novelraw Chapter 8 : Chapter 8
Chapter 8 : Chapter 8
Chapter 8
“Yanyan, the manga you like just updated.”
“Do not mention it to me! I have already lost all my love for 《Ability Hunter Academy》! All of it!!!”
“Ahhhh—”
In the girls’ dormitory of a university, Lin Yan viciously buried her head into her pillow and let out a string of muffled wails, as if trying to vent all the resentment in her heart.
《Ability Hunter Academy》 was the new work of the manga artist Yuexia Cao and also the only hot-blooded shonen manga Lin Yan had been following recently. As a highly anticipated work in the industry, after its first volume laid the groundwork, the opening of the second volume had been nothing short of stunning.
Lin Yan had originally thought the manga would rise to its peak from there, attract countless readers, and eventually become the new flagship title of the Kuman Website.
Yet now the response to the manga was lukewarm.
“It has already been a whole month!” Lin Yan complained angrily. “How long is that old thief going to keep drawing his face-slapping plotline?!”
Yes. In an era where manga storylines were constantly innovating and creative ideas flourished everywhere, the main plot of 《Ability Hunter Academy》 was still stuck in the old cliché cycle of “the protagonist gets doubted — the protagonist slaps faces — gets doubted again — slaps faces again.”
Lin Yan had already noticed this tendency during the serialization of the first volume.
But at that time, the plot progression had been quite reasonable, so Lin Yan overlooked the cliché elements. Yet by the second volume, the plot had become both cliché and awkward.
Back then, she had begged her best friend countless times to start reading the manga with her.
Now the one who wanted to drop it was actually herself.
Lin Yan suddenly roared, “Damn that old thief Yuexia!”
Yet despite being in a terrible mood, Lin Yan obediently opened her computer and flipped to the chapter she remembered. Her feelings toward 《Ability Hunter Academy》 were truly a mixture of love and hate.
The manga artist Yuexia Cao had excellent drawing skills, but he had previously only created short manga. This was his first attempt at a long-running series.
Give the old thief a little more time, Lin Yan thought through gritted teeth.
But if the upcoming plot remained like this, she would definitely drop the series.
The last time Lin Yan had read the manga was the chapter with the freshman speech. Because of Zhou Que’s deliberate provocation, the manga’s protagonist had deliberately glanced toward the Class S area.
It was only when he looked that he realized something shocking.
Xie Chang’an discovered that the white-haired boy who had helped him on the train was also among them. At that moment, Ji Qing had been resting with his eyes closed, looking relaxed and somewhat elegant.
So he is in the same year as me…
Xie Chang’an suddenly became anxious. This must not lower the other party’s impression of him.
【You just told Xuexue you were not afraid, and now you got slapped in the face instantly, right?】
【People really should not raise flags】
【From the protagonist’s perspective, the opposite side seems to have a layer of light around them. Is that my imagination? Or is the Class S seating area reflecting light?】
【Chang’an, you…】
【If you admire him, just say so. No need to treat him differently like this. We understand. (speaking earnestly)】
“Hm?” Lin Yan said in surprise.
Because the recent plot had been too cliché, she had not followed the manga closely for a while and did not remember the later chapters clearly. But Lin Yan remembered reading this part before.
Why had the direction of the comments changed?
“But it actually seems correct…”
Lin Yan flipped back a few pages and compared the lighting between the two chapters. The lighting around Ji Qing’s appearance was noticeably softer, and the linework was more delicate and vivid.
“This character must be important…” Lin Yan said confidently.
After the freshman speech ended, Xie Chang’an took the initiative to ask the teacher for Ji Qing’s name. After that, he was pulled away by his classmates to carry books.
A newly acquainted Class F student teased him. “If I were you, I would withdraw from school tonight.”
Xie Chang’an frowned. “Is it really that serious?”
“I did not realize you were this bold,” the student sighed bluntly. “Since you already enrolled in an Ability high school, why did you not investigate the most basic information?”
“Do you know how many S-rank Ability users there currently are in the Federation? Do you know how powerful the Zhou family is in Central City? Do you know how many people want to curry favor with the Zhou family?”
“Zhou Que does not even need to take action. Those who want to please him and the Zhou family will constantly dig traps for you and your family.”
Xie Chang’an fell silent. “That sounds very difficult…”
The student nodded. “So if I were you, I would apologize to Zhou Que tonight and withdraw immediately. I might joke about my own life, but I would never joke about my parents’ lives.”
After saying this, the student quickly prepared to leave.
But when he stepped onto the doorway, the Class F student could not help turning back to remind him.
“Sorry about this, brother. But there is one more thing I need to tell you—”
“Do you know the dropout rate of Class F?”
Xie Chang’an asked in confusion, “Hm?”
“In the first semester, the dropout rate of Class F is 39%. In the second semester, it rises to 77%. In the past twenty years, only 11% of Class F students have successfully graduated.”
“In other words, only 2.64 students in this class will make it to the end.”
The student asked, “Do you think you are one of those 2.64 students?”
【This must be why other Ability high schools do not accept F-rank Ability users】
【Those numbers are miserable】
【F-rank Abilities really are almost useless】
【When Class F introduced themselves earlier, I already found it boring. And there were no impressive characters. I originally thought Class F would have hidden talents】
【Students in other classes have colorful hair, but Class F only has black and brown hair. The only silver hair is dyed…】
【Where are the teammates that Yuexia Cao promised?】
【Have they not already appeared?】
【Two of them】
【Two?】
【Ji Qing and Song Xiaoran. The protagonist even asked for Ji Qing’s name, and Song Xiaoran used to be his friend from the orphanage】
【Song Xiaoran did not recognize the protagonist at all】
【Ji Qing is uncertain too. He seems to get along well with Class S. If the protagonist’s relationship with Zhou Que worsens, who knows which side he will stand on…】
“There is no need to doubt it. This is all paving the way for a face-slapping scene,” Lin Yan declared confidently.
The more oppressive Xie Chang’an’s situation became, the more satisfying the eventual reversal would feel.
Although from Xie Chang’an’s perspective the situation was extremely stressful, readers all knew that the manga’s protagonist would definitely be one of those 2.64 students.
“The emotional portrayal by that old thief is good, but…” Lin Yan said with a worried expression.
“This kind of trope has been seen too many times. And there are several senior creators who draw it better and update more consistently than you…”
“Yuexia Cao, you need innovation.”
The activity level on the manga forum had recently declined.
Previously, because the plot of 《Ability Hunter Academy》 had not yet unfolded, forum activity had never risen much. Now that the storyline had become visibly formulaic…
The activity level had dropped even further.
Thanks to the reputation the manga artist had accumulated in the past, 《Ability Hunter Academy》 would certainly not be canceled.
But if the popularity of the manga continued to decline, it was very likely that the Kuman Website would quietly shelve it.
Would Yuexia Cao truly be able to persevere and complete the story properly?
Lin Yan was doubtful.
After all, although Yuexia Cao was a man, his personality was unexpectedly delicate and sensitive. The short manga he had finished not long ago had taken him four years to complete.
“No, no. I cannot keep thinking like this,” Lin Yan hurriedly warned herself. “Think about the plot. Think about the character relationships. Otherwise I am really going to cry…”
At present, two important characters had appeared: Ji Qing and Song Xiaoran.
Ji Qing’s background was unknown for now.
But Song Xiaoran seemed somewhat suspicious. Lin Yan had originally thought he would become one of the protagonist’s teammates. Yet when they encountered each other in the cafeteria, he had bluntly stated that he did not know Xie Chang’an.
So was he a twin? Or had the protagonist mistaken him for someone else?
After reading the entire cafeteria incident, Lin Yan felt the most absurd part was the character logic of this person.
He was clearly the cause of the conflict, yet he was also the one who conveniently disappeared from it.
“Did Zhou Que not realize he was being used as a pawn…” Lin Yan muttered quietly.
Lin Yan continued reading. The next chapter reached the theory class on the following day.
After the conversation with his classmates the previous afternoon, Xie Chang’an appeared deeply troubled.
Because he had grown up in an orphanage and had no elders around to give him advice, he had only now realized the seriousness of the situation.
Gu Lingxue was the same as him. She was also unfamiliar with the Ability world.
If his actions ended up harming Gu Lingxue and the people at the orphanage, he would truly deserve death. A simple apology could not solve this matter, but Xie Chang’an did not want to withdraw from school.
Xie Chang’an sat heavily in the classroom.
He deliberately avoided Zhou Que’s line of sight and did not speak to Gu Lingxue. His mind was entirely occupied with how to resolve the situation properly—until he noticed Ji Qing.
Ji Qing held a textbook in one hand and casually spoke with Zhou Que before sitting beside him.
Zhou Que’s speech in the cafeteria had not hindered the friendship between Class S students.
Just like students from other classes, they were forming new bonds with one another.
The tightly stretched string in Xie Chang’an’s heart suddenly snapped.
【So Ji Qing might also be on the opposing side?】
【Damn】
【The person you admire, and the person who hates you】
【The protagonist is going to have his heart broken】
【Xie Chang’an, what kind of cursed opening is this?】
【A perfectly good shonen manga suddenly turned into a bittersweet romance? Did the author just borrow the tropes of love stories? I am retreating first.】
【This is not how tropes are supposed to be used】
【The author gave Ji Qing such a stunning introduction, just for this scene? I cannot take it anymore】
【Defeated love interest literature】
【Earlier we were complaining the plot was cliché. Now I would rather it stay cliché… at least then it would still feel like a shonen manga】
“This is ridiculous—” Lin Yan muttered, her toes curling in embarrassment.
It had indeed been the right decision to stop reading for a while before returning. If Lin Yan, who had been extremely passionate about 《Ability Hunter Academy》 not long ago, had read this chapter back then, she probably would have posted hundreds of comments on the forum.
Xie Chang’an finished the morning classes absentmindedly.
At lunchtime, he sat alone in a corner on the second floor of the cafeteria.
Gu Lingxue found him at that moment. She sighed in relief. “I thought you had withdrawn from school.”
“Lingxue…” Xie Chang’an said tiredly. “How much have you learned about the situation now?”
Gu Lingxue replied gloomily, “My roommate analyzed the situation for me yesterday. She told me not to get involved anymore because the consequences of offending the Zhou family are very serious.”
“She is a good roommate,” Xie Chang’an commented.
Gu Lingxue sighed. “Chang’an, what are you planning to do now?”
“I do not know…” Xie Chang’an said in a heavy tone. “Perhaps I should apologize. But I do not want to withdraw from school. This is the only Ability school that accepted me…”
“But you did nothing wrong,” Gu Lingxue said with grievance. “Why are we the ones who seem to be at fault now?”
【Ahhh, I cannot take it anymore】
【That move by the author is too ruthless】
【Even though I know he definitely will not withdraw, it still feels too real. This is not a shonen manga—this is a cruel reflection of reality】
【Xuexue, do not cry】
【I came here to read a passionate shonen manga. Where is the passion?】
【In real life society beats me up; in fiction the author beats me up】
【I am leaving too】
【Wait for me, I am going with you】
Looking at the comments in front of her, Lin Yan immediately made a miserable face.
Just a while ago, she herself had been shouting about dropping the manga. But when she saw other readers actually preparing to leave, she could not bear it anymore.
When the two characters in the manga headed toward the classroom, they encountered Zhou Que walking out.
Zhou Que looked irritated, as if he had suddenly realized someone had stood him up. He walked straight toward the dormitory building, and the surrounding students stepped aside.
Xie Chang’an nervously stepped forward.
This accidental encounter was the most appropriate meeting he could think of.
Zhou Que stopped walking and frowned. “Who are you?”
He did not even remember his face…
Xie Chang’an suddenly felt a sense of irony. The careless actions of those in power could sometimes feel like the collapse of the heavens for those beneath them.
Yet Xie Chang’an still apologized. “I came to apologize to you.”
“Huh?” Zhou Que slowly recalled yesterday’s incident. Only then did he match the face with the person. Zhou Que remembered that he had said he would make the other party regret it during the individual competition…
Backing down this quickly? How boring.
Zhou Que said coldly, “I do not accept it.”
Suppressing the anger in his heart, Xie Chang’an asked, “Then what do you want?”
“I already said I would make you regret it,” Zhou Que said casually while waving his hand as he prepared to leave. “It is only the second day. You are the one who cannot handle the pressure.”
His attitude immediately angered Xie Chang’an.
Xie Chang’an grabbed Zhou Que by the collar at once and shouted angrily, “Then what else do you want? Tell me!”
【Damn it, I cannot watch this】
【This is so suffocating】
【The protagonist is still too inexperienced. He does not even know how to swallow his pride】
【Someone please save the protagonist】
【I did not come here to read this kind of shonen manga】
【Why make the plot so realistic? I am starting to feel physically uncomfortable. I need to go cleanse my eyes with my Mist City】
【Wait for me】
Seeing these comments, Lin Yan grew increasingly anxious.
This was not the first comment saying they were leaving. The current plot of 《Ability Hunter Academy》 was both formulaic and frustrating. The readers who remained were only staying because of Yuexia Cao’s reputation.
But reputation could collapse one day.
Lin Yan also noticed that the number of comments appearing on the manga was rapidly decreasing.
Reality proved that readers were not enjoying this plot.
When readers truly abandoned a series, they usually left quietly. Those still commenting were the ones who still held hope.
“Old thief, get yourself together already!” Lin Yan shouted.
In the manga, Zhou Que shoved Xie Chang’an’s arm away and provoked him angrily.
“Then fight me. If you win, I will pretend nothing happened. If you lose, disappear completely.”
“Fine!” Xie Chang’an agreed immediately.
He had already run out of options. It was better to settle the conflict directly.
Even if the result was expulsion, he would accept it.
【Ahhhhh】
【Protagonist… have you considered that even if you win, the forces behind him will not let this go?】
【A shonen protagonist thinks like a shonen protagonist, but the setting of this manga is pretty dark】
【I cannot bear to watch anymore】
【Could the entire Class S be villains? Are we going to fight them one by one? I thought Class S would become our teammates…】
【Someone save us, save the protagonist】
【Why do shonen protagonists always have such reckless personalities?】
【Sobbing QAQ】
【Is the Federation secretly corrupt? Are we about to withdraw from school and enroll somewhere else?】
“I really cannot bear to watch this anymore…” Lin Yan said tearfully.
She hurriedly closed her laptop, climbed back onto her bed in a daze, pulled the blanket over her head, and once again let out a pig-like scream of anguish:
“Ahhhh—”