Ashley's Ambition, Godolkin University

"Ashley, how many years have you been at Vought?"

"...Seven years."

"Seven years, working your way up from a junior PR specialist to the Vice President of PR, putting in at least sixteen hours a day... tsk, tsk."

"Can you even count how many times you've had to clean up the messes made by The Seven?"

Ashley didn't speak; she seemed to understand what Lu Heng was implying.

"It's a pity. Even if you work yourself to the bone like a beast of burden, you'll always have Madelyn looming over you."

"She only needs to lift a finger and sign a document, and you people below have to run yourselves ragged. If something goes wrong, you're the ones who have to take the fall and shoulder the blame."

"When a project succeeds, the credit goes to her. Tell me, is that fair?"

Lu Heng pushed the glass of water toward her.

Ashley finally reached out and picked up the glass.

She knew full well that Lu Heng was trying to sow discord, yet everything he said was true.

"Guardian, what exactly are you trying to say? I'm not Homelander!"

Lu Heng understood perfectly.

"I know you don't have Homelander's invulnerable skin and iron bones to withstand Madelyn's abuse."

Lu Heng stood up and walked to the window, looking out at the skyline. "But what if... what if you had a backer who was no less powerful than Homelander?"

Ashley's hand trembled, and water splashed out of the glass.

"I don't know what you're talking about."

"Heh, as a seasoned veteran of the corporate world, you know exactly what I mean." Lu Heng wasn't in a rush to demand an answer from Ashley.

"Go back and think about it carefully."

"Madelyn's current situation isn't as good as you think. Homelander's trust in her is wavering, and Edgar has been questioning her ability to maintain control after several failed projects."

"At a time like this, if there were someone who could do a better job than her, someone who better understands how to balance the interests of all parties..."

He stopped mid-sentence.

There was no need to spell things out for a smart person.

Lu Heng then tossed a file on the table toward her. "One more thing. This file contains my recommendation report. The new members of The Seven can be selected from Godolkin University. The kids there have clean backgrounds; they just need a little bit of grooming, don't you think?"

Ashley took the file, knowing it was time for her to leave.

As she reached the door, she turned back, summoning her courage to ask, "Mr. Guardian, were you sent by a rival faction of Vought?"

"Of course not!" Lu Heng smiled. "I'm just a superhuman acting out of personal interest."

The door closed.

Lu Heng sat back in his chair, watching the numbers pop up on his panel.

[Key Character: Ashley Barrett — Emotional Shift: Wavering, Ambition]

[Ability Points Gained: +634]

Current Ability Points: 78,208 / 100,000

A seed full of ambition had been planted. The next step was to prepare for when that seed took root and sprouted.

Ashley the corporate drone—could she successfully climb to the top like in the original story?

Godolkin University.

The only elite institution for superhumans in America, and Vought International's most important talent pool.

To put it bluntly, it was Vought's breeding ground.

Superhumans who graduated from here either signed with Vought to become their heroes or were assigned to various cities as second or third-tier law enforcement.

Those without connections were sent abroad to maintain America's global hegemony.

Those who made it into The Seven were few and far between.

Don't let A-Train and The Deep's antics fool you; back in the day, they were both in the top ten superhumans at Godolkin University.

Lu Heng drove the black Audi RS provided by Vought all the way from Manhattan to the campus. He could have flown, but he didn't want to appear as the Guardian today.

He wore a black casual suit, no battle armor, and his hair was combed back loosely.

He looked just like a young Vought executive.

The car stopped in front of the main building. As soon as Lu Heng stepped out, a middle-aged man hurried over to greet him.

"Mr. Guardian! Welcome, welcome! I am Richard Brinker, the Dean of Godolkin University."

The man smiled like a Maitreya Buddha, bowing and scraping with a fervor that rivaled The Deep.

"Ms. Madelyn has already notified us that you are coming to evaluate the new batch of outstanding students to prepare for the personnel adjustments in The Seven."

"Mm."

"I have already arranged for the twelve most excellent students to wait in the lecture hall. Their files and records are also..."

"No need." Lu Heng interrupted him, "I'll look around myself."

The smile on Brink's face froze for a moment.

"Su, sure thing! I'll have someone show you the way..."

"Also not necessary."

Lu Heng had already walked away.

Brink stood rooted to the spot, his mouth hanging open, unable to close it.

He had seen plenty of people from Vought, but this was the first time he'd encountered someone who didn't play by the rules.

If you wander around on your own, how am I supposed to recommend my own people?

The campus of Godolkin University was vast, with an architectural style typical of elite American institutions.

Red brick walls, ivy, and large lawns.

Every facility imaginable was available.

But Lu Heng's super-hearing told him that this place wasn't as simple as it looked.

For instance, in the direction of the training grounds, screams rose and fell; someone was engaged in live combat, and the intensity was quite high.

In the dormitory area, someone was using their superpowers to do things that couldn't exactly be written down.

In the academic building, a professor was lecturing students on "how to display the best smile angle in front of the camera."

The stench of this place was overwhelming!

Lu Heng shook his head and continued walking forward.

On his panel, two names were flickering.

[Cate Dunlap -- Location: Training Ground Area B]

[Jordan Li -- Location: Academic Building, 3rd Floor, Lounge]

In Gen V, these two had enrolled earlier, while Marie Moreau was a freshman who would enroll a few years later.

Lu Heng planned to make contact with the nearest one first.

Academic building, third floor, lounge.

Two boys were sitting in a corner playing video games, while another person sat alone on a sofa by the window, legs crossed, holding an iced Americano while scrolling through her phone.

Jordan Li.

This was a superhuman who could freely switch between male and female forms.

At this moment, she was in her female form.

It had to be said, Jordan's female face was quite pretty.

Her short black hair was tucked behind her ears, her features were delicate, and the corners of her eyes tilted slightly upward, carrying a hint of natural aggression.

But it wasn't that stereotypical ABC look.

Lu Heng walked over and sat on the sofa opposite her.

Jordan looked up at him once, then lowered her head to continue scrolling through her phone.

"This area isn't open to outsiders."

"I don't think I count as an outsider."

Jordan looked up at him again.

"Sorry, my eyes must be failing me. Who are you?"

"Someone from Vought. I'm here mainly to tour the legendary Godolkin University."

"I've seen plenty of people from Vought," Jordan put down her phone, tilting her head to size him up, "You don't look like those greasy middle-aged men in suits and ties."

"Miss, that's because I'm neither middle-aged nor greasy, alright!"

The corners of Jordan's mouth twitched; she seemed to find this person quite interesting.

"What's your name?"

"Lu Heng, though people on the outside call me the Guardian."