Chapter Two: Partners

Walking toward them was a petite girl dressed in a red gown. Her features were exquisitely delicate, but her expression was as cold as an iceberg, her eyes lofty and aloof, looking down upon the masses. Such a girl would not leave anyone with an impression of beauty at first glance, but rather a sense of chill and indifference.

Earlier, outside the main hall, she had apparently overheard Xia Yan introduce himself, so now she faced the group with the same cold detachment.

“Tao Lu. Current status: human.”

A new round of murmurs rose from below.

“She’s a girl, and a pretty one at that, but her personality is just so off-putting.”

“What’s going on today? Two transfer students with awakened powers in a row—talk about a blow to the rest of us!”

“What’s with these two? Both so arrogant, each worse than the last!”

“You guys better not underestimate that woman. The pistol on her waist is a D203—Madness. Market price, two hundred and thirty thousand credit points.”

“She’s not just a gifted one, but a wealthy heiress too! Two hundred and thirty thousand credits is a fortune for us.”

Thus, the cultural studies class ended amid a noisy commotion.

At the Ability Training Institute in Fuxiang District, on the third floor of the main building, in office 302.

A youth who looked seventeen or eighteen sat in a large executive chair, regarding Xia Yan and Tao Lu with a calm gaze. His long silver hair fell straight down, giving him an alluring yet mysterious air.

“All right, you may leave now. Thank you for bringing them here,” he said to the red-haired girl who had led the way.

“It’s my honor, Lord Lyan,” she replied respectfully, her manner as deferential as that of a subordinate to a superior.

Subordinate and superior… Tao Lu’s expression turned peculiar.

Once the red-haired girl had left, the silver-haired youth turned his head and smiled at them. “Let me introduce myself. My name is Lyan. For now, I am your direct superior. You may also consider me your officer or team leader.”

Both Tao Lu and Xia Yan looked at him strangely.

“Are you… one of those who are actually very old but just look young?” Tao Lu ventured.

Lyan chuckled. “No, no, you misunderstand, beautiful lady. I’m just eighteen myself, only two years older than you…”

He activated his light-brain, projecting a screen displaying Xia Yan and Tao Lu’s information. “Yes, just two years older.”

“Can a mere member of the institute become my direct superior?” Tao Lu narrowed her eyes, her tone openly provocative.

“Even though you’ve awakened your powers, Miss Tao, that doesn’t mean you can say whatever you please…” Lyan replied with a smile. “Let’s consider that your last warning; I’ll pretend I didn’t hear it.”

“I don’t see any reason to take back my words,” Tao Lu replied, staring at him.

“Miss Tao, are you familiar with the term ‘institute management’?” Lyan asked.

“No. I only transferred here suddenly because I awakened my abilities.”

“At present, our Ability Training Institute has just under two hundred empowered members. Of those, thirty-one are under my command, such as that red-haired girl who just brought you in.” Lyan narrowed his eyes, still smiling. “Yet even so, Miss Tao, you won’t retract your earlier statement?”

Tao Lu’s expression shifted slightly, but she finally replied, “Then consider it unsaid… for now.”

“What an interesting young lady you are,” Lyan said, seemingly unbothered.

Xia Yan interjected, “Since you’re such an important figure, I want to ask—how can I make money quickly?”

Lyan’s expression turned odd for a moment as he considered. “Xia Yan, you won’t earn money just by being a member of the institute. But there are exceptions—if you awaken your ability and team up with others to complete enough missions, you can turn those into real earnings.”

“I understand,” Xia Yan nodded. So his goal within the institute was clear: awaken his abilities and complete as many missions as possible.

To buy Ding Li’s freedom, he needed two million credits—a hefty sum, and time was short. The stronger he became, the more money he could earn.

Lyan looked at the two of them. “I brought you here for one reason: to make you my subordinates and pair you as partners.”

“Subordinates? Partners?” Tao Lu was clearly displeased with both terms, but especially the latter.

She shot Xia Yan a look of undisguised disdain, as if he were an insignificant insect.

“I refuse,” Tao Lu responded instantly. “My partner must earn my recognition, and it certainly won’t be a man.”

Lyan found her reaction amusing. “At the moment, there’s no one else available for me to assign. Besides, you don’t have the right to choose your partner.”

“So you mean, even if we both refuse, you’ll force us together anyway?” Tao Lu’s gaze grew frosty.

“If both of you… refuse?” Lyan paused. “No, if that’s the case, I won’t pair you. Such a duo would be too dangerous on missions. But as far as I can see, Mr. Xia Yan here hasn’t shown any objection.”

Tao Lu turned to Xia Yan. “And you? You’ll refuse, won’t you?”

Xia Yan said nothing. In truth, he disliked women like her—arrogant, presumptuous, full of themselves. But for him, choice was a hollow word. He had no friends to turn to, no one with whom he could laugh and chat, or try to form a partnership.

He was a convict, used to that life, and he doubted he could ever change—he could never face the world with the burning passion of a real human.

But if he wanted to earn money, to save Ding Li, he needed a partner. Only then could he take on missions.

“Say something. Don’t you understand basic manners?” Tao Lu snapped coldly.

“It doesn’t matter,” Xia Yan replied.

“You…” Tao Lu clenched her fists in anger, glaring at him.

“Miss Tao, you’re getting a bit worked up.” Lyan cut in, stopping their argument. “How about this: I’ll give you three days to adjust. You won’t be assigned any missions during this period. After three days, I’ll have someone bring you to me for your final decision.”

“Hmph!” Tao Lu turned away, barely concealing her dissatisfaction.

After the two left the office, Lyan brought up their files on his light-brain, a faint smile on his lips. “This Tao Lu might also be an interesting subject to observe.”

“Hmm, is it time to make contact?” He opened a link, connecting to the other party.

“Yes, I understand!” Lyan replied promptly. “For Gu Yue’er’s second ability to awaken, she’ll need an intense stimulus. I’ll arrange it discreetly, without arousing suspicion.”

“Rest assured, this mission will be completed flawlessly. Humanity in this world will disappear entirely!”

...

On the third-floor corridor of the institute’s main building, Xia Yan strode away quickly.

“Wait! Wait!” Tao Lu called out, stopping him. “What do you mean by this? I told you to refuse the partnership, didn’t you hear me?”

Seeing Xia Yan ignore her, Tao Lu raised her voice, “Do you not understand the most basic manners, the simplest etiquette? When someone talks to you, do you just stay silent?”

Xia Yan stopped in his tracks, unmoving.

“You’re not just mute—you’re an idiot, and you’re ugly. How could I ever partner with someone like you? It’s disgusting!”

Xia Yan turned, his expression calm. He walked up to Tao Lu and looked down at her.

“I don’t want to be your partner either. But unlike you, I’m not some pampered heiress—I don’t have the luxury of choice. If you want to resolve this, don’t come to me. Talk to our superior. If you insist on pestering me, I’m powerless. And you call me rude, but where are your own manners?”

At this close distance, Tao Lu’s cheeks flushed, but as his words went on, her face became one of pure anger.

“I’ve never met someone so lacking in grace!” she snapped. “What will it take for you to refuse the partnership? Is it money you want? I can give it to you.”

Xia Yan froze for a moment, thinking of the man with the missing arm—the one who would rather die than kill him, who said that survival was the greatest profit.

“Give me two million credits, and I’ll refuse to be your partner,” Xia Yan said suddenly.

“You…” Tao Lu was livid. This man was shameless beyond belief. If he wanted money, a few thousand credits would have been understandable—but two million? Did he think money grew on trees?

“You despicable, shameless thing…” Tao Lu blocked his path. “If you’d said you didn’t want any money, I might have respected you a little. But since you insist on making things difficult, let’s have a contest. If I win, you must refuse to be my partner.”

Xia Yan ignored her and kept walking.

“Don’t go.” Tao Lu drew the D203—Madness from her waist, aiming it at him, ready to fire at any moment.

“These special bullets can put a hole right through you!” Xia Yan turned, ignoring the dark muzzle, staring straight at her. “Are you sure you want to shoot?”

In that instant, a chill ran through Tao Lu’s heart. This man was frighteningly calm—even when faced with a D-class pistol, with the barrel pointed at him, he showed not the slightest fear?

These bullets were custom-made—if she fired, he wouldn’t be able to dodge. In such a situation, no one should be able to remain so composed. Anyone who could stare down the barrel of a gun without flinching was a dangerous person indeed.

“If you lose, what then?” Xia Yan asked suddenly.

“I… How could I lose? I’ve awakened my powers, and I’m skilled with firearms,” Tao Lu shot back, holding his gaze. “If you really manage to beat me… I’ll consider being your partner.”

“You seem to be mistaken,” Xia Yan replied. “From the beginning, I’ve loathed you—really loathed you. I have no interest in becoming your partner.

“If you regard that as a reward for winning, to me it’s utterly meaningless,” he sighed. “Maybe you’ve always been the center of attention, pampered, adored by all—but this isn’t your home, and these people aren’t your supporting cast. No one here lives for your sake.”

“I’m not some heiress. My family is ordinary,” Tao Lu retorted, stamping her foot. “You’re just afraid you’ll lose, so you’re making excuses.”

“If you lose, I want your gun—the D203, Madness,” Xia Yan said, locking eyes with her. “Do you accept?”

Tao Lu clenched her teeth. “Why wouldn’t I? You think someone like you could beat me?”

With her personality, faced with Xia Yan’s provocation, she accepted without hesitation.