The Cannon Fodder Became the Empire's Beloved Omega - Chapter 9

When it came to Class 2, one couldn’t help but mention the star figure of Xinle Academy, Li Hong.

As the main love interest, Li Hong naturally possessed all the qualities a male lead should have: wealth, influence, good looks, top-tier abilities, and a fierce protectiveness toward those close to him. In the original story, he had cleaned up Ji Huai’s messes countless times, earning him the title of the ultimate doting male lead.

Yu Ruan suddenly understood: this was about to drag the main love interest into the fray, ready to deliver a humiliating slap on the protagonist’s behalf!

The plot deity might be late, but it always arrived!

Yu Ruan immediately perked up, focusing intently on the upcoming face-slapping scenario.

The classroom erupted in groans.

“What? Did I hear that right. Practical class?? Help!! I don’t want to go!!!”

“Ahhh, we just saw Mr. Lin’s face at the training ground not long ago, and now we have to go again??! The happy times are so short-lived!!”

“Oh my god, I really don’t want to see him!! Just kill me instead!!”

Everyone complained loudly.

Xinle Academy’s combat class sounded impressive, but in reality, it was a hastily added course to comply with the empire’s educational reforms a few years back.

Since its introduction, the teachers had been half-hearted about it, treating it almost like a paid day off, which everyone loved. That was until a stern, hard-to-deal-with teacher took over recently, leading to the current situation.

The “Mr. Lin” they were referring to was none other than this intimidating figure who had scared off all the students.

Mr. Lin, full name Lin Han, was quite handsome and also an Alpha. Logically, someone as cool, good-looking, and capable as him should have been very popular among the students.

Unfortunately, he was notoriously difficult to talk to, aloof and icy so he quickly became the school’s most avoided “grim reaper.”

However, Yu Ruan thought he was actually quite decent.

Having been judged through colored lenses for so long at Xinle Academy, aside from Ye Yizhou, Lin Han was the only other person who didn’t view him through stereotypes.

Lin Han believed in letting skills do the talking, the capable prevailed, and incompetence was the original sin. Everything else was irrelevant.

Lost in thought, Yu Ruan followed the crowd out of the classroom.

Soon, the group arrived at the neatly arranged training ground.

A screen high on the wall displayed a dense list of names. Upon closer inspection, everyone realized that this class had unexpectedly turned into the final exam!

Seeing the bold red characters of the title, their hearts sank in despair.

Just as expected!

Yu Ruan felt he had already grasped the upcoming plot: following this trend, his final exam opponent would definitely be Li Hong. And Li Hong would publicly pummel him to vent Ji Huai’s grievances.

He could already vividly imagine the scene.

It seemed he couldn’t escape being thoroughly dealt with by the main couple after all.

Yu Ruan couldn’t help but sigh.

Just then, he sensed someone’s presence beside him.

Looking up, Yu Ruan found that Gu Yu had somehow appeared next to him without notice. His pale face showed no expression as his gaze swept over the list of names, seemingly searching for his own opponent.

“Since it’s your first day, your name might not be on there,” Yu Ruan initiated conversation. “Why don’t you go check in with the teacher first?”

Hearing this, Gu Yu slowly shifted his gaze, glancing sideways at him. “Which one is the teacher?”

Yu Ruan instinctively pointed towards a petite Beta girl in the corner of the field. She was Lin Han’s assistant, the one always bustling around while Lin Han himself rarely showed up.

But after a moment’s thought, he changed his answer: “Teacher Lin Han hasn’t arrived yet.”

Gu Yu remained as listless as ever, letting out a languid “Oh.”

Seeing him like this, Yu Ruan couldn’t help but feel a little worried.

Their instructor for this class was notoriously strict, the type who wouldn’t tolerate the slightest slack. In the past, students often stood sloppily during class, but within just three days of the new teacher taking over, he had cured them of their poor posture.

Even now, whenever they saw Lin Han, everyone instinctively straightened their backs, standing as rigidly as trembling little poplar trees by the roadside.

With Gu Yu in this state, he was bound to get a harsh lesson from Lin Han.

So Yu Ruan kindly advised, “If you’re still tired, why not go back to the classroom and sleep? Since it’s your first day, missing one class isn’t a big deal. It’s definitely better than.” getting your bones bent to the point of tears by Lin Han.

Thinking of those who had been reduced to tears by Lin Han in the past, Yu Ruan began to wonder whether Gu Yu, a young master who clearly had never suffered hardship could withstand Lin Han’s discipline.

Before he could finish his sentence, the person beside him suddenly said:

“Found it.”

Yu Ruan followed his gaze in confusion and saw a bright red name printed in front of the other’s name.

Li Hong.

The protagonist’s name wasn’t common, and no one else in the entire school shared it. If it weren’t for the fact that another temporary transfer student had joined Class Two, the identity of this Li Hong would be obvious.

Yu Ruan: “?”

What was going on? Wasn’t the protagonist supposed to personally put the cannon fodder in their place?

Yu Ruan fell into deep thought.

Could it be that the plot gods felt it wasn’t satisfying enough for the protagonist to easily crush a mere cannon fodder, so they decided to bring in a seemingly impressive scapegoat to be humiliated alongside him, thereby highlighting the protagonist’s awesomeness?

So that’s how it is!

Yu Ruan suddenly understood the plot’s routine and couldn’t help but look at Gu Yu with a hint of pity: Who would have thought that Gu Yu, a true Alpha who fit the tall, rich, and handsome archetype was actually cannon fodder on the same level as him.

How heartbreaking.

Yu Ruan was used to being humiliated, so it didn’t bother him much. But a young master like Gu Yu must have sailed smoothly through life, a winner in every way. If he were to suffer such a blow now.

As someone who had received the young master’s kindness as his tenant, Yu Ruan felt he ought to do something to help.

Maybe help him ask for leave from Teacher Lin?

Just as Yu Ruan was hesitating over how to bring it up, a loud exclamation came from nearby: “No way?? Ji Huai vs. Yu Ruan?? Am I seeing this right?!”

Soon after, someone else chimed in incredulously, “Is the final exam roster correct? Pitting an Omega against an Alpha in combat? The outcome is a foregone conclusion!”

“Did Teacher Lin make a mistake?”

“Yeah, even if there aren’t any other Omegas in our class, does it have to be an Omega against an Alpha? A Beta would do, wouldn’t it?!”

As everyone buzzed with discussion, Ji Huai, the center of the conversation stood with a stormy expression.

Upon hearing the result, Yu Ruan was startled and hurriedly searched for his name. Sure enough, in a corner, he spotted a line of small text bearing both his and Ji Huai’s names.

“……” He felt he could no longer make sense of the plot’s direction.

Instinctively, Yu Ruan glanced toward the group from Class Two. As expected, he saw the protagonist, Li Hong, with a grim expression and a trace of unprepared astonishment in his eyes.

Clearly, he hadn’t anticipated this outcome either.

Frowning in displeasure, Li Hong lifted his head and happened to lock eyes with Yu Ruan, who hadn’t had time to look away. After a few seconds of staring, Li Hong strode purposefully toward Yu Ruan.

The overwhelming pheromones of a high-level Alpha pressed down on him, and Yu Ruan immediately felt short of breath. He instinctively took a half-step back, his Omega glands stirring restlessly, urging him to flee.

But the show had to go on. Yu Ruan had no choice but to steel himself and ask, “What do you want?”

He feigned an air of icy indifference.

“You’re the one behind this with Ji Huai, aren’t you?” Li Hong glared coldly at him. “As an Alpha, you resort to such despicable means to bully an Omega. Trying to show off like this have you no shame at all?”

Ji Huai’s eyes were red as he subtly tugged at Li Hong’s sleeve, shaking his head discreetly.

To be fair, Yu Ruan also found the arrangement baffling. He had assumed it was a plot twist designed by the narrative gods for a dramatic confrontation, but who knew it would turn out like this?

“I didn’t cheat.”

With things having reached this point, Yu Ruan could only stubbornly defend himself against Li Hong. The other’s pheromones made him tremble, and tears welled in the corners of his eyes from the physiological reaction. “Please don’t falsely accuse others.”

To the onlookers, this scene appeared as a wronged young man bravely holding back his sorrow, yet proudly lifting his head to argue against the villain who had slandered him.

Instantly, the shock from seeing the list was overshadowed by the unfolding drama. Everyone’s hearts went out to the beautiful, delicate young man before them.

After all, even among Alphas, there were distinctions in strength. Yu Ruan had never seemed particularly formidable. If he were truly pitted against Li Hong, it did seem a bit too harsh.

The crowd couldn’t help but think.

Li Hong let out a cold laugh and was about to say more when a detached voice suddenly cut in, interrupting the conversation.

“I was the one who changed the list,” the voice said. “If you have any objections, you can address them to me.”

Everyone shuddered instinctively, feeling a chill shoot up from the soles of their feet, freezing their hearts cold.

A man as tall and straight as a cedar walked in from the doorway. His uniform was impeccably pressed, his expression indifferent, and his deep gray eyes held no emotion, like a cold, hard stone.

It was actually Lin Han!!

Li Hong stiffened, pursed his lips, and looked at the newcomer. “Teacher Lin, I believe there’s a problem with the final exam pairing you arranged.”

“What problem?” Lin Han remained unmoved.

“An Alpha facing an Omega is an overwhelming advantage,” Li Hong said, suppressing his anger. “Ji Huai is an Omega. You can’t pair him against Yu Ruan, an Alpha.”

Lin Han replied, “There are two Alphas on the list. I arranged the matchups according to the list. Is there a problem?”

Hearing this, Yu Ruan immediately shot a horrified look at Lin Han.

After all, Lin Han’s proposed match list had included Gu Yu’s name.

Through their long period of interaction, there was no doubt that Gu Yu was an Alpha through and through, no room for deception. Yet, as everyone knew, Li Hong was also an undeniably genuine Alpha.

So, what did Lin Han mean by that?

Was he implying that he knew Yu Ruan was an Omega? Was that why he deliberately altered the match list to its current state?

Yu Ruan felt that he had completely lost track of the plot’s direction.

Still, the premonition of being utterly humiliated and expelled from the academy remained strong. Yu Ruan believed this would likely be his final class at Xinle Academy.

Retirement life was beckoning him from ahead!

His eyes lit up, and he suddenly felt a surge of energy coursing through his body.

He looked at Lin Han with anticipation, hoping the man would say something shocking.

Unexpectedly, the sharp-featured man merely cast a detached glance at Li Hong, waiting for him to continue.

Seeing that Lin Han had no intention of changing the list, Li Hong gritted his teeth and said, “Then I’ll take the exam in Ji Huai’s place. According to imperial law, I can temporarily apply to change my exam opponent. That should be acceptable, right?”

Hearing this, Yu Ruan was stunned once again.

He never expected that for a mere final exam, Li Hong would invoke imperial law!

In the past, the Gaia Empire had enacted the “Knight’s Law” to protect Omegas. It stipulated that if an Omega was unwilling to perform a task, they could refuse it as long as they found someone willing to take their place.

Forcing them further would be considered a violation of the law.

Although this law had gradually fallen out of use in recent years due to protests from the Omega Protection Association, it had not yet been formally removed from the legal code. Using it in the context of an exam wasn’t entirely inappropriate.

It seemed Li Hong was truly determined to give him a thorough beating.

Yu Ruan thought guiltily.

However, Lin Han’s expression remained unchanged. “If you insist on invoking this law, it’s not impossible.”

He glanced at Gu Yu, who was standing not far away, and said calmly, “The Empire upholds the principle that the strong prevail. As long as you can defeat your final exam opponent, I will naturally grant you permission.”

The implication was clear: if you lose, you don’t qualify.

Li Hong’s expression darkened for a moment as he followed Lin Han’s gaze and saw Gu Yu, who was drowsily drooping his eyelids.

Yu Ruan was utterly shocked by this turn of events. After a moment of stunned silence, he instinctively patted the half-asleep Gu Yu standing beside him.

Gu Yu let out a vague “Hmm?” before lazily lifting his eyes, finally sparing a sliver of attention to the commotion.

His gaze swept past the furious Li Hong and met Lin Han’s eyes for a few seconds. Finally, as if understanding something, he gave an indifferent “Oh” to indicate he got it.

Li Hong glared at him coldly. “Let’s make this quick.”

In response, Gu Yu let out a faint “Hmm.”

Yu Ruan watched him with deep concern, feeling a pang of guilt for dragging his landlord into this mess. He said sheepishly to Gu Yu, “If it’s too much, you can just forfeit. After all, you just transferred here, so this semester’s final results won’t affect you. It’s fine to skip the exam.”

Gu Yu’s dark blue eyes fixed on him, lingering for a long moment before shifting away. “Hmm.”

Yu Ruan was left utterly bewildered.

He watched Gu Yu slowly walk up to Li Hong, as if taking a leisurely stroll in a courtyard. The whistle signaling the start of the match sounded. Facing Li Hong, whose face was filled with fierce determination, Gu Yu casually reached out his hand, flipped him over, and threw him to the ground.

Yu Ruan: “…?”

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