"But I don't even know what it's about..."
"You'll find out when the time comes," Qiji, sticking to the same old excuse.
Xiwang'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 had done, she could not blame him.
So, what's the point of talking about forgiveness or not?
Brother, you're such an idiot.
The candidates, packed tightly together, waited a little longer at the college gate.
Finally, with a melodious chime, the academy gates slowly opened.
The Tide Grand Competition 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.
Qiji 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 instant, the two of them started fighting over some inexplicable trivial matter.
Then, because they disrupted the order, before they even entered the venue, Teacher Tsukimi was yawning, picked them up and threw them out of the line, directly disqualifying them from the audition.
As an invigilator, Yuejian does have this level of authority; after all, not every examinee can have access to the Sea of Consciousness.
Of course, if it were Qiji or one of the seeded players from Kalentia who were expelled, the Sea of Consciousness would naturally intervene to protect them.
Seeing this, Qiji stopped pushing the wheelchair and said to those behind him with a hint of helplessness:
"Liuli- kun, there's no need for that... I'm not that petty."
"But I'm petty." Liuli took Qiji's place, pushing 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 Teacher Tsukimi!
He clearly saw that I used Echo, but he still threw those two guys out.
So, it's because Teacher Tsukimi heard others saying bad things about Qiji- chan that she felt just as upset as I did!
As soon as Liuli finished speaking, a loud yawn suddenly came from the side.
But Yuejian appeared beside them at some unknown time:
"Hey, what do I care 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.
Yuejian spoke, her gaze fell on Qiji, 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."
Qiji interrupted Yuejian, tilting her head back, her tone light.
"Lao Yue, just you wait and see how I take first place. By the way, wanna make a bet?"
As Qiji spoke, his gaze began to scan Yuejian's valuables from head to toe.
"Don't give me that!"
Qiji Yuejian long ago, so he's naturally on guard now.
He quickly covered his newly bought watch and tucked the pendant from his collar back into his shirt.
Unfortunately, the Tide Grand Competition is strictly regulated, and all gambling is prohibited.
Otherwise, we might actually be able to collaborate with this brat and make another fortune.
Yuejian Tsukimi was chatting with Qiji, the Kijika was already spinning like a top due to a shortage of manpower.
Kijika was under immense pressure and hurriedly called for Yuejian to go back.
Yuejian shrugged and had no choice but to drag her heavy working steps back to her post.
Qiji and Liuli passed the circuit detection and entered the academy.
The next moment—
"Qiji- san!!"
"Qiji- san!"
"Snort!"
"Qiji- kun..."
Four voices came from different directions.
However, Huomu, Setsuna, Suyo, 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:
"Qiji- kun, don't be surprised by me! I've become very strong now!"
Qiji 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 Qiji's.
Hearing his most trusted friend, Qiji, say this, Huomu was momentarily moved. He immediately straightened his back, his smile grew even brighter, and his pearly white teeth gleamed in the sunlight.
"Qiji- 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 hint of unsure.
She had previously believed Qiji's nonsense, actually thinking that the Epic Fragment were like Big White in the Sea of Consciousness...
After finding 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 Suyo, Qiji had nothing to say.
Seeing Qiji now 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, Suyo was somewhat worried about this "arch-enemy".
Finally, there's Bai Lili.
After greeting Qiji, the girl 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 something on her mind...
It feels like it's transitioning towards a melancholic style, and going further and further down that path, with no turning back...
When Bai Lili noticed that Suyo was also joining their Class 8 group, a slightly unnatural expression flashed across her face. So, she subtly moved to the side, distancing herself from Suyo.
Suyo noticed this and, not wanting to stay here and upset Bai Lili, threw a remark at Qiji:
Don't think that just because you're 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 Qiji a chance to retort, Suyo turned and quickly left.
The group entered Echo Plaza.
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, guiding the candidates into the trial grounds.
At this moment, the square was packed with people.
Qiji 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, hidden behind his mask, were starting to twitch.
I'm back!
They're all back!
This is the kind of fishpond game he knows!
Thinking of Kamishiro Chiho, whom he had faced before, and of the swarms of fourth and fifth-tier Echoer chasing him in the Sea of Consciousness, Qiji finally felt like he had returned to his comfort zone.
For a moment, I even felt a little teary-eyed.
Children, celebrate!
Your fish-frying god is back!
"Cough cough, pfft!"
Qiji laughed while coughing up blood.
This scene, witnessed by unsuspecting viewers in the live chat, instead made them worry for him.
"Prisoner Ji, look at you, how dare you even 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 Prisoner Ji!"
"Brothers, can Prisoner Ji win this time?"
"It's very difficult..."
Chapter 110 Preliminary Selection! The Whole City Watches! (3-in-1)
The second bell rang softly, signaling the start of the preliminary selection process.
However, Dean Xia Ming and the other faculty members exchanged bewildered glances—
The problem was that the ten exchange students from Kalentia had not yet arrived.
Outside the college.