Capítulo 7: Chapter 7: Ryan: What Do You Mean by Double Standards?
[YogurtStick: I knew you could do it! Great job! So what kind of variant is it?]
Sophia already knew that the person she had been chatting with online was Liam, and she knew his so-called variant was an ice-based ability. However, she wasn't ready to reveal her true identity to Liam just yet. She feared that the contrast between her online persona and her real-life image might scare Liam away.
For now, she decided to continue pretending she didn't know anything, just asking casually.
Sophia didn't fully understand why she was being so cautious, but it seemed to be instinctual. Perhaps she didn't want to lose a friend with whom she could talk normally.
The supervising official noticed that Sophia had started playing with her phone mid-conversation and was now visibly frustrated. Even if it was just small talk, she should at least pretend to be interested, right?
[Traveler: It's an ice-attribute ability. I think it's pretty powerful. I sparred with someone and won.]
Liam quickly replied.
Online, they had never asked each other for real names and always used their screen names. Liam went by "Traveler," while Sophia's screen name was "YogurtStick."
Sophia saw the message and realized that these were things she already knew, though Liam was still in the dark.
This gave Sophia an idea. Since she was worried that her real-life persona might be very different from her online one, why not use this opportunity to ask Liam what he thought of her?
Excited by her new plan, Sophia's conversation with the supervising official became even more perfunctory as she began typing a new message to Liam:
[YogurtStick: That's great! Your examiner must have good judgment to give you a guaranteed admission slot. What do you think of your examiner? Were they nice?]
After typing these words, Sophia let out a breath, feeling oddly nervous, as if she were doing something secretive.
The supervising official: ...
He was used to being treated with respect, always enjoying the flattery from his subordinates. But now, here was someone completely absorbed in their phone, seemingly ignoring him.
He didn't dare to show any attitude to Sophia, though. He had to continue with the formalities, even if he had to grit his teeth and bear it. Besides, he couldn't quite understand why her mood kept shifting while she was on her phone. Maybe something important had come up? If that were the case, it might justify her distraction.
Soon, Liam's reply arrived, and Sophia eagerly looked at it.
[Traveler: She's okay, I guess. I can tell she's really powerful. Do superpower users stay youthful as their abilities grow stronger? It's hard to tell how old she is; she looks pretty young.]
Sophia: ???
Sophia: !!!
Crack!
A loud noise echoed as icy energy surged around Sophia, causing the summer evening's warm air to plummet instantly, dropping from over 20 degrees Celsius to below zero. Ice crystals began to form in the air.
Liam's comment had hit a sore spot. Sophia momentarily lost control of her emotions, and her mood collapsed.
She had intended to ask him what he thought of her, only to find out that he saw her as an old woman?
Although she was losing control, Sophia's years of training allowed her to instinctively keep her powers in check, far more than Liam could manage. Otherwise, it wouldn't just be the temperature dropping—Sophia's power could easily freeze everything for miles around.
While Sophia's outburst wasn't catastrophic, it was enough to terrify the supervising official beside her.
What just happened?
Did I say something wrong?
What's going on?!
The short, chubby official, who had been speaking rapidly, knowing that Sophia might not want to hear him talk, was caught off guard by her sudden outburst.
His slightly plump body shivered in the cold wind, unsure of what to do.
"Wha-what's wrong?" he stammered.
Sophia snapped her head up, her eyes blazing with a fierce intensity as she glared at him.
"I'm fine! Keep talking, but hurry up!"
On the testing platform, Liam and the other five candidates noticed the commotion and all turned to see what was happening.
Liam, however, wasn't particularly interested in such gossip. He wasn't someone who liked to get involved in other people's business.
He was more puzzled about why his online chat with his female friend had suddenly gone silent.
Weird... women.
Finally, as the sun began to set, casting its golden glow, Sophia once again stood before the six candidates. But it was clear that her mood had taken a turn.
Other than Liam, who seemed indifferent, the other five candidates quickly noticed that their examiner seemed upset. Occasionally, she would glance at Liam with a mix of frustration and anger.
Unfortunately, Liam was too oblivious to notice these subtle, slightly resentful looks, leaving the other candidates thoroughly confused.
"My private plane will arrive tomorrow. Be here at this time tomorrow afternoon."
"Tonight, go home and inform your families. You don't need to bring anything; the academy will provide everything you need."
"You've all been guaranteed admission, skipping the usual tedious steps of signing contracts and interviewing with the academy. However, in a few days, there will be a comprehensive assessment for all guaranteed students."
"At that time, the leaders of the Core Eight Academies and various superpower organizations will be present, so make sure you perform well. It will be to your advantage."
Despite her anger, Sophia still had a clear head. After explaining everything to the six students, she dismissed them.
As soon as Sophia said they could leave, Liam wasted no time, immediately walking away.
Who cares about the assessment? He had transmigrated to this world and wasn't about to stress himself out. He already had guaranteed admission with everything provided—he just wanted to go home and play games now.
Meanwhile, the red-haired student's mind was racing again.
Anyone qualified to be an examiner here had to be someone extraordinary. He needed to find a way to get closer to her.
So, he quickly approached Sophia, smiling as he said,
"Hello, I don't have any pressing matters at home, but I have some questions about superpowers that I'd like to ask you."
Sophia was still watching Liam's cheerful departure, feeling a bit annoyed. She turned around at the red-haired student's words, looked at him, and asked,
"Who are you?"
"Uh?" The red-haired student was visibly taken aback, awkwardly replying, "I'm Ryan, one of the guaranteed students..."
"We can talk about it later. I don't have time today. I'm only here to conduct the assessment, not to interact with the students."
After saying this, Sophia turned away from him and called out loudly to Liam's retreating figure:
"Liam! Don't leave yet, I need to discuss some matters regarding your superpower with you."
Ryan: ...?
Seriously?
What do you mean by double standards?!
Status de energia semanal
-- Ranking de
Poder 
-- Pedra de
Poder