A Guide for Background Characters to Survive in a Manga

Chapter 286

“Is he strong?” a second-year alternate asked curiously. Focused on self-improvement, he didn’t follow external news.

Si Zhaohua’s expression turned odd. He didn’t get along with Huangfu Mingzhe and hated admitting his strength. After thinking, he said: “He’s our Tri-School Competition’s defeated opponent.”

The second-year senior looked speechless: “So Skydome isn’t aiming for a good rank? They picked him as a main member?”

“He’s actually…” Jiang Tianming, ever rational, started to explain, but Huangfu Mingzhe took the stage.

He swallowed his words. Actions spoke louder—Huangfu Mingzhe’s performance would prove his strength.

As expected, Huangfu Mingzhe crushed his opponent. The second-year senior’s expression shifted, finally asking in disbelief: “How did you beat him?”

That absolute power, flying dragon Ability, and strong magical attacks—he seemed an all-rounder!

“He’s strong in one-on-one but in teamwork…” Wu Mingbai gave a knowing look. Huangfu Mingzhe’s domineering personality and self-sufficient Ability made him excel solo but falter in Team Battles, where teammates became useless, and he couldn’t carry alone.

“I see,” the second-year senior nodded, understanding. Having competed in the Tri-School Competition, he knew teamwork’s value. Failing in Team Battles was expected for someone uncooperative.

Skydome didn’t drop the ball, winning smoothly. Their sole first-year, Huangfu Mingzhe, stole the show. Su Bei overheard people discussing him in the restroom, calling him a rising star in the Ability world.

This buzz likely pleased Huangfu Mingzhe, Su Bei thought idly. He showed no intent to hide his strength in individual battles, performing dominantly, likely aiming to shine in the first round without planning for Team Battles.

The morning’s final match was Endless Ability Academy’s, against an obscure school.

Su Bei hoped to study Mu Yunfan’s skills through their opponents, but seeing them, he knew it was impossible.

These opponents looked utterly ordinary, not manga-like at all, certainly no dark horses—just there to be crushed.

And they were. Mu Yunfan’s team barely used Abilities, easily winning. Though all were national elites, the gap between elites and countries was vast, creating a huge strength disparity.

The only one to use an Ability was Wei Yuexi. Her [Arms Dealer] Ability was obvious—she pulled out a “Truth,” and the opponents surrendered. Ordinary Ability Users, slightly stronger than normal humans, had no defense against bullets without evasion skills, so they gave up.

Returning triumphantly, driven by curiosity, Lan Subing overcame her usual shyness in crowds, asking her first question of the day: “Senior Wei, can I see your Ability?”

Guns were banned at home, and though her family had some, they’d never let a kid like her see them. She was always curious about firearms.

“Of course!” Wei Yuexi grinned, slinging an arm around Lan Subing. “What style? I can conjure anything.”

Lan Subing thought seriously, then answered: “Gatling.”

The answer surprised everyone. After a brief pause, Wei Yuexi laughed harder: “Sure! Good taste—I like Gatlings too. They’re intimidating, if nothing else.”

With a flick of her wrist, a black Gatling appeared. Lan Subing took it like a treasure, marveling at the weapon with a fierce yet delicate contrast.

After a while, she asked belatedly: “What if it misfires?”

“No bullets inside,” Wei Yuexi said, smiling. “Just don’t channel Mental Energy into it.”

Qi Huang couldn’t sit still, her red eyes gleaming: “Can I have one too?”

“Senior, I also…” Si Zhaohua hesitated, trailing off.

Jiang Tianming jumped in: “Well, I also…”

Wu Mingbai followed: “Cough, Senior, you know…”

Even Su Bei couldn’t resist: “Same as them.”

Wei Yuexi, delighted, conjured weapons for each—grenades, rifles, laser guns, you name it.

As Su Bei toyed with a grenade, he felt a wave of stares. Looking up, the audience gave them odd, wary, warning looks, clearly baffled by their playing with “Truth” in the stands.

Not just the audience—Su Bei’s peripheral vision caught black-uniformed security guards watching them warily. If they weren’t in the competitors’ section, security might’ve rushed over.

Su Bei: “…”

He quietly put the grenade down.

Endless Ability Academy fought three matches that day, all victories, winning all nine individual battles. After three wins in a match, the outcome was locked, so no further fighting was needed.

Per Sesbia’s arrangement, most teams finished three matches, weeding out the weakest.

Tomorrow’s opponents wouldn’t be as easy. Even the weakest would have some strength, unlikely to be as poor as some today.

Realizing this, some grew less confident. The seniors worked hard for a clean sweep—if they lost right away, they’d feel bad!

Their lack of confidence showed—Jiang Tianming and the others frowned, their earlier ease replaced by visible worry.

“Got confidence?” Seeing this, Mu Yunfan asked energetically at the next day’s gathering. “If not, come to your senior for a pep talk!”

“What pep talk?” Qi Huang asked curiously. Even she felt unconfident, so advice from the president would be great.

She regretted her curiosity instantly. Mu Yunfan, as if his scheme worked, hands on hips, laughed: “A loving hug from your senior, of course! It’ll move you to tears and make you unstoppable! Hahahahaha!”

Curiosity killed the cat. Qi Huang slapped her mouth, full of regret: “My bad.”

After his fun, Mu Yunfan got serious: “Don’t worry. Even if you lose two rounds, we’ll make it up in the last three. Fight boldly! You’ve got your cool, reliable seniors backing you!”

“Finally, something human,” Wei Yuexi said, tinkering with a weapon, smiling at Mu Yunfan. “Since you included us, I won’t roast you this time.”

Feng Manman nodded, her slightly hoarse voice soothing: “Don’t worry. You’re just first-years. Most here are third-years. Winning’s a bonus; losing’s expected. If the sky falls, our main team’s got it. Trust your seniors, okay?”

“Amitabha, I’ll convert the enemy. No need to fret,” He Shang clasped his hands, asking sincerely: “The Clear Mind Mantra might help. If you’re willing…”

“No, no!” Everyone waved him off.

Driven by curiosity yesterday, they’d listened to He Shang’s Clear Mind Mantra. It was like mosquito buzzing—hypnotic and brainwashing.

Worst, He Shang wouldn’t stop chanting. Telling him to stop, he’d say: “You’re still restless, not calm enough. Keep listening.”

If not for Feng Manman kindly giving him a task, who knows how long they’d have endured. Now, hearing “Clear Mind Mantra,” they had PTSD.

“You talk like they’ve already lost,” Zhang Sheng scoffed, turning to Jiang Tianming and the others. “No confidence? I’ve got plenty in you!”

With strong seniors backing them, the nervous group relaxed. Qi Huang raised her chin: “Of course we’re confident. We’ll win today!”

“By the way, where’s Senior… Luo Li?” Lan Subing suddenly noticed the missing girl. Luo Li was adorable, but being younger yet a senior, she rarely spoke with Jiang Tianming’s group.

Her appearance yesterday caused a stir—a tiny girl representing an academy, performing so fiercely, shocked many.

Feng Manman, aware of her team’s whereabouts, said: “She’s napping at the hotel. Kids need sleep to grow.”

The new opponent was displayed on the big screen—Endless Ability Academy’s opponent was Wilder Ability School, a secondary team from Liguo. Liguo’s past performances were solid, consistently top ten, so even their secondary team was strong, evident from their breaking through eliminations to reach day two.

Seeing this, everyone’s eased nerves tensed again. If the opponents were first-years, they’d be fearless, but facing third-years made them cautious.

“Wilder Ability School, huh,” Teacher Li said, pulling up info on her phone from yesterday’s data. “Look it over. Whoever’s confident goes first.”

She wasn’t worried these first-years would shy away from strong opponents. Their strength and past actions showed confidence and a knack for trouble—they wouldn’t back down.

Sure enough, after reviewing the data, everyone raised their hands, eager to be the first from their class. Not just them—the other three alternates, second-years, also volunteered. If first-years were brave, second-years couldn’t lag.

“Then one first-year, one second-year,” Teacher Li decided quickly. As an experienced teacher, she was adept at balancing student dynamics. Sending only first-years would alienate the second-years.

She chose only two in case of the worst outcome—two losses were acceptable; more would risk defeat.

She didn’t mind giving lower-year students practice, but not at the cost of the main team’s efforts, making their win harder. She was responsible to the students and academy.

Su Bei typically stayed out of such discussions—no one would mention him when everyone wanted to compete, avoiding extra rivals.

But some loved stirring trouble. Zhang Sheng suggested slyly: “Teacher, why not consider Junior Su Bei? Everyone wants a spot, but we can’t please everyone. Making everyone unhappy is fair!”

Su Bei: “?”

What grudge was this?

Worse, Teacher Li was swayed. As Zhang Sheng said, choosing anyone would upset others.

But picking Su Bei was different—not only would others be unhappy, but Su Bei himself would be too, achieving a twisted fairness.

Deciding, she declared: “Alright, Su Bei, you’re first.”

Grabbing a coveted spot unwittingly, Su Bei laughed in frustration: “Teacher, I’m not in top form. If I lose…”

Different students needed different approaches. Teacher Li, versed in tailored teaching, pushed her glasses: “No worries. Your seniors are right—you’re just first-years. Losing’s fine. I’ll send the match video to your homeroom teacher for review.”

Her words seemed considerate, but knowing Meng Huai’s nature, Su Bei suspected a threat. If he underperformed, Meng Huai wouldn’t let him off seeing the video.

Sighing, Su Bei resignedly read the data Teacher Li sent. Not knowing the first opponent, he had to review all of Wilder’s main team.

He read fast, finishing quickly. Relieved, he feared instant-kill Abilities most. Arena battles differed from real fights—he couldn’t adjust his luck beforehand, as that’d be cheating. Without such Abilities, the opponent wasn’t a threat.

Their first match was early. Su Bei and the chosen second-year senior went with the main team to prepare. Not all competitors had to prep in the waiting room, but it was convenient.

“Junior, go for it! Win without bloodshed!” Zhang Sheng grinned, as if forgetting he’d thrown Su Bei under the bus.

He might forget, but Su Bei wouldn’t. Giving a fake smile, he said: “Thanks for the encouragement and recommendation, Senior. Good deeds get rewarded.”

No chance to act during the competition, but afterward, he’d show Zhang Sheng the folly of crossing someone who controlled Destiny.

At 9:30 a.m., Endless Ability Academy’s match began. They’d submitted the first match’s roster, and the host passionately introduced both competitors’ details from the podium.

Her job was to share age, Ability, and basics, hyping the audience.

Unsurprisingly, Su Bei drew more attention than the standard third-year opponent. An unwritten world competition rule: younger competitors were stronger or had immense potential.

Otherwise, their academy wouldn’t showcase them here, whether for fame or training, proving their exceptionality. So, first-year appearances always sparked discussion, and they rarely disappointed, becoming a competition Easter egg.

“Another first-year, [Destiny Gear]? Sounds interesting…”

“Looking forward to it. Wonder how he’ll do.”

“Whoa! Pretty handsome!”

“Can we ban first-years? I’m gonna lose it!”

“Handsome and strong—God, which window did you close on him?”

Amid the chatter, Su Bei and his opponent stood on opposite sides of the arena.

His opponent’s Ability was [Insect King], controlling insects. This required a quick win—letting them drag it out to fill the arena with insects meant defeat.

Such Abilities were countered by Fire Element, but others depended on tactics.

Su Bei didn’t need tactics—his Ability, like Jiang Tianming’s, countered most.

Seeing the opponent boldly stand there, releasing swarms like a speed contest, Su Bei’s eyes glinted with amusement. He adjusted both pointers, paired with an instant skill.

Almost instantly, the orderly insect swarm from the opponent’s hands went chaotic, the arena buzzing with uncontrolled insects. The opponent paled—already drained from releasing so many, the swarm’s chaos dealt a heavy Mental Energy blow.

Desperately, he tried to regain control, but it was futile. Overexerting his Mental Energy, he fainted.

The arena fell silent.

A full fifteen minutes later, the host’s uncertain voice rang out: “…Endless Ability Academy… wins?”

“Wow!”

As the host announced the result, the venue erupted in unified gasps, then lively discussion.

They’d seen crushing victories—yesterday’s disparities made them common and fun. But Su Bei’s bizarre win was a first.

It felt like submitting a blank exam and getting a perfect score.

Everyone had the same question: He won? What did he do? How?

Right off the stage, Su Bei was blocked by Wilder Ability School’s students, glaring angrily and questioningly.

The leader demanded: “What did you do to Mevis? Why did his Ability go out of control?”

As a longtime teammate, he knew Mevis’ Ability well. That was definitely Ability failure, but he saw clearly—Su Bei didn’t move. How did he cause it?

“Maybe he was unlucky,” Su Bei replied nonchalantly, without worry.

“You!” The leader was furious at his attitude but calmed under teammates’ restraint, sneering: “We’ll see if you’re telling the truth soon.”

The host’s voice rang again: “Wilder Ability School requests a post-match review. Please wait.”

The crowd gasped again.

“Post-match review” meant checking both sides’ methods, including Abilities and items, after the match. In short, Wilder suspected Su Bei cheated.

“Whoa! A post-match review?”

“He didn’t actually cheat, right? That’d be dumb.”

“Playing so big? Straight to a review?”

“Endless Ability Academy wouldn’t send a cheating first-year. Looks like Wilder’s out.”

“Yay! Love the drama!”

Amid the crowd’s buzz, those backstage faintly heard the chatter.

Wilder’s students exchanged glances, eyes flickering. After the match, they and their teacher strongly suspected Su Bei used an Ability item. After a quick discussion, their teacher applied for a review.