Chapter 34: This Kid Has Some Real Skills

"Xu Chen, as the most brilliant esper researcher in the Great Xia, do you have any way to identify students in this school who might potentially awaken their abilities?"

Xidai stood before the expansive floor-to-ceiling window in the principal's office, leaning on a golden cane as he looked toward the young man standing beside him. The young man wore a white lab coat, sported heavy dark circles under his eyes, and donned silver-rimmed glasses, giving off the scholarly air of a frail intellectual.

Xu Chen stood respectfully behind Xidai and shook his head helplessly.

"My apologies, sir."

"Currently, our technological level and our understanding of supernatural abilities are extremely limited. Perhaps large-scale physical examinations could uncover a few D-grade physical ability awakeners like the child we found earlier."

"But as for other types, if they do not actively manifest their powers, it is very difficult for us to detect them."

"Unless..."

Xu Chen paused, his expression showing a hint of hesitation.

"Unless what? Any method is worth a try. As long as we can achieve our goal, we have the money, the personnel, and the time." Xidai turned around, speaking with a tone of absolute certainty.

The reason why this massive radiation outbreak in Luo City was being taken so seriously was that the location fell entirely within the territory controlled by the Great Xia.

Although Luo City’s economic level was mediocre, its environment average, and its urban planning unremarkable—ranking at the bottom of the province and dominated by heavy industry without any standout features—it had the advantage of being situated inland, far from the borders. It possessed essential transportation hubs and would not face the same issues as previous outbreaks.

The Great Xia was currently in a vulnerable transitional period; the older generation of espers was retiring due to age and injury, leaving a gap in their defenses. Given the timing and circumstances, they could not afford any complacency.

Seeing Xidai’s unwavering support, Xu Chen did not hesitate any longer and laid out his plan directly.

"According to reports from previous years, people often manifest their abilities when their physical strength is exhausted or when they are in crisis. Or, to put it another way, if we subject them to a certain level of shock or terror, we might be able to force students to trigger their powers prematurely."

"However, this is likely to lead to many accidents. I cannot guarantee the safety of every individual. After all, supernatural abilities are strange and varied, and the possibility of them spiraling out of control—especially when used under extreme stress—is far too high."

Upon hearing this, Xidai looked through the floor-to-ceiling window at the young, vibrant students laughing and dining together during their lunch break. He understood Xu Chen’s concerns; a casualty incident had already occurred once, leaving many innocent people harmed.

As a soldier of the Great Xia and a member of the Special Operations Unit, he naturally did not want to see these people, who were meant to be protected, facing such crises. Yet, he understood that to achieve great things, one cannot be constrained by trifles; there would always be sacrifices.

"Let’s start with a pilot program... Use your method to test a few classes in the school. If we can find some espers, we will expand the scope of the experiment."

Xidai proposed a more controllable, compromise-based approach. Since no one had experience with such formal ability testing, this was the safest method to prevent accidents. Furthermore, by narrowing the student pool, they could better manage the situation.

"Understood, sir." A look of excitement appeared on Xu Chen’s face. Although he had seen many espers before, this was his first time attempting to screen for them and study the symptoms during the initial stage of awakening.

Every discovery would fill a void in the Great Xia’s research, and it might even cement his name as a pioneer in the field of esper research. This was a tremendous opportunity. No researcher, nor anyone attempting to advance academically, would back down from this.

"Do you have any requirements?" Xidai noticed Xu Chen’s enthusiasm, but he did not object to his subordinate’s pursuit of fame and fortune; such things were human nature.

"Sir, it is difficult for me to complete this alone. I need the support of the Special Operations Unit," Xu Chen said, dropping the formalities.

"Very well. For the first pilot class, we shall choose the one led by Meng Xi. She is a very reliable person; I believe you two will work well together."

Xu Chen remembered the beautiful clerk of the Special Operations Unit and felt satisfied to hear she would be assisting. However, Xidai’s next words made his entire body stiffen, and he could not help but frown.

"Cheng Sanli has been quite free lately; he can go over and help too."

"Cheng—Cheng Sanli? Sir, could we have someone else?"

When that name was mentioned, Xu Chen became reluctant, even to the point of disgust, his face filled with disdain and prejudice. It was as if he were an American policeman seeing a black man; his instincts immediately went on high alert.

"Why? Has this lad done something to you?"

"He hasn’t done anything specifically to me, it’s just that this guy is completely unreliable."

Xu Chen recalled the time he was partnered with Cheng Sanli. Back then, Xu Chen was the head of a research lab, and Cheng Sanli was responsible for its security. Apart from sneaking out to drink, the guy spent all his time hitting on women. Every female researcher in the lab, from 50-year-olds down to those in their early 20s, had been harassed by him, either verbally or physically.

He was essentially the reincarnation of the ancient deity Xing Tian—lacking a head, he could only use his "lower head" to think. Not to mention the times he used plasma-heating equipment to brew coffee and broke the machine, drank experimental energy potions that hadn't even been fully logged yet, or used rare elements more valuable than gold as marbles.

He had "just a little bit" of an opinion about Cheng Sanli.

"Ahem." Xidai cleared his throat. He also found Cheng Sanli to be a headache, but the guy’s abilities were indeed excellent, ranking among the best in the Special Operations Unit.

"Rest assured, this time I am placing him under your command. He will follow your orders completely. If he displays any misconduct, call my private line directly and report him; I will deal with him myself."

"Yes!"

Granted the power of direct reporting, Xu Chen answered loudly. His back straightened, and he felt a sudden surge of energy.

With Cheng Sanli as his subordinate, there would be no problem. If that guy acted up again, Xu Chen wouldn't mind adding a little "extra ingredient" to send him to a military tribunal.

Xu Chen took the student files for Meng Xi’s class from Xidai and stepped out of the principal's office.

...

"Li Jialiu."
"Wu Sangui."
"Lu Mingfei."

Walking down the hallway, Xu Chen flipped through the student files page by page. In this peaceful era, these students appeared unremarkable—very ordinary, nothing worth noting.

Based on Xu Chen’s years of experience, students with bizarre life experiences, complex emotions, and volatile temperaments were more likely to awaken abilities. Even though this was a pilot test, he needed to screen and investigate to find the right targets.

It wasn't until he turned to a boy with delicate features but a gloomy temperament that his hand stopped involuntarily.

[Su Yi]
[Family Background: Parents divorced.]
[Academic performance: Above average, with significant recent improvement.]
[Went missing for several months during the second semester of his sophomore year. Despite police searches, his whereabouts remained unknown until he suddenly reappeared in the first semester of his junior year. By his own account, he suffered trauma due to family issues and academic pressure, hiding alone in the wilderness for over two months.]
[Has a history of violent outbursts; once stabbed his roommate in the head and has had conflicts with awakened espers.]
[Was struck and knocked unconscious by an esper while trying to save a female classmate. Suffered no major injuries, later diagnosed with a concussion.]

*Damn... This kid has some grit.* This was the perfect research subject.

Xu Chen looked at the file, feeling as if he had discovered a treasure. He happened to be writing a paper on the connection between life experience, personality, and the awakening of abilities. If a student like this awakened, it would provide powerful evidence for his thesis.

Good, good...

Truly good.

He felt more and more eager to begin.