That evening, after moving into his single apartment, Su Mo received a notice from the school: all members of the Superpower Training Class were to gather on the field for their first night training session.
He changed into sportswear, put on a cap and a face mask, and headed out.
Even so, he still drew quite a few gazes along the way.
When he arrived, there were only a few people on the field. Some of the more outgoing students had already started mingling—especially those who were good-looking, highly talented, or wealthy.
He sent messages to Ye Qingyi and Xia Qingqing, only to learn they were still on their way. So, he wandered around the field alone.
Near the podium, a few members of the North Star Organization stood on the track, still clad in their black uniforms, looking imposing.
“Students who’ve arrived, gather here! Line up by height, boys and girls separately,” the leader called out, and the crowd quickly moved toward him.
About ten minutes later, most of the students had assembled. Yet, Su Mo still hadn’t seen Ye Qingyi, and she wasn’t responding to his messages.
Whatever. If she doesn’t want to reply, fine.
“Ye Qingyi!”
Hearing the name called, he froze for a second before hurriedly shouting, “Here!” The people around him immediately turned to look.
Whispers broke out.
“That’s Ye Qingyi? The new top beauty on the school’s popularity list, and the academy’s number one?”
“Don’t look at my goddess like that—she’s sacred and untouchable.”
“Cut the act. You’re all talk, but who knows what you’re really thinking?”
“Wanna fight?”
“Ow! What was that for?”
The name “Ye Qingyi” caused quite a stir, prompting a sharp command: “Anyone who keeps talking gets ten laps as a warm-up!”
The students, still in their military training mindset, obediently fell silent.
The roll call continued.
But when “Su Mo” was called, no one answered. Su Mo frowned, wondering where the girl had run off to.
The North Star members began dividing the students into groups, each leading their assigned trainees away. The remaining students—including Su Mo, Xia Qingqing, and Wang Yun—were left with the one who seemed the most “impressive.”
“Qingyi, we meet again,” Wang Yun greeted him. Out of politeness, Su Mo responded.
Xia Qingqing, however, immediately bristled. She stepped between them and glared at Wang Yun. “Who are you? Since when are you on a first-name basis with Qingyi?”
Wang Yun blinked. “And you are…?”
“Her best friend, Xia Qingqing.”
“Oh, the B-rank genius from Jingjiang Academy! Pleased to meet you.” Wang Yun feigned surprise, though he didn’t seem genuinely caught off guard.
“Qingyi, let’s go. This guy looks sketchy—he’s definitely up to no good,” Xia Qingqing said, pulling Su Mo away and leaving Wang Yun standing alone.
“How did you know I don’t like him?” Su Mo asked, amused.
Xia Qingqing planted her hands on her hips, looking smug. “Mainly because he looks shady. And on my way here, I saw him whispering with a bunch of people. Definitely plotting something.”
“Huh?” Su Mo tensed. “You’re sure it was him?”
“Of course! My eyes are sharp.”
Su Mo suddenly turned and headed toward the “impressive” instructor. Confused, Xia Qingqing followed.
But before he could speak, he spotted Ye Qingyi entering the field and immediately rushed toward the entrance.
Xia Qingqing: “???”
Ye Qingyi looked upset—her clothes were torn in several places, and her face was smudged with dirt.
“Did someone give you trouble?”
She nodded.
“Are you hurt…?” He knew the girl was skilled in combat, and in his body, she shouldn’t have been at a disadvantage—unless she was outnumbered.
Ye Qingyi shot him a figure it out yourself look.
Su Mo, of course, didn’t. “What did they do to you?”
“Just a bunch of nobodies. They couldn’t do anything.” With that, she walked away without another word.
Did I offend her or something?
Baffled, Su Mo dragged Xia Qingqing back to the group.
“Who was that guy just now? Were you talking to him?”
“Kids shouldn’t ask too many questions.”
“Who’s a kid? I’m sixteen—only a year younger than you!” Xia Qingqing puffed up indignantly.
“A year younger is still a kid.”
“You— Ugh! You just love bullying me.”
Back in formation, the two were scolded for breaking discipline and “rewarded” with five warm-up laps each to be completed after training. Xia Qingqing pouted, looking thoroughly wronged.
Wang Yun offered to run in Su Mo’s place—and was promptly given ten laps instead.
“Here, obedience is your duty. No negotiations.”
During introductions, they learned that the most “impressive” instructor was named Wang Ye, and they were to address him as Instructor Wang.
As it turned out, the night training wasn’t actual training—just an orientation. Starting the next day, they were to attend morning drills at 6 AM and night training at 8 PM. Every minute late meant five extra laps.
Instructor Wang continued, “You’re Jingjiang Academy’s most talented, all at D-rank or above—even one A-rank. But talent alone means nothing. Without hard work, you’ll never become a true superhuman.”
“Instructor Wang, when can we become superhumans?” someone blurted excitedly.
“Follow my training, and it’ll take no more than three months.”
That long?
A few faces fell, but Instructor Wang ignored them, offering no further explanation.
After final announcements, he dismissed the group—except for Su Mo and the two girls.
On the track, the latecomers and rule-breakers were sweating through their punishment laps, none daring to slack off—the instructors were following closely, ready to add laps if anyone fell behind.
Five laps were nothing for Su Mo, but he stayed back to keep Xia Qingqing company.
Once done, instead of returning to his room, Su Mo lurked in a secluded, camera-free spot near Building Four—waiting.
Before long, Wang Yun walked into the shadows, alone.
Seizing the moment, Su Mo lunged, grabbing him by the collar and dragging him into the grove.
Against sheer brute strength, Wang Yun stood no chance. He tried to shout, but a hand clamped over his mouth.
“Mm—!”
THUD!
Su Mo hurled him to the ground, face-first.
“Who the hell are you? Is there some misunderstanding?”
Su Mo yanked him up again, snarling, “No misunderstanding. You’re in big trouble!”
THUD!
Wang Yun ate dirt again. “You’re Ye— Mmph—!”
THUD!
……
Around 10 PM, at Building Four.
Ye Qingyi had just finished laundry and was heading back to her dorm when someone stumbled into view, startling her.
His clothes were disheveled, covered in dirt, his messy hair even hosting a wriggling caterpillar.
He looks familiar… Have I seen him somewhere before?