Chapter 32: Analysis
A Quiet Corner in the Classroom
In an unnoticed corner at the back of the classroom, a black-haired girl cradled a small fox, her fingers gently teasing its ears.
[What are you doing! Stop playing!]
Liuli’s disgruntled voice echoed in Yu Li’s mind, clearly uncomfortable with her ears being toyed with.
Hearing Liuli’s complaints, Yu Li only smiled, her hands continuing their gentle movements.
It was class time, and as a high school division student, Yu Li shouldn’t have been in the university division’s classroom. Yet, here she was, waiting for someone specific to appear.
The Power of Emotions
“This new power… it’s really quite useful.”
Yu Li had no business being here, but she had leveraged her newly acquired ability to gain entry.
The emotions burning within her flames weren’t just for show—anyone touched by them could feel those sentiments. To infiltrate this classroom, Yu Li had used Lan Yi’s emotions, specifically the pure affection from before their date had taken its final turn.
Thanks to that simple fondness, everyone she encountered had let her pass without question. As a result, she easily obtained Yu Zifei’s class schedule and found her way to this room.
“Though, it only lasts for a short while.”
Unlike emotions she had collected and stored, these flames’ emotions would eventually burn out once released.
The Red-Haired Queen
“She’s here.”
Following Yu Li’s gaze, a woman with fiery red hair strode into the classroom. Her crimson eyes exuded arrogance, and her commanding presence was matched by the crowd of students surrounding her, as if she were a queen in red, basking in their adoration.
“As expected, but still… what a hassle…”
Yu Li murmured expressionlessly, confirming her suspicions. This woman, her nominal older sister, was indeed a protagonist.
Unlike her imposing aura, Yu Zifei’s protagonist halo was purple, adorned with fiery red patterns, hinting at a connection to Ling Hao.
[W-wow, the Yu family has a protagonist too? Is that why we’re here?] Liuli asked, astonished.
Yu Li remained silent for a moment, her right eye glinting with golden light as she began ruffling Liuli’s fur.
“Liuli… you’re a fox.”
[Huh? What’s that supposed to mean?]
“Just relax… look at Yu Zifei… you’re just a little fox. Don’t… suppress your instincts.”
Unleashing Instincts
Yu Li’s touch grew gentler, and following her words, Liuli gradually stopped resisting.
“Don’t worry… I’m here. You don’t need to hold back anymore… Forget your past… You’re just a little fox.”
“Now, do what you want.”
In an instant, a torrent of hatred and killing intent erupted from Liuli, piercing toward Yu Zifei like a blade.
At the front of the room, Yu Zifei suddenly felt a bone-chilling presence from the back. The arrogance on her face vanished, replaced by fear, and she shot to her feet.
A buried shadow resurfaced in her heart. If not for being in the classroom, she might have thought she was trapped in that day’s nightmare.
She whipped around, only to see a strange, silver-eyed girl holding a pet, smiling at her.
Sweat beaded on Yu Zifei’s forehead as she gasped for air. The sensation had felt so real, yet it vanished the moment she turned, leaving her unable to shake the lingering dread.
“Zifei, are you okay? What’s wrong?”
A student beside her looked at her with concern, noting her sudden change.
“Huff… I’m fine. Just a stomachache—probably ate too much.”
Yu Zifei brushed it off with a vague excuse, glancing back again, only to find the silver-eyed girl gone.
“What… was that…?”
Calming a Distressed Fox
Meanwhile, Yu Li had left the classroom, soothing Liuli as she headed back to the high school division.
“You okay, Little Liuli?”
[…No! I’m not okay at all! I don’t want to turn into that!] Liuli’s voice carried a hint of tears, clearly shaken by what had happened.
“Sorry, Little Liuli… but this was a necessary experiment for us.”
[Hmph! I don’t want to hear your excuses!]
For the first time, Liuli threw a small tantrum, refusing to listen to Yu Li’s explanation.
“…How about a two-day break from training?”
[Deal! Ahem, no, make it three days!]
“Done.” Yu Li chuckled softly.
[Ahem, fine, I’ll grudgingly hear your reasons!]
Liuli’s temper came and went quickly, easily swayed by a small reward.
Seeing Liuli’s willingness to listen, Yu Li’s expression turned serious as she explained:
“Little Liuli, what do you think we are?”
[Uh… didn’t you say we’re villains?]
“Disaster Beasts target… Yu Zifei, the eldest daughter of the Yu family.”
Yu Li calmly repeated Fu Kui’s words.
[Yeah… that’s what Teacher Fu Kui said… wait…] Liuli’s voice faltered, as if realizing something.
“When you stop suppressing your instincts, you also want to kill Yu Zifei, don’t you…”
Yu Li gave a wry smile, tinged with bitterness.
“So, the so-called special people targeted by Disaster Beasts… are protagonists. And we…”
[You… you’re saying I… I’m actually a Disaster Beast?!]
A Heavy Realization
Seeing Liuli’s obvious panic, Yu Li fell silent, her thoughts drifting back to the chained girl in the palace.
‘God… what exactly do you want us to do?’
She gently stroked Liuli’s ears, using the gesture to calm the fox’s turmoil.
“Little Liuli, you’ve… already tried so hard.”
[Huh? What?]
“Suppressing a Disaster Beast’s instincts with your own will—you’ve worked incredibly hard.”
[You… don’t suddenly talk so gently! I’m not used to it—I’m getting goosebumps!]
Liuli’s panic visibly eased, though she squirmed uncomfortably at Yu Li’s sudden warmth.
“Tch.”
[You just clicked your tongue! How can you change so fast?!]
“Nothing satisfies you. Looks like you’re itching for more training.”
Yu Li’s expression darkened, her fingers pressing a bit harder on Liuli’s fur.
[No, no, no! You promised three days off—you can’t go back on your word!]
“I don’t have a habit of lying to pets.”
[Good… wait, who’s a pet?!]
The two bickered playfully, but the atmosphere was no longer as heavy. Silently, they slipped back to the high school division.
Planning the Next Step
Before reaching the classroom, Liuli broke the silence.
[If all that’s true… what do we do?]
Still uncertain, Liuli just wanted to be a carefree fox, not humanity’s enemy.
Seeing her reaction, Yu Li smiled lightly:
“No one but us will ever know this.”
She lifted Liuli onto her shoulder, then stretched lazily.
“Hm~ As for the rest, we’ll have to ask that goddess next time.”
[Goddess? You mean… her? But how do we get back there?]
“Based on last time, we just need our abilities to evolve again…”
A cold glint flashed in Yu Li’s eyes, as if a plan was forming.
“For that… I’ll need a new… target.”