Back home, Tran’s parents were already waiting for him. They’d long known about his Grade-A Superpower and were overjoyed.

But seeing Tran with his long black hair, they hesitated—was this really their son? He looked like a delicate young lady now. Since awakening his ability, his skin had grown fairer, his features more refined… No wonder that creepy guy had chosen Tran as a hostage. Who’d expect this "maiden" to wield such an unusual power?

Of course, the boy himself hadn’t seen a mirror since leaving the research institute. He only knew his hair had grown longer…

"Mom, Dad, I’m back!" Tran called out the moment he stepped inside. Today’s events felt like a dream.

"My boy! You’re finally home. Are you hungry? I’ll cook something," his mother said, scanning him for changes. They worried his Superpower might have side effects.

"No need, Mom. I ate out. Oh, and I’m heading to the Neutral Zone tomorrow. Such a hassle…" Tran plopped onto the sofa. After a day soaked in water and stuck on cold benches… home was bliss.

"Don’t say that! It’s a rare opportunity. The Neutral Zone has strict entry requirements—it’s far safer there. With the war just over, who knows when fighting might restart?" His mother’s voice softened. "I’ll rest easier knowing you’re there."

"But I don’t want to leave you," Tran mumbled. "I won’t know anyone there."

"Nonsense. Strangers become friends. Make some connections—unlike when you were little…"

"Enough," his father cut in gently. A man of average build, his brow carried quiet authority, yet his tone remained warm. "Cherish this chance, Lan. By the time you master your Superpower around twenty, global tensions may rise. I hope you’ll serve our nation then."

"Dad, you know I’m not into that stuff. Any ordinary job is fine…" Tran drawled lazily.

*This kid…* His father sighed inwardly. *Classic slacker—just wants to scrape by.* "Alright. Let’s play cards." He knew Tran’s nature too well.

…

The next afternoon, Tran met Long Yi from the research institute at B-City Airport. The blind man still leaned on his cane, gray cloth covering his eyes, dressed plainly.

Fili was there too, waving excitedly the moment he spotted Tran.

"Why so hyped?" Tran frowned. Shouldn’t Fili be heartbroken about his departure?

"Damo-sensei taught me Superpower control yesterday! It was insane—electricity crackling over my skin. Just thinking about it…" Fili’s voice boomed.

"Keep it down! People’ll think you’re having an orgasm—" Tran shouted over him.

"…Yours isn’t exactly quiet either," Fili muttered, cheeks burning as onlookers pointed and whispered.

"Anyway—I brought you something. Remember my Wishful Golden Staff?" Fili unslung a rod from his back.

"Are you the Monkey King’s court jester? That name’s completely broken now!" Tran deadpanned.

"Relax! I modified it. My Superpower’s unstable and non-combative, but the energy output’s massive. I installed a supercapacitor inside—stores my electricity. Now it extends smoothly and lasts ages." Fili puffed his chest. *First of its kind in history.*

"Oh yeah? How long?" Tran raised a skeptical eyebrow.

"Seven times in one ni—*ahem*! Fully charged, it stays electrified for seven hours. Figure out the switches yourself. And wear these." He handed over ultra-thin insulated gloves.

"Uh… thanks. I’ll treat you to a *special massage* when I’m back," Tran whispered. *Parents mustn’t hear this.*

"Friends help friends!" Fili grinned, drool betraying his innocence. *We’ll explore those places once we’re older… Teenage boys think about more than just saving the world. Heh heh heh…*

"Passenger T-26363, proceed to security. Flight departs in thirty minutes." A crisp, robotic voice echoed.

"That’s me." Tran checked his boarding pass and tightened his grip on his luggage. "Time to ‘study hard’ at Elite Academy."

"Stay sharp! Whack troublemakers with the staff!" Fili called.

"Count on it." Tran slung the rod over his shoulder. *It’s 3300—cold weapons are flight-legal anyway.*

"Mom, Dad! I’ll visit when I can!" he waved.

"Take care of yourself!" His mother’s voice thickened with emotion.

His father offered a silent, encouraging nod—*I believe in you.*

After check-in, Tran boarded with Long Yi.

"Uncle Long, couldn’t I go alone? Why escort me?" Tran asked once seated.

"Minors require adult supervision for flights," came the flat reply.

Tran shut his mouth. *Right… but why send a blind man instead of my parents?*

Bored, he activated his phone’s holographic panel. Physical devices were obsolete now—touch-responsive projections filled the air, though still far from neural-linked VR. *How it works? Beats me.*

Scanning FlyNews, B-City’s headline caught his eye: *"Mysterious Thunderstorm Strikes Yesterday Evening—No Rain, Suspected Anomaly."* The photo showed storm clouds writhing with dragon-like blue lightning. *Location: Research Institute. Figures.*

Next: reports of explosive booms heard overnight. *Short-haired beauty’s handiwork. She and that creep were brawling everywhere… So much for ‘secrecy’.*

Further down: a surge of criminals in B-City—air-blade wielders, metal-heaters causing explosions, even a card-cage user. *Dozen or so.*

*No worries,* Tran thought. *This flight’s headed to the tech metropolis—the Neutral Zone. They’d never allow such threats onboard.*

…Though after yesterday’s luck, he wasn’t betting on it.

As the plane lifted off, Tran savored the weightless glide. He’d flown before, but that fleeting sensation never lost its magic.

"Uncle Long, what’s your Superpower? Doesn’t the blindfold… bother you?"

"Hah. Remember this, little Tran: never reveal your ability lightly. Everyone over sixteen has a Superpower, but the stronger it is, the stricter its limits. Exposing it risks your life." Long Yi’s voice turned reflective. "But I’ll share mine—the limitation’s obvious anyway."

"Pretending to be blind?"

"Not pretending. Truly blind. My power’s eye-related… a ‘fantasy-type’ Superpower."

"Oh! Sharingan! Should’ve said so! You’re Uchiha clan!" Tran’s eyes sparkled. *Anime taught me—pupil techniques let you kill sitting, lying down… just by opening your eyes!*

Long Yi’s face went dark.

"…That’s all I’ll say. Here—school materials. Study them." He handed Tran a thick dossier.

"Ugh, so troublesome. What’s the point? I’ll just slack off there anyway," Tran muttered, flipping through the coveted enrollment packet.

Long Yi fell silent again.

Unnoticed by them, the plane’s internal thermometer began to creep upward…