Deviant: No Longer Human

Bing Xueli, "Do you know the similarity between this piece of glass and the cells in your body?"

Wang Xiao, caught off guard, responded with a perplexed expression, "??"

Before Wang Xiao could gather his thoughts to respond, Bing Xueli had vanished, leaving him in a state of bewilderment. A sudden realization struck him, and he sprinted towards her room, only to find the door firmly closed.

"Hey, Senior Xueli!"

Knocking on the door, he received a calm yet enigmatic response from within, "Don't attempt it recklessly, unless you want to puncture your body and die..."

"Wait, what do you mean by that?" Wang Xiao exclaimed, his voice echoing with a mix of confusion and concern.

Silence lingered for a moment before Bing Xueli's voice cut through. "The glass and your body's cells share a fragility that belies their complexity. Just as mishandling the glass can result in injury, attempting to force your powers beyond their current limits can have consequences."

Wang Xiao, now more intrigued than ever, persisted, "But what's the connection between the glass and my cells?"

The response was cryptic yet loaded with meaning, "Both can break, but how they break matters. Understanding this is key to mastering your abilities."

As the dialogue unfolded, Wang Xiao's determination flickered with uncertainty. 'What is she trying to tell me?' he pondered, contemplating the enigma that was Bing Xueli.

Frustration and curiosity wrestled within him, and with a resigned sigh, he mumbled to himself, "This woman... always leaving me with more questions than answers."

A grin crept across his face as a rebellious idea formed in his mind. 'Let me surpass her in power, and then we'll see who's the boss.' The prospect of defying her body and authority fueled a newfound motivation within him.

_________

In the blink of an eye, five years evaporated within the walls of Xianthera, where Wang Xiao found himself immersed in the schools of this mysterious place, discovering and learning new knowledge with each passing day.

His connection with Amelia, now known as Mei Lieyan, deepened gradually. He discovered her role in the Board of Education, a discovery that added layers of complexity to their interactions.

Weekly presentations before her became a normal routine, leaving her puzzled about the mysterious incidents that seemed to unfold around Wang Xiao.

Accidentally breaking someone's head was definitely not his doing, or so he believed.

While the village felt like a haven for Wang Xiao, it was a prison for his fellow classmates.

Their memories were systematically erased and altered, transforming them into mere pawns manipulated by the Ethics Committee to perpetuate their lineage.

Wang Xiao couldn't help but question if they were anything more than puppets, existing solely to serve the committee's agenda.

Naturally, suspicion crept into Wang Xiao's mind, suspecting that his memories, too, had been tampered with on multiple occasions. However, Yin Yue acted as the beacon of truth, helping him discern that, at least for now, they hadn't delved into the labyrinth of his mind.

As time unfurled, Wang Xiao forged more connections, seamlessly integrating into the intricate tapestry of this insular world. The allure of the outside world waned, replaced by a contentment found in the myriad experiences within the village.

"Again!?"

Wang Xiao soared through the air, his attire in tatters, defeated once again by Bing Xueli. She shook her head, a wry smile playing on her lips.

"It's only been five years," she declared, her words resonating with the wisdom of ages. "Even with your innate abnormal talent, it would take quite a while if you want to defeat me."

Wang Xiao descended with a grace that belied the sting of defeat, his gaze lingering on Bing Xueli's form. There was a subtle undercurrent of amusement in his eyes, a private amusement colored by thoughts he kept to himself.

He harbored his own justified reasons—a waist that could double as a surfboard and long, flowing white hair that could serve as reins.

"Tomorrow is the graduation ceremony," he announced, nonchalantly dusting off imaginary blemishes from his clothes.

Bing Xueli raised an eyebrow, her gaze probing. "Not excited?"

Wang Xiao offered a noncommittal shrug, his demeanor betraying a measured detachment. "My classmates had their memories altered so many times; they look like robots."

"Robots, I see..." Bing Xueli muttered, her own detachment from the village's inner workings evident. She shifted gears, revealing a piece of information that cut through the monotony. "By the way, you are free to go outside the barrier after graduation."

!?

Caught off guard, Wang Xiao shot a glance at her. "And what about those poisonous flowers?"

His attempts to escape with his classmates had ended in failure each time, leading to erased memories for them and a scolding for Wang Xiao from Mei Leiyan.

Bing Xueli's smile held a secret charm. "I know a secret passage, accessible only to me."

Wang Xiao, deep in thought, nodded. Bing Xueli, her curiosity piqued, probed further. "Why do you insist on dueling me every time? You're aware we, the people of Xianthera, can't inflict harm on each other?"

"But why is that?" Wang Xiao countered. Through his time in the village, he had discovered the abnormality that, despite possessing extraordinary powers, the inhabitants here couldn't truly harm one another.

If they wielded their powers to attack another human, the curse of guilt would swiftly manifest. A throbbing pain would assult their heads, escalating to the point of unconsciousness, and in extreme cases, proving fatal.

Even the murky tasks assigned to the Ethics Committee were carried out by bred and tamed demon cats, a beastly extension of their will.

Bing Xueli lapsed into a heavy silence in response to Wang Xiao's sudden inquiry. "I'll tell you once you replace me..." she finally spoke.

Wang Xiao's curiosity sparked. "Replace you? But what's the need? Aren't you immortal?"

Bing Xueli shook her head, her gaze carrying the weight of unspoken truths. "You don't understand. Everyone has limitations. Unlike the rest of the people in the villages, I can heal my tissues and hence not age as a result. However, the seat of the head of the Ethics Committee can't remain monopolized indefinitely. Plus, you possess an ability that I lack..."