Qi Yuan's classmates had enjoyed speculating all sorts of strange things about him over the past three years. It was impossible he knew nothing about it. The mild ones imagining he lived in a mansion, drove luxury cars, and came from a prominent family were one thing, but he just couldn't comprehend the chuunibyou delusions of protecting world peace under the cloak of night.
He typically lurked in their chatrooms, bursting their fantasies in a timely manner to prevent them from speculating further.
Qi Yuan had an ominous premonition when he clicked the link which led him to a livestream that was currently offline. He dragged the playback progress bar to the time when his classmate had messaged. On the large screen under a close-up shot, a pair of golden eyes dazzled brilliantly above a familiar yet unfamiliar face.
Qi Yuan: ...
Qi Yuan unconsciously scratched his toes in his slippers, trying to conjure up a mansion to complete his classmates’ imagination.
To have his paraphrasing of the head teacher's words exposed like this was practically public execution...
Although the sudden power granted him prevented him from being too embarrassed, having his chuunibyou levels maxed out was still socially deadly.
He decisively flipped his phone facedown into the sofa and closed his eyes, attempting to forget it all.
Qi Ao, too restless to focus on his homework, sidled up next to Qi Yuan and sneakily reached for his phone.
Eyes closed, Qi Yuan accurately grabbed Qi Ao’s hand while his other hand ruffled his hair in aggravation.
“Go do your homework.”
The young brother, having lost all pride today, was overcome by rebellion. He straightened his chest and yelled loudly.
“I don’t wanna!”
Unfazed, Qi Yuan said: “I have a certain message from your teacher.”
Qi Ao craned his neck as tears welled up in his eyes. “It’s impossible for me not to write it!”
Qi Yuan was amused by his young brother’s antics.
He reopened his phone to face reality.
After putting up with crazy speculations for so many years, Qi Yuan had long since developed an indifferent attitude. One gets used to social death after repeated social deaths.
Such is the woe of good looks.
His phone buzzed. Qi Yuan opened a message from Ren Yang. She was his friend who had transferred to the combat department in the second half of 10th grade and was now one of the students preparing for the college entrance exam.
【Ren Yang: Qi ge, I saw the video. Are you switching to the combat department too?】
His fingers flew across the screen.
【Qi Yuan: I don't plan to.】
The other side displayed "Ren Yang is typing" almost instantly.
【Ren Yang: I see. I know even the combat department teachers can't compare to you so coming to class wouldn't help you much anyway.】
I don't! Don't spout nonsense!
He could guess what his classmates would speculate after seeing the video, but the facts were laid bare before him and Qi Yuan had no way to explain.
Just as he was about to furiously reply, Ren Yang sent another two messages.
【Ren Yang: Then are you taking the college entrance exam directly, Qi ge? 】
【Ren Yang: Do you want materials to prepare? I can send them to you】
Qi Yuan: ...
【Qi Yuan: No need. I'm teaching my brother questions right now, let's talk later.】
He smoothly ended the conversation. If it continued, he'd be granted direct admission to university.
Qi Yuan sighed and stroked Qi Ao’s head. Although not very clever, at least his mind worked normally.
Having been threatened by him earlier, Qi Ao didn’t dare speak out but let out muffled pig-like grunts to show his protest.
Qi Yuan flicked the back of his head and went to his room to wash up.
After showering and returning to his room, Qi Yuan lay in bed recalling the powerful strength he had briefly possessed.
His heart was filled with longing...
Accident or tomorrow, who knew which would come first?
Did that power back then match what the monsters in his mind imagined? Did it signify his psychic powers had the ability to materialize?
He should try experimenting sometime...
Qi Yuan flipped over and fell asleep.
The next morning,
Qi Yuan entered the classroom with his bag.
Ignoring his classmates staring at him like searchlights, he put his bag on the table and sat down.
Those daring enough to speak up in their group chat didn’t dare approach him in person. They just whispered among themselves, stealing occasional glances at him.
Qi Yuan’s looks and temperament possessed deceptive qualities. With maxed out stats for figure, appearance and sharp aura, even if he did nothing, people would automatically classify him as unapproachable.
He was happy to have it so. At heart he was just an antisocial otaku.
Appropriate socializing benefited the body while excessive socializing injured it.
The seat next to him was pulled back as a tall, bamboo stick-thin figure sat down. This was his deskmate Shi Jianwen.
Shi Jianwen didn’t even bring his bag, just tossed the books in his hands onto the desk.
“Mornin’ Qi ge. I was @ing you like crazy yesterday but you didn’t reply at all?”
Just as Qi Yuan opened his mouth, he noticed the head teacher poking his head in through the back door, beckoning to him.
Shi Jianwen tactfully shut his mouth, seeing Qi Yuan off with his eyes.
Qi Yuan followed the head teacher to an empty classroom.
At the head teacher’s indication, Qi Yuan also found a seat.
The head teacher spoke gravely and slowly. “I know you’re quite opinionated and I’ve always been at ease leaving you be. But—”
The main event had arrived with that “but”.
Unfortunately Qi Yuan’s heart was tranquil like still water without the slightest ripple. He had already guessed what the head teacher wanted to say.
“Could you share your plans for the future with me?”
I’m in the same class as you...
But of course he couldn’t say that.
Qi Yuan was well prepared. He pretended to ponder deeply, knitted his brows helplessly, then solemnly declared:
“Teacher, that’s classified. I can’t reveal it.”
The head teacher immediately understood with continuous nods, waving his hand.
“I see, I see. If you can’t say then don’t force yourself.”
He was like a demon weasel that had eaten a huge melon, continuously muttering “I see” to himself, “The waters run deeper than I thought”, “I should’ve known”.
The head teacher who believed he understood the inside story patted Qi Yuan’s shoulder as he got up. “Let’s go, back to class.”
Qi Yuan had thought things would temporarily settle after peacefully spending the day in class. That is, until he ran into a woman with a single ponytail at the school gates.
“May I trouble you for some of your time? I’m Xue Shiyun, captain of Qipan City’s Patrol Squad 6. Here is my ID.”
She held out her ID to prove the ponytailed woman’s identity.
Xue Shiyun drove Qi Yuan to the conference room of the Superpower Duty Bureau.
“Sorry for the inconvenience, I could only bring you here since it wasn’t appropriate to talk outside.”
Xue Shiyun accepted the tea an administrative assistant handed over, placing a cup in front of Qi Yuan.
After serving the tea, the administrative assistant thoughtfully closed the door for them.
“It’s no problem. What did you want to ask?”
Despite the youth before her, he possessed strength beyond her reach. Xue Shiyun had no reason to look down on him.
“Some details about yesterday. I have to write the damn report after all. Do you mind if I write down notes?”
Xue Shiyun brushed her bangs behind her ears, lightly complaining writing reports was difficult. She acted as if they were close friends.
“Not worked yet so you probably don’t understand the pain of writing reports. ”
Qi Yuan spread his hands indicating she could do as she pleased. “Indeed I don't, but I can imagine based on self-criticisms.”
"Somehow I don't see you being forced to write self-criticisms."
Having laid out paper and pen, Xue Shiyun jokingly retorted before steering the conversation to proper business. “First, regarding the monster’s strength. You’re simply too powerful so it’s a bit difficult to evaluate its level.”
She tossed out the simplest, least sensitive question while carefully observing Qi Yuan’s reaction.