A set up part 2. edited

Chapter ten

A setup part two.

Reflecting on the words of the arrogant and mysterious being, I pondered, "Is that the reason why I am unable to display my unruly behavior?" Confusion filled my mind as I struggled to comprehend why my thoughts were no longer as wicked as they once were. Why did I now yearn for reform and long for invisibility?

Upon hearing my question, the voice of the enigmatic and conceited entity boomed, "Hahaha! Why do you believe your demeanor cannot be unleashed? The truth is, there exists a void within you where your normal behavior resides. Yet, I always absorb those malevolent energies." Pausing briefly, the voice continued, "For instance, on your first day of school, when Li Min scolded you, you erupted in anger. You retaliated by yanking her hair and pushing her down." It went on, recounting an incident when I angrily hurled my compass at the homeroom teacher who scolded me.

As I stood there, rendered speechless, the voice resounded once more, "Do you realize the repercussions of your actions? The girl who desired to make you her slave, or the principal who suffered your wrath—do you remember what you did to them? I could go on and on. Nothing has changed, for you remain as much of a troublemaker as ever." The voice snorted derisively and added, "You exhibited your usual behavior, but it remained confined to the realm of invisibility." The spirit emitted a contemptuous hum, making it abundantly clear that it held me in disdain. Yet, it unabashedly appropriated my valuable energy, claiming to employ it for healing purposes. What audacity! The power that was meant to enhance my own coolness was now entirely in its possession.

"Now, are you suggesting that being a troublemaker has its advantages?" I retorted in a flat tone, discontented with its mockery.

"You could interpret it as such. Regardless, amongst the ancient spirits of wisdom, we are the dominant ones, and no one has ever fully harnessed our power," hissed the voice, before adding, "However, a person like you is an energy source, and this is not solely about your morality, but also your lineage." The voice insinuated that not just any miscreant could access these powers, but I was different due to a connection I possessed. Illuminated by a radiant light on the platform, the voice resurfaced, "This bloodline seemingly does not belong to the world you inhabit. Yet, I am uncertain as to how you became linked to it."

The voice sighed inwardly, reflecting on the passage of a millennium. "Once again, my lord is poised to unleash devastation upon the world," it mused. With a heavy sigh, it continued, "Heaven, prepare yourself, for my lord shall soon usurp your throne."

Though I sensed that the old voice concealed something, I had no means to verify my suspicion. It seemed as if it knew me from before, or perhaps it was attempting to deceive me into becoming its slave.

After a moment of silence, the voice snorted arrogantly and, maintaining its air of superiority, remarked, "For now, understand that you are the most intelligent living being. There is nothing beyond your comprehension if you strive to understand. I mean, absolutely nothing." The ancient spirit took a sip and fell into silence, leaving me lost in contemplation, uncertain whether to feel angry or elated.

I emerged from my trance, a smile lingering on my face as I munched on melon seeds. However, the sight of Li Min's perplexed expression made me feel uneasy. Without skipping a beat, I resumed my meal, feigning indifference.

Suddenly, her voice cut through the air, cold and sharp. "Why are you grinning like a fool without a purpose?" I couldn't help but feel taken aback by her response. Did she always take herself so seriously? Disappointment washed over me.

"Oh, it's nothing," I replied, maintaining my composure. I had no desire to engage with such an arrogant individual.

Lost in thought, Li Min gazed at me as if she were recalling a conversation with Principal Liu Huan. "My lady, your uncle spoke to me when you were about to join this school," he began, his voice distant. "He mentioned that you're intelligent, but warned against considering yourself the smartest. He spoke of hidden lions and crouching tigers." The principal's words held great significance.

Li Min found herself deep in contemplation as she pondered the gravity of the principal's statement. What did he mean by hidden lions and crouching tigers? The revelation bewildered and concerned her. Sensing her confusion, Principal Liu Huan let out a sigh.

Looking respectfully at Li Min, the principal began, "Your uncle has requested that I keep a close watch on you. He believes in your potential but feels you lack proper guidance. Consequently, he urged me to examine our students' data."

Observing Li Min's intense engagement in the conversation, he added, "You must understand that possessing talent alone is insufficient to capture the attention of the ruling families. While the superfamilies recognize the potential talents within the ruled class, such as the Qing and Zhen families, even they only grant slightly higher responsibilities. The ruling class possesses a unique fortune-telling ability that allows them to glimpse into the future and identify exceptional individuals. Hence, I borrowed a fate goggle from your uncle to initiate my investigation. During my analysis, I uncovered one individual who stood out remarkably, and their family name only deepened the intrigue."

Li Min's brow furrowed upon hearing this revelation. "What do you mean by 'unknown origin'?" The discovery piqued her curiosity and left her puzzled. Recognizing her dilemma, Principal Liu Huan swiftly continued his explanation.

"Regarding his origin, it is correct that his parents recently moved in, and I don't know where they came from, but they have been staying at Pagong since then. The child has grown recklessly and disorderly. This person is Guang Fang. So, when I called him to clear my doubt using the fate goggle, I discovered his mental aptitude, which completely bewildered me," Principal Liu Huan explained, attempting to remain calm and constructive, though his thoughts betrayed his expression.

"What about it?" Li Min asked impatiently.

"Well, there was no scale for his mental, affective, and psychomotor aptitude, and I thought that was incorrect. So, I tried others, and I found that it was faultless. Two possibilities could explain this occurrence. Either he was a complete moron or a legendary genius. These are the two types of individuals that defy measurement. Actually, it is relatively easy to measure a moron. After all, no matter how unintelligent a child is, they should rank at least within the bottom one percent. Therefore, I concluded that he was an anomaly in society. I then informed your uncle about this, and he said you should befriend him no matter what, as he could be your only key to returning to the ancient world."

Li Min was uncomfortable and irritated at the thought of such a person being her salvation.

As I ate, I noticed that the cold and indifferent Li Min was staring at me strangely, making me feel queasy. What is wrong with her? I was confused. In that moment, I hurried to finish my meal as quickly as possible to distance myself from her. She gives me the creeps. Just as I picked up the pace, I heard an unpleasant tone.

"Why are you in such a hurry?" She asked me abruptly, and I noticed a thin line of sweat forming on my forehead. Was I really getting anxious over a girl? Impossible! I believed in myself.

I had come to the cafeteria not just to eat, but also to lure a bunch of idiots here. My plan was to ensure that when he arrived, the only available table for him would be the one I was sitting at. Was he rushing to leave now?

While I couldn't read her mind, I quickly realized that she had set me up. It was as if she knew I had caught a glimpse of her thoughts, and she expressed her dissatisfaction with a cold snort.

"I heard you barely passed the average mark on our entrance exam. What's the reason behind that?" Li Min spoke as if I had forced her into a conversation. How strange and unimpressive.

"I heard you aced the exam with a perfect score. How did you manage that?" I had no interest in her incessant chatter.