The Cannon Fodder Became the Empire's Beloved Omega - Chapter 33

The annual freshman speech was one of the few events at Nebula that could truly be considered a major occasion.

As the top-tier institution with the most exceptional resources in the Gaia Empire, the students who could enter Nebula and deliver speeches as freshman representatives were naturally outstanding talents, the elite among elites. Being able to interact closely with such individuals, even if one couldn’t establish a connection, was immensely beneficial.

However, the events that had unfolded this year were utterly bewildering.

Setting aside the textbook-level manipulation of public opinion from before, the new score report had been released for several days, and the Nebula community was now aware of that astonishingly high score of 888. At this point, everyone’s feelings were complicated, unsure of how to react to the situation.

Some were skeptical, while others found it hard to believe. Naturally, attention inevitably turned to this year’s freshman speech, as everyone wanted to see just how capable this rumored, controversial new heir truly was.

After gathering his things, Yu Ruan took a deep breath and slowly stepped onto the podium.

Under the cold white spotlight, the Omega in a dark blue school uniform ascended the stage. Instantly, he captured the attention of every student in the audience.

Before this speech, many students at Nebula had only heard of this legendary heir by reputation, never having seen him in person. Their impressions of him were largely shaped by stereotypical rumors.

It was only upon seeing him up close that they realized he bore no resemblance whatsoever to the descriptions in the rumors.

The Omega at the center of the podium had delicate, refined features. His slightly downturned eyes lent him a gentle, harmless aura, while his sapphire-blue eyes made him shine like a diamond.

Frankly, it was a face that made it difficult to feel hostile. Moreover, his humble and gentle expression made it even harder to dislike him.

If not for the rumors.

Wait! How was this person anything like the arrogant, domineering, and willful figure described in the rumors?!

The audience was struck with a sense of disbelief, akin to thinking, “Are you kidding me?” They couldn’t help but question why they had so firmly believed those rumors just a short while ago.

Amidst the spreading complexity of emotions, the Omega on the podium began his speech.

His voice was like a clear spring smooth, articulate, and measured, bringing a sense of comfort akin to a gentle spring breeze.

In the past, Nebula had prohibited the enrollment of students other than Alphas. As a result, the atmosphere at Nebula was fiercely competitive, filled with the ruthless struggle of a hunting ground, and everyone had grown accustomed to it.

Now, this gentle, polished, and tactful style immediately caught the attention of the jaded audience.

Although some couldn’t help but murmur quietly, feeling that the speech was too soft and undermined Nebula’s imposing reputation, they were quickly silenced by sharp glares from their peers.

After all, the speech wasn’t unpleasant to listen to, was it?

Listening to the voice that slowly spread throughout the auditorium via the speakers, Song Si’s mood was subtly complex.

“I’ve got a feeling that post from the other day might actually be true,” his roommate muttered under his breath. “This level of speaking skill is definitely not ordinary. I was skeptical when I saw the scores earlier, but now it seems like that 888 might really be his own achievement.”

Song Si immediately choked back his words.

After a long pause, he finally blurted out, “How do you know it’s real? What if it’s fake?”

His roommate looked at him in astonishment. “No way, Song Si, you’re still doubting at this point?? Tell me yourself, with this level of skill, if you were up there, could you hold your ground? Stop being sour, just admit it, they’re genuinely impressive. Accept it already.”

“…”

Song Si resentfully averted his gaze and looked back at the person at the center of the stage.

He really couldn’t compare. Truth be told.

The speech concluded perfectly amidst a round of applause.

Yu Ruan gave a slight bow, gathered his things, and headed backstage.

After the speech, he could clearly sense that the gazes from the audience were much friendlier than when he had first stepped onto the stage. Some were even moved to tears, staring at him with wide, emotional eyes.

Feeling slightly awkward under their gaze, Yu Ruan quickened his pace as he left the stage.

As soon as he stepped down, he immediately spotted Cheng Mu standing below the stage, clapping enthusiastically with a beaming smile.

“Congratulations, congratulations,” Cheng Mu said, clapping so loudly it seemed like he wanted everyone to notice his efforts. “That speech was amazing, way more interesting than the monkey show I put on when I first got here.”

Standing beside him, Han Ran also gave Yu Ruan a slight nod, a faint smile playing on her lips. “Congratulations. You performed even better than during the rehearsal. Truly impressive.”

Hearing this, Yu Ruan belatedly realized that Han Ran had been present in the rehearsal room and had listened to his entire practice session.

No wonder her attitude had changed so much.

He felt a bit embarrassed. “Thank you.”

“Hey, speaking of which where’s Gu Yu?” Cheng Mu suddenly asked, as if remembering something. “I saw him in the audience earlier, and he looked pretty focused. How come he disappeared so quickly? Ran-jie, did you see him?”

“Didn’t see him.”

“…” Cheng Mu was speechless.

After a moment of thought, Yu Ruan said, “Maybe the lecture hall was too stuffy, and he wanted to take a walk outside.”

From what he remembered, the other person seemed to enjoy basking in the sun. Back in Konan, Yu Ruan would occasionally return at noon to grab something and would often see the young master lazily sprawled on the sofa, eyes closed, his fair skin glowing under the sunlight. He looked very much like a well-fed large feline, lazily resting in its den.

Yu Ruan packed his things into his bag. “How about we go look for him together?”

“Sure,” Cheng Mu said, no longer dwelling on it. He let out a long sigh, feeling the weight of his responsibilities. “Let’s go find him then. Sorry to trouble you.”

“No problem,” Yu Ruan replied with a smile.

In the auditorium, students were leaving like a receding tide.

Song Si remained somewhat dazed. He sat in his seat, motionless, like a statue. It wasn’t until his roommate slapped him several times and yelled directly into his ear that he finally snapped out of it.

He stood up mechanically from his chair, following his roommates’ footsteps as they headed out.

“I’ve decided I’m never going to badmouth him again.” The voices of his roommates drifted over from afar, making him increasingly irritable. “He’s capable and really cute too. I mean, it’s just not fair how Heaven made us all!”

Hearing this, Song Si couldn’t hold back any longer. “If things were fair, would we even be in this mess today? Stop dreaming.”

The group fell silent, exchanging uneasy glances.

As they spoke, the group turned a corner.

Suddenly, a tall, slender figure came into view.

He leaned casually against the wall, eyelids half-lowered with an air of detached indifference. The sunlight rendered his bangs almost translucent, his fair skin glowing so brightly it made his deep, ink-blue eyes appear even colder like an unfathomable, bottomless abyss.

Everyone froze.

In Starcloud, there wasn’t a soul who wouldn’t recognize that face. After all, from the moment he’d entered the academy, he’d firmly imprinted the words “do not provoke” into every student’s mind. To this day, no one dared to shake off that stereotype.

Gu Yu? What was he doing here at a time like this?

A wave of confusion swept over the group, and they immediately grew cautious. Shrinking their necks, they tried to make themselves as inconspicuous as possible, hoping to slip past without catching the attention of this formidable figure.

Just as they were about to pass him, a calm voice cut through the air. “Wait.”

The hairs on their necks stood on end. Trembling, they turned to look, stammering, “G-Gu, Senior Gu. Is there something you need?”

Gu Yu lifted his gaze, his eyes sweeping over each of them one by one. Then, he tossed something their way.

They fumbled to catch it and, upon inspection, realized it was a data chip.

As they held it, the chip flickered and projected a screen clearly displaying their recent forum replies. In black and white, with their usernames plain as day, the evidence was undeniable.

They were dumbstruck.

“Anything to explain?” His voice was cool and detached. “Go on.”

“… ” What was there to explain? They’d been caught red-handed.

The thought simmered bitterly in their minds.

Noting their silence, his chilling gaze swept over them and settled on one person. “Starcloud’s rule: words must be matched by actions. Correct?”

The singled-out individual broke into a cold sweat and nodded.

“Care to demonstrate?”

“…” The person hesitated, then suddenly blurted out, “Wait, Senior, please let me explain! I didn’t post that reply, I’m innocent! It was.” He turned to Song Si, eyes pleading with encouragement. “Own up to your actions, Song Si. Time to fulfill your promise!”

Song Si’s eyes widened in disbelief.

He stared down at the chip in his hand, then at the words he’d left on the forum. Instantly, a lump formed in his throat, choking him so hard he nearly passed out.

The message read in bold letters: [If the speech goes off without a hitch, I’ll walk around the track on my hands while whistling!]

Gu Yu’s ink-blue eyes shifted lazily, his eyelids lifting slightly. “Walk around the track on your hands while whistling right?”

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