Chapter 186

Chapter 186 That was true—since ancient times, decrees restricted the common folk most, while the strong often ignored them. Having clarified what the Stronger Mushroom was, Su Bei moved to a more pressing question: "How do you counter ‘Stronger Mushroom’? Is there an antidote?" On the other end, Meng Huai chuckled ambiguously: "Always planning ahead, huh? The best antidote is having a stronger Ability user nearby." Su Bei rolled his eyes, sending an ellipsis-laden emoji. Meng Huai stopped teasing: "Just avoid contact with the spores. Mo Xiaotian’s Ability counters ‘Stronger Mushroom’ perfectly." Mo Xiaotian’s [Air] Ability could block any approaching spores, keeping him pristine and unaffected. This suggested Elvis would likely be immune too, as he could rewind time around himself, ensuring nothing got close. Su Bei, however, had no solid counter. He considered buying Ability-copying items and asking Mo Xiaotian for help—but no, Mo Xiaotian was risky. Even if his personality wasn’t malicious, what if ‘Black Flash’ ordered him to sabotage? Elvis was the safer, more reliable choice. In the classroom, unlike before, Su Bei faced no hostility—only admiring, grateful gazes. Though others like Jiang Tianming had done more, it didn’t stop them from thanking Su Bei. After all, Su Bei didn’t seem the type to help in a crisis. That he hadn’t fled was already earth-shattering. If Su Bei knew their thoughts, he’d be speechless. Elvis was already there, in his usual spot. As Su Bei sat, Elvis whispered: "Someone will probably call you soon to ask about your reward. Don’t be shortsighted and pick something common. If you’re clueless, I can begrudgingly advise you." Su Bei nearly laughed. Offering help so haughtily? Though he had ideas, since Elvis offered, Su Bei didn’t mind sharing: "I want another Destiny Track skill book. What do you think?" A common but safe choice, yet Elvis shook his head: "From what I know, ‘Alpha Ability Academy’s’ stock has no particularly useful Destiny Track skill books—at least, none as useful as your Ability." Though unaware of Su Bei’s Ability’s full scope, its past feats showed a high ceiling. Trading for the academy’s Destiny skill books, which might be useless or inferior substitutes, would be a loss. Su Bei valued Elvis’s advice. As the principal’s relative, Elvis likely knew the academy’s inventory well, having seen it when invited. If he saw no need to deceive and said good Destiny skill books were unlikely, Su Bei wouldn’t gamble. He’d switch requests, as he wasn’t chasing new Abilities. "How about an item to boost Mental Energy capacity?" He’d prepared a backup plan, so the first being rejected was fine. Due to his advanced Mental Energy, typical boosts were negligible—like adding a room to a skyscraper, barely noticeable. But increasing capacity was different, akin to adding a floor to an eight-story building, turning it into nine—a stark contrast. Elvis frowned, recalling a lingering question: "Are you an advanced Mental Energy user?" He’d wondered this when Su Bei asked how he used his Ability so freely. Just as Su Bei was curious about Elvis, Elvis wondered how Su Bei used his high-cost Destiny Ability so casually, never showing Mental Energy depletion. It wasn’t the right time to ask then, and he’d forgotten until Su Bei mentioned Mental Energy again. But he quickly added: "I’m not prying about your strength. If you have advanced Mental Energy, I’m unsure if the school has items to help. Boosting advanced Mental Energy capacity is tough—you probably know. But if you’re not..." Su Bei nodded before he finished: "I am." Elvis was stunned. Though he’d suspected, the confirmation shocked him. A 16-year-old with advanced Mental Energy—what did that mean? He couldn’t help asking: "How did you train to get advanced Mental Energy?" Everyone knew Mental Energy’s importance, yet few Ability users achieved advanced levels, showing its difficulty. Elvis’s own Mental Energy was decent but far from advanced. "Probably talent," Su Bei said with a grin. Altering his own fate—wasn’t that a talent? Talent—an unassailable word. Elvis, benefiting from talent himself, didn’t doubt it but glared at Su Bei, miffed. Having just asked for advice, Su Bei didn’t burn bridges, smiling placatingly: "Alright, you don’t have advanced Mental Energy, but you use more than I do. I’m jealous, okay?" Satisfied, Elvis huffed and advised: "Think of a Plan C. Items to boost advanced Mental Energy capacity are rare. If they don’t have one, you won’t be caught off guard." Su Bei sighed: "What’s with your school? Isn’t it known for being loaded?" He’d read online that Ability users stereotyped "Alpha Ability Academy" as the richest public school, practically an international Ability hub. If it were lesser, other nations wouldn’t send their precious Ability users. Elvis restrained an eye-roll, defending his school: "Our school meets most students’ needs." Implying Su Bei’s demands were too high. He wasn’t wrong—Destiny Track students were rare, advanced Mental Energy users rarer. For typical students, the academy’s stock sufficed. Su Bei was an outlier. A teacher entered, scanned the room, and locked onto Su Bei: "Su Bei, please come with me. I’ve cleared it with your teacher." Su Bei nodded, following to the principal’s top-floor office. Si Zhaohua and Ai Baozhu were already there. The principal sat, smiling kindly: "Sit. We’ll talk once Jiang and Lan arrive." He pushed a plate of cookies toward them: "Have some. These are mildly sweet—I heard your people don’t like overly sweet things. Try them." They exchanged glances, each taking a cookie. The flavor was indeed pleasant, not as cloyingly sweet as Mus Country’s desserts, just right. As they savored, Jiang Tianming and Lan Subing arrived. The principal wiped cookie crumbs with a tissue, smiling: "You know why I called you, right? First, thank you for your contributions to ‘Alpha Ability Academy.’ As exchange students, you stepped up during our crisis, minimizing losses. We’ll do our best to meet any requests." He handed each a pen and paper, thoughtfully allowing private requests. Thanks to Meng Huai’s heads-up, they’d prepared. Everyone wrote quickly, and the principal collected the papers, leaving the pens as keepsakes. Reading their requests, he stroked his beard, chuckling at their tense faces: "Relax, ‘Alpha Ability Academy’ can fulfill these." They exhaled in relief. Their requests were the most beneficial, and though they had backups, having the first granted was ideal. Su Bei was thrilled. Boosting Mental Energy capacity would be a massive leap, allowing him to alter more fates at once, greatly enhancing his strength. Ultimately, most Ability users’ strength tied to Mental Energy. Boosting it indirectly boosted power—the two were inseparable. After settling this, the principal dismissed them. Preparing their items would take time but would be delivered before their exchange ended. The final half-week passed calmly—no challenges, disruptions, or dangers, a gentle close to their exchange, courtesy of the author. On the last day, Su Bei and the others received their rewards. Su Bei’s item for advanced Mental Energy capacity was a fruit. The fruit was pure black, resembling an oversized plum from afar. Up close, eerie snake-like ridges covered it, deeply unsettling. Without its faint fruity aroma, Su Bei wouldn’t have believed it was fruit. It came in an elegant box with an instruction manual. Reading it, Su Bei’s expression turned to shock. "Dream Snake Fruit," formed from a dead Dream Snake Nightmare Beast, boosts Ability users’ Mental Energy capacity. Only advanced Mental Energy users can consume it, or they’ll explode and die. What shocked Su Bei was that it wasn’t a plant but an animal corpse. He’d never heard of Dream Snake Nightmare Beasts, but that was unsurprising—Nightmare Beasts were diverse, and those yielding items were rare, likely unknown to many. The manual instructed eating it whole, skin included. Su Bei prepared, then held the bizarre fruit. After mental preparation, he took a tentative bite. A strange texture, like grape-flavored apple. Not overly sweet but far from bad. Finishing the small fruit in a few bites, Su Bei lay on his bed. The fruit supposedly worked during sleep, and eating then sleeping maximized its effect. "Alpha Ability Academy" thoughtfully included a sleep aid in the box, ensuring quick sleep without diminishing the fruit’s efficacy. In his dream, Su Bei felt like he was running endlessly. Though exhausted, instinct urged him not to stop. His intuition rarely activated, so he trusted it this time. His later dream memories blurred. He slept until morning, feeling utterly drained yet mentally clear, sensing his Mental Energy capacity had grown. If normal Mental Energy was a pond and advanced a river, his was now a mighty Yangtze or Yellow River. The leap thrilled Su Bei—he’d expected a slight increase, not this much. Recalling his running dream, he suspected it was the Dream Snake Fruit’s test. Enduring it long enough likely amplified the boost. He messaged Meng Huai, who, ever omniscient, confirmed it, explaining the manual omitted this as experiments showed dream details were forgotten, rendering explanations useless. It relied on the user. Then, as if realizing something, Meng Huai asked: "Your Mental Energy increased a lot?" If it hadn’t, Su Bei wouldn’t have noticed the dream’s oddity. Su Bei confirmed, and Meng Huai sighed. Already an advanced Mental Energy user, Su Bei’s further boost reached unknown heights, making even Meng Huai envious. On departure day, the school gate was packed. Informed students gathered to see Jiang Tianming and the others off, but they’d wisely slipped out the back. "Is this a bit shady?" Si Zhaohua glanced back at the crowded gate, pursing his lips. He wasn’t good at rejecting kindness. But Jiang Tianming and Lan Subing excelled at it, having faced similar scenes before school started. Lan Subing said matter-of-factly: "Staying would be shadier." Facing that crowd’s enthusiasm would kill her. Besides, farewells were sad—why make so many share their sorrow? "Who knows when we’ll meet again," Ai Baozhu sighed, then perked up. "Good thing I swapped contacts with Tiffany. One exchange, one pen pal with tons of jewelry—not a bad deal." After the book world, the three girls’ bond had soared. Lan Subing didn’t judge by appearances, and Ai Baozhu, chastened by her first semester, dropped her snobbery. Helping Tiffany opened her heart. As an ancient family heir, Tiffany easily accessed rare jewelry. Ai Baozhu adored her for it. Jiang Tianming chuckled: "You talk about jewelry every day?" Not judging, but he couldn’t imagine fixating on one topic for days—except maybe gossip, and even that petered out. "Not just that," Lan Subing said, her expression odd, exchanging a look with Ai Baozhu. Ai Baozhu explained delicately: "She saw a novel on my phone once and got hooked. We recommend her books." No big deal—who didn’t love novels? But their weird expressions piqued Su Bei’s curiosity: "What kind does she like?" Their faces grew odder. Lan Subing coughed, rattling off titles: "‘The Overbearing Vampire Loves Me,’ ‘Vampire Passion: A Thousand-Year Love,’ stuff like that..." "Pfft!" The unexpected answer made everyone burst out laughing. Jiang Tianming stifled his: "Such a surprising taste. But Ai Baozhu, why do you have those novels on your phone?" He’d hit the mark. Ai Baozhu froze: "Ahem, just auto-added to my bookshelf. I’m too lazy to clean it, so they stayed." Old novels should be buried deep in her bookshelf, not easily seen. Su Bei saw through but didn’t call it out, opening his phone. Just then, his Manga Consciousness pinged an update. The manga had refreshed, likely unrelated to "Alpha Ability Academy," so he wasn’t too invested. As expected, it barely touched "Alpha Ability Academy," using their chat as a brief epilogue. The author was balancing focus, centering this update on "Delicious Nightmare Beast Farm" without neglecting it for lacking main protagonists. Su Bei thought the farm’s plot would be mundane—‘Black Flash’ couldn’t possibly blitz three locations; that’d be too omnipotent. Yet, surprisingly, while ‘Black Flash’ didn’t target the farm, its plot was gripping—they went to the Nightmare Beast world! It started when the farm’s "Close Point" to the Nightmare Beast world malfunctioned. To stop humans from capturing more Nightmare Beasts, the beasts sealed the Close Point from within. To their credit, the farm achieved a feat—Nightmare Beasts rarely sealed Close Points, making them pioneers. But this "pioneering" hurt the farm. Without the Close Point, how could they source Nightmare Beast meat to keep operating? Thus, a team was sent to the Nightmare Beast world to reopen the Close Point and add defenses. Unsurprisingly, the task fell to Feng Lan’s five-person team, not native to the farm. Seeing they entered the Nightmare Beast world, Su Bei felt regret for the first time. Had he known, he’d have fought to go there. Compared to main plotlines, the Nightmare Beast world was far more critical. Su Bei knew defeating the big villain was the protagonist group’s job; his was saving the world. Solving the Nightmare Beast issue was key. Though he had ideas, only visiting the Nightmare Beast world could confirm a final plan. A rare chance to go, and he missed it. Who knew when the next would come? Su Bei felt cheated. With no choice, he relied on the manga to glimpse the Nightmare Beast world. It was colorless, turning the manga from color to black-and-white. From entry, everyone looked glum, visibly down. This was the Nightmare Beast world’s trait—good moods were nearly impossible. Fitting, as Nightmare Beasts formed from human death’s resentment, their world naturally lacked joy. The Nightmare Beast world was all sandstorms and floating pebbles and dust. Nightmare Beasts roamed—most black objects, moving or not, were Nightmare Beasts. Seeing the airborne stones, Su Bei’s eyes glinted. King of Abilities’ lore tied the new order to a meteor shower. The dust and pebbles in the Nightmare Beast world might be meteor fragments.