Chapter 7: Artificial Rain

The dormitory door swung open, and Yellow Hair, Green Hair, and Red Hair strolled in, chatting and laughing. Spotting Su Ming, they approached him eagerly, with Yellow Hair throwing an arm around his shoulder.

"Hey, buddy! I heard there's an outdoor fashion show on Blue Valley Street today. Tons of gorgeous girls with amazing figures. How about we go check it out and help you unwind?"

Though the school was technically a boarding school, it wasn't particularly strict, and sneaking out wasn't difficult.

"No, thanks. I'm heading to the library," Su Ming replied, politely declining their offer. His time was too precious to waste—every second needed to be spent cramming.

"The library?"

The trio stared at him in disbelief.

While Su Ming had always been diligent to a degree, he had never been the type to bury himself in the library.

"Yep. See you later!" Su Ming said before hastily leaving the dorm.

---

Fifteen Minutes Later

Su Ming stood before the towering cylindrical library building, lost in thought.

Mient Intermediate Academy, ranked third in District 13, was a highly sought-after institution. The school wasn't just known for its excellent teaching standards but also its top-notch facilities.

For instance, the academy provided numerous mecha training pods, enough for an entire class to train simultaneously. In contrast, less-equipped schools, particularly those on poorer planets, often had to make do with a single training pod for an entire class.

The library was another highlight of the academy, boasting a vast collection of comprehensive resources.

This was precisely why Su Ming had been so eager to return to school—only here could he study as efficiently as possible.

Steeling himself, he strode into the library.

---

Inside, the spacious and brightly lit hall greeted him. Sunlight streamed through large glass windows, casting a warm glow on the polished marble floors.

Bookshelves, stretching up to seven meters high, lined the circular walls. Each shelf was equipped with a miniature hover device, allowing students to easily retrieve books from the upper levels.

At the center of the hall, an elegant spiral staircase wound its way to the second-floor reading area. The bronze handrails of the staircase exuded an air of antiquity and sophistication.

The library was bustling with students, though the atmosphere was hushed and orderly.

As Su Ming entered, his presence drew attention.

"That's Su Ming, the guy who tried to hang himself, right? What's he doing here?"

"Maybe he's hoping to bump into Lin Chuyu."

"Still clinging to his fantasies, huh? The guy's a walking joke."

Ignoring the whispers and sideways glances, Su Ming made his way to the borrowing section. His eyes scanned the shelves rapidly, occasionally pulling out a book.

Before long, he had gathered five hefty volumes and ascended the spiral staircase to the second-floor reading area. He chose a seat by the window and began flipping through the first book: A Modern Chronology of the Old Federation.

The book was massive, at least twenty centimeters thick, with dense, small-font text. However, its content was meticulously detailed.

Although history didn't account for a significant portion of the City Exam's basic test, it was still an important subject.

Taking a deep breath, Su Ming began reading. His eyes skimmed the pages at an incredible pace, spending less than ten seconds on each one.

Some students nearby noticed his speed and sneered.

"Look at him flipping through the pages like that. What's the point? He's just showing off."

"He's not here to study; he's here to draw attention to himself."

"Forget him. Let's focus on our own work. If we bomb the City Exam, we're screwed."

"True enough."

---

Time passed, and Su Ming remained engrossed in the chronicle.

To most people, the dense historical content might seem dry and dull. But to Su Ming, it was fascinating.

Immersed in his studies, he paid no attention to the world around him.

---

Dusk

The golden rays of the setting sun faded, and the sky outside grew darker.

A soft, melodic announcement echoed throughout District 13:

"Dear citizens, the date is May 7th, Year 4618 of the Old Era. It is now 6 PM. District 13 will soon celebrate its annual Rain Festival. By authorization of Administrator Zhou Jinglan, the Rainfall System will be activated for 60 minutes. We hope you enjoy this beautiful occasion."

As the broadcast ended, a gentle breeze stirred the air, and raindrops began to fall from the artificially darkened sky.

The rhythmic sound of droplets striking rooftops and streets filled the air.

Excited citizens and students rushed outdoors, embracing the rain. Some tilted their heads back to let the cool water wash over them, others knelt to collect the precious drops in containers, and a few danced joyfully in the downpour.

Although District 13 had a sophisticated water recycling system, artificial rain still resulted in some resource loss. Many lower-district residents used the festival as an opportunity to collect rainwater and save on expenses.

The rarity of such rainfall underscored the region's dire scarcity of water.

---

Meanwhile, Su Ming had just turned the final page of the Chronology, his mind lingering on the book's contents. He absentmindedly glanced out the window.

Rain cascaded down in delicate streams, cleansing the pristine streets below. Streetlights flickered on, their glow reflected in the puddles forming on the ground. Students frolicked in the rain—some stood motionless, savoring the sensation of the drops, while others spun and danced with unrestrained joy.

For a moment, Su Ming gazed at the scene in a trance. The world seemed to slow, as though time itself had stopped.

The falling raindrops appeared to hang in midair, drifting like feathers.

Su Ming's breath hitched, his eyes widening in disbelief.

It was as if the entire scene had been frozen. No—more accurately, it had been suspended in time.

A second later, the spell broke. The rain resumed its steady patter, and the world returned to normal.

Su Ming blinked, his mind swirling with confusion. What just happened?

---

Before he could process the strange phenomenon, a sudden movement caught his attention.

A tall boy with a sharp nose, a cocky grin, and a silver earring casually hopped onto Su Ming's desk, sitting sideways. Behind him stood a group of sneering followers, their eyes filled with malice.

The surrounding students, sensing trouble, quickly packed their things and fled the area, not wanting to get caught in the crossfire.