Chapter 26: The Rose Nebula Given to You by the Rabbit King
Fine light particles formed a brilliant galaxy, surrounding the broad dome. The auditorium rose step by step in a stair-like pattern, closely surrounding the inner stage.
The atmosphere is great tonight, with free drinks and snacks, and there are also joint merchandise from Qiao Qiao's Sauce-Fragrant Biscuit Shop and Kagano that you can get with your school badge.
Various animal ears appeared and disappeared among the crowd, and the air was filled with excitement, which merged into a buzzing and creaking sound wave.
The senior students were quite reserved, pretending to comment on how to spend money wisely. However, the new students who had just enrolled this year turned their heads to look at the furnishings inside, licked their greasy fingers, and shouted, "I want to hate the rich!"
"Quiet! You little bastards!"
The principal's deep roar came through the surrounding PA systems, suppressing all other noises like a huge wave.
Everyone shut up, even the donkey's "werwer" sound was stopped in time, and they all looked towards the center of the stage in the center of the auditorium.
"I mean, dear children of Kagano—" The principal cleared his throat and put on a kind smile. "The Rising Stars talent show is about to begin. After each contestant's performance, you can vote instantly through the screens on the armrests of your seats."
After announcing the unchanging rules as usual, he stood quietly and said with a smile:
"Finally, may the starlight never fade away!"
The applause surged like a tide, echoing clearly in every corner.
As the freshmen clapped excitedly, several sophomores from the Operations Department were amazed at the short speech.
Quan Yi pulled out the cushion from under his buttocks. "Is that all? I thought we'd have to wait a long time this year."
Enzo scoffed. "Because his speech before the actual combat match was so long and boring, the military commander had him dragged off the stage."
"Ha, I remember now! It seems he still remembers this experience clearly."
Just as they were openly discussing the principal's dark history, the long-awaited talent show officially began.
The singing was melodious, the music of the piano flowed, and these young masters and young ladies took turns to perform their talents under the spotlight, as if their warlike genes were restrained in evening gowns, or perhaps they were displayed in a different way.
Lancelot's position offered him an excellent view. He leaned back slightly, placed his slender fingers on the cold armrest of the chair, and tapped it lightly unconsciously.
Enzo was whispering something to Quan Yi beside him. He held his chin and echoed a few words slowly.
Seventh, sixth...
Time seemed to be stretched out, Lancelot cursed softly, and for the first time felt that tonight was particularly unbearable.
If anyone got close to him, they would notice that his pair of olive green eyes were always focused on the backstage passage, and he was openly distracted amid the hustle and bustle.
Finally, the host's voice pierced the entire auditorium: "Now, please enjoy the Hiram Harp performance of 'Weaving Feathers and Shattered Light' by Youan, a first-year student from the Department of Strategy!"
The fingertips tapping the armrest stopped instantly.
"Euan! Euan!"
"Come on, good rabbit!"
"Look! He's the straight-A student! He's in our class!"
The lower grade area of the Strategy Department erupted in particularly enthusiastic cheers and whistles, jumping up and down, waving their hands and applauding, until a spotlight on the stage suddenly lit up!
Yuan held his exquisite Hiram harp and walked steadily to the center of the stage. The enveloping lights cast specks of light on his chestnut hair, making him look like an angel bunny who had descended to earth.
He stood still, his eyes calmly sweeping across the dark audience seats in front of him, and across the swaying rabbit-head light sign...
When his sight passed by the dazzling color, the rabbit ears twitched, and the corners of his light persimmon-colored lips slightly raised, suddenly revealing a clear and bright smile.
"Hehehe...the good rabbit is smiling at me!"
"Nonsense! It's obviously me!"
Excited cheers filled the air, drowning out the few cries of acid mixed in, almost shattering the eardrums. This was not the case with the previous contestants.
Enzo raised his eyebrows slightly and tilted his head to look at Lancelot beside him. The latter was extremely quiet and let the little dwarf rabbit climb onto his head by twisting its butt.
He looked like a perfect plaster statue, dangling precariously over a river of honey.
At this point, the excited shouting subsided.
Hearing the notification tone of the communicator beside his ear, Youan bowed towards the audience, and his fingers, covered with fine wrinkles, touched the pearly strings.
He took a deep breath and lowered his fingertips.
The first note fell, like a drop of dew from a flower leaf falling into a silent valley. Immediately afterwards, a smooth and complex melody poured out.
The mental power wrapped around the strings was extremely stable, and soon golden light rose around him. Countless tiny feathers of light were like being gently twisted and woven by invisible fingers. In the blink of an eye, they turned into flying birds flying through the clouds.
Youan lowered his eyes slightly, trying his best to ignore every screaming pore on his body. No one knew that there was a dwarf rabbit hidden in his heart, its fur standing up and jumping around -
Ah! So many people! Great, great, it's almost halfway through... Keep it up, I can do this!
Perhaps his technique is not as sophisticated as that of a music master, but his devotion, spirituality, and control over his mental strength can easily lead people into that vast and tranquil world of light and illusion.
The audience gradually quieted down, and they were absorbed in watching the beautiful scenery. It was as if a warm hand was caressing their heads, and their throats just wanted to make gurgling sounds.
Lancelot's tense jawline finally relaxed a little, and a more obvious smile appeared in his eyes.
However, just as the melody progressed and the bird was about to climb to the top of the cloud -
"Zheng!"
An extremely harsh sound, like metal being forcibly torn apart, violently cut off the flowing melody like a steel blade!
There was another muffled "bang" sound immediately afterwards, and the entire Hiram Harp suddenly emitted black smoke in full view of everyone, and fell to the ground in a dull manner.
The light faded away, and the beautiful illusion was instantly shattered.
"Shh-"
The whole place fell into an eerie silence, which was soon replaced by a louder buzz of discussion. The fans of other contestants were almost overwhelmed by the surprise and let out several loud boos.
"Ha! I was saying! You think this kind of stuff is a treasure?"
"Damn it, I must be crazy to bet on him to win!"
A deliberately raised, mocking voice came from behind. Several senior students were like a group of hyenas, not hiding the malice in their eyes.
Lancelot suddenly clenched his hands on the armrest, his knuckles turning white from the force, and looked at the lonely figure in the center of the stage through layer after layer of black waves.
For a moment, it seemed as if I saw myself entering the actual combat competition a few years ago with a makeshift machine gun.
It hurts. It hurts so much.
Youan bent down to pick up the harp that was crackling and emitting sparks, and his face did not show the expected panic, embarrassment or anger.
"Oh my god, why did something go wrong all of a sudden? Aren't you going to check carefully for such an important match?"
"The second half is incredibly difficult. His mental strength level is quite average, so he might not be able to control it. Or maybe he knew he'd lose to Winters and the others, so he did this on purpose, right?"
"I'm convinced. I waited so long for nothing."
"Can you please stop talking? I don't want to make any mistakes!"
"Alas, if you ask me, ordinary people like you should stay out of the fun. Why bring shame upon yourself?"
"You don't understand. He's also gained fame. He can blame the loss of the bet on an accident, and even play the victim in front of the Rabbit Lure Group. What a bargain, haha!"
"It's really just a vase kept by a noble, only good for show but useless."
"I can't say for sure if his face has been plastic surgery, but it's quite different from before..."
The sound, with just the right volume, was like iron nails, trying to pierce the heart coldly and make people vomit blood mixed with fragments of internal organs. Unfortunately, Youan was not afraid because his heart had long been a solid iron barrel.
What does this matter?
He held the zither and stood quietly in the beam of light, feeling fortunate that he had a thick skin, otherwise it would have been so ugly if he had cried.
The teacher from the Organization Department gestured to him, and a subtle advice came through the communicator, asking him to go backstage and prepare again.
Youan couldn't help but think that Yin Pei and the others must be very disappointed now, oh, and Lancelot who contributed both money and effort... He was so unlucky.
He bent towards the audience, gave an impeccable, standard farewell bow, and turned to leave.
The moment he lifted his foot——
"Lancelot might as well go it myself, after all he has a bitch face..."
"What level can a bastard be considered as a legitimate son? I just can't stand his arrogance!"
The vicious words were like a cold arrow, suddenly piercing the patched iron barrel.
Youan's arm holding the harp suddenly stiffened. He turned his head very slowly, his eyes like real ice cones, piercing the direction of the sound accurately.
[Yuan, please step down immediately and don't waste time!]
The voice in the communicator suddenly rose in pitch, carrying an unquestionable command.
You An withdrew his gaze and without a pause, he quickly left the stage, leaving everyone's sight behind, completely disappearing into the shadows of the backstage passage.
The backstage was in chaos at the moment. Ava and Lorion were surrounded by a group of servants and staff. The sounds of cheering, compliments, and instructions to prepare for the next show were mixed together, making the place bustling with activity.
Noticing the dark eyes looking over at her, Ava Winters adjusted her skirt and smiled sweetly at him: "Are you okay, Euan?"
"I'm fine."
Youan thought he was a calm stagnant pool, but for the first time he realized that emotions could turn into a volcanic eruption, which would be the best to kill these people.
He had to do something, and the urge was so urgent that he hurried back to the lounge.
Looking at the toolbox on the table, he breathed a sigh of relief. He had originally just wanted to use his break to repair the brooch, but he didn't expect it to come in handy.
Youan picked it up and soon stood at the gate of the energy control area. On the bottom floor of the control area, eighteen aircraft and mechanical rabbits were neatly arranged.
Then, his thin figure disappeared into the metal door, like an insignificant ghost, no longer attracting anyone's attention.
Apart from--
"Winters! I'm going to tear these two bitches apart!"
Lancelot's face was extremely ugly, and he was shrouded in dark clouds. His eyes, like the blue water of a cold pool, seemed to be poisoned and shot towards the stage like a knife.
Just now, a few senior students who were gossiping were being stepped on. They couldn't withstand a few kicks and were kicked until they vomited blood.
"Don't be crazy! What the hell do you think this place is?" Enzo grabbed his arm and lowered his voice to a whisper. "There's no evidence. If we start a fight now, you're the one in the wrong!"
"Use civilized language! Use civilized language!"
Quan Yi held the trembling little dwarf rabbit in his arms, pressed his fingers on the tiny rabbit ears, and reminded with an embarrassed look on his face, "There are children here."
Lancelot quickly glanced at the furry little rabbit ball that had been quiet and silent.
You Tuantuan seemed to be frightened by the sudden change. He didn't understand why everything was fine just now, but in the blink of an eye so many people were saying bad things about his brother and Boss Fox. Those tongues were like cold snakes in a swamp, wriggling in a way that scared him.
He tucked his little paws in awkwardly, looking back at the stage, his big round eyes filled with confusion and uneasiness. He asked timidly, "Did my brother do something wrong?"
In an instant, Lancelot's expression changed again and again, and his throat was dry and painful: "...No, it's my fault."
Guilt wrapped around his heart like a cold thorn, slowly tightening and almost suffocating him.
Fuck the bet! Fuck the face!
Lancelot had never regretted his actions so much.
He was so carried away by his own success and his display of might that he forgot that the human heart is treacherous and cunning enough to tear people apart. In a fit of rage, he used Youan to gamble on winning or losing, dragging him into the center of this vortex... It was simply, outrageously wrong.
"I'm sorry, You Tuan Tuan." Lancelot apologized again in a low voice, for his loss of control just now and for the stupid bet.
You Tuantuan jumped from Quan Yi's hand to his shoulder, curled up into a ball, and clung to his neck as if seeking a sense of security: "I want my brother..."
"Come on, I'll take you there." Lancelot suppressed the anger in his chest, ignored the noise in the audience, and walked eagerly towards the lounge.
At this time, the lounge was empty, piled with various cheering gifts, and only the toolbox on the table with many signs of use was missing.
"elder brother?"
You Tuantuan cried out softly, his eyes filled with confusion, and finally hung his head in disappointment.
Lancelot kept sending messages and making calls using his light brain, but strangely, he received no response.
The lonely figure kept appearing in his mind. Lancelot's fingertips trembled, and he turned around without looking back, asking Fiona to lead the men to guard the exit of the inner field.
From now on, Winters had better pray non-stop that Euan doesn't do anything stupid, otherwise he will definitely make the other party pay a heavier price than a few years ago.
Lancelot smiled sinisterly and walked quickly with You Tuantuan through the passage connecting to the inner field audience seats. He walked very fast and just as he was about to reach the exit, a wave of exclamations suddenly erupted from the audience seats and swept over!
"Look! Look at the stage! It's Youan! He's back!"
Lancelot's footsteps were like being nailed to the spot by invisible nails, and he suddenly stopped! He turned around suddenly, his eyes showing joy that he himself was not aware of, and he looked like an arrow towards the center of the stage where the lights were flashing wildly -
Euan is back.
But his appearance can only be described as miserable.
His chestnut hair was wet with sweat, with a few strands stuck to his forehead. There were also a few obvious stains on his cheeks. He was covered in dust and dirt, as if he had just been dug out from a crack in the wall.
But those black eyes were surprisingly bright.
He was calmly adjusting his somewhat loose bow tie, his posture incredibly calm, and then picked up a heavy-looking metal toolbox at his feet.
Just before he stepped onto the stage, he happened to meet the eyes of Winters who had just finished their performance.
Ava's face still showed the pride she should have had after a successful performance, as well as a hint of displeasure at being saved by Lorion and stealing the limelight because of her mistake.
When her eyes swept over Youan's embarrassed yet calm appearance, obvious astonishment and disbelief flashed across her face; Lorion raised his eyebrows slightly and leaned against a pillar with his arms folded.
Watch carefully, you stupid ferrets.
Yu An imitated a certain nobleman, raised his chin, and then without even glancing at them, walked straight to the center of the stage, under the most dazzling beam of light.
At the same time, the metal floor where the light beams were concentrated suddenly vibrated and opened to both sides. A half-human-high, slightly cute iron mechanical rabbit was assembled and stood in the center of the stage.
With its chubby body and short, rounded ears, it looks like some kind of harmless large cub toy.
The freshmen in the Strategy Department couldn't help but worry for him. They originally thought that if he came back to perform again, he might be able to get a good ranking, but the current situation... many people covered their faces in embarrassment.
"What is that? A toy?"
"It's pretty cute, haha..."
"What does he want to do? Show off by repairing a mechanical rabbit?"
"He can't be showing off the support gift Lancelot gave him, right?"
There was a mix of confused chuckles and discussions in the audience.
You An pretended not to hear and opened the box in his hand.
Mechanical components, metal plates, all sorts of jingling little parts...
His movements were skillful and quick. The mechanical clamp turned a circle in his hand, and soon a crisp sound of metal collision was heard.
Even the principal and professors stretched their necks curiously.
Professor Laura's face was slightly stunned until she saw the student take out a core component that was not in proportion and put it into the mechanical rabbit's brain.
As if he had finally completed some preparations, Youan stood up and clapped his hands, then poked his fingertips on a button on the back of the mechanical rabbit and pressed it lightly.
Then he quickly stepped back a few steps and connected his microprocessor.
The fingertips fell like plucking the strings of a guitar, but this time the target was different.
"Click... buzz..."
A slight mechanical sound was heard, and a strong buzzing sound came from inside the mechanical rabbit!
Then, in the astonished eyes of everyone, the half-human-height mechanical rabbit suddenly popped out of its folded dark plate, and its metal skeleton quickly unfolded, stretched, and reorganized at an astonishing speed. Each expansion was accompanied by a dull and heavy metal collision sound.
Everyone opened their eyes wide, not missing any details in front of them. As the huge shadow swept over their heads like a tsunami, the heads of the people in the nearest rows raised higher and higher.
Finally, the heart-pounding expansion came to an end, and the four-meter-tall mechanical rabbit took center stage.
It twisted its rotund body, and its massive metal head slowly lifted upward. With a low hum of metallic friction, its four long legs, which had been curled up against its abdomen, suddenly stretched out!
Wow! It’s almost twice as long as the entire body!
The audience instantly fell into silence, and everyone was stunned by this sudden scene.
This giant supermodel mechanical rabbit slowly opened its three-petal mouth and let out a deafening roar like a beast.
"grumble--!!!!!"
The sharp and high-pitched strange sound waves instantly swept across the entire venue.
Quan Yi covered his ears and looked at Enzo. For the first time, they could understand each other's eyes.
Why is the dwarf rabbit so obsessed with leg length?!
Youan curled his lips, ignoring the petrified state of the whole audience, and walked up along the spine, stepping on the tail ball of the mechanical rabbit, and finally stopped at the cold metal head.
The night wind blowing in from the dome made his hair float like soft light. Countless pairs of eyes stared at him, gradually losing their minds.
Youan satisfied his desire to lean over everyone, sat down cross-legged steadily, and quickly input commands into the panel of the microprocessor with his fingers.
The next second, a dazzling light suddenly lit up from deep within the rabbit's huge metal mouth that was opened to the sky!
The low hum of concentrated energy instantly overwhelmed all other sounds, causing the air to tremble.
"Bang--"
Like a roaring dragon, an incredibly thick particle beam burst forth from the mechanical rabbit's mouth! However, it wasn't aimed anywhere, instead it slanted towards the deep blue sky above the auditorium.
The principal breathed rapidly, thinking that students nowadays were so hot-tempered that they would blow up the school if they disagreed with something. Before he could notify the security to activate the energy shield, the beam of light exploded like the most gorgeous firework!
This was the power of the core components of eighteen Class A aircraft. Countless tiny points of light frantically spread, circulated, and condensed... In the blink of an eye, a breathtakingly magnificent giant nebula appeared above everyone's heads.
The huge dark red cyclone rotates slowly, dotted with countless glittering lights, as if the creator has outlined the most romantic form in the depths of the universe.
It was a huge rose in full bloom!
The entire Sky Tower is placed under the magnificent Rose Nebula, as if being pulled into the heart of the vast universe.
Dead silence.
Absolute silence.
There was not even the sound of "werwer".
Everyone's mind seemed to be blank. They all kept their heads tilted back, their mouths slightly open, and their pupils reflected the indescribable wonder.
I don’t know who let out the first broken scream: “Oh my God——!!!”
Immediately afterwards, the entire inner field exploded like a lit powder keg!
Damn elegance! Damn decorum!
"Bunny is so hot! Go and blast those bad-mouthed bastards to death!"
"Mom, I'm in love again!"
"Stop howling! Let's meet the Bunny King together!"
No one applauded with restraint anymore. The deafening cheers, screams, and whistles surged into the sky like a tsunami, almost overturning the sturdy metal plates of the Sky Tower!
Not only the rabbit-luring group, almost everyone's eyes were focused on the center of the stage, focused on the figure sitting quietly on top of the giant rabbit!
He was covered in dust and looked disheveled, but he was covered in the starlight of the entire universe. He slowly stood up and gave a farewell ceremony that was extremely elegant and impeccable.
"Euan! Euan! Euan!"
Without the host's reminder, the number of votes on the screen jumped wildly as if out of control, soaring all the way in a crushing manner, instantly breaking through the peak previously held by Lorion Winters, and was still soaring at an astonishing speed!
In the corner of the noisy auditorium, Lancelot stood frozen in place, holding You Tuantuan.
"Flower! Big bunny!"
You Tuantuan squatted on top of Lancelot's head, twitching his tail excitedly, looking at the dome, then at the stage, shaking his fox ears and shouting incoherently, "My brother did it! Did you see? It was Youan who did it!"
Lancelot did not respond to the child who kept pulling his ears. In fact, he seemed to block out all the noise around him and only heard the "splash" sound of falling into the water.
Then, his entire world was reduced to the rotating Rose Nebula above his head and the figure beneath the nebula.
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