Popularity is everything; I play a super genius

Page 138

"But I don't even know what it is..."

"You'll find out when the time comes," Qi Ji said, sticking to his old excuse.

Xi Wang's heart skipped a beat. She really wanted to ask him right now, but the competition was about to start, and she didn't want to put extra pressure on her brother at this time.

She had no choice but to suppress it, forcibly dispelling the bad feeling and forcing a smile:

"Then my brother will find out then, will I forgive him...?"

Although she knew that no matter what her brother did, she could not blame him.

So, what's the point of talking about forgiving or not forgiving?

Brother, you're such an idiot.

……

The candidates, packed together, waited a little longer at the college gate.

Finally, accompanied by a melodious chime, the academy gates slowly opened.

The Tide Contest is a major event held every few years, and in order to maintain order, almost all the faculty and staff of the academy were mobilized.

Even the Echo Association sent additional personnel as reinforcements.

A massive circuit array is engraved at the entrance of the academy, and only those with an access pass are allowed to pass.

Saki was pushed forward by the crowd, pushing his wheelchair. His coughing up blood continued to exert its effect, spitting out a mouthful every now and then. In the crowd, he was truly a unique figure.

Several contestants who didn't recognize him frowned and moved aside.

"Seriously, buddy? You're practically on your deathbed and you're still participating in this competition?"

"What bad luck! Could it be some kind of infectious disease?"

However, the words of disgust had barely left their lips when, in the next moment, the two of them started fighting over some inexplicable trivial matter.

Then, because they disrupted the order, before they even entered the venue, Tsukimi-sensei, who was yawning, picked them up and threw them out of the line, directly disqualifying them from the audition.

As an invigilator, Tsukimi does have this authority, since not every examinee can pay attention to the Sea of Consciousness.

Of course, if it were Qi Ji who were expelled, or one of the seeded players from Kalentia, the Sea of Consciousness would naturally step in to protect them.

Seeing this, Qi Ji stopped pushing the wheelchair and said to the person behind him with a helpless expression:

"Liuli, there's no need for that... I'm not that petty."

“But I’m petty.” Ruri took Qiji’s place and pushed the wheelchair forward slowly with the flow of people.

Without a doubt, it was Liuli who activated the Mind Echo just now, subtly provoking those two guys who were talking badly about Qiji.

As soon as she finished speaking, Liuli, fearing that Qiji would think her methods were too extreme, quickly added,

"Besides, I only wanted to punish them a little, I didn't intend to disqualify them..."

The truly petty person is Tsukimi-sensei!

He clearly saw that I used Echo, but he still threw those two guys out.

So, it's because Ms. Tsukimi heard others saying bad things about Saki-chan that she's just as upset as I am!

As soon as Liuli finished speaking, a loud yawn suddenly came from the side.

But Tsukimi appeared beside them at some unknown time:

"Hey, what does it have to do with me if they talk bad about this brat?"

I'm just a little annoyed by having to get up so early for work; if I have to blame someone, it's because they just happened to be in my line of fire.

As Tsukimi spoke, her gaze fell on Saki, who was sitting in a wheelchair and coughing up blood from time to time, and her brows furrowed involuntarily:

"Hey, are you really okay looking like this? I know you don't listen to advice, but..."

"fine."

Saki interrupted Tsukimi, tilting her head back, her tone light.

"Laoyue, just you wait and see how I take first place. By the way, wanna make a bet?"

As Saki spoke, his gaze began to scan Tsukimi's valuables from head to toe.

"Don't even try!"

Tsukimi had just had his beloved watch stolen by Sakijima not long ago, so he was naturally on guard now.

He quickly covered his newly bought watch and stuffed the pendant from his collar back into his clothes.

Unfortunately, the Tide Competition is strictly regulated, and all gambling is prohibited.

Otherwise, we might actually be able to collaborate with this brat and make another fortune.

While Tsukimi was chatting with Saki, the yellow deer was already spinning like a top due to a shortage of manpower.

Huang Lu was under immense pressure and hurriedly called for Yue Jian to go back.

Tsukimi shrugged and had no choice but to drag her heavy working steps back to her post.

……

Saki and Ruri passed the circuit detection and entered the academy.

next moment--

"Saki-san!!"

"Saki-san!"

"Humph!"

"Saki-san..."

Four voices came from different directions.

However, Huo Mu, Shana, Su Shi, and Bai Lili appeared one after another.

It's been almost half a month since I last saw Huomu, and he's changed quite a bit.

He was like a knife that had just been tempered and then ignited, its sharpness revealed in the sunlight.

But the moment he opened his mouth, it was still that familiar sound:

"Saki-kun, don't be surprised by me! I've become very strong now!"

Saki smiled at this.

"Huomu, no matter how well you perform, I won't be surprised, because I've always believed you can do it."

After all, this guy is the real protagonist, and his cheat codes are no less powerful than Saki's.

Hearing his most trusted friend, Saki, say this, Hōki was momentarily moved. He immediately straightened his back, his smile grew even brighter, and his pearly white teeth gleamed in the sunlight.

"Saki-san, thank you for the fragment! I... I will definitely return it to you!" The second person to speak was Setsuna.

The girl spoke with a somewhat hesitant air.

She had previously believed Qi Ji's nonsense, actually thinking that the fragments of the epic were like cabbages in the sea of consciousness...

After I found out more, I realized it was all over!

These three fragments are worth more than her life!

I have a feeling that she could work her whole life and still not be able to pay it back...

But I will pay it back!

As for Su Shi, Kazuki Saku had nothing to say.

Seeing Qi Ji sitting in a wheelchair and coughing up blood from time to time, the little face under the mask couldn't help but wrinkle up for a moment.

I have a feeling that even if they win, it won't be a fair victory, given how they're acting.

Also, my brother said that if I ever run into trouble in real life, I should just go to this guy, and he'll help me take care of it...

Is it really possible? With this body?

Hey! Don't cough up blood and die right next to me!

For the first time ever, Su Shidu was somewhat worried about this "arch-enemy".

Finally, there's Bai Lili.

After the girl greeted Saki, she quietly stayed to the side by herself.

This young lady, who used to always have a smile on her face and seem carefree, now looks like she has a lot on her mind...

It feels like they're transitioning towards a melancholic style, and going further and further down that path, never to return...

When Bai Lili noticed that Su Shi was also joining their Class 8 group, an unnatural look flashed across her face. So, she subtly moved to the side, distancing herself from Su Shi.

Su Shi noticed this and, not wanting to stay here and upset Bai Lili, threw a remark at Qi Ji:

"Don't think that just because you look like this, I'll go easy on you."

So, if you don't want to embarrass yourself, you should just withdraw from the competition.

Without giving Qi Ji a chance to retort, Su Shi turned and quickly left.

……

The group entered Echo Square.

The preliminary rounds of the competition will be held here.

At that time, the Dean, together with the faculty and staff, will initiate the ritual to connect the sea of consciousness with reality and guide the candidates into the trial grounds.

At this moment, the square was packed with people.

Qi Ji glanced around, his gaze sweeping over the "little ones" who were mostly first or second tier, with the occasional third tier. The corners of his mouth under the mask were starting to smirk.

came back!

They're all back!

This is the kind of fishpond game he knows!

Thinking of Chiho Kamishiro, whom he had faced before, and of the hordes of fourth and fifth-tier echoers chasing him in the sea of consciousness, Saki finally felt like he had returned to his comfort zone.

For a moment, I even felt a little teary-eyed.

Children, celebrate!

Your god of fried fish is back!

"Cough cough, pfft!"

Saki Saki laughed while coughing up blood.

This scene, witnessed by unsuspecting viewers in the live chat, instead evoked concern for him:

"Lao Ji, look at you, you still want to participate in the competition?"

"Exactly! Don't you have any idea what your own health condition is like?"

"Is participation in this competition absolutely mandatory?"

"A life of unyielding solitude!"

"Brothers, can Lao Ji win this time?"

"It's very difficult..."