Translator: AkazaTL
Proofreader/Editor: JWyck
***
Chapter 151
After touring all the teaching buildings, it was already noon, time for lunch. John led them to the cafeteria and gave each of them a meal card valid for one month: “Each card has three thousand points. If you run out, just let us know.”
Upon entering the cafeteria, everyone was stunned. They hadn’t expected so many people to be there on a Sunday. Normally, even in a boarding school, students would go home or eat out during weekend holidays.
But the next moment, they roughly guessed why, as all eyes turned toward them in unison. Clearly, their arrival for lunch together wasn’t coincidental; news of their presence had already spread throughout the school.
The gazes were noticeably unfriendly. Recalling the earlier behavior of the “hoodie duo,” Lan Subing hid behind Jiang Tianming and whispered, “Is this school really that exclusive?”
At that moment, Ai Baozhu seemed to recall something: “It’s not like that. My pen pal told me something. I’ll explain when we get back.”
Was there some inside story? The other four nodded without saying much, quickly bought their meals as they preferred, and sat down at a table far from the crowd to eat.
Perhaps because the teachers had warned them, no one caused trouble that noon. But the hostile gazes followed them like shadows, as if trying to kill them with looks alone.
Fortunately, the five were long accustomed to others’ stares, whether friendly or malicious—it was all the same. Ignoring them was enough.
They finished lunch unaffected, then left the cafeteria together to find a quiet place to hear what Ai Baozhu had to say.
“Linda, my pen pal, told me before I came that they have an annual resource treasure-hunting event this month. Apparently, those who do well can gain a lot of resources.” Ai Baozhu showed them screenshots of their chat.
In the chat, Linda detailed the resource treasure-hunting event. Their school had a renewable Different Space filled with all sorts of peculiar resources, including Mental Crystals, Universal Resin, Life Golden Carp, and more. To avoid overexploitation, it opened only once a year, and many could make a fortune inside.
After reading the chat, Si Zhaohua realized: “No wonder they’re so hostile. They think we’re here to steal their resources.”
“And we will indeed take resources,” Jiang Tianming said calmly.
Everyone fell silent. Knowing about this event, they understood that the academy had sent them as exchange students at this time with the clear intention of having them participate.
As beneficiaries, it was natural to face hostility. Lan Subing sighed: “Then it’s not really their fault, but this feels like an undeserved disaster for us, doesn’t it?”
The teachers hadn’t mentioned this at all, and learning about it passively felt quite uncomfortable.
Hearing this, Su Bei chuckled lightly: “Since we’ve already endured their hostility, we must secure the resources. Otherwise, wouldn’t we have been hated for nothing?”
Lan Subing was stunned for a moment, then couldn’t help but smile. Jiang Tianming nodded approvingly: “You’re right. We need to make a big haul.”
There were no plans that afternoon, so Su Bei and the others returned to the dorms and began discussing their impressions of their tour of Alpha Ability Academy.
“Though we haven’t attended classes, it already feels very different from our school,” Jiang Tianming commented. “And it’s indeed full of martial virtue.”
At their school, even if exchange students came to “pick peaches,” students would likely only pull small tricks behind their backs, not confront them directly.
Si Zhaohua nodded in agreement: “Foreign education has always been quite different from ours. I wonder what their classroom education is like.”
“Surely arena battles are a must for Ability users?” Su Bei said with a half-smile. “If we lose…”
He didn’t need to finish for Si Zhaohua and Jiang Tianming to tense up. If they lost in an arena battle on the first day, they’d lose face spectacularly.
If that happened, the academy likely wouldn’t have the grounds to propose they join the resource treasure-hunting event. If they couldn’t even beat the students here, what right did they have to claim their resources?
Jiang Tianming frowned, saying gravely: “They’ll definitely try to put us in our place tomorrow. We need a strategy.”
“Let them come; I won’t necessarily lose,” Si Zhaohua said confidently. In fact, he didn’t believe he could lose.
Seeing his confidence, Jiang Tianming bluntly countered: “We’ll be facing elites like us. Can you really guarantee you won’t lose?”
Si Zhaohua couldn’t. Though confident, he couldn’t guarantee victory. As Jiang Tianming said, their opponents were also elites from another academy. Who could say there wasn’t an Ability stronger than his?
“Got any ideas then?” Unable to retort or guarantee, Si Zhaohua snapped in frustration.
But Jiang Tianming, having said that, naturally had a plan: “One thing we have in common is that we don’t know each other’s Abilities. After all, we’re separated by a country. It’s not easy to gather intel.”
He was right; they indeed didn’t know each other’s information. Alpha Ability Academy couldn’t easily gather intel on them across countries, just as they couldn’t gather intel on their opponents in this hostile school.
Wait, hold on.
Suddenly, Si Zhaohua caught his meaning: “You mean Linda?” Jiang Tianming nodded affirmatively: “Since Linda was willing to tell us about the resource treasure-hunting event, she likely has no hostility toward us, or at least toward Ai Baozhu. So, we might be able to use her to get information on our opponents in advance.”
“I’ll ask Baozhu to check,” Si Zhaohua said, picking up his phone.
Before Jiang Tianming could agree, Su Bei stopped him: “Wait, why not ask the class teacher?”
Class teacher? The two paused, realizing this was a good idea. They didn’t know much about Alpha Ability Academy, but their class teacher might.
Asking Linda risked leaking secrets, but asking Meng Huai was safe.
With that, Jiang Tianming promptly messaged Meng Huai, asking for information on the members of each academy’s Class 1.
Meng Huai seemed surprised, half-mockingly replying: “Impressive that you thought of this.”
After the jab, he didn’t delay, sending over a table. It listed fifteen people, noting three notable opponents from each academy’s first-year Class 1.
After a while, assuming they’d skimmed the table, Meng Huai messaged again: “Since you’ve figured it out, don’t lose. If you lose the first match, this month as exchange students won’t be pleasant.”
The three agreed wholeheartedly, sharing the list and their concerns with the two girls. The five studied the table’s relevant details together.
The three marked for the Special Track had Abilities: [Clown], [Golden House in Books], and [Time Hourglass]. Undoubtedly, just from the names, the [Time Hourglass] Ability user was the most notable, named Elvis, the only one in the entire table marked in red.
Like all Destiny-related Abilities, those tied to time were equally significant. Especially since [Time Hourglass] sounded like it could even reverse time, it demanded attention.
The table’s latter part described the three Abilities’ general effects. [Clown] could perform, driving viewers mad, disrupting their Mental Energy, and preventing Ability use.
[Golden House in Books] was similar to Zhou Renjie’s [Prime Minister’s Belly Can Hold a Ship]. It could turn any book into an independent space, trapping others or oneself inside. Typically, it trapped others, as destroying the book would severely injure those inside.
As for [Time Hourglass], it could distort and alter time in a small area, like reversing time on a recent wound to heal it. This example alone showed its power, not limited to healing.
“So strong…” Before Su Bei could sigh, someone voiced his thoughts. Turning, he saw it was Jiang Tianming.
Noticing Su Bei’s gaze, Jiang Tianming shrugged: “Control Track, Ability [Puppeteer], can release puppet strings to control any object.”
A quintessential Control Track Ability. Su Bei genuinely felt the difference between the two schools. At Endless Ability Academy, Abilities weren’t clearly categorized, so even track divisions were vague.
Alpha Ability Academy was different. Except for the Special Track, which might have some variation, students in other tracks had very typical Abilities for their category.
“What about yours?” Jiang Tianming asked curiously.
Su Bei mimicked his shrug, describing the [Time Hourglass] Ability. Jiang Tianming’s expression turned speechless. That’s too strong, isn’t it?
Drawn by their talk, Si Zhaohua shrugged too: “Mine’s this, Ability called [Death Diva]. Her singing is supposedly so bad it’s lethal—physically lethal. And it’s a brain-piercing magic sound you can’t block by covering your ears, kind of like that Siren Nightmare Beast we faced.”
“It doesn’t sound that strong.” Jiang Tianming was puzzled. The Ability’s effect didn’t seem to match Attack Track’s intensity.
“It’s written here; her voice has the same effect through every medium—recordings, speakers, broadcasts and more. So, even with ordinary devices, she can cause massive damage.”
Su Bei instantly understood. If she played pre-recorded songs through multiple loudspeakers, she could deal massive damage without using Mental Energy. No wonder she was a key target.
The enemies weren’t weak; in terms of specialization, they were even stronger. But after reviewing their Abilities, the five felt completely unfazed.
Know yourself and your enemy, and you’ll win every battle. Knowing their Abilities stripped away the mystery, making them seem much easier to handle.
Lan Subing messaged in their group: “I’m feeling a bit nervous now…”
Seeing this, Jiang Tianming replied puzzledly: “Nervous about what?”
Su Bei hit the nail on the head: “Check the table. Lan Subing’s class must all be pure Support Track abilities.”
That explained it! Jiang Tianming and Si Zhaohua realized. With this academy’s strict Ability categorization, someone like Lan Subing would never be placed in Support Track.
With her all-around Ability excelling in attack, defense, and support, facing pure Support Track students naturally made her nervous.
Sure enough, Ai Baozhu sent a voice message. Clicking it, her laughter filled the room: “Hahahahaha, what else could it be? Of course, it’s because Bingbing realized she’ll win without even fighting.”
Everyone couldn’t help but laugh, though Jiang Tianming quickly regained focus: “If it’s Support Track, the test won’t be about fighting.”
“We’ll find out tomorrow,” Lan Subing replied. “Good luck, everyone!”
At eight that evening, a knock came. John delivered three sets of uniforms: “To blend in, you’ll need to wear our school uniforms during your stay.” The request was reasonable, and no one refused. The uniforms were foreign-style, white with black trim, resembling suits, with a school badge on the chest—beautifully designed.
The next morning, everyone headed to their respective classes. Though Class S had some directionally challenged students, these five weren’t among them. Despite Alpha Ability Academy’s complex layout, they found their classes easily.
To avoid being late, Su Bei arrived early for the 8 a.m. class, before 7:30. Surprisingly, when he reached the classroom, most of the class was already there.
As a stranger, Su Bei instantly drew attention upon entering. Scrutinizing, hostile, and curious gazes landed on him, giving him a momentary spotlight sensation.
Knowing they’d likely come early because of him, Su Bei nodded calmly to the crowd and walked straight to a chair in the first row by the window, sitting down.
His natural demeanor stunned many in the class. A rare orange-haired boy nearby, whose gaze held no malice, whispered curiously: “How’d you just sit there? Aren’t you afraid it’s taken?”
He added: “Sure, the desk’s empty, but it’s not the only empty one, right?”
In the back, several desks were also bare. By appearance, it was impossible to tell which were unused.
Su Bei glanced at the floor: “You didn’t sweep after moving the desks, did you?”
The floor clearly showed rectangular dust marks, obviously left from moving desks. The desks here had been moved, leaving one seemingly new set—clearly for him.
The orange-haired boy instantly got it, laughing heartily: “Such keen observation! Hi, I’m Ian. Please take care of me this month.”
After his spiel, he suddenly realized: “Oh! I meant to ask how your Mus language is, but now that seems unnecessary.”
Su Bei flashed a smile: “I'll be in your care.”
Just then, a brown-haired boy in the middle row scoffed: “Ian, even if the teacher told you to look after the new exchange student, you don’t have to be that obedient, do you?”
Ian seemed popular, as someone quickly countered: “As you said, it’s the teacher’s order. What’s Ian supposed to do?”
Though defending Ian, it indirectly mocked Su Bei.
Su Bei wasn’t upset, already understanding that Ian’s placement beside him wasn’t random but arranged by the teacher. Ian’s sunny, outgoing nature meant he wouldn’t resent exchange students potentially taking resources.
This revealed a hidden detail: the teachers held no hostility towards them. Otherwise, they wouldn’t be so considerate.
Logically, as outsiders taking local resources, the teachers should have some grievances. Their lack thereof suggested Endless Ability Academy and Alpha Ability Academy had made a resource exchange.
The five could access Alpha’s resources, just as exchange students at their school could access Endless'.
Realizing this, Su Bei felt even more justified. It was a fair exchange; what was there to feel guilty about?
“Can I get a class schedule?” he asked Ian.
Ian nodded, clearly prepared, pulling a schedule from his bag: “This is our weekly schedule. Barring surprises, classes follow this every week.”
Unlike Endless Ability Academy, the schedule here was relaxed, ending at 2 p.m. Seeing such early dismissal, Su Bei sighed inwardly. Even their Ability academy, without evening study, kept them until 5 p.m. Regular high schools often went until 8 or 9 p.m.
Noticing Friday’s full-day “Practical Class” with no specific courses, Su Bei was surprised: “What’s the Practical Class on Friday?”
“Completing missions for credits. Our academy uses a credit system. You can’t take final exams without enough credits,” Ian said, shrugging helplessly. “But honestly, one mission a week usually covers it.”
He reassured Su Bei: “Don’t mind what they said. They just haven’t thought it through.”
Su Bei nodded in agreement: “They couldn’t secure exchange student spots themselves, so they target us outsiders. Impotent rage, I get it.”
His words cut deep, and Ian’s mouth twitched.
Ability users had sharp hearing, and Su Bei hadn’t lowered his voice. Many students who heard him grew restless but didn’t confront him. As he said, they knew their class had sent exchange students too.
Who knew what benefits those students were getting at the other school? Starting trouble now risked future embarrassment. Plus, instigating would surely earn school criticism, so they’d only dared to mock Su Bei indirectly through Ian, not face him directly.
Seeing no one speak up, Su Bei looked away, waiting calmly for class to start. He knew if Jiang Tianming were in this class, someone would’ve jumped out as cannon fodder. But he wasn’t, so everyone’s wits remained intact.
Soon, the teacher arrived, a woman with short blue hair and glasses. Seeing the quiet class, she sighed in relief. Their school and Endless Ability Academy had cooperated for years, and exchange students always faced student hostility.
Both schools’ leaders believed this sparked competitive spirit, and as students matured, they’d understand the situation, not affecting inter-school relations. So, it was never heavily corrected. But as a teacher, she worried her students might cause trouble. If guests were bullied, they’d be in the wrong, and she’d face performance deductions.
“I’m sure you’ve all noticed we have an exchange student today,” the blue-haired teacher said, adjusting her glasses and smiling at Su Bei. “Su Bei, please come up and introduce yourself.”
Suddenly recalling that genius Ability users often had quirks, she added: “Share about your school, Ability, hobbies, or such.”
She needn’t have worried; Su Bei was refreshingly normal. He stepped to the podium, expression calm, as if he hadn’t just mocked everyone: “Hi, I’m Su Bei, from Endless Ability Academy. My Ability is [Destiny Gear]. My hobby is—”
He paused, smiling, a glint flashing in his purple eyes: “watching dramas.”
Without hypocritical pleasantries like “please take care of me,” Su Bei looked at the teacher: “That’s my introduction.”
The teacher was pleased with his attitude, glad her class hadn’t gotten a troublemaker. She smiled kindly at Su Bei, then told the class: “Let’s applaud to welcome our new classmate!”
After a second’s delay, sparse claps echoed. The teacher’s face hardened, repeating slowly: “The applause isn’t enthusiastic enough. Any dissatisfaction with my arrangements?”
The class teacher’s authority was strong. Instantly, the room erupted in fervent applause. After five seconds, her expression softened, and she let Su Bei return to his seat.
As he turned, the Special Track Class 1 students’ expressions grew uniformly grave.
[Destiny Gear]? That didn’t sound simple at all… They knew exchange students were strong, but anything tied to “Destiny” warranted caution.