Twin brothers Chigita and Annot were taken aback when they saw someone in the living room, and their smiles faded slightly. They approached Ye Zhizhou and greeted him. Ye Zhizhou stood up and returned the greeting, then politely introduced himself. Finally, he looked at the protagonist, Edi, pretending to be very nervous and excited, and quickly said, "I've heard that a genius who practices dual cultivation of two elements has arrived this year. When I saw the names on everyone's room doors just now, I was surprised. Well, I'm honored to share a dormitory with you. Actually, I also have some thoughts about dual cultivation, and it's you who gave me the courage to challenge the impossible. Thank you."
"You're also practicing dual cultivation?" Chigita asked curiously, leaning in. "Which disciplines are you combining? With your talents, dual cultivation must be quite challenging." Each person's room door had a name card with basic information like gender and talent, so roommates were transparent about their abilities.
"Chigita!" Annot pulled his brother back, looking apologetic. Then, she smiled at Ye Zhizhou and explained, "My brother didn't mean anything else. I'm Annot, nice to meet you."
"I'm Chigita," Chigita approached again, smiling sweetly. "Although I look a lot like Annot, I'm more handsome. He's just a little old man, easy to distinguish."
Ye Zhizhou couldn't help but chuckle at their personalities, which were much more pleasant than what was mentioned in the original plot. After getting to know both of them, he scratched his head and said, feeling a bit embarrassed, "I'm majoring in genetic research for my dual cultivation, but I still need to pass an exam to officially start dual cultivation."
"Genetic research?" Chigita was surprised, then showed admiration. "Panxi, you're even more impressive than Edi. You chose such a difficult field!"
Annot was also surprised for a moment but quickly regained his composure. "If you need any help, feel free to ask. Good luck with your exam."
"Thank you." Ye Zhizhou smiled sweetly and then took something out of his wrist's spatial ring, handing it to the three of them one by one. "I've prepared some gifts for you... just small trinkets. I hope you like them."
"Oh, what's this? It smells nice and feels so comfortable," Chigita examined the small pendant in his hand, curiously sniffing it. Then he happily said, "Sky blue color, I like this color, and it feels a bit cool to the touch."
It was a high-level ice-element zombie crystal, so of course, it felt cool... Ye Zhizhou couldn't bear to watch the handsome guy sniffing a zombie crystal, so he looked away and awkwardly explained, "This thing is called a crystal core. I happened to come across it, and it has a calming effect on spiritual power. But be careful not to absorb it, as it can conflict with your own spiritual power." During a moment of boredom, he had tried purifying the crystal core and unexpectedly discovered that the advanced ice-element crystal core, after purification, had a soothing effect on spiritual power, making it very useful.
Chigita quickly withdrew his extended spiritual power and patted his chest. "Phew, that was close. I almost absorbed it. Thank you, Panxi, I really like this gift. Having it with me while studying will surely be a great help!"
Ye Zhizhou smiled and then turned to Annot.
The gift for Annot was a Gundam toy, yes, a Gundam toy that could be assembled and disassembled, and it was a limited edition! The mechs in this world resembled Gundams to some extent, and Annot was a model enthusiast who enjoyed tinkering with mechs. This gift was tailored to his interests.
"Thank you, I really like it," Annot's full attention was already on the new model he had just received. After a hasty thank you, he sat down on the couch with the mech and started examining it closely, completely absorbed in his new acquisition.
"You silly brother," Chigita scoffed, then glanced at the toy in Annot's hand and the pendant in his own hand. He approached Ye Zhizhou and hooked his arm around his neck, whispering softly, "Although the spiritual stone that can soothe spiritual power is nice, but, um, do you have any more of those mech models?"
Ye Zhizhou gave him a sidelong glance, never expecting the twins to be so shameless. From his spatial ring, he took out another non-limited edition Gundam toy and handed it over, still speaking in a hushed tone, "These models are no longer available. They're one of a kind, so be careful not to break them."
Chigita's hand, holding the toy, trembled slightly, and he became more careful in his actions. "Don't worry, I'll hide it well, and I won't let my foolish brother find out!"
The two exchanged a knowing glance, then chuckled softly, successfully building a bridge of revolutionary friendship.
Edi, who had been left on the sidelines, furrowed his brows slightly. He looked down at the book in his hand, then walked over to the two with a friendly and affectionate attitude, saying, "Panxi, thank you for the book. I really like it."
Ye Zhizhou turned to him, continuing to smile shyly. "I'm glad you like it." This book was carefully chosen by him. It had a tight plot and a spectacular downfall for the Mary Sue female lead! The protagonist definitely needed to read it!
"What book?" Chigita curiously leaned over and was about to take a look, but Ye Zhizhou pulled him back. "I have another one here if you want to read it." With that, he took out another book, one where the male lead was tormented by the female lead who was two-timing him, and handed it to Chigita. "I also brought some snacks. You can read the book first, and I'll go get them."
Chigita cheered, gave him a tight hug, and then went to sit next to Annot while holding the book. Edi, still holding the book, couldn't help but tighten his grip on it, a hint of doubt flashing in his eyes. He had deliberately chosen someone with a gloomy and unlikeable personality as the last roommate using the system. But this person...
[The protagonist's system is scanning you.]
Ye Zhizhou didn't bother to look at the holographic screen that appeared before him and continued casually, "Does the protagonist's system also have scanning capabilities?"
[Yes, but I can sense it, and it can't detect me. Its scanning function can only preliminarily assess a person's talent.]
This smug little appearance... Ye Zhizhou chuckled inwardly and, holding the snack tray, turned around. He pretended not to see the surprise and suspicion in Edi's eyes and greeted, "Edi, why are you still standing by the door? Come and sit down."
Edi quickly suppressed his surprise and sat on the couch somewhat stiffly. He casually remarked, "Panxi, it seems that the Genetic Research major has requirements for the level of spiritual power. If your level is only 'A,' will you be able to pass the exam?"
"I'll study hard for it," Ye Zhizhou said as he placed the snacks on the coffee table. Then, he sat down beside Edi, poured a glass of juice, and handed it to him. "As for the level of spiritual power, I'm actually 'SS' in both."
Both 'SS' in spiritual power! Edi's heart tightened, and he pointed to the name card on Ye Zhizhou's door. "But the name card on your door..."
"Oh, that," Ye Zhizhou pretended to be embarrassed and smiled. "My spiritual power level suddenly increased before registration, but it was a bit unstable. To be on the safe side, my family filled in 'A' on the name card. After all, there have been cases where spiritual power declined after an upgrade..."
"I see," Edi forced a smile and, using the corner of his eye, glanced at the twins who were engrossed in reading and assembling models on the other side. He felt a bit irritated. He had deliberately used the system to replace himself and the twins as roommates, and even chose someone like Panxi, who was supposed to be unimpressive. But now... 'SS' in spiritual power, dual major in genetic research and mech manufacturing – where was the unimpressive part? Who was contrasting whom now? Annoying!
Chigita, who was reading a book, suddenly exclaimed and jumped up from the couch. "This character is so terrible! She's actually pursuing a pair of brothers at the same time and causing them to become enemies! What a vile character! Disgusting!"
Annot was startled by his outburst and nearly dismantled the arm of his Gundam model. He raised his head, pulled Chigita down, and frowned. "What are you making a fuss about? Quiet down."
"It's the novel that Panxi showed me. The female lead in it is so wicked. She's pursuing both brothers at the same time, and they end up becoming enemies because of her!" Chigita urgently explained the plot to Annot and then looked at him with a pitiful expression. "Annot, if one day we both fall for the same person, and that person falls for both of us, will you become enemies with me to win their affection?" He couldn't help but imagine the scene, feeling so miserable that he almost cried.
Annot really wanted to hit him. "Why would I like a hypocrite who changes his mind all the time? Unless you start hating me first, I won't leave you."
Chigita hugged him affectionately. "Silly little brother, I won't leave you either."
Annot pushed him away with a dark face, protecting his model in his hands. "But if you dare to secretly take my model to play with, I won't forgive you even in the next life."
Chigita's face of gratitude froze for a moment, then he angrily rushed at Annot. "You scoundrel of a brother! We're through!"
[The probability of Chigita, Annot, and the protagonist falling in love has dropped to 80%. Please continue your efforts, host.]
Ye Zhizhou watched the twins play-fighting with a smiling face. Then, he leaned toward Edi, who had a stiff expression, looking as if he was going to discuss the plot with him. "Edi, I also think that female lead is so wicked. How can love accommodate a third person, don't you think?"
"Uh, yeah..." Edi pretended to be engrossed in his book and mumbled in agreement, but there was a hint of calculation in his eyes. This damn Panxi was nothing like what was mentioned in the information! And that book... He took a deep breath to suppress his anger, rapidly devising a plan in his mind. This couldn't go on; he needed to find a way to drive Panxi out of the dormitory.
The twins, who had both traits he desired, quickly warmed up to Ye Zhizhou. This made Edi, who spoke relatively less, feel somewhat left out.
During the new student military training, Edi was indeed assigned to Ned's team, while Ye Zhizhou was placed under the supervision of another, more mild-tempered instructor. The twins were called away early by an instructor specialized in alpha students due to their alpha status.
After the team assignments were completed, the students followed the instructors to the training ground of another campus. Ye Zhizhou mingled in the crowd and, once he located Ned, activated the scanning function of the system to scan him.
[Scan complete. Healthy physique, no hidden illnesses, signs of violent shattering in the sea of spiritual power, which could disintegrate at any time. Suitable medicines: Premium Concentration Pill, Calming Pill.]
Ye Zhizhou frowned. The sea of spiritual power was the source of a person's spiritual energy. Even slight damage could lead to unstable spiritual power, and disintegration would be even more dreadful. The lucky outcome would be turning into a fool, while the unlucky one could die outright. He hadn't expected Ned's hidden injury to be so severe, not to mention the violent shattering; that must have been agonizing.
Freshman training was extremely grueling, and the original host's physical aptitude had fallen short. After enduring a day of training, Ye Zhizhou collapsed on the ground. The twins, drenched in sweat, ran over from the other side of the training field and pulled him up. Chigita said, "Come on, let's go eat. After that, we'll help you with some stretches. You're going to be in pain if you stay like this tomorrow."
"Just a moment," Ye Zhizhou held onto them and pointed to where Edi's group was still training. "Edi's team hasn't disbanded yet."
Chigita followed his finger and looked over. He showed sympathy and said, "Edi is really unlucky. He was assigned to Ned's team, and logically, he, as a beta, should have been in the same team as Little Panxi."
"He has a double SS constitution, not suitable for staying in the same team with other betas," Annot understood the situation well, but there was also sympathy in his eyes. "But Edi is indeed very unlucky, Instructor Ned is the person brought up by the Crown Prince... but the Crown Prince, sigh..." He shook his head, showing both admiration and regret.
Chigita sighed along, "The Crown Prince is such an outstanding person, why can't he awaken his spiritual power no matter what? It's so unfair!"
Ye Zhizhou raised an eyebrow. The plot information didn't emphasize the Crown Prince much; it only mentioned that he was a worthless person who hadn't awakened his spiritual power and had lost his inheritance rights early on, serving as a mascot-like existence. But now, the way the twins talked about the Crown Prince made him sound formidable. He was about to inquire further when there was a sudden commotion in Ned's team. Ye Zhizhou quickly turned his head and saw Edi standing bewildered at the front of the team, with Ned lying on the ground opposite him.
[The protagonist's system has activated the scanning function. Please be alert, host.]
He was surprised and hurried over. In the original plot, the protagonist only discovered the instructor's spiritual power injury during a sparring session. It was only the first day of freshman training; it couldn't be so early...
[Should I intercept the protagonist's system signal?]
"You have this function?"
The small mirror in his pocket vibrated, and the text on the screen changed, [Please trust the system.]
"Then hurry up and intercept it! Don't let him detect any issues!"
The screen disappeared, turning into points of light and drifting in the direction of the protagonist. In the meantime, he had reached Ned's side. Sensing the disturbance in Ned's spiritual power, he quickly enveloped the instructor with his own spiritual power and gently probed to soothe Ned's external spiritual power.
"I... I just accidentally bumped into the instructor," Edi approached, looking somewhat helpless, wanting to help Ned up. "Instructor, are you alright? I'm sorry; let me take you to the infirmary."
"Don't move me for now," Ned, one of the male leads, had an appearance that couldn't be faulted, exuding a strong and handsome aura. However, there were some deep furrows between his eyebrows, making him look somewhat serious. He sat up from the ground and first glanced at Ye Zhizhou, then waved to Edi. "It's not your fault; no need to apologize. My spiritual power is a bit unstable, and I didn't control it well just now, which led to some shock."
Edi had received the scanning results from the system feedback at this point, and he was puzzled. Why didn't it find anything?
"Instructor, are you really okay?" Ye Zhizhou took a bottle of water from his spatial storage and handed it over, still surrounding Ned with his spiritual power. He expressed concern and advised, "You should still go to the infirmary to check."
With his agitated spiritual power gradually calming down, Ned's expression relaxed significantly. He took a sip of water, then stood up and patted Ye Zhizhou's shoulder. "Thank you. Alright, everyone can disperse now; today's training is over." As he spoke, he suddenly furrowed his brows, touched his temples, and then looked down at the water bottle in his hand.
After training all day, the students who had been practicing scattered when they saw that he was fine. Ye Zhizhou withdrew his spiritual power, preparing to make it look like he was about to leave with the twins. However, he was unsurprisingly detained by Ned.
"You there, please stay."
Edi heard the words and stopped, turning back. Ned waved to him, indicating that it wasn't him who was being called. Then, he looked at Ye Zhizhou, "You, stay, I have something to ask you."
The twins discreetly gave Ye Zhizhou a sympathetic look before dragging the stunned Edi away.
"Instructor," Ye Zhizhou approached and saluted.
"No need to be so formal," Ned eased his tone, lifted the water bottle, and asked, "What did you put in here?"
Ye Zhizhou squeezed out a nervous expression and whispered, "I added some pills I made myself, which can calm your spiritual power. Instructor, please trust me; the pills are absolutely safe! I take them myself regularly, and I had them tested; they're not poisonous and have no side effects, really!"
"Don't be nervous," Ned awkwardly reassured him and then said, "As you might have noticed, there's something wrong with my spiritual power. After I drank your water, I felt much better. Thank you."
"As long as it helps." Ye Zhizhou took out a small bottle from his spatial storage and handed it over, smiling innocently. "I have plenty of these pills. This bottle is for you. If your spiritual power becomes unstable, please be careful not to get too emotionally excited during sparring, Instructor."
Ned hesitated for a moment but eventually accepted the pills. He also took a crystal filled with spiritual power and a wood-type crystal core that Ye Zhizhou handed him. "My spiritual power tends to be soothing. Maybe it'll be useful for you. And this bead has a soothing effect on spiritual power. If you don't mind, please accept them together."
Both items were accepted. Ned received them from Ye Zhizhou, who looked at him with sincere, innocent eyes. He couldn't refuse, and he spoke into his communicator, "Give me your account number; I'll transfer payment to you."
Ye Zhizhou was puzzled.
Ned reminded him, "Instructors can't accept things from students for free; otherwise, it's considered bribery. Later, I'll write a trade application and item list for you to sign, and I'll report it to the school."
"..." The military academy had so many rules and regulations.
[Ned and the protagonist's chances of falling in love have dropped to 50%. Please try harder, host.]
It dropped so much; it's troublesome!
After dinner, Ned took out a pill and looked at it. He cautiously took it and closed his eyes a few seconds later. The strong sense of spiritual comfort made him ignore the movement around him, and he completely didn't notice someone knocking on the door and entering.
"What's this?"
A cold, deep voice, and Ned came back to his senses. He saw who it was, hurriedly got up, and saluted respectfully, addressing him, "Your Highness."
The tall man with silver hair and dark pupils, exuding an aura of authority, held the crystal and glanced at Ned. His eyes were dark and suppressed. "This... where did it come from?"