Chapter 1: After school

April 3024.

At the top Psychic Academy in Federal California.

On his way home from school, unlike other students who jump around, use psychic powers, anti-gravity boots, or personal flyers, Ethan Blackwood just twitches his ring, and voila—a sports car pops up on the avenue.

"Hey, not even of age and already burning rubber, no worries about traffic jams after school."

He presses a token onto the car's steering wheel to fire it up, "Magical world, huh?"

Even after three years, Ethan still occasionally marvels at the wonders of this world.

Originally, a thousand years ago, this world was pretty similar to the Earth he came from.

But then cosmic rays caused mutations, and the world evolved into a mix of technology and psychics. Earth, with its ancient civilization, naturally became the sole nation in this new era.

Everyone's cultivating psychic powers, aiming for immortality, and Earth even started interstellar travel in no time.

"Look, isn't that young Master Ethan?"

"Out with his psychic gear again. Heard crafting that gear ate up a ton of Energy Stones, costs at least three basic ones just for a school round trip. Nice to be loaded, huh?"

"Pfft, what's there to brag about? He's just an ordinary F-grade Psychic like us. Heard he got booted from the Blackwoods, they say he's the family's disgrace!"

"..."

Many students on the roadside, unable to use psychic powers for travel and too broke to buy Psychic Gear, watch.

Ethan, cruising in his energy-stone guzzling sports car, naturally becomes the center of attention.

Listening to the bystanders, Ethan isn't bothered.

He puts on his sunglasses, glances in the rearview mirror at a few students still jealously whispering, grips the steering wheel with one hand, flips them off with the other, and zooms off.

Why waste time bickering when he could be home gaming?

...

Soon, Ethan has finished shopping and drives back to Psychic Gear, where the guard at the Advanced Psychic Sanctuary, John Smith, is munching on KFC, gnawing on a chicken leg. Hearing the roar of the engine, he puts down his chicken leg and warmly activates the portal for Ethan.

"Mr. Ethan, did you travel far for groceries again? Aren't the high-grade Energy Pills tasty enough?"

"Mr. John."

Ethan replies with a smile, "No matter how fancy those Energy Pills get, they still taste like wax. We're cultivating psychic powers here, not torturing our taste buds, right? What's the point if we can't enjoy real food?"

Hearing this, Mr. John's eyes light up, and he gives a thumbs up, "You got that right. Eating Energy Pills for body purity? That's nonsense. No point in cultivating powers if it cramps our style."

"Well, Mr. John, I better get back to cooking."

Ethan drives towards the villa area, greeting familiar faces and ancient folks with a smile.

The Psychics here in Psychic Gear are different from those students.

Years have made them wiser and more worldly, and they don't mind that Ethan is young or rumored to have a mixed Psychic Constitution. They're all friendly, knowing well that anyone living here is no ordinary person.

The Psychic Sanctuary in the villa area is just like any other villa, but with its unique charms.

And Ethan's Psychic Sanctuary—Psychic Gear Number One—is at the very end.

As Ethan's car pulls in, a heavenly young girl in a white maid outfit catches his eye, her long, slender legs in white stockings are particularly striking, especially her charming face framed by bangs.

Even after three years, Ethan still nearly loses his composure under her seemingly smiling eyes.

"Welcome home, Commander," says the AI Bionic Robot in a voice as refreshing as a spring, instantly soothing his school-day irritations.

"Lisa, park the car in the garage."

Ethan tosses a set of keys to the AI Bionic Robot, "The groceries are in the front trunk, got quite a bit today. You handle dinner, just bring it to my room. Planning to spend the holiday gaming."

"Right away, Commander."

As Ethan steps towards the villa, Lisa adds, "By the way, Commander, your family hasn't sent this month's Energy Stone Allowance yet. Our account is running low. Should I contact them?"

This AI Bionic Robot, whose level Ethan can't even fathom, has been taking care of him since he was born, far surpassing any advanced AI he knew of in his previous life.

"Not yet?"

Ethan frowns, "Make a call and hurry them up. Start with Chris, he's one of us. Let's see what's up."

"Yes, Commander."

Hearing Lisa's response, Ethan heads back to his room without further concern.