IWYTBW - Chapter 29

Chapter 29

Not All Mary Sues Have Rainbow-Colored Hair.

Not far away, the instructors were also discussing the fight.

“A very… peculiar fighting style.” Wenren Tianhua furrowed her brow slightly. “An excellent case study of how sufficient skill can compensate for a disparity in power.”

“Your mecha, ‘Ephemeral Mantis,’ is known for its speed and explosive power,” Sophia Ar-Glynis twirled a strand of lavender hair around her finger. “From your perspective, how is he?”

Wenren Tianhua answered without hesitation, “Fast. Extremely fast.”

The tall man beside them rubbed his hair in a mixture of excitement and frustration, a long scar prominent on his face. “What a nuisance. I absolutely hate dealing with speed-type opponents.”

“Wolfe, rein in your competitive spirit.” Nathaniel pulled off his eye patch and said indifferently, “This person’s physique is barely above B-rank. He’s not even a proper pilot, just an ordinary person. For someone of your level to challenge him, you’d have to go through Great Dark Sky first… Or rather, the fact that he’s even at Star Alliance University is likely due to Great Dark Sky's influence.”

Hearing Rong Hongxue's name, Wolfe dropped his hand and scoffed dismissively. "I’m not stupid enough to throw myself at him. Let the Hundred-Armed Titan stick up for his student.”

“But he’s not even a pilot yet…” Sophia was a little surprised. “That doesn’t make sense. He’s in the all-profession division, right? How can he fight without a mecha?”

Nathaniel said, “He indeed doesn't have a mecha. His movements are fast, almost all extremely controlled and precise, yet simultaneously full of destructive intent. However, this pinpoint accuracy only works against a human body. If he were a pilot, he would need the level of control to carve on the tip of a needle to achieve the level of power he’s currently displaying.”

“He understands the human body very well,” Wenren Tianhua had a nagging feeling that Yi Zhen’s fighting style was remarkably similar to a certain type of person, but the thought eluded her. “His first strike landed on Eugene’s vital point, blocking his punch. His subsequent leg movements again blocked Eugene’s knee attack. The final blow was his true offense, but by then, the internal injuries had already spread throughout Eugene’s body… Thus, the battle was irrevocably lost, and he easily achieved victory.”

Sophia smiled charmingly. “If Eugene had used a mecha, he would have definitely won. Unfortunately, he was a bit overconfident.”

“Young people need to experience some setbacks. It saves them from strutting around with an 'I'm the best' attitude all day long. Makes it harder for me, as a teacher, since I have to knock them down a peg.” Wolfe said impatiently. “Let's go down and control the situation before it turns into a brawl.”

Gabriel Oculus Tempestis stared at his brother, hissing, "What do you mean?"

"I didn't mean anything else, just stating the facts," Oliver looked at his brother, his face almost devoid of emotion. "If you're not convinced, let the instructors judge."

"You're right!" The instructors, who had been observing for a while, finally parted the crowd and walked up to them. "Eugene did indeed initiate the duel request. Take him for treatment, Gabriel."

Then, Wenren Tianhua turned to Yi Zhen. "Of course, this gentleman was also somewhat...crass. Fortunately, it was a virtual battle. Otherwise, you would have been responsible for Eugene’s medical expenses."

“Now, please disperse. We’ve already disrupted the class for long enough.”

Eugene was the grandson of Sub-Prime Minister Toran Hall, while Yi Zhen had the tyrannical Great Dark Sky backing him. Neither side was easy to handle. Fortunately, Eugene was clearly at fault this time, allowing them to feign impartiality by seemingly reprimanding both sides equally.

Yi Zhen didn't speak. He knew when to quit while he was ahead.

Natalia, having recorded the entire fight, contentedly retrieved the video from Nishikawa Hiroki, planning to go back and enjoy it with her brother. This was something she could rewatch from time to time, truly beneficial for longevity and good health!

“Enough said!” She waved her hand magnanimously, happily watching Gabriel and a group of followers escort Eugene away. “Yi… Yi Zhen, come to class with us! You have a ticket, right?”

If you can’t beat them, join them, or pull them into your own group—this was one of the social rules her grandfather had taught her. Now was the time to pull this illusion and martial arts master into their fold. Past grievances could be wiped clean; an excellent politician needed to have this kind of awareness.

Yi Zhen paused, then pointed to Ai Ling. “If you want to thank me, just send me the class notes. No need to join your class. Ai Ling’s friend is still waiting for us.”

Natalia flipped her curly hair with a light hum. Although she was rejected, she miraculously didn't feel offended.

“Fine,” she said, “but if we meet in the championship, I won't be afraid of you, and I won't show you any mercy!”

Yi Zhen followed Ai Ling and experienced an afternoon of student life in the Star Alliance University virtual venue. He had to admit, it was quite nostalgic. Listening to the instructor's explanations, taking notes on his optical computer, occasionally having the student next to him supplement some extra knowledge, encountering questions where students eagerly competed to answer, each response well-structured and insightful…

As expected of an elite university, Yi Zhen learned happily, absorbing knowledge like a sponge. Throughout the afternoon, he diligently compiled a long table categorizing competing planets, their aerial, terrestrial, and aquatic species, and corresponding combat strategies. His diligence stunned the students around him.

But this was nothing to Yi Zhen. For the past sixty days, he had maintained a similar high-intensity training regimen, constantly striving to improve. Becoming stronger was not just his dream, but his responsibility.

In the evening, he exited the virtual classroom with Ai Ling and sat in the university auditorium, finally meeting the legendary Dawn Star Mecha of the Empire, Rainbow Alice.So, back in chapter I made an oopsie… I really thought it said RHX was Rainbow Alice’s Pilot, but going back with more experience I now understand it actually said ‘RHX was the champion 2 tournaments ago, the last tournament’s champion was Rainbow Alice’, who we are meeting now. My apologies, I’ll be correcting the chapters asap!

“Is this a Ma… Mary Sue?” Yi Zhen was dumbfounded.

The man standing on the podium was handsome and tall, with a frosty, blade-like aura in his gaze. He should have been a man whose every move was captivating… yet he had fantastical, multicolored short hair and equally fantastical multicolored eyes.

What the hell? Could there be a man in this world even flashier than me? Of course, Rong Hongxue, as the other male protagonist, wasn't included in this competition; his assets, fluctuating by billions in minutes, could throw Yi Zhen, a pauper, into a chasm of comparison. But what was up with this guy, a walking, talking neon sign?

“So handsome! Rainbow Alice, Lord Ai Minye…” Ai Ling’s eyes sparkled. “Truly worthy of being the wielder of one of the Empire's most beautiful mechas!”

Yi Zhen’s lips twitched slightly. Looking at this Lord Ai Minye, he couldn’t imagine how to connect him with an S-rank pilot like Rong Hongxue…

[Player, pay attention to your surroundings!]

Tai’a’s sudden warning made Yi Zhen’s expression turn serious. [There’s another guidance system in the venue. It’s highly possible they are watching you!]

Yi Zhen abruptly looked up, meeting a gaze that was cold, sharp, like the threat of an unsheathed blade.

—Ai Minye, the pilot of Rainbow Alice, his gaze piercing through the vast auditorium, through the crowd’s adoration, through the brilliant lights of the night, was locked firmly onto him.

Yi Zhen’s mind went blank for a moment.

Was Ai Minye the player who was watching him?

…No, he couldn't be sure yet. The auditorium was crowded; and as the protagonist of the world, even if he did nothing, attracting attention was natural. Even if a Rainbow Mary Sue was standing in the center of the stage calling out for love, it couldn’t steal even a fraction of his presence.

But why was he looking at him? Did he know him?

“Tai’a,” Yi Zhen frowned slightly, the 《 Jade Alchemy of the Eastern Sea 》 whirling rapidly within him. For a moment, his internal energy spread out like a vast net, reaching the furthest extent he could manage. “Rainbow Alice… Ai Minye, is he related to me? I can't find any plot related to him in the original story."

Using his mental power to probe here would be like alerting the enemy. He could only search through people currently near him.

[In the original story, the name Rainbow Alice only appeared once, in Chapter 48, at the end of the Imperial Hero Championship, as an award presenter. Even his real name, Ai Minye, wasn't mentioned.] Tai’a replied. [But in reality, he has no connection to you, but he does have some issues with Rong Hongxue.]

Yi Zhen listened to Tai’a while keeping an eye on his surroundings. “Oh?”

[According to Anji's synchronized chat logs with his colleagues from the day he met you, Rong Hongxue once fought Ai Minye. Their original words were: 'His wings were smashed to bits by Heiqiqi in no time, and he ran like a dog!' Heiqiqi is their nickname for Rong Hongxue.]

Tai’a added: [Incidentally, their nickname for you is Man-Eating Flower.]

Yi Zhen: “…You didn’t need to mention that, thanks. And why aren't you nervous at all?”

[As an intelligent AI, I believe I don’t possess the emotion of ‘nervousness.’] Tai’a replied. [Moreover, the conversation between the other party and their guidance system is still ongoing. This indicates that the player's guidance system is far inferior to me. I have no need to worry.]

“It’s better to be safe than sorry,” Yi Zhen murmured. “Even if the suspicion on that Ai Minye up there has lessened for now, I’m in the open, and he’s in the dark… Did you just discover him?”

[In fact, I sensed another guidance system after your duel with Eugene Hall ended.] Tai’a said. [But the signal wasn’t very clear at the time. Out of caution, I didn’t inform you immediately. It wasn’t until the auditorium opened and a large number of people entered that I sensed it again.]

“So, that greatly reduces Ai Minye’s suspicion…” Yi Zhen felt irritated again. “Then what's he staring at me for? Rong Hongxue beat him up, and instead of retaliating, he's hoping to tell his parents and have me get him justice?”

***

On the other side of the auditorium, an ordinary-looking young man sat in the crowd, one hand in his pocket, his posture relaxed, yet beads of sweat dotted his forehead.

“So strange…” he muttered. “That’s Yi Zhen, the protagonist from the book? System, are you sure you gave me the right original story?”

[Yes, Host.]

“This makes no sense at all!” He said, perplexed. “Timid, introverted, and cowardly, delicate and easily pushed down—which of these descriptions fits him? The way he fought, you’d think he was a master assassin!”

“…Wait,” his eyes brightened. “If this isn't the protagonist Yi Zhen, then it must be another transmigrator pretending to be him. Ah, now this is interesting.”

He laughed. “What’s going on? Before I came, a senior warned me that this world is extremely dangerous, and if I wasn't a high-level transmigrator, it would best to avoid it… Turns out it’s just the same old scheming and infighting as always. What’s so dangerous about that?”

Greed flashed in his eyes as he murmured, “Rong Hongxue is basically the character with peak combat power in the entire book. I definitely can't beat him now. His widowed ‘sister-in-law’ is an excellent target, but supposedly he never leaves home. Now that I've finally seen him, he turns out to be a fake. It seems this world is a little tricky…”

But, only a little.

In this kind of yellow-tinted novel world, the characters’ logic is extremely predictable. It's not difficult at all to infiltrate the ranks of NPCs. The only challenge is how to approach the world's protagonists, and then eliminate them.

As long as he can kill two… no, one is enough. As long as he can kill one of the two protagonists, the plotline will begin to collapse. Then, he’ll devour and merge with the protagonist’s body, and half of the world will fall into his hands.

“It seems that the transmigrator pretending to be the protagonist is also participating in the Imperial Hero Championship,” the young man made up his mind. “Since he dares to impersonate Yi Zhen, it proves he has some reliance, or has already inserted himself into the main storyline… I have to follow him. System, use an item to ensure that I’m in the same competition zone as him. I can’t miss this opportunity.”

[Understood, Host.]

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