Chapter 26: Classmate E’s Miraculous Recovery 【Half Di Hua Forum Content】

Chapter 26: The Healing Touch of Student E "Half Dihua Forum Style"

The lofty moon, the deep and mysterious forest, the moth with wings that resemble eyes, the misty veil of dreams, and—

A grayish figure almost blending into the mountain fog, a mysterious companion whose face is hard to remember…

Teacher Ju held her hiking stick, pushing aside the increasingly dense undergrowth that reached above her waist, feeling as if she were still in a dream.

But strangely, she felt no need to be on guard, and instead took the initiative to speak to Bryce: “Why are you here in the forest at this time?”

“The duty of a bard is to traverse all lands trodden by human feet, seeking out unknown tales, and preserving them through poetry and music.”

Bryce’s tone was calm, yet it seemed to carry a special rhythm, indeed evoking the sense of poetry and music in Teacher Ju.

After his response, Bryce asked her, “And you, madam? Why did you come here alone, away from your companions’ sight?”

Though Bryce always addressed her with respect, Teacher Ju could not detect any trace of reverence, curiosity, or other emotions in his words and actions; there was only an objective observation.

It was as if a high wall had been built between them, enclosing her and the entire world within, while Bryce stood outside, calmly observing everything, good and bad.

So Teacher Ju frowned and said, “You don’t have to use such formal language all the time.”

After a moment of silence, she anxiously ran her fingers through her hair and countered, “How do you know I have companions?”

“Don’t worry, I mean no harm,” Bryce saw through the anxiety behind her agitation and promised, “I merely observe everything here, which happens to include you and your group.”

By now, they had approached a rock face that was nearly vertical. Teacher Ju raised her flashlight, carefully examining the thick, intertwined vines for any hidden passages.

As she checked each section, she slowly spoke, “I insisted on coming here to uncover the truth about the cave because of fear and anger…”

Bryce listened quietly; he was an excellent listener, allowing Teacher Ju to unwittingly pour out all her past experiences:

“I fear I have already gone mad, which is why I urgently sought the cave mentioned in that perhaps non-existent conversation by my ‘friend.’”

“And what infuriates me is that I don’t understand what force is compelling me, and why it must involve my students in this peril? It’s toying with all our lives, and for what? I cannot accept it…”

Teacher Ju’s voice was low, resonating in the cold wind, revealing a resolve that defied consequences: “This might sound presumptuous, but no matter what it is, I want to find it, to uncover the truth behind it.”

Bryce offered no comment. He suddenly stopped walking, staring straight ahead, and warned, “Something is coming.”

Teacher Ju immediately became alert, holding her breath and focusing intently on the distance.

The mountain mist grew denser, obscuring everything beyond ten steps, but she could hear a buzzing, like the fluttering of wings.

One, two…

She tried to count them by their sounds but realized the number kept increasing. The buzzing and fluttering wove into a web, as if the entire forest was trembling along with it.

Through the thick fog, Teacher Ju gradually made out countless palm-sized moths emerging from the mist. They flapped their wings, their patterns shifting like human faces, swarming towards them in overwhelming numbers.

“This… ”

The scene was so overwhelming that Teacher Ju instinctively took a step back. These moths gave her an unusual feeling; their gazes seemed to carry intense malice, entwining around her.

Just as the moths were a few steps away from the two of them, Bryce’s voice, smooth as flowing water, rang out: “—Stop.”

In an instant, time seemed to freeze. Countless moths halted their wing movements, hanging motionless in mid-air.

In Bryce’s eyes, the memories of these moths, from the moment they gained consciousness, were reflected.

Although he was still unfamiliar with his Ability, when he attempted to use this power that was rooted in the instinct of every Ability user, everything flowed smoothly.

The antennae and appendages of the moths grew visibly inward, their wings quickly shrinking and curling to envelop their bodies, eventually transforming into oval, pristine white pupae that rolled onto the ground.

All these changes occurred in an instant, leaving Teacher Ju stunned for a moment before she found her voice: "You... What did you do to them? It's as if they're regressing..."

"I merely turned back their memories, returning them to the state they were in before hatching."

"Of course, perhaps even they have long forgotten how vulnerable they were in their pupal stage, but the past is always rooted in the subconscious, waiting for them to return there."

Bryce smiled faintly, pointing ahead, "Let's go. Since they chose to attack us here, it means we're getting close to their secret—following the path they came from should lead us to what you're looking for."

He spoke with ease, yet it left Teacher Ju with an indescribable shock.

So, Bryce's special Ability is related to "memories"? Can he see the memories of other beings and bring those memories into reality?

Such bizarre power made her feel as though she had no privacy before Bryce.

...If Bryce harbored any ill will toward her, what would become of her?

A helpless infant?

An unconscious embryo?

Or, a fertilized egg invisible to the naked eye?

Looking at the pupae, Teacher Ju hesitated for a moment, then finally bit her lip and stepped onto the path littered with white pupae.

They hadn't walked far when the mountain mist gradually dissipated, revealing the dark tunnel ahead.

Chilly breezes blew out from within the cave, swirling around the napes of those present, with the faint sound of dripping water echoing from inside.

Teacher Ju stood before the cave entrance; the flashlight in her hand could only illuminate a limited distance, leaving most of the cave shrouded in darkness.

She heard Bryce chuckle beside her: "Continue forward, and you will find what you seek."

"Even if these truths might surpass your long-held beliefs and imagination, overturning your understanding of the world, do you still wish to step into it?"

"…Have I seen too few things that challenge my understanding on this journey?"

Teacher Ju tightened her grip on the flashlight and stepped into the dark cave, one step at a time: "Some things are better known than not at all."

She could feel the gentle and friendly gaze of Bryce from behind her.

Bryce said calmly: "Very well, then let's continue forward—I will keep watching over you."

...

On the other side, Wang Lin lay in bed with his eyes tightly closed, pretending to be asleep. In reality, he was using the built-in forum in his mind.

He had just organized the events he heard from his classmates and posted them, sparking a new wave of heated discussion.

№66:

...Is the OP really not writing a novel?

First, being targeted by some 'unhatched Moth God larvae,' having his body taken over, and acting so bizarrely that it terrified everyone else, then being saved by a mysterious classmate's words, and now luckily merging with a divine creature's offspring to become an Ability user?

№67:

(Shocked) I wouldn't even make this up in fiction!

№68:

Damn, because the story is so unbelievable, I'm actually inclined to think it really happened...

№69:

Agreed. By the way, what's the deal with that mysterious classmate? Total lifesaver, right?

№70:

If this is true, then that mysterious classmate is practically the original poster’s guardian angel and powerhouse.

№71:

Exactly! The original poster was about to be completely devoured, but was pulled back from death's door, and now has even merged with a divine being's offspring while still in control as an ordinary person...

№72:

This is insanely advanced! No ordinary Ability user could pull this off—it's like going head-to-head with a divine being and winning without a scratch...

№73:

Waiting online for the mysterious classmate's true identity. Could he have lowkey been a High-level ability user all along? (munching popcorn)

№74:

Right, right! Original poster, think carefully!

Did he ever display anything unusual?

Did he frequently skip classes or disappear for long stretches?

...

Reading through the "stereotypes of secret badasses" summarized by the enthusiastic forum-goers, Wang Lin mulled it over and felt everyone was overthinking it.

№90 (Original Poster):

Let’s just call him E for now.

Classmate E keeps to himself and doesn't have any close friends in class, but he participates normally in school activities and has never skipped class. On weekends, he probably stays in his apartment—if there's any sudden notice from the academy, he always shows up on time.

№91 (Original Poster):

If we're talking about oddities... does always glued to his phone count?

№92:

...No, that's completely normal for someone his age. If you said Classmate E never touched electronics, *that* would be weird.

№93 (Original Poster):

See? He really doesn't have anything unusual about him. You're all reading too much into this. (facepalm)

№94:

Wait, what? Original poster, you're seriously chill about this, huh? The guy just wiped out a divine being effortlessly, and you still think he's normal? (spittake)

№95:

What about the other classmates who were there? Did anyone ask him?

№96 (Original Poster):

Yeah, we asked. E said he didn't know what happened either. He's a bit of a loner, but I don't think he has bad intentions—no way he’s lying, right?

№97 (Original Poster):

Could it be that he genuinely doesn’t know?

№98:

...You guys really trust E a lot, huh?

Kinda curious about him now. Seems distant and cold, but surprisingly well-liked?

№99:

Maybe it's because Classmate E feels reliable? If I were the original poster and he saved my life, I’d cling to him too.

№100:

Speaking of which, original poster, could you introduce me to E, my dude? I’ve been adrift through half my life, waiting for a real hero. If he wouldn’t mind...

№101:

Am I the only one who thinks the original poster and the classmates might have a point? If Classmate E really were a High-level ability user, wouldn’t he have people kissing his feet left and right? Why bother slumming it in school?

№102:

So maybe even Classmate E himself isn’t aware of his own weirdness, and it comes from something else...

№103:

Like blessed by the gods?

№104:

Plot twist: Is it possible that the one who defeated the divine being is also a divine being with divine heritage? Maybe E’s lineage is even more higher-tier—and dangerous—than the so-called "Moth God"...

№105:

Then the original poster hit the jackpot! Being classmates with a god’s kid wandering among mortals... Cue dramatic music.

№106:

Good news: Classmate E wasn’t hiding anything—he really never joined the playground.

Bad news: He might be some deity’s favorite kid, hahaha!

Wang Lin stared at these snarky comments, floored and utterly speechless. Sweats nervously.