Deus Ex Machina: Chapter 6

Chapter 6

For several consecutive days, Zhao Qinghe noticed that Shi Yixi would return to the dormitory very late, which struck him as strange.

Ying Si was a hyperactive teenager, around the same age as senior students. Every evening, he would participate in the physical activities organized by those “seniors” and would not stay in the dormitory. Zhao Qinghe tried hard to stand out in his grade, having many friends, and leading a very enriching extracurricular life.

Only Shi Yixi was always solitary.

So Zhao Qinghe found it puzzling that such a reclusive person would go out every night. 

When Shi Yixi returned to the dormitory at a sleep-inducing hour, Zhao Qinghe couldn’t help but ask, “Shi Yixi, what are you doing every day?”

“Studying with Teacher Yang,” Shi Yixi answered succinctly.

“Studying? You?” Zhao Qinghe seemed to have heard a colossal joke. He was five years younger than Shi Yixi, shorter in stature, but his tone was disdainful, as if he wanted to crush Shi Yixi. “Do you know that people are born into different classes? Especially people like us, the potential has clearly distinguished everyone’s future.” Zhao Qinghe laughed and said, “Oh no, not people like us. Do you even have potential? Huh?”

Shi Yixi looked at Zhao Qinghe without saying a word.

“Look at this.” Zhao Qinghe extended his finger and flicked the glass, which instantly shattered. He flaunted to Shi Yixi, “This is what Teacher Yang taught me. Don’t you know? It’s okay; even that jerk Ying Si doesn’t know. What’s the use of working so hard to study? Teacher Yang won’t teach you a bit of anything extra. This is potential suppression, so don’t arrogantly pester the teacher. The teacher belongs to everyone, not your personal instructor.”

This time, Shi Yixi nodded. However, in his heart, a tiny flame flickered for a moment and quickly extinguished.

Will Yang Jin also teach Zhao Qinghe?

Soon, he thought, yes, Yang Jin is a teacher, and his duty is to educate students.

Ying Si pushed the door open, having just finished participating in club activities. Seeing the two standing face to face in the dormitory, he asked in confusion, “What are you guys doing?”

“Nothing,” Zhao Qinghe waved his hand, “Going to bed, good night.”

Ying Si didn’t believe Zhao Qinghe’s nonsense at all. He walked up to Shi Yixi and asked, “Did he bother you again?”

“No,” Shi Yixi replied simply.

Ying Si frowned at Shi Yixi. In his understanding, someone like Shi Yixi was the typical doormat. Zhao Qinghe practically had “jerk” written all over his face; why was Shi Yixi still able to converse with Zhao Qinghe so calmly? If it were him, he would have warned Zhao Qinghe with a punch long ago.

An eighteen-year-old adult being bullied by a thirteen-year-old brat, was it not shameful?

This logic actually overestimated Shi Yixi. His understanding was quite straightforward, and while Zhao Qinghe’s behavior might be annoying to others, it was completely insignificant to Shi Yixi.

Because his perception wasn’t that strong, and his awareness wasn’t that high.

In simple terms, he just couldn’t grasp it.

Qianfan Base.

Yang Jin, dressed casually, strolled from the Nufeng Academy on the other side of the street to the gate of the Qianfan Base. After passing through complex identity verification, he approached a car parked not far away.

Yelena leaned against the car door, wearing sunglasses.

“Hey, goddess,” Yang Jin greeted her.

“I’ll kill you,” Yelena said, taking off her sunglasses and glaring at Yang Jin.

Yang Jin clutched his chest and fell backward, saying, “I’m dead.”

Yelena kicked him, “Stop your slick talk.” Yang Jin got up and dusted himself off, asking, “Why are you picking me up? What are the logistics people doing? And Xiao Bai?”

“I swear, if you let him know you call him that behind his back,” Yelena gestured at her neck, “he’ll stick a needle into your artery next time.”

“Don’t be like that. The angels in white can’t kill people,” Yang Jin said, “Is he not at the base? Out on a mission?”

“Mission,” Yelena opened the car door, and Yang Jin walked around and sat in the passenger seat. Yelena said, “This time, two standard task teams were dispatched.”

“Twelve people? That’s a big deal!” Yang Jin leaned back, “Too bad I’m not there; otherwise, a three-person combat team would be enough.”

“You’re confident as ever,” Yelena said, “If I could, I wouldn’t want to see you again. Why did they have me come pick you up?”

“How should I know?” Yang Jin said, “I don’t even know why they summoned me back to Qianfan for a meeting on a big weekend. Wasn’t I demoted? Teaching is hard work! If Qianfan is going to take up my personal time, they should compensate me!”

“… Just shut up,” Yelena wanted to kill him.

The car entered the interior of Qianfan, and Yelena didn’t take the usual route, instead opting for a slightly longer path. Yang Jin asked, “Why not go through the laboratory side?”

“That area is currently under martial law.”

“What are they up to again?”

“Remember the batch we confiscated last time?” Yelena said, “The Pyrothieves found antimatter inside.”

“What?” Yang Jin couldn’t believe it. The three words “antimatter” took a while for him to digest. “Is it the same ‘antimatter’ that I know?”

“Yes, exactly that thing. That… thing that shouldn’t exist on Earth.” Yelena said, “I’m really glad we didn’t know anything when transporting it back. Otherwise, I would never have boarded that plane. It’s really lucky, not turning into fireworks in the sky.”

“Let’s take a longer route.” Yang Jin said, “Scientists really are mad.”

Yelena chuckled, “They are believers in the truth.”

“So devoted that if you told them destroying the Earth would reveal the eternal truth of the universe, they would blow up the Earth without hesitation,” Yang Jin said, “I believe they can be ruthless in that aspect.”

Yelena focused on driving, without engaging in further conversation.

At the agreed-upon time, Shi Yixi arrived at Yang Jin’s dorm. Yang Jin granted him access, allowing him to come and go freely. In the past, Yang Jin would wait inside for him, but today, Yang Jin was absent.

Shi Yixi, being obedient, sat on the sofa without moving after not finding Yang Jin. As time passed, his eyelids grew heavier, and drowsiness spread through his neural pathways.

With a creak, the door opened.

“Yang…” Shi Yixi stood up, his voice trailing off. The person at the door was indeed Yang Jin, but he looked completely different from usual. At this moment, Yang Jin’s face was pale, and he appeared very weak.

“Professor Yang,” Shi Yixi walked up, “What happened to you?”

“Nothing,” Yang Jin stumbled inside. Suddenly, his legs gave way, and he leaned forward. Fortunately, Shi Yixi caught him, helped him sit on the sofa, and then poured a cup of hot water for him, asking, “Are you sick or feeling unwell?”

“A bit,” Yang Jin said, “Went to a Qianfan meeting today, maybe had some trouble adapting.”

“…” Shi Yixi didn’t appreciate the forced attempt at humor from Yang Jin.

“Sorry for keeping you waiting for so long,” Yang Jin said, helpless as he tugged at the corners of his mouth. “Let’s get started…” He had just finished speaking when his body straightened and he collapsed. Shi Yixi grabbed him and realized that his palms were icy cold.

It seemed like he was dying.

“Teacher, you’re sick,” Shi Yixi said. “I’ll go call a doctor.”

“No need,” Yang Jin shook his head. “I’m used to it, I’ll be fine after a nap. Maybe… it won’t take that long.”

“…,” Shi Yixi stared at Yang Jin in silence.

“Don’t look at me like that,” Yang Jin slowly propped himself up from the sofa. His complexion gradually improved, and the deathly look he had just now seemed non-existent. “I don’t have the habit of lying to children,” Yang Jin smiled. “I didn’t lie to you. Look, I’m feeling better now, right?”

“I…” Shi Yixi corrected Yang Jin earnestly, “I’m an adult now, not a child.”

“Okay. Not a child. Little expressionless little fool,” Yang Jin said. “Whatever you say.”

Shi Yixi fell silent.

“How have you been feeling lately?” Yang Jin asked.

“No particular feelings,” Shi Yixi shook his head. “Same as usual.”

“…I’m really confused,” Yang Jin said. “Potential isn’t superpowers; you won’t feel anything unless you use them. But we can check again later to see if there’s any progress.”

“It doesn’t matter if there isn’t,” Shi Yixi said. “Although I’m happy to attend Nufeng Academy, my parents… including me, we’re all very happy, but some things aren’t worth forcing. I don’t mind being an ordinary person; being ordinary is fine.” His words were simple, making Yang Jin smile involuntarily, as he asked, “Isn’t it good to be a respected hero?”

“Perhaps it’s equally good, I don’t know,” Shi Yixi said. “Teacher, what do you think?”

Yang Jin fell silent.

“Teacher?” Shi Yixi called out to him. Yang Jin snapped out of his thoughts and said, “I’m particularly tired today; let’s rest for a day. I’m sorry for making you come all the way here for nothing.”

“It’s okay, Teacher. Take good rest,” Shi Yixi prepared to leave. “Goodbye, Teacher.”

“Goodbye.”

The second potential test came quickly, and Yang Jin was a bit more nervous than he had anticipated. He didn’t know if the training methods of Qianfan might be a bit too much for a student, but Director Zhang’s words were there. If he didn’t figure out a solution, he might end up being assigned as a campus janitor.

That day, after lecturing senior students on standard combat group tactics, he received a message from Zhang Yize asking him to come to the office.

“What?” Yang Jin stood up in surprise. “This can’t be possible!”

“Although I also find it hard to believe,” Zhang Yize shrugged, “the facts are right in front of us.” He fiddled with the double helix structure in front of him. “Shi Yixi’s potential has regressed quite a bit compared to a month ago. At this rate, I doubt he’ll even be able to participate in the midterm school-wide exam, and finishing last in the exam means expulsion.”

“…No Director, there’s something I think you should clarify first,” Yang Jin said. “Even if his potential level when he first enrolled, is not enough to support him participating in the midterm school-wide exam.”

Zhang Yize’s smile gradually stiffened. “…That’s not important.”

“…”

“Teacher Yang, are you really teaching him properly?” Zhang Yize said. “Why would a student’s potential regress so drastically? This is unheard of.”

Yang Jin countered, “Hasn’t Qianfan sent anyone to inspect?”

“No,” Zhang Yize said, “the application didn’t pass, and they’re currently busy and short-handed.”

Yang Jin recalled what Yelena had said about antimatter research during his last visit to Qianfan, and he probably understood the situation. Perhaps a student’s performance was important to Nufeng Academy, but not to Qianfan. Qianfan had so many top elites, but when it came to missions on the battlefield, the lives of elites were as disposable as ants.

“Anyway,” Zhang Yize said, “the situation is not optimistic.”

Not optimistic was an understatement; it was downright terrible. Yang Jin didn’t like this situation where he had no control. He had been feeling restless ever since he left Zhang Yize’s office. Snapping his fingers, he said, “Fan Fan, come out.”

“Why?” Fan Fan asked.

“Didn’t I ask you to record his bodily data?” Yang Jin interrogated. “Why didn’t you tell me he’s become even more useless now?”

“He hasn’t changed at all!” Fan Fan explained. “His physical indicators haven’t changed. How would I know he’s become more useless?”

“Huh?” Yang Jin puzzled. “But his test results are right there.”

“I don’t know,” Fan Fan said. “Maybe their testing standards are different from Qianfan?”

“That’s impossible.”

“Then does that little brat have two sets of different data in his body?” Fan Fan added.

“Do you think he’s a robot that can have various programs implanted?” Yang Jin said. “Please don’t speculate about others based on your own ideology.”

“Well, I don’t know. I’m hibernating, don’t disturb me,” Fan Fan started playing dead.

Yang Jin was so frustrated that he almost threw his wristband away.

He had never experienced such a strong sense of defeat before. He was a hero on the battlefield, unstoppable in any situation. Hadn’t he faced all kinds of challenges and hardships?

Could he really not handle a little brat?

This didn’t make sense.

The new students had already begun learning how to sense their own potential and how to unleash it. The midterm school-wide exam was essentially a survival game thrown into a mountain. Over the years, it had been a tradition for upperclassmen to bully the newcomers. Someone like Shi Yixi, who was useless, would probably be bullied to death. Yang Jin doubted if he could even finish the exam. After all, there were always a few seriously injured participants at the end of each exam.

This was often the nightmare of the freshmen.

They would come to realize from the first exam that Nufeng Academy was not a paradise, but rather a place where the law of the jungle prevailed. Perhaps teachers might have compassion, but peers wouldn’t. Only one group in the entire school could achieve final victory, and it required not only individual ability but also teamwork and cooperation.

Yang Jin thought about the three people in his class…

No, he shouldn’t think about those three anymore. He wanted to die.

But that wasn’t the most crucial issue! The most important thing was that the last place would indeed be eliminated and expelled. Out of the ninety-nine freshmen, no more than ten would eventually graduate from Nufeng and enter Qianfan.

That’s how it was, they could be eliminated at any time.

These things were not to be spoken aloud because the weak had no choice.

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