black Flash planned trouble at the Ability User Job Base, details unknown, but spies were likely among staff and possibly students for assurance. Noting their appearances, Su Bei read on. Leaving suspense, the plot returned to Delicious Nightmare Beast Farm. Signs of trouble emerged. After catching the escaped Nightmare Monkey, no one thought much—escapes were common, and the farm’s precautions always worked. Usually, only new, clever Nightmare Beasts tested their luck, then quieted after a warning. Unexpectedly, more escapes followed. As they were new Nightmare Beasts, managers didn’t mind. More troublemakers this batch—still normal. But Feng Lan’s [Prophecy] foresaw a mass escape, a planned revolt. He couldn’t tell the farm staff directly, bound by principles. Using [Prophecy] to solve others’ or organizations’ issues outside official channels risked endless trouble. If known he’d reveal [Prophecy] findings, people could invite him to visit, staying days to glean danger indirectly. Such low-cost tactics would be tried, bringing endless hassle. Direct or hinted disclosure was out. But staying silent was bad too. They’d stay a month; a Nightmare Beast revolt would endanger them. Preempting was [Prophecy]’s greatest use. After much thought, Feng Lan shared the prophecy with his four teammates, planning to resolve it secretly. If teachers noticed, they’d claim another teammate spotted the issue, keeping Feng Lan’s Ability hidden. Qi Huang and the others, learning the truth, vowed secrecy, then searched for the escape’s cause. The search involved no main plot, with some intrigue but light, as it concerned only Nightmare Beasts. They found the Nightmare Beasts’ planned revolt, earlier escapees forced to scout safe routes, revealing internal bullying—terrifyingly so. Feng Lan’s group earned a banner, concluding this manga update’s plot. Alpha Ability Academy’s plot, unlike the others, lacked conspiracies. Through Ai Baozhu’s pen pal, they learned their school-wide hostility stemmed from an upcoming resource Different Space opening, with them as resource competitors. Readers felt the protagonist group was wronged, suffering baselessly. But Jiang Tianming’s “We will indeed take resources” silenced them. Indeed, in a manga world, not seizing resources was unthinkable, especially during a plot point. Readers expected Jiang Tianming’s group to explain, win forgiveness via clichéd face-slapping or aid. But the next page had Su Bei say: “Since we’ve endured their hostility, we must secure the resources. Otherwise, wouldn’t we have been hated for nothing?” Barrage frequency spiked. “Damn! Makes sense!” “Su Bei, classic!” “Hahahaha, their dawning expressions!” “Can you think like that?” “No wonder Su Bei never self-doubts.” “Rob! Rob big!” Next was Jiang Tianming’s provocation and fight. After, Su Bei fought, with Elvis' appearance sparking heated discussion. Like Su Bei’s first impression, Elvis' black-and-white hair drew eyes. With [Time Hourglass], a beautiful, strong side character emerged. Elvis' outward coldness contrasted the protagonist group’s personas. Feng Lan and Si Zhaohua weren’t truly cold, and the similar Ling You was female, offering no substitute. As readers debated why Su Bei clashed with Elvis, the arena fight began. Their battle was thrilling, both Abilities strong. Without holding back, they showed professional Ability user combat skills. The manga’s visuals outshone reality, depicting invisible Abilities and Mental Energy. Su Bei learned via the manga that Elvis constantly rewound his time initially, wary of Su Bei’s subtle Ability, staying in a safe state. Honestly, Su Bei wondered about his Mental Energy reserves. Such frequent Ability use—didn’t he ever deplete? Seasoned manga readers knew time-based Abilities’ future potential. Though not there yet, Elvis' display was electrifying. Su Bei reaffirmed his strength. With his Ability’s mechanics unclear, to manga viewers and readers, his making Elvis fall repeatedly seemed like true fate mastery, fixing one’s destiny. His pale skin hid his paler, Mental Energy-drained face in the manga, making it seem he altered Elvis' fate effortlessly. Watching Su Bei leap down, casually high-fiving Elvis, the barrage sighed. “Su Bei’s strength remains a mystery.” “Why do these two feel like a CP?” “Both have crazy Abilities. First time Su Bei drew, right?” “That black-and-white guy’s their school’s strongest, so Su Bei’s strongest now too.” “Weird, they don’t seem at odds. Why’d they fight?” On the last comment, the manga answered via Jiang Tianming’s question. Su Bei said it was a small deal, followed by Elvis and Su Bei’s post-match talk. Elvis stood before Su Bei: “Are you good at that game?”