A Guide for Background Characters to Survive in a Manga

Chapter 261

Jiang Tianming’s trip was uneventful, but Wu Mingbai’s was anything but. Though he returned with his usual smile, anyone who knew him could tell he was in a foul mood.

“What happened?” Noticing his expression, Lan Subing asked with concern.

Clearly irritated, Wu Mingbai answered directly, “The guy the government sent seems off. Did you three feel targeted too?”

He glanced suspiciously at Jiang Tianming and Su Bei. He didn’t look at Mo Xiaotian, figuring the guy wouldn’t even notice if he was targeted.

Jiang Tianming and Su Bei were different. If they’d been unfairly treated, they’d have said so. Su Bei, especially, wasn’t one to take grief quietly—he’d have caused a scene, not returned so calmly.

“Nope,” Jiang Tianming said, puzzled. “It was a bit serious at first, but after a few questions, he eased up and let me go.”

He couldn’t believe Wu Mingbai was a mole. They’d known each other forever—if Wu Mingbai were a mole, how was Jiang Tianming still unscathed, never touching Black Flash?

Su Bei shrugged, “I got asked one question and was let go.”

Though no one asked him, Mo Xiaotian chimed in eagerly, “I got five questions!”

Su Bei gave him an odd look, marveling at how Mo Xiaotian could act so bold after framing someone.

Everyone else was fine, but Wu Mingbai, whom Mo Xiaotian had deliberately touched, had issues during questioning. Su Bei’s guess was right—Mo Xiaotian had done something.

But Su Bei didn’t think Mo Xiaotian was that kind of person. Though brainwashed by Black Flash, with skewed morals, he valued comrades. He’d specifically asked Black Flash to treat Zhou Renjie well.

From Su Bei’s understanding, Mo Xiaotian’s logic was likely: Black Flash was the best, so getting Zhou Renjie to join was for his own good. The shady means were a white lie—once treated well, Zhou Renjie would love Black Flash and appreciate the effort.

Sorting this out, Su Bei realized Mo Xiaotian might think framing Wu Mingbai would lead Endless Ability Academy to suspect him, letting Black Flash swoop in to recruit him.

No, that wasn’t right. He quickly corrected himself. After Zhou Renjie’s double-agent stint, Black Flash wouldn’t take another Class S student so soon.

Even Mo Xiaotian, dim as he was, should see that. Black Flash didn’t treat Zhou Renjie well—why would they treat Wu Mingbai better? From his earlier attitude, he wanted Wu Mingbai to thrive.

If it was just that plan, Mo Xiaotian would feel guilty now, choosing Black Flash over a comrade.

Yet he seemed so at ease, not guilty at all. That meant his actions didn’t trouble him.

Normally, he’d worry because framing Wu Mingbai would leave him unable to stay at Endless Ability Academy, and joining Black Flash wouldn’t guarantee good treatment.

Two possibilities could ease his mind: either he could ensure Black Flash accepted Wu Mingbai without issue, likely through forced brainwashing, or he’d ensure Wu Mingbai didn’t have to leave, clearing his name naturally after Mo Xiaotian’s defection.

These could combine—try recruiting Wu Mingbai, and if it failed, no harm, as Wu Mingbai would be cleared once Mo Xiaotian defected.

Su Bei didn’t think Mo Xiaotian would stay. The author had set up too big a stage for a fake-out. The fan backlash would be intense.

Once Mo Xiaotian defected, Wu Mingbai would be cleared. With only one mole in a 15-person, highly valued class, two would be absurd—Endless Ability Academy might as well join Black Flash.

Figuring this out, Su Bei looked away, considering whether to use his Prophet account. He estimated this mole arc would span two chapters: Wu Mingbai’s framing, then Mo Xiaotian’s exposure.

He could post after the first chapter, predicting the next, boosting his account’s presence. Too long inactive, its credibility might wane, unable to support major shifts.

This didn’t clash with avoiding Prophet use under the author’s nose to prevent account bans.

Only his Su Bei role risked the author’s scrutiny. Posts not mentioning him would likely be ignored, as before.

With so many forum posts, who’d check each OP’s identity?

Decided, Su Bei’s gaze returned to Wu Mingbai.

Unlike Jiang Tianming and others who’d been questioned, the rest were clueless. Si Zhaohua asked, confused, “So what did the teacher want?”

The question silenced them. Before, they’d have answered freely—guiltless, what did it matter if they were checked? The government wouldn’t frame them.

But now, Wu Mingbai was suspected for unknown reasons. Teacher Zhou’s attitude clearly showed doubt, or he wouldn’t have been harsh only to him. The sensitivity made them hesitate to spill.

Annoyed at their indecision, Wu Mingbai grinned and said bluntly, “They’re checking who’s the mole. Now they suspect me.”

“Mingbai!” Jiang Tianming shot him a disapproving look.

Wu Mingbai spread his hands, “Can’t hide it forever. I’ve got nothing to hide.”

The class was stunned. Zhou Renjie, knowing the government’s purpose, eyed Wu Mingbai suspiciously.

Their relationship was the class’s worst. Hearing Wu Mingbai might be the mole, Zhou Renjie was quick to accept it.

Rather than a closer classmate, he’d prefer it was someone he didn’t get along with—it’d explain his harsh treatment in Black Flash.

He broke the silence, eyes still wary, “Four were questioned. Why only you?”

Fair question. The government’s investigator likely had a special Ability or item, pinpointing Wu Mingbai for some anomaly.

Even if they didn’t think he was definitely the mole, this raised doubts.

Seeing his suspicion, Wu Mingbai’s temper flared, sneering, “Ask Teacher Zhou why he suspects me. How would I know?”

Feeling the class’s gazes, especially Jiang Tianming and Lan Subing’s concern, he calmed slightly, explaining, “I grew up in an orphanage, clueless about the Ability world before awakening. If I had Black Flash backing me, how’d the dean die unjustly? Why’d I struggle so hard for revenge? Check my past—it’s clear I’m not the mole.”

They’d discussed their pre-academy lives once when bored, so everyone knew. His words made sense.

“Right. If Mingbai were Black Flash, how am I untouched?” Jiang Tianming backed him up. “If I were a mole too, why’d the teacher only spot his issue, not mine?”

He was risking suspicion to clear Wu Mingbai. Wu Mingbai hadn’t used this logic to avoid dragging others in—if he couldn’t clear himself, at least they’d be safe.

Now, seeing Jiang Tianming expose himself, Wu Mingbai glared.

Lan Subing joined in, “Exactly. I knew Mingbai before enrolling. My status could benefit Black Flash. If he’s a mole, I should be suspected too.”

With two vouching, the tense class atmosphere eased. Zhao Xiaoyu smiled, “The government’s not always right. If they were sure Mingbai’s the mole, they’d have arrested him.”

She was right. Since Wu Mingbai wasn’t detained, he wasn’t confirmed. Acting wary now, only to find he’s innocent later, would ruin their bonds.

No one wanted that, so they lightened the mood, at least outwardly, to avoid awkwardness.

“By the way, what’s the government’s criteria? Why just you four?” Si Zhaohua asked, puzzled.

Even excluding big-family students like him, weren’t there others to suspect?

Zhou Renjie, knowing best, answered, “No relatives and male.”

The questioning was done, so sharing this was fine.

Trusting his fresh Black Flash intel, Mu Tieren spotted an issue, “But Xiaotian has family. His grandpa came to our festival.”

As a caring class monitor, he remembered details.

Zhou Renjie didn’t know either. Before he could reply, Meng Huai entered, “We couldn’t find Xiaotian’s grandpa.”

He looked at Mo Xiaotian, “Where’s your grandpa?”

Mo Xiaotian lowered his head, hiding his expression. After a pause, he mumbled, “He passed away…”

That matched Meng Huai’s findings. Elderly deaths were normal, but with the grandpa gone, they couldn’t verify blood ties, keeping Mo Xiaotian on the suspect list. Meng Huai ruffled his red hair, “My condolences.”

Glancing at Wu Mingbai without comment, he said to everyone, “The government and academy will handle the mole. Study normally, and I don’t want rumors spreading before it’s resolved.”

Stepping to the podium, he clapped, “Lunch break’s over. Class starts.”

Life seemed back to normal—classes, tasks, same as before. But Su Bei sensed someone watching. His high Mental Energy felt one person tracking him, Jiang Tianming, and Lan Subing, and two on Wu Mingbai.

Clearly, Wu Mingbai was the prime suspect.

He was visibly irritable. Without high Mental Energy, his strong Earth Element gave him great ground control, sensing the trackers.

Only the government or academy could track him here. Knowing he wasn’t cleared, his mood worsened.

Anyone falsely accused as a mole would struggle to stay calm.

Jiang Tianming approached Su Bei first, “Can I come in?”

Opening the dorm door, Su Bei saw Jiang Tianming’s dark circles—clearly sleepless. Lan Subing was the same.

“Come in,” Su Bei stepped aside, knowing why he was here.

As expected, Jiang Tianming got to the point, “Can you prove Mingbai’s innocence?”

Before Su Bei could answer, he explained, “Mingbai’s not the mole, but the government’s suspicion isn’t baseless. There’s evidence making them think it’s him. They won’t tell us how they judged. We reviewed that day’s questions and found nothing. As orphans with no background, we’ve got no way to clear ourselves.”

Pausing, he stated his goal, “So, any way to prove it?”

Adding, “We asked Feng Lan, but his Ability didn’t give an answer. So we came to you.”

Most would bristle at being a backup, but Jiang Tianming knew Su Bei didn’t mind—he’d rather not be the first choice.

“Used his Ability but no answer?” Su Bei raised an eyebrow, surprised.

Feng Lan’s [Prophecy] was renowned for rarely failing.

Was it a failure or another reason?

Jiang Tianming didn’t know, shaking his head, “No clue.”

Su Bei planned to visit Feng Lan later. Facing Jiang Tianming’s hopeful gaze, he spread his hands, “Don’t forget, I’m a suspect too. If I had a way, wouldn’t I clear myself first?”

True, but Jiang Tianming felt Su Bei was enjoying the drama, in no rush to clear himself.

Still, Su Bei’s stance was clear—he’d watch, not help.

Jiang Tianming thought briefly, dropping the proof request, “Any suggestions?”

He had ideas but wanted Su Bei’s perspective.

“Find the mole or Wu Mingbai’s relatives,” Su Bei offered two paths, tackling the root or the origin.

Since Zhou Renjie said the mole was male with no other relatives, gender couldn’t change, so proving relatives was the way.

Jiang Tianming had the same ideas. Wu Mingbai never cared about his origins, so they hadn’t investigated.

As Wu Mingbai said, if they abandoned him, why find them? In a vast world, finding relatives without clues was tough.

But now, in the Ability world, some Ability Users might help. If found, proving innocence, they could part ways after.

“Got it. Thanks,” Jiang Tianming thanked him and left quickly.

Soon, Su Bei went to Feng Lan’s dorm.

Fresh from a shower, Feng Lan’s wet white hair dripped, looking docile. His golden eyes showed confusion, “What’s up?”

“Your prophecy failed?” Su Bei asked bluntly, disliking roundabout talk.

Feng Lan understood, shaking his head, “I tried [Prophecy Fragments] to help, but got no vision.”

[Prophecy Fragments] let future him send intel to now, guiding actions. No vision meant future him didn’t want to tell.

“Interesting. Why?” Su Bei asked, intrigued.

Feng Lan had pondered this, answering readily, “Future me thinks not interfering leads to a better outcome.”

“Then Wu Mingbai will gain from this,” Su Bei nodded, agreeing.

If Wu Mingbai benefited, or the outcome was good, future Feng Lan’s choice not to change the plot made sense. Change brought uncertainty—what if it worsened a good future? Better to stay steady.

Feng Lan caught another hint, “You think Wu Mingbai’s not the mole?”

Su Bei’s words could mean future him knew Wu Mingbai was the mole, letting the government handle it.

But Su Bei clearly didn’t think that, assuming Wu Mingbai would gain from the framing.

Feng Lan knew he wasn’t just trusting Wu Mingbai blindly, so Su Bei must be sure he wasn’t the mole.

“Well, I’m more mole-like than him,” Su Bei said casually. “A mole needs to work alone.”

Jiang Tianming was right—if Wu Mingbai were the mole, he couldn’t be unscathed. Simple logic ruled him out. How Black Flash made the government so sure was a mystery.

But Black Flash wasn’t satisfied. The government suspected Wu Mingbai but didn’t act, showing doubt. If they didn’t confirm the mole was caught, Mo Xiaotian’s move on Zhou Renjie could falter.

The Saint couldn’t fail, so Black Flash planned to escalate.