CHAPTER 139

Chapter 139

In this regard, his situation was quite similar to Zhou Renjie’s—both had to make the team. After all, this selection directly tied to future plot points, perhaps multiple ones. He couldn’t afford not to be chosen.

But unlike Zhou Renjie, no matter the opponent, Su Bei had absolute confidence in securing a slot. His current state was worlds apart from last semester’s first monthly exam.

Back then, he’d schemed tirelessly without guaranteed wins. Now, Su Bei knew if he couldn’t make it with his ability, either the teachers were blind, or two protagonist-level dark horses had emerged.

Either case was beyond human control. If it happened, he’d stop struggling.

Hearing his response, Li Shu’s expression froze, unable to retort. Su Bei was indeed formidable.

Mental energy, physical skills, even his ability itself were impeccable. Objectively, Li Shu saw Su Bei’s only flaw as weak defense. But he always fled first during danger, using his ability to dodge that one weakness.

Li Shu wasn’t obsessed with being selected. School glory wasn’t his goal, and no family pressured him to excel—just being strong was enough.

But if an outsider took their track’s slot, someone from S Class would be kicked out. Though Li Shu had candidates in mind, he couldn’t guarantee it wouldn’t be him, so he had to try.

Exam day.

At 8 a.m., the exam began. By 7:30, everyone was in the classroom, waiting for the homeroom teacher’s final pep talk and the special track’s test details.

For the former, Meng Huai had little to say. He’d warned them before, trusting they knew the stakes.

So, he focused on the latter: “The special track’s test is set. You need to use your ability to make several people in the classroom leave as fast as possible.

Speed and number of people leaving are the judging criteria.” As expected, an absurd requirement. Su Bei’s expression was calm, clearly with a plan.

Not just him—Feng Lan and Li Shu looked relaxed, unworried, sparking envy.

“One last reminder: this is a monthly exam. Though it’s for the three-school competition selection, it counts toward your overall grade. Don’t slack off just because you’re not aiming for the team!” Meng Huai warned, glaring at Feng Lan and Zhao Xiaoyu, whom he knew wouldn’t join.

Zhao Xiaoyu’s face fell. She’d planned to coast through, unaware it would be graded. Though her ability ensured job prospects even with poor grades, as a native, she shared the ingrained drive to excel in school, like aiming for a top university even in a reincarnated life.

Seeing his warning heeded, Meng Huai waved them off: “Go to your test venues. I hope for good news from everyone.”

Being in the same track, Su Bei, Li Shu, and Feng Lan walked together. Su Bei glanced at his less curious companions, his own curiosity piqued: “Got your methods figured out?”

He had no intent to try theirs—his was unique: “I’m using illusions to trick them out.”

“Same,” Su Bei said, preempting doubt. “Using my ability to get them out.”

Li Shu: “…”

Feng Lan nodded approvingly: “Me too.”

Li Shu: “…”

He gave up talking. Why ask? He’d see soon, and their tag-team vagueness was annoying.

They reached the large classroom, where a few people stood, no chairs available.

The special track had many sign-ups—some saw it as less competitive than attack, defense, or control, where elites gathered, making support and special safer.

As the trio entered, eyes snapped to them. As S Class' 15 members, their faces were well-known.

Not just known—Su Bei had heard of fan clubs or something bizarre. He’d never looked into it, only catching a mention in a hallway.

Honestly, it felt like the sky was falling. Wasn’t this an ability manga? Why fan clubs like in a shoujo manga? He was mortified—was this Endless Ability Academy’s quirk?

Back to reality, their fame meant instant recognition. Whispers followed.

“My god, three? Why three here?”

“Why’d they pick our special track? I’m done!”

“It’s over. The winners are already decided.”

“…”

The teacher at the podium recognized them. Having taught Class A, he knew Li Shu, waving kindly: “Come register.”

“Teacher, long time no see,” Li Shu replied gently, signing in.

After registering, they leaned against a wall, waiting. A former Class A student approached: “Hey, Li Shu, how was your break?”

Unlike others, Li Shu’s gentle public persona made casual acquaintances think they were friends.

Li Shu’s brows furrowed, subtly dodging the guy’s hand, answering faintly: “It was fine, pretty eventful.”

Su Bei and Feng Lan exchanged a knowing look, staying silent. Eventful? High-Level Different Space trips, Feng Family drama—anyone in their class would say the same.

The guy chatted briefly before revealing his aim: “Got a plan for the test? The teacher’s time limit is too short. I just got the details and can’t figure out how to get people out using my ability. If I could force them out, would I be in this track?”

Karma—Li Shu probed Su Bei’s plan, now someone probed his.

Li Shu gave a fake smile, mimicking Su Bei: “I’m using my ability to pass.”

The guy choked, recalling Li Shu’s [Illusion] ability, and fell silent. It was perfect for this. Last semester, Li Shu could trap classmates in illusions; after a semester’s growth, who knew his level?

Students trickled in. Su Bei, bored, counted—over fifty. With 200+ first-years across five tracks, their track was popular.

At 8:25, the proctor checked the list, confirmed all were present, and clapped: “Let’s go over the rules. I’ll randomly pick five students to stay in the classroom. After I start the exam, you can use any method to make them leave, within ten minutes. But remember your teacher’s requirements and criteria—non-compliant methods will lose major points or fail you. The five can passively defend but must not attack, or they fail instantly.” He glanced at the list, deciding: “Let’s start with S Class candidates. First up may be less fair, but as S Class, you can handle it, right?”

Early testing meant less thinking time and no prior examples—less fair. But as the teacher said, S Class had the best resources, so tougher tests were expected.

“Su Bei.” He was the unluckiest of the three.

He didn’t hesitate, stepping forward.

The teacher used an app on the big screen to pick five students to stay, sending others to watch from the windows, warning: “If you get sent out, you lose points. Think of your grades—don’t go easy.”

Hearing about deductions, those hoping to cozy up to S Class lost interest. As regular students, they cared about grades.

Especially since the teacher had stressed the monthly exam’s weight in their overall score.

One girl smiled apologetically at Su Bei: “Sorry, but I’m not leaving.”

Su Bei didn’t reply, turning to the teacher: “When do we start?”

His confidence intrigued the teacher, already curious about Su Bei’s skills. Setting a ten-minute timer on the screen, he stepped outside, hit “start” on his phone, and announced: “Exam begin.”

The next second, the five bolted to the classroom corners, using abilities to arm themselves, fearing Su Bei would use force.

They weren’t wrong—strong Ability Users often had high physical prowess.

They weren’t mistaken, but Su Bei didn’t plan to use force. Though he could easily oust these non-Class A students, Lei Ze’en had hinted that this test, despite its criteria of speed and numbers, truly judged unpredictability.

Fighting? Attack or control tracks could do that. Even a high score wouldn’t guarantee a team spot, so Su Bei chose another way.

Unnoticed, as the five reached the corners, Su Bei’s face paled slightly.

The next second, Yellow-Haired Boy’s face twisted, clutching his stomach as it gurgled: “Damn! Is this your trick? I can’t hold it—deduct points, I’m off to the bathroom!”

Ignoring protests, he bolted out the door.

Simultaneously, a girl’s phone rang. Non-academic exams allowed phones, so she checked the caller ID.

Seeing her parents, she answered instantly—she’d told them about the exam, so they wouldn’t call unless urgent.

It was urgent. After the first sentence, her face changed: “My mom’s in a car accident—I need to go to the hospital!”

She ran out, then stopped, turning sheepishly: “Uh… can I come back?”

“No, leaving counts as elimination. But aren’t you going to see your mother?” the teacher refused, then asked curiously.

The girl looked helpless: “My mom rode a shared bike to the hospital for a checkup and hit someone, scraping their skin. My dad, thinking I hadn’t started based on last semester’s exam, called to tell me to pick up the results after…”

What a coincidence—she was just unlucky.

The teacher turned to another blue-haired boy who’d left: “Why’d you leave?”

“Cockroach… Teacher, there’s a cockroach!” The boy shivered outside. Seeing it had frozen him, but instinct suppressed a scream, and he fled.

“What?! Cockroach?” As he spoke, another girl screamed, running out. She feared cockroaches too—ignorance was fine, but now she felt creepy, ignoring points.

With one left, the teacher was about to speak when the last screamed, sprinting from the window at hundred-meter speed, shouting: “Teacher, my phone fell!”

Everyone: “…”

In the silence, Su Bei shrugged: “Teacher, I passed, right?”

The teacher snapped back, pausing the timer: “Yes, total time… ten seconds.”

Ten seconds to eliminate five—two seconds each. The classroom fell silent, stunned. Those “coincidences” weren’t—they were Su Bei’s ability.

How absurd—ten seconds, and everyone left for various reasons.

After a while, someone muttered: “As expected of Su Bei.”

An F Class student, once Su Bei’s classmate, had seen him rise from F Class to S Class, shining in finals. This feat wasn’t surprising.

His words broke the silence. Su Bei, now outside, asked: “Can I leave after finishing?”

“Not until at least five rounds,” the teacher said, ensuring later candidates had helpers.

Su Bei nodded, joining Feng Lan and Li Shu, surprised to see all S Class members there. Confused, he asked: “Aren’t you testing?”

Qi Huang mimicked his shrug: “Other tracks test S Class last.”

Fair—unlike the special track, other tracks knew their tests, so early testing wasn’t harder. Ending with the strongest was traditional.

“You’re definitely in,” Zhou Renjie said sourly. Ten seconds for five was unbeatable.

“Super awesome! Getting them to leave instantly!” Mo Xiaotian jumped, gesturing wildly. “If it were me, I’d cut the air supply, but it’d take a while.”

The topic opened, and they discussed how they’d clear the classroom in this track.

No time for much talk—the next candidate was up. Li Shu.

Five were randomly picked. Li Shu clapped, smiling, about to speak when a girl covered her ears and mouth, warning: “Li Shu’s ability is [Illusion]. Be careful not to fall into his illusions.”

Others, less familiar, followed, covering ears and closing eyes, thinking it’d block his ability.

Li Shu, unfazed, chuckled: “Who said illusions only work through sight and sound?”

He seemed to do nothing, but outsiders saw the five start moving.

They frowned, eyes closed, dodging, grabbing at air, then releasing, growing panicked.

The first opened his eyes, face terrified: “Is this [Illusion]? I’m not scared! You won’t trick me out!”

Despite his words, he dodged, nearing the door unaware, easily fooled out.

Outside, his illusion faded. He froze, looking around, realizing he’d left, and slumped, recovering.

A classmate asked: “What happened? Why’d you open your eyes and leave? Didn’t you know it was an illusion?”

“Too real,” the boy shook his head helplessly. “I closed my eyes, blocked my ears, then felt something touching me—gross. I grabbed it—a slimy tentacle. They crawled, binding my body and face. I couldn’t breathe, dodged, and opened my eyes. The door looked elsewhere, so I leaned toward the wall, but…”

Everyone understood. Li Shu’s ability altered not just sight and sound but touch.

Undoubtedly, after last semester’s training, Li Shu had grown. He crafted five distinct, realistic illusions simultaneously, with shared and unique details.

Soon, the others were ousted. Knowing it was an illusion didn’t help—altered touch drove instinctual dodging, disorienting them, leading to Li Shu’s traps.

“Test passed, total time 2 minutes 12 seconds,” the teacher announced.

The first girl, shocked: “How? I checked—I lasted six minutes before giving up.”

Li Shu, ever gentle, replied softly: “Check the time again.”

She glanced at the wall clock, realizing only two minutes had passed. “You altered time with [Illusion]?”

Li Shu didn’t answer, leaving the classroom.

Mo Xiaotian praised: “Wow, Li Shu, you’re amazing! Five people in different illusions at once?”

With a two-minute score, Li Shu was genuinely pleased, replying: “I’ve reached the second stage, per the teacher.”

Not Meng Huai, but the illusion master from last semester’s [Campaign Reenactment].

“What’s the second stage?” Mo Xiaotian asked.

Li Shu recited the master: “Illusion’s first stage: enemies don’t know it’s an illusion. Second: they know but can’t escape. Third: they can escape but choose not to.”