Youny finally prepares to initiate his plan to takeover the world…
Translated by: TaffyGirl13
Chapter 4: Chuunibyou isn’t limited to just middle schoolers; old people have a chance of getting it too
Shalom Academy, Class 3-C’s common room.
The large space was filled with a heavy and solemn air. The moment Isaac had left the Sagveiss, he had flown directly back to campus and summoned their friend group.
“Fu Xing was seized by White Triangle?” Zhu Yue was shocked.
“‘Seized’ might not be the most appropriate word. It was more like ‘protected’…” Isaac dropped his head in self-reproach. “It seems that he has a friend in White Triangle.”
“A friend?” Everyone was doubtful of this, finding it extremely difficult to accept such a term in this context.
“There was too much going on, and there was no time to ask further. After I left, I immediately dispatched people over to provide support, but there was already no one left in the area. The only thing remaining were traces of the fighting. There were bloodstains from darkbloods on the ground, as well as lingering fluctuations from cursed souls. There was no jingguai blood though, so Fu Xing should be safe and unharmed for now.”
Isaac forced himself to slowly inhale and exhale, trying his best to stay calm. “The southern alliance’s armed forces are awaiting orders, and can move out at any moment once I give the command.”
“How do we determine where Fu Xing is?”
Dan Juan answered before Isaac could. “There is a special rune in Shalom’s school rings that allows the wearer’s location to be found using a specific magic array. However, only the instructors are able to use it.”
“I’ve already requested Samukawa to do so.” Isaac had dropped by Samukawa’s dorm first before rushing to the common room, since his calls had not gone through.
Isaac had originally expected to be reprimanded by Samukawa for disturbing him in the middle of the night on a holiday to dump such a troublesome issue on him. However, although he had initially appeared in his Pompompurin pajamas with a foul expression from being woken up, his face had shifted into clear worry upon hearing the news.
Without any complaints or questions, he had simply given a resolute promise— “Leave it to me.”
This made Isaac emotional. Even the tengu had changed, no longer always on its own and rejecting people from thousands of miles away.
Fu Xing was like a lamp gradually lighting up the winter night with its faint glow. It slowly burned away the deep darkness bit by bit until it became bright, melting every heart that had been sealed in ice within the dark. Through its warmth, they had come to know what hope was.
He did not dare to think of losing these bright days.
Now that they knew what warmth and light was like, falling back into darkness would be more painful.
“We head out as soon as Samukawa finds where Fu Xing is.”
“To face White Triangle head-on?” Momiji asked with a raised brow.
“Yes. We leave and directly meet up with the southern alliance’s troops, then slaughter our way through White Triangle.”
“Haha, not bad for weekend entertainment.” Momiji was very eager to give it a try. However, there was concern that could not be hidden behind her laid-back, joking facade.
“Fortunately,” Flora sighed. “The weapons Fu Xing stole last time are still with me.”
Upon returning from the past, she had volunteered to return the borrowed weapons back to their warehouse on behalf of Fu Xing because he had been so depressed over Isaac and Leon’s situation. However, she had decided for personal reasons to hold the high-quality goods in her own room for the time being, with the plan to return them ‘later’ (aka whenever the staff from the warehouse came to demand the loan back).
The others began to discuss countermeasures as they planned their next steps.
Brad, who had worn a deep frown from beginning to end, suddenly spoke up. “Where is Leon Sagveiss?”
Isaac paused at this, then sighed as he replied with a low voice, “He carries his own burdens. The Sagveiss name is too heavy, it is no easy task to—”
“So even though the mess was caused by the Sagveiss clan, he doesn’t plan on coming out to wipe their asses for them?” Brad coldly bit out, “Looks like he’s completely inherited Herman’s selfish blood.”
Bang! The door abruptly slammed open.
“Only lowly people criticise others behind their backs.” A chilling voice pierced through the room. “You have quite a few bad habits aside from eating shit, dumb mutt.”
“Leon?”
The figure dressed in all black was fully armed, with two swords on its back and various other blades tied to the waist and the side of the legs.
Leon did not respond for a moment. Without bothering with any unnecessary explanations, he finally stated in an indifferent tone, “I’m back.” He turned to Isaac with a calm and confident look in his eyes as he nodded.
Isaac stared back at Leon, a faint smile forming on his face. “How did you know we were here?”
“I figured this thing was looking for you.” Leon released a furry black object from his grasp.
It was a palm-sized rabbit with wings on its back — Samukawa’s shikigami. It stretched itself in Leon’s palms before jumping off and activating the message charm tied around its neck. Flowing calligraphy floated in the air:
Location has been traced, head to the headmaster’s office immediately.
After a while, it slowly dissipated.
“How long will it take for that guy to start using a cellphone…” Emerald couldn’t help but grumble.
“When it rains, it pours.” Sanbi sat behind his cypress desk, his forehead pressed against his interlaced fingers as he heaved a sigh. “The supreme god truly loves to play tricks…”
“The tracing array caught a signal from Italy, in a small town in the southern corner of Rome.” Samukawa had already changed out of his pajamas into formal apparel. He stated in a grave tone, “The southern alliance in Isaac Nyeva’s command is ready and awaiting orders.”
“The Kirst heir?” Sanbi raised his head to look at Samukawa with a faint smile. “Taking risks for others now, hm. You have changed.”
Samukawa coughed awkwardly. “The voices against White Triangle grow louder by the day. As a symbolic entity, Shalom should contribute as well. We can use this chance to express our stand to the world, and declare war against White Triangle…”
“You can skip the pompous PR wording. Shalom’s stance is peacefully living with humans. Rescuing He Fu Xing is purely out of your personal feelings; there’s no need to forcibly link it with benefits to special animate beings.” If possible, he had to stop any battles from unfolding.
Sanbi sternly stated, “Do not forget why the eudemon was sealed beneath this land. In the current circumstances, it is most important for us to maintain a neutral stance. We will certainly respect whatever opinions or actions the students take, but we must not directly declare war under the academy’s name.”
Samukawa cast his eyes down, his heart in turmoil.
He knew that despite the fact that Shalom taught students how to fight, it never encouraged such a position. The conflicts between different races and different factions in the world of special animate beings were complicated enough. Even if they were now facing the common enemy, White Triangle, how were they supposed to divide resources? Who had the power to give commands? Should the opinions of the beastmen be heeded, or the opinions of the darkbloods? Would the southern factions lead, or the northern factions? These disputes alone could cause them to break out into smaller battles.
Shalom was like a weapons dealer. It created various weapons to use in war, but remained entirely neutral on the battlefield.
Samukawa had not held any hope for Sanbi allowing him to use the academy’s resources anyways. At least he had obtained permission to leave campus and accompany Isaac’s group to perform their rescue.
“However,” Sanbi quietly stated. “If it is to rescue a student, Shalom will provide full support. You may dispatch any people or items as needed.”
Samukawa’s head shot up in shock. “I thought you wouldn’t allow that.”
Sanbi let out a soft sigh. “Every student is Shalom’s important treasure. We must protect them to the best of our abilities.”
Samukawa stared at him. Although they had worked together for centuries, he still could not understand what Sanbi was thinking. He could not tell if Sanbi’s philosophy was for or against war. Had Shalom been established to nurture students and protect special animate beings, or had it been to protect humans and constrain special animate beings to this space that was simply called a “school”?
“Asking such a question now seems a bit weird, but,” Samukawa paused for a moment. “What exactly was the reason for establishing Shalom?”
“The main objective for creating Shalom was to allow young special animate beings to mature in a safe environment.” Even if such a pure objective has become more complicated over the years. He had gradually deviated from the just path, though it was against his will.
As for the other reason for Shalom’s existence that was more important, yet unbeknownst to anyone else, that allowed Shalom to “continue existing” even if it had deviated from its original purpose. It could also draw new students to enter the academy.
This had been a certain queen’s request when she had sacrificed herself for the school, back when it had first been built. It had also been the prophecy she had left behind—
“No matter what, Shalom must continue existing. The one that will turn the tides will enter, using chaos to put an end to chaos, pacifying a collapsing situation and starting an entirely new era.”
As for when that critical one would appear to transform the state of the world, who they were, and how they would end the disorder — all of those answers were unknown.
Sanbi had taken on the task of creating Shalom based on this vague premonition alone. He had never doubted his actions, firmly believing in this unknown future and hope.
However, he had grown tired after persisting for over three centuries. The fervent energy in his heart had gradually died down, and now he could only passively take one step at a time.
He took a deep breath and slowly exhaled before meeting Samukawa’s gaze and strongly urging, “You must keep casualties to the bare minimum, regardless of whether it’s special animate beings or humans—”
“You are the same as always, Sanbi. You still like openly voicing your delusions.” A mocking voice suddenly rang out from a corner of the room.
“Who’s there?!” Samukawa sharply whirled around and swiftly shot an expulsion spell out in the space behind him. However, the spell simply lit up in violet sparks in the empty air before dissipating.
“It’s been centuries since we last saw each other. You’re just as on-edge as always, like a chihuahua.” The voice responded with a laugh as a tall and slender figure appeared.
Both Samukawa and Sanbi’s faces froze in stunned astonishment when they saw who had arrived.
“It’s you!” Samukawa hissed through gritted teeth, his voice filled with both fury and panic as though he could not believe his own eyes. “The beast of axioms…”
“Long time no see.” Youny chuckled as he slowly strode to the centre of the hall under his guise as a youth.
This was his first time appearing in a humanoid form ever since being sealed many years ago. He deliberately chose to wear Shalom’s uniform with strong provocative and satirizing intent.
As Youny neared them, Samukawa cautiously retreated and summoned his most powerful and destructive attack spell in his palms. However, Youny paid him no mind at all.
In contrast, Sanbi was quite calm. With a bitter smile, he said, “First it was the World Sanctification Court, then it was Lancelot, then the conflict between darkblood factions and a student being captured…and now it’s you. You really choose the perfect time to show up.”
“How rude, I am an inauspicious omen, after all.” Youny smirked as he pulled aside a chair to take a seat without permission so that he was opposite Sanbi, looking at his “old friend” from centuries ago — his “enemy” that had shackled him in that isolated ward back then.
Youny studied the other’s youthful guise, assessing the soul hidden within. He then sighed in a tone that was filled with both pity and delight. “Your soul has already deteriorated, like a ruined candle in the wind.”
“You have not changed either, even if you are only in a spiritual form.” Sanbi met Youny’s gaze. “Don’t force yourself.” While it sounded like concern, there was a threat behind the words.
Youny’s brows shot up in response, somewhat surprised that Sanbi had seen through his condition.
Seems I cannot underestimate him even if his powers are nothing like before. In the previous times he had appeared before Fu Xing in a semi-physical form, it had also been a result of his consciousness leaving his physical body, with only half of his soul escaping from the ward. This semi-physical form only possessed a quarter of his body’s full strength, with limited abilities. However, this was also how he could easily slip through the defense systems undetected.
With the end of winter drawing closer, he could control more of his power. Now, he could extract his entire soul to appear before Sanbi. Like this, he could utilise about 70% of his power, but could only maintain it for a day. Any longer than that would require him to possess another life form.
As the critical day had yet to arrive, taking action like this was not within his plan. However, for Fu Xing’s sake…
When Isaac had returned to campus alone, he had sensed something was wrong. Thus, he had followed behind and listened into Isaac’s conversation with the others.
Anger and fret had filled his heart.
If Fu Xing fell into White Triangle’s hands, if his crucial key was destroyed, he would lose the chance to make a comeback. Everything he had arranged and envisioned would be turned to ashes.
But for some reason, something bothered him more than the possibility of his plans failing. He cared more about whether Fu Xing was safe or not with White Triangle.
Youny furrowed his brows as he pushed these strange and ridiculous thoughts away. He feigned nonchalance with a smirk as he replied, “After being shut in for so long, I wanted to come out and take a walk.”
“I’m afraid I do not approve.” Sanbi placed his palms down on the table, causing pale blue runes to appear on the wood. He then lifted his hands and folded his second and third fingers over his thumbs, sending the runes on the desk outwards like a network of veins. “Seal!”
His bent fingers snapped straight, sending the runes shooting out in all directions before circling around Youny.
Youny extended his hands to create an invisible wall in front of him. When the blue net of runes struck the air about thirty centimetres away, it was sent ricocheting back like ocean spray sent flying when waves crashed against a cliff. In a burst of glittering light, it disappeared without a trace.
Youny snorted. “Correction, your body has become old and weak as well.” He casually snapped his fingers. “How kind of you to show me a joke as soon as I leave my prison after being sealed for centuries, Sanbi.”
Sanbi abruptly stood, silver light circulating above his palms as energy formed from his special ability combined with advanced spells. Even the air around his hands seemed to vibrate as ripples of colour radiated outwards. The space began to grow unstable with fragmented cracking sounds.
“Even a ruined candle in the wind can burn down an entire forest.” A single spark was enough to start a forest fire. The fire produced by burning away life would combine into a sea of flames to eradicate all threats.
In the blink of an eye, the revolving light transformed into thousands of sharp, slender thorns. Sanbi waved his hand to make the thorns weave together in mid-air and form a complex array to descend upon Youny.
“Forget it.” As though brushing off dust, Youny flicked his wrist to repel the glowing array. The hexagram of lit-up runes was sent flying off to the side, crashing into the stone wall embedded with a powerful defense spell where it instantly disintegrated.
“The airborne droplets from my mouth when I speak is enough to snuff out such a tiny spark.” With that, Youny spread open his hands as balls of cyan light materialised above his palms. “Here’s a souvenir.” He blew at his palms, shooting the fist-sized light spheres at Sanbi with the velocity of meteorites.
With gritted teeth, Sanbi hurriedly activated a defense spell, struggling with all his might to block Youny’s attack. Activating several advanced binding spells in succession in addition to facing this attack exhausted nearly all of Sanbi’s strength. He couldn’t contain a pained cough, dark blood leaking from the corners of his mouth.
“Sanbi!” Samukawa immediately dashed forwards to hold up Sanbi before he collapsed.
Youny shook his head. “I hope you can last until the moment I reform this world.” He snapped his fingers.
Bang!
The door suddenly slammed open to reveal a line of people standing outside the headmaster’s office.
Leon and the others had followed the shikigami to the headmaster’s office in search of Samukawa and had just arrived. Before they could even process the situation, they were forced to face the scene of devastation inside. As they took in the half-destroyed office, they froze in shock.
Leon quickly scanned the room and proceeded to draw his sword. The situation before them was enough for him to instantly determine the unfamiliar youth as the enemy.
“You’ve returned, Leon Sagveiss.” Youny waved his hand. “You’ve finally weaned off from your family?”
“You—” Leon took a step forward.
“Don’t move!” Samukawa rushed to stop him. “None of you can face him!”
Leon’s jaw clenched as he forcibly restrained himself from moving.
In reality, even without Samukawa’s reminder, his instincts told him that the one in front of him was millions times stronger than him. In this opponent’s eyes, he was just an insignificant ant.
“And you.” Youny switched targets to Isaac. “You pulled yourself together rather quickly after learning of the truth. Not bad. Countess Lee would undoubtedly be proud of you for becoming friends with the descendent of her enemy.”
Isaac’s expression remained cold as he stayed silent.
“Zhu Yue, you seem to have gotten thinner.” Youny slowly walked over to the doorway, as though chatting with close friends. “Is it because you’ve gotten tired of the dog constantly following you around?”
He ignored Zhu Yue’s and Brad’s darkening expressions as he shifted his gaze towards Flora. “You like dogs despite being a cat. Isn’t such a relationship painful?”
Flora’s face remained blank. With the slightest furrow of her brows, she replied, “…Fuck you.”
“Flora!”
Everyone was aghast as they broke out into a cold sweat. However, Youny was unfazed, only scoffing in disdain. He turned to face the other side where Rocort was standing, peering at Rocort’s oblivious expression.
“As for you, although you always act like an empty-headed vase—” Youny leaned in close to Rocort’s face as though wanting to confirm something.
If this scene unfolded in any normal situation, it might have resulted in two girls laughing gleefully while frantically taking photos. However, they were currently scared witless, holding their breaths in fear that something unexpected would happen to their friend.
“A very mixed aura. There’s the blackness of the rivers in the netherworld and—” A complicated emotion flashed through Youny’s eyes that carried both resentment and pain. “That woman’s scent too. Who are you really?”
Rocort blinked as if he found this question laughable. “I’m Rocort.”
Youny frowned, his expression turning cold as he scrutinised Rocort, who was still wearing a foolish grin. Aside from having a mix of different auras and scents, there was nothing odd about Rocort.
Youny clicked his tongue at his own reaction. He was clearly overthinking.
“Just a fool.” Youny lost interest in Rocort and switched his focus back to Sanbi.
“Not just a fool, I’m Fu Xing’s friend,” Rocort retorted with a chuckle. “Are you jealous?”
Youny’s expression immediately changed into fury as he whipped his head back around at Rocort.
“Hah…” A gruff, sandpaper-rough laugh rang out.
“Childish…” Sanbi smiled with his bloodstained lips as he chuckled in a scratchy voice, “Are you dissatisfied with something, oh great master eudemon…?”
Youny was caught off guard by the words for just a brief second before changing back to his arrogant, laid-back attitude. “I’m dissatisfied with this entire world.”
That was why he needed to change it all.
With a deep breath, he lightly jumped up and began to rise higher as though walking on invisible steps, until he reached the top of the destroyed, circular roof.
With one final glance at Leon’s group, Youny smirked. “What a bunch of trash.” He extended his arm to slash through the air with his pointer finger.
A massive crack appeared in the dark blue night sky, light pouring out through it. Youny pulled out a resplendent elf crystal from his pocket and closed his eyes. When he reopened them, the gemstone was glowing white. Then, like a firework, it began to shoot out unending streams of blinding light.
Youny abruptly closed his fist around it, as if to crush the gemstone in his grip, before flinging it at the crack in the sky like a blazing comet. The indigo night sky instantly shattered, starlit shards falling off one after another. Before long, the chaotic light flooded the heavens, flashing so brightly that no one could keep their eyes open.
Youny stepped through the crack to finally leave the prison he had been shackled to for the past three centuries. He turned his head to give one last, cold look at the others in the main bailey.
Indeed, he was not satisfied. He was not satisfied with these people, not satisfied with their lifestyles of being shadows in human history, not satisfied with their inability to comprehend his ideals.
He was dissatisfied by their inability to properly watch over Fu Xing. A bunch of trash.
However, deep in his heart, there seemed to be another voice, another emotion he had never felt before. It quietly reminded him that—even if he was not satisfied, these people were the friends that Fu Xing valued the most.
The charm he had cast on Fu Xing had not yet activated, which indicated he was currently safe. However, Youny felt ill at ease, as though his favourite toy had been stolen from him.
He had attempted searching through World Sanctification Court’s headquarters, with no results. This meant there were only two possibilities: one, that the World Sanctification Court’s headquarters didn’t exist at all, or two, that it had a repelling ward that even he could not break.
Youny’s face darkened at this conjecture.
This could only happen if someone else of his kind set the spell, causing them to cancel each other out. However, such a scenario was impossible, because he was a unique existence with no equal. His sole companion had betrayed him millenia ago and sealed him in a ward with their own life before fading from existence.
That had been his first time being sealed in a cage, his first time experiencing the loss of freedom, his first time knowing what being alone and being betrayed felt like.
The moment his only companion had disappeared, he had fallen into a despair that was even more painful than when he had been betrayed and lost his freedom.
He shook his head to dismiss these depressing thoughts, then flew through the night sky.
During his long time in imprisonment, he had thought many things through, such as the belief that those that were truly strong did not need companions. All they needed were chess pieces that they could use, and the selection of a king that could instantly open the door to victory.
He closed his eyes, probing his surroundings for any information. His eyes then snapped open to focus on a specific location in the distance.
In the past, he could not detect the World Sanctification Court’s headquarters. However, now He Fu Xing, carrying the spell he had cast, was like a lead lurking in the fort under the ward. By following this trace, he could locate both He Fu Xing and the World Sanctification Court’s headquarters.
His lips curled up into a cruel smirk. “Fu Xing, thank you for giving me such a great gift…”
It was deathly silent in the cold, snow-white walls of the room. The words Fidel had just uttered faintly echoed through the air, shaking Fu Xing to the core.
“The one who will end the war?” Fu Xing repeated disbelievingly. “Me?”
“Yes.” Fidel confidently replied, “Aside from what I just said, there are other signs that indicate you are the one that will change the state of the world.”
He reached into his pocket and pulled out the last remaining hunting apparatus. When he opened it, there was a pale blue light flashing in the spot right next to him. On the other corner of the apparatus, a brilliant white light flickered like a morning star.
As usual, the hunting apparatus would be disrupted whenever Fu Xing appeared. Fu Xing was not a Yin beast, yet he showed up on the hunting apparatus, which indicated there was a supernatural power hidden within him.
Just like Master Elijah. The hunting apparatus would always show Master Elijah’s position as well, in the form of that white light.
“There must be a mistake! I’m—” Fu Xing hurriedly snapped his mouth shut to stop himself from blurting his identity.
He was stupid and cowardly as a human and out-of-place as a monster. How could he possibly be such a significant figure? He was like the very last scraps in class percentile rank, the type that was so bad that even tutors could not figure out his aptitude for development.
“Do not underestimate yourself, Fu Xing.” Fidel gently patted Fu Xing on the shoulder again. “Perhaps it is difficult to accept right now, but I’m guessing that throughout your life, you’ve encountered realities that are so beyond conventional reason that it has forced you to come to certain realisations. Am I correct?”
Fu Xing was dumbstruck by these words. Fidel had hit the mark.
Indeed, he had been forced to accept quite a few difficult facts. Three years ago, he had thought he was a human — an inconspicuous nobody whose life was filled with shit.
He had originally thought he would live an ordinary, dull and grey life as a regular human. But that summer three years ago, his family had revealed his history, their family secrets, and a whole other hidden side of the world.
At the time, he had not believed his father’s words, thinking that his entire family had banded together to prank him. Yet it had been proven to be reality, that everything they said was true. As the person in question, he had been the only one left in the dark.
Now, he felt like he was repeating that moment three years ago. Without knowing anything, he could only dumbly listen to those around him unveiling the unknown truth.
In that case….could this possibly be real as well? Am I really the key figure to rescuing the entire world?
An indescribable sense of joy filled him, like he had won the first prize of the lottery. It was as though he had easily taken hold of everything he had yearned for, and what had previously been beyond his grasp was now in the palm of his hand.
In the past, he had just been insignificant scrap that could only look up at others, but now, he would be revered by others—
He was no longer a weakling, but the one that would end the war!
The corners of his lips unknowingly shifted slightly upwards as ecstasy swelled up within him, barely restrained by the rational part of his mind. His heart raced with the thought of facing this new, majestic status.
Fu Xing swallowed hard, trying his best to calm himself down.
Cool it. Maybe Fidel’s just saying wild things to make me drop my guard. I can’t lose myself to joy yet.
“Um, may I ask about the Requiescit Campana—”
“It’s in the forbidden curses room. If the cursed souls begin to show abnormalities or they become uncontrollable, it can be directly destroyed,” Fidel voluntarily answered before Fu Xing finished his question.
“May I take a look?” Fu Xing boldly requested.
This counted as a test, both to confirm the validity of Fidels’ words and Fidel’s trust in him.
If he was truly the critical figure Fidel spoke of, Fidel would have no reason to refuse his request.
“You may.” Fidel answered without even thinking, as though he had been waiting for Fu Xing to utter these words.
However, that only made Fu Xing feel somewhat uneasy. Still, seeing Fidel comply with his request made his heart soar with delight.
He was no longer that stupid and cowardly, good-for-nothing jingguai.
~Taffy Translations~ 