Who left their last words here?

Chapter 89 Farewell, the Disappearance of "Squad Leader Fang"

Chapter 89 Farewell, the Disappearance of "Squad Leader Fang" (5.7k)

After examining it carefully for a while, Bai Zhou squatted down and tentatively touched the school uniform with his fingertips.

The spirit entwined around the school uniform was sensed by Bai Zhou. In the instant that the spirits intersected with Bai Zhou's, Bai Zhou learned "knowledge" about the school uniform.

Just as Bai Zhou had expected, it was even more of a pleasant surprise...

This school uniform possesses some of the characteristics of an "exam king"!
Simply by wearing it, one can become largely immune to being manipulated by others, and even enhance one's own ability to manipulate others.

It is neither burned by fire nor stained by dust, and naturally possesses a certain deterrent effect.

If Bai Zhou possesses the corresponding soul-capturing techniques, he could even enslave wronged souls, endowing them with various characteristics, and there is a chance to recreate the glorious scenes of "Marshal of Wrong Questions" and "General of Pressure".

But those who wear this school uniform also need to constantly concentrate on resisting the intrusion of various negative emotions, such as stress, guilt, procrastination, laziness, and so on...

—Undoubtedly extraordinary equipment, and absolutely top-quality!

But calling it extraordinary equipment isn't quite accurate... because its appearance is actually somewhat illusory, half real and half unreal, with a layer of hazy gray light on its surface.

Rather than being a physical object, it seems to be a manifestation of some lost emotion or desire, or rather, it is also a kind of "abnormality".

Bai Zhou had some guesses about this.

Now, Bai Zhou is basically certain that the appearance of this exam king is inextricably linked to the school in the Reflection Ruins Realm, or even that he may have come from there.

The people of the Reflection Ruins say that killing "anomalies" will not bring any benefits, as they are part of the Reflection Ruins and will be reborn even if they die.

—What if this anomaly escapes the Reflection Ruins and enters the real world?
Although it is unknown how it did this, if such an anomaly were to die in the mortal world, it might leave behind a lifeless "original body" that could no longer be recovered by the Reflection Ruins.

This school uniform might have been an unusual "part" of the school in the Shadow Ruins Realm.

At this moment, the only thing Bai Zhou couldn't be sure of, and was quite curious about, was...

If Bai Zhou puts on this school uniform and enters the Reflection Ruins Realm, he will enter the Reflection Dream Middle School.

Will they treat Bai Zhou as one of their own, and as part of the Reflection Ruins itself... or will they simply take the school uniforms back with them?

If it's the former...

Bai Zhou felt that his lips were a little dry.

However, even though similar school uniforms are common in the school in the Reflection Ruins Realm, Bai Zhou still believes that their school uniforms are incomparable to the Exam King's.

Just as the difference between the skin of a tiger cub and that of a mature tiger is vast, the King of Exams has not been idle after lying low at Yuanmeng Middle School for so many years!

Having witnessed the Exam King being devoured by the six souls, Bai Zhou had no interest in enslaving souls, and indeed, he did not possess any corresponding secret techniques.

But the enhancement of that seductive power reminded Bai Zhou of his usual hypnotic rituals...

This event is also recorded in the stories of the city of the night.

The story is about a mind control master who is skilled in bewitching. Wearing a red robe that is impervious to water and fire and can enhance his bewitching abilities, he uses chanting and hypnosis to control three adventurers and take them as his apprentices and henchmen, as they travel west to seek the true teachings of the religion.

The man in the red robe in this story, according to the Black Robe Elder, is a predecessor of the Black Robe Organization, and the Red Robe Elder is the highest honor of the Black Robe Organization, hoping everyone will work hard.

Impervious to water and fire, and enhanced with bewitching abilities...

Bai Zhou's imagination ran wild, and he reasonably suspected that the senior who was heading west was wearing a red "school uniform," and who knows, he might also be an "exam king"!
There was a "crash" sound.

Bai Zhou put away the school uniform.

Fang Xiaoyan, who had been holding back for a long time, finally spoke up and asked:
"I have heard that no hypnotic ritual can control a person forever."

"Teacher, you can erase this past event from Jia Tingting's mind, but you can't make her a confident and self-reliant person forever."

The girl's face showed a mixture of curiosity and confusion:

"Besides, in the end, she still has to face all the pressures of life on her own, right?"

"...Is doing this really the right thing to do?"

This is a meaningful question, at least more important than asking why Bai Zhou didn't issue any strange orders.

"...whenever she breaks free from the hypnotic control, she reverts to being that anxious and repressed girl."

Bai Zhou folded his school uniform while carefully choosing his words:

"During this time, being herself, confident and self-reliant, and working hard without worrying about the future, will become an important memory in her life."

“I did not teach her to escape. In fact, I never deny the importance of learning, but a healthy mindset will make any effort more effective.”

"People who lack self-confidence are overly persistent and anxious about gains and losses, and they will not achieve good results no matter what they do."

Why be so hard on yourself? She's already tried her best.

"Life is still long. Take it slow and steady. As long as you move forward and take each step firmly, it doesn't matter if you are a little slow at first."

As he spoke, Bai Zhou thought of himself and sighed softly, feeling a deep sense of empathy:

"Like a wanted criminal being hunted, seemingly with no hope in life..."

"But as long as we shake off a group of pursuers today, kill another group of pursuers every day, and keep going, one day we will kill until no one dares to mess with us, and we will see the dawn. Don't you agree?"

Fang Xiaoyan, who had been nodding, suddenly froze: "?"

She had been nodding as she listened to Bai Zhou's words, thinking that this psychology teacher was a very experienced life mentor.

Even though I didn't feel like I was being lectured, I somehow found his words very reasonable, and without realizing it, I agreed with his views and silently listened to them.

But in the blink of an eye, the teacher uttered some extremely heretical words, which greatly shocked Fang Xiaoyan.

Teacher, what exactly do you do for a living...?

She really wanted to ask that.

"To be honest, the teaching profession is really magical."

Since no one was around, Bai Zhou seemed somewhat sentimental:
"Even though I lack the qualities and awareness of a teacher, once I'm called a teacher, I can't help but say a few more words when facing anxious young students."

It's like seeing that lost self from the past, with no one to guide me.

"Indeed, you are right. Everyone has their own future to face alone."

"But I still hope that this experience can provide her with some motivation for the future."

"Even if everyone is a stagnant pool, as long as there are ripples caused by me... then my trip to Tinghai Middle School as a psychological counselor will not have been in vain."

Thinking this way, Bai Zhou felt a faint sense of satisfaction and pride.

Ultimately, all things considered, he's just an 18-year-old boy.

They weren't much older than Jia Tingting and the other students...

"Of course, it wasn't a wasted trip!"

Fang Xiaoyan's answer was without hesitation, and her expression became serious:
"Teacher, you saved Jia Tingting's life, and you have saved the lives of many more people—Yuanmeng Middle School will be changed because of you!"

"Although I'm very sorry, no audience member remembers your contribution, teacher..."

When she said the last sentence, her voice was a little soft.

Upon hearing this, Bai Zhou immediately shook his head and retorted:
"Change Yuanmeng Middle School... If the focus is really disrupted, I feel like the dean of academic affairs will want to eat me alive."

As he spoke, he blinked, tucked the neatly folded school uniform into his coat, and turned to look at Fang Xiaoyan:

"Besides, don't you still have the audience?"

"Fang Xiaoyan, or rather... Fang Xiaoxia?"

Bai Zhou scrutinized the still somewhat mysterious girl with a hint of examination.

Even now, he still doesn't know much about the other party's background.

Therefore, he never let his guard down regarding the other party:

"You know what? Although we're not close, I've met Fang Xiaoxia before."

"But... although she looks very similar to you, she is completely different from you."

Although their facial features are quite similar, in terms of temperament alone, one is steady and full of vigor, while the other is decadent like a stray dog, they are completely different.

Even their postures are completely opposite. At least the Fang Xiaoxia that Bai Zhou knows is always slouching with her shoulders drooping and never sits up straight, even when she's sleeping.

Unlike the girl in front of me, who stands obediently with her legs together, clutching her notebook, and wearing big round glasses on her cute face, she instantly becomes the kind of well-behaved girl that teachers and parents love most.

Anyone who has been to school knows how valuable this person is. Just by looking at her, you can tell she's a good student. Every year, she's a sure bet for the "Three Good Students" and "Outstanding Class Leader" awards.

"Huh? You know 'me'?"

"Really?! What a coincidence!"

Amid Fang Xiaoyan's exclamation, Bai Zhou gradually narrowed his eyes:

"The King of Exams is dead."

"Now that things have come to this, if you truly don't have a sister with the same name, then you should give me an explanation, shouldn't you?"

Upon hearing this, Fang Xiaoyan nodded quickly, her pigtails swaying as she did so.

"Hmm...it's a long story."

She turned her head and looked at the messy toilets on both sides, littered with rubble, then raised her hands, which were hidden behind her back, and examined them for a few moments.

"But this time, I should have enough time to explain it clearly to the teacher."

Your hand...?

Bai Zhou frowned and asked in surprise.

Because Fang Xiaoyan's hands have disappeared.

"Nothingness" seems to be eroding Fang Xiaoyan, causing her to gradually disappear.

"Fang Xiaoxia is indeed not my sister."

"I should say that I am Fang Xiaoxia, but Fang Xiaoxia is not me."

Fang Xiaoyan gave an irrelevant answer, her expression conveying genuine joy and relief.

The sunlight from the window shone on her upturned face, and she chuckled softly, her ethereal voice seeming as if it would be carried away by the wind:

"Actually, I am... someone who shouldn't exist."

As she spoke, she began to tell her story as briefly as possible.

This is indeed a long story.

There was no Fang Xiaoyan in the world, there was only one...

This is what Fang Xiaoxia dreamed of becoming when she was a child.

—A mature and steady little adult, an all-around class monitor who excels in both character and academics, making parents and teachers proud and bringing happiness to all classmates.

As Fang Xiaoxia grew up, due to various experiences, she forgot her ideals and embarked on a somewhat different path in life.

This ideal, this wish, just like that, "died."

But the wish that had died, one day opened its eyes and was astonished to find that it had somehow come back to life, had a physical form, and had even appeared in the Dream Realm Middle School in the real world. She is "Class Monitor Fang," Fang Xiaoyan.

Everyone who interacts with her feels that she is their class monitor, but then they forget about her.

"Class Monitor Xiao Fang" is a ghost that doesn't exist in the school, yet "Class Monitor Xiao Fang" is also present with every student.

Gradually, Class Monitor Fang was nurtured and grew up by the kindness in the hearts of all her classmates.

However, Xiao Fang, the class monitor, is not the only "ghost" in this school.

Just like two sides of the same coin, in school, there is "Class Monitor Fang" who gets along well with everyone and quietly helps classmates solve their troubles, but there is also "Exam King" who spreads fear and anxiety.

Class monitor Xiao Fang and exam king have been secretly competing, with each side having its share of victories and defeats.

This short and quiet little girl has been silently protecting Yuanmeng Middle School for years, relentlessly fighting against incredible monsters.

But as long as Class Monitor Xiao Fang fails once, Exam King can enslave a soul and complete a transformation.

As the pressure on the students increased and the exam king became stronger, Class Monitor Fang gradually couldn't keep up.

Fortunately, at that moment, Bai Zhou arrived.

However, there was one thing Fang Xiaoyan didn't tell Bai Zhou.

As two opposing forces that coexist, the death of the "Exam King," who embodies the negative aspects of the school, will also lead to the disappearance of the "Class Monitor Fang," who embodies the positive aspects of the school.

—Just as Bai Zhou saw, Fang Xiaoyan was about to "leave".

This was something Bai Zhou was completely unprepared for.

"But I shouldn't exist in the first place."

Squad leader Xiao Fang said this:

"Even if you don't come, in two months, the Exam King, who has completed his final transformation, will devour me and complete the final integration."

"Now, it's a truly happy ending for everyone."

"Our existence is suspicious. From what I've observed, it's related to the rituals that exist everywhere in the school. Perhaps the teachers came for this reason?"

The void began to erode Fang Xiaoyan's arm.

Fang Xiaoyan tilted her head and blinked at Bai Zhou.

"You might not believe it, but I really feel now that disappearing is so much easier than existing."

As she spoke, she looked around, then suddenly shrank back, extending an invitation to Bai Zhou with a mixture of trepidation and caution:
"Teacher, would you like to take a walk around the campus? While I... still have some time."

She wanted to visit one last time the place she had been protecting since she was "born".

While Bai Zhou's actions had no audience, her achievements were truly unknown to everyone.

"Let's go."

...Bai Zhou naturally wouldn't refuse the invitation.

As dusk approached, the campus breeze carried the fragrance of earth.

The students hurried by, and no one noticed anything unusual about Bai Zhou and Fang Xiaoyan.

In the spacious campus, Fang Xiaoyan moved with light steps, like a breeze, leading Bai Zhou through the campus at dusk.

She seemed to be in high spirits, and every place she went evoked a memory.

Fang Xiaoyan stopped under an old locust tree:

"There's a child who often hides here and cries because his parents are getting a divorce, and he's too embarrassed to tell his classmates and teachers..."

As she walked, she pointed to a row of rusty and worn-out bulletin boards behind the teaching building:
"Two years ago, a student council president messed up the school anniversary celebration and was crying like Lin Daiyu in the back. I didn't say anything, I just stood there with her for a while, until she mustered up the courage to go back to the venue and clean up the mess..."

A little while later, she stopped again next to the old equipment room by the playground:
"In this secret hideout, there was a kid who always felt out of place and would secretly hide here during every PE class. I 'happened' to pass by a few times and chatted with him about stars and comics. After that, he seemed to slowly become more comfortable venturing into the crowd..."

She walked and talked, recounting her experiences as if they were her own.

The names mentioned may have long since graduated and left, and the specific troubles may have long since faded away, but her memory remains as clear as yesterday.

Bai Zhou listened silently, only occasionally saying a word or two, but he listened very attentively.

"Everyone in their sensitive adolescence has all sorts of troubles, and I hope I have really been able to help them."

"Teacher, do you think I'm a qualified class monitor?"

As she said this, Fang Xiaoyan's eyes shone, even though "nothingness" had already engulfed her face.

The summary contained no air of arrogance, only a pure sense of satisfaction, a light nostalgia, and a faint melancholy.

So this is how she has been battling the "exam king" all along.

The way the "battle" was completely unexpected by Bai Zhou, leaving him speechless.

"……certainly."

This is Bai Zhou's answer.

The setting sun cast a long shadow of Fang Xiaoyan.

The two unknowingly walked into the grove of trees.

—The ginkgo grove where Fang Xiaoyan rushed to seek help from Bai Zhou.

At this moment, Fang Xiaoyan was completely eroded and shattered by "nothingness," with only a blurry figure remaining.

She doesn't have much time left.

"Shh..."

Footsteps crunched softly on the fallen leaves.

She tilted her head slightly, and the twilight sunlight filtered through the golden leaves, dappling her face.

A ginkgo leaf fell untimely, gently brushing against her cheek, carrying a hint of the warmth of the sun.

"That's right, teacher."

"what?"

Fang Xiaoyan's voice was soft, and although she was standing right beside me, it carried a sense of ethereal distance, as if she were drifting further and further away.

"Since you know Fang Xiaoxia, could you please tell her for me..."

“Tell Fang Xiaoxia, who always failed her tests and cried a lot when she was a child.”

"Seven years ago, she hid under the covers, wiping away tears, and fabricated that 'all-powerful class monitor'..."

The ginkgo leaves rustled behind the girl, as if bidding her farewell.

Fang Xiaoyan's smile grew brighter, yet more ethereal:

"—Really, he won all the battles she dared not fight back then, and even the battles she had long forgotten!"

Her voice carried a hint of pride and encouragement:

"So, she really needs to be confident too!"

"—She can really do anything if she wants to!"

As she spoke, Fang Xiaoyan swiftly took a few steps through the leaves and jumped in front of Bai Zhou.

The squad leader, Xiao Fang, turned to look at Bai Zhou, revealing a relieved exhaustion and a smile:
"Thank you for everything you've done, teacher!"

She bowed to the white boat in gratitude:

"The journey through the martial world is long, but fate will allow us to meet again!"

"Um……"

Bai Zhou lowered his eyes, remained silent for a moment, and then answered in a low voice:
"goodbye!"

The moment the words fell.

Fang Xiaoyan's figure was finally completely swallowed up by nothingness.

"Squad Leader Fang" completely transformed into specks of golden light, like fireflies drifting against the current, scattering into the air.

Along with the rustling golden ginkgo leaves falling, and with the twilight sunlight.

A shower of light arrived quietly.

Fang Xiaoyan, the weary guardian who was transformed from a dead wish, can finally rest.

Fallen leaves landed on the head of the white boat, as if recording the girl's final farewell before her departure.

Bai Zhou, looking up, was completely unaware of what was happening. His eyes were unusually lost in thought, as if he were pondering something. His silent demeanor seemed to suggest a farewell.

In the dim light—

Something that had been hanging over the school shattered along with the disappearance of Exam King and Fang Xiaoxia.

Something has quietly changed.

The students felt a sense of relief, as if they had been freed from something, yet also a sense of loss, and a strange sadness welled up inside them.

"..."

During the last class, the students sitting by the window looked at the birds flying past outside the teaching building with a slightly bewildered expression.

The students, engrossed in their studies and each burdened with their own worries, remained completely unaware of what was quietly unfolding in the school, and of the phantom that had fought for them to the very end and was finally able to rest in peace.

No one knew of her departure, nor of her achievements.

But the twilight of that day bore witness.

Even the wind knows.

The white boat stood silently in place, which seemed very strange to the passing students.

Suddenly, accompanied by a "snap!" sound—

A yellowed notebook fell in front of Bai Zhou.

"This is……?"

Is it the notebook that Fang Xiaoyan has been holding in her arms?
Bai Zhou seemed to be deep in thought, and looked down at the past.

He was about to bend down and pick her up.

But, in the next instant—

"Om!!"

The "Exam King School Uniform" in Bai Zhou's arms emitted a buzzing sound.