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If he did not still have to train at the Special Response Department, Xiao He would have almost forgotten that he was a Mutant.
After their morning run that day, Xiao He and Ye Wanqing headed over to the Special Response Department, where Cui Man had already been waiting for them. Before they entered the training room, though, they saw Xia Yu training inside.
"That kid's pretty hardworking..." Xiao He muttered as he watched Xia Yu pound a punching bag.
"Yeah, she hasn't had it easy either." Cui Man nodded. "Her family circumstances weren't great. To give her younger brother a chance to go to school, she started working right after graduating high school and became a clerk at that store. Kids like her understand that happiness has to be fought for."
Which was why she had been used by someone. Xiao He thought to himself, but he did not dare say it aloud.
"We've compared the results of your blood tests as well." Cui Man waved for the two of them to follow her. "Unfortunately, your genes aren't any different from those of ordinary people. So the 'White Light' did not mutate you. The White Light itself is energy. I think there may have always been a very rare type of gene among humans that allows them to control this energy."
"So ordinary people can't use this energy, then?" Ye Wanqing cut straight to the point.
"..." Cui Man seemed a little reluctant to admit it, but it was clearly just as Ye Wanqing had said.
"There are dedicated researchers handling those matters, so let's not discuss that for now." Cui Man led them into the room next door. "Today, we'll record some of your data first—your recent weight, body fat percentage, heart rate, and so on. Then we'll test Xiao He's bench press and standing reach."
Testing Ye Wanqing's data went rather quickly, since she did not need any physical fitness tests.
"Mm, your body fat percentage has dropped a little, and your weight is down to fifty-five kilograms now. Looks like you've been following that list." Cui Man smiled in satisfaction, then turned to Xiao He. "You, keep following me."
Xiao He's tests were much more troublesome. Most of his training lately had been strength training.
"Oh, you've improved quite a bit." Cui Man looked over the data and said, "Your bench press has risen to three hundred and ninety kilograms, your right hook has a force of one ton, and your standing reach is 4.8 meters. You've improved in every area. It seems exercise really is useful, but the key is whether your condition after activating your Superpower has improved."
As she spoke, Cui Man waved a hand and ordered, "Go bring Lin Tiannan up."
Soon, an unfamiliar man appeared before Xiao He, but Xiao He did not feel his body fill with strength.
"Not working?" Cui Man asked tentatively. Xiao He shook his head. "He hasn't changed his name yet, right?"
"Sigh, it would be great if you could activate it directly." Cui Man sighed, then nodded to someone behind the glass window. A moment later, Xiao He felt power surge through his body, indicating that his ability had activated.
However, the test data after he activated his Superpower was not very accurate. The upper limit of his power after activation was not fixed to begin with; it fluctuated according to his opponent's abilities. Thus, the resulting data lacked a basis for comparison, making it impossible to directly confirm whether his Superpower had improved. Still, other training could be paused, but combat training absolutely could not.
Because regardless of whether Xiao He's Superpower was activated or how high his physical attributes were at the time, techniques like martial arts could improve his combat ability. If he encountered a Superpower user of the same level in the future, with similar strength and speed, then skill would decide the outcome. In theory, his Superpower could always let him defeat "Lin Tiannan," but who knew what its upper limit was?
After finishing the data tests, Xiao He returned to martial arts training.
Xia Yu's training was fairly similar to his, because her Superpower was somewhat alike—both were Superman-type Superpowers. Moreover, Xia Yu's Superpower was directly affected by her own baseline physical fitness, making exercise even more important. Martial arts training was also essential.
Watching the girl work so hard, Xiao He could not bear it: This kid will be the one serving as cannon fodder in the future.
She was so tiny and frail, yet she would have to help him buy time. It really was...
But on second thought, Xia Yu's Superpower level was low entirely because her physical condition was poor. If she improved her baseline fitness by roughly double through training, she would not need to break any Guinness World Records. If she could at least bench press eighty kilograms, then after activating her Superpower, she would have four tons of strength.
That way, her strength could barely count as that of a Level 4 Superpower user.
This girl has a promising future... Xiao He could not help thinking.
Upon seeing Xiao He, Xia Yu hurriedly greeted him. "Mr. Yinglong..."
"Oh, we're all colleagues at the Special Response Department now. Just call me Brother Xiao." Xiao He teased.
"B-Brother Xiao..." Xia Yu immediately blushed furiously. "Last time, I caused you trouble."
"Eh, it was work." Xiao He said nonchalantly. Xia Yu looked up at him and said anxiously, "I heard I almost killed you! I'm really sorry. At the time, I couldn't tell what you even were!"
"Oh, that..." Xiao He sighed. "I really did feel like I was about to die then, but..."
After all, Xia Yu would be the one helping him stall for time and taking that risk in the future, so he could not bring himself to resent her.
At that moment, Ye Wanqing came in after changing into sportswear. Today, she was once again wearing that sports tank top and leggings combination. As she got onto a treadmill, she shot him a glare. "Brother Xiao... How shameless."
Xiao He wanted to snap back at her, but he had to admit that Ye Wanqing really did look great dressed like that, so he let it slide. Xia Yu looked at Ye Wanqing and smiled excitedly. "Are you Yinglong's girlfriend, Miss White Marsh?!"
Both Xiao He and Ye Wanqing were a little surprised at the time: Cui Man had not told her they were pretending to be a couple.
"Ah, um... yes." Ye Wanqing said with a wry smile. "He's a little thick-skinned, so don't mind him."
"How else was I supposed to win over such a wonderful girl if I wasn't thick-skinned?" Xiao He asked through gritted teeth.
"Darling, what are you talking about? Even being thick-skinned wouldn't be enough." Ye Wanqing said with a pursed-lip smile.
Xiao He jumped onto the treadmill beside her and asked while running, "Really? Then tell me, how does one win over a girl like you?"
"Obviously, he has to be gentle, considerate, and devoted. The most important thing for a man is having a sense of responsibility." Ye Wanqing retorted without backing down.
"Oh? He doesn't need to be handsome and rich?" Xiao He sneered. "Preferably some domineering CEO or something?"
"Idiot! That's TV dramas. I don't confuse them with real life!" Ye Wanqing snapped.
"You two have such a good relationship..." Xia Yu said enviously from the side.
Is there something wrong with this kid's head...? Xiao He stared at Xia Yu in disbelief. Just then, Cui Man suddenly came in and smiled at them. "All right, pause for a moment. I have some good news to tell you."
After Xiao He and Ye Wanqing stopped their treadmills, Cui Man gave them a mysterious smile. "The fourth Mutant has appeared. After persuasion from our Special Response Department, he has finally agreed to cooperate with us."
"It's wonderful if we don't have to fight." Ye Wanqing said with a smile.
"Yeah, it's great that your boyfriend won't have to take risks." Cui Man teased.
"No, that's not... I..." Ye Wanqing immediately flushed red and stammered. Cui Man cut her off. "All right, come meet him. The four of you will be the foundation of our Special Response Department from now on."
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