Deus Ex Machina: Chapter 4

Chapter 4

“You still have the nerve to call out!” Ying Si’s fist was about to land on Zhao Qinghe’s face.

“Ah!” Zhao Qinghe screamed.

“Stop!” Ming Peng stepped forward and grabbed Ying Si’s wrist, causing Ying Si’s movements to immediately come to a halt. He looked back in surprise, not expecting that the seemingly gentle and mild-mannered teacher’s hand would exert force on his wrist like a thousand-pound iron clamp.

And it was scalding!

Surrounding female students were scared off, some hiding behind Yang Jin.

“Oh my.” Yang Jin said nonchalantly, “Fighting at school is a punishable offense. Why can’t you talk things out? Young people these days, playing so recklessly.”

“Is fighting outside school allowed then?” Ying Si stared at Yang Jin.

Yang Jin shrugged, “Well, if you put it that way, it indeed is.”

“Teacher Yang,” Ming Peng helplessly called out to Yang Jin. He had just coincidentally walked out with Yang Jin after a meeting, and the two happened to take the same route. Never did he expect to witness a disturbance caused by Yang Jin’s students. What surprised him even more was that Yang Jin, who was supposed to be a role model, was just standing by, adding fuel to the fire.

Ming Peng, not being very familiar with Yang Jin, only had some work-related interactions since Yang Jin arrived at the Ragewind Academy. Like everyone else, he believed Yang Jin to be a serious and powerful person. However, Yang Jin’s recent actions made him question his life choices.

So, did Yang Jin really get demoted to the Ragewind Academy for violating mission regulations?

Was it true that a perfect hero would break the rules?

Thinking about this, Ming Peng’s gaze at Yang Jin became more complicated.

“Alright, alright.” Yang Jin patted Ming Peng’s shoulder. “It’s normal for boys to have a little rough play. It’s not a big deal. Disperse, Teacher Ming?”

Ming Peng let go of Ying Si’s hand but couldn’t help but educate them a bit, “You’re classmates, and even potential future important partners. Don’t create such unpleasant scenes next time.”

Ying Si ignored Ming Peng, released his wrist, and walked away. Who knows he almost got burnt moments ago!

Shi Yixi glanced at Ming Peng but said nothing, chasing after Ying Si.

“Such a hassle,” Yang Jin disdainfully remarked. “Teacher Ming, dealing with these annoying little brats who are stuck in their teenage rebellious phase all year round at school must really be exhausting for you.”

Ming Peng replied, “Compared to working in various dangerous situations, teaching and educating at school is considered a stable job.”

“Is it?” Yang Jin squinted and smiled. “I would rather go and fight with the people from the ‘Sanctum.’ Dealing with kids is too much of a headache. Can’t hit them, can’t scold them, always advocating for students’ rights. If they enter the research field or logistics department later, it’s okay. But once they go to the front lines for a mission, there’s no chance for negotiation.” His smile turned cold as he spoke, and his eyes narrowed.

Ming Peng said, “If they are destined to face a cruel world, then their time at the Nufeng Academy might be their last leisurely moments. Teachers can only teach them skills, but ‘growth’ is something they have to experience and accomplish on their own, right?”

“Teacher Ming makes sense.” Yang Jin clapped his hands. “Truly an outstanding teacher. It’s a pity not to have you in Qianfan.”

Ming Peng tilted his head, smiling as if he hadn’t understood a word.

The results of the initial assessment were quickly released, basically right after the students submitted their answers, but the school waited one more day before making them public.

There were a total of ninety-nine freshmen, and the overall rankings for the entire grade were immediately sent to each person’s system, fully transparent and open. At the same time, Yang Jin’s class once again became the focus of the students.

In one class, it was quite a spectacle to have both the first and the last places in the grade, a unique occurrence.

Everyone congratulated Zhao Qinghe, who seemed a bit embarrassed, saying, “No, no. I thought I would do poorly. I didn’t study hard before the exam, it’s just a stroke of luck this time.”

Outstanding individuals always attract a crowd, especially at this age when forming groups is very common. Everyone likes to be around top students, while the one at the bottom can only linger in the corner, gathering dust.

“Don’t be too upset,” Ying Si sat beside Shi Yixi, consoling him, an unusual gentle tone in his voice. “It’s just a school regulation exam, nothing serious. That guy only knows how to bury himself in books. There’s nothing to show off about. Really annoying.” His grades were average, but compared to Shi Yixi, they were much better.

Shi Yixi, with an expressionless face, said, “I’m not very upset.”

Ying Si hesitated for a moment and could only manage a few words, “That’s good.”

Shi Yixi’s figure seemed desolate in his eyes, and he approached to offer comfort, only to find Shi Yixi’s response puzzling. He didn’t quite understand what was going on in Shi Yixi’s mind.

However, this result made Ying Si feel a bit awkward. To cover it up, he decided to shift the focus. He yelled at Zhao Qinghe, “Top student! Who was the one studying until 4 a.m. every day before the exam, demanding Teacher Yang’s guidance? Speak softer; it’s genuinely annoying!”

As this sentence rang out, the crowd fell silent, and Zhao Qinghe’s face turned quite unpleasant. He wanted to argue that it wasn’t like that, but he couldn’t find the right words.

Why did this Ying Si Lan always have to bully and ridicule him, making him embarrass himself in public?

Zhao Qinghe clenched his fists. He couldn’t vent because he didn’t dare to provoke Ying Si.

In the evening, Shi Yixi came out of the teaching building. Ying Si went to participate in a sports event for seniors, so he didn’t have time to have dinner with him. Shi Yixi didn’t mind; being alone was also good.

Just as he arrived at the cafeteria, he ran into Zhao Qinghe.

“Yixi!” Zhao Qinghe called him, showing an eager look, seemingly specifically looking for him.

Shi Yixi tilted his head, looking at Zhao Qinghe.

“Teacher Yang asked me to tell you something,” Zhao Qinghe looked a bit awkward, as if hesitating to speak but had to convey the message.

“What is it?”

“It’s about the exam results,” Zhao Qinghe said, “Because your score was the lowest, severely dragging down the class’s overall performance, Teacher Yang is very angry. So, he wants to take punitive measures against you.”

Typically, students, upon hearing such news, would at least express some surprise or even question its authenticity. However, Shi Yixi remained completely calm. He asked calmly, “What punishment?”

Zhao Qinghe continued, “He wants you to wear a weighted ring and run ten kilometers on the field. After that, you also need to record a sentence in the voice system… Yixi, how about you don’t go? I think Teacher Yang’s actions are a bit too much.”

Shi Yixi shook his head, “Let the teacher do as he says.”

Without even having his meal, he went straight to the equipment room. Zhao Qinghe watched his departing figure, unable to discern his expression.

The environment at Nufeng Academy was excellent. Whenever the sun set, the sky was tinted with the reddish hues of the sun’s afterglow. Literary youths loved expressing their feelings against such a backdrop, but today, they were in no mood to appreciate the sunset.

On the playground, there was a person running with a weighted ring, lap after lap. The sound from the ring broadcasted through the entire playground, clearly audible to everyone.

“Class 6’s Shi Yixi, ranked 99th in the entrance exam.”

Ninety-ninth, which was the last place. It was a number that anyone would feel ashamed of. The onlookers watched the expressionless teenager running with disdain. They all thought he was crazy, and some even laughed mockingly.

Soon, the embarrassing scene of a loser driven insane by exams running on the playground spread throughout the school in the evening.

Yang Jin also went to watch the excitement, but when he heard Shi Yixi’s name, he couldn’t bear to watch anymore.

He walked angrily to the middle of the track, intercepted Shi Yixi, and kicked him to the ground.

Shi Yixi was drenched in sweat, panting heavily, looking at Yang Jin in confusion.

“What disgrace are you causing here?” Yang Jin suppressed his anger, looking terrifying. “Is being the bottom of the class something to be proud of?”

“Teacher, didn’t you tell me to do this?” Shi Yixi asked.

“Am I crazy?” Yang Jin was incredulous. “Why would I ask you to do that? Who told me to tell you to do that?”

“Zhao Qinghe,” Shi Yixi said, “He told me.”

Although Yang Jin wasn’t quite clear about the grievances between these three, hearing that name gave him a good idea. He pulled Shi Yixi up from the ground and forcefully dragged him away from the playground. As they passed through the crowd, he shouted loudly, “What are you looking at? Take one more glance, and you won’t see the sun tomorrow!”

The students dispersed immediately, not daring to make a sound.

Yang Jin took Shi Yixi to his office. He didn’t sit down but leaned against the window casually, asking, “What’s going on?”

Shi Yixi also stood up, but he needed to raise his head slightly to meet Yang Jin’s gaze.

He repeated what he had said to Yang Jin on the playground, without any additional information. He spoke very calmly, as if he wasn’t the one being mocked. Even recounting the incident from an observer’s perspective seemed too detached from reality.

“You actually fell for such a low-quality trick?” Yang Jin asked, “Are you mentally challenged?”

“Yes, I am,” Shi Yixi nodded, readily admitting it.

Yang Jin felt like he might go crazy.

Are humans a species without self-esteem? Why could this 18-year-old youth in front of him admit such insulting comments so calmly?

Yang Jin stared at Shi Yixi, and he couldn’t see any signs of self-abandonment or resentment on Shi Yixi’s face.

Too calm.

After a long time, Yang Jin asked, “Why?”

“Hmm?”

“Why are you so readily admitting this?” Yang Jin asked. “There must be some reason, right? Or do you really think of yourself this way?”

“Indeed,” Shi Yixi said, “I don’t think admitting obvious shortcomings in certain aspects is a bad thing. I’ve been like this since I was a child, struggling with studies and finding it difficult to accept new things. Even if I try hard to do well, it doesn’t work. When I was admitted to Nufeng Academy, no one believed it, and I didn’t believe it either. If there is a potential called ‘waste’ in this world, I think I am quite qualified for it.”

Yang Jin’s expression was very serious.

“So I don’t think there’s anything wrong with it,” Shi Yixi said. “I’m not avoiding reality or being ironic. I just need to do my best, and it doesn’t matter if others call me ‘waste’ or ‘mentally challenged.’ It’s indeed a fact.” He paused, looking at Yang Jin with calm eyes.

Yang Jin found it difficult to find an accurate word to describe his current mood.

He was the pride of heaven, born into the gathering of elites at Qianfan. He had encountered too many powerful characters but had never come across someone like Shi Yixi.

If someone dared to say “mentally challenged” to Yang Jin, he would surely make that person regret being born. He was an invincible powerhouse, forever unable to see the helplessness and loneliness of the weak.

And now, his student, the “problem student” Shi Yixi, whom he had repeatedly considered returning, stood before him at this moment, calmly stating his various shortcomings with an extremely indifferent tone. Yang Jin couldn’t comprehend it, and from this incomprehension arose a strange silence.

Shi Yixi’s calmness left Yang Jin feeling a bit at a loss.

Thinking about the scenes of the previous review, with both Ragewing and Zhao Qinghe having their own motives, it seemed that only Shi Yixi was genuinely and seriously studying. He immersed himself in the books without clamoring to prove himself but quietly doing what he could.

Unfortunately, reality wasn’t gentle with him.

Perhaps, for some people, effort doesn’t necessarily mean getting rewards.

Effort in vain.

Yang Jin felt a bit stifled. He took a deep breath and, unusually wanting to be gentle, said to Shi Yixi, “Perhaps I’m not a good teacher, but I won’t punish anyone without reason. If you have any questions, you can come to me. Don’t believe such crude lies in the future.”

Shi Yixi blinked and looked up, saying, “You’re kind.”

This time, Yang Jin was puzzled, “Are you a masochist?”

“You’ve never been impatient with me,” Shi Yixi said, “and you’ve never scolded me.”

“…So your qualification as a good person is really simple,” Yang Jin said, “Alright, go back.”

“Goodbye, teacher,” Shi Yixi bid farewell.

As he reached the door, Yang Jin stopped him. “Oh, there’s something I want to ask you. You seem to be close to Ying Si and have an average relationship with Zhao Qinghe. If there’s conflict between Ying Si and Zhao Qinghe, why would you believe Zhao Qinghe?”

“I don’t know,” Shi Yixi turned slightly, the corridor lights dimming as evening approached, making his expression less clear. “Isn’t he my classmate?”

So he chose to believe.

“What if he lies to you again?” Yang Jin asked.

Shi Yixi shook his head, simply saying, “Goodbye, teacher.”

“Goodbye,” Yang Jin chuckled helplessly, “Silly…”

Fool.

If you're enjoying the story don't forget to support the author! You can also support me on KOFI for site maintenance, raws purchase or as an energy boost~ 

Join discord to get notified whenever a new chapter is uploaded since I'm  incapable of keeping up with a schedule~