Chapter 180

Chapter 180 "I see," Jiang Tianming didn’t ask how I influenced a hidden destiny. Everyone had their methods—no need to know everything. Since Si Zhaohua had saved others, he led us to the hidden students. Jiang Tianming tried to brief me on events, but I refused. I’d see it in the manga—listening was unnecessary. For now, let me quietly enjoy their “old faces.” My blatant stares broke them. Si Zhaohua stopped, half-smiling: "So curious? Shall we stay, let you see your old self?" Ai Baozhu, still fuming, perked up, eyeing me: "I’m curious what you’d look like old." "Me too!" Lan Subing joined, eager. Their aged selves had been seen by me—missing my old look felt unfair. I wasn’t fazed: "If you can stay until I age, I don’t mind." Others couldn’t linger, but three people could. Elvis seized the fun: "I’ll stay and wait." "Me too!" Ian raised his hand excitedly. "I’ll take photos so everyone can see old Su Bei!" I eyed him, wondering if Mo Xiaotian possessed him. Staying was impossible. I didn’t care for eternal youth, but I wasn’t eager to see my old self, especially with spectators. "I’ve got a mission from the teachers. How can I delay for curiosity?" I said righteously, speeding ahead. We found the other students’ hideout, gave each a book, and all left the book world, mission complete. Outside, the teachers visibly relaxed. They took their students, and we followed Meng Huai. Outside, Meng Huai sighed: "Your skill book rewards come tomorrow. It’s Sunday—rest well. After discussion, since you left successfully, all gains are yours. If you want to sell them, consider the academy first." After official words, he smiled, half-threatening: "One week left in the exchange. No more incidents, right?" Ai Baozhu pouted: "Teacher, none of this was our fault. Others picked fights." Her view was fair—they were victims of others’ schemes, from student fights to Black Flash’s plot. But from Meng Huai’s view, though they didn’t start it, trouble followed them outside. Wasn’t that a form of troublemaking? If I knew his thoughts, I’d say he saw the world’s truth. The protagonist team attracted trouble. After resting a day, we woke early Monday. Despite yesterday’s events, only a few were involved, so classes continued. Word of yesterday spread. Today, looks at Jiang Tianming’s group were unusual. Though they didn’t escape on their own, they’d found a way out, and my method was just easier. Plus, their calm, organized actions in the book world, beyond their peers, showed leadership. This made Alpha Ability Academy’s already admiring students more impressed. They’d thought them slightly better in one area, but finding themselves outclassed entirely shifted jealousy to admiration. At their home academy, Jiang Tianming’s group was used to such gazes, so they adapted. Still, the quick shift was novel. Facing questions, Ian smiled: "We hyped you up yesterday. Our school’s system gives most students wide networks. Saving lives receives a lot of recognition." The system was the academy and team structure. Divided into five academies by Ability, networks typically stayed within. But optimal teams had one from each academy, so students knew others across academies. Over a semester, first-years formed a vast network. "Shame you’re leaving soon," Ian sighed, his smile fading. "Who knows when we’ll meet again?" Silence fell. Teenage friendships formed fast and fierce—a single adventure bonded them. Even cold Tiffany joined dinner at Ian’s invite, a big change. Just becoming friends, now parting, stung everyone. Except me. I shrugged: "Then aim for the observation team at finals." The “observation team” was a non-competing group sent to spectate. The international Ability competition at finals had main and reserve teams from second and third years, and a first-year observation team. All three were selected from the three academies, representing the nation, not one school. I’d checked—other countries did things similarly. After years, competition rules were standardized. "So hard..." Ian grimaced. Observation teams were small, about ten per country. Standing out among countless first-year Ability users from multiple academies was no small feat. Even Jiang Tianming’s group lacked absolute confidence. But encouragement was due. Jiang Tianming said: "Try your best. Even if you don’t make it, no regrets. We can’t skip finals, but we can hang out in summer." Sometimes I thought readers were spot-on—Jiang Tianming was King of Abilities’ most dignified. He spoke naturally to enemies or friends. I couldn’t, preferring to dodge farewells. After school, the promised skill books arrived. The elemental one was, as chosen, Earth Element. The Special Track one was, surprisingly, Angel Track. Alpha Ability Academy went big, giving a skill book for Si Zhaohua: “Angel Purification,” cleansing Nightmare Beasts and slightly affecting malicious humans—a great skill. It was clearly to thank Endless Ability Academy’s exchange students for saving others from Black Flash’s plot, hence the high quality. I was more eager for mine. I’d done a huge favor—Alpha Ability Academy’s wealth meant my reward wouldn’t be small. As expected, despite my mental preparation, the skill book stunned me. “Destiny Instant”: The user consumes minimal Mental Energy to make their destiny influence take effect instantly. Not a conventionally powerful skill—no attack, defense, or new branches for my Ability. But it was exactly what I needed. My Destiny Compass changes weren’t instant. Small pointers, even set to worst luck, didn’t trigger immediate misfortune. Large pointers were the same. Before opening the door, I’d adjusted everyone’s, but the masked man’s mask fell much later. The delay was clear. It seemed harmless so far, but I knew it could screw me. I couldn’t always act behind the scenes. Facing danger upfront, enemies could exploit the delay to kill me. With instant effects, it’d change everything. In danger, I could set an enemy’s large pointer to death and trigger it instantly. Maybe less useful to others, but for me, it was top-tier, solving a critical flaw. I suppressed my joy, carefully storing the book to learn back at Endless Ability Academy. With Black Flash’s antics done and only a week left, no more surprises should come, so I wasn’t rushed. As for my personal reward, others were curious but didn’t ask, just sneaking glances. I rolled my eyes, annoyed, pulling the book from my ring and tossing it on the table: "Look, stop staring." Caught, they grinned sheepishly but grabbed the book fast. Seeing its name, they were shocked. Lan Subing asked: "You need this?" Without my clear satisfaction, they wouldn’t be so curious. A mere instant-cast book making me happy was surprising. "Very much," I nodded openly. A fixed flaw didn’t need hiding. "Instant abilities save a lot of trouble." Jiang Tianming’s group’s Abilities had no delays, except Si Zhaohua’s, which needed chanting. But once activated, his targets felt intense pressure, nearly immobile, thus making it count as instant. So, this book was only useful to me, tailored for Destiny Track. But its low perceived value didn’t mean Alpha Ability Academy gave a shoddy book. It was valuable—it altered an Ability’s execution, and thus all its skills. Back at the dorm, I reflected on this event. The main plot advanced significantly—Black Flash’s leader debuted openly. Longevity was clearly vital to him, also showing his research on turning Nightmare Beasts human had no real progress, hence his urgency for lifespan. The leader’s goal was also revealed: researching how to revert Nightmare Beasts to humans. His appearance and his goal’s quick reveal seemed abrupt, but I found it fine. Grandpa shared his story and goal knowing it wouldn’t harm his group. The story could sway pure-hearted readers, and the goal was humanitarian, boosting Black Flash’s image. No need to hide it. But he didn’t expect I’d plan to use this. If he alone knew, it’d be fine. But Mo Xiaotian knew too, and he wasn’t good at secrets. If he let it slip about his grandparents, would Jiang Tianming’s group notice something odd? I was curious. Lastly, most critically, the manga hadn’t updated! Normally, after an event, Manga Consciousness would ping. But it didn't, meaning post-book world, there was more plot. It could be other locations’ plots lagging, delaying the update. But I had another theory: the Alpha Ability Academy mole. The mole was still active, and unlike Endless Ability Academy, we wouldn’t stay here long. Once our exchange ended, the mole’s plotline would be useless. I bet the author would use it fully. When was the mole planted? If for Elvis, after his enrollment. If for other goals, before. If pre-enrollment, what was Black Flash’s aim at Alpha Ability Academy? Most possibilities suggested Alpha’s plot wasn’t over. I had to be cautious. During class, I noticed the teachers’ grim faces, rushing off after classes, likely searching for the mole. With such a focused search in a small scope, the mole couldn’t hide long. Any move would be within days. I sighed, closing my eyes to rest. One week left—hopefully, it wouldn’t involve me. As predicted, within a day, the mole revealed himself. He had to—his identity was shaky after the incident, and Alpha Ability Academy’s thorough check left him no time. Shockingly, it was the Control Track Class A teacher! All Control Track students were controlled, like frenzied zombies, attacking others mindlessly. With many Control Track students, they soon spread across the school. Their student status meant others couldn’t kill them outright, limiting them to retreating while fighting. Most teachers were inexplicably gone, leaving few. But against students, teachers were as limited as the rest, unable to act decisively. I got the news when Control Track students stormed our classroom, using Abilities on the unprepared, turning many into puppets. Though unable to use their own Abilities, they could use martial arts and the mole’s control power, infecting others like zombies. I was in Special Track Class A. Having visited Control Track Class A, I recognized some, and with Jiang Tianming there, I quickly realized Control Track was the issue. After many adventures, I reacted fast. No teacher, the class monitor long gone, the door bursting open with unfamiliar students—I knew something was wrong. I used an Invisibility Charm and jumped out the window, luckily avoiding control. Elvis, reacting just as quickly, was right behind me. Thank the back-row window seats—perfect for escapes. On the ground, Elvis noticed I’d vanished. We’d jumped one after another—my speed shouldn’t have let me disappear so fast. While he was puzzled, I slapped a charm into his hand. He grabbed it instinctively, tensing: "Who?" "Me. Tear it for ten minutes of invisibility. Find a safe spot, and don’t forget to pay me later," I whispered. Invisibility didn’t hide my voice—if heard, I’d be done. Recognizing my voice, Elvis relaxed: "Where’d you get this?" "School’s Point System shop," I replied, teasing, "You’re not short on cash, right? This is worth a fortune." At Endless Ability Academy, points worked, but Elvis, from Alpha, had to pay cash. My refined charms were pricey. "Hmph, you think I’m broke?" Elvis scoffed, pulling out his phone to flex. "How much? I’ll transfer it now." I wouldn’t waste time on it now. As I was about to speak, I sensed something and looked up. So did Elvis. A massive translucent screen appeared, its starry background like an arena in space. Inside were Alpha’s teachers, including the white-bearded principal and Meng Huai, with a stranger in a teacher’s uniform. The man had blond hair, red eyes, and an eerily handsome look, a red rose pinned to his chest—a clear fan-favorite villain. I could imagine his manga debut sparking fans. I guessed Meng Huai was collateral, not meant to be involved. The screen drew all attention, causing more to be “infected” as puppets. "He’s probably the mole," I said suddenly. Elvis, the principal’s kin and book world survivor, knew of the mole. He asked, puzzled: "But there’s no teacher like that here." He quickly realized his question’s folly—disguises were common in the Ability world. The teacher’s uniform was proof enough.