Chapter 12: An Uneasy October

This was the grayest October of my life, just because of the arrival of a "repairman."

The story has to start from the beginning.

The hardware conditions of Mingqing Academy were indeed good, but because the geographical location was relatively remote, it was not easy to recruit many talents. Due to the lack of experts in computer network technology, the problems in the computer hall had always been a thorn in Director Lei’s side.

Actually, according to Director Lei’s wishes, the computer hall was a place for learning and should not allow students to play games at all. In fact, Director Lei had once implemented this regulation despite strong opposition from the principal and others. As a result, in the following week, the school’s main server frequently had problems. The homepage was changed, ports overflowed, and the network crashed; these were all minor matters. Later, there were even vicious incidents of students invading the school’s file archives, attempting to change grades.

Originally, hacker programs could be found everywhere on the internet, and half-grown children were the group with the best learning ability. If they weren't allowed to play games, couldn't the students with nowhere to vent their energy just play with the school’s host? Later, Ling Qing (the principal) took the opportunity to talk about a lot of big truths like "Yu the Great controlling the flood, showing that dredging is better than blocking...", and the computer hall returned to its old system.

After this incident, Director Lei understood the importance of network security. She could no longer tolerate her photo on the school website being changed into a bald dinosaur. But why would a network security expert be willing to work in a remote school? So when KID said he was the new repairman, and Ling Qing lied that KID was a network maintenance expert he had invited back from Sweden, Director Lei was overjoyed. Not only did she immediately decide to hire KID at a high salary, but she also agreed to give him a week’s vacation first and let Ling Qing accompany him to look around.

Originally, if things were just like this, it wouldn't be a big deal. The bad thing was that Ling Qing found it troublesome and insisted that Lei Xue’s English was better, so he let Lei Xue accompany him. As a result, KID was proud; he had a beauty to chat and stroll with, and even ate together. I could only hide in a corner of the cafeteria, watching them with red eyes. KID’s outstanding appearance, dazzling scarlet hair, and the legendary status of a game world champion passed down by students all made him the focus of the crowd wherever he went. I didn't envy everyone looking at him—if a panda came, I believe there would be even more onlookers—but, but Lei Xue hadn't spoken to me for three whole days!

I looked at the two who were chatting happily with hollow eyes, not noticing at all that an uninvited guest had already sat beside me. Watching Xue'er, who was beaming with joy and glowing with health, I thought desperately: I wonder what they are talking about?... Watching Xue'er so happy, perhaps being together is the best for them... It seems I really can't compare to this "Scarlet King"...

A light sigh came to my ears: "Could it be that this lecher is really going to succeed? Is there no one who can stand up to protect Xue'er?..." As if a string in my heart was suddenly plucked, I blurted out without thinking: "Who says so!? I’ll protect her!"

"Good! I really didn't misjudge you!" The upright-looking Ling Qing affectionately put his arm around my shoulder. "This KID was messing around with women when he was in Korea; he is an out-and-out playboy. If Xue'er falls for him, it will be terrible..."

"Then that’s your fault!" I gritted my teeth. "Wouldn't the world be at peace if you went to accompany that guy?"

"Alright," Ling Qing pulled out two movie tickets like a magic trick. "You go ask Xue'er to see a movie tonight."

"What about you?"

"I’m going to make the world peaceful."

"..."

>>>>>>

I suppressed my nervousness and approached Xue'er’s table. But I heard them talking about games.

"...Yes, this technique is called 'cloning' (Note 1), which is a clever application of the Shift key. The first person to use this technique was X'Ds`Grrr. He once used 7 Scourges to simultaneously knock down 3 Mutalisks and two Devourers of his opponent, which was quite a sensation..."

"Hmph, X'Ds`Grrr is indeed very strong, but didn't he lose to =LOST=Lucifer later..." Xue'er’s crisp voice.

"I also watched that game. =LOST=Lucifer cleverly used tactics to suppress X'Ds`Grrr’s operation, and used the High Templar’s hallucination to make his 3 Carriers look like a squad (12 make a squad), which instantly shattered X'Ds`Grrr’s psychological defense (Note 2). Otherwise, who would win and who would lose was still unknown."

"...Their strength is only on par; it’s just that Lucifer’s strategy was more clever..."

"...I came here this time just to meet that 'Devil'. But if his strength hasn't improved and he is still stuck at the level of the last competition..."

"Then..."

"...He is not my opponent!" (Note 3)

Another provocateur! At this moment, my blood seemed to boil again, and the innate obsession with winning and losing seemed to urge me to throw the glove in front of the opponent. Duel! Only a duel could wash away the humiliation of being looked down upon! I want to defeat him, with my keyboard, mouse, and the hands I am proud of!

"Heh heh heh, I say Xue'er, you've been accompanying the guest for so long, are you tired?" The principal appeared with a cheap smile. "Rest, rest. I’ll replace you." As he said this, he gave me a wink.

I suddenly woke up and remembered my identity. I was just an intern teacher. If I proposed a duel with KID, Director Lei and the principal would definitely think I was trying to deceive them, and the result of my internship would be obvious.

And more importantly, if Lei Xue also thought I was lying to her, it would be troublesome. Even if Xue'er had a good impression of the real Li Lin, it would probably disappear because of this. I would also be forced into a desperate situation where I had to fight KID. Winning would have no benefits, and if I lost, I would have no face to appear in front of Xue'er again...

Can I defeat him? I judged calmly.

KID seemed to feel something, looked at me, and revealed a set of white teeth, giving me a brilliant smile. His scarlet hair moved without wind, and the sunlight seemed to plate him with a layer of gold. His originally not-so-tall body suddenly appeared majestic.

Can I defeat him? I asked myself again. The answer was:

I have no confidence...

KID smiled and asked the principal: "Is Teacher Li also an expert in this field?"

Lei Xue rushed to answer: "Yes, his game level is the best I've ever seen in my life!" As she said this, she laughed.

KID was a bit surprised, but still said solemnly: "I wonder when we can spar?"

Lei Xue rushed again: "You can't beat him. Can your pinball machine reach 10 million points?" Then she laughed until she was doubled over.

KID also laughed: "Admire, admire. Then I really can't beat him."

I also smiled awkwardly. At this time, the principal suddenly coughed twice. I was startled and remembered my mission, so I hurriedly took out the movie tickets: "Lei Xue, are you free to go see a movie together tonight?"

Xue'er was startled, then smiled very happily: "It’s your first time asking me out! But I’ve already agreed to play with KID tonight. Let’s go see a movie next time."

The principal hurriedly helped: "It doesn't matter, Xue'er. I can replace you to accompany KID. You should also rest."

Xue'er looked very surprised: "I’m going to rest tonight. Besides, it’s not tiring at all to be with KID."

"Where are you going tonight?" The principal asked hurriedly, seeing they were about to leave.

"Computer hall!"

I didn't pay attention to their later words at all, only remembering Xue'er saying "accompany KID tonight... rest... accompany KID to rest tonight!?" Could it be... could it be... they wouldn't progress this fast, right!?

The principal patted my shoulder. "Don't let your imagination run wild. They are going to the computer hall tonight. It seems Ling Tian invited KID to play a practice match." I remained silent.

Many roads have already been walked.

We all rely on our own strength.

But why, why is my heart beating so violently, and why are my hands trembling uncontrollably? Principal Ling Qing looked at my pale face, patted my shoulder, and smiled bitterly: "I didn't expect this either... I just thought Xue'er’s English was better, so I... It seems KID really has a way with girls..." I was speechless... because I knew that the reason I was so sad was definitely not just for Lei Xue.

I felt deep regret. If there weren't so many scruples, I definitely wouldn't have chosen to watch them walk away leisurely in the sunset.

I would choose:

Fight!

>>>>>>

At the same time, in the computer hall.

In the past, it was always as noisy as a free market, but at this moment, it was as silent as death.

Because of Ling Tian.

Ling Tian today was so gloomy it was almost scary. He hadn't spoken to anyone all afternoon, just burying his head in practicing on his machine. Perhaps only Ling Qing could understand how much of a blow the defeat at the WCG had brought to Ling Tian.

Ling Tian’s talent was undoubtedly very high, and he worked harder than anyone else. Precisely because of this, he couldn't accept losing to a "half-hearted" opponent; that was a serious insult to Ling Tian’s beliefs.

No one could deny that the "Scarlet King" was by no means weaker than that "Devil on Lost Temple" in terms of strength or achievements. In a sense, the two were quite similar, with similar "half-heartedness." Since Ling Tian learned of KID’s arrival, he had made up his mind: he must not lose!

This determination was so strong that even others could feel it. Therefore, no one in the whole hall made any noise. Everyone felt the powerful pressure, and everyone knew: there would be a storm tonight.

The door opened, and the dark red light of the sunset shone in, which was actually blinding. KID walked straight to Ling Tian’s side and said with a smile: "You are not mature enough. If you want to go further, you must learn to fail."

"I will never fail!" It was indeed a Ling Tian-style answer.

KID sighed lightly. "Then let’s begin." As he said this, he pressed the power switch.

Actually, at this moment, in a teacher’s dormitory not far away, someone else also pressed the power switch at the same time.

>>>>>

Note 1: Cloning is indeed an advanced technique first used by Grrr. The battle example mentioned in the text is completed by: selecting 7 Scourges to attack a Devourer, holding down the Shift key, clicking the control bar at the bottom of the screen to cancel 5, then using the right button to attack the next Devourer, then canceling 3... and so on. Finally, it forms 7 Scourges separated into 5 groups, with 3 Scourges attacking 3 Mutalisks respectively, and the other 4 attacking two Devourers in pairs, thereby simultaneously knocking down all the enemy’s techniques. (Seems like the more I explain, the messier it gets.) Of course, this is just the basic principle of cloning. Grrr divided the Scourges into 3 groups at the time, greatly reducing the number of operations and difficulty. If mastered well, one can even complete the effect of 12 Scourges flying toward 12 enemy targets simultaneously, or 12

Lurkers simultaneously burrowing at the same point. Of course, these require extremely high micro-management levels.

Note 2: The High Templar’s hallucination skill consumes 75 mp to copy a unit of one’s own side for 90 seconds, but the copied unit has no attack power, and when attacked, it loses twice as much health as normal. Repeatedly using it on 1 Carrier can also create the illusion of having a squad of Carriers, achieving the goal of deceiving the enemy. However, in official matches, the situation of using this magic is still very rare; after all, the High Templar’s Psionic Storm is more powerful.

Note 3: Originally, KID didn't know Chinese, but considering the English level of the author and readers, KID’s conversation part is translated directly into Chinese, but his own setting is still that he doesn't know Chinese. The protagonist, Lei Xue, and the principal are all highly educated, so it is normal for them to know English. As for Ling Tian, actually, he grew up in Singapore when he was a child, so he can conduct English conversations fluently.

English is also one of the official languages of Sweden, so it shouldn't be strange that KID knows English, right?

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