Chapter 37 : Chapter 37
Chapter 37
A few minutes into the match, Ji Qing identified the issue.
Compared to solid ice, sound waves were far more unpredictable in their offensive patterns. Under the premise that both sides had roughly equal Abilities and mental strength, what was being tested was their level of mastery over their Abilities.
Conserving mental energy, controlling timing.
Lu Qingyin, who had long studied musical theory, succeeded in defeating the opponent who had spoken rudely to her in this regard.
The battle was still at a stalemate, but both people in the monitoring room had already lost interest.
Ji Qing rested his chin on his hand thoughtfully, his fingers lightly tapping the armrest. After pondering for a while, he let out a soft laugh. “It really is just as you said.”
“Do not underestimate the value of a prophet.”
You Xingluo smugly waved his raised middle finger, but then his tone shifted, and he said regretfully, “However, unfortunately—I only figured out the reason just now as well.”
“Do you want me to make up an explanation for you on the spot?”
“No need,” Ji Qing refused immediately.
Ji Qing could not help but glance at You Xingluo, who was pretending to be innocent, and said, “Are all prophets like you?”
You Xingluo paused.
“No, but how should I put it…” His eyes flickered with uncertain shades. “Sometimes I cannot tell whether what I see is something that truly exists, or a scene that might happen.”
“What a strange Ability,” Ji Qing commented quietly.
Since the beginning of the school term, he had never understood You Xingluo’s Ability—not even during the Ability test. From Ji Qing’s perspective, prophecy was more like a projection based on existing factors.
After recalling something, Ji Qing asked curiously, “Are you really unable to predict the outcome of commissions or the target’s location?”
He remembered this clearly.
During his self-introduction at the start of the semester, You Xingluo had emphasized this point. He had said he could not predict the outcome of commissions or the target’s location. But if prophecy truly worked, then logically, he should be able to…
“What are you trying to do now?” You Xingluo leaned back warily.
He hesitated before saying, “If I absolutely have to, I can make such predictions. But then, for a period of time afterward, I would not be able to perceive bad events.”
“Hm?”
You Xingluo explained, “Using an active prophecy once will cause my passive prophecy to fail for a period of time afterward. The duration varies depending on the difficulty of the active prophecy.”
“But under normal circumstances, I try my best to avoid making such predictions.”
“….” Ji Qing fell silent.
He inexplicably thought of You Xingluo’s cause of death—perhaps it had occurred after an active prophecy. A prophet without combat ability, once deprived of passive prophecy, would be extremely vulnerable.
“Do you have any need to make an active prophecy recently?” Ji Qing suddenly asked.
“Not really,” You Xingluo replied.
He looked up at the two figures on the screen, his tone returning to casual. “There was originally a prophecy I was supposed to perform at the end of the year, but since I am not in Central City, someone else replaced me.”
“That was what I argued with my family about before.” He paused, his expression turning annoyed. “They think it is dangerous for me to leave Central City…”
“Heh, that might not necessarily be the case.”
Ji Qing nodded in agreement. “I agree.”
Not to mention the fate of the substitute prophet—if You Xingluo had stayed in Central City, he would most likely not have escaped his death in the original storyline.
“But now it is fine…” Ji Qing leaned back in his chair, gazing at the ceiling with a sense of relief.
You Xingluo’s death crisis still existed, but it would not happen this semester. If it were to happen, it would likely be after he returned to Central City, or after making an active prophecy.
Central City…
Ji Qing silently repeated the name. From the bits and pieces he had heard so far, he could already imagine the darkness and chaos of that place.
A cold glint flashed in Ji Qing’s eyes. He thought: sooner or later, I will have to face Central City.
Whether as “Li,” or as “Ji Qing.”
***
Zhou Que won his fourth-round match without any suspense.
When Ji Qing saw him in the classroom, his expression looked even more irritated than last time. Zhou Que lay sprawled on the desk, muttering weakly, “I regret this so much right now…”
“I thought Xie Chang’an was just the beginning… who knew it would be the grand finale…”
Ji Qing’s eyebrows twitched. Just how boring had Zhou Que’s matches been for him to come to such a conclusion?
Shao Huayu, sitting nearby, was already used to it.
Last time, he would have reminded Zhou Que, but now he did not even bother responding. He raised his eyes toward Ji Qing and greeted him with a refined nod. “Good morning.”
“Good morning,” Ji Qing replied with a smile.
Warm sunlight streamed into the classroom through the glass windows. Outside, birds chirped, and the leaves rustled softly in the breeze. The weather was exceptionally clear today.
Ji Qing naturally took his seat and casually asked, “Did you watch Class A’s match yesterday? It was quite spectacular.”
It was still early, enough time for a brief chat.
However, Zhou Que reacted strongly.
He immediately shot to his feet and slammed the table, indignant. “It is because I watched their match that I feel it is unfair!”
“Why have I not encountered such interesting opponents?!”
That was not an easy statement to respond to. Ji Qing felt helpless.
Shao Huayu rubbed his temples. “All matches are arranged to separate seeded contestants. If you could randomly encounter one of them, it would only mean the organizers are incompetent.”
“I know that,” Zhou Que muttered aggrievedly. “But why are all my opponents so weak? Can there not be someone evenly matched with me?”
Ji Qing gave a wry smile. “That… is probably even less likely.”
After all, Zhou Que’s strength was already at the level of Class S. The purpose of the individual matches was to determine class placement. If Class S students were allowed to encounter potential Class S candidates too early, the competition would lose its meaning.
Ji Qing’s eyes shifted slightly, and he comforted him, “You should encounter one soon.”
This afternoon’s match would be between Ling You’er and Feng Youyou.
Regardless of the outcome, the winner of this round would become Zhou Que’s next opponent. Based on Ji Qing’s understanding, Feng Youyou had a higher chance of winning.
Ji Qing decided to watch the match.
Not only out of curiosity about the battle itself, but also about the two participants: one was already a member of Class S, while the other was likely to become one. The two might form a new bond.
Compared to boys, girls often formed closer relationships.
Zhou Que responded listlessly, “Hopefully.”
He clearly did not believe Ji Qing’s words, but he also knew there was no point dwelling on it. After all, this was not something they, as students, could change.
The classroom gradually quieted down.
Seeing this, Ji Qing abandoned the idea of chatting. He sensed that Zhou Que was in a bad mood, and even Shao Huayu’s mood had been declining. He thought: it seemed both of them were dissatisfied with their current situation.
The excitement of the individual matches had nothing to do with them.
As members at the top of the academy’s hierarchy, all they felt was boredom. Ji Qing chuckled to himself—this really did look like the early signs of dropping out.
As time passed, the other students of Class S gradually arrived.
“Good morning.” You Xingluo entered the classroom, rubbing his sleepy eyes.
“Good morning, everyone.” Song Xiaoran followed behind with a smile and a wave. Dew from the morning still clung to the tips of his hair, and a few leaves were caught on the brim of his hat—it seemed he had gone to the Botanical Garden first.
Ling You’er glanced around nervously.
She hesitated internally: the two in front had greeted everyone… should she greet them too…?
After a long internal struggle, she finally mustered her courage. “G-good morning.”
Ji Qing smiled and waved. “Good morning.”
Ling You’er visibly relaxed. She hurried to her seat, opened her book, and pretended to read attentively. This way, even if her classmates chatted cheerfully, she would not feel awkward.
The class bell rang the moment she sat down.
Ling You’er’s thoughts were heavy as she considered the match in the afternoon: it was her turn again… she sincerely hoped her opponent would be a bit kinder this time…
Her anxious mood did not ease even after class ended.
She grabbed her bag and quickly fled the classroom. Ji Qing watched her retreating figure thoughtfully. He felt it would be better to watch the match remotely from the dormitory.
Given Ling You’er’s personality, she was not suited to being observed by acquaintances.
After making up his mind, Ji Qing quickly decided on his next destination.
Class S had no classes in the afternoon, and he had nothing to do. As he thought this, he suddenly paused—come to think of it, his situation was the same as Zhou Que’s.
Perhaps it was because of You Xingluo.
Additionally, he was curious about Class A’s situation and the future plot of the manga. Ji Qing rolled his eyes slightly and revealed a helpless smile.
On the terminal projection, the two contestants stood facing each other.
Feng Youyou appeared far more relaxed than Gu Lingxue. She waved cheerfully at Ling You’er. “Good afternoon, classmate Ling.”
Naturally, Ling You’er did not respond, but Feng Youyou did not mind.
After politely greeting her opponent, Feng Youyou casually struck up a conversation with the referee. “Hey—Old Liu, why are you here today?”
“What happened to Teacher Hu from yesterday?”
“Do not even mention it.” The referee grimaced. “Those two brats from your class fought like mad yesterday and sent Teacher Hu straight to the hospital.”
“….” Ji Qing was momentarily stunned.
Feng Youyou’s social skills were truly impressive. However, both people on screen knew this was not the time for idle chatter, so they quickly ended the conversation.
The referee blew the whistle. “Both contestants are in position! The match is about to begin!”
As the words fell, Feng Youyou put away her smile. She swiftly took out a pair of specially made gloves from her pocket and put them on.
She flexed her fingers casually, thinking with satisfaction: Perfect fit.
Ling You’er was dumbfounded. She understood Feng Youyou’s intention—she planned to engage in close combat. But no normal person would choose to fight her that way.
“Ready—start!”
The match began instantly.
Neither side launched an immediate attack. Instead, they circled along the edge of the arena. It was their first encounter, and neither knew the other’s capabilities.
Ling You’er’s control over her Ability was truly excellent.
Feng Youyou felt genuine admiration. However, a support-type Ability naturally lacked offensive power compared to an attack-type. Charging in recklessly would be impolite.
She did not intend to make enemies with someone from Class S.
The arena fell into silence, with only the faint sound of footsteps circling the stage. In the spectator area, students began whispering:
“Why are they not fighting yet?”
“Wait a bit—they are both waiting for the other to make a move.”
“Are they being courteous?”
In the end, Ling You’er could no longer endure the atmosphere. She lowered her center of gravity, and her figure instantly turned into a ghostly blur. In a flash, she disappeared, leaving only Feng Youyou on the stage.
Feng Youyou frowned instinctively. She remained alert, controlling the flow of wind to search for her opponent. According to the wind’s perception, there was no one nearby, but—
Feng Youyou suddenly flipped forward, blocking behind her.
The clash of blade against metal rang out.
The two immediately engaged in intense close combat. Ji Qing could tell that Feng Youyou had trained in martial arts.
She did not rely solely on her Ability, but instead used her combat instincts to determine Ling You’er’s position.
A trace of admiration appeared in Ji Qing’s eyes.
This was the first civilian-born student he had seen who trained both physical combat and Ability simultaneously. Even if she did not enter Class S, Feng Youyou’s future would still be limitless.
But were wasteland journalists held to such high standards? Ji Qing wondered.
The two exchanged blows on the arena. The invisibility of “Ghost Possession” and the battlefield control of “Breeze” became the highlights of the fierce battle, as both contestants demonstrated skilled mastery of their Abilities.
Clang—
The dagger was suddenly knocked away.
The referee immediately declared, “Winner—Feng Youyou!”
Ling You’er collapsed onto the ground, breathing heavily. Tears fell as she lowered her head, thinking sorrowfully: it was over. Her journey in the individual matches had come to an end…
She had expected it, but it still hurt.
“Very impressive,” Feng Youyou’s voice sounded from in front of her.
Ling You’er looked up and fell into Feng Youyou’s warm, sunlit orange eyes. Sweat covered Feng Youyou’s forehead, yet her smile remained bright.
She extended her hand to help Ling You’er up and said warmly, “I look forward to fighting alongside you in the future.”
That would indeed happen…
Ling You’er was momentarily dazed.
After this match, the other party would likely receive an invitation for class promotion. She would no longer be the only girl in Class S, but someone who had a close friend.
Thus, Ling You’er gently placed her hand in Feng Youyou’s, silently accepting.