Soon, Lin Yuan’s phone vibrated.
He tapped on the map to take a look.
The terrain of the Azure Tide Forest was complex, with forests and valleys intertwining and a winding coastline.
The green safe zone accounted for forty percent of the area, all located along the coastal fringes.
The light red danger zone made up the other sixty percent.
In the very center of the valley was a glaring deep red area with a clear label: Monsters of Tier 4 and above inhabit this area. Solo entry is strictly prohibited!
“I’ve got it,” Lin Yuan said.
Closing the map, he looked up and asked, “What’s the name of the hotel at Azure Tide Bay? I’ll book a room now.”
Shen Man answered while peeling a crab.
“The Azure Tide Resort Hotel. It’s under the Ability User Association and specifically caters to ability users out for training.
You can find it by searching on the association’s app. A standard room is thirty thousand Huaxia coins a night, but you get a discount with your Ability User ID.”
Hearing this, Lin Yuan immediately opened the app and booked a standard room.
The original price was thirty thousand, but after the discount, it was twenty-eight thousand.
“All booked.”
Shen Man nodded and went back to eating her crab.
The two of them quickly finished off the entire table of seafood.
Lin Yuan called the waiter over for the bill.
When the bill arrived, it totaled exactly ninety-seven credits.
Shen Man didn't even give it a second glance, pulling out her teacher’s card to swipe and pay.
“Ninety-seven credits to make sure you don't embarrass me at the freshman convocation? Worth it!”
The two of them walked out of the mall together.
Outside, the sunlight was glaring and hot.
The Glowgrass on the ground had been bleached a pale silver by the noon sun, looking like scattered silver across the earth.
They walked side by side along the stone path leading back to the villa area.
Lin Yuan suddenly remembered something, and his expression turned serious.
“Professor Shen, have you ever heard of a space-time system ability?”
Shen Man’s footsteps paused slightly.
She wasn't overly shocked, but she was certainly surprised.
She turned her head to look at Lin Yuan, a hint of astonishment in her eyes.
“Space-time system? A combination of the time and space systems?”
“Yes.”
Shen Man remained silent for a long time.
She wasn't just reminiscing; she was searching through her memories, flipping through every piece of information regarding ability classifications to ensure she hadn't missed anything.
After a moment, she slowly shook her head.
“No.”
“I’ve been at Magic City Academy for nearly ten years. I’ve seen thousands of students and countless recruitment records.
In the last five hundred years, no one has ever awakened a space-time system ability.”
“There have been plenty of space system users over the last five hundred years, but as for the time system... there hasn't even been a single F-rank.”
Her tone became increasingly serious.
“Time and space are the underlying rules of the world. To control the power of time is to touch the level of laws.
If someone really did awaken an S-rank space-time system ability, the consequences would be unimaginable.”
Shen Man didn't finish her thought.
But Lin Yuan understood instantly.
If his space-time ability were exposed, he would be the first person in history to possess it.
“I see. Thank you, Professor Shen.”
Lin Yuan’s expression remained calm, and he didn't say anything more.
Shen Man didn't press him further, either.
When she was recruiting him, she had said that Magic City Academy didn't pry into students' secrets; they only taught them how to become stronger.
The two changed the subject, chatting about the freshman convocation and intelligence on Qi Feng, and the atmosphere became relaxed once again.
When they reached the entrance of the villa area, Shen Man stopped.
“I have an admissions office meeting this afternoon, so I can't see you off.”
She patted Lin Yuan on the shoulder and gave him one final warning.
“Keep the safe zone rules in mind. Don't wander into the internal areas. Once you reach the hotel, you can contact Xu Qing and Jiang Yu. They’re more familiar with the terrain than you are.”
“I’ll remember,” Lin Yuan nodded.
Shen Man turned toward the Integrated Teaching Building. After a few steps, she turned back to remind him once more.
“Don't be late for the freshman convocation! Don't let hunting monsters make you lose track of time. I won't be able to help you if you miss it.”
Lin Yuan smiled and waved her off.
Back at Villa No. 7, Lin Yuan immediately changed his clothes.
He folded his dark gray academy uniform neatly and placed it on the bed.
He changed into a dark casual T-shirt, loose athletic pants, and a light jacket.
He pulled out four bottles of Source Recovery Pills and packed dry rations and drinking water, stuffing everything into his space ring.
He only used a small fraction of the ten-cubic-meter storage space.
With everything prepared, Lin Yuan stood in the center of the living room and looked around.
“Luo Shu,” he called out toward the ceiling.
A pale blue ring of light lit up, and the phantom of the ancient bronze book slowly descended.
“Keep the villa in low-energy mode while I’m away. If anyone visits, have them leave a message.”
“Recorded,” Luo Shu’s calm male voice replied.
“Student Lin Yuan, I wish you a successful training session.
According to Magic City Academy Safety Regulation Article 37, it is recommended to send a location signal to the academy every forty-eight hours during wilderness training.
Would you like to enable automatic positioning?”
Lin Yuan said, “Enable it. Set the frequency to once every forty-eight hours.”
“Settings applied. Wishing you a safe journey.”
Luo Shu’s phantom slowly dissipated, and the pale blue light on the ceiling dimmed.
Lin Yuan pushed open the door and stepped out, locking it behind him.
He passed the artificial lake and looked toward Villa No. 8.
The curtains were still tightly closed, just as before. Su Qingyue was likely fully immersed in practicing the Frosty Heavens, Myriad Forms secret technique.
He didn't disturb her, simply making a mental note to check on her progress when he returned.
...
At the main gate of Magic City Academy.
An silver-white unmanned maglev car had been waiting for a long time.
The car featured a streamlined design with no driver's seat and a spacious four-seat cabin.
Lin Yuan pulled the door open and sat in the back, and the door closed automatically.
A soft electronic voice spoke.
“Welcome to Magic City Commute. Destination: Azure Tide Resort Hotel. The journey is sixty-two kilometers and is estimated to take thirty-five minutes. Please fasten your seatbelt.”
Lin Yuan buckled up and leaned back against the seat.
The maglev car slowly rose into the air and merged smoothly into the traffic lane.
The skyscrapers of Magic City blurred past, the flickering holographic lights dancing across his face.
He pulled out his phone and saw a message from Shen Man.
“I’ve already given Xu Qing and Jiang Yu a heads-up. They’re also in the outer area, so contact them yourself.
Don't cause trouble, don't be late, and buy your own milk tea.”
Below the message was Xu Qing’s contact information.
The corners of Lin Yuan’s mouth curled up slightly as he replied.
“Thanks. Put the milk tea on my tab; I’ll treat you when I get back.”
Shen Man replied instantly with an emoji of a milk tea cup.
...
“Arriving at your destination, Azure Tide Resort Hotel. Please take all your belongings with you and watch your step as you exit.”
The AI’s electronic voice snapped Lin Yuan out of his light sleep.
He slowly opened his eyes and saw a cluster of buildings through the windshield.
The Azure Tide Resort Hotel was even larger than he had imagined.
It wasn't a towering luxury hotel, but rather a low-density complex.
Seven or eight small three-story buildings were scattered across a gentle slope.
The exterior walls were a light beige with dark brown roof tiles, giving it the style of a resort with the feel of a sanatorium.
The main entrance was a three-story building with a deep blue sign out front that read: Azure Tide Resort Hotel - Authorized by the Ability User Association.
Below the name was a line of smaller text: This hotel is under the direct jurisdiction of the Ability User Association. Patrol lines are established within a ten-kilometer radius of the sea. Guests may rest here with peace of mind.
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