Chapter 217

Chapter 217

Chapter 217

Zhao Xiaoyu wouldn’t let the mood stagnate. As soon as she sat, she smiled, “Been running around with the organizers these past two days. Finally got time to eat with you all. Haven’t said it yet—congrats! I saw them engraving ‘Endless Ability Academy’ on the medals!”

Hearing this, Jiang Tianming and the others smiled. Knowing victory was secured felt great. Though one match remained, the outcome was set, lifting a weight off everyone’s minds.

“For this afternoon’s match against Skydome, are you ready?” Mu Tieren asked with concern. “I saw Huangfu Mingzhe’s performance. He’s really strong.”

As a body-enhancement Ability user himself, even as a spectator, he could feel Huangfu Mingzhe’s physical prowess was on another level.

Jiang Tianming and the others exchanged glances. He spoke up, “We’ve got a plan, but it’s not finalized.”

Tactics were critical in Team Battles. With Skydome’s strategy exposed, we held the upper hand. As Meng Huai said, losing now would be our fault.

Like Houde, they’d tailored a tactic for Huangfu Mingzhe. They lost due to a massive strength gap—if it weren’t so wide, and Huangfu couldn’t 1v3, the outcome would’ve flipped.

Jiang Tianming’s plan was known only to him, Lan Subing, and Wu Mingbai. Wu Jin and Mo Xiaotian looked puzzled but didn’t ask. As teammates, they’d learn the plan before the match—no rush.

Feng Lan’s [Prophecy] ability could predict the match’s outcome. Logically, I could too, but I’d likely not tell even if I knew, so asking Feng Lan was safer.

But Feng Lan shook his head, “I don’t use [Prophecy] for everything.”

“Why?” Ai Baozhu asked, curious, not upset. If she had [Prophecy], she’d probably check everything first.

Feng Lan replied concisely, “The future I see can be changed.”

If he predicted Endless' win, leading to complacency, Skydome could win instead.

I chuckled, “Isn’t [Prophecy]’s purpose to change the future?”

Without changing the future, prophecy was pointless. Bad futures could be improved, but couldn’t good ones be worsened? Feng Lan left out that changing the future affected him.

Whether we’d lose and his prophecy led to victory, or we’d win but his prophecy caused defeat, it impacted him. He’d said before: the greater the deviation from the original future, the bigger the toll on him. Changing the protagonist squad’s fate would be significant.

After our exchange, Ai Baozhu nodded vaguely, “Alright, I won’t ask. We’ll win anyway!”

She had absolute faith in her teammates, just as she did in herself. How could her friends be ordinary?

“Sounds like something Xiaotian would say,” Lan Subing blinked.

It hit everyone—true enough—and laughter broke out. Zhao Xiaoyu looked at Mo Xiaotian curiously, “Speaking of, Xiaotian, I don’t recall you asking Su Bei or Feng Lan about the future?”

Ai Baozhu’s question seemed like something Mo Xiaotian would ask, given his curiosity. He should’ve pestered them often, but Zhao Xiaoyu couldn’t recall him ever doing so.

“Maybe I’m not curious?” Mo Xiaotian scratched his head.

“Not curious about the future?” Ai Baozhu asked, shocked. She thought everyone but future-seers would be.

Mo Xiaotian shook his head, grinning like an idiot, “A future you know in advance is boring! I don’t wanna know!”

Feng Lan’s eyes showed a rare amused approval, nodding, “It is boring.”

I agreed. A known future was like a static life—dull. Though most futures could be changed, surprises weren’t surprising, accidents weren’t accidental. Even turning bad to good brought no satisfaction.

“Hmph, such an idiot,” Wu Mingbai, usually curious about the future, snorted, unsure how to feel after their words. “Food’s done. Let’s go plan tactics.”

The competitors left, while non-competitors lingered to eat. Mu Tieren turned to me, “I heard lots of audience members saying they’ll vote for you, Su Bei. Zhaohua and Subing too. Your entertainment match spots are probably locked.”

Si Zhaohua was pleased. Though not overly excited for the entertainment match, the nomination was audience validation. His personality demanded he either not participate or be the best. Audience favor was a “best” metric.

I just smirked, “Guess I should thank them.”

Knowing my temperament, Zhao Xiaoyu stifled a laugh, consoling, “Look on the bright side. You slacked in the official Team Battles—slacking in the entertainment match will be easier, right?”

I didn’t buy it, setting down my chopsticks indignantly, “Slacking? That was strategic restraint. Can an Ability user’s business be called slacking?”

Zhao Xiaoyu gave a “whatever makes you happy” look, then turned to Si Zhaohua and Ai Baozhu, “Why’s Wu Jin competing? Don’t you two want to?”

She knew her classmates well. Si Zhaohua and Ai Baozhu loved the spotlight, while Wu Jin absolutely didn’t.

When chatting with Wu Jin, she’d learned he joined the Support Track only because Principal Wu Di demanded it. If he had a choice, he’d pick Attack Track to ensure he’d never be selected.

Si Zhaohua sighed helplessly, “We burned too much Mental Energy last match. Teacher Meng benched us. As for Wu Jin—”

He glanced at me, “Ask Su Bei.”

“You screwed him over?” Zhao Xiaoyu instantly got it, eyeing the nonchalant blonde boy. “That’s low!”

“Speaking of, what’d you mean when you answered Wu Jin?” Si Zhaohua asked about my response to Wu Jin’s question. “What’s the ‘right time’?”

The real answer in my head couldn’t be said. I gave another, “Why do you think Principal Wu Di insisted Wu Jin get a competitor spot?”

Zhao Xiaoyu knew, and so did he. Principal Wu Di had deliberately put Wu Jin on the Support Track to secure a spot.

If it was just to gild Wu Jin, it wasn’t necessary. His status as the principal’s son and rare [Succubus] ability could easily earn fame. Being a “Tri-School competitor who never fights” would do the least for him.

So, the principal’s goal was for Wu Jin to compete, not just be a mascot.

The reason was simple: to help Wu Jin overcome his fear of showing his face publicly. Like Meng Huai did with Lan Subing, only facing a crowd could conquer that fear.

Si Zhaohua, sharp as ever, got it instantly, “You wanted to fulfill the principal’s wish and help Wu Jin overcome his fear!”

“Not really,” I said honestly. “I just didn’t want to compete.”

Everyone: “…”

“Sometimes I think it’s a miracle you’re still alive,” Si Zhaohua said sincerely.

Ai Baozhu nodded, “So punchable. Good thing Wu Jin’s not here, or if he got mad, fought you, and got banned, Teacher Meng would kill you.”

If anyone else said this, fine, but coming from these two rich kids, I couldn’t take it. “You two are the last ones who get to call me out!”

Time flew, and soon it was the final Team Battle: Endless Ability Academy vs. Skydome Ability Academy.

Skydome fielded the same five, with the same tactic. Notably, through our teachers’ intel and Skydome’s last match, we’d mostly figured out the other four’s abilities.

One Defense, one Control-Cleanser, one Skill-Enhancer, and one Healer—a complete support team tailored for Huangfu Mingzhe.

Knowing their abilities, Si Zhaohua frowned, muttering, “Why don’t I get this treatment?”

He promptly earned a knuckle from Meng Huai.

Meng Huai sneered, “His teammates are useless. Are yours?”

Si Zhaohua then faced his teammates’ glaring eyes.

Nodding would’ve been suicidal—even Ai Baozhu would’ve flipped. Helplessly, he shook his head, staying silent.

Dismissing the brief drama, my gaze through the lounge’s glass settled on the arena.

The teams had formed up. At the referee’s signal, the match began.

Like last time, Skydome’s non-Huangfu members huddled in a corner, protected by their Defense Track’s full coverage.

Huangfu Mingzhe faced our five alone.

His target was clear, charging straight for Lan Subing. With Si Zhaohua absent, he deemed her [Word Spirit] the biggest threat.

He’d thought of it, and so had Jiang Tianming’s group. Lan Subing started in the team’s center, hard for Huangfu Mingzhe to reach.

Even if he did, it wouldn’t matter much. Lan Subing wasn’t a true support—[Word Spirit] could do more than assist or control; it dealt damage too.

Jiang Tianming and Mo Xiaotian faced Huangfu Mingzhe head-on, Wu Mingbai tinkered in the back, and Wu Jin mimicked my last match’s slacking. But while I slacked leisurely, he was tense, praying Huangfu Mingzhe wouldn’t target him.

Seeing him cower in the corner, trying not to stand out, I couldn’t help laughing, “Doesn’t Wu Jin know that makes him more noticeable?”

Before, he might’ve gone unnoticed. But after my standout slacking last match, no one would ignore a quiet lurker anymore.

As I expected, Huangfu Mingzhe noticed Wu Jin.

He’d initially targeted Lan Subing, but her synergy with Jiang Tianming, plus Mo Xiaotian’s annoying ability, made her untouchable for now.

He couldn’t keep fighting those three—mentally, he couldn’t outlast their combined assault. Sustaining his current mode drained his Mental Energy heavily.

With no choice, Huangfu Mingzhe switched targets, and Wu Jin became his second mark.

Skydome had researched this purple-haired boy but found nothing—not even his true ability. They only knew he mysteriously joined Class S and was Endless' principal’s son.

Initially, they thought him a nepotism case, in Class S and the team to gild him. But his competing now meant he wasn’t as simple as they’d thought.

Before the match, his teacher warned him to watch this guy, lest he be Endless' hidden trump card, catching them off guard.

Now, seeing Wu Jin, Huangfu Mingzhe felt he was indeed trouble. Why hide so carefully if not planning a last-minute game-changer like me?

Unable to take Lan Subing, he’d surprise them by taking out this purple-haired boy. Decided, he feigned intensifying his fight with Jiang Tianming’s group, adjusting his angle, then teleported behind Wu Jin.

But Wu Jin wasn’t helpless. He’d been wary of a sudden attack. He combed his bangs back with five fingers, fully activating [Succubus].

The broadcast zoomed in on Wu Jin’s stunning face, silencing the arena. Huangfu Mingzhe, about to strike, froze in place.

“Hiss!” Someone gasped loudly in the quiet venue. Everyone snapped out of it, and chatter erupted.

“My gosh, he’s too gorgeous!”

“Mom, I’m in love!”

“What kind of divine looks? Wow, such a handsome contestant!”

“One minute—I need all his info!”

“You should’ve said you’re this hot—I’d have fallen for you already!”

“Wait, isn’t Huangfu’s reaction off?”

“Is it love at first sight?”

“No, he’s controlled!”

As they said, Huangfu Mingzhe was under Wu Jin’s control. Without preparation and facing Wu Jin’s face so closely, even his high Mental Energy couldn’t resist.

Wu Jin didn’t ask much. Knowing Skydome’s protected supports included a Control-Cleanser, he didn’t aim to make Huangfu Mingzhe attack his own team—just get him off the arena.

But Skydome’s Control-Cleanser reacted fast, instantly cleansing Huangfu Mingzhe with a skill.

The pink hearts in his eyes faded, and he came to. Recalling his actions, he turned red with embarrassment, steam practically rising from his head.

“You’re dead!” Huangfu Mingzhe roared, charging at Wu Jin. But Jiang Tianming and the others caught up, entangling him, keeping him from Wu Jin. After revealing his face, Wu Jin stopped hiding, fully using his ability.

His ability had never been used publicly, so even Jiang Tianming’s group didn’t know its extent. Since they’d never coordinated with him, they just protected him and let him do his thing.

Then, Wu Mingbai, silent till now, made his move. It was big—he pressed his hand to the ground, and the arena shook, cracking rapidly.

No one expected him to damage the arena like that. Skydome’s Defense Track, caught off guard, saw his fortress flipped over.

His stone fortress was naturally countered by Wu Mingbai’s [Earth Element]—one reason Meng Huai chose him.

Wu Mingbai hadn’t acted earlier to avoid attention while probing the arena’s structure, letting his [Earth Element] seep through.

Once prepared, the Defense Track had no resistance. He didn’t even react before being exposed on the open arena.

Having planned this with Wu Mingbai, the others seized the chance. Wu Jin quickly controlled the Control-Cleanser, saying to Lan Subing, “Got the blue-haired one.”

“Blue-haired” was their Control-Cleanser.

[Succubus] had a perverse ability: once someone broke his control, they’d be marked, making them easier to control again.

This mark was passive—charming with his face but unable to command actions, only freezing them.

Hearing he’d controlled the key Control-Cleanser, Lan Subing was surprised but trusted her teammate, immediately using [Word Spirit] to control the harassing Huangfu Mingzhe.

She hadn’t maximized her ability earlier due to the Control-Cleanser countering her skills. With him controlled, she could unleash her ability fully.

The others targeted the remaining supports. Without Defense Track protection, they were fish on a chopping block, easily eliminated. Huangfu Mingzhe could block one at most, forced to watch the rest attack his teammates.

The match was decided. With all supports out, Huangfu Mingzhe stood alone, unable to hold out. Yet he didn’t surrender, raising his head proudly, “Think eliminating my supports means I’ve lost? Laughable! I’ll show you true strength!”

As he spoke, he soared, golden light erupting, growing brighter until he became a small sun, too dazzling to look at.

Si Zhaohua recognized the skill instantly, standing in shock, “He can still use that?”

He meant the skill Huangfu Mingzhe used against his ultimate. He’d thought it was unusable short-term, like his own, but it could be used again.

“Probably the support’s ability,” I pointed at the Skill-Enhancer support. “His ability is [Multiplier Amplification]. Doubling a skill’s use is reasonable, right?”

That support had emitted the same white light as Huangfu Mingzhe before elimination, so I guessed he’d enabled the skill’s reuse.

Si Zhaohua nodded, eyes worried. Having faced Huangfu Mingzhe, he knew the skill’s power: “It’s tough to handle. Even I used all of ‘Holy Judgment’ to counter it. Tianming can’t—”

His words caught in his throat, staring at the arena.