"It's more than just decent."
A gleam flashed in Wolf Team's eyes, and the corner of his mouth lifted almost imperceptibly. He knew Qi Wu was tempted.
"What do you say? Want to consider joining us? The organization needs talent like you."
Wolf Team's voice carried a persuasive power.
His Azure Eyes flickering behind his sunglasses, Qi Wu toyed with the invitation in his hand, seemingly lost in thought.
After a moment, a playful smile curled his lips, and he looked up at Wolf Team.
"S-Rank Special Recruitment? The benefits certainly sound tempting."
He paused, then changed tack.
"But I have a question."
Wolf Team's gaze sharpened.
"What question?"
"How much freedom would I have if I joined the 749 Bureau?"
Qi Wu's voice was low, with a probing edge. "I don't like being tied down."
Wolf Team pondered for a moment, then smiled.
"We can give you the freedom you want. S-Rank Special Recruits already have a great deal of autonomy. As long as you complete your missions, the bureau won't interfere much with your actions."
He emphasized his next words.
"Of course, that's provided you don't endanger the country or its people."
Something meaningful flashed through Qi Wu's Azure Eyes behind his sunglasses.
"All right." He finally spoke. His voice wasn't loud, but it carried clearly across the entire field. "I'll join."
The whole crowd erupted!
The principal and Old Chen were so excited their faces flushed. Their school was about to produce an S-Rank Special Recruit! This would be a glorious milestone in its history!
His best friend, Li Yunpeng, jumped up and down in excitement.
"Holy shit! Young Master Qi, you're awesome! The Branch Bureau Director recruited you personally!"
Stars shone in Class Monitor Zhang Hao's eyes as he looked excitedly at Qi Wu on the platform.
"That's so badass! Now that's a true genius!"
Even Feng Yuyao, who had just climbed out of the sandpit, forgot the pain in her face as she stared at Qi Wu in disbelief.
An S-Rank Special Recruit?
She had put everything into securing an ordinary special recruit slot with the 749 Bureau, yet Qi Wu had received its highest-level invitation outright?!
The bloodline and status she had taken such pride in suddenly lost all their luster.
Wolf Team's smile deepened. He reached out and patted Qi Wu on the shoulder.
"Welcome to the 749 Bureau, kid. You won't regret the choice you made today."
Qi Wu smiled back, his eyes full of confidence and anticipation.
In his previous life, he had joined the military.
This time, I'll start with the 749 Bureau and begin a new life!
Anticipation filled Qi Wu's heart.
Then he looked at Wolf Team's stern face.
"Should I come with you now?"
Wolf Team shook his head.
"The organization will send someone to pick you up this weekend."
"There's a Combat Strength Test for newcomers."
"A lot of people in the organization are looking forward to seeing how you perform."
He lightly patted Qi Wu's shoulder, forcing a smile onto his cold lips.
"Make sure you do well when the time comes."
"It'll affect your rating within the organization."
Qi Wu nodded slightly.
At that moment, Wolf Team glanced past Qi Wu at Feng Yuyao, who had struggled to her feet.
"You're Feng Yuyao, the one who just passed the special recruitment exam last time, right?"
Wolf Team's voice betrayed no emotion, but it made Feng Yuyao's heart tighten.
Feng Yuyao instinctively straightened and answered respectfully.
"Y-yes, Wolf Team."
Wolf Team nodded, glanced at Qi Wu again, then returned his gaze to Feng Yuyao.
He pointed toward the school gates, his tone as casual as if he were mentioning something insignificant.
"You can come along while we're at it."
Wolf Team's tone when speaking to Feng Yuyao was completely different from the one he used with Qi Wu.
With Qi Wu, he spoke gently.
With Feng Yuyao, his words seemed coated in shards of ice.
In truth, that cold, hard tone was Wolf Team's natural voice.
But in front of Qi Wu, a once-in-a-century genius...
He wanted to seem as "gentle" as possible.
Yet Wolf Team's perfectly ordinary tone left a bitter taste in Feng Yuyao's mouth.
While we're at it?
Feng Yuyao's red twin ponytails whipped sharply, her beautiful eyes filled with disbelief.
I'm a special recruit of the 749 Bureau, the bearer of the Heavenly Phoenix Bloodline! Yet in Wolf Team's eyes, I'm just someone to bring along "while we're at it"? Am I nothing but Qi Wu's supporting act?!
Feng Yuyao bit down on her pink lips.
She was seething with resentment!
The students around her began whispering as well.
"Seriously? Wolf Team isn't exactly being gentle with Feng Yuyao."
"Isn't the difference in treatment between S-rank and ordinary special recruits a bit too huge?"
Feng Yuyao bit her lip hard, her nails almost digging into her flesh. She looked up at Qi Wu indignantly, only to discover that he wasn't looking at her at all.
He simply gazed into the distance, as though none of this had anything to do with him.
After giving Qi Wu a few reminders, Wolf Team turned and left.
At the same time, Qi Wu heard a system notification.
His [Irritation Points] surged.
He didn't actually need the system to tell him.
He could already feel Feng Yuyao's volcanic glare boring into him from behind.
"This guy..."
She stared at Qi Wu's back.
Feng Yuyao ground her little canine teeth with an audible clack.
The more she looked at Qi Wu, the more she despised this former little follower of hers.
"He only awakened a Second Superpower, and now his ego's through the roof."
Feng Yuyao's eyes were filled with resentment.
Once, she had been the brightest star in the school, surrounded by countless admirers.
Qi Wu had been nothing more than a lovesick little follower who needed her care. But now, everything had been reversed.
The thought made Feng Yuyao's cheeks burn.
And on top of that, Qi Wu had defeated her.
She couldn't really accept that either.
As far as she was concerned, she had merely let her guard down for a moment.
Once she got serious, she would settle the score in no time.
"The Combat Strength Test..."
Feng Yuyao clenched her fists.
"I'll surpass you in the 749 Bureau and make you realize how strong you really are!"
The Combat Strength Test would be her chance.
During that test, she would make everyone, especially Qi Wu, witness the true power of the Heavenly Phoenix Bloodline!
After Wolf Team left, the school's tournament soon ended as well.
Qi Wu claimed the winner's prize without question.
It was a pill that could strengthen spiritual power.
Qi Wu popped it into his mouth like a piece of candy, then packed his bag and prepared to head home.
"Young Master Qi, are you really joining the 749 Bureau?!"
Li Yunpeng bounded over, his face full of excitement and envy.
Zhang Hao pushed up his glasses, his eyes shining with longing.
"An S-Rank Special Recruit... Qi Wu, you're incredible!"
Qi Wu smiled, finished packing his bag, and answered casually.
"Yeah. I'm going this weekend."
Li Yunpeng scratched his head. "Will we still get to see you?"
"Of course. It's not like I'm going to prison."
Qi Wu chuckled and patted both of them on the shoulder. "I'll treat you to dinner when I get back from the Combat Strength Test."
Li Yunpeng grinned and raised his fist to bump Qi Wu's.
"Deal! Young Master Qi, don't forget us when you hit it big!"
Qi Wu lightly bumped fists with Li Yunpeng, then turned to leave. A second later, his figure blurred.
"Hey, Young Master Qi, you..."
Before Li Yunpeng could finish, Qi Wu became an afterimage and vanished beyond the far end of the field in an instant.
"W-what?" Zhang Hao's glasses nearly fell off. He rubbed his eyes to make sure he hadn't imagined it.
"What kind of monstrous speed was that?!"
He cried out.
Li Yunpeng froze for a moment, then exclaimed, "Holy shit! Was that... was that Teleportation?!"
Their vision had barely blurred before Qi Wu disappeared without a trace.
Qi Wu had already activated Satoru Gojo's Super-High-Speed Movement, racing through the city.
The scenery on either side of the street blurred into patches of color, and all he could hear was the wind roaring past.
Within a few short minutes, he arrived at the foot of the old apartment building where he rented a room.
He stopped, his Azure Eyes narrowing slightly behind his sunglasses.
[Satoru Gojo Card fusion progress: 37.5%.]
Feng Yuyao's little burst of anger had given his Irritation Points and fusion progress another slight boost.
"The more I annoy people and show off... ahem, demonstrate my strength, the faster my fusion progress will increase."
Qi Wu thought to himself, a faint smile on his lips.
Satisfied, he entered the apartment building and opened the door to his rented room. Its furnishings were simple: a single bed, a desk, a sofa, and a computer. That was everything he owned now.
Qi Wu took off his sunglasses and set them casually on the desk. His Azure Eyes looked especially profound in the dim room.
He walked to the window and gazed at the lights of countless homes outside, an almost imperceptible smile curling his lips.
The 749 Bureau, the Combat Strength Test...
He looked forward to that day.
To prepare, he needed to get comfortable with his newly acquired abilities.
Qi Wu pushed open the window, letting the night breeze into the room.
Standing in the nighttime glow, he suddenly took out his phone and played an audio clip.
"One, two, three, four! Two, two, three, four! March in place! Hop and jump!"
As rhythmic music played, Qi Wu began a series of movements resembling radio calisthenics.
"Okay, warm-up complete."
Qi Wu rubbed his hands together. Having finished stretching, he was ready to test a new ability he had never used before-
[Teleportation]!
Before you continue