Chapter Two: They Are in Class

March 3rd, 10:00 AM, Central Union University.

Gongsun Ce sat in the back corner of the large lecture hall, gazing melancholically at the bio-pigeons fluttering past the window. He couldn't help but yawn, seriously contemplating whether he should return to his dormitory to catch up on sleep at noon.

The super-powered were in class.

Central Union University was the most prestigious institution in the city, bar none. This reputation was largely due to the Cecil Laboratory under its name, to the extent that many middle and high school students who lacked detailed knowledge assumed it was a den of villains filled with people in white lab coats.

The reality, of course, was not so. The domain of the lab-coated personnel was strictly separated from normal teaching activities. Most of the professors at the university were upright, old-fashioned educators. They accepted official appointments, gave up comfortable lives, and traveled from all over the world to this academy in the sky to impart valuable knowledge to the youth—occasionally using high-tech weaponry to teach the children the meaning of respecting their teachers.

From the perspective of an ordinary person, the university professors were highly respectable. As for the rumors circulating in the streets—such as "a significant portion of the professors are lab-coat types," "the universities are all major powers in the dark world," or "the principal commands a unit of super-powered individuals specifically for executing other super-powered individuals"—these were all baseless nonsense without a shred of evidence.

That the teachers were of high moral character and amiable was visible to everyone; how could they possibly be associated with unscrupulous researchers? The principal, in particular, was a progressive figure who advocated for equal rights for the super-powered. When the City of the Firmament was first established, he donated a massive sum in his private capacity and later personally joined the front lines of the education sector. Even now, despite his busy schedule, he specifically carved out time to teach the freshmen...

Just like today.

"Good morning, gentlemen and ladies. I am Onowell Slocum, your principal and the nominal lecturer for this course, 'The Development of World History Under the Influence of the Dragon Phenomenon.' Due to work commitments, this course, which I was originally supposed to teach in its entirety, was handed over to a teaching assistant last month, for which I am very sorry. Fortunately, I finally have the time to teach in person this week, which means I can once again share some of my thoughts and research findings on the course content with you face-to-face..."

The middle-aged teacher standing on the podium, speaking with great eloquence, was the principal of Central Union University, Onowell. His bald head was so shiny it reflected the light, to the point that the gray-haired young man felt it would be quite rude to stare at that hairless scalp for more than half a second.

"The Development of World History Under the Influence of the Dragon Phenomenon" (or "Dragon History" for short) was a highly popular elective among freshmen at the school. The reason was its short duration, minimal assignments, and the fact that the final assessment was just a short essay rather than a formal exam. To summarize it in simple, clear terms: it was a "water" course.

Courses where one could easily earn credits were always popular, and for the other students who actually intended to learn something, courses taught by the knowledgeable principal were also very attractive. Gongsun Ce considered himself and Cartesia to be part of the former group. The studious young lady had skipped this course on the grounds that "I've already learned this at home," while Shiyu Lingyi was undoubtedly only attending to keep a certain top-hat-wearing girl company.

The bald teacher on the podium continued, tone steady and rhythmic: "...I believe there is no need to reiterate the rules that each of you already understands, but out of duty, I must repeat them once more: unless necessary, please do not use your superpowers in the classroom. Now, let us officially begin today's lesson regarding the Dragon Phenomenon and its associated geological features..."

Gongsun Ce continued to look out the window, his expression even more melancholic than before.

The source of this sorrow was not the content of the lecture, but the questions that had been echoing in his ears for the past five minutes—questions only he could hear.

"Work is usually so busy, I haven't been to class with everyone in so long, I'm actually looking forward to it."

"This is my first time coming to school this semester, I feel a bit guilty. Will the teacher take attendance?"

"Gongsun Ce, do you remember what was taught in this class before?"

The pink-haired girl sitting next to him was undoubtedly the culprit behind Gongsun Ce’s silent gaze toward the heavens. After the events of the past few days, Qiluo had become increasingly adept at controlling her abilities—or rather, her physical traits. She could now conceal her voice and minor movements without hiding her physical form, which meant that to everyone else, Qiluo appeared to be sitting in her seat, listening attentively, while to Gongsun Ce, she was chirping away like a sparrow.

How was he supposed to respond to this? If others saw him talking to himself from time to time, they would likely think the super-powered individual was chatting with an invisible friend.

"...We can see the magnitude of the Dragon Phenomenon’s impact on Earth through several typical examples, such as the Shenzhi River and the Three-Tier Cliff of Zero Island, the Steel Sword Peak of Morton, and, of course, the 51 unique geological features of Usters and the blessed lands of the Empire. I hope that by the end of the next three lectures, students will have a basic understanding of them..."

The principal droned on with his opening remarks, and Gongsun Ce finally thought of a way to cope. He used his "white matter" to form tiny characters on the surface of his desk. Qiluo looked down and read:

"The idiot couple didn't come today, I hope he doesn't take roll. Don't ask me about the lecture points, I haven't been listening either."

A sense of kinship—the "so you're a slacker too" realization—flickered in the idol's eyes. Gongsun Ce decided to pretend he hadn't noticed.

Having received an answer, Qiluo finally settled down. Gongsun Ce was just about to pretend to listen to the lecture—

Poke, poke, poke.

The girl sitting next to him tapped his arm with her fingertip.

Don't push your luck, you woman!

!

For a split second, Gongsun Ce almost shouted a rude line like a tough guy from a last-century film.

God, can’t this girl just be quiet? We’re in class. Look at the students in front—they are politely flirting with their girlfriends... ah, skip that, look at the row in front of them, they are politely playing on their phones...

Gongsun Ce felt a rare sense of frustration.

Isn't there a single positive example to use to educate Qiluo! Hell, are the people in the last few rows near the wall all slackers like him!

He turned his head and wrote with his white matter: "What's wrong?"

Qiluo was reaching up to adjust her collar. Having regained her memories, she finally possessed some common sense and hadn't come to a university lecture wearing that stage outfit that made people wonder where to look. Today, she was wearing a black uniform top and a pink skirt, with a red tie resting on her high-set chest, looking...

A bit better than before.

Damn it, you’re doing this on purpose, aren't you? This tight-fitting top! This tie that’s half-trapped! It’s hard not to suspect you’re intentionally stimulating hormone-filled adolescent males; is this the professional instinct of an idol?

She asked with a hint of unease and anticipation: "Gongsun Ce, what do you think of the outfit I'm wearing today?"

Don't ask me.

How is Mr. Gongsun supposed to say—no, write—that? If you hear an evaluation like "it's still very thought-provoking" while wearing that "I’ve dressed up carefully so it should look great" expression, you'll probably cry, but it’s that very expression that makes it impossible for him to lie with a clear conscience!

Gongsun Ce wrote solemnly with his white matter: "I think it suits you very well."

Qiluo clasped her hands together in relief, looking very satisfied with the comment. Gongsun Ce let out a long sigh; he could finally listen to the lecture for a few minutes—

He noticed that the classroom seemed a bit quieter than before, and the principal was looking at him with an unfriendly expression.

"Mr. Gongsun." The bald middle-aged man leaned against the podium. "I noticed you have used your ability multiple times in class. I think you understand that, according to school policy, I have the right to restrict your physical movements in the name of 'self-defense.' But I believe you are not the type of student who would attack a lecturer—so, would you mind telling me what you are planning to do?"

Low laughter erupted in the classroom. Gongsun Ce stood up, grimacing: "Sorry, teacher, I was taking notes. You know, I'm used to using my ability to get things done."

"Then surely you have memorized the mainstream theories regarding the formation of Zero Island's landscape. Would you mind sharing your notes with us?"

*It’s just freshman year, why be so serious? Are you from the academic affairs office, here to inspect the class and call on people?*

*Oh, you're the principal, never mind then.*

Gongsun Ce racked his brains, trying to use the trivia he had seen before to scrape by. He heard Qiluo’s prompt beside him: "Gongsun Ce, the direct cause is the Void Light Disaster of 1709. The deeper reason for the mainstream hypothesis is..."

The super-powered student adjusted his glasses and answered with extreme confidence: "The direct cause is the Void Light Disaster of 1709, teacher. And the mainstream hypothesis suggests that a large-scale Dragon Phenomenon that descended upon Zero Island before the Eternal Light Calendar had an unknown synergy with the Void Light Disaster in terms of terrain modification, which is why Zero Island possesses a three-tiered unnatural landscape."

Onowell nodded and said: "Basically correct, Mr. Gongsun. I am glad you are listening carefully. Next time, please remember not to use your superpowers in class unless you are in a lab session."

The gray-haired young man gave Qiluo a thumbs up and sat down, relieved. Qiluo had clearly memorized every word the principal had said. To be able to chat with someone while listening to a lecture—he wished he had that kind of memory when he was in high school.

"I have a great memory, don't I~" Qiluo said proudly.

*It would be strange if your memory as an information lifeform were worse than an ordinary person's.*

Gongsun Ce grumbled to himself as he looked at the podium. The question directed at him seemed to have ignited the principal's "teacher soul," and this renowned educator was now planning to use the nasty method of random roll calls to pick an unlucky soul to answer his next question.

"I think it’s also a good idea to take this opportunity to check your progress." The principal picked up the roster and randomly selected a name: "Miss Cartesia Spencer."

Several stifled laughs echoed in the classroom; the students who didn't see the top hat realized that Cartesia had skipped class.

Gongsun Ce held back his laughter with the greatest difficulty. He only realized halfway through that he had to help his friend bluff her way through... otherwise, the serious old educator might really deduct her grade for the semester.

Onowell repeated with an unfriendly expression: "Miss Cartesia Spencer?"

Gongsun Ce made frantic mouth movements at the girl next to him: "Qiluo, hurry up and turn into her!"

Qiluo opened her mouth wide and pointed at herself: "Me?!"

"Hurry, hurry, hurry!"

Qiluo bit the bullet and tapped her forehead (she controlled the magical-girl-transformation smoke effect this time), stood up, and raised her hand: "Teacher, I'm here."

To Gongsun Ce, Qiluo hadn't changed, but the other nosy students showed expressions of surprise; he knew Qiluo's illusion had succeeded.

Onowell’s words carried obvious doubt.

"Miss Spencer... were you sitting there earlier?"

Qiluo’s eyes darted, and she mimicked the top-hat girl’s tone to perfection.

"Of course, respected teacher! As you can see, I was sitting next to Gongsun Ce—" She picked up her phone from the desk and placed it on her head. "Look, my top hat is right here."

Gongsun Ce almost choked on his laughter. Onowell nodded with some hesitation: "Very well... I believe the teaching assistant should have covered the period of the Empire's Great Expansion that began in the year 199 of the Eternal Light Calendar. Do you remember the reason why the two sides turned from hostile to friendly negotiations when the Eternal Light Empire first made contact with the predecessors of Usters?"

Qiluo was truly stumped this time: she hadn't come to class last week. The pink-haired girl looked at her desk mate for help. Gongsun Ce mouthed: "Use your phone to look it up."

So, Qiluo pretended to take off her hat, removed the phone from her head, and said while searching for information with her ability: "Oh, this, I believe the assistant mentioned it last class... sorry teacher, please give me a moment to recall... I remember now!"

She tried her best to imitate Cartesia's tone, acting as if it had just come to her: "It was... they were fighting and then encountered a Dragon Disaster, right? After the disaster ended, the commanders of both sides were swept into the other camp, so they were forced to make peace!"

"I hope you will use more professional terminology when answering questions next time." Onowell sighed. "The general meaning is correct. Thank you, Miss Spencer."

Qiluo was still acting her part: "You see, my grade for the semester..."

"Today’s classroom questions are not related to the semester grade." "Thank you, Principal!"

The pink-haired girl pressed down her skirt and sat back down. Gongsun Ce was laughing so hard his stomach hurt.

At this moment, Principal Onowell realized something else. He frowned and asked: "Wait a moment, Miss Spencer has reminded me. Why haven't I seen Mr. Shiyu Lingyi today?"

Gongsun Ce experienced the heights of joy and the depths of despair in half a second. Before he could even ask, Qiluo whispered: "It’s too jarring, I’ll be found out!"

In a moment of desperation, Gongsun Ce pointed at himself. Qiluo’s ability activated again. Under immense psychological pressure, he stood up, wearing Shiyu-kun’s easygoing smile: "I’m here, teacher."

Onowell rubbed his eyes vigorously.

"Very well, very well."

He turned to the blackboard, just about to continue the lecture, when he turned back again to look at "Shiyu Lingyi."

"I recall..." Onowell said, sounding unsure, "that was originally Mr. Gongsun’s seat?"

The classroom was abuzz; the students were now feeling suspicious as well.

The bald teacher spoke for everyone: "Then, where has Mr. Gongsun Ce gone?"

"..."

Gongsun Ce wanted to run out the back door, but wearing Shiyu Lingyi's face, he absolutely could not do that! He only had two choices left: confess immediately or keep up the ruse to the end!

What to do? What on earth should he do? At the critical moment, Gongsun Ce made a decision!

Except for Qiluo, who kept repeating "What do I do, what do I do," the entire classroom was now looking at the inexplicably appeared "Shiyu Lingyi." Everyone was curious to see if this person could come up with an excuse that would convince the principal to explain Gongsun Ce's mid-class absence.

"Shiyu Lingyi" stood up unhurriedly and smiled lightly:

"I believe he went to save the City of the Firmament, Mr. Onowell."

The students' expressions were just like moles emerging from the ground; their eyes were filled with admiration and amazement, and they were one step away from blurting out, "You can even make that up?"

Onowell’s expression was sour: "This is the first time I've learned that Mr. Gongsun Ce moonlights as a superhero during class. I thought he only did that part-time outside of class hours."

*You really think too highly of me, Principal.*

*I don't do hero activities in my spare time either; at most, I help the authorities with some volunteer work.*

"Shiyu Lingyi" didn't change his expression: "Sometimes, unexpected events do not follow our class schedule. For instance..."

Gongsun Ce was convinced he had thought of a logical and reasonable excuse; if he had just another half minute, he could have convinced the whole class and the principal. However, as he had just said, sometimes unexpected events are always unpredictable—just as he was about to speak eloquently, the back door of the classroom was pushed open by someone.

The person who was late for class hunched over, sneaking in like a little mouse, intending to slip into the classroom while the teacher was lecturing. Unfortunately, she chose the wrong time; everyone was looking at Gongsun Ce standing in the back row, and a slowly approaching top hat looked even more conspicuous than a trash can.

Gongsun Ce’s words stuck in his throat. Onowell furrowed his brows: "Miss Cartesia Spencer?"

The slowly moving top hat froze in mid-air with a "click." The top hat rose slowly, revealing the golden short hair beneath it and a face that showed absolutely no embarrassment.

Cartesia said brightly: "Good morning, Principal! Sorry I'm late!"

Onowell snapped a piece of chalk.

"Understandable. I suppose you went to save our city as well, right?"

"...Ah?"

Gongsun Ce (in Shiyu-kun's appearance) slapped a hand over his face.

The students couldn't hold it in anymore; waves of laughter erupted in the classroom, and the suit-wearing young man who followed her in pushed the joyful atmosphere to its climax.

Shiyu Lingyi was carrying two large shopping bags; it was obvious why the two of them were late. Before he could speak, Onowell said in a tone that could be described as gentle: "Mr. Shiyu Lingyi, I guess you are the third member of the City Hero Squad?"

Shiyu-kun looked very confused.

"Sorry, Mr. Onowell, I don't quite understand..."

Just then, he made eye contact with another "himself" by the window. Shiyu Lingyi stared at the other, extremely embarrassed self and spoke sluggishly: "...I don't quite understand what is happening."

"I thought as much." Onowell stepped off the podium. "I still don't understand where Mr. Gongsun Ce has gone!"

Now everyone was watching the back of the classroom with great interest; there were two pairs of identical people in the room, and everyone was curious about who was real and who was fake.

Qiluo (in Cartesia's appearance) poked the semi-collapsed Gongsun Ce (in Shiyu-kun's appearance) and whispered: "Should we try again?"

Gongsun Ce shook his head in despair, his movements surprisingly slow.

After a puff of purple smoke, the two people in the seats returned to their original forms.

Everyone clapped for this brilliant magic trick and the courage of the four to joke with the principal. For a moment, applause thundered in the classroom.

Onowell looked at the pink-haired girl and said, drawing out his words: "Oh... so it's a four-person squad. It reminds me of the serialized comics I read in my childhood; very brilliant!"

Qiluo was trying to hide under the table, with little success.

Gongsun Ce gazed melancholically out the window; he could already imagine what the hottest post on the school forum would be today.

"Uh, sorry, Principal...?" Cartesia waved. "I didn't mean to..."

The bald teacher smiled even more gently.

"I understand perfectly; you were busy protecting the peace of the city. As Mr. Gongsun said, unexpected situations are everywhere. Now, I intend to give our four-person squad an urgent task."

He straightened his face and said in a low voice.

"Submit a thesis of over six thousand words on last month's teaching content by next Friday. It must be handwritten. Or, forfeit your semester grade for this course."

In the afternoon, the club activity room.

Miss Qin was munching on fries, while the other four were hunched over their desks, writing away.

"Look, look, this is the expression of surprise. A-Ce clearly said it was a very relaxed course today."

Gongsun Ce shouted with a savage expression: "It's all Cartesia's fault!"

"Who was the one who turned a fifteen-minute lateness into this mess!" Cartesia screamed back.

The two quickly began a new round of arguing and quibbling. Shiyu Lingyi smiled bitterly and said: "Miss Qiluo..."

Qiluo flopped onto the table with a mournful face.

"Wua, wua, wua."

"Look, you even caused Qiluo-chan to regress!"

"Is that my fault too?!"

The young lady commented from the perspective of an objective bystander:

"Self-inflicted, isn't it?"