A Guide for Background Characters to Survive in a Manga

Chapter 40

After announcing the result, the referee left immediately, leaving Su Bei and the unconscious Qi Huang on the arena.

Wasn’t someone going to help take her away? Su Bei looked at the girl lying on the ground, somewhat at a loss. After a moment’s thought, he bent down, wrapped an arm around Qi Huang’s waist, and hoisted her onto his shoulder with one pull.

Just as he reached the exit, Su Bei suddenly realized something and gently placed Qi Huang back on the ground.

From his years of reading manga, carrying someone out like this suited hormone-charged adult men or sunny, athletic puppy types, but definitely not him—a mysterious, beautiful少年 whose appeal was enigma.

According to his character setup, a princess carry would be appropriately suave.

But there was another option: ignore Qi Huang and leave first. Based on past experience, the first to exit was assumed to be the loser. Revealing the result only after everyone thought he’d lost would create a nice contrast.

So which option to choose?

Raising an eyebrow, Su Bei decisively chose to abandon Qi Huang, letting her lie there for now.

If he carried her out, he’d get a moment of suaveness but would likely have to take her to the infirmary, potentially missing the next round’s plot.

And the next round was major plot! How many panels would he miss?

Conversely, if he left her, the school would surely send someone to take her away. He wouldn’t waste time and could lightly tease the crowd outside.

Wasn’t that perfect?

Thinking this, Su Bei composed his expression, first pursing his lips to feign disappointment. Feeling it was too obvious, he reverted to a blank face. This look would suffice for his exit.

Outside the arena, everyone was anxiously awaiting the round’s results.

“I thought Su Bei would finish this round quickly, but no one’s out yet,” Mu Tieren said, staring at the arena exit, quite surprised.

To him, Su Bei was strong. Though he hadn’t shown much, defeating an opponent shouldn’t be hard and should’ve been quick.

His opponent, Qi Huang, as Mo Xiaotian told them, had the [Flame Phoenix] Ability, highly offensive. Such an Ability, when clashing with an opponent, should also resolve quickly, ending with one strike.

Two such people fighting should, by all logic, end fast, right?

The others thought so too, yet now Mo Xiaotian, Zhao Xiaoyu, and Zhou Renjie had all won and emerged, while Su Bei was the slowest.

“He’s out! It’s Su…” Seeing a figure at the arena exit, Mo Xiaotian started to shout excitedly but saw it was a blank-faced Su Bei.

Did Su Bei lose?

The group showed incredulous expressions but, fearing they’d hurt Su Bei, quickly tried to hide them.

Jiang Tianming was the first to collect himself, walking up with slight concern: “Su Bei, you… okay?”

Su Bei shook his head, silent.

Just as the others were about to offer more comfort, Wu Mingbai suddenly spoke: “You actually won, didn’t you?”

Being a fan of mischief himself, he knew such people’s tastes best. Initially, though shocked Su Bei might have lost, Wu Mingbai hadn’t suspected anything.

But seeing Su Bei silently accepting their comfort, Wu Mingbai had a sudden epiphany. If he’d truly failed, he’d never act like such a defeated dog.

Su Bei’s reaction to failure might not mirror his exactly, but it wouldn’t be this drastically different.

Sure enough, at his question, Su Bei suddenly showed an innocent expression: “When did I say I lost?”

The group: “…”

They scattered instantly, not wanting to deal with this mischievous guy. Only Mo Xiaotian, unaffected, said joyfully: “Brother Bei, you won! Awesome, I knew you’d win!”

Then, curiously: “Where’s Qi Huang, your opponent? Why didn’t she come out?”

Su Bei shrugged: “She passed out. Probably taken by a teacher by now, right?”

Noticing the uncertainty in his words, Lan Subing slightly pulled down her scarf: “Why didn’t you bring her out?”

Su Bei lowered his eyes, unsure how to respond. If the author didn’t draw the earlier scene in the manga, he had plenty of ways to answer.

But if the author used that experience as plot, his response now absolutely couldn’t stray from it, or it’d seem odd.

After a second’s thought, Su Bei tilted his head: “The referee didn’t take her out either.”

The implication: the referee didn’t take her, so I didn’t either. Blame the referee.

This answer was perfectly reasonable with or without the earlier scene. Su Bei was inwardly pleased—truly clever.

Lan Subing and the others, hearing his reply, were speechless. For most people, they’d have carried Qi Huang out by now. She was pretty and powerful; many would jump at the chance to earn her favor.

But Su Bei clearly wasn’t most people, and hearing this, they weren’t too surprised.

The final round soon arrived, and Jiang Tianming and the others entered their arenas. After they went up, Su Bei stretched lazily and said to Mu Tieren: “Find a nice restaurant. We should celebrate at lunch.”

At this, Mu Tieren’s eyes lit up: “You mean everyone will win?”

Before Su Bei could reply, Zhou Renjie mocked loudly from nearby: “Dream on! I bet you’re celebrating getting to rest early!”

Su Bei ignored the fat guy’s taunts and didn’t answer Mu Tieren’s question, just nodding before looking down at his phone.

Mo Xiaotian asked curiously: “What’re you looking at?”

Su Bei curled his lips, showing him the screen. Mo Xiaotian leaned in, squinting to read, then his eyes widened, mouth agape: “1260 Points???”

As a Class A student, Mo Xiaotian had plenty of chances to earn Points, plus the 100 from catching the culprit, giving him 250 Points.

He’d thought that was plenty, but who’d have thought it wasn’t even a fraction of Su Bei’s!

Zhao Xiaoyu, hearing Mo Xiaotian from afar, perked up. Ignoring the risk of annoying Zhou Renjie, she hurried over: “1260 Points? From betting this time?”

She was indeed sharp, instantly connecting the dots. It wasn’t hard to figure out—both being Class F, she knew Class F had zero Point-earning opportunities. Getting so many Points so fast could only be from betting.

Su Bei nodded: “Thanks to you, I got this many Points.”

Not just Zhao Xiaoyu—Wu Jin, Mu Tieren, and himself played big roles.

After the first two days’ eliminations, more people were betting today. Most didn’t know the contestants’ strengths and could only judge by class.

Naturally, higher-class students got more bets. And the bigger the class gap, the bigger the betting gap.

Without a doubt, Wu Jin versus Class C, Zhao Xiaoyu versus Class B, and Mu Tieren and himself versus Class A all provided him ample Points.

“…You bet on me winning?” Zhao Xiaoyu was surprised, her expression complex as she asked.

“You think you couldn’t win?” Su Bei countered.

Zhao Xiaoyu was silent for a moment, then shook her head: “Of course I believed I could win. I just didn’t think anyone else would.”

As a Class F student, she hadn’t thought anyone would believe she could beat other classes. But now, she felt Class F’s status wasn’t so bad. With so many classmates reaching this stage, in numbers or proportion, their class matched any other.

Mo Xiaotian, beaming with pride, said: “Brother Bei’s awesome! Everyone he bet on won!”

Then, with a fawning smile: “Bro, next time you bet, give me a heads-up, yeah? I forgot about this part.”

Su Bei was amused and exasperated: “What, I gotta remind you not to miss mooching my Points?”

Mo Xiaotian gave an awkward laugh, scratching his head, then quickly regained confidence: “Missed it, missed it! Bro, who’d you bet on this round?”

Su Bei glanced at Zhao Xiaoyu and Mu Tieren: “Smart people are already betting.”

He’d hinted earlier that their team would all win this round. Smart ones knew who to bet on.

“Whoa! Wait for me!” Mo Xiaotian shouted, hurrying over.

The first to emerge was, unsurprisingly, Si Zhaohua, followed closely by Baozhu. Si Zhaohua’s opponent was Class C; he likely won without even using his ultimate.

How did Su Bei know?

Because after Baozhu emerged, Si Zhaohua didn’t leave but stayed, clearly wanting to see Jiang Tianming and the others’ results.

Unlike that day’s arrogance and obsession with victory, he wasn’t affected by his Ability.

“Subing’s out!” Mu Tieren, sharp-eyed, spotted Lan Subing following her opponent. Unlike Su Bei’s mischief, her curved brows showed she’d won.

Sure enough, as she approached, she showed a small, happy expression, saying softly: “I won!”

“Awesome! Subing, you’re the first out!” Mu Tieren didn’t hold back praise, then asked with concern: “How’d you use your Ability?” The school forbade asking about arena specifics, but Mu Tieren cleverly skirted the contract. Asking “Did you use your Ability in the arena?” would violate it, but this question didn’t.

Lan Subing answered: “Same as the first day.”

They understood instantly. Her opponent this time was a Class B close-combat type. It seemed she outran them, relaxing her mindset enough to use her Ability.

Soon, the others except Jiang Tianming emerged. As Su Bei said, everyone won this round.

Jiang Tianming was still competing. His opponent was Class A, so winning wasn’t as simple. Curious, Su Bei asked Mo Xiaotian: “Know Jiang Tianming’s opponent? What’s his Ability?”

“No clue,” Mo Xiaotian shook his head. “Li Shu never used his Ability on us, not even on missions.”

Unlike other classes, Class A could take simple missions starting the second week, like battlefield cleanup, with minimal danger and Points as rewards.

“What about his past opponents?” Wu Mingbai pressed. “Didn’t they reveal his Ability from earlier matches?”

“I didn’t pay attention…”

Before Mo Xiaotian finished, Zhao Xiaoyu, still nearby, spoke: “I asked. His opponents only said Li Shu was extremely strong, and they surrendered immediately.”

Starting the afternoon of the first two days’ matches, Zhao Xiaoyu had been gathering intel on Class A students. She knew her Ability’s disadvantages were too great; only knowing herself and her enemy gave a slim chance of victory.

This answer was intriguing. Su Bei, who’d asked casually, grew interested: “Did they say what specifically was strong?”

“…His presence was strong.” After saying this, Zhao Xiaoyu shook her head. “Don’t ask me, I didn’t get it either. They just felt he was strong, unbeatable, so they surrendered.”

Clearly, Zhao Xiaoyu, like everyone, found the answer absurd, showing the same complex expression as the group.

Lan Subing guessed softly: “Maybe Li Shu’s Ability involves psychological suggestion.”

That was one possibility—using suggestion to make opponents feel he was too strong to face, leading to surrender.

But this was clearly wrong. Su Bei pointed at Jiang Tianming’s arena: “If that were true, their match would’ve ended long ago.”

Either Jiang Tianming succumbed to suggestion and surrendered, or he overcame it and beat Li Shu. Either way, it shouldn’t drag this long.

Speak of the devil—Su Bei’s hand barely lowered when Jiang Tianming emerged. He wasn’t alone, princess-carrying another boy.

The boy was slender, pale-skinned, his face almost transparently white. Curled up in Jiang Tianming’s arms, eyes closed, brows slightly furrowed, he seemed restless even in sleep.

“What happened?” Mu Tieren asked, confused, walking over with the others.

“Mental Energy overuse,” Jiang Tianming said briefly, unable to discuss arena details. “I’m taking him to the infirmary. You guys eat first.”

After the first round ended, it was lunchtime. The second round would start at 2 p.m., with the first round’s winners reassigned opponents.

The group went to the cafeteria together but stepped back out as soon as they entered.

“What’s going on?” Mu Tieren scratched his head, bewildered. “Why’s everyone staring?”

He wasn’t exaggerating. The moment they entered, almost with a “whoosh,” every gaze in the cafeteria turned to them.

Though not malicious, the overwhelming attention made them retreat.

“Probably because we won,” Wu Mingbai quickly deduced, flashing a bright, defensive smile. He wasn’t used to such attention either but wouldn’t show weakness now.

After the prior rounds and this morning’s eliminations, only 36 students remained: 10 from Class A, 12 from Class B, 1 each from Classes C and D, and a whopping 7 from Class F!

Notably, Class A’s low number wasn’t due to weakness—their class only had about 20 students to start, reduced by internal competition and the protagonist group’s efforts.

But Class F was undeniably the most eye-catching. Seven Class F students surviving this far was a miracle!

Before the matches, who’d have thought Class F could have so many winners? It was normal for others to be curious.

Unlike Wu Mingbai’s forced cheer, Mo Xiaotian was genuinely thrilled: “Whoa! You guys are campus stars now? So cool! Wish I was in Class F!”

“Enough, read the room!” Wu Mingbai rolled his eyes, pressing a hand on Mo Xiaotian’s head to calm his bouncing.

Catching a glimpse of a trembling blue figure hiding behind Mu Tieren, he softened: “A-Bing, you okay?”

“Not okay…” Lan Subing’s voice choked, sounding near tears. “…Help, can I skip eating?”

The moment she stepped into the cafeteria, she felt countless gazes like arrows shooting at her in a [Ten Thousand Arrows] barrage. If Mu Tieren’s tall frame hadn’t shielded her, she might’ve collapsed on the spot.

Knowing her social phobia, Wu Mingbai softened: “Then head back. I’ll bring you…”

Before he finished, Su Bei cut in: “I suggest you stay and get used to it.”

The group paused. Wu Mingbai, knowing Su Bei didn’t speak without reason, asked: “Why?”

Su Bei shrugged: “Team battles won’t be one-on-one.”

Wu Mingbai understood instantly. As Su Bei said, opponents in team battles wouldn’t kindly fight one-on-one. If they discovered Lan Subing’s weakness to crowds and targeted it, they’d effectively be down a member.

Thinking this, he looked at Lan Subing, asking softly: “Can you hold on?”

Lan Subing stiffened but nodded firmly. She understood Su Bei’s point—if she didn’t want to be a liability in team battles, she needed to adapt to attention now. This was a good opportunity.

They re-entered the cafeteria. Though uncomfortable, Lan Subing didn’t hide behind Mu Tieren, stiffly walking beside them, her scarf covering half her face.

Fortunately, while other students were curious, they didn’t approach to talk, giving the group a relatively peaceful meal.

Soon, Jiang Tianming messaged that he was coming. The group exchanged glances, none warning him what awaited.

Jiang Tianming pushed through the curtain and entered. Instantly, every gaze in the cafeteria turned to him, freezing him in place.

“Click!”

A camera sound snapped him back. Turning, he saw Su Bei snapping his picture, looking slightly annoyed: “Forgot to mute it.”

Jiang Tianming: “…”

He laughed in exasperation, charging to grab the phone.

Wu Mingbai quickly said: “Send me a copy.”

Lan Subing, breaking through her phobia, added: “Me too!”

Su Bei swiftly sent them a backup, then leisurely offered the phone, feigning generosity: “Delete it.”

Knowing backups existed, Jiang Tianming rolled his eyes, not taking the phone, and growled: “Don’t let me catch your dark history!”

Su Bei was unfazed. Compared to the protagonist group, sometimes drawn off-model by the author, he, Su Bei, was the manga’s true never-off-model king!

Amid the banter, their plates emptied quickly. Just as Su Bei was nearly done, a red-haired girl strode into the cafeteria.

It was Qi Huang.

Qi Huang scanned the room, quickly spotting Su Bei, her eyes narrowing as she marched straight toward him.

Her intent was obvious. Wu Mingbai grinned: “Oh ho, showtime!”

Su Bei had always watched their drama; now they could watch his. Realizing this, they all adopted spectator poses.

Su Bei was startled but not too worried. Qi Huang was proud, and losing to him would naturally make her defiant. But her pride also meant she’d acknowledge her loss.

As expected, she likely wanted to know how he won.

Sure enough, standing at Su Bei’s table under the group’s gossip-hungry gazes, she asked bluntly: “Can I know what happened?”

She meant the cold sensation on her neck.

Su Bei shook his head: “School rules.”

Of course, there were ways around rules if he wanted to talk. His response signaled he didn’t want to.

Luckily, Qi Huang caught his subtext and didn’t press, just raising her chin: “Whatever method you used, I admit you won this time. But in the team battle, I’ll definitely beat you.”

With that, she turned and left.

Gossiping was human nature, especially for the snark-loving Lan Subing, who forgot the crowd’s gazes, asking gleefully: “Su Bei, how do you feel after her words?”

In typical manga, this would be the heart-fluttering start for the main couple! Lan Subing was curious if Su Bei’s heart would stir, maybe even get a girlfriend.

From her sly smirk, Su Bei knew her question wasn’t innocent. But Qi Huang’s performance did leave an impression.

Her way of speaking, her proud personality, her unyielding aura…

He rubbed his chin with the back of his finger, asking thoughtfully: “Don’t you think she’s a bit like a female Si Zhaohua?”

At that, the group’s gossip mood vanished, replaced by contemplation. Moments later, Jiang Tianming was the first to show a horrified expression: “No way?!”