Warm summer sunlight bathed the campus, fluffy clouds drifting across the blue sky. Diligent students had already begun training their bodies and honing their Superpowers across the vast grounds, dreaming of one day reaching humanity's peak...

But inside one room...

"Tran! Get up now! Didn’t we agree to see Princess Bai Xing this morning?" A furious roar echoed through the boys’ dormitory.

A pretty short-haired girl kicked open the door and stormed in, fuming.

Her anger flared when she saw the scene: a long-haired girl—no, a boy—lay comfortably asleep in gray briefs, utterly oblivious to her shouts.

"How can you be so damn comfortable?" Ada sighed, rubbing her forehead. She slowly approached, leaned close to his ear, and studied his face. Then—"WAKE UP!!!!"

The roar shook the room. Other sleepy students thought it was an earthquake and scrambled under their beds.

Tran took the worst hit—his eardrums nearly shattered.

He rolled out of bed, blinking groggily. Ada’s delicate face came into focus. "Sis Ada, why do you always hurt me when waking me up? I’m working hard, you know!"

"Don’t forget I’m your boss! My word is law. Ever seen a boss personally rouse a subordinate like this?" Ada crossed her arms, chin lifted.

"Huh? Boss?" Tran scratched his head.

"Don’t pretend you forgot. Yesterday, you promised to join our Soul Hunters. Words once spoken can’t be taken back!"

Tran recalled...

"Student Tran, I admire your abilities. Join our Soul Hunters!" The headmaster smiled warmly. Tran, still clutching a menu, pondered his meal choice.

Everyone in the restaurant waited awkwardly. Onlookers thought he was snubbing the headmaster. They didn’t know he was torn between sweet and sour pork ribs and sweet and sour pork tenderloin.

Stella frantically winked at him from across the table. Tran finally decided—order both!

He looked up to find everyone staring. Embarrassed and confused, he asked, "What... are you all doing?"

Ada tapped his head. "The headmaster asked if you’d join us. This is a rare opportunity—others would kill for it!" She glanced around; several diners eyed Tran with envy.

"Sounds troublesome. I’m here to slack off. Working’s exhausting!" Tran pulled out an ordering device and tapped furiously. Stella winced—her wallet would shrink before her waistline did.

Onlookers were speechless. This guy dared to say he was slacking off right before the headmaster!

"Young Tran," Ford interjected, handing him the S Rank menu, "our work is tough but rewarding. Those dishes won’t replenish your energy. Order from this instead."

Stella sighed in relief—someone else would foot the bill.

"Uh, if you insist, I won’t hold back." Tran flipped straight to the last page. This menu was price-sorted; the back held the costliest items. Ford’s heart skipped a beat.

"Tran, do you know my monthly salary?" Ada asked, gripping his head.

"You’re just a high schooler. How much could you earn?"

"Heh, fifty thousand dollars. In USD!" Ada purred temptingly.

"Holy crap! Really?" Tran leaned so close their faces almost touched, making Ada blush. "So Uncle Ford earns even more?"

"Yes," the headmaster added, "our job is deadly—we could die anytime. Benefits are excellent. Seniors like Ford earn six figures." She’d pegged Tran as money-motivated. Easy.

"Hmm... In that case!" Tran snapped the menu shut, grabbed the device, and rapidly ordered the last dozen items. "No need to spare Uncle Ford! I’m going all out!" He hit submit.

Ford froze. By the time he reacted, a bill landed in his hands. The long string of numbers nearly gave him a heart attack.

Tran sat back contentedly as dishes arrived within a minute. (Note: In 3300, meals cook that fast. Don’t ask how.)

"Tran! Will you join us or not?" Ada snapped.

"Hmm, with that salary, I’ll reluctantly agree." He sipped 2982 vintage wine amid exotic delicacies.

Everyone fell silent. The master had agreed. Ford, bled dry, was forgotten...

Back to the present. After Ada’s scolding, Tran followed her out of campus.

Yesterday’s hospital report: Princess Bai Xing had regained consciousness after being knocked out. Mary survived an abdominal stab by activating her Superpower—turning her flesh to hardened earth—barely avoiding a fatal wound. One assassin died though, the one with the pierced neck.

Tran wanted to visit them. He still didn’t understand why Mary had turned traitor and fought her own master.

On the maglev train to the hospital, Tran gaped like a country bumpkin. His hometown, City B, was nice, but this tech metropolis dazzled him—futuristic buildings and gadgets everywhere.

"Tran, this is a hospital. Keep quiet and no trouble!" Ada warned. Since meeting him, chaos followed.

"Got it! Let’s hurry. Bai Xing still doesn’t know I’m a guy," Tran admitted sheepishly.

"Speaking of which," Ada grabbed his neck, squeezing hard, "how did you sneak into the girls’ hot spring?"

"It’s complicated!! Easy! Hospitals ban violence!"

"Hmph. Noted. We’ll settle this later."

They found Bai Xing’s ward. Inside, a pink-haired girl sat quietly on the bed. Seeing Tran, she beamed.

"You’re finally here, Tran!"