The True Esper

“As you have all probably seen, combat footage like this shows the battles of Espers.”

“Our Esper levels, from Tier One to Tier Nine, can actually be divided into three major stages.”

“From Tier One to Tier Three is what we call the Awakening stage. Only after you enter Tier Three and undergo your second Awakening do you truly become an Esper. Before that Awakening, we call you the Awakened.”

When Shen Yi first entered Tier Three, he clearly felt the massive physical enhancement brought by his ability.

What was strange was why the teachers of the Lifestyle Department had never told him this.

“That you could enter Tier Three before the age of eighteen is enough to prove that you have become qualified Espers.”

“If an Esper has not undergone their second Awakening, even if they reach Tier Nine, they are still only considered a Tier Nine Awakened.”

Hearing Dong Yichun's words, the students below fell into deep thought.

The teacher's words seemed to open a door to a new world for him. The Awakening this afternoon had deeply shocked Shen Yi.

Simply put, the second Awakening was like enchanting one's ability.

His second Awakening had transformed his ordinary fire ability into the Soul-Burning Flame, which was a qualitative change.

“Tier Three is the most critical stage for you, and the second Awakening is only one part of it.”

“Next, we will learn the Basic Body-Forging Technique. This is the second subject.”

“Teacher, is there a third subject?” a student below asked.

“Don't daydream. Wait until you've mastered the basics of the Basic Body-Forging Technique before thinking about anything else,” Dong Yichun laughed heartily as he answered the student's question.

On the screen behind him, the contents of the Basic Body-Forging Technique appeared.

The students all stared intently at the screen, trying to memorize it.

“This is the Basic Body-Forging Technique. Once you can perform like in the combat video from earlier, your Basic Body-Forging Technique can be considered successful.”

“Now, you can choose a weapon you like or are good at to begin practicing the Basic Body-Forging Technique.”

The Basic Body-Forging Technique was easier to practice when paired with a weapon.

Shen Yi silently memorized the Body-Forging Technique and began to practice.

The Body-Forging Technique consisted of eight sets of movements. As he began to practice, Shen Yi felt the fire ability in his body slowly seep into his limbs.

It felt slightly painful, but he could feel his strength increasing a bit as the fire ability merged into his limbs.

Whenever there was something he didn't understand, he would ask the teacher.

[Ding!]

[Detected Host is learning the Basic Body-Forging Technique. Do you want to consume one free attribute point to level it up?]

Just as Shen Yi began practicing the Basic Body-Forging Technique, a system notification popped up.

[Level Up]

[Consumed one free attribute point. Basic Body-Forging Technique leveled up successfully.]

After the Basic Body-Forging Technique leveled up, Shen Yi clearly felt his physical endurance increase by a level.

As he swung his fist, a white spark suddenly flashed.

Even his attributes underwent a massive change. After the previous Lifestyle Department gathering, his rank had increased by two stars.

His strength had reached 45 points, and after the Basic Body-Forging Technique successfully leveled up, his strength score directly reached 50.

His Basic Body-Forging Technique had upgraded from 'Novice' to 'Proficient'.

At this moment, Dong Yichun also noticed Shen Yi. When he saw the white spark as Shen Yi swung his fist, his pupils contracted.

He was shocked to his core. How could this be? He had clearly just started learning, but looking at the way he threw his punch, he had obviously passed the novice stage.

“Shen Yi, come up here and demonstrate for everyone,” Dong Yichun said to Shen Yi to test his hypothesis.

“Give it a punch.” He pointed to a device that looked like a dynamometer and told him to try.

“Let's see how much more he can brag.” Seeing the teacher call Shen Yi, Jiang Yongyang's eyes were filled with disdain. It was everyone's first day learning the Body-Forging Technique, and many students hadn't even reached the novice stage yet.

The girl who had spoken earlier also had a look of anticipation, waiting for a good show.

Shen Yi didn't know what this device was for, but since the teacher had asked, he complied.

He threw a punch at it with a loud "smack."

[Basic Body-Forging Technique: Proficient]

[Physical Enhancement: 30%]

Immediately after, two lines of text appeared on the machine.

“As expected,” Dong Yichun thought to himself.

“Have you learned the Basic Body-Forging Technique before?”

Shen Yi shook his head. “No, I just underwent my second Awakening this afternoon.”

Only then did Dong Yichun remember that he had seen Shen Yi undergoing his second Awakening this morning.

Jiang Yongyang, who had looked disdainful just moments ago, now had a face full of disbelief. He knew very well how difficult it was to practice this Body-Forging Technique.

How could someone reach the proficient level right after learning it?

“Teacher, he's cheating!” Jiang Yongyang shouted, as if his brain had short-circuited.

Hearing this, Dong Yichun frowned, looking displeased.

“Then why don't you cheat and show me too?”

Jiang Yongyang was instantly speechless, so embarrassed that he wanted to find a hole to crawl into.

“How did you do it?” Dong Yichun ignored him and turned to ask Shen Yi.

“Isn't it as simple as having hands?” Shen Yi said without blinking.

The students: “…” So it turned out they were all disabled.

“Alright, go back and continue practicing.” After saying that, Dong Yichun turned and walked out of the classroom, looking deeply preoccupied.

“Old Qian!” Dong Yichun walked straight to Qian Huafeng's office after leaving the classroom.

“Aren't you supposed to be teaching? How do you have time to come to my place?” Qian Huafeng laughed as he looked at the man who had just pushed the door open.

“Have you checked Shen Yi from the Lifestyle Department? Are you absolutely sure there's no problem with him?” Dong Yichun didn't answer his question but asked directly.

“I've checked, there's no problem with him. Although he has dual abilities, unless he can bypass the detector...” Qian Huafeng's expression turned serious. “Why? Why are you suddenly asking about this? Did you discover something?”

“He just started learning the Body-Forging Technique, and he immediately reached the proficient level, as if he had practiced it before,” Dong Yichun said in a low voice.

Hearing this, Qian Huafeng rubbed his temples. “Could he... really just be exceptionally gifted?”

Hearing this, Dong Yichun gave a bitter laugh.

“I hope nothing is wrong. We've done our best to bring those with dual abilities right under your nose.”

“You old man, what are you worrying about? Those four definitely have no issues; they are all exceptionally gifted. As for this Shen Yi who just arrived, I feel he probably doesn't have any problems either. I will observe him further.”

“That's all we can do.” After saying that, Dong Yichun didn't mention it again. The two chatted for a few more words before he left.

In the blink of an eye, it was noon. Shen Yi walked out of the Combat Department area, planning to head back to his dormitory to check things out.

For the past two days, the Lifestyle Department's group chat had been exceptionally quiet, with no one talking.

Just as he reached the entrance of the Lifestyle Department, his phone rang.

“Shen Yi, come to the Ability Bureau.” It was Qiao Yi calling.

“Did something happen?” Shen Yi asked curiously.

“It's hard to explain over the phone. Come over and we'll talk. It's about you.”