For three years, the classmates had loved to fantasize about all sorts of strange things, and Qi Yuan couldn't possibly be unaware of them.
Imagining him living in a grand villa, driving a luxury car, and coming from a prestigious family was merely mild speculation. The chuunibyou thoughts about him guarding world peace in the dark were beyond his comprehension.
He usually silently observed their screens, promptly breaking their fantasies to prevent further elaboration.
Qi Yuan had an ominous premonition. He clicked on the link, which led to a live stream that had already ended.
He opened the replay and dragged the progress to the time when his classmate sent a message.
In the video, golden-hued pupils gleamed brilliantly in close-up, a familiar yet strange face appearing on the large screen.
Qi Yuan: ...
His toes, clad in slippers, unconsciously curled, trying to conjure up a villa to fulfill his classmates' imagination.
The fact that he had been caught copying the class teacher's remarks was like a public execution...
Although the suddenly acquired power prevented him from being too embarrassed, the maxed-out chuunibyou level was still mortifying.
He slammed his phone face-down on the sofa, closing his eyes, trying to forget.
Able to focus on anything except homework, Qi Ao, hyperactive as ever, sidled up to Qi Yuan and sneakily reached for his phone.
With eyes closed, Qi Yuan precisely caught Qi Ao's hand, simultaneously messing up his hair in frustration.
"Go do your homework."
Having lost all face today, the little brother puffed out his chest rebelliously and shouted loudly.
"I won't!"
Qi Yuan remained unmoved: "I have your teacher's WeChat."
Qi Ao's neck stiffened, tears welling in his eyes: "I'll definitely do it!"
The little brother's self-destructive behavior amused Qi Yuan.
He reopened his phone, facing reality.
After being wildly exaggerated about for so many years, Qi Yuan had long developed a "whatever" attitude. Getting embarrassed repeatedly had become second nature.
This was probably the trouble with being a handsome guy.
His phone buzzed. Qi Yuan opened WeChat to see a message from Ren Ya.
Ren Ya was his good friend who had transferred to the Combat Department in the second semester of high school and was now preparing for the college entrance exam.
[Ren Ya: Bro, I saw the video. Are you joining the Combat Department?]
Qi Yuan's fingers flew across the screen as he typed a response.
[Qi Yuan: No plans.]
The message was sent, and soon the other side showed "typing..."
[Ren Ya: Okay, I know the Combat Department teachers aren't as good as you, and attending classes wouldn't help you much.]
I didn't say that. Don't talk nonsense.
Seeing the video, he could guess how his classmates would fantasize. However, with the facts laid out, Qi Yuan had no way to explain.
Just as he was about to reply sarcastically, Ren Ya sent two more messages.
[Ren Ya: So are you going straight to the college entrance exam?]
[Ren Ya: Want some reference materials? I can send them to you.]
Qi Yuan: ...
[Qi Yuan: No need. Helping my brother with homework. Can't chat now.]
He ended the conversation smoothly. If they continued talking, he might as well be directly recommended to university.
He sighed, stroking his little brother's head. Though not particularly smart, at least his brain worked normally.
Qi Ao, recently threatened, dared not show anger. He slapped away Qi Yuan's hand, making pig-like grunting sounds to express his protest.
Qi Yuan flicked the back of his head and went to the bathroom to wash up.
After showering and returning to his room, he lay on the bed.
In the enclosed space with only himself, Qi Yuan recalled that brief moment of immense power.
His heart was filled with longing...
Accidents and tomorrow - who knows which will come first?
Was that power, just like the monster's imagination, indicative of the ability to materialize mental connections?
He'd find an opportunity to test it...
Qi Yuan turned over and fell asleep.
The next morning,
Qi Yuan shouldered his bag and walked into the classroom.
Ignoring the classmates' searchlight-like gazes, he placed his bag on his seat and sat down.
Those who boldly spoke in the group chat didn't dare to approach him in person.
They only whispered among themselves, occasionally stealing glances from the corner of their eyes.
Qi Yuan's appearance and temperament were deceptive - a perfect physique and looks combined with a sharp demeanor.
Even when doing nothing, others automatically categorized him as unapproachable.
He was content with this, essentially being an antisocial homebody.
Moderate social interaction is beneficial, excessive socializing is harmful.
The chair beside him was pulled out, and a lanky figure with limbs like bamboo poles sat down.
This was his deskmate, Shi Jianwen.
Shi Jianwen didn't even bring his bag, simply dropping his book on the desk.
"Morning, Bro Yuan. Why didn't you reply to my crazy tagging yesterday?"
Qi Yuan was about to speak when he noticed the class teacher peeking from the back door and beckoning to him.
Shi Jianwen wisely shut up, watching Qi Yuan leave.
Qi Yuan followed the class teacher to an empty classroom.
Following the teacher's indication, he found a seat and sat down.
The class teacher spoke earnestly, "I know you're quite independent, and I've always been quite reassured about you. But—"
The moment "but" was uttered, the main point was about to emerge.
Unfortunately, Qi Yuan remained calm and collected, having already guessed what the teacher was going to say.
"Can you tell me about your future plans?"
He wanted to find a class...
But he couldn't say that.
Qi Yuan was well-prepared. He pretended to think for a moment, furrowing his brow with difficulty, then said seriously:
"Teacher, this is confidential and inconvenient to disclose."
The class teacher understood, nodding repeatedly and waving his hand.
"I see, I see. No need to say if it's inconvenient."
He was like a badger who had just heard a huge piece of gossip, continuously muttering "I see," "So deep," "No wonder."
The self-satisfied class teacher stood up and patted Qi Yuan's shoulder: "Let's go back to the classroom for class."
Having safely gotten through the day's classes,
Qi Yuan thought the matter was temporarily over until he encountered a ponytailed woman when leaving school.
"May I take up a moment of your time? I'm Captain Xue Shiyun from the Sixth Squadron of Qi Pan City's Ability Management Bureau. Here's my ID."
The ID in front of him confirmed the identity of the ponytailed woman.
Qi Yuan was driven by Xue Shiyun to a conference room at the Ability Management Bureau.
"Sorry, it wasn't convenient to communicate outside, so I had to bring you here."
Xue Shiyun accepted tea from the logistics staff, placing one cup in front of Qi Yuan.
After the logistics staff served the tea and thoughtfully closed the door.
"No problem. What do you want to ask?"
The young man before her was young yet possessed strength she could never achieve. Xue Shiyun had no reason to look down on him.
"Some details about yesterday. I need to write a report about the incident. Mind if I take notes?"
Xue Shiyun tucked her loose hair behind her ear, complaining about report writing in a casual tone, as if they were good friends: "To be honest, you haven't started working, so you probably don't understand the pain of writing reports."
Qi Yuan spread his hands: "Indeed, I don't understand, but comparing it to a written reflection, I can imagine."
"I don't think you'd be caught to write a reflection."
Placing paper and pen in front of her, Xue Shiyun made a joking comment before turning to the main topic: "First, regarding the monster's capabilities. You were too strong, making it difficult to assess its level."
She threw out the simplest and least sensitive question, carefully observing Qi Yuan's reaction.