"I'm not sure what you mean, boss," Tian replied, a bit perplexed by the question. "Hmm… don't worry about it for now," Chan Fan responded, as he reviewed his status window again, contemplating how to maximize Tian's potential. He sensed that Tian's ability was more comprehensive than his own. Unbeknownst to him, this was because his own seven-star trait was more of a 'gift' tied to his title, rather than a natural ability. It functioned akin to an implanted organ—despite its impressive replica qualities, it remained artificial, and thus wouldn't match the purity of a naturally developed skill.
"Let's head over to the class representative; she seems ready to devise a plan," Chan Fan suggested, oblivious to his own strange smile, fueled by excitement over the chaotic events that had unfolded in less than an hour. "It looks like the boss is pulling that weird smile again. He only does that when he's really excited, but is now really the time for that? We could die any second…" Tian sighed to himself, shaking his head, yet he followed Chan Fan, having trained since childhood to see himself as a subordinate, even if Chan Fan regarded him more as a comrade due to their shared upbringing. Unlike typical military training, their instruction focused on self-defense and basic martial arts, allowing them to grow up as normal kids with above-average physical abilities.
Upon reaching the class representative alongside other students and their teacher, she turned to Chan Fan, her face serious. "Chan Fan, can you stop acting like a side character? Apart from you, Tian, Bai Lingyu, and Zhang Qiang, none of us have proper combat training or military experience. Your input would be valuable." Unlike stories where classmates are unaware of a protagonist's capabilities due to their military background, that wasn't feasible in real life. Salvana College was elite, meaning background checks were common. Out of everyone, only two others besides Chan Fan and Tian had military backgrounds—one was the formidable Bai Lingyu, and the other was the brooding Zhang Qiang, whose perpetually angry expression made him look intimidating.
"Alright, here's the plan," Chan Fan said, pulling out a notebook to sketch a map of the building. They were on the fifth floor of a seven-story engineering building, each floor dedicated to a different discipline, and currently, chaos mirrored what was happening in their classroom across the other floors. Fortunately, monsters were lingering near the portal instead of flooding the building.
"This is our building, and here's the route to the gym," he drew another sketch, outlining a path that would take at least ten minutes for a guy and fifteen for someone who wasn't gabbing away. The real concern, however, was the goblin-like creatures outside, looking hostile and possibly awaiting the right moment to strike.
"We have no choice but to confront these creatures… let's call them goblins," Chan Fan declared. "Tian and I will lure at least one of them to assess their strength before devising a concrete plan. Class rep, teacher, and others, you should communicate with the other classes. Bai Lingyu, accompany them for protection. Some may react unpredictably under duress. Zhang Qiang will stay here in case any such individuals show up." Chan Fan's cold gaze at the end of his statement lingered, ensuring all understood the seriousness of the situation. "Any objections or suggestions?" he asked, his demeanor returning to normal, but everyone felt the underlying threat—any foolishness would have dire consequences.
"I have one," Bai Lingyu interjected. "I think I should accompany you instead of Tian." "Oh? Why's that?" Chan Fan inquired. "Because Tian intimidates more than I do, and on a trip with the rep and others, I'd only attract unwanted attention." Chan Fan wasn't surprised; however, others responded with awkward smiles or shock at her honesty. It wasn't mere boasting—Bai Lingyu was undeniably stunning, and even Chan Fan couldn't deny his attraction. "I can't trust you to watch my back," he replied succinctly, but the response was laden with meaning. It wasn't a matter of trust issues but rather a preference for reliable companions in such an unpredictable situation. Bai Lingyu accepted this without further protest. Zhang Qiang nodded in agreement, as did the rest of the classmates and the teacher, with no one objecting.
"Good, now everyone step aside; I want to try some magic," Chan Fan said, beaming with enthusiasm.
"Summon!" he commanded, and shadows stretched from around him, coalescing into a swirling dark mass that opened like a portal before him. Unlike the chaotic portals seen outside, this one appeared as a spherical void, silently absorbing all light around it. In mere seconds, it took shape, exuding an ominous yet majestic aura, with shadows flickering like flames from its edges. "Wow, that's impressive!" Chan Fan exclaimed, relieved it had worked; the failure would have been embarrassing. He was awed not only by its appearance but also by the intense energy it had consumed and the information that flooded his mind as if he had always known it. Most significantly, a notification flashed before him:
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Notice: Trait activated; commencing SUMMONING (wolf type) of a random wolf.
Detected: SPECIAL BLOODLINE: ALL COMMON RANKED SUMMONS WILL NOT APPEAR.
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