It took Huang Yan a full five minutes to digest the fact that the Federation now wanted to cultivate and train warriors above super S-class to fight against the Zerg.
Dr. Tao said that based on existing cases, Zerg parasites had an adaptive nature once they lodged inside a warrior’s brain.
Unless a person happened to be undergoing a mental power upgrade at the time, it was nearly impossible for most to eliminate them using mental power alone—even S-class couldn’t do it.
Ordinary S-class personnel also couldn’t clear the Zerg parasites from their comrades’ brains… but those with mental power above S-class could!
The Academy of Sciences had discovered that warriors with super S-class mental power could not only help eliminate most of the Zerg parasites in infected individuals, but also gain an advantage in direct combat against the Zerg!
But in recent decades, the Federation had hardly heard of anyone above super S-class appearing—because those unlucky enough to be born with such potential had died young…
“You’ve had double S-class mental power since birth, but your physical fitness has always lagged behind.
Over the years, you’ve walked a razor’s edge countless times, and it’s only been through your own effort and willpower that you’ve managed to make it this far…”
Thinking of Huang Yan’s childhood, Todd’s voice grew heavy with emotion.
“As your mental power physician, I fully respect your personal choice. If you don’t want to participate in this project, I can apply on your behalf to the dean.
Don’t worry. I asked very clearly before I came—this project is not mandatory, and no one will do anything harmful to you…”
Huang Yan could tell right away that Uncle Todd had agreed to come help here partly for his sake.
“Uncle Todd, can I ask who the super S-class warrior in the case you mentioned really is? What exactly is their mental power rating?”
“… His identity is somewhat sensitive; I’m afraid I can’t reveal more.
In truth, this project is a long-term plan aimed at training more commanders and soldiers who can claim a higher victory rate against the Zerg.
We’re still in the first phase. Senior Sister and the others aren’t expecting instant results… they probably never imagined anyone would actually already possess double S-class mental power.”
Todd turned fully to face Huang Yan, his gaze complicated.
“But regardless of whether you join this project, there’s one thing I need to warn you about.
Lately, watching your livestreams, I’ve noticed you’re using your mental power too much and too often. No wonder Xiao Wang and the others are worried.
And there are also Elizabeth and Hiranuma Yusho—both of them have very special mental powers and ways of using them, which is one of the reasons they’re on this training list in the first place.
Right now,’re still officially rated as S-class while training alongside them, but I definitely need to give you a shot of inhibitor after this…”
Huang Yan pressed his lips together.
“Uncle Todd… with the threat of Star Beasts and Zerg hanging over us, I want to become stronger.”
Todd was silent for a moment.
“… That’s exactly what your mother used to say.”
He let out a long sigh.
“I think, if you really want to unleash the full power of your double S-class mental power, this might be a good opportunity.
The numerous academicians at the Federation Academy of Sciences will work together to research and draw up a plan for you—far more than I could do on my own.
But if you don’t want that, we’ll just go back.
There’s no right or wrong in this, and in my eyes, there’s no ‘should’ or ‘shouldn’t.’ Do you understand?”
“… I understand, Uncle Todd.”
How could he not be moved? Huang Yan cast a glance through the transparent glass at the three people still undergoing tests outside.
“I’ve always believed that double S-class mental power, no matter how you look at it, should be a gift. Sure, I paid a heavy price for it early on…”
He turned back around, the light in the young man’s eyes seeming even brighter.
“But since I’ve already paid such a heavy price, shouldn’t I at least learn to master it? To make some contribution to the Federation? So that all those times I nearly died weren’t for nothing?”
Here, Huang Yan tilted his head with a faint look of embarrassment.
“I know this might sound a bit greedy. A year ago, my only goal was to survive past adulthood…
But you know, I’ve made some friends at Qilin.”
Thinking of Wang Tianwei and the others, Huang Yan couldn’t help the smile spreading across his lips.
“They’re all incredibly outstanding people. Being with them, every day I feel like I can still improve a little bit more.
I keep thinking, maybe if I do just a bit more, I can make this kind of wonderful life go on and on.”
Hearing this, Todd’s throat tightened again.
“Huang Yan, you’re still so young…”
“I know now, Uncle Todd.”
The smile on Huang Yan’s face was lighter than it had ever been.
“As long as we destroy the most dangerous Zerg and Star Beasts, at least people won’t have to live in fear anymore.
That is the mission of every soldier in the Federation, and it’s my mission too.
So you don’t need to worry about me. Didn’t you say earlier that I’m not the only double S-class in the Federation? Who knows, there might be someone with even higher mental power than me!
And now that the Academy has launched this project, there will only be more super S-class warriors in the future… If others can do it, why can’t I?
As our Ma Jie would say, fame and showing off are best done early. She actually has a point.”
“… Huang Yan.”
“So I’ll definitely join the project. As for the non-disclosure agreement, I’ll talk to the old man about it later.
If I backed down now, none of those three teammates of mine would let me hear the end of it.”
“You little rascal… When did you manage to grow up behind my back?”
Whether it was because he was getting old and his eyes were getting shallow, Todd felt like tears might spill any second just listening to the kid’s words.
He had originally come here hoping to persuade Huang Yan to join the project. But now that the words of acceptance had actually come out of his mouth, he suddenly felt reluctant to let him go…
The military’s methods for improving physical fitness were far from the gentle approach he had originally designed.
“Uncle Todd, shall we continue the tests?”
“Alright… Next, we’ll go outside. Once we’re finished, I’ll give you a shot of the inhibitor.”
Now that Huang Yan had finally made up his mind, he was much more talkative toward Todd.
“You know, when I was on my way here, Wang Tianwei said she’d try to dig up connections for me from her network. I never expected you’d be here.”
“Ha! Xiao Wang’s connections are nothing to scoff at. I personally know several mech pilots who know her…”
The two stepped out of the partition and continued with Lei and the others through the rest of the mental power examinations.
By 11:45 AM, all four had completed their testing.
Huang Yan received a shot in the arm and, along with the other three commanders, was led by a staff member to a conference room on the 11th floor.
When they pushed open the door, it was already packed with people, their uniforms showing they came from different military districts.
“Yo! Isn’t that the commanders from the inter-academy tournament? They got called in too?”
“Haha! Little Huang!”
“He Siyu from First Military Academy, hello, junior.”
“Hiranuma… After you seniors graduated, Valk really didn’t offer any useful courses, did it!?”
“Paige, over here!”
