Chapter 104

Chapter 104

All the subtle inconsistencies he had felt in their past interactions suddenly surged to the forefront, making it impossible for Queqiu to ignore them any longer.

Even as his suspicions became clearer and more certain, Queqiu still couldn't believe they were true and was at a loss about how to confront You Buwei.

If this warm, knightly person before him was the real You Buwei, then who was the person who had repeatedly clashed with him, leading to the separation and loss of Morfa?

Could the same person really exhibit such a drastic change in personality, merely hidden behind a mask?

At this moment, Queqiu desperately wanted to call out that alias in front of You Buwei, but he was acutely aware that exposing everything now would leave them with no way back.

So, should he act as if nothing had happened?

Queqiu asked himself.

He didn't ponder the question long; almost instantly, he knew the answer: He couldn't do it.

Now that he had guessed You Buwei's true identity and recalled the words Bai Tianxing had said to him, knew what he had done, even if he didn't speak now, the truth would eventually come out. Did he have to wait until then to confront him about his actions?

Usually decisive, Queqiu found himself torn between confession and avoidance, hesitating at this crossroads.

Choosing the wrong path could lead to irreversible consequences.

You Buwei was still smiling, his eyes slightly curved, yet his gaze was clear and transparent, the smile not reaching the depths of his eyes.

His eyes flickered; at this moment, knowing that Queqiu might already be aware of his real identity, he didn't attempt to evade, meeting those golden eyes squarely.

Perhaps realizing Queqiu was facing a difficult choice, or maybe unafraid of it, You Buwei almost seemed to acknowledge the suspicions in Queqiu's heart without attempting to struggle or argue.

About that identity, about some truths, neither laid them bare, but it seemed both were acutely aware.

"Stop looking at my past," You Buwei extended his bandaged right hand, and this time Queqiu didn't avoid it, letting the other's broad palm cover his eyes, "I met you late, so my past isn't pretty."

The faint smell of medicine and blood mingled, traveling from You Buwei's palm to Queqiu's nose. It was the first time he smelled something from You Jun Alpha, not his pheromones, but the traces left from fighting honorably for his glory, battered and bruised.

You Buwei's voice wasn't as deep and magnetic as Morfa's, more like that of an energetic young man. Even speaking such heart-wrenching words, there was no hint of resentment. The more this side of You Buwei appeared cheerful and unrestrained, the harder it was for Queqiu to connect him with the bizarre and sinister person in his memory.

How could it possibly be the same person?

Queqiu couldn't make sense of it no matter how hard he thought.

While pondering, he blinked subconsciously, his long and thick eyelashes sweeping across You Buwei's palm, causing a slight tickling sensation, like petting a warm, soft little animal.

"Don't cry, okay?" Even though he couldn't see, Queqiu could hear the smile in his voice, "I really don't hurt. Although I can't promise about the past, in the future, even if I'm in pain, I won't hurt you again."

"But you've hurt so many innocents..." Queqiu opened his mouth, unsure of how to continue.

He thought that he probably didn't have the right to judge You Buwei.

"I couldn't find a way to change the world," You Buwei said, "Someone just told me that doing so might offer a glimmer of hope."

He paused, then shrugged nonchalantly, chuckling, "Or you don't have to think of me too nobly, see me as a criminal with no bottom line for money, that way you might not be too disappointed in me."

Of course, Queqiu didn't believe his latter statement.

"The world is indeed terrible, but it's not completely hopeless. If you still have even a little faith in it, you shouldn't vent by harming the innocent." Queqiu had many harsh words he could use to accuse You Buwei, if he truly was the person he suspected. Whatever he said, the other would have to silently endure without any rebuttal.

But after much thought, that statement was the furthest Queqiu could go, unable to utter anything more severe.

In any case – he thought, in any case, a princess couldn't haughtily condemn a knight who had risked his life for her.

Even if the princess didn't know how much blood, perhaps of the guilty or the innocent, her knight had stained his hands with behind the scenes.

Hearing Queqiu's words, You Buwei let out a soft laugh, his tone laced with a hint of disdain – but not just disdain, there were also many more indescribable and obscure emotions.

"I hate this empire."

But, given a choice, he would also like to save this empire.

"But I'm not the hero, you are," You Buwei slowly let go, and when his view was no longer obscured, Queqiu met his gaze without surprise.

"Do I have that much courage?"

"As long as you want, you can do it."

Even though his other identity might have been guessed by Queqiu, You Buwei still trusted him unconditionally, "You are a princess. In a fairy tale world, princesses are born to create miracles. If you can't be the savior to redeem this corrupt world, then no one can."

Black eyes met golden eyes, across a distance neither too far nor too close, both shimmering with an unnamed brilliance. They remained silent, as quiet as the soundless universe.

Among the two, it was Queqiu who first averted his gaze.

"A savior..." His voice was so soft, so light, it seemed to dissipate as soon as it was spoken.

Queqiu had never known that You Buwei saw him in such a way.

Nor had he ever imagined himself as a savior.

Hearing the word "savior" from You Buwei's mouth, Queqiu couldn't help but think, so this is why he came into this world, or perhaps the reason?

To provide redemption to those who had never been redeemed, to show roses to those who had never seen them bloom.

His thoughts suddenly became chaotic, like a string of pearls abruptly snapped, the smooth beads scattering everywhere.

Queqiu's thoughts at this moment were like these scattered pearls, jumping from the Alibi Number filled with genetic hierarchy, to the poverty-stricken Duocao Street, and then to the scenes he first witnessed at the Dark Star Military Academy.

Through his memories, he seemed to see again the Alphas and Betas' innate yearning and desire for Omegas, their cautious treatment of him, and the dog collars on the Alphas' necks—every Alpha restricted by such a humiliating device from any physiological pleasure or joy, forcibly taught to shed the impulsive and irritable aspects of their personality, and trained to be competent soldiers.

He saw how furious Bai Tianxing was that day, bitterly recounting the tragic history of Omega enslavement.

He also saw the Alpha and Beta's pathological obsession with Omegas, the Omegas' hatred towards Alphas and Betas, the privileges held by nobles, and the despair of those with genetic diseases awaiting their inevitable demise.

Queqiu's clear, transparent, sun-like golden eyes, like an emotionless, impartial camera, justly recorded everything he saw since coming to this world:

The genetic disease akin to a terminal illness;

The opposition between Alphas, Betas, and Omegas;

Prejudices among people from different planets;

Everything prioritized by genetic hierarchy;

The nobility monopolizing the majority of social resources;

The insectoid species lurking beyond the borders...

At this moment, countless images leaped into Queqiu's mind, like pieces of a puzzle flying towards him, ultimately forming a distorted view of the world he was observing.

Yet, beyond that, Queqiu saw clearly many instances of precious goodwill hidden beneath the bleakness, shining like stars in the sky, becoming his most treasured discovery since arriving in this world.

Initially, Queqiu was just a golden canary, practicing alone in the deep forests of Earth for many years.

He basked in the gentle morning sun, the evening breeze, the torrential rains of summer, the snowflakes of winter, no different from the other flowers and plants, always rooted quietly in his spot, growing, sprouting, branching, flourishing, and returning to the roots day after day.

A cycle that repeats endlessly.

As a rose, Queqiu knew nothing of friends, of liking, not even of happiness or anger.

These human emotions were only experienced after coming to this world.

Thus, as Queqiu himself had said, the world is terrible, but not entirely hopeless. Beneath the thick darkness and despair, there are still threads of light and hope.

Queqiu reminisced about his experiences since his arrival, both good and bad, recalling the people he had met. His thoughts lingered on each familiar face, seriously contemplating for the first time if he should do something.

Perhaps he could truly become the savior You Buwei spoke of, bringing the only redemption and hope to those mired in suffering and despair.

Maybe, he really could change something.

Queqiu stayed in You Buwei's room for a long time, and no one knew what they discussed that night.

*

"Following the top 100 pursuit race, the four finalists were Kiramido, an A-rank combat Alpha from the First Imperial Military Academy, Que Qiu, an S-rank combat Omega from Sikuxing Military Academy, Felix, an S-rank combat Alpha Firebird from the same academy, and Dix, an A-rank combat Alpha Black Wolf from the First Military Academy of the Heiyao Star System."

"With over a hundred thousand participants in the Imperial Military Academy Tournament, and a staggering hundred thousand in individual events, the sheer number of competitors whittled down to just four after a grueling month-long series of matches speaks volumes about the fierce and brutal nature of the competition."

"These four contestants fought their way through, arriving at the final two matches, poised to vie for the coveted throne of victory in this grand interstellar event."

"Each one was laser-focused on the championship."

"The Military Academy Tournament channel alternated between displaying the profiles of these four contestants, generously highlighting their spectacular event highlights in the prime recommendation slot. However, Que Qiu, the Omega who created miracles time and again, garnered the highest viewership and popularity."

"Felix, as Que Qiu's strongest competitor, effortlessly eliminated his teammate Kiramido from the upper bracket in the first semi-final, smoothly advancing to the finals."

"Regarded as a favorite to win the crown alongside Que Qiu, Felix was swarmed by reporters after the match, bombarded with questions: 'Do you feel confident about winning the championship?'"

"'Of course, I joined the Military Academy Tournament for the championship. If I didn’t have this confidence, you wouldn’t see me here.'"

"'As the first finalist, do you have any message for the contestants in the upcoming second semi-final?'"

"'Well, no matter who advances, I can win the final just as easily as I won this match.'"

"Facing the press, Felix was in his element, even enjoying the media’s adulation. He exuded confidence in front of the cameras, all smiles."

"When asked if there was any collusion or violation of sportsmanship in competing against a teammate, Felix raised an eyebrow towards the camera, his smile laced with palpable malice."

"All we did was employ tactics that any team would use in such a situation. My own strength is simply greater than Kirami's. Is there any doubt about the outcome of this match? If there is, perhaps you should first inquire with Omega from the Dark Star Military Academy. After all, he too advanced relying on his teammates."

An Ran turned off Felix's match replay video, speaking in a cold tone, "Let's stop here. There's nothing worth reviewing in this match. It's a typical sacrificial strategy. I just wonder what the abandoned Alpha must be thinking."

As these words fell, everyone in the room glanced towards You Buwei and Queqiu, who were covered in bandages, clearly displeased with Felix's implied criticism.

Feigo was the first to speak up, "If Queqiu and I were in such a match, I'd willingly let him advance to the finals."

The others agreed, repeatedly saying they would gladly sacrifice everything for Queqiu, unlike the Imperial First Military Academy, where everything revolves around the strong, and the weak don't even have the right to breathe.

"From the school's perspective, such a decision is understandable. In a situation where one must choose between two, it's natural to protect the one with greater apparent strength, to enter the finals with minimal effort and exhaustion, just as Felix himself said, to conserve energy."

Anlan looked at Queqiu, his expression somewhat solemn: "You..."

Queqiu knew what he wanted to say and, not wanting his teammates to worry, quickly interrupted: "Don't worry, coach, I'm fine."

After speaking, he subconsciously touched the pheromone blocker patch on the back of his neck.

The last time he used this thing was when he and Morfa disguised themselves as a Beta couple to sell comfort agents in the black market. In the blink of an eye, he had already experienced so much.

And in many of these experiences, Morfa wasn't involved, a thought that left Queqiu feeling somewhat uneasy.

Anlan didn't press further about Queqiu's estrus, instead changing the subject: "Can you handle the semifinal?"

Queqiu glanced at You Buwei, pursed his lips, then said, "Of course. Like this match, I'll be waiting at ease."

"I'll advance to the finals faster than Felix and then defeat him to win the championship."

Queqiu wasn't boasting.

In the semifinal, facing the A-class combat Black Wolf Alpha Dix, Queqiu defeated him with lightning speed. The audience had just started cheering for the match's commencement, and before they could chant "Queqiu must win" a few times, the match was already over.

The venue fell into a brief silence.

Uh...

It's... over?

The audience at the venue exchanged glances, and the viewers of the live broadcast thought they were experiencing a glitch. Even the Super Star Brain, which had just announced the start of the match and was about to announce its conclusion, almost crashed due to Queqiu's swift victory.

After a moment, whether it was the audience at the venue or those watching the live broadcast, everyone erupted into astonishing, almost hysterical cheers.

They screamed and shouted, thrilled and excited by the miracle Queqiu had created.

In the post-match interview, Queqiu, who usually disliked interviews, surprisingly stopped to answer the reporters' questions.

Facing the microphone and camera, he simply said one sentence, but it was enough to set the entire star network ablaze.

"The final? No, that's going to be my solo performance."

With sharp and icy Omega eyes, Queqiu’s gaze into the camera made many hearts skip a beat. Even through the screen, his unstoppable determination was palpable.

The final showdown between Queqiu and Felix, the ultimate battle for glory, was about to begin.

By this point, almost no one in the entire star system was unfamiliar with Queqiu. His name resounded throughout the universe, known to everyone in the Empire as the combat Omega from the exiled Dark Star.

Possessing a rare S-class combat Omega gene, stunning looks, and strength that overshadowed many, these factors undoubtedly made him the hottest contestant of this competition, his fame rivaling that of the Empire's young and celebrated General Duan Chensen.

Just a month ago, he was an unknown, defective Omega from the isolated Dark Star.

Famous competition commentators extensively reviewed Queqiu’s journey, mentioning how his current achievements were not built overnight. Even during his obscure days, he had laid a solid foundation, winning match after match to earn his place at the top, basking in the admiration of all.

"S-class genes are not the main reason for Queqiu's immense support — this might be a reason for any other S-class Alpha, S-class Beta, or even S-class Omega to be in the spotlight, but it cannot be the reason for Queqiu. Remember, before his gene grade was revealed, he was ridiculed for being a defective healing Omega. Now, it's time we rethink whether we should continue to solely focus on gene grades."

"The reason why Queqiu is so beloved, commanding respect from the naturally combative Alphas, adoration from the god-making resistant Betas, and seen as a role model and idol by the combat-averse Omegas, is purely because of his personal charm, nothing else."

"The charm he possesses, in my view, goes far beyond being 'a star created by the organizing committee due to his good looks' or his special S-class combat Omega genes. It's more about his strength in battle, which far exceeds his opponents', his superior qualities, sportsmanship, and strong willpower. When he achieves such feats that most Alphas, Betas, or Omegas can't reach, we shouldn't confine him to his gender anymore."

"He is a natural combat Omega, and also a born artist in combat."

"Queqiu has enough mettle to change, or even reshape, this empire."

After this comment was published by the renowned commentator of the empire, within a few minutes, it garnered hundreds of thousands of searches across the star network. Over time, it was viewed billions of times within a day. The popularity was so immense that even the organizing committee of the league pinned it at the top of their official channel as a featured article.

People, marveling at Queqiu's popularity, also sparked several large-scale discussions about the viewpoints mentioned in the commentary.

Many viewers who had once mocked players of lower genetic ranks came forward to apologize, admitting their narrow-mindedness. They realized they had focused too much on genetic grades in both real life and entertainment events like the military school league, disrespecting the hard-working contestants and themselves.

As for the initial views that nearly everyone ridiculed – "an Omega choosing combat over healing," "is an Omega joining the individual competition of the military school league just a joke?" – these opinions dissipated as the competition progressed and Queqiu emerged prominently. No one questioned anymore whether Omegas could choose combat classes or compete alongside Alphas and Betas.

Those discordant voices were finally silenced by Queqiu's strength.

If anyone still had doubts, Omegas would show them Queqiu's highlight reel and add, "Come back and lecture when you can achieve what this Omega has." Usually, at this point, the other party would shut up and log off the internet in shame.

Queqiu's surge in popularity not only attracted a considerable fan base for himself but also changed some deeply entrenched views of the imperial citizens to a certain extent.

So, in the final match, he saw a sea of dazzling, stunning gold.

A golden sea that belonged to him alone.

Author's Note:

Some little angels might think I'm dragging out the individual matches too much, delaying the main story.

But I feel that through the military school league, I want the people of the empire to genuinely like and admire Queqiu, not for his genetic grade, beauty, or ability to cure genetic diseases (although these are also very important), but purely for the personal charm of this Omega.