Chapter 30: Cunning Principal’s Plan (2/2)
Ma Xiaoru chuckled and poked fun at Samantha: ”Since when have you become so scrupulous? The guys you have wrapped around your little finger can queue a line from the capital city to the Moon.”
”Fine, fine, so be it. Come sit here; I want to talk to you about the embalmer.” Samantha gestured Ma Xiaoru to come closer as she pointed to Wang Tong on the screen, ”Wang Tong, a wolf in sheep’s clothing.”
”Why? He was just familiar with the Zerg's anatomy, wasn't he?”
”Look for yourself.” Samantha tossed Wang Tong's documents to Ma Xiaoru.
The single page document encapsulating the history of Wang Tong contained nothing extraordinary, and only a tinge of sadness. He had endured an alcoholic adoptive father who used him merely as a bargaining chip with the welfare department. Then one year ago, he sold Wang Tong for some quick cash to the Confederation's Norton task force. Upon Wang Tong's return, he quickly became homeless as his sordid “father” had left the city and sold the house.
Ma Xiaoru returned the piece of paper to Samantha as she watched her ruthless sister with a scowl for bullying such a hapless classmate.
”Hey, hey miss, don't waste your sympathy on trivial matters, pay attention to what's important.” Samantha knocked on the table as she spoke, hoping to rein in her sister's flood of sympathy.
”Sam, his life has been difficult enough, let's stop giving him grief.”
”Gods! They say girls who cultivated the Tactics of the Enchantress are the most steadfast and pragmatic, and you have definitely proved them wrong.”
Ma Xiaoru seemed embarrassed, ”I just feel that we should not be the bully.”
”Bully? Did you say bully? I wonder who will be the bully in a real fight between you two.” Samantha’s words struck Ma Xiaoru's heart.
”It's... impossible.”
”Have you ever felt the presence of his power? The feeling of an imminent threat that you’ve always felt whenever there's another strong force nearby?”
”No... not with him.” Ma Xiaoru shook her head. Although she sat side by side with Wang Tong, she had never sensed a tinge of Wang Tong's power.
”There you have it. Among all the tactics, yours are the sharpest in sensing even the faintest trace of energies. If you’ve failed to notice his presence, don't you think that speaks to his ability? Look at his eyes.”
Samantha fast-forwarded the video to a zoomed-in shot of Wang Tong's face. Deep within that pool of darkness, a powerful undercurrent seemed to swirl with confidence and audacity.
”I can assure you that it was not low self-esteem behind the sheepish façade, he simply didn't care to show off!” Samantha announced as she slammed her palm on the desk, she spared Ma Xiaoru a glance and said, ”Perhaps, he thought that you were a rookie as well.”
”It doesn't add up. If what you said is true, why would he suddenly reveal himself?” Ma Xiaoru said as she shook her head.
Samantha ignored her protest; Ma Xiaoru was too young and too naïve after all. She felt it was ironic considering the fact that the stereotypical enchantress was cunning and devious.
”Of course it does, that was because he really needed the marks, so when Gansus announced that he could get 100%, he accidentally showed his true power,” Samantha clenched her fist and waved it excitedly as she spoke as if she wanted to strike Wang Tong's head.
Samantha's explanation reminded Ma Xiaoru of the incident this morning when Wang Tong had easily given up his seat, she told Samantha, finally agreeing to her suspicion.
”Interesting, he even resisted the temptation of having you sitting right beside him, don't you want to win him back?” Samantha winked at Ma Xiaoru.
”Very well, I do want to see if he indeed is hiding anything.”
”Great, I have a perfect opportunity for you coming up, we shall find out by then. Count Ayrlarng and I lucky if he really is a genius, otherwise, we will just let him muddle around until graduation.”