"Isn't that Mr. Trench Coat Show-off? Long time no see!" Alex was cleared through security and entered the restaurant, where he met the Soul Hunter rep and Tran. The moment Tran spotted him, he blurted this out.

"Isn't that my young friend Tran? What brings you here? So you really are a big shot in the Soul Hunters..." Alex was slightly surprised but quickly realized it made sense. With that insane power of his, sitting here now—it all added up.

"Alex, Tran isn't part of our Soul Hunters. He's just a student who hasn't enrolled yet. Who knows about the future? But don't even think of dragging him to the Observatory..." Ford said.

"That place is no human's home. How could I send my young friend there? I came out this time swearing never to return." Alex sat down, took a sip of water, and added, "You must've gotten our director's notice by now, right?"

"Yeah. Our Grand Leader woke us at dawn with that news. Truly shocking..." Ford replied with a bitter smile.

"Huh? What news?" Tran asked, shoving hash browns into his mouth. Clearly, he wasn't full.

"My young friend doesn't know yet. The White Emperor Kingdom's stunt shook the world. Using Destruction Force to enhance bodies is banned—they should be condemned globally. But our Observatory loves weird stuff, so they're backing White Emperor Kingdom this time..." Alex explained.

"So you defected?" Ada said. "Long time no see, Senior Alex."

"Huh? You're... my junior Ada? You've changed so much! You used to be a bookish girl, now you're like this..." Alex said with a hint of regret.

"Oh? I'd love to hear what I've become," Ada smiled. Her right hand slammed down, shattering the table beside her.

"Haha, even more beautiful! Let's drop this." Alex quickly changed subject. "I came to see your Grand Leader. Since I'm a traitor, I'll spill everything."

"Hey, Mr. Trench Coat Show-off, you'll get your ass kicked talking like that..." Tran glared at Alex like he was trash.

"Damn it! I'm helping good guys! Why this treatment?" Alex sighed helplessly. "I don't care anymore. Ford, you're my only contact—tell your leader I need to see her. As her ex-student, she'll meet me..." His face darkened, haunted by bad memories.

"Alright. Come with us to school. Tran needs to report there anyway," Ford said.

...

The group headed to the World Superpower Elite Academy, each with their own agenda.

On the way, Tran got his first taste of the high-tech metropolis. Every mechanical facility looked sleeker and more advanced than outside—truly elite.

For the first time, Tran felt grateful. Just surviving three years here, then landing a $50k-a-month job in USD... that'd be enough. Not greedy.

At the school gate, they split up.

"Tran, take your luggage to the Academic Affairs Office. They'll handle you. As a mid-term transfer, you might have a simple test," Ada said. She left with Alex to find the principal—the Soul Hunters' Grand Leader.

Tran was alone again. Why was he always solo? No guide? Since leaving City B, he'd faced endless hardships.

"Forget it. Where's the Academic Affairs Office? I'll explore campus first—I'll be here awhile..." He wandered, bags piled high, a staff strapped to his back.

This school lived up to its name. The campus was massive. Tran checked the gate info board—the area alone was terrifying: five times China's Tsinghua University! Insane.

With so many facilities and people, he'd just ask as he walked. He'd find it.

His moving-house look drew stares everywhere. Worse, his girlish face attracted boys offering to carry bags or asking for his number. Tran shut them all down with one word: "Buzz off!" Time for a makeover.

He wandered ages, asked many, but couldn't find the Academic Affairs Office. Instead, he spotted a huge "Combat Arena" building. Probably where students trained.

This school had 120,000 students—global talents. Fighting was essential for bonding. No brawl, no friends, right?

Curious, Tran entered. The interior was colossal, split into colosseum-like arenas. Several classes trained inside.

...

Class 1-6 was in Combat session. A hundred students filled Arena 3.

"Class rep, check attendance!" the teacher barked. Attendance was strict here—too many students, too easy to skip. For the school's sake, everyone must attend.

"What do we do? Yan Muyu went off doing that thing again yesterday. She hasn't returned. If discovered now, we're doomed!" a girl whispered to her friend. "Muyu's our class beauty! She stands out—if they dig deep, it's a disaster..."

"What can we do? Her situation must stay hidden! Even if we can't help, let her work in peace!" another girl said.

As they debated, the first girl glanced at the entrance. "Huh? Look at that girl—she's gorgeous!"

"Why bring up others now?"

"No, she can stand in for Muyu! They're all face-blind with pretty girls anyway..."

"Makes sense. Let's go!"

...

Tran entered an arena for a closer look. They were taking attendance—he turned to leave.

"Hey you, student! Wait! I need a favor!" a female voice called from behind.

Tran turned. A ponytailed girl and a short-haired girl stood there. "You calling me?"

"Yes! Join our class!"

"Huh?"