MORIC - Chapter 20
Chapter 20: Who's Abusing Their Power for Personal Gain
In the eyes of most people, Xi Zhoumeng was a typical noble Omega.
The traits of an Omega were unmistakably evident in her, despite her height exceeding the standard for Omegas and her spiritual power being a rare S+.
The impression she gave was simply too delicate and pampered.
Among the eight great noble families of the Capital Star, who didn't know that this person had been fussy since childhood? The doctors and beauticians in her home could form a sports team.
Even the cleaning of her room required the most high-end AI robots to achieve true spotlessness.
Moreover, Xi Zhoumeng was not very diligent. Despite her many titles and halos, she rarely appeared at banquets.
Because of her outstanding appearance and such an extravagant and luxurious lifestyle, many people had questioned the preferential treatment the Xi Family received.
However, the top three of the eight great families were ranked at the forefront because their families had genuine, hard-earned glory.
Xi Zhoumeng's maternal grandmother had disappeared during the Zerg War. When she returned, her body had problems, and even though she was still very young, she passed away early.
With such a title, the descendants could naturally act with impunity.
The Xi Family possessed supreme glory, and it was rumored that every generation produced a general to resist the Zerg Tide. But such legends were biased. At least in this generation, from the eldest son Xi Li to the youngest, Xi Zhoumeng, they all fully demonstrated what it meant to have no real ability.
The halo of the older generation still remained, and Xi Zhoumeng, relying on her face, could still become the dream Omega for countless Alphas.
This title gave many people a thick filter. Even knowing this young lady was extravagant and wasteful, living a life of luxury, they would still be captivated by her beauty and consequently inquire about her love life.
It didn't matter if such a beautiful Omega had a romantic history; as long as she wasn't marked, it proved there was still a chance.
But no matter how they inquired, they would only get one piece of news—
Xi Zhoumeng only loved Wen Xinghuo, the illegitimate daughter of the minor noble Wen Family, and they might already be dating.
And Wen Xinghuo, with S+ spiritual power, looked nothing like the standard elegant female Alpha; she was a complete scoundrel by Alpha standards.
The final conclusion was that a beautiful flower was stuck in cow dung, a beauty paired with a beast—a true waste of a heavenly gift.
Wen Xinghuo had heard many such words growing up. At first, she thought Xi Zhoumeng was genuinely interested in her.
She had even seriously rejected her.
But the Xi Zhoumeng who, according to rumors, loved her so much she would defy her family, brought Wen Xinghuo home with no intention of romance whatsoever.
She would rather lie on a recliner and sleep than watch Wen Xinghuo do her homework.
This didn't stop Xi Zhoumeng from treating Wen Xinghuo specially.
Never mind holidays and festivals; even on ordinary days, maybe a Monday or a Friday, as long as Xi Zhoumeng was happy, Wen Xinghuo would always receive a gift from her.
It was like this before differentiation, and it was still like this after.
This attracted the jealousy of many Alphas, who targeted Wen Xinghuo even more.
Wen Xinghuo's situation was already bad before differentiation. After differentiation, she gained an Alpha's physique and spiritual power far beyond that of an ordinary person.
Because of Xi Zhoumeng's favoritism, the Wen family no longer dared to abuse her.
Wen Xinghuo had no reason to hate Xi Zhoumeng.
And she could never understand this childhood friend she grew up with.
Sometimes Xi Zhoumeng was very childish, and other times she seemed much more mature, looking at Wen Xinghuo as if she were a child.
But she herself was still a child.
Wen Xinghuo had heard this misunderstanding too many times. She didn't ask Xi Zhoumeng why anymore, just sighed helplessly, "Brother Xi Li isn't asking you to enter a political marriage, so why are you still..."
Xi Zhoumeng pursed her lips. "Of course he wouldn't ask. But what if it's the Queen's request?"
The compatibility rate was a good excuse. So far, no Alpha had appeared with a compatibility rate over eighty-five percent with Xi Zhoumeng.
The only one with a high compatibility rate was an Omega, but everyone knew that was a mistake.
S+ spiritual power Omegas were few and far between, and most of them would become members of the royal family.
To give birth to outstanding offspring and continue the future of the Empire.
The royal family had long been troubled by the lack of outstanding generals among their successors. The ruler of the star system had always been a Queen, and through the changing eras, they were all female Omegas.
Neither Xi Zhoumeng nor Wen Xinghuo had ever seen the Queen.
At any interstellar meeting, the Queen always wore a veil. The royal family's eye color was always purple, and their eye shape was also the same.
The current Queen was already very old. If nothing unexpected happened, the next Queen would be among the Omegas who enrolled this year.
Xi Zhoumeng was discussing a rather serious topic, but her posture was relaxed. Many people were coming and going here, and seeing her talking with Wen Xinghuo, they would reveal teasing smiles.
Everyone loves to watch the daily life of a young couple.
Even though these two would never admit it.
Wen Xinghuo took a step forward and looked down at Xi Zhoumeng.
She was very tall, and the kendo uniform further accentuated the imposing nature of her figure. Xi Zhoumeng could appreciate such wild beauty, but she didn't feel any affection for it.
She felt she was a bit common, preferring the type that needed her protection.
Like that little slob, for example.
Wen Xinghuo: "Are you afraid the Queen will make you marry a royal Alpha?"
Xi Zhoumeng hummed in acknowledgment. The second performance of the event began, and an earth-shattering scream erupted.
This was the happiest time of their student lives. After graduation, this group of elites representing Guyun Academy would be thrown into a boring existence.
Excitement was always reserved for the superior DNA chains.
The rest were all accessories to a mediocre life.
Xi Zhoumeng stood up, brushed the hem of her robe, and sighed, "Let me think, how many unmarried royal Alphas are there..."
She counted on her fingers: "There are three around our age. One is fat, one is an Alpha but not as tall as me, and one messes around outside, hmm... though he hasn't caused any deaths."
Even her manicure sparkled. Wen Xinghuo listened intently, looking like a loyal and gentle large dog from behind.
She didn't notice a petite girl watching her from a distance.
That gaze carried melancholy and gloom, mixed with a fervent nostalgia, as if wanting to destroy yet also determined to possess.
"Older than us, there's a gambler, one who embezzles military funds, hmm... and a Starry Sky Doctorate with a bought degree."
Xi Zhoumeng let out a laugh. Her fingers were pressed down by her other hand, forming a fist, which then relaxed.
Like a flower about to scatter in the wind, "Aiya, not a single one is good-looking. Sleeping with people like that would make me want to puke."
It was very noisy here, so only the two of them could hear each other speak.
Wen Xinghuo hadn't heard Xi Zhoumeng speak like this in a long time and was taken aback by her bluntness.
At school, Xi Zhoumeng didn't actually talk much unless someone sought her out for a chat.
She seemed to have no interest in anything, which Wen Xinghuo didn't find strange. After all, Xi Zhoumeng had been like this ever since she got sick that year. Now, she only showed a bit of interest when mentioning the first-year who was pursuing her.
"Then what kind of person do you like?"
Wen Xinghuo asked seriously. Because of the uniform attire for the competition, the headband tied on her forehead was also undone.
The scar on her face gave Xi Zhoumeng the impression that this person was like a cracked-open chestnut.
Xi Zhoumeng took a step forward and placed a hand on Wen Xinghuo's shoulder.
"Oh, Xinghuo~"
Just then, a third-year member of the council passed by and heard the second-year president say—
"You clearly know I only like you, yet you still ask such a question."
Wen Xinghuo let out a grunt.
Faint snickers could be heard from the side. Xi Zhoumeng, pushing her luck, teased her, "That first-year was obviously coming for you. Wanted to go to the lounge to confess to you? I think so."
Wen Xinghuo: "How did she get in..."
Xi Zhoumeng lied without even drafting it first: "I told her the password."
The little one has quite a few tricks up her sleeve. She's a talent. The academy's security isn't very good, is it? Will she charge directly into the Alpha dormitory next time?
Wen Xinghuo sighed.
Xi Zhoumeng: "As expected of our Xinghuo."
"Unmoved."
The first-years nearby whispered amongst themselves—
"Senior Xi is so skilled... opening the door for a love rival... If they're already dating, she's not really a rival, is she?"
"Our Senior Wen is more impressive. This must be a test!"
"This kind of test is too terrifying. Giving your own fangirl a chance to confess... it sounds horrifying."
"Is this the battlefield of the rich and beautiful? If I were Senior Wen, I'd be breaking out in a cold sweat."
"Am I the only one who thinks the first-year is the pitiful one? It looks like nothing happened and it just ended."
"Didn't you hear them say just now that the first-year's dress belongs to Senior Xi? That move is really amazing. Senior Wen must think Senior Xi is very kind."
"I still think it's weird. Love rivals in the same room, and they even changed clothes. Was it a body inspection?"
"You're such a pervert. It must be that the first-year was pestering Senior Wen and got caught in the act by Senior Xi. Senior Xi is so nice, she definitely couldn't bear to be harsh."
"I still don't get it..."
As soon as Wen Xinghuo left, Xi Zhoumeng went to the table where she had poured water earlier to get her cup.
Only to find that her cup had been moved.
She asked Duan Daizhen, "Did anyone touch my cup just now?"
Duan Daizhen was scrolling through new posts on the forum with her light-brain and shook her head. "No, who would touch your cup."
The people here were basically members of the council. Everyone knew Wen Xinghuo, so she wasn't an outsider.
Xi Zhoumeng glanced at the surveillance feed, then at the turned rim of her cup, and finally sniffed the black tea inside.
She didn't drink it.
Not knowing what she thought of, she smiled again.
It seems Wen Xinghuo's little admirer is already starting to get dissatisfied with me.
A first-year, as expected.
Let me guess which freshman it is?
Unfortunately, the royals have their own exclusive building, and they don't attend the same required courses. The only chance to have mixed-grade classes is in the Omega division's electives.
Xi Zhoumeng mentally sifted through this year's festivals.
The competition had already restarted. Duan Daizhen scrolled through the posts and then went to check the latest push notifications from StarNet.
The interstellar scene had produced many new idols recently, and she was following quite a few Alphas at the same time.
"Zhoumeng, have you ever been to the M-system?"
Duan Daizhen asked.
Xi Zhoumeng shook her head. "Too lazy to go out."
Interstellar travel had been greatly reduced due to rumors of the Zerg Tide arriving early. Recently, ordinary citizens who wanted to travel could only go to some of the smaller planets within the star system.
For example, Guyun Academy's practical training was mostly conducted on nearby minor planets.
Duan Daizhen said, "Oh." "I wonder when the next Zerg Tide will be. I remember in old footage, there were visiting military officers from other star systems. They were all so handsome and well-built, so hot I couldn't keep my legs together."
Xi Zhoumeng had no interest. She was even less interested in these female Alphas with big dicks.
Her own gender wasn't even stable, let alone political marriages and weddings. If she married a royal Alpha, she was afraid she'd accidentally chop him to pieces.
But no Omega would marry her either.
"But the experience from the kendo tournament we held this year could be used for a future galactic sports meet. The interactive danmaku on the forum we tested today uses academy points, and I see a lot of people are spending them."
Duan Daizhen was an Omega with an interest in IT, and her dream was to produce her own talent show.
This event's format was her plan.
Xi Zhoumeng sat down beside her, and Duan Daizhen shared her light-brain screen to give her a demonstration.
"With the new signature system, a lot of people are confessing their love."
"The third-year Senior Wu Jianghe is also very popular. Someone even wants to have his babies... let me see... damn, this male Omega really knows how to talk."
Duan Daizhen laughed, and then a full-screen danmaku exploded across the interactive space.
"Xinghuo, Xinghuo, I love you! I'm here to get with you today!! If Senior doesn't get first place, may lightning strike me!"
Duan Daizhen felt so embarrassed after reading it out loud. "This is the highest point cost I set. It must have taken a long time doing academy tasks... Damn!"
Xi Zhoumeng glanced at it, saw those three words, and sneered.
Duan Daizhen stared at her expression, personally feeling that Xi Zhoumeng's displeasure was written all over her face. She comforted her, "It's okay, Zhoumeng. You're the most beautiful. It's not like Wen Xinghuo is blind."
Xi Zhoumeng thought: Chi Yueshan is the blind one.
How is Wen Xinghuo a good match in any way?
【System: Take a look in the mirror and see how twisted your face is right now.】
Xuan Ping watched Chi Yueshan squander her points and reminded her, "Yueshan, points are hard to earn."
It was Chi Yueshan's first time experiencing this kind of atmosphere. Points weren't money, so she didn't care.
"It's fine."
Her confessions became more and more explicit.
As a result, it wasn't long before a message popped up on her light-brain—
「You have been muted.」
Chi Yueshan cursed, "Why!"
The Omega next to her reminded her with a pitying look, "Classmate, the administrator is Senior Xi."
This year's kendo tournament was much more effective than the last one, and Chi Yueshan had certainly broadened her horizons.
At least in Xuan Ping's eyes, this seat allowed Chi Yueshan's light-brain to get a perfect shot of Wen Xinghuo's graceful bearing, and it also made Chi Yueshan scream her lungs out the moment Wen Xinghuo won the championship.
Is it really that kind of love?
You look more like you're chasing an idol.
At most, you're just a girlfriend fan.
The academy points Chi Yueshan had saved for a long time were now close to zero.
At first, she thought they were academic credits, but later she found out they could be earned by doing volunteer work or helping out at school, so she spent them even more boldly.
Rich students could buy points with money, and points could unlock some private sections of the school forum.
Chi Yueshan was a penny-pincher, and she could even earn a little from others.
Now, she didn't forget to send flowers to Wen Xinghuo in the popularity poll.
Wen Xinghuo took first place, second was the third-year Wu Jianghe, and third was the first-year freshman Ling Xun.
These three were all somewhat famous among the Alphas. Xuan Ping sighed with anticipation, "I heard last year's awards were presented by the former president. But those two were a couple, and they even kissed in public."
Chi Yueshan shook her head in agony. "Nooo—"
She took a deep breath, seemingly already imagining the scene, as if in a death struggle. "I don't believe Senior Wen would do that."
Xuan Ping didn't kick her while she was down. "Mhm, after all, they haven't gone public yet."
Mu Lai, who was sitting next to Xuan Ping and had just returned from outside, heard the two Omegas' conversation and chuckled. "I heard the two of them were just talking about marriage."
"Marriage?!!"
Chi Yueshan whipped her head around.
She asked Mu Lai from across Xuan Ping, "Really?"
Mu Lai shrugged. "Just what I heard. After all, that's the Omega Council's exclusive lounge. I can't get in either."
Xuan Ping let out a sound of surprise. "Then why can Senior Wen get in?"
Mu Lai still smelled of smoke. She grabbed Xuan Ping's hand and said without any reservation, "Because she's Xi Zhoumeng's person."
It seemed like the whole world knew those two were a couple.
Chi Yueshan's heart felt sour. "Not necessarily. Unless they officially announce it, I won't believe it."
Mu Lai thought this Omega was a bit foolish.
She didn't know much about the Lower World, only that it was a dirty, messy, and poor place. The extravagant hopes of lower-class people were sometimes laughable. "Whether you believe it or not, it can't affect their relationship, can it?"
The light on the stage shone on the three Alphas. The one in the middle, Wen Xinghuo, was incomparably heroic in Chi Yueshan's eyes, a hero in her heart.
She was the longing that had sustained her through so many lonely and difficult years.
How intimate must a relationship between people be to possess someone completely?
Chi Yueshan's imagination was barren. She could disassemble and reassemble precise machinery, but she didn't know how to get closer to Wen Xinghuo.
From the Lower World to the Upper World, she had learned that some distances could be crossed, but invisible distances were hard to overcome.
Wen Xinghuo had probably forgotten her long ago.
She had become a noble, leaving her dark past behind. Why would she remember a little stray child she had saved?
Xuan Ping sensed Chi Yueshan's sadness and carefully glanced at Mu Lai, signaling her not to add fuel to the fire.
Mu Lai quite liked Xuan Ping now, so she readily nodded.
The host, Duan Daizhen, held the microphone and said—
"I know what you're all thinking. The first-place winner and our president sharing a kiss?"
A wave of screams came from below. Even the senior and junior standing on either side of Wen Xinghuo looked at her teasingly.
Wen Xinghuo was at a bit of a loss, her ears turning red.
Others thought she was shy, but she was just embarrassed.
Kissing Xi Zhoumeng was terrifying. When they were children, that person had kissed a snake.
The fearless Alpha was actually afraid of cold-blooded animals, and yet Xi Zhoumeng had even kept a small snake that coiled around her wrist.
She was even fascinated by the process of a snake shedding its skin and had happily shared it with Wen Xinghuo.
Heaven knows how much Wen Xinghuo wanted to turn and flee at that moment.
Xi Zhoumeng was beautiful, yes, but she was not Wen Xinghuo's type at all.
An ideal Omega was just an ideal. For daily life, you definitely didn't want someone like that.
Unfortunately, they both had secrets they couldn't speak of, so it was better not to explain some rumors.
Chi Yueshan: "NO!!!!"
She shouted so loudly that everyone around looked over, even Duan Daizhen on the stage.
The host couldn't stop laughing, feeling that this love rival of Xi Zhoumeng's was, in a sense, a bit of a mascot.
"Of course, it's not like that this year. We will be inviting first-year freshmen to present the awards to the three Alphas."
On the large screen behind Duan Daizhen, a scrolling camera shot appeared, seeming to sweep across the audience.
"How about we have the three of them, with their backs to the screen, call out 'stop' themselves?"
Duan Daizhen added, "Today, we also specially obtained the consent of the freshmen from the Royal Academy. They're participating too."
The atmosphere below grew even more fervent.
Xuan Ping was also very curious. Chi Yueshan took a deep breath while staring at the stage, originally intending for Wen Xinghuo to be the first to call stop.
But Wen Xinghuo chose to let the third-year senior start.
The camera flashed by rapidly. The third-year male Alpha was tall with long legs and eye-catching gray hair, looking very much like a gentleman.
It stopped on a second-year male Omega, who stood up shyly amidst the teasing of those around him.
Chi Yueshan: "Senior is so pretty."
She clutched her chest like Xi Shi, making Xuan Ping's mouth twitch. "Do you think it'll be you?"
Chi Yueshan puffed out her chest. In the dim light, her expression twisted for a moment. She felt her chest was wet again.
Damn it, this symptom never eases up during her heat, even with medication.
Why can't I be a normal person!
It's too painful. I'll have to use something to absorb it when I get back.
Good thing it's a single dorm, otherwise it would be too embarrassing.
"Maybe... it could be."
Her voice weakened a little. Xuan Ping was also nervous.
The screens on both sides showed Wen Xinghuo's face and the camera's sweeping view, respectively.
Xi Zhoumeng was in the control room, directing the camera to linger on the royal family section.
Just as Wen Xinghuo called stop, Xi Zhoumeng had it stop directly on a little girl with braided hair.
In that row of royal freshman female Omegas, there was even a set of triplets.
Everyone looked over curiously. The one who was eventually pushed forward was a timid, short Omega.
Xi Zhoumeng clicked her tongue and asked the system: Do you think it's this one?
The useless system, which was less useful than a light-brain to begin with, said it didn't know.
Xi Zhoumeng cursed, What use are you?
Finally, it was the third-place winner's turn.
The first-year Alpha, Ling Xun, had a very boyish face. When she smiled, she was gentle and refined, and many people thought she was quite pretty.
Xuan Ping: "Have we seen her in our public classes?"
The A and O divisions had two public classes a week, but the venue was very large. They had to check their pheromone patches before class, so everyone arrived a bit early to avoid being late.
The Alphas sat by class. Chi Yueshan's target had always been the second-year Wen Xinghuo; she had no interest in the Alphas of her own year.
"I don't know, I wasn't paying attention."
Chi Yueshan completely deflated. She stared intently at the royal Omega walking onto the stage and asked Xuan Ping, "Do you know who that is?"
Xuan Ping shook her head. "There are triplets among the royal freshmen this year. They probably look the same."
These children weren't born of the Queen. As Omegas, the successive Queens were actually unable to bear children. The ones chosen were all from branch families.
Chi Yueshan: "Damn it, I want to go up there too..."
"Okay, stop."
Ling Xun's voice was clear and resonant, with a faint hint of a smile.
Chi Yueshan was still chattering away: "If it were me, I could take the opportunity to hug Senior Wen. Ai, my luck today is really..."
"This student..."
Duan Daizhen looked at the girl on the big screen. She was wearing oversized glasses, her hair was a bit messy, and that dress looked very familiar.
It was the dress Duan Daizhen had seen before, the one worn by Xi Zhoumeng.
"Chi Yueshan?!"
"Holy shit!! This girl's luck is so good! Honestly, she's the most active first-year, right!"
"Am I seeing things? I feel like the half-finished English tattoo on her chest is Senior Wen's..."
"Looking at her like this, she's not bad-looking. Not as shabby as I imagined people from the Lower World would be..."
"Didn't you read the forum? That dress belongs to Senior Zhoumeng! And didn't Senior Xi Shuang say it during her performance? The tube top is hers too."
"Is she crazy?! Tattooing someone else's name on her chest?"
"She doesn't seem very happy about it either???"
"Of course not! She wanted to present the award to Senior Wen!"
Xi Zhoumeng had originally gone to the front row to watch the show; she had her own seat there. The best spot in the audience, but she had no interest in this kind of competition, preferring to play puzzle games on her light-brain in the back.
Now was indeed the most exciting part. She had to enjoy it properly.
Chi Yueshan's luck was really something else.
Is this the fate of a female supporting character?
【System: And wasn't it you who orchestrated this?】
【Xi Zhoumeng: I didn't interfere with the main storyline.】
She was referring to Wen Xinghuo's power-leveling plotline. This first-place win would indeed gild her reputation and help her advance further.
Xi Zhoumeng wasn't worried about Wen Xinghuo's career plotline at all; she was more concerned about her romantic plotline.
【System: I can see you're clearly just lusting after Chi Yueshan's looks.】
【Xi Zhoumeng: What's it to you? What else can you do besides electrocute me?】
This thing didn't even know its own origin, only that it had to make its host complete the mission of not interfering with the main storyline.
Xi Zhoumeng felt the system just wanted her to go die.
She didn't want to do it anymore.
The system's electrocution was indeed very painful. Someone with a strong will might have been able to endure it.
But Xi Zhoumeng had been pampered since childhood. She never had to set foot in a kitchen, and wherever she went, she was attended to by swarms of servants. In a sense, she was untouched by the mundane world.
Let alone being electrocuted.
This was what she considered a perfect suppression.
Chi Yueshan reluctantly went on stage. Halfway there, she remembered she could still be close to Wen Xinghuo and cheered up again.
She went up and stood with the other two Omegas. The male was a little over 1.7 meters tall, with red lips and white teeth, looking a bit shy.
The royal Omega on the right was very petite. It was the first time Chi Yueshan had seen someone so much shorter than herself, and she mentally estimated if the other girl was even 1.5 meters tall.
She subconsciously imagined such a tiny little princess putting the gold medal on Wen Xinghuo.
My god, Senior could probably lift her up, right?
While Chi Yueshan's thoughts wandered, the little princess beside her kept her head down, like a fragile doll.
She was also nervously clutching the hem of her skirt, as if the slightest thing could make her faint from fright.
The background music for the award ceremony was the Guyun Academy school song, representing the noblest will of the Empire.
The melody was melodious and stirring. Chi Yueshan perfunctorily picked up the gold medal for the female Alpha in front of her, still wearing a smile on her face.
Unfortunately, her bangs covered her eyebrows and half of her eyes, and her glasses frames were very large, making her features unclear. The Alpha standing in front of Chi Yueshan grew a little anxious.
Chi Yueshan thought: This person's height seems about the same as Xi Zhoumeng's. As expected, only Senior Wen is the strongest Alpha on earth.
Sigh, I was thinking of dressing up nicely, then having a moment alone with Senior Wen, taking off my glasses to create a stunning contrast, making me look as beautiful as a celestial fairy.
All for naught, wuwuwu.
Ling Xun bent down to make it easier for Chi Yueshan to put the medal on her.
In such a setting, excitement was inevitable, and the Alpha's pheromones were faint but present.
Chi Yueshan could smell the scent of new book pages on the other person.
She thought: Her family doesn't run a bookstore, do they?
Ling Xun put on the medal, reached out to pull Chi Yueshan to her side, turned, and whispered, "Nope."
She had heard the little Omega's muttering and said while looking at the camera—
"All the printing presses on the Capital Star belong to my family."
Chi Yueshan wasn't listening at all. Her gaze was greedily fixed on Wen Xinghuo.
That princess was really too small; standing next to Wen Xinghuo, she looked like a little child.
Wen Xinghuo, helpless yet gentle, half-knelt to complete the award presentation.
Chi Yueshan was clearly exhibiting sour grapes: "What's so great about that."
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