The fight actually could have been finished within a minute, but Shen Xiao chose to drag it out.
If anyone were to ask, why?
It was simple.
Because it was delightful. Every time Lu Qingyue smiled at Hao Xian's absurdity, his system rang loudly.
Not to mention the spectators in the stands, who were incredibly "generous."
What magnificent green grass!
You are all so kind to this uncle!
Shen Xiao was overjoyed.
He was merely beating someone up, yet the Fate Tickets kept flowing in.
Even if they were just small change, once gathered, the total was starting to approach an enticing figure.
Ding!
[Favorability from Sun Yongjie, Fate Ticket +0.1]
Ding!
[Favorability from Xin Man, Fate Ticket +0.5]
Ding!
[Favorability from Li Yanan, Fate Ticket +0.5]
"Okay, I take back what I said earlier. Turns out there are quite a few talented people here," Shen Xiao murmured.
In a short amount of time, he had gathered almost enough tickets for a 10-slot pull.
As a form of gratitude for these "donations," he decided to put on an even more satisfying show.
He would thrash Hao Xian until everyone's pent-up rage was fully spent!
Of course, the spectators were just a side effect.
His main focus remained Lu Qingyue.
The 200-ticket reward from the future Empress was the true treasure.
BOOM!
One last lightning ball slammed into Hao Xian's chest.
This time, "Hao the Dog" had truly reached his limit.
He spat out blood, his body going limp.
Sparks of electricity still crackled occasionally across his charred skin.
He felt as if his nerves were nearly deadened.
SZZZT—!
With a casual kick, Shen Xiao sent Hao Xian's body tumbling out of the ring.
"Know why I did it?" Shen Xiao asked coldly to the prostrate body.
"It's because you're unprofessional. If you hadn't hurt my teammate, I wouldn't have wasted my time shocking you like an eel."
Shen Xiao looked at the crowd with arrogance.
"According to school rules, from this second onward, I am the new Vice Chairman of the Supernatural Club. Hao Xian, do you have any objections?"
Hao Xian, who could barely even breathe, could only groan,
"N-no... no objections..."
"Did you all hear that?!" Shen Xiao shouted at the other club members.
"We hear you, Chairman!" they answered in unison.
Despite their hatred, who would dare oppose a monster who could discharge lightning while smiling?
They immediately wanted to carry Hao Xian away, terrified of becoming the next target.
"Stop! Who told you to leave? Stand right there!" Shen Xiao commanded.
Though annoyed, the club members could only stand frozen at the edge of the arena.
Shen Xiao stepped down from the stage and approached Lu Qingyue.
He helped the girl stand up gently.
"I declare Hao Xian's decision void. Lu Qingyue is entitled to a second assessment opportunity."
Lu Qingyue's brain went momentarily blank.
She desperately wanted to pass, but her body was broken.
She could hardly even stand upright.
Before she could protest, a small bottle containing a bright red liquid appeared before her eyes.
"This is a recovery potion. Drink it," Shen Xiao said.
Lu Qingyue hesitated.
She knew the price of such a potion.
Even the cheapest one cost a thousand credits—equivalent to half a month of her mother's salary.
"This... no need, it's too expensive..."
"Drink it. How are you going to take the second exam if your body is shattered? Or do you just want to give up and go home?"
"Just consider it a loan; you can pay it back later when you're rich," Shen Xiao insisted.
"Thank you... Shen Xiao."
Ding!
[Received Favorability from Lu Qingyue, +100 Fate Tickets!]
Insane!
Shen Xiao cheered inwardly.
The return on investment was extraordinary!
One free potion from the gacha resulted in 100 tickets!
"Can you say that one more time?" Shen Xiao prodded.
"...Thank you, Shen Xiao?"
Silence.
No notification.
Shen Xiao sighed; it turned out the system couldn't be tricked by repeating the same words without new emotion.
"Ah, that thank-you just now lacked sincerity!"
Lu Qingyue froze.
Is this the power of the number one student?
He can even detect the lack of sincerity in my heart?
The gap between us really is like heaven and earth!
"I—"
"Joking, just joking. Here, open your mouth, let me feed you."
Without waiting for an answer, Shen Xiao brought the bottle to Qingyue's lips.
The girl had no choice but to drink it.
Instantly, a warm sensation flowed through all her nerves.
Her wounds miraculously closed, her cracked ribs knitted back together, and the pain vanished.
It felt like soaking in a hot spring after walking through a blizzard.
It was so comfortable that she unconsciously let out a soft moan, "Mmm~"
In a semi-conscious state from the comfort seeping into her bones, Lu Qingyue felt the urge to hug something warm.
She reached for the "pillow" in front of her and hugged it tightly.
However, a second later, she realized.
It wasn't a pillow. It was Shen Xiao's chest.
She immediately let go and scrambled back three steps, her face flushing a deep crimson.
"S-sorry... t-thank you!"
Ding!
[Received Favorability from Lu Qingyue, +100 Fate Tickets!]
A 'billion' percent profit!
Shen Xiao thought happily.
One potion yielded 200 tickets plus a hug from my beloved future Empress!
Life is beautiful!
"Now, get in the ring. I will be your examiner. Last for ten minutes, and you pass," Shen Xiao said casually.
Lu Qingyue panicked.
"But... you're much stronger than Hao Xian! How could I possibly last?"
"Relax. It's just a formality," Shen Xiao whispered, ignoring Hao Xian who was eavesdropping nearby.
"I won't touch a single hair on your head. Trust me. This is just a procedure so you can come on missions with me."
Hao Xian, hearing that, instantly exploded in rage.
"Shen Xiao! This is blatant cheating! You're breaking the rules! I will report you to the Dean!"
Shen Xiao turned, staring at Hao Xian with a gaze that could freeze blood.
"Report me? Go ahead. Do you think the Dean would actually dare to fire me?"
Hao Xian choked.
He knew the Dean doted on Shen Xiao because of his talent.
Besides, mission exams were just routine procedures.
Usually, examiners often "played around" to let students pass.
The problem was, Shen Xiao was doing it too blatantly right in front of his face!
"Hmph! We'll just see how you explain this to the academy!" Hao Xian threatened.
Shen Xiao snorted dismissively. "Explain? Do I, Shen Xiao, really need to explain my actions to you? Complain all you want; I want to see who dares to stop me."
"You... you... you...!"
Hao Xian was so angry that he spat out blood once again.