7: Chapter 7 Battle Against the Awakened

The next day, Wang Lin arrived at school.

As soon as he entered the classroom, Zhou Ming grabbed him.

"Brother Wang! Have you heard? Chen Jing is back!"

Wang Lin was taken aback. "Chen Jing?"

"Yeah, that Chen Jing who's been missing for days, your desk mate!"

"She suddenly appeared in the classroom this morning, acting like nothing happened."

"The homeroom teacher was shocked and questioned her for a long time."

Wang Lin said indifferently, "It's good that she's back. She was missing for so many days; her family must have been worried sick."

Zhou Ming nodded. "Yeah, but she doesn't seem willing to say where she went these past few days. When the homeroom teacher asked, she just said, 'Had some things to take care of.'"

Wang Lin understood in his heart; matters regarding the Awakened really couldn't be talked about casually.

The morning study bell rang.

Homeroom Teacher Li Guodong walked into the classroom right as the bell rang, his expression complex.

"Classmates, quiet down."

He stood on the podium, his gaze sweeping across the class, finally pausing on Wang Lin for a moment.

"I have two pieces of news to share with you all today. One is good news, and one is bad news."

"The good news is that Chen Jing, who has been missing for several days, is back today."

"The bad news is... Lin Weiwei has gone missing."

"Her family is extremely anxious, and the police are searching with all their might."

"If any students know any clues, please be sure to tell me."

His gaze looked toward Wang Lin again. "Student Wang Lin, were you walking with Lin Weiwei after school yesterday?"

Wang Lin stood up, his expression calm. "Yes, Teacher Li Guodong."

"After school yesterday, Lin Weiwei said she was afraid to walk alone, so she asked me to walk her part of the way."

"Where did you go? When did you part ways?"

"We walked along East Street. When we reached the intersection of East Street, she said she was almost home and told me I didn't need to walk her any further."

"We parted ways around 6:10."

Teacher Li Guodong was silent for a few seconds. "Alright, I understand. You may sit down."

After saying that, he began the lesson.

Wang Lin looked down at his textbook, but his attention was elsewhere.

Ever since a moment ago, he had felt a faint, lingering gaze resting on him.

It was as if a pair of eyes in the darkness were quietly observing him.

Wang Lin remained composed and continued reading.

The lunch bell rang, and students swarmed toward the cafeteria.

Wang Lin packed up his books and prepared to get up.

Just then, a hand pressed down on his shoulder.

"Wang Lin, come with me."

It was Chen Jing.

Her expression was calm, but there was a hint of gravity in her eyes.

Wang Lin nodded and followed her out of the classroom.

The two of them arrived at a secluded corner behind the teaching building.

Chen Jing stood still, turned around, and stared into Wang Lin's eyes.

"Wang Lin, you need to be careful of one person."

Wang Lin's heart tightened. "Who?"

"Zhao Yan."

This name caught Wang Lin by surprise.

Zhao Yan, his classmate.

In the original owner's memories, this person was usually very low-key and had almost no presence.

Chen Jing continued, "Zhao Yan has always had a crush on Lin Weiwei."

"And he has also become an Awakened."

"His sequence is 036, 'Flame Controller'—he can control flames and generate high temperatures."

"Captain Ye Han has already invited him to join the Seventh Squad."

What Wang Lin was thinking at that moment was:

[Zhao Yan actually became an Awakened? If he is an Awakened, then I should be able to devour him, right?]

In his previous life, Wang Lin's favorite anime was "Naruto."

If he devoured Zhao Yan, wouldn't he also be able to control flames?

When that time came, he could use a Fire Release, like the Great Fireball Technique. Wouldn't that be incredibly cool?

"Thanks for the warning," Wang Lin said.

"No need to thank me." After saying that, Chen Jing left.

Watching Chen Jing's departing figure, Wang Lin's thoughts began to race.

An Awakened?

Someone who just Awakened, without systematic training, shouldn't have physical fitness much different from an ordinary person.

It's nothing more than having an extra Superpower.

And what about him?

Although he didn't have those flashy abilities, his Speed, strength, and recovery capabilities were already far beyond ordinary people.

If Zhao Yan really came to cause trouble...

Wang Lin narrowed his eyes.

He wasn't without the power to resist, either.

The bell rang for the end of the school day, and students rushed out of the school gate, eager to be first.

Wang Lin packed his bag unhurriedly and was the last one to walk out of the classroom.

At the school gate, Zhou Ming was waiting for him.

"Brother Wang, want to walk together?"

"You go ahead, I have something to do," Wang Lin said.

Zhou Ming looked at the sky, which was beginning to darken, then looked at Wang Lin, wanting to say something but hesitating.

His lips moved, but in the end, he only managed to squeeze out: "Then be careful."

"Yeah."

After Zhou Ming's figure disappeared around the street corner, Wang Lin did not walk in the direction of his home.

He turned around and ducked into a small alley next to the school.

Wang Lin deliberately walked deep into it until he reached a relatively open corner.

The surroundings were full of broken walls and overgrown weeds; it was a good place to "solve problems."

He stopped in his tracks.

"Come out."

The voice echoed in the empty alley.

One breath.

Two breaths.

Three breaths.

After a while, a figure slowly walked out from around the corner.

Zhao Yan, his whole being radiating suppressed anger.

"You knew I was following you?"

"I've known since noon." Wang Lin turned around and faced him calmly. "Something up?"

"Where is Lin Weiwei?"

"She's missing, don't you know?"

"Don't play dumb! I know you did it! She left school with you yesterday, and then she disappeared! What did you do to her?"

"I didn't do anything," Wang Lin's tone remained calm. "We parted ways at the East Street intersection. I don't know about anything after that."

"Liar!"

Zhao Yan growled, the aura on his body beginning to stir restlessly.

The temperature of the surrounding air rose abruptly, and one could vaguely see distorted ripples.

"You have her scent on you! I can feel it!"

Wang Lin's heart tightened.

Perception ability. This guy could not only control fire but also perceive spiritual energy fluctuations.

No wonder he could smell the lingering scent of Lin Weiwei on him.

"Even if something really happened to her, it was her own choice. She is a Calamity, you know that, right?"

"I don't care!"

Zhao Yan's eyes began to turn red.

"What she is doesn't matter! What matters is—"

"I like her!"

Wang Lin was taken aback for a moment, and then he laughed.

"An Awakened actually fell for a Calamity?"

"Are you living out some 'Ghost' romance story?"

"Shut up!"

Zhao Yan's patience had reached its limit.

He suddenly raised his hand, and a ball of orange-red flame condensed in his palm, illuminating his twisted face.

"I don't know what you're talking about!"

"I'll ask you one last time, where is Lin Weiwei?!"

Wang Lin did not answer; he just watched that ball of flame quietly.

Then, a subtle arc curled at the corners of his mouth.

[Flame Controller?]

[If I can devour him, will I be able to obtain this ability?]

Once this thought appeared, it could no longer be suppressed.