Chapter 159

Chapter 159 Chapter 159 The next day at class, Elvis had indeed switched. Recalling his words last night, Su Bei marveled. He hadn’t pegged Elvis as a fight enthusiast, thinking he only cared for games. Elvis had suggested Su Bei class-hop, but it required the principal and Meng Huai’s agreement, not a one-day decision. So, Su Bei stayed in Special Track Class 1 a bit longer. Seeing him enter, classmates’ feelings were complex. Yesterday’s dishonorable, lost gauntlet left them unsure how to face him. They were angry he opposed them, showing no mercy. But in this strength-driven school, power ruled. For this overpowering exchange student, they felt a mix of resentment, fear, and unspoken respect. Since the gauntlet wasn’t leaked, Su Bei bore them no malice. Otherwise, it’d be campus-wide news. They couldn’t muster pure dislike. Though merciless in combat, he’d spared them afterward. The combat teacher, who suggested Su Bei keep it quiet, sighed inwardly. He’d made the request, not expecting Su Bei to win, just a casual reminder to save face if he did. Keeping it unpublicized was one thing; total silence another. Testing other Class 1 exchange students, he found they knew nothing, proving Su Bei told no one. A one-versus-thirty feat was brag-worthy for a teen boy. Without a teacher’s explicit ban, he still told no one, not even friends. The teacher thought Su Bei’s character was solid, yet wondered if he deemed the feat trivial. Regardless, Su Bei inexplicably earned goodwill. Ian’s attitude didn’t change much, just pestering Su Bei for combat tips. In his words: “Not knowing a combat master was nearby was fine, but now, not using you is a waste!” During afternoon class, the class teacher, blue-haired, looked at Su Bei with complexity. The gauntlet couldn’t be hidden from her. Her students swept by an exchange student gave her a headache. Her kids were useless—one-on-one losses were bad enough, but thirty-on-one? Yet, she realized she’d misjudged Su Bei. She thought him a good student, but he seemed a non-standard troublemaker. Not that his counter was wrong, but he never considered reporting to teachers. Such matters, reward or not, should’ve been reported to her or Meng Huai to avoid issues. Probing Meng Huai, he clearly knew nothing. Kids who don’t report either feel ignored, making it pointless, or are too independent, deciding alone. Su Bei’s grades and exchange student status ruled out the former—he was just too independent. In school, “independent” often meant troublemaker. Thinking back, Su Bei was polite in her class but did everything—proper or not. From secret fights with classmates to a thirty-on-one deal with a teacher. If not a troublemaker, what was he? After hearing his deeds, the blue-haired teacher realized this. There's no choice—he’d been here a week. What could she do? At least he was a non-typical troublemaker, not defying teachers or damaging property. Let him stir up trouble if he must—Ability users always did. The day passed uneventfully. Elvis didn’t challenge Si Zhaohua immediately. Learning from Su Bei’s fight, he’d observe Si Zhaohua’s Ability and strength first. On the third day, Elvis fulfilled his promise, making Su Bei a class-hopper with him. Meng Huai’s face was grim announcing this: “Can’t go a day without trouble, huh? Class-hopping? If you hadn’t beaten Elvis, earning our school face, I’d never agree.” He knew his Class' trouble-making prowess. Split across classes, they were manageable, not teaming up. But even so, they’d been restless. Two in one class, especially with Su Bei, was asking for chaos. When they left, he’d have to clean up the mess! “Elvis kindly invited me—I couldn’t refuse,” Su Bei grinned. “Thanks, teacher.” The next morning, the trio headed to class. But steps from the dorm, they stopped in unison. Si Zhaohua looked at Su Bei, puzzled: “Why’re you following me?” Jiang Tianming teased: “Not planning to go to school with him, are you?” Su Bei nodded: “I haven’t tried Attack Track Academy. Good chance to check it out.” “What about Special Track classes?” Si Zhaohua couldn’t fathom. “Even as an exchange student, skipping class so openly? Your teacher will kill you.” “What can I do?” Su Bei feigned distress, then clapped excitedly: “Got it! I’ll say you bribed me to go!” Si Zhaohua: “...” He pondered if punching Su Bei now would spark rumors of Endless Ability Academy exchange student discord by afternoon. Seeing Si Zhaohua’s clenched fist, Jiang Tianming stifled a laugh: “Stop teasing. What’s up?” Knowing not to push too far, Su Bei explained briefly. Si Zhaohua understood: “So you’ll class-hop with Elvis. No wonder the seat beside him was empty—saved for you.” “Not really,” Su Bei shook his head, defending Elvis. “He’s just not close to anyone.” Si Zhaohua, having seen Elvis' poor social standing yesterday, chuckled. Glad to have Su Bei at this foreign school, he asked: “How long in Attack Track?” “Not sure, but probably until he fights you,” Su Bei replied. Si Zhaohua paused: “Fight me? He’s not planning to fight all exchange students, is he?” “Exactly,” Su Bei nodded, confirming. “I’m kinda looking forward to it,” Jiang Tianming said, eyes blazing. Si Zhaohua mirrored him, their eagerness aligned. Entering Attack Track Class 1 with Si Zhaohua, Su Bei felt the spotlight again. Though not part of Attack Track, his fame was campus-wide. Beating Elvis proved his strength, not limited to Special Track. Like Elvis, he was open to challenges from all academies. Had he not preemptively declared he’d only fight the strongest, his dorm would be stuffed with challenge letters. With no empty seats elsewhere, he sat beside Elvis unceremoniously. Elvis tossed him an Attack Track textbook: “For Ability Theory class.” Su Bei caught it calmly, flipping through. Thinking, he tossed Elvis a lollipop: “Thanks.” Realizing what it was, Elvis' mouth twitched but said nothing, pocketing it and gaming. Their interaction shocked Attack Track Class 1. After their fight, many thought they were at odds. Now, they seemed friendly. After first period, people approached Su Bei. Si Zhaohua accepted all challengers, so they ignored Su Bei’s “only the strongest” stance, eagerly issuing challenges. Su Bei didn’t waver, pointing at the black-and-white-haired boy: “I only accept challenges from those who’ve beaten him.” Anyone else saying this would be mocked, but as Elvis' equal, it was reasonable. Elvis, gaming, glanced up: “Using me as a shield again, huh?” Unfazed, Su Bei, grateful for the source, helped: “He’s the same—only fights those who’ve beaten me.” The challengers were stunned. A girl blurted: “So we can’t challenge either of you?” It was a loop: challenge Su Bei, beat Elvis first. Challenge Elvis, beat Su Bei first. Su Bei gave her a “you’re smart” look. The crowd: “...” At the front, Si Zhaohua, hand propping his head, smiled. He got why Su Bei loved drama—it was fun, as long as he wasn’t the target. At noon, Su Bei and Si Zhaohua headed to the field arena. Lan Subing was fighting her challengers, and they went to watch. She faced a male-female duo. Someone nearby asked, shocked: “One against two? What’s going on?” “No idea,” another replied, puzzled. “The blue-haired girl’s an exchange student, right? Looks like our academy’s duo challenged her alone?” “Scum,” Elvis said, disgusted by such conduct. His words silenced the crowd. It was disgraceful—challenging an outsider was one thing, but two-on-one? A girl from Support Track Class 1 scoffed: “Why else? They’re scared she’d pick a strong partner and they’d lose!” She’d witnessed the challenge and provocation forcing Lan Subing to fight alone, hearing of Si Zhaohua’s win, guessing their intent. Even as classmates, she disapproved. The crowd grew disdainful. But the match had started; condemnation waited. They didn’t know whether to hope for victory or defeat. Winning made them bullies, lowering the school’s reputation. Losing was shameful—a two-on-one defeat was pathetic. Support Track Class 1 felt embarrassed, as did Special Track Class 1. They were glad no one knew Su Bei’s one-versus-thirty win, or they’d be mortified. As a two-on-one, Lan Subing got map choice. Not a standard rule, but the referee, disapproving of bullying, granted her this perk. She chose a forest map. Dense trees in the small arena obscured sight, aiding her in hiding and maneuvering. Facing two head-on, even with her strength, was risky; striking from the shadows was better. The match began with opponents at the arena’s edges. With three, each took a side to prevent quick teaming, indirectly aiding Lan Subing. Though not large, the arena was half a field’s size. With trees, finding allies wasn’t instant. Knowing the duo would team up, Lan Subing headed toward the nearest Attack Track opponent. Below, trees were ghostly to spectators, revealing her intent. Ian, somehow beside Su Bei, asked, surprised: “She’s going for the Attack Track guy? He’s closer, sure, but Support against Attack...” “You don’t know her Ability?” Su Bei asked, shocked, thinking they’d investigated. Even if not before, after a week, how could they not know? “She’s Support Track,” Ian shrugged. “I’m not looking down on her, but few challenge Support Track. Win or lose, the 2v2 format’s a hassle.” Not challenging Support Track, thus not researching their Abilities—very Alpha Ability Academy-like. They’d miscalculated. Su Bei said lightly: “Her Ability is [Word Spirit].” “Oh, [Word Spirit],” Ian replied, focused on the match, then jolted: “Wait, [Word Spirit]?” Ai Baozhu snorted, amused by his antics. Seeing Su Bei nod, Ian looked at Lan Subing, then back, incredulous: “Why’s that Ability in Support Track?” [Word Spirit] was rare but famous, common in superpower manga, so Ian knew its power despite never having seen it. “Support Track least affects others’ advancement,” Su Bei answered honestly. He knew Lan Subing chose Support Track not for easier advancement but to avoid blocking Class S peers. Elvis, listening, spoke after: “Looks like I’ll add her to my fight list.” He hadn’t planned to challenge Support Track’s exchange student—2v2 meant finding a partner, and one-on-two was pointless. He just wanted fun fights. But knowing Lan Subing’s Ability was [Word Spirit], it changed things. It wasn’t just support—she didn’t need a partner. Elvis sensed a [Word Spirit] fight would be interesting. “Her Ability’s [Word Spirit]?” A Support Track Class 1 girl asked, shocked. To Ai Baozhu’s confusion: “Others not knowing is fine, but you’re in her class—how didn’t you know?” The girl looked innocent: “Lan didn’t say. She’s quiet.” Su Bei understood. Lan Subing had some social anxiety, eased last semester, allowing her to speak and use her Ability with strangers. But with malicious people, she stayed silent, hiding behind friends. In Support Track Class 1, she likely barely spoke, let alone revealing her Ability. Support Track, especially for buffs, was theory-heavy. Using her Ability quietly, Lan Subing hid it until now. Though unclear how, her [Word Spirit] was undeniable. The girl’s eyes gleamed with schadenfreude: “They’ve shot themselves in the foot.” As she said, from Lan Subing targeting one, the battle tipped. She spoke: “[Ability Seal],” disabling the Attack Track opponent’s Ability temporarily. Unaware of her power, he panicked, not thinking to break the control with Mental Energy. Spotting her with sharp vision, assuming her Ability only sealed Abilities briefly, he aimed to teach her a lesson with combat. In pure combat, Lan Subing was outmatched, retreating toward the arena’s edge. Her opponent, unaware of danger, boasted: “For Support Track, your combat’s decent. Too bad I’m Attack Track. Even with my Ability sealed, you can’t win.” Lan Subing, stone-faced, ignored his trash talk, focusing on blocking, retreating without injury. Nearing the edge, she spoke her second arena line: “[Step Off].” “What?” The boy froze, then uncontrollably walked off. Realizing he should use Mental Energy, it was too late—too close to the edge, he stepped off. Arena rules: leaving equals defeat. Lan Subing dispatched one, turning to the Support Track girl arriving to ambush. Dodging, Lan Subing repeated: “[Step Off].” Like the boy, the girl was sent off identically. The fight ended so fast it stunned all. Neither opponent used their Ability—a one-woman show by Lan Subing. Such was [Word Spirit]’s might, even incomplete, handling two effortlessly. “Amazing...” Ian sighed. Jiang Tianming beamed with pride. His friend’s prowess being acknowledged, especially after others’ disdain, was satisfying. The referee, stunned, announced: “Lan Subing wins!”