Abyssal Chronicles

Chapter 504 - 505: ranking competition [3/4]

Upon hearing the door close, Mengxi, who had been engrossed in her work, slowly pulled herself back to reality. Seeing the striking black-haired girl at the door, a sweet smile crossed Mengxi’s face. Taking off her glasses, she greeted her like someone would welcome a family member:

"Welcome back, Sister Yumo."

"Mhm, I’m back."

Yumo replied with a smile and then walked over to the desk. She looked at the variety of spell materials, magic diagrams, and different types of magical rings spread across it.

"What are you working on?"

Yumo curiously asked.

"These? Just updating my equipment. I used a lot in today’s practical lesson, so I need to prepare again. Also, I learned a new high-level spell today. I feel it could be useful, so I’ve been preparing the casting materials for it."

Magic on Ancita continent involves manipulating atmospheric or internal magic in specific ways. It has various functions, like attack, defense, or amplification. Most high-level and Divine-level magic requires specific materials and incantations for casting. Mengxi was now organizing these materials and incantations for quick casting.

Looking at the array of materials on the table, Yumo raised an eyebrow.

Seeing Mengxi always with her sword in combat, she had almost forgotten that Mengxi was proficient in both physical and magical combat.

"Do you need any more materials? If so, I can ask Sebastian to get them for you."

"Don’t worry about it, Sister Yumo. Materials for high-level magic aren’t that rare. I have plenty of items like Haro tree leaves, earth dragon scales, and sulfur stones in stock."

"I see, okay then."

"Hey, Yumo..."

Mengxi slowly got up and tiptoed towards Yumo,

"Yeah? What’s up?"

"Just wondering... what did you do today? You came back pretty late."

"Went shopping outside of Anvika."

"Shopping?"

"Yes, mainly for materials your classmates use, to assist with their breakthroughs. Aren’t your friends, Yaze and Lillian, preparing to advance to the sixth level?"

"Oh, I see..."

Mengxi realized what Yumo was talking about and nodded in understanding.

"You got materials to help Yaze and the others with their advancements. That’s why you came back late today."

Mengxi mumbled to herself. But while murmuring, she pursed her lips, a hint of jealousy sneaking into her voice. She seemed a bit miffed.

Clearly, the young girl wasn’t pleased with Yumo’s late return. Although she knew she might be overreacting a bit, the thought of Yumo missing their planned dinner to help other students made Mengxi a bit sulky, almost like a pouty kitten.

"I’m kinda jealous of Yaze and the others. To have you run errands for them on your day off."

"Uh..."

Yumo could see that Mengxi was a bit upset.

How could she not notice Mengxi’s slight moodiness? Even though the young girl tried to hide it, hoping to get a bit of extra attention, Yumo couldn’t bear to see her unhappy.

"You’re such a handful girl" Yumo mused, walking over to Mengxi. She gently stroked Mengxi’s head, much like one would comfort a slightly agitated bunny.

"Come on now, what’s there to be jealous about? I spend every day with you. I accompany you in classes, tutor you at night, help with your training, and even act as your human pillow. What’s there to envy about them?"

"I just am, okay?"

"Goodness..."

Shaking her head, Yumo moved closer to a slightly startled Mengxi, held her face gently, and planted a tender kiss on her forehead. Feeling the warmth from the kiss, the displeasure in Mengxi’s eyes faded, replaced by satisfaction.

"Still jealous?"

"Yeah..."

Mengxi’s face turned red and nodded, then, with a somewhat ’shy’ gesture, she rested her head on Yumo’s shoulder. In that moment, her beautiful face wore a satisfied, charming smile.

"Not anymore."

"Good."

Yumo continued to softly pat Mengxi’s back, sighing with relief.

’Just a simple kiss did the trick...’

’Well…’

’She’s so easy to please’

Yumo thought to herself with a smirk.

...

- ’And You’re so easy to trick’- Mengxi thought quietly, enjoying Yumo’s comforting presence.

--

After their brief moment, Yumo glanced at Mengxi, who was leaning against her.

"Hey, little cat"

"Hmm? What is it, sister?"

"I have a surprise for you."

"Huh?"

Mengxi looked up curiously, meeting Yumo’s mischievous eyes, and tilted her head in a cute manner.

"A surprise?"

"Yes~"

With a faint smile, the black-haired girl gracefully raised her right hand, and a crimson light gradually radiated from the palm of her hand. The next moment, under Mengxi’s slightly puzzled gaze, the black-haired girl’s spatial ring opened. The numerous rare items stored inside it were scattered all over the ground, all displayed in front of Mengxi, accompanied by dozens of blood-red butterflies.

"!??..."

Looking at the expensive spell materials, magic books, and various weapons on the ground, Mengxi’s mouth opened slightly, revealing a surprised expression:

"Sister Yumo, what are these?"

"These, all of them is for you."

"For me?"

"Yes. Going out today to help Yaze and others purchase breakthrough materials was just a secondary purpose. My main goal was to prepare various magic materials and equipment for you. So, no need to be jelly."

"..."

On the other side, looking at the dazzling array of precious items, Mengxi’s lavender eyes trembled slightly. Especially when she spotted a black ring she had mentioned a few days ago. She realized Yumo had gotten it just for her.

’It’s even my favorite type!’

’Sister always says she doesn’t care about me~’

’But’

’She really does care about me~’

In front of Sister Yumo, without the gaze of outsiders, Mengxi never hid her emotions.

The excited silver-haired girl suddenly hugged Yumo affectionately, rubbing her soft face against Yumo’s:

"Mmm! I knew Sister Yumo favor me the most~"

"Okay, okay, Chill"

"Hehe~"

The silver-haired girl let out a bell-like, pleasant laugh.

...

"But..."

"But what?"

"Sister Yumo... Why did you suddenly prepare so many precious items? And of all types."

"Hmm?"

Facing Mengxi’s puzzled look, Yumo tilted her head playfully, giving her a "You don’t know~" expression:

"Of course, it’s for the ranking competition that starts tomorrow~"

"Ranking competition?"

"Yes~"

Yumo nodded with pride, revealing a charming smile full of anticipation.

Clearly, our Yumo was very excited about this so-called ’ranking competition’.

This competition is the most important annual event at the Luminous Royal Academy. Through one-on-one arena battles, they select the ten students with the strongest overall combat abilities in the academy. And if these ten students also rank at the top in written exams, they have the chance to receive the Blessing of the Sacred Dragon’s Heart.

’School...’

’Arena? Rankings?’

Words like "school", "competition", and "ranking" seemed a bit cliché to Yumo. She remembered reading about such stuff in some old fantasy novels. At first, when she found out her school also had this competition, she couldn’t help but roll her eyes. But now, she seemed pretty excited about it.

But after some thought, Yumo felt...

"A ranking competition? It seems quite normal."

Through the ranking competition, the academy’s upper echelons can understand the actual combat strength of each student and confirm the direction of their future development. Meanwhile, the honors given through the ranking competition and the rewards given at different levels stimulate competition among the students of Luminous. This competition will turn into motivation, prompting the students to practice even harder.

In short,

It’s about pushing the students to compete... after rounds and rounds of intense competition, the strongest will emerge.

"Mengxi is at the Star class, right? After the school’s ranking competition starts tomorrow, won’t the top 32 students of the Star class begin to compete for the top ten spots? I took a quick look at the profiles of the top 32, and they are all one-in-a-million talents. Several of them are approaching the peak of the sixth level, and one is even close to breaking through to the seventh level! Even for you, it won’t be easy to defeat those students. So, I specially got these items for you to counter them~. Face opponents of different attributes with equipment and magic that counters them. In this way, it shouldn’t be a problem for you to enter the top ten~. Of course, if you can get into the top three, or even become the top one~ that would be great too hehe~"

While showing Mengxi the rare items she had purchased, Yumo spoke with excitement.

Yumo at this moment,

Seemed as if she was playing some kind of simulation game~

As a teacher, helping the protagonist analyze opponents, guiding the protagonist to defeat one strong enemy after another, watching the protagonist’s strength increase step by step, and their character grow bit by bit, eventually winning the championship. There must be a strong sense of accomplishment in the end~

Moreover,

In Yumo’s view, Mengxi is excellent in all aspects, but her personality can be a bit arrogant, she’s a bit show-off-ish, and occasionally acts childishly.

This fiercely competitive ranking competition can be used to enhance the Girl of Destiny’s combat skills and also to hone her character, truly a win-win. So, Yumo is quite looking forward to the arrival of the ranking competition and specifically went to the outskirts of Anvika to prepare for it.

"Anyway, do your best. No matter who your opponent is, don’t worry, I’m here to support you."

Yumo patted Mengxi on the shoulder, encouraging her.

However,

Hearing this, Mengxi, who noticed the excitement in Yumo’s eyes, showed a slightly troubled expression. After hesitating for a moment, the silver-haired girl decided to be honest:

"Um, Sister Yumo..."

"Yes? What’s wrong?"

"Actually... I’m not... participating in the ranking competition tomorrow..."

"Huh?"

Hearing this, Yumo was taken aback, showing a look of disbelief:

"You’re not participating? Why? Such an important competition, how can you not join? Without a ranking, how will you compete for the Blessing of the Sacred Dragon’s Heart?"

"Because... out of the top thirty-two, I’ve already beaten thirty-one of them. So... the ranking competition tomorrow is actually a competition for second place."

"..."

"..."

"~?????!!!!?"

"What?"