A week passed in relative peace. Lin Ming spent his time consolidating his Mid-Stage Qi Refining cultivation, becoming more familiar with his enhanced senses and [Qi Sense]. He could now sit in his classroom and, with his eyes closed, perceive the "aura" of every student—the bright, energetic ones; the dull, tired ones; and the faint, almost-imperceptible flicker of Pham Tuan's Awakened energy from across the room.
His family life also improved drastically. With the secret shared, a silent understanding now existed between him and his father. Lin Tao would occasionally bring home nutrient-rich military-grade rations, claiming they were "leftovers," giving Lin Ming the vital sustenance he needed for his demanding physical cultivation.
One evening, as Lin Ming was practicing his Qi control by making a single grain of rice hover an inch above his palm, a knock came at their door. It wasn't the boisterous knock of his Aunt Le or the polite tap of a neighbor. It was firm, sharp, and professional.
Lin Tao answered it. Standing outside were two figures in sleek, black tactical gear. Their uniforms bore no national flag or ASEAN insignia, only a subtle symbol of a shadowed bird of prey. They were soldiers, but not from the regular army.
"Lin Tao?" the lead soldier, a woman with a severe haircut and a data-pad in hand, asked.
"Yes. Can I help you?" Lin Tao replied, his body subtly shifting into a defensive posture, blocking the doorway.
"We are from Blacklight," the woman stated, her tone flat and emotionless. "Central Command has registered a request for your son, Lin Ming, to take the early admission assessment for the Dragon's Fang unit. Standard procedure requires us to escort the candidate to the testing facility."
Blacklight. Lin Ming, listening from the other room, felt his heart skip a beat. They weren't just escorts. Blacklight was ASEAN's internal affairs and special operations intelligence agency. They were the ones who investigated spies, traitors, and unsanctioned Awakened. They were dangerous. Instructor Long's "request" had put him on the radar of some very serious people.
His father's face hardened. "My son is only sixteen. Is an escort of this level truly necessary for a school test?"
"He defeated an Awakened and became the champion of the largest preparatory school in Hanoi," the woman retorted without blinking. "He is no ordinary student. This is protocol." She then looked past Lin Tao and her eyes met Lin Ming's. "Lin Ming. We don't have all day."
There was no refusing. To do so would raise immense suspicion. Lin Ming gave his father a reassuring nod and stepped forward. "I'm ready."
His mother and sister watched with worried eyes as he left with the two imposing Blacklight operators. They led him not to a car, but to an unmarked black hover-van parked down the street.
The inside was cramped and utilitarian. As he sat down, he finally got a good look at the second soldier. She was surprisingly young, perhaps not much older than him. She had a cascade of bright, bubblegum-pink hair tied into twin tails and a face that could be described as aggressively cute—big eyes, a small nose, and a perpetually pouty expression. If it weren't for the high-tech sniper rifle resting against her seat and the multiple knives strapped to her vest, she might have looked like an anime convention attendee.
She was unwrapping a lollipop, popping it into her mouth with a loud plop.
"So, you're the kid who beat up Tuan," she said, her voice a mix of childish lilt and sharp sarcasm. She looked him up and down. "You don't look like much. Kinda scrawny."
Lin Ming glanced at her. His [Qi Sense] immediately picked up a powerful, tightly controlled aura radiating from her, far stronger than Pham Tuan's. This girl was a powerhouse.
[Scanning Target: Designated "Pink Hair"]
[Name: Quynh Nhu]
[Strength: Deceptive. Core strength is high.]
[Cultivation/Awakening: Advanced Awakened - Enhanced Reflexes & Sensory Acuity. Perfect for a sniper.]
[Threat Level: Spiky Kitten with a Very Large Gun. Do not provoke without a solid escape plan.]
[System Comment: The smaller they are, the angrier they are. It's a universal law. Excellent source of high-quality frustration points.]
"Looks can be deceiving," Lin Ming replied calmly.
"Oh, a philosopher," Quynh Nhu scoffed, rolling her eyes. She leaned forward, her face just inches from his. "Let me give you some advice, Scrawny. The Dragon's Fang test isn't some schoolyard shoving match. People get hurt. Permanently. Maybe you should just go home and play with your little training manuals."
She was baiting him. Testing his reaction.
Lin Ming simply smiled. "Thanks for the concern. You like strawberry lollipops? I've always been more of a grape person myself."
Her eye twitched. His complete lack of reaction was more irritating than any retort. She huffed and leaned back in her seat, sulking.
The first soldier, who had remained silent, finally spoke. "Name's Agent Hien. That's Quynh Nhu. Don't mind her; she missed her afternoon nap."
"I heard that, old woman!" Quynh Nhu snapped.
Agent Hien ignored her. "The test is simple. It's a practical combat scenario. You'll be dropped into a simulated urban environment. Your objective: retrieve a data package and reach the extraction point. You'll be facing... opposition."
"What kind of opposition?" Lin Ming asked.
Quynh Nhu snickered. "The fun kind."
The hover-van arrived at a massive, windowless black building on the outskirts of Hanoi. A dedicated Blacklight facility. He was led through sterile white corridors to a large preparation room.
Inside, Instructor Long and the spoiled young master, Trinh Tuan, were waiting. Trinh Tuan was dressed in state-of-the-art combat gear, looking smug.
"Ah, Lin Ming, you made it," Instructor Long said. "Trinh Tuan's father made a significant donation to the program and requested his son also be allowed to take the assessment. You two will be competing."
Trinh Tuan smirked. "May the best man win, slum rat. Though we both know who that will be."
Lin Ming's gaze flickered to the side. Agent Hien was watching him, her expression unreadable. Quynh Nhu was leaning against a wall, casually observing the drama with an amused look on her loli face.
This wasn't just a test. It was a setup. Trinh Tuan's family had pulled strings to put him here, likely to humiliate Lin Ming on an official stage. The Blacklight agents weren't just escorts; they were observers, judging both candidates.
The thought of wiping the smug look off Trinh Tuan's face was tempting. He would be an excellent source of Battle Will Points.
[New Mission Issued: The Spoiled Brat's Beatdown!]
[Objective: Outperform, outsmart, and utterly demoralize Trinh Tuan during the test.]
[Bonus Objective: Retrieve the data package before he does.]
[Bonus Bonus Objective: Annoy Quynh Nhu in the process.]
[Reward: A massive sum of Battle Will Points and a "Face-Slapping Expert" title.]
Lin Ming's lips curled into a slight smile. This was turning out to be more interesting than he thought. "Alright," he said, looking straight at Trinh Tuan. "I accept the challenge. Let's begin."