Sequence 15: Silent Domain

Ye Chenyang had no idea what was going through the girl's mind. He assumed she was tired because she had exerted herself too much that day.

"It's fine. I understand. You're tired, too. Want me to take you home? I came on my motorcycle, so it'll be easy."

He pointed toward the Black Sidecar Motorcycle parked outside the Training Ground.

Evidently, he had made plans to bring Jiang Mian to the Training Ground before he even arrived.

"Huh? N-no, that's okay. I live in North City now, and it's a bit far..."

"No problem. It's on my way."

He told a small, straight-faced lie.

Ever since awakening, he had moved from West City to South City for some peace and quiet. It was the best residential area in the city.

If he took Jiang Mian home, he would have to make a long detour to get back to his own place.

"Then... sorry for the trouble."

"It's no trouble."

The motorcycle's engine sounded especially loud on the quiet streets of North City.

Ye Chenyang rode steadily, keeping the bike smooth even over bumpy stretches.

"We're here. This is the place."

He stopped in front of the residential complex Jiang Mian had indicated.

"Get some good rest when you get home."

Jiang Mian turned her head slightly and sneaked a look at Ye Chenyang's expression. He seemed to be concerned about her out of simple kindness, with no ulterior motive.

Just as Ye Chenyang was about to offer a few more words of advice, a hesitant voice called from nearby.

"Jiang Mian?"

They both turned around.

Wang Chen stood a short distance away in his Security Officer uniform. He had apparently happened to be patrolling nearby.

Seeing Jiang Mian get off the motorcycle of an unfamiliar man, he froze for a moment.

He looked her over, and once he was sure she was all right, he secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

Ever since that incident, Jiang Mian's face had been impossible to get out of his mind. He had also heard about the warehouse incident a few days ago...

Though he was only a Trainee Security Officer and couldn't get directly involved in the heart of a murder case, he had learned the gist of what happened from Chen Qing.

Jiang Mian had not only awakened an extremely powerful ability, she had even fought back while unconscious, resulting in Li Hao's death.

That was a High-tier Sequence... Wang Chen had never even dared to dream of something like that.

She really had such an astonishing talent?

Wang Chen had always carried a heavy sense of guilt about Jiang Mian. When she had needed help most, he had been too cowardly and too incapable to do anything.

But... his classmate, whom he hadn't seen in a while, seemed to have changed in ways he couldn't quite put into words.

Jiang Mian was wearing a pair of round glasses he had never seen before, and she was neatly dressed. And the person beside her...

He stood tall, a head taller than Jiang Mian.

Even in simple casual clothes, his striking looks and bearing were impossible to hide.

Just standing there, he had an inexplicable air of dependability, as if everything were under control.

He was exactly the kind of person Wang Chen had wanted to become before his awakening.

Yet having someone like that at Jiang Mian's side only made him feel inferior.

He couldn't help wondering who the man was and how he had met Jiang Mian.

He couldn't be someone like Li Hao, could he? After all... Jiang Mian didn't seem uncomfortable around him...

He never found the courage or a good reason to ask. After hesitating for a moment, he stepped forward and said,

"What a coincidence, Jiang Mian. Are you... feeling better?"

"Yeah, I'm fine now. Thanks for asking."

Jiang Mian gave her old classmate a gentle smile. Her manner was as usual, but inwardly, she sighed.

How could she not tell what her classmate was thinking?

The awkwardness and nervousness when he faced her, and the flash of scrutiny and inferiority when he looked at Ye Chenyang.

It was all so painfully familiar.

She had been the same way back in high school in her Previous Life. She understood this kind of teenage boy all too well.

The naked malice and lust some people showed disgusted Jiang Mian, and she would strike back in extreme ways, finding a little amusement for herself amid the stifling pretense.

But someone like Wang Chen... she only found him a bit of a nuisance. It wasn't as if she could just kill him, right?

The somewhat extreme thought flashed through her mind, then she pushed it down.

Stay calm... stay calm...

She still had to maintain her persona. She couldn't let it crack.

At least the Sequence she had "awakened" was high enough. They were destined to walk different paths, and as long as they didn't run into each other like they had today, he would naturally take the hint and back off.

Maybe... she could use Ye Chenyang to keep him at bay?

With that thought, she naturally turned to Ye Chenyang and introduced them.

"Ye Chenyang, this is my classmate, Wang Chen."

"This is Ye Chenyang, my... friend."

"Wang Chen? Nice to meet you."

Ye Chenyang's gaze settled on the young Trainee Security Officer before him, and a ripple stirred in his heart.

It's him...

Ye Chenyang recognized the boy, who looked a little small and stammered when he spoke.

Or, more accurately, he recognized the man he would become.

In his Previous Life, when they first met in Base City Number One, Ye Chenyang was already at the sixth tier, while Wang Chen was... only at the Third-tier.

But in less than a year, Wang Chen had gone from the third tier to the fifth. Even with his fairly high Sequence, that was remarkably fast.

As Ye Chenyang remembered it, his ability was Sequence 15: [Silent Domain].

Since the domain skill was its core, it was an ability with a steep late-game curve. At first, it looked almost identical to the Low Sequence ability [Listening], making it easy to misjudge and overlook.

Only as its wielder continued to grow could its true power gradually emerge.

Looking at the boy in front of him, Ye Chenyang found it hard to connect him with the genius he remembered.

Come to think of it, Base City No. 144 seemed to have quite a few geniuses he hadn't known about.

Had he left too early in his Previous Life...?

"Hello."

Wang Chen answered awkwardly. He thought he had heard Ye Chenyang's name somewhere before.

For some reason, with Ye Chenyang standing beside Jiang Mian, the two seemed unexpectedly well matched. Wang Chen couldn't muster even a hint of hostility.

Is he doubting himself because his ability is weak?

Ye Chenyang took in his discomfort and understood.

At first, those who awakened Low Sequences were happy just to have awakened at all. But after comparing themselves with other Awakened, they couldn't help doubting themselves.

Though Wang Chen had great potential, Ye Chenyang had no intention of interfering with his growth and adding needless variables.

Geniuses like him were the easiest targets to notice.

Once he passed the fifth tier, he would be fine. But for now... if he entered the area affected by [Oblivion River], he could be influenced without a sound.

And Ye Chenyang's [Heart Lamp] was, after all, a lower-tier skill. Its defensive effect against a pinnacle Mental System ability was very limited.

Ye Chenyang even suspected that the drastically different, deranged personality Wang Chen had shown in his Previous Life might have been caused by [Oblivion River].

After they exchanged a few brief greetings, the atmosphere fell quiet.

Jiang Mian felt a headache coming on. At this rate, she had no idea how long they would be stuck there.

She could only speak up.

"Um... Wang Chen, are you doing your training at the North District Public Security Bureau?"

"Yeah, I am."

Wang Chen nodded quickly.

"My ability is... pretty well suited to this kind of work, and the benefits are good, so I chose to train here. What about you? How have you been lately?"

Jiang Mian had only asked casually, but she sensed an opportunity in his answer.

She had been worried that bringing up training with City Defense would seem abrupt. She had planned to take things step by step and wait until the timing was right.

But now... with someone else there to hear her, she could mention it casually in the middle of their chance encounter. It would seem natural, like a spur-of-the-moment thought.

Let's try!