Patrol Bureau

Xia Zhi stared at the scene before her and froze.

Her steps gradually slowed before she finally stopped, staring in shock at everything unfolding before her.

It was hard to imagine that a person could suddenly turn into something like this...

Like an overripe watermelon bursting apart, red, black, and white splattered everywhere, raining blood across the ground.

She looked at Ron in astonishment, only to see him smile gently at her. Not a single drop of blood had stained him!

The middle-aged man's exploding blood and flesh had inexplicably frozen in midair just before touching Ron, suspended there before being flung away in the opposite direction as though swept up by a powerful wind...

What kind of ability was that?!

Even someone as well-informed as Xia Zhi was left with nothing but vigilance and confusion.

Looking at Ron, she could not help wondering whether this ordinary high school student she had considered a possible witness was really just an ordinary high school student.

That message he had sent her earlier—had it been a plea for help after witnessing a murder, or...

A simple notification?

A notification telling her, a Patrol Bureau agent, to hurry over and collect the bodies?

Was he the murderer, or were you the murderer...

Countless thoughts flashed through her mind. Xia Zhi frowned and asked Ron warily,

"You... you really are Ron? A third-year high school student?"

She pulled up the personal file recorded by [Artemis] through her brain-computer interface.

"According to the file, your ability test three days ago showed that you possessed Lv.0 Telekinesis...

"In other words, you should have been someone without abilities."

As she spoke, her tone grew serious.

"I don't know how you did it... but based on its destructive power alone, this ability has reached Lv.2.

"Because of its unusual form, even many Lv.3 abilities lack the lethality this ability possesses."

She took out a game token. The space around her rippled faintly and began to tremble for no apparent reason.

"I won't hurt you, but for the public's safety, I need to understand your situation—

"Tell me. What exactly is going on with your ability?"

Ron, who had been trying to maintain an unruffled image, could no longer keep it up—

This was not how the script was supposed to go. Who attacked a Good Citizen who had bravely stepped up to help?

Just look at the trembling space around her.

A spatial ability user was speaking in a threatening tone, while the space around her was reacting like that...

Ron immediately understood the situation.

She had clearly mistaken him for some high-risk individual hiding his abilities!

"I'm innocent, Officer!"

Ron immediately raised both hands, abandoning his composed act.

"I was helping someone in need! It was self-defense!"

"I know it was self-defense. I'll collect the criminal's body and take samples from the victim's remains as evidence, then submit a commendation request for you to the Bureau... but that has a prerequisite."

Xia Zhi still did not relax, her tone stern.

"You need to tell me exactly how you did it."

All right, it seemed she intended to get to the bottom of this.

"I just used mutated Telekinesis to temporarily control his blood flow."

Ron scratched his head and explained how his ability had only fully awakened shortly after he finished his ability test...

"So you're a late-awakening Raw Stone?"

After hearing Ron's explanation, Xia Zhi was somewhat surprised, though her wariness toward him noticeably weakened.

After all, as a top student from Heavenly Listening University, Xia Zhi truly had broad knowledge and experience.

There were quite a few late-awakening Raw Stones like Ron. It was just that many of them suffered computational collapse because they could not control their abilities properly.

But a Superpowered like Ron, who could use an Ability Limiter to control his Ability Model while still displaying such intensity...

Well, all she could say was that he was extraordinarily gifted.

Her tone softened, but she still did not intend to let Ron leave.

"Since that's the case, come back to the Patrol Bureau with me... Your ability is too dangerous. We need to update your ability file."

Just as expected.

Ron did not resist. He nodded in agreement.

After all, in Ideal City, registering one's ability with the Patrol Bureau was an obligation every citizen had to fulfill.

"However, that's not the only reason I'm taking you back... Wait a moment."

As she spoke, Xia Zhi tossed game tokens onto the four corners around the body and ashes, murmuring a string of incomprehensible coordinate data.

The next moment, she lightly snapped her fingers—

In an instant, transparent ripples spread through the air, and the middle-aged man's body and the ashes of the old sanitation worker vanished into thin air.

Xia Zhi had simply sent the body and ashes back to the Patrol Bureau as evidence?

So this was a spatial ability...

Ron could not help feeling a trace of respect.

Though such an ability seemed powerful only in terms of utility, and perhaps less destructive than his Vector Manipulation, Ron knew that was not actually the case.

Right now, she had merely teleported a corpse back to the Patrol Bureau... But what if she chose to teleport that corpse into an enemy's body instead?

The result would probably be far more horrifying than Ron reversing the middle-aged man's blood flow and blowing apart his head.

"All right..."

Xia Zhi clapped her hands and only continued the previous topic after confirming that everything related to the case had been sent back to the Patrol Bureau.

"The more important reason I'm taking you back is to apply for a reward for your brave act.

"You're a third-year student... If I remember correctly, the College Entrance Exam is only a few days away, right?"

Ron nodded, then realized something.

"You mean... bonus points on the College Entrance Exam?"

"That's right." Xia Zhi snapped her fingers. "The wanted criminal you helped us catch was no ordinary man. I might be able to get you a pretty decent bonus-point tier...

"By your own account, you're applying to Moen University, right?

"The Patrol Bureau and Moen University are both under City Hall's jurisdiction. With those bonus points, you should receive considerable help on the entrance exam."

He had not expected an extra surprise.

A smile tugged at Ron's lips, and he was already eager to go.

"Then should we leave now?"

"Of course." Xia Zhi held out her hand. "Come on, hold my hand."

Ron obediently reached out. Only after holding Xia Zhi's hand did he realize that, although her fingers wrapped in tactical gloves looked slender, they were clearly strong and powerful. She had obviously undergone rigorous training...

No wonder she was an elite of the Patrol Bureau.

Xia Zhi took out several more game tokens and scattered them around, offering him a kind reminder.

"Hold on tight, and close your eyes... You might feel a little dizzy. Bear with it."

A little dizzy?

The thought had barely surfaced in Ron's mind when he heard a sharp snap—Xia Zhi had snapped her fingers.

The next moment, a feeling of freedom washed over him, as though he had been wrapped in water and was swimming through rolling waves...

He opened his eyes and saw countless stars streaking past. Brilliant colors painted his field of vision, as if he had fallen straight into a sea of stars.

But it lasted only an instant.

Very soon, his feet touched solid ground again, and an indescribable wave of dizziness swept over him...

Ron's legs went weak, and Xia Zhi, who had clearly been prepared, caught him.

"See? A little dizzy, right?"

That was far more than a little...

Ron pressed a hand to his throbbing temple, steadied himself with Xia Zhi's support, and raised his head—

[Ideal City District D Central Patrol Bureau]

A neon sign hung from the towering building, clearly announcing where they were.

At the entrance stood a mascot in the classic black uniform of a patrol agent, a police cap perched atop its head. It appeared to be the receptionist and guard.

...Even the guard was a mascot dog?

Ron stared in astonishment at the guard, dressed in a cute, dog-themed plush humanoid costume. His image of the Patrol Bureau cracked a little.

Rather than some law enforcement agency, this place looked more like an internet company headquarters...

"You're interested in Woof Woof Officer?"

Noticing Ron's slightly blank stare, Xia Zhi introduced it with interest.

"This came from a suggestion Xiao Jin made a few days ago. She said that, as law enforcers, we should be more approachable and better connect with ordinary people.

"So it was born—a chibi officer mascot created for the District D Patrol Bureau, combining the ideas of everyone on our C-112 team..."

As she spoke, a hint of pride entered her voice.

"By the way, its image management has already shown results. It has gained several thousand followers on social media, and some people have even asked whether we'll sell Woof Woof Officer merchandise!"

That was indeed pretty good.

Ron rather approved of the silly yet adorable-looking Woof Woof Officer.

In Ideal City, this kind of idol economy was hardly uncommon. Every day, countless IPs flooded the market, only to be crushed by competition and forgotten by everyone...

Being this popular only days after its launch was already an unbelievably strong start.

Ron had not expected the Patrol Bureau to have this kind of side business. Was this really a law enforcement department...

Muttering inwardly, Ron followed Xia Zhi into the Patrol Bureau building and entered an elevator.

As soon as the elevator doors closed, dazzling GG popped up across the silver-gray interior walls.

[I'll cover the money for awakening your ability! Still worried about being unable to afford experiment fees? Your 200,000 emergency fund has been credited. Click to claim →]

[High-end ingredients often require only the simplest cooking methods. Sumeru Foods uses fresh ingredients in pre-made meals. Heat for just three minutes to enjoy the finest flavors...]

[Kaifeng Cuisine Crazy Thursday, starting from just 9.9 Credit Points!]

GG?

Inside the Patrol Bureau?

Ron turned back in astonishment and met Xia Zhi's somewhat embarrassed gaze.

"Uh... the District D Patrol Bureau's budget isn't exactly plentiful, so we didn't buy the membership Authority to skip GG."

She coughed lightly. "But that isn't important... Come with me. I'll update your ability file first."

They soon arrived at the ability testing room.

The testing room was empty, with hardly anyone inside. There was only a petite pink-haired girl in a white lab coat, sipping milk tea while watching dramas on a holographic screen.

Hearing someone enter, she looked up in confusion. When she saw Ron's hand tightly clasped in Xia Zhi's, she raised an eyebrow, a sly smile curling at her lips.

She put down her milk tea and casually teased,

"Oh? Senior, getting this intimate? I never expected the famous icy beauty of Heavenly Listening University to like younger guys..."

"Get lost, get lost, get lost."

Xia Zhi's face darkened. "Others might not know, but how could you not know what I'm doing?"

As she spoke, a trace of seriousness entered her tone as she hinted,

"His ability doesn't match his personal file, so I brought him here to update his ability..."

At that, the pink-haired girl's expression immediately turned serious as well. She stopped lounging with her legs crossed and watching dramas.

"Is it related to what was just teleported over?"

"Mm."

"Got it."

The pink-haired girl immediately put on white gloves and activated the equipment.

Ron obediently followed her instructions for the test. After verifying his identity through fingerprints and iris scans, they conducted a simple test of his ability, and his personal file was updated.

"No problem, Senior... It matches the information recorded during the previous test. Even the Ability Model has obvious similarities."

The pink-haired girl thoughtfully scribbled on the file.

"We can basically conclude that the ability he's using now truly mutated from the [Telekinesis] recorded in his old file—

"He should really be a Raw Stone who has only just fully awakened."

Only then did Xia Zhi completely release Ron's hand, no longer keeping him under control at her side like before.

So he had cleared himself of suspicion of being a serial killer pretending to be a high school student?

Seeing Xia Zhi's obvious change in attitude, Ron understood.

"I never expected such a powerful ability to really be mutated Telekinesis..."

Looking at Ron's updated personal file, Xia Zhi could not help sighing.

"An ability and grades like yours... A background like yours..."

Her gaze carried a trace of scrutiny before quickly turning into approval.

"You've decided on Moen University? You really won't consider Heavenly Listening University?"

Xia Zhi sounded quite serious.

"Heavenly Listening University is no worse than Moen University. If you're willing to apply there, I can introduce you to my teacher."

In Ideal City, the Three Great Academies had always been in the habit of competing for talent.

After all, valuable students were always few and far between. No one wanted to hand over a gifted student to someone else...

"Thank you, but I've already decided." Ron shook his head. "I have friends waiting for me at Moen University."

"Then I won't try to persuade you."

Xia Zhi shrugged, her tone light.

"This case had people above me putting pressure on me for two days, and I didn't expect you to solve it for me... You really helped me out."

She smiled brightly, looking genuinely delighted.

"Even if you don't get into Heavenly Listening University, it's fine. Come find me after you get into Moen University, and I'll give you a big gift."

A big gift?

Ron was curious, but Xia Zhi apparently did not want to tell him much. She simply led him out of the ability testing room.

"As for the wanted criminal you killed, the process of closing his case should already be underway. We probably won't get the result today..."

As she spoke, she took Ron into the elevator bound for the top floor of the Patrol Bureau building:

"Although the reward on the wanted notice can't be settled yet, you can apply for a reward for doing a good deed.

"Next, I'll take you to meet the director of our District D Patrol Bureau. The reward application needs his approval anyway, so it'll be faster if I take you straight to him. Otherwise, the procedures might not even be finished by the time you're done with the College Entrance Exam..."

So there was a backdoor he could use?

As expected of a key member of the Patrol Bureau—she had connections everywhere...

Ron sighed inwardly. As the elevator doors opened, a group of people dressed in black robes, wrapped up from head to toe, entered.

...Who were these people?

Ron could not help but feel curious. How could there be people like this inside the Patrol Bureau, dressed so archaically and wrapped so tightly?

From what Ron had seen just now, the Patrol Bureau's work environment should have been fairly relaxed, shouldn't it?

He watched those strange people in confusion, then suddenly his eyes narrowed.

One of the black-clad oddballs was not paying attention, and his hand slipped out from his wide sleeve.

Within the shadow of the cuff, Ron could still clearly make out a glimmer of light—

A ruby ring sat on his finger, shining with a faint glow.

Its design

was exactly the same as

the old magician's ring!