Jordan and Kate

Jordan's expression suddenly turned serious.

She looked Lu Heng over again, her gaze like an X-ray scanner.

"You're the famous Guardian? The Guardian who slapped A-Train away with one hand?"

"You've seen the video?"

"The whole school has, obviously!" Jordan sat up straight. "You're the most discussed topic at our school this semester, bar none."

"Higher than Golden Boy?"

Jordan scoffed.

"What is Golden Boy, anyway? He's just a freshman; he doesn't even compare to your little toe!"

This reaction was quite interesting.

Lu Heng remembered that in the plot of Gen V, Jordan and Golden Boy had a decent relationship.

They were competitive rivals who respected each other.

But looking at it now, she didn't hold Golden Boy in very high regard.

"I came here today to see if Godolkin has any talent worth recommending." Lu Heng was blunt. "The Seven is about to undergo personnel adjustments, and spots will be opening up."

Jordan's eyes lit up, but she quickly suppressed it.

"You have the power to recommend?"

"I do."

Jordan stared at him for a few seconds, then smiled.

"Then what do you think of me?"

"I don't know, I haven't seen your abilities yet."

"I can demonstrate right now."

"Another day, my schedule is pretty full today." Lu Heng stood up, pulled a business card from his pocket, and handed it over.

The card was printed by Vought's PR department, featuring only a name and a phone number.

Jordan took the card and examined it carefully.

"No way, why is there only a phone number? There isn't even a job title?"

"Trust me, kid, if I really tried to print them all, a single card wouldn't be enough to hold them."

Lu Heng recalled his various nicknames.

Artilleryman, Captain, Monster Hunter Supreme, Harran Superman, Butcher of Blaviken, Ripper of Valentine...

Jordan tucked the business card into the pocket of her hoodie.

"I'll call you."

"OK!"

[Key Character: Jordan Li — Emotional Changes: Curiosity, Interest, Ambition]

[Ability Points Gained: +1,124]

Current Ability Points: 79,332 / 100,000

Training Ground B.

It was much livelier here than in the lounge.

Over a dozen students were engaged in group combat training, with the light effects of superpowers and shockwaves erupting one after another.

If they were taken to Hollywood to film a movie, they probably wouldn't even need to spend money on post-production special effects.

Lu Heng stood on the observation deck and quickly spotted his target in the crowd.

Cate Dunlap.

With golden curly hair and a round face, she looked like a harmless girl next door.

However, her superpower was the kind that would be formidable even in the Marvel universe.

Mind control.

One of the most dangerous abilities at Godolkin University.

At this moment, Cate was standing at the edge of the training ground, not participating in the combat.

Her partner was a burly guy who was in the middle of a heated fight against another group in the center of the arena.

But Lu Heng noticed that the burly guy's movements were somewhat unnatural.

His reaction speed was too fast; it didn't seem like his own judgment. Every dodge and counterattack looked as if someone had informed him of his opponent's moves in advance, bordering on precognition.

Lu Heng looked at Cate.

She was squinting slightly, her lips moving silently.

She was controlling her partner.

It was like an auxiliary psychic link; she seemed to be reading her opponent's intentions and relaying them to her partner in real-time.

The two of them worked together seamlessly.

After the training session ended, Cate Dunlap's partner ran over excitedly to high-five her.

Lu Heng walked down from the observation deck and headed in Cate's direction.

She noticed him.

A stranger in a suit appearing on the training grounds, especially one who wasn't a faculty member, was eye-catching enough on its own.

"Hi?" Cate tilted her head. "Are you the new coach?"

"No, I'm with Vought."

"Vought?" Cate blinked. "Are you that special envoy here to scout people?"

Word traveled fast.

Brink, that big mouth, had probably already spread the news of the envoy's visit to the entire school.

"You could say that," Lu Heng looked at her. "You're Cate?"

"Cate Dunlap!" She extended her hand with a bright smile. "You can call me Cate, sir."

Lu Heng shook her hand.

The moment their skin touched, he felt an extremely subtle psychic ripple, like someone gently stroking his brain.

Cate was testing him.

She was using psychic perception to probe his emotions and intentions.

Lu Heng didn't stop her.

A Viltrumite Soldier's mental defenses were more than enough to withstand this level of probing; Cate wouldn't be able to read any useful information.

However, he intentionally let a little something out.

Goodwill!

Appreciation!

And even a hint of... anticipation!

Cate's pupils dilated slightly.

She let go of his hand, her smile shifting from professional friendliness to genuine curiosity.

"You seem... different from the other people at Vought."

"How so?" Lu Heng asked, feeling a bit curious.

"Vought people are more focused on reality. Their heads are full of things like selling points, packaging, and marketing. Your emotions are much purer."

It was the first time Cate had ever met someone so free of distracting thoughts.

"I see. A mind-reader, are you? Your ability is quite good."

He pulled a second business card from his pocket.

"The Seven is going to be restructured, and there will be vacancies. I have the power to make recommendations. If you're interested, you can contact me, and we'll find a time to talk privately."

Cate took the business card and glanced down at it.

"Fuck! You're the Guardian?"

"I doubt anyone would be bold enough to impersonate me!"

Cate's expressions were even more varied than Jordan's.

"I've heard of you. You saved that mother and child, and you stopped A-Train."

"Just small matters."

"Small matters to you," Cate said, carefully tucking the card into her pocket, "but not to the people you saved. You saved who knows how many families!"

Those words made Lu Heng take a second look at her.

Psychic manipulators usually had a deeper perception of others' emotions, which allowed them to say things that always struck a chord.

It was a gift, but also a curse.

Human nature couldn't withstand being tested, and those who walked on the edge for too long inevitably risked falling into the abyss.

"I will contact you," Cate said, "and I have a lot of questions I want to ask."

"There will be opportunities for that."

Lu Heng didn't say much more. This visit was just a simple initial contact; Godolkin University held many secrets, and there would be plenty of time to explore them.

[Key Character: Cate Dunlap -- Emotional Changes: Curiosity, Ambition, Initial Trust]

[Ability Points Gained: +1,347]

Current Ability Points: 80,679 / 100,000

On the way out of Godolkin University, Lu Heng sat in the car and pondered.

Jordan and Cate possessed personalities that were worlds apart.

Yet, both held the potential to join The Seven, and both possessed value to be exploited.

Just as he was lost in thought, a new message popped up on his interface.

[Billy Butcher — Status: Approaching]

[Estimated Time: Within 12 hours]

Butcher?

Why would this butcher think to make contact with him?

A bit interesting. Is this what one would call the butterfly effect?