Chapter 68: A Minnow’s Challenge and a Strategic Alliance

Who?

Hearing a voice that sounded no different from someone deliberately seeking trouble, Bai Li’s emotionless eyes turned towards its source.

The newcomer was a black-haired girl, clad in a standard uniform that made her appear like a model student. Yet, the way she stood with her arms crossed over her chest, coupled with the expression on her face, gave her an incongruous, almost absurd demeanor.

“Is there something you need?”

“Didn’t I just say it was utterly astonishing? I hardly wish to repeat myself a third time.”

The black-haired girl spoke with evident dissatisfaction. Even setting aside her expressive face, Bai Li felt a flicker of familiarity with the person, though she couldn’t quite recall where they might have met.

Those she remembered were typically individuals of significant importance or assistance to Lin Xi. To retain even a slight impression, as she did now, was remarkably rare; ordinary people wouldn’t even register in her mind.

Naturally, beyond those with positive associations, Bai Li also committed to memory any adversaries who posed a threat to Lin Xi.

Judging by this person’s tone, it seemed more likely they belonged to the latter category.

“Wait, why are you suddenly radiating hostility!?”

Sensing a chilling aura, the black-haired girl quickly interjected to stop her, clarifying her identity.

“My name is Gu Song’en, and the current student council president is my older sister. Haven’t you met her before!?”

“I see.”

That certainly explained things. To Bai Li, the student council president, Gu Yunzhi, occupied a space precisely between a stranger and an important figure, which accounted for the faint impression she had left.

‘She can’t even remember the student council president…’

But it was only a faint impression, so much so that she hadn’t even recognized Gu Song’en, despite their similar appearances.

“Let’s set that aside for now. I witnessed what just happened; you can’t use magic, can you?”

Opting to temporarily disregard Bai Li’s selective face-blindness, Gu Song’en spoke.

“What if I can’t?”

“She actually admitted it herself! To think the one who captivated everyone’s attention with such formidable power can’t even manage something so trivial. What a minnow! A self-aware minnow, no less.”

“…”

Listening to Gu Song’en’s words, Teresa, who was familiar with anime from watching magical girl shows, immediately recognized the archetype.

‘This person, could she be the legendary “tsume shōni” (TL Note: A Japanese slang term, ‘tsume shōni,’ referring to a small, arrogant, and often annoying girl who acts superior but is easily flustered)? While the “small” part isn’t extremely diminutive—she’s only a few centimeters shorter than average, unlike Bai Li, Lin Xi, or especially Gu Ling—she still falls within typical deviations.’

Speaking of Gu Ling, she had been slumped motionless on the table for quite some time now, despite having just suppressed her presence so effectively that everyone had forgotten about her.

“And then what? You, who can wield magic, couldn’t even defeat someone who can’t.”

Critical hit.

A critical hit with remarkable efficacy.

Struck by these words, Gu Song’en was immediately disheartened, stumbling back a few steps.

“…Didn’t the professor say? Magic, as a universal ability, still holds significant importance…”

“And what does that have to do with you? Do you perhaps have some peculiar habit of viewing others as your personal game characters, seeking to dictate the course of their development?”

“Ergh…!”

Bai Li’s words were indeed logical, even more so than Gu Song’en’s. Coupled with the aura she naturally exuded, an ordinary person would find no way to refute her.

This was especially true for a “tsume shōni” (TL Note: A Japanese slang term, ‘tsume shōni,’ referring to a small, arrogant, and often annoying girl who acts superior but is easily flustered) known for pushing boundaries only to be utterly crushed—a thought that originated in Teresa’s mind.

“So, what exactly did you come here for?”

“I… I… I want to guide you, alright!?”

Cornered like this, a flustered Gu Song’en blurted out her true intentions… or half of them, at least.

‘In fact, you wanted to get closer to her and subtly inquire about how to become stronger, didn’t you?’

“…”

Gu Song’en’s gaze flickered away, her silence speaking volumes.

“So, Xiao Bai, do you have a plan?”

Just then, Lin Xi spoke, breaking the tense atmosphere.

“…Indeed.”

Having been seen through by Lin Xi, Bai Li no longer remained silent, her gaze falling upon Gu Song’en.

“This is a transaction: you will teach magic, and in return, you can gather the information you need.”

In truth, the magic instruction could entirely be entrusted to Lin Xi, for no one in this class, or even the entire grade, could surpass her in magical prowess.

It was crucial to understand that continuously using sensory enhancement to practice magic comprehensively, along with controlling and perceiving mana, was an inherently unimaginable, perilous, and monotonous task. Yet, Lin Xi had persevered, demonstrating that her magical abilities were far beyond what an ordinary student could rival.

However, Bai Li wished to avoid inconveniencing Lin Xi as much as possible, while also being curious about the student council president’s younger sister’s intentions.

“Really?”

“Truly. Before we begin, though, I have a question for you.”

“Hm? What is it?”

Overcome with excitement at the agreement, her tone even changing, Gu Song’en wore a puzzled expression.

“It’s quite simple: why do you so urgently desire to become stronger?”

There were many paths to gaining strength, some steady and methodical, others rushed and impatient. Gu Song’en, in her current state, gave Bai Li the distinct impression of someone desperate for rapid power, specifically to a degree that could intimidate others.

From this, it wasn’t difficult to surmise that she must have some particular reason.

“…I merely wish to help my older sister. The recent student council elections have been far from peaceful, and my sister’s faction is gradually being overshadowed by the opposition.”

“So you desire power strong enough to intimidate your adversaries, compelling them all to immediately withdraw from the election and disband?”

“That’s… not exactly what I meant…”

According to Gu Song’en’s explanation, members of the opposing faction seemed to be involved in some clandestine dealings, which had caused Gu Yunzhi’s faction—originally lauded for its reputation and support—to experience a sudden, rapid decline, even becoming the target of various rumors.

“So I thought, if one possessed power that feared no conspiracy, rendering all schemes utterly ineffective against oneself, wouldn’t that make all rumors crumble on their own?”

“…Are you an idiot?”

In response to Gu Song’en’s explanation, Bai Li merely replied thus.

“While it’s true that truth and justice gain efficacy when backed by power, that doesn’t imply every situation can be resolved through brute force. At least not yet, and certainly not by someone like you, who has only learned through observation and a short period of training.”

Bai Li was hardly a simple-minded individual who only knew how to solve problems with her fists; before awakening her abilities, she had been an academic prodigy, a veritable genius, hadn’t she?

“If the opposition merely stops at bribing a few students, then simply report the evidence. If even the arbiters are on their side, then rely on the power of the masses. With so many students, coupled with external public opinion, they would be forced to comply, or face being utterly overwhelmed.”

“Then… what if they truly remain unyielding, or if the evidence can’t be found?”

“It’s simple: at that point, reasoning becomes useless. You resort directly to physical means.”

“…”

‘But what about not abusing power!?’