Chapter 302 - A Guide for Background Characters to Survive in a Manga

Chapter 302 Back at the academy, Su Bei was immediately summoned to Meng Huai's office. Wasting no time, Meng Huai got straight to the point, "Su Bei, do you have any leads on 'Black Lightning' participating in this world tournament?" Su Bei raised an eyebrow in surprise, pointing to himself. "Me? How could I have any leads? Just wishing Jiang Tianming and the others good luck." "That's not what I meant." Meng Huai shook his head, thoughtfully pondering for a moment before asking, "Do you know what Ye Lin told us?" Ye Lin? Su Bei pondered over what secret he might share with Ye Lin. Soon, a thought struck him. The only secret Ye Lin knew about him was his membership in the 'Fate' organization. Previously, he had been wondering if Ye Lin might reveal this to Meng Huai and Lei Ze'en. After all, she didn’t seem like someone fiercely loyal to 'Black Lightning,' who wouldn’t leak any information. Moreover, this wasn’t even intelligence related to 'Black Lightning.' However, even if he guessed right, Su Bei wasn't about to volunteer this information; if he was wrong, admitting it would be like self-sabotage. So he played innocent, "What's this about?" Seeing that Su Bei intended to play ignorant, Meng Huai bluntly exposed his identity, "A member of the 'Fate' organization? I’ve finally met a living one." It indeed was this matter. Su Bei felt relieved inside and couldn't help but find Meng Huai's words amusing. After all, he wasn't the only one; Principal Wu Di was also a 'Fate' member. If Meng Huai knew this, he might question his whole worldview. Since his identity was already revealed, there was no need to hide further. Su Bei feigned an expression of sudden realization, "Oh, so that’s it. But what does this have to do with 'Black Lightning'?" Meng Huai didn’t suspect that the information about 'Black Lightning' involvement came from Su Bei. Although Su Bei was caught up in the incident, he was a victim rather than a conspirator. Moreover, 'Black Lightning' hadn’t appeared in the illusion realm. From Meng Huai’s perspective, Su Bei couldn’t have obtained this intelligence. The main reason for summoning Su Bei was that Meng Huai hoped to glean more intel about 'Black Lightning' through the 'Fate' organization. As a member, Su Bei certainly had a way to directly purchase information. "Aren’t others in our academy also part of 'Fate'? Why not find them?" Su Bei reckoned that he and Wu Di weren’t the only members at the academy. As the top superpower academy in the country, the Infinite Superpower Academy likely had a wealth of people absorbed by Manga Awareness. After all, they recruit by returning from the future, fully aware of what positions people will hold. Except for characters critical to the plot, every other person is somewhat manipulable. Indeed, but Meng Huai had no idea who else in the academy might be a 'Fate' member. Some certainly knew, but that person wasn’t him. The only one he was aware of was Su Bei. "I only know you. Don’t you want to save them?" Meng Huai didn’t leave room for refusal. If Su Bei still refused under such circumstances, it would genuinely affect his standing in the class. In the beginning, Su Bei didn’t mind this because he didn’t require popularity. But now, needing popularity, he had to carefully manage his relationship with the protagonist group. Being an avid manga reader, he understood perfectly that both cold-hearted characters and those touched by the protagonist's warmth each had their set of fans. However, these personas are incompatible; choosing one forfeits the other’s audience. Su Bei didn’t wish to lose any audience, so he chose to oscillate between closeness and distance. A quote reminiscent of a player comes to mind: don’t initiate, don’t reject. When others ask for help, he lends a hand, but he avoids offering unsolicited assistance. This caters to both audience groups, and even if they clash, he, as the main subject, benefits—arguments only increase visibility. "Alright, I’ll ask around." Su Bei shrugged, picking up a notebook from his storage ring. All 'Fate' members have standardized notebooks for communication. Even as a leader, his book looked no different externally from others. Internally, however, it was another story. Su Bei had access to a backend interface where he could view anonymous identities. But anyone else would merely see a blank notebook. When Meng Huai saw that Su Bei wasn’t secretive, he moved closer for a look. Only to find a blank page, while Su Bei seemed to point and interact with something invisible. Frustrated, he used a magnifying glass-like tool to inspect, only to remain disappointed with the persistent emptiness. In the end, he resigned himself to sitting back and waiting for Su Bei to finish. In reality, there was nothing Su Bei needed to handle—he was the orchestrator of everything. After a flurry of pretend typing, he turned and asked, "I’ve made contact, what do you want to know?" Made contact? Meng Huai’s eyes lit with surprise. He had only intended for Su Bei to look up some relevant information, but Su Bei managed to connect directly with the informant? This led Meng Huai to conclude that Su Bei’s status in 'Fate' might be higher than he previously thought. After all, someone with a superpower like [Gears of Fate], joining at a young age, couldn’t possibly hold a low position. Thinking this, Meng Huai found the situation both exasperating and amusing. What kind of feng shui treasure is this Class S of the first year? Both 'Black Lightning’s' Saint and a 'Fate' bigwig—how come he didn’t know the Infinite Superpower Academy was so attractive to draw them all in? "I want to know where 'Black Lightning' took the people." Given the chance to ask, Meng Huai aimed for the heart of the matter. Good question, Su Bei wanted to know that too. As he feigned typing the inquiry, he primed Meng Huai with some realistic expectations, "I suggest you ask something with a chance of being answered." If this were readily answered, the Class S schoolmates would have discovered it long before, leaving no crumbs for him. Meng Huai seemed aware too; the first question was more of an appetizer. Receiving Su Bei’s dismissal, he promptly asked the next, "The last I heard, 'Black Lightning' was conducting research. Did they succeed in their findings?" In reality, the Infinite Superpower Academy also had deep insight into 'Black Lightning.' After all, they weren’t merely sitting ducks. They understood very well that 'Black Lightning's’ ultimate aim was to eradicate the Nightmare Beasts entirely. Their last retreat was aimed towards this ultimate goal, which the academy managed to uncover. The outcome was that if 'Black Lightning' wasn't causing trouble, the authorities would have made the first move; ensuring they don’t simply relax and research comfortably. Meng Huai's inquiry about something seemingly unrelated to Jiang Tianming and the others' disappearance was rooted in logic: if their goal hadn’t been achieved, they wouldn’t likely pose a severe threat to Jiang Tianming’s life. Should the method to eradicaξte the Nightmare Beasts remain elusive, killing these potential future leaders would imply succumbing to the Nightmare Beasts someday. On the contrary, if they did figure out how to eradicate the beasts, seizing these students might either be to test their methods or for some other sinister plot. This scenario would endanger Jiang Tianming and the others because 'Black Lightning’s' true intentions would be unclear. Su Bei actually knew the answer to this question. After pretending to consult further, he replied, "The research failed." Though this was a poor outcome for humanity, it was a good omen for Jiang Tianming and the others. Meng Huai relaxed visibly, "I'll go relay this to the others. Meanwhile, continue seeking further information. Inform me promptly of any new discoveries." Upon returning to his dorm, Su Bei glimpsed a message from Teacher Li on his phone. Mu Yunfan and the others had awoken, all thanks to a healer who brought along a regular doctor acclaimed for processing similar cases. The professional had been conversing with friends when this case arose and immediately associated the symptoms with food poisoning. Sure enough, after an examination, he discovered that their unconsciousness stemmed from ingesting saccharin and eggs together, which caused the poisoning. Due to these items being non-toxic, their powers couldn't detect the issue. Food poisoning from consuming eggs and saccharin simultaneously isn’t usually too severe. The added complexity of superpowers caused Mu Yunfan and his peers to remain comatose for several days. Of course, Sky Dante Superpower Academy wouldn’t dare attempt actual harm. If exposed, the entire institution would face expulsion. If the competitors merely fell unconscious and missed the tournament, the blame could easily be pinned on the leading teacher. Even if others discovered the truth and looked down on them, what did it matter? The reputation of Sky Dante Superpower Academy was already tarnished, and a bit more wouldn’t make a difference. Securing first place in the world tournament, however, brought tangible benefits, deciding resource allocation for the next year. Compared to that, a little reputation was insignificant. What they didn’t anticipate was that while they indeed caused the Infinite Superpower Academy's competitors to fall unconscious, it was their own main competitors who directly met their demise—eliminated by the backups forced to compete from the Infinite Superpower Academy. If their main team had competed, Sky Dante Superpower Academy wouldn't have pursued Mu Yunfan and the others, avoiding a counterattack. Ultimately, while they would have been eliminated last, their skills would ensure survival to that point. Their fate was uncertain. What goes around comes around; they brought ruin upon themselves. In the following days, tranquility prevailed—at least for Su Bei. To others, it felt like shock after shock descended upon them. First, news of the unforeseen events in the world tournament spread, highlighting that nearly all competitors were defeated. This revelation alone was like a thunderbolt out of the blue. These individuals were the finest superpower users from each academy and were the main force against Nightmare Beasts for the foreseeable future. Their collective downfall cast a shadow over everyone’s sense of security. Next came pressure from the Infinite Superpower Academy on Sky Dante Superpower Academy, as they unveiled evidence of the latter's actions against them and other teams in previous years, demanding the World Superpower Union government to penalize Sky Dante. During this period, the Infinite Superpower Academy quietly gathered evidence. When they acted, it was decisive and aggressive, allowing no room for retaliation. Had Sky Dante only targeted Infinite Superpower Academy this time, the dispute might have remained between two academies, and a two to three-year ban would have sufficed. However, with so many academies involved and irrefutable evidence, the affected academies were incensed. Having undeniable proof at hand, doing nothing would indeed seem cowardly. Suddenly, the community was overwhelmed with anger. Numerous superpower academies demanded the expulsion of Sky Dante Superpower Academy and the revocation of their title, barring them from recruiting new superpower users. For any regular superpower academy, removal wouldn’t be catastrophic. But Sky Dante was different—frequently a frontrunner in the world tournament, mirroring the influence of Infinite Superpower Academy. Thus, much like Infinite Superpower Academy, they boasted numerous influential figures within various roles in the superpower world, including the World Superpower Union itself. Moreover, their home country did not favor their expulsion, since every additional academy meant more resources allocated yearly. Establishing a new superpower academy is cumbersome; it requires evaluating the domestic “output” of superpowers and national conditions. Even if both align, practical hurdles persist. Given the current scenario, if Sky Dante were dismantled, forming a new academy within years is implausible. For national interest, they naturally strove to prevent it. Undeniably, Infinite Superpower Academy had the upper hand. Standing firm against any threats or bribes, they refused lavish compensation offers, ensuring Sky Dante disappeared from the superpower world altogether. "Our teacher even dangled those compensations, asking if we should let them off," Zhang Sheng boasted at the student council office. "But I refused flatly. I'd rather gain nothing than let these miscreants continue harming the superpower world!" His righteous and stern demeanor attracted newly joined student council members, who encircled him with admiration gleaming in their eyes. Wei Yuexi chimed in with a sneer, "I recall someone seemed quite tempted back then, weren't they? If it weren't for the rest of us rejecting unanimously, someone might have agreed." "Who’re you referring to?" Zhang Sheng questioned brazenly, "He Shang?" Unfairly accused, He Shang clasped his hands, "Amitabha, a monk doesn't speak falsehoods." Accusing a monk was truly absurd, and as the skeptical eyes of newer members fell upon him, Zhang Sheng revised his claim without blinking, "Then it must've been Yunfan, swayed by the allure of interests." "Ugh! Wasn't I your favorite president? How could you slander me?" Mu Yunfan retorted instantly, his pink eyes exaggeratedly incredulous. "Manman, look at him! As the new student council president, shouldn’t you address such blatant defamation in your presence?" Sitting calmly reviewing documents, Feng Manman pushed her glasses up, not even lifting her head, "With all due respect, you’ve all graduated. It's beyond my jurisdiction." Their continuance at the academy stemmed purely from the unresolved situation with Jiang Tianming and others. As prime targets of the Nightmare Beast, staying at school was safest. "President, we're still under your jurisdiction, couldn’t you approve this application for us?" Su Bei, ever the model student, inquired politely. Beside him was Qi Huang, equally hopeful. The two had arrived earlier, gauged the student council's overall disposition, and only then decided to submit their request. Feng Manman glanced at the form they handed over—a request to leave the academy. Typically, during summer break they could leave, but given recent events, things were different. "Why not ask your class teacher? Isn’t it Teacher Meng?" She appeared reluctant to approve, as she herself couldn’t leave, lacking the authority to allow others to do so. Su Bei responded logically, "Teacher Meng has been busy lately. We haven’t seen him for two days. President, have a heart; we're truly weary of being stuck here." It was no surprise Meng Huai and others were so occupied. Several days had passed since Jiang Tianming and others vanished, without a trace or even the slightest clue. Naturally, they searched diligently. Still, sometimes no news was indeed the best news, as who knew if returned news would be uplifting or grim? Regrettably, Feng Manman remained unmoved. Under Mu Yunfan's leadership practice, she had developed an unyielding heart: "No way, go back if you have nothing else. If you're bored, you can apply for training in the gravity room—now that I can approve." Although Su Bei had no habit of seeking trouble, he was enthusiastic about honing his physical skills. He always felt martial skills were the most reliable, especially since it was his innate talent. To think he had such talent, why hadn’t he awakened a martial superpower back then? Even a weaker one would undoubtedly surpass a power like [Manifesting Gears]. Sighing, Su Bei nodded, "Then, could you please approve my application for that?" Since they couldn’t leave, might as well train. Now that he was in his second year, he could access the gravity room, and he intended to make the most of it. Qi Huang remained while Su Bei left, having another matter in mind, "Manman senior, could I consult you about the secretary-general application?" "Certainly!" Feng Manman finally raised her head, a hint of a smile beneath her black-framed glasses, "Although I won't show favoritism, I'd be delighted if a junior became my secretary-general." Meanwhile, Su Bei, with spare time, continued perusing intelligence from the 'Fate' organization. Stuck on campus during summer break, it was one of his few diversions. He casually searched for intel on 'Black Lightning'; no new updates, but a bounty mission had appeared, seeking to rescue the students. The reward was lavish, indicating Sesiskipa had indeed invested heavily. Evidently, that poster had amassed a substantial number of points recently, implying significant intelligence uploads by Sesiskipa. Su Bei looked upon this with interest, prompted by curiosity, and delved into the backend to see what the user had uploaded. Mostly information about superpower artifacts, secrets of powerful abilities, and some scattered bits. Amongst these, two were particularly useful for him now. One addressed the secret of multi-superpower users: their powers often aren’t compatible. Having too many can eventually lead to problems, and historically, those with more than three abilities have exploded fatally due to this. As for the solution, it’s both simple and complex. Based on research from the Cespia Superpower Government, if a superpower user can master a space-type ability, they can easily solve the problem of having too many superpowers. Space-type abilities can internally expand the user’s body capacity, allowing them to accommodate more powers seamlessly. The second piece of information useful to Su Bei concerned the Guardian of the Afro-Asian Nation, Jonas Gauthier. According to the intel, it’s almost certain that Jonas Gauthier is a variant of the Nightmare Beasts. Some of its characteristics bear strong resemblance to those of Nightmare Beasts. However, since it distinctly lacks hostility towards humans and even strives to protect people within the Afro-Asian Nation, it’s undoubtedly not a typical Nightmare Beast but another creature akin to them. The Cespia government speculates that Jonas Gauthier might also be a product of resentment, although not from human death but likely from some other source, which explains its lack of antagonism towards humans. Of course, their hypothesis could be wrong, and it might indeed be a result of human resentment, though the reason for its non-aggression isn’t understood. Regardless of the possibilities, one thing is certain: Jonas Gauthier is indeed a Nightmare Beast variant. Su Bei could foresee that their next mission was likely to be in the Afro-Asian Nation, and he already had business with Jonas Gauthier, so this piece of intel piqued his interest. If Jonas Gauthier is indeed a variant of Nightmare Beasts, it’s undoubtedly good news for Su Bei. He had intended to learn about the evolution of Nightmare Beasts through Jonas Gauthier, and now it seems more likely that Jonas might possess relevant information. Speaking of Nightmare Beast evolution, it dawned on him that he hadn’t yet searched the 'Fate' organization’s intelligence database for related information—clearly the most convenient avenue for him. After several keyword searches, Su Bei finally stumbled upon a useful inquiry when he looked up "Earth Element Nightmare Beast." The person posting the question had made a similar observation: Recently, there seems to be an increase in Earth Element Nightmare Beasts among the elemental category. Does anyone know what's happening? Due to being driven merely by curiosity, this inquiry wasn't heavily rewarded in points, resulting in sparse responses. Su Bei found only one reply. "I don't know the answer, but I can offer you a lead. The birth of Nightmare Beasts, particularly elemental ones, seems to be related to the Nightmare World. That’s something I heard a Nightmare Beast mention once."