Chapter 67: The Unconventional Power of Bai Li

The final assessment ultimately passed without incident.

Apart from Bai Li’s initial, overwhelming victory, most other simulated battles maintained an even footing or showcased appropriate restraint.

Their homeroom teacher, Sikong Xiangyu, made no mention of expelling anyone or even offering remedial classes.

****

The following day, classes officially commenced.

“Students, I trust you have all awakened your own innate abilities.

However, understand that innate abilities are not everything.”

As this university was renowned for its magical girls, it followed that magical girl-type ability users inherently did not rely on a singular power.

In contrast to those possessing fundamental abilities like beast transformation or creation—colloquially termed “non-directional ability users”—individuals with distinct ability types typically forged their combat styles primarily around an innate ability, augmented by versatile general abilities.

To draw an analogy, think of a core, most proficient power, surrounded by an array of minor skills branching from this central point.

Among these, magical girls’ reliance on general abilities was considered second only to mages and cultivators.

Taking Lin Xi as an example, her innate magical girl ability manifested as [Sensory Manipulation Magic].

Beyond this, her combat repertoire included fundamental skills such as [Mana Materialization] and [Elemental Magic].

Had she been a non-directional ability user, her innate ability might have simply been [Perception Manipulation].

While its core performance would have been more potent, her dependence on other general abilities and their overall usage efficiency would have diminished across various aspects, almost as if some unseen force were meticulously maintaining a delicate balance.

Naturally, the potency of awakened abilities varied drastically from the outset; in truth, there was hardly any balance to speak of.

One only needed to recall a certain individual who nearly razed an entire city with a single punch to grasp this reality.

“While some of you possess incredibly powerful innate abilities,” she continued, “it remains essential to master a few general ones.”

“After all, you wouldn’t wish to be mere humanoid weapons, deployed into dangerous zones, wielding immense power yet lacking the means to safely and maximally utilize it, would you?”

As she articulated this, the female teacher standing beside the podium projected an intricate diagram into the air.

“Since you’ve chosen this university, you should be well aware of its primary focus,” she stated.

“Magical girls, quite naturally, must delve into the study of magic.”

“Unless you intend to transfer immediately, even those who aren’t magical girls are required to learn it.”

Although Aixi University certainly offered other prominent programs beyond magical girl studies, these were merely supplementary and did not in any way diminish the fundamental importance of learning magic.

There was certainly no intention of forcing someone who wasn’t a magical girl, or even a woman, to utter some embarrassing lines; it was perfectly fine.

“By the way,” Teresa inquired, her gaze sweeping over Lin Xi and Bai Li, “since you’re already professional ability users, have you perhaps mastered many spells already?”

“Well… not really,” Lin Xi replied, a slight shrug in her posture.

“Just some foundational spells, mostly elemental magic and techniques like Mana Materialization.”

Rather than merely being general abilities, magic was more akin to a sophisticated technology.

To be precise, general abilities that derived adaptable principles from innate abilities had, in contrast to inexplicable special powers, evolved into a “technology” that could be thoroughly explained and consistently acquired through learning.

“I only possess Mana Materialization.”

“I see,” Teresa began, nodding knowingly.

“As expected of Bai Li… Wait, what did you just say?”

It took Teresa a significant moment to fully process the statement, her voice shifting dramatically with utter astonishment.

Even without knowledge of her identity as a Weichangzhe (TL Note: A member of the Weichangzhe Organization, often involved in maintaining order or managing anomalies), anyone who had witnessed yesterday’s battle would have recognized her formidable strength.

It seemed utterly improbable for her to be at the level of a newly awakened ability user, and it was generally assumed she had already begun meticulously constructing her unique ability set.

Yet, the stark reality was that Bai Li had completely disregarded such complexities, embodying the principle of ‘overcoming all techniques with a single, overwhelming force.’

“Hold on,” Teresa pressed, her brow furrowed.

“If that’s truly the case, how did you manage to catch lightning with your bare hands?”

Setting aside lightning’s inherent destructive power, how could one possibly grasp an intangible entity like it, especially when their sole ability was physical enhancement?

“I just covered my hands with mana,” Bai Li explained simply, “and then thought that I could do it.”

“…?”

Upon hearing this utterly perplexing reply, a figurative cascade of question marks seemed to appear above Teresa’s head.

While mana, as a form of anomalous energy, was undeniably energy, it should not possess the capacity to confine constantly propagating lightning to the precise dimensions of a spear.

Moreover, the two energies were not inherently similar or even diametrically opposed in nature.

“Hmph…” Teresa mused aloud, her voice a low murmur.

“Bai Li, you project the aura of an ice beauty, yet you turn out to be a残念系 (TL Note: ‘Zannensu,’ a Japanese term meaning ‘unfortunate’ or ‘regrettable,’ used here to describe someone who is beautiful or talented but has a surprising, often silly or flawed, personality trait) muscle-brain.”

“Hm?”

Bai Li merely cast a sidelong glance at Teresa, and that singular, understated look was enough to send an immediate chill down Teresa’s spine, causing her to break out in a cold sweat.

“Uh… nothing…” Teresa stammered, quickly averting her gaze.

“That’s precisely where you’re mistaken, Teresa,” Lin Xi interjected, a playful glint in her eyes.

“You should know that Xiao Bai (TL Note: A nickname for Bai Li) effortlessly scored full marks on every single exam, never once falling from the top of the榜首 (TL Note: ‘bangshou,’ meaning ‘top of the list’ or ‘number one’).”

“Countless individuals attempted to challenge her position, only to be utterly crushed.”

Lin Xi recounted Bai Li’s impressive feats, her excitement bubbling forth as if she were speaking of her own accomplishments.

“Let’s not talk about me for now,” Bai Li countered, a gentle smile gracing her lips.

“Xi Xi (TL Note: A nickname for Lin Xi), haven’t you always held the position of ‘second best, aiming for first’?”

“Rather than challenging me, those people were, in essence, challenging Xi Xi.”

“And recently, Xi Xi even managed to surpass me; that level of unwavering effort is truly the most formidable force.”

As the adage goes, ‘courtesy demands reciprocity.’

Bai Li seized the opportunity to lavish praise upon Lin Xi, even revealing all of Lin Xi’s diligent efforts undertaken in private.

In that instant, she subtly categorized herself as someone who relied solely on innate talent, while portraying Lin Xi as an individual who, through sheer hard work, had managed to surpass a genius.

Of course, in truth, Bai Li had secretly been holding back her full capabilities.

“You say that as if you, Xiao Bai, don’t exert any effort yourself,” Lin Xi teased, her cheeks puffing out in mock indignation.

Lin Xi, naturally, discerned the underlying meaning in Bai Li’s words and retorted, her cheeks puffing out in playful indignation.

Standing nearby, Teresa observed the vibrant, pink-hued bubble of space that, though not explicitly between lovers, exuded an intimacy surpassing that of a romantic couple.

She inwardly pondered whether she ought to distance herself to avoid being a third wheel (TL Note: ‘dengdengpao,’ literally ‘light bulb,’ slang for a person who is unwanted or interferes with a romantic couple).

Even the female professor’s magically amplified lecture, emanating from the podium, proved incapable of penetrating this ethereal space.

Fortunately, they maintained a degree of decorum; they wouldn’t outright monopolize the entire class with their affectionate banter, otherwise, they wouldn’t have bothered attending school in the first place.

“…All right,” the professor announced, drawing the class back.

“We’ll conclude our discussion on the relationship and distinctions between inscription-type enchantment, energy-type enchantment, and magic here for now.”

“Next, I’d like everyone to try activating them yourselves; after all, practical application is far more effective than mere theoretical discourse.”

Having concluded the day’s scheduled lesson, the female professor then allotted the remaining time for students to independently practice using magic.

While much of what had been taught was theoretical, relevant information was readily available in their textbooks, and sometimes magic truly operated on sheer willpower.

Consequently, several students had indeed managed to successfully activate spells, a group that naturally included Lin Xi, who had mastered them long ago.

As for Bai Li, she remained motionless, simply and repeatedly ‘kneading’ her limited mana within her hands in a physically tangible manner.

Yet, despite her persistent efforts, nothing happened.

“That’s truly astonishing, isn’t it!”

Just then, a voice—one that sounded undeniably grating and quite deserving of a punch—drifted into the classroom.