Staring at the magnificent status panel floating before his eyes, Lance felt immensely satisfied.

  "In just one day, my combat power has already surpassed the Dean of the 37th Academy. That old man is only a [Bronze Rank · 4-Star]. If we really fought, I doubt he could take a single casual strike from me."

  Lance did a quick mental calculation of his strength and marveled at the System's dominance. This was the result of a single day. If he had a week to develop, there probably wouldn't be anyone in Silver Moon City capable of lasting a single round against him.

  "Right, I still need to drop Lillian off at the 1st Royal Prep Academy today!"

  Remembering his duties, Lance rushed into the bathroom. A three-minute combat shower later, he changed into clean casual clothes and stepped out of his room.

  Lillian was already waiting in the living room, dressed in the exquisitely tailored white combat uniform of the 1st Royal Prep Academy. She sat there obediently, looking like a picture-perfect model student.

  "Lance! You're finally out!"

  Seeing Lance emerge, Lillian immediately went up to him, her eyes sparkling with a mix of excitement and confusion.

  Over the course of a single night, her base strength had increased by a full 3 kilograms!

  That speed was more than double her usual rate, and over ten times faster than Lance's old progress.

  "How is it? That [Intermediate Alchemy Potion] from the black market works pretty well, doesn't it?"

  Lance saw her expression and knew exactly what she was thinking. He grinned and teased her.

  "Mhm!Lance, is this the power of an Intermediate potion? If I keep training at this speed, by the time I fully absorb the effects, my strength will increase by at least 700 kilograms! I might even pass the Professional Certification before the exams and become a true Apprentice Warrior!"

  Lillian’s face was flushed with excitement.

  Although shocked by the potion's heaven-defying efficacy, she didn't doubt him. Poverty had limited her imagination. She had never touched high-end resources before, only hearing rich classmates brag about similar miraculous drugs.

  "Of course. When I strike it rich later, I'll buy you [High-Grade Mana Meals]!"

  Lance rubbed her head affectionately.

  "High-Grade Mana Meals? I heard even a 1% share of one costs millions of Credits! I'll be satisfied if you just earn enough to buy more Intermediate potions!"

  Lillian counted the zeros on her fingers and sighed. Such legendary items seemed like distant dreams for orphans like them.

  "Whether we can afford it is a problem for later. For now, let's get you registered. We're going to be late!"

  Lance smiled and took her hand, leading her out.

  If a low-grade potion could be enhanced to this extent, the potential of intermediate or high-grade materials was terrifying.

  As long as he could get higher-tier raw materials, the System's patches would boost their effects exponentially.

  As for money... after dropping Lillian off, Lance planned to register at the Awakened Guild and head straight into the wilderness to hunt monsters. That high-risk, high-reward industry was his new ATM.

  Taking the inter-city maglev train, the two soon arrived before the magnificent gates of the Silver Moon City 1st Royal Preparatory Academy.

  The 1st Prep Academy was the cradle of the elite in Silver Moon City.

  Its recruitment rules were domineering. They usually started their "harvest" six months after other academies began enrollment, specifically targeting the best students.

  Any student showing top-tier talent in another school could receive a transfer invitation at any time.

  People transferred in daily, while those who couldn't keep up were ruthlessly eliminated.

  Because of this, the faculty was luxurious. Every instructor was at least a [Bronze Rank · Peak] powerhouse. The Dean was a genuine [Silver Rank · 3-Star] Grand Knight, ranking among the top ten experts in the city.

  The educational resources here surpassed even most Advanced War Academies.

  The narrative has been illicitly obtained; should you discover it on Amazon, report the violation.

  Every year, at least three or four graduates made it into the Imperial War Academy in the capital.

  If Lorraine hadn't been so close to the exams already, her C-Rank Flame Talent would have likely gotten her poached by this place too.

  "So this is the 1st Prep Academy. Impressive."

  Lance stood before the hundred-meter-tall laser defense gate, looking up at the massive school crest.

  Once, this was a holy land he could only gaze at from afar.

  Now, with the System, forget the so-called geniuses inside—even the high-and-mighty instructors probably couldn't withstand a single blow from him.

  "Student Lillian, you've arrived!"

  A gentle, refined voice called out. Lance looked over to see a middle-aged man in a dark blue suit, wearing a gold-rimmed monocle. He walked toward them with an air of polite sophistication.

  "Hello, Dean Cedric!"

  Lillian bowed respectfully.

  So this was the helmsman of the 1st Prep Academy, Cedric.

  But for some reason, looking at this gentle-seeming man, Lance felt an inexplicable wave of revulsion deep in his gut. Like a hunter spotting a viper disguised as a sheep.

  This guy... doesn't feel right.

  Lance’s eyes narrowed slightly as he scrutinized the man without showing it.

  "Hello. You must be Lillian's brother, Mr. Lance? I heard you awakened your Talent yesterday. Congratulations!"

  Cedric walked up to them, extending a hand to Lance with perfect aristocratic grace.

  Dean Cedric's smile was as warm as a spring breeze.

  "Thank you, Dean Cedric!"

  Although Lance felt a physiological disgust toward the well-dressed middle-aged man, basic social etiquette demanded he nod in return.

  "By the way, Student Lillian, I've already used my privilege to handle all your enrollment procedures. You just need to go inside; a dedicated guide will lead you to the Elite Class for registration. As for your brother, I have some private matters to discuss with him alone."

  Cedric suddenly shifted the topic, smiling at Lillian.

  Lillian froze, looking at Lance with uncertainty.

  "Go ahead, Lillian. I'm not an official student, so I can't just wander into the core teaching area anyway."

  Lance kept his expression normal, reassuring her with a smile.

  He wanted to see what poison this so-called Dean was brewing. If this guy had bad intentions, it was better to strangle them in the cradle now than let Lillian face this old fox alone later.

  "Okay. Lance, wait for me here after you're done talking to the Dean!"

  Lillian, innocent as ever, didn't overthink it. She assumed the Dean just wanted to ask about her habits or training details.

  "Mhm. Don't worry, I will."

  Lance smiled as he watched Lillian’s petite figure disappear behind the academy's massive laser gates.

  "Mr. Lance, if you don't mind, shall we move to my private administrative tower to chat?"

  Once Lillian was gone, the warm smile vanished from Cedric's face, replaced by a look of condescending arrogance and cold indifference.

  "Why not?"

  Lance sneered internally but kept his tone calm.

  "Good. This way, then."

  Seeing Lance act so calm, a flicker of disdain passed through Cedric’s eyes. He thought the kid didn't know the height of the heavens just because he awakened an F-Rank Talent.

  An F-Rank trash, still at the bottom of society. Even commoners who get into regular war academies are worth more than him. Does he actually think he's somebody?

  Cedric sneered inwardly, then strode toward a luxurious private anti-gravity shuttle parked nearby.

  Powered by a terrifying sub-light engine, the shuttle took less than a minute to fly dozens of kilometers to the Dean's private administrative tower in Sector 17.

  They entered a lavish, fully enclosed office.

  "Mr. Lance, it must have been hard raising Lillian all these years. Two orphans depending on each other in the slums... life must be tough," Cedric said slowly, lighting an expensive cigar as he sat behind a massive mahogany desk.

  "Dean, you went to all this trouble to bring me here. Just say what you want. I don't like beating around the bush."

  Lance cut through the fake pleasantries instantly.

  His bluntness made Cedric pause, but the man quickly recovered his confident demeanor of absolute control.

  "Hahaha, straightforward! I won't waste time then!"

  Cedric laughed and tapped a few times on his holographic desk.

  [Account Alert]: You have received a transfer of 100,000 Credits! Sender: Anonymous.

  Lance’s wrist communicator buzzed with the notification.

  He raised an eyebrow at the number.

  "What is the meaning of this huge sum, Dean? Is this the famous 'Talent Recommendation Fee'? Even if there's a bonus, shouldn't it go directly to Lillian?"

  Lance asked calmly. Whatever scheme this was, money was money. Once it was in his pocket, he wasn't spitting it back out.

  "My meaning is simple. You know how astounding Lillian's talent is. You have no blood relation to her. Therefore, I am initiating legal proceedings to become her legal guardian!

  "This money is a buyout fee. I want you to vanish from Lillian's world completely. I've already made arrangements. There's a remote war academy on the other side of the planet; with your 'strength,' it's the perfect place for you to drift through life.

  "These 100,000 Credits are compensation for your hard work raising her all these years.

  "Of course, it's also hush money. This matter stays between heaven, earth, you, and me."

  Cedric blew a smoke ring, his tone dripping with arrogance.

  He wasn't snatching Lillian's guardianship out of charity. A genius destined for the Imperial War Academy had immeasurable commercial value.

  Take Lorraine, for example. If she got into a key academy, her father's consortium would ascend to a first-rate power in Silver Moon City, generating hundreds of millions in value.

  Moreover, Cedric had darker motives.

  "Interesting. Truly interesting. I didn't expect the Dean of the Royal Prep Academy to dabble in human trafficking. But I suspect your goal isn't just the cultivation fees, is it?"

  Lance’s eyes narrowed, a playful edge entering his voice. If the man was just greedy, Lance could have simply refused.

  But he sensed a nauseating malice radiating from Cedric.

  Sure enough, Cedric’s face darkened instantly, like a viper whose tail had been stepped on.

  "That is a game for big shots, not something an ant like you qualifies to know. Now, take the money and get lost. Rot with this secret in your gut!

  "With this cash, you can live out your pathetic life in that remote hole. If you dare refuse... don't say I didn't warn you. This tower is a 'Absolute Silence Zone' I built at great cost.

  "The signal shielding here is military-grade. Even if I crush you like a bug in this room, the outside world won't receive a single alarm!

  "Of course, since you seem somewhat clever, I'll add another 100,000 Credits. Young man, don't refuse a toast only to drink a forfeit."