Chapter 54

Chapter 17: Where Are You?

　Tianhai University, Physical Education Department, the basketball game between Class 5 and Class 7 was in full swing with pre-game preparations.

　Before this, it would be hard to describe the scene as “in full swing.” Forget about pre-game prep, even during the actual match, not many people cared. At most, a part of the students from both classes would come to cheer on their teams.

　But today was different. After Bai Ling agreed to participate, this game suddenly became the hottest event in the entire school.

　The cold beauty playing basketball, plus the brightest campus flower cheering as a cheerleader—this was one reason.

　Another reason? That one shot she made earlier…

　Don’t underestimate the appeal of a girl who can shatter walls with a basketball—seriously, how cool is that?!

　Of course, some speculated that she might be someone who awakened spiritual energy, but since the rumors were too mysterious and rarely seen in daily life, there wasn’t much discussion.

　In any case, if it’s true, let everyone see what Spiritual Energy Manipulators are capable of.

　The match was moved from the small gym to Tianhai University’s main stadium. The entrance was already packed with people. In the vast competition area, Bai Ling was practicing her dribbling, getting a feel for the ball.

　She herself didn’t usually play basketball, but no worries—recently, she’d been practicing ball control with a certain Blonde-haired Maiden, so she was pretty familiar with it.

　”Bai Ling,” her roommate excitedly said, “come here, come here!”

　Bai Ling frowned, “No need, just normal game stuff. They can pass me the ball.”

　She thought her roommate wanted her to meet the basketball team members and discuss tactics.

　”No, you should come over,” the roommate gestured towards the corridor, “she’s looking for you!”

　Her?

　It was the Blonde Busty Girl.

　Yuan Xiaoling wore a zipped-up jacket, but underneath was a floaty short skirt—an odd combination.

　”Hi hi, yes yes, it’s me.”

　”Mm hmm, sure thing.”

　She was still standing in the hallway chatting enthusiastically with classmates.

　Bai Ling walked over and gently pulled the blonde’s hand, dragging her aside into the rest area.

　”You came dressed like this?” Bai Ling asked.

　”Don’t worry, everything’s inside.”

　Yuan Xiaoling grabbed the zipper and yanked it all the way down with force: “Ta-da!”

　The cheerleader outfit, light and airy, was pushed up by the bouncy Dabeitù, revealing itself once freed from the zipper.

　Nothing highlighted youthful charm like a cheerleader uniform, especially on a busty girl with a perfect figure.

　Following the round curve of her chest downwards, the cheerleader outfit naturally had only half the fabric, exposing smooth skin from the waist down, showing off a cute, delicate belly button…

　”Hold on,” Yuan Xiaoling covered her stomach, “you’ve got a game later.”

　Bai Ling gave her an unimpressed look.

　Though, maybe, possibly, she was starting to like something… but regardless, not here, not now.

　”Not interested,” Bai Ling said coolly, “just checking.”

　If it’s good, then look.

　”Looking? No problem,” Yuan Xiaoling immediately took off her jacket, “look all you want.”

　”…”

　The cheerleader outfit was sleeveless, similar to a cropped tank top. Once the jacket was off, there was even more eye candy. Watching her, Bai Ling actually… gained a bit of credibility.

　Bai Ling rolled her eyes and shifted her focus. She thought for a moment and asked, “Where’s the ball?”

　Yuan Xiaoling blinked innocently, “Isn’t it right here?”

　She puffed out her chest and tilted her head, showcasing the Dabeitù.

　”I mean the pom-poms, the cheerleader pom-poms,” Bai Ling rolled her eyes again, “how will you cheer me on without waving them around?”

　Are you going to do hand waves instead?

　Yuan Xiaoling froze, “Ah, well, I really didn’t think of that.”

　Maybe use water elements to make some?

　”Don’t worry,” a female voice suddenly rang out from outside the door, “we’ve got them here!”

　It was Bai Ling’s two roommates, eavesdropping at the door.

　At this point, keeping the door closed was pointless. Bai Ling’s two roommates entered, one engaging Yuan Xiaoling in conversation:

　”Great to meet you, Miss Yuan, we’ve wanted to get to know you for a while. Here, we have several types of pom-poms. Which one do you want… gold ones would suit you perfectly.”

　The other roommate stood next to Bai Ling and whispered, “Not bad, Bai Ling, almost did it here. Actually, just go ahead; we’ll keep watch for you.”

　Bai Ling twitched the corner of her mouth, unwilling to respond.

　Lately, she’d grown too comfortable at school. From now on, she should leave a thread of spiritual power at the door to prevent eavesdroppers.

　After chatting for a bit, the two roommates dragged each other out.

　”Alright, alright, give the space to the lovebirds.”

　”Our Miss Yuan might have some special encouragement magic. We won’t disturb you.”

　As they left, they teased pure-hearted Xiaoling until her cheeks turned red: “I, I don’t have any encouragement magic. I’m element-type, not spirit-type…”

　Bai Ling sat down and drank some water. It wasn’t lemonade, just plain mineral water.

　She used her spiritual power to check. Her roommates were indeed gone, no one outside the door. This was the quietest little world right now.

　Yuan Xiaoling approached, leaning over Bai Ling, uncaring if her neckline exposed anything. Curiosity was written all over her face:

　”Bai Ling, how do you plan to play later? Direct three-point shots from the backcourt? Your abilities make long-range and ultra-long three-pointers the best fit. You can directly use telekinesis to control the ball’s trajectory in the air.”

　Bai Ling continued drinking water, “Don’t know, depends on my mood.”

　She hadn’t decided yet, but Yuan Xiaoling gave her an idea.

　”So, ability users participating in regular sports really have a lot of cheating methods. Oh yeah,” the blonde suddenly remembered a question, “besides us two, are there any other ability users in our school? Why haven’t we ever seen them?”

　Not just the school, but elsewhere too, she barely encountered ability users in daily life, except maybe Uncle He, who was somewhat suspicious.

　Even if they were rare, it shouldn’t be this extreme.

　”Yes, there are several,” Bai Ling said calmly, “at this time, ability users within the circle are still influenced by that trend.”

　Yuan Xiaoling blinked, “What trend?”

　”Ability users are a brand-new group, they’ve just formed and are exploring the most suitable rules for themselves,” Bai Ling recalled, smiling mysteriously, “and coincidentally, a certain sci-fi masterpiece has been very popular these years.”

　”Emmmmm, Three-Body?” Yuan Xiaoling guessed.

　The TV adaptation of the first novel’s plot received great reviews and became a hit.

　The anime adaptation of the second novel’s plot also became a hit… albeit controversially.

　”That’s right, then someone started analyzing, beginning with the situation of spiritual energy ability users.”