First Encounter

[Would you like to sign in at USW-CONTROLLED-TERRITORY-NEW-YORK-CITY: 1ST-HIGHSCHOOL-LECTUREHALL01?]

'If I say no, would there be any issues?'

[No. The system encourages the host to sign-in within 23:58:54 to ensure that the daily sign-in opportunity does not overlap with the next one.]

'If that's the case, then no.'

Among the students, one person stood out to him—an elegant young girl of similar age. Adorned with long platinum-blond hair that cascaded down to her waist, she wore a small black ribbon with a yellow line drawn across it.

Raye Sentou.

As memories of his original self began to resurface, Lin Fan recalled this girl. She held the position of valedictorian in the graduating class. 'She wasn't fazed by all of those videos either, did she know this beforehand?'

"Rumor has it she's bypassing college and heading straight into the 8th Institute," someone nearby whispered.

Lin Fan's interest piqued at the gossip as another person chimed in. "The 8th Institute? That's hard to believe. They're mainly focused on weapons research and development, why would they want her? Joining the military would make more sense."

Even if the rumors were true, Lin Fan would not be surprised. 1st High harbored numerous hidden talents. As he delved deeper into his memories, he remembered that at least a third of the students had some connections to government officials. Moreover, admission to 1st High was limited to students with special backgrounds, whether they came from families with long-standing service records or held significant sway in society.

'What a shame.' The original inhabitant of the body had limited interactions and preferred to stay under the radar, missing out on networking opportunities.

That didn't mean that it was over though, Lin Fan was well aware of the potential advantages offered by the alumni clubs, which he intended to utilize in the future. He wasn't going to squander the inherent benefits given to him by his new identity.

In a different world, he might have chosen to live a quiet life, enjoying the comforts provided by his system. But the stakes were higher, it was much higher. It wasn't just about him; it was about the fate of humanity.

Before he realized it, he had already reached the front. The teacher greeted him with a warm smile as he handed over his questionnaire, Lin Fan noticed that the teacher was unusually kind to him despite his memories not providing any valid reason why.

"Student Lin Fan, we are pleased to inform you that you have been accepted into Ellandia. Enjoy your brief vacation while we prepare your necessary documents," the teacher announced with a gentle tone.

'Ah, so that's why." Ellandia was the only university that dares to combine the traditional university courses offerings such as STEM classes, Art classes, and Medicine programs, with the more... unique courses such as martial arts training, supernatural abilities training, military tactics, mobile suits development, and the like which are traditionally only taught in specialized universities with direct ties to the military. Roughly half of the students from 1st High were admitted into Ellandia. Considering the privileged backgrounds of some classmates, the fact that only half were admitted spoke wonders about the selection criteria of Ellandia.

After thanking his teachers and waving goodbye, he quickly left the lecture hall and took the train home. New York City appeared unchanged since his arrival through transmigration, almost frozen in time, unaffected and unfazed by the billions of deaths and the passage of two centuries. It remained the economic hub of the USW.

Squeezed in a row of people on the subway bench, Lin Fan settled in, albeit a bit uncomfortable.

Suddenly, the train screeched to a halt, the speakers crackled to life before a booming voice flooded throughout the train carts.

"ATTENTION ALL PASSENGERS, WE ARE TEMPORARILY STOPPED BY A MONSTER ATTACK. THE METROPOLITAN AUTHORITY HAS DISPATCHED HEROES TO HANDLE THE MATTER, ETA 2 MINUTES."

Mechanical noises came out of nowhere as the glass train cart windows retracted, swiftly replaced by sheets of metal. The entire cart went into lockdown mode as all the doors and windows were additionally reinforced with a layer of metal.

The man seated beside Lin Fan let out a dismissive snort. "At least it's not the homeless this time."

"Yeah, I was almost late to work last time. My boss is going to lose it if I'm late today, I have a presentation for the investors damn it." Grumbled another passenger on the opposite side of Lin Fan.

Lin Fan almost coughed blood at their casual conversation. He vaguely recalled from his pre-transmigration memories that the homelessness in NYC had its share of notoriety but he didn't expect them to attack the carts in this world!

Before long, an LCD screen popped out from the ceiling, displaying the situation at hand. Lin Fan's face twisted in disgust as he witnessed a grotesque monster resembling a human-sized praying mantis with claws coated in green liquid.

The man next to Lin Fan took out his smartphone and began recording the monitor while the family in front of Lin Fan quietly calmed down their kids by coaxing them. Before Lin Fan could even ponder why the people were so nonchalant about it, he could feel the cart starting to tremble!

Shiiiiiiiiiiiiin!

Lin Fan saw a visible line appear throughout the entire train cart as the train cart began to split apart in two, Lin Fan could even see the sunlight enter through the cart as an ominous hissing sound filled the air.

"FFFound yyyyou..." A distorted voice echoed, sending chills down Lin Fan's spine.

His instincts screamed that something was terribly wrong! Reacting swiftly, he leaped out of his seat.

Crack!

"Shit!" Lin Fan cursed as he landed awkwardly, twisting his ankles and causing his legs to collapse. Puddles of green liquid splashed onto the ground just inches away from him, immediately eroding the cement floor.

He snapped his head back, looking at the monstrous beast standing mere feet behind him. It was the very same beast he saw on the monitor moments ago, now looming menacingly in front of him, inching closer.

His mind raced, calculations ran throughout his mind before reaching a quick decision.

'System, sign i------'

Before Lin Fan could sign-in, something else happened!

"Ah, found you." A feminine voice resonated throughout the surroundings.

BOOM!

In an instant, the grotesque monster before Lin Fan was flattened and turned into a mist of greenish blood as a crater formed where it stood!

Lin Fan's body went out of control and started to float, he started to flail about in a desperate attempt to grab onto something. One of the passengers that survived the attack reached out to grab Lin Fan but froze mid-motion. His eyes widening in astonishment.

Lin Fan saw something in the man's eyes, a green reflection. As he turned his head around, he realized he was being pulled towards a petite woman. Barely half his size, with vibrant green hair that seemingly defied gravity as it curled upwards. Her piercing emerald eyes locked onto Lin Fan as if demanding an explanation.

His eyes widened in shock as a sudden realization struck him. He remembered why the previous body did not make a lot of friends.

It was because of this woman in front of him!

She didn't allow him to make friends!!!

"We're going home, Lin Fan."