A Guide for Background Characters to Survive in a Manga

Chapter 291

He was right. The second match of the next day pitted Endless Ability Academy against Skydome Ability Academy. Their country was lucky—both teams only clashed on the final day. Some unlucky nations had their teams face off in the fourth round, eliminating their own, which was frustrating.

In the match against Huangfu Mingzhe, Si Zhaohua secured the chance to compete. Unsurprisingly, after a series of thrilling battles, Si Zhaohua won.

Su Bei wasn’t in the mood to enjoy the crowd-pleasing match. His mind was preoccupied. Why hasn’t the manga updated? Is it waiting for Mu Yunfan and the others to get into trouble? But when will that happen?

Speak of the devil—at noon, Su Bei arrived at the hotel restaurant and immediately spotted something intriguing. He’d developed a habit of activating his Ability to check his surroundings wherever he went, so he noticed Mu Yunfan and the others’ abnormal Destiny Compasses at first glance.

All their large pointers pointed to “Sick,” with small pointers heavily skewed to the right.

“What were you all doing just now?” Su Bei asked bluntly after scanning the area.

He’d glanced earlier and saw the seniors seated around a round table, eating from buffet trays with various dishes. He didn’t spot any common food item, prompting his question.

The question was odd, and the group exchanged puzzled looks. Feng Manman answered first: “What do you mean? We just came in and picked food—nothing special.”

No unusual actions, and selecting food couldn’t cause the collective “Sick” Destiny. It had to be the food.

But the food shouldn’t be an issue. Everyone ate it—Saint Dante Ability Academy wouldn’t poison everyone indiscriminately.

Their method could only target Mu Yunfan’s group. Poisoning too many competitors might delay the second round, backfiring on them.

Knowing Saint Dante planned to sabotage Endless Ability Academy, logic ruled out Abilities. Using Abilities to harm in a place full of Ability powerhouses was like showing off a sword in front of Guan Gong.

Only the simplest methods could slip past, as the Ability world often underestimated normal human tactics.

Indeed, normal methods meant poisoning, but what poison could withstand Healing Abilities? One skill could restore the body instantly.

Saint Dante’s people must know this, so their method would be unexpected.

Su Bei asked: “Did anything feel off while eating?”

This second odd question made the group serious. Feng Manman frowned: “Did you notice something?”

Mu Yunfan, more direct and rarely serious as the captain, took responsibility for his team: “I heard you can see others’ Destinies?”

With the topic this clear, Su Bei had no reason to hide. The event had already happened—Destiny wouldn’t change because they knew: “You’re all physically compromised.”

Jiang Tianming and the others behind him widened their eyes. Endless had fifteen competitors. Besides their six, everyone else was here.

If they were all out, what about tomorrow’s match? Would the six of them have to step up?

“Manman, check everyone. I’ll get Teacher Li,” Mu Yunfan said, not doubting Su Bei. He stood, made arrangements, and called nearby.

As the only Healing Ability User, Feng Manman immediately checked everyone. Her face grew graver, confirming Su Bei’s words—their bodies were indeed affected.

“My head…” Before she could speak, Luo Li, the youngest, showed poisoning symptoms first. Clutching her head, her face scrunched in pain.

Feng Manman rushed over, using her Healing Ability: “Still hurting?”

“Yes,” Luo Li nodded, pale, switching to clutch her stomach. “Now my stomach hurts too!”

She felt awful—dizzy waves in her head, stomach pain like a bad period but worse.

Then, her vision blackened, and she fainted.

Feng Manman caught her in a princess carry, saying decisively: “To the infirmary, now!”

“You go. I’ll stay and watch the scene,” Mu Yunfan said seriously. Someone had to stay and report to the organizers, or the poisoner might destroy evidence while they were gone.

Before Teacher Li arrived, he was the best choice.

But he forgot other teammates were there. Jiang Tianming, seeing his poor complexion, said firmly: “Senior Mu, go to the infirmary. We’ll guard here.”

Mu Yunfan felt the anomaly in his body. Trusting his juniors, he didn’t argue, nodding and heading to the infirmary with the others.

But whatever poison they’d ingested spread fast. Halfway there, they all suffered headaches and stomach pain, forced to stop.

Fortunately, Su Bei and the others were nearby, escorting them to the infirmary in batches.

Soon, Teacher Li arrived with organizers. Entering the infirmary, she asked urgently: “What’s the situation? Any treatment?”

“I’m sorry, we haven’t identified the cause of their coma, but it’s likely poisoning,” a white-bearded chief physician said. His Ability could revive the near-dead, but poisoning stumped him.

Before Teacher Li could respond, he continued: “Since it’s poisoning, finding the cause is best for full recovery. I can wake them now, but without clearing the toxin, there may be aftereffects.”

Ordinary illnesses could be healed directly, but toxins, especially Ability-world ones, could linger despite external recovery.

He left the choice to Teacher Li: find the cause for full recovery or wake them for the match, risking their health.

“…”

Teacher Li paused for a second, then said firmly: “Normal treatment. I want them fully recovered.”

Though they had a shot at first, Endless wasn’t a weak academy—they were always contenders. No need to rush this time.

Even if it was their first chance at first, she wouldn’t gamble with students’ futures. They fought Nightmare Beasts, not just for competition or academy prestige. She was responsible for their futures, not just the academy.

After arranging treatment, she turned to the sweating organizer: “I expect an explanation from Sesbia’s government. Our students ate in your competition hotel and ended up poisoned, possibly missing the next round. The students’ losses, Endless Ability Academy’s losses, the nation’s losses—I demand answers.”

“Of course, we’ll find the culprit,” the organizer said, wiping sweat, his face grim. “We’ve urgently called a detective—he’ll arrive tomorrow.”

The delay was because the detective was busy, and even with high pay, he had to finish his current case.

Teacher Li nodded, unsurprised, as it was their duty. Her stance made the organizer smile bitterly, knowing it wouldn’t be easy.

As expected, she asked: “And the competition? Our main team’s comatose. What now?”

The organizer pondered: “The second round will be delayed a day. Other decisions need discussion.”

“You don’t mind if I join, right?” Teacher Li said with a smile, her tone undeniably threatening. If refused, she’d publicize it and rally their Ability Government against Sesbia.

The organizer nodded, wiping sweat: “Of course. Shall we go?”

He needed to report this. Initially, he thought it was just a competitor issue, not serious. But poisoning confirmed their negligence, especially targeting a top contender. He didn’t need to think to guess the cause.

The organizer was bitter. Such incidents were rare—usually on the arena, excused as accidents. Off-arena poisoning left no excuses, especially in the Ability world, where schemes were easily uncovered.

He couldn’t fathom who’d risk their academy’s reputation to poison competitors. If everyone was poisoned, he’d suspect Nightmare Beasts. But targeting a few screamed personal vendetta.

What grudge did they have against Endless?

Teacher Li didn’t leave immediately, addressing Si Zhaohua and the others: “Please watch the patients. They need familiar faces.”

She looked at Su Bei: “You foresaw their Destinies?”

Seeing him nod, she said: “Come with us. Share what you saw.”

They went to the meeting room, where other relevant personnel awaited, seated formally.

“Su Bei, you first,” Teacher Li said, taking the main seat as if forgetting she was a guest, seizing control.

Su Bei didn’t let her down, briefly recounting what he saw. Hearing Mu Yunfan and the others wouldn’t die, just had health issues, everyone sighed in relief. No deaths meant no major incident.

Ability Users were rare, genius ones even rarer. Deaths during their competition would bar Sesbia from hosting again and ostracize their Ability Users.

Relieved, Teacher Li didn’t show it, sneering: “Think no deaths mean all’s well? If they don’t recover before the second round, what about our academy’s losses? The students’? The nation’s?”

The deadly triple question gave everyone a headache. One couldn’t help but say: “You have alternates. Isn’t that their role?”

Teacher Li’s stern gaze silenced him. Her Director’s aura was real, intimidating even across countries and academies.

No need for her to speak—others knew his comment was absurd. Su Bei, tired of their bickering, raised his hand: “Teacher, can I go?”

“Yes,” Teacher Li softened, letting him leave.

Back at the infirmary, he was swarmed with questions about the meeting. He summarized, then pushed through to check Mu Yunfan’s group’s Destiny Compasses.

No change from earlier.

Large pointers changed slowly. If unchanged now, they likely wouldn’t wake for days.

Sesbia could delay the match a day, but not longer. A major event, each day cost millions. Delaying didn’t just affect Sesbia but competitors’ time.

Having offended one nation, they couldn’t afford to offend others to appease it.

Barring surprises, Jiang Tianming’s group competing was certain. Team Battles needed five, and Endless had six conscious competitors. Su Bei pondered: should he compete?

From his intel, neither inside nor outside the match was safe, so it didn’t matter much. He preferred staying with the protagonist group for some safety. But if he competed, who’d stay out?

Before long, Teacher Li returned with takeout, knowing they hadn’t eaten due to the incident.

“Thanks, Teacher!” everyone exclaimed, having forgotten food. The aroma made their stomachs growl.

While eating, Teacher Li shared the resolution: “First, I’m sorry. The second round shouldn’t have needed you, but with the situation, if Yunfan’s group doesn’t wake by tomorrow, five of you six will compete.”

“No problem, Teacher,” Jiang Tianming replied considerately. “Alternates are for emergencies. It’s our time to step up.”

Though less confident, everyone except Su Bei was eager to compete. Joining the second round was exciting, not daunting.

But choosing five from six sparked concern. No one wanted to be left out. Many glanced at Su Bei, wondering his stance.

If he opted out, no issue. But if he wanted in, he’d surely get a spot—who’d be excluded?

Teacher Li didn’t push for a decision, smiling at Jiang Tianming: “I also secured a benefit. If Yunfan’s group isn’t awake by 8 p.m. tomorrow, you’ll learn the second round’s rules early.”

Normally, rules were revealed on match day after competitors entered, ensuring fairness without teacher guidance.

With the main team down and first-years stepping in, it was unfair, so balance was sought elsewhere.

Pausing for reactions, she continued: “The detective will investigate the culprit tomorrow—you don’t need to worry. But it’s likely a rival targeting us for gain. Tomorrow, and if you compete, stay away from them.”

She meant top contenders besides Endless, like Saint Dante, defeated yesterday.

Their reputation was poor, especially after losing to Endless. Teacher Li suspected them, their motive clear.

She hoped the detective would find evidence to disqualify the culprit.

“That’s all. Rest well tonight and prepare. Given the situation…” Unable to hold back, she sighed, saying no more.

It wasn’t settled, and she didn’t want to discuss the five-out-of-six now.

After she left, everyone exchanged glances. After a pause, Wu Mingbai smiled: “Su Bei, still ‘selflessly’ sitting out?”

Su Bei’s earlier excuse was selflessness, giving others chances. Wu Mingbai was asking if he’d compete.

“You sure you want me selfless?” Su Bei asked, toying with a Gear casually.

He was studying “Destiny Gear.” Though he’d had it a while, he used it sparingly—its effect was inconsistent, and it had a cooldown?

He was researching a no-cooldown method. Firing multiple Destiny Gears might let him pinpoint weaknesses 100%.

Hearing this, Wu Mingbai wanted to retort but realized something, raising his hands in surrender: “Forget I said anything.”

As first-years, their experience and physicality lagged behind third-year prodigies.

To win, they couldn’t spare any strength. Su Bei was undeniably the strongest. They needed him to win.

He’d forgotten, thinking Su Bei sitting out would simplify things. Su Bei’s reminder made him realize—victory required Su Bei.

Others caught on, falling silent. With Su Bei willing to compete, they couldn’t let him back out.

“Let’s not discuss this now. With doctors here, Senior Mu might wake,” Jiang Tianming stopped the talk, changing topics.

He knew why Teacher Li avoided the selection—to prevent rifts. With a day left, no need to rush. A rift would hurt the academy and them.

But he knew they’d have to discuss it. Mu Yunfan’s group likely wouldn’t wake before the match. Like Teacher Li, he believed this was a plot against Endless, ensuring no early recovery.