They now left for class. The academy was about to be a whole lot more interesting. Immediately after they left, a spy broke in, stole the relevant information, and left. Now back to Leo and Vultra—they were in the hallway when a bunch of useless nobles who hadn't attended the Headmaster's assembly came to bully Vultra. They didn't know what was happening, and their information sources clearly weren't doing their job. If not… well, I'll leave that for you to find out.
Back to Vultra: one of the bullies intercepted his path. The onlooking students sighed in disappointment. He said to Vultra, "Hey, fresh meat—why don't you show us some love and we'll take care of you? If not, you know what's next." He cracked his knuckles, trying to be intimidating, but Vultra just ignored him. The bully still blocked his way, but Vultra told him one word: "Move."
The bully smirked and said, "And why should I?" He didn't see the next thing: his arm was twisted and broken, and then the pain started to soar. He screamed and screeched in agony. The other bullies were terrified of Vultra.
Vultra then said, "Who's next?" Now in a state of rage, his aura leaking, the other bullies tried to run away, but Vultra said, "You all are not going anywhere." Shadow-hands materialized from his shadow, each one reaching for a bully. Vultra said, "Now let me show you what a real bully is like."
In an instant, he used his hands, clutching them tightly. The shadow-hands began choking the bullies—until Leo said, "Vultra, that's enough." His aura flared, bringing Vultra back to reality.
Vultra, now in perfect control, dropped their sorry asses, and his shadow-arms returned to his shadow. The whole academy was, again, reminded why they feared Leo and Vultra. In the hallway, anybody who saw them gave way to them—even the most prestigious nobles.
Leo told Vultra, "Bro, you need to chill. Or do you need an anger-management system in your chip to control your emotions?"
Vultra answered, "I think I need that—install it in both chips."
They both laughed. When they reached the elite class, they navigated to their assigned classroom and entered immediately. The once-lively class turned dead silent as all eyes watched where the terrifying duo would sit.
Funny enough, both Leo and Vultra sat in the last row at opposite seats. Leo said to Vultra through telepathy, "I think it's time for me to tell you the benefits of the chips. It's going to be very long—get ready. We'll arrange it from side perks to major ones."
The least perk is immunity to diseases.
The second perk is instant regeneration.
The third perk is immortality—the chip, using the rarest materials fused into the user, grants combined immortality.
The fourth perk is better: once synchronized with brain cells, it creates an advanced holographic OS; the user connects via neural links and becomes fully immersed.
The fifth perk is an imagination technique: the user can materialize anything from thought into existence—except humans (most especially girls) or special robots. Got that, Vultra? No hoes for you—go find some real hoes.
The final perk is damage counter and auto-dodge ability, plus a copy technique: the user can copy or invent any technique. It also boosts IQ, and when criteria are met, can upgrade via any energy form—good or bad—converting it with no limits; the user grows infinitely stronger.
Vultra's mind was blown. He had a question. "Hey, Leo," he said, "how did you get all this?"
Leo began his long, boring explanation, and Vultra dozed off. When Leo finished, he slapped Vultra awake. "Now you better tell me what I said, or it's lights out for you."
Vultra panicked—then remembered he told the chip assistant to summarize everything. It executed flawlessly. When Vultra recited it back word for word, Leo was blown away and still in doubt. "I invented an overpowered chip?" Leo shouted as he smiled and danced, forgetting they were in a classroom.
The students looked at them with mixed expressions: some happy, some angry, some downright disappointed.
The teacher entered the classroom; students stood. "I am Hiruko Uso. From this moment on, I will teach you magic—cooperate with me. Let's go through today's lesson." The teacher taught while Leo paid attention; Vultra dozed off, knowing the chip assistant would back him up and store it in memory.
The teacher, clearly getting angry 💢, stopped his lesson. He pointed at Vultra; a classmate woke him. The teacher said, "Since you've been sleeping, tell me what I've taught so far." Vultra used his assistant and recited everything word for word. The teacher couldn't believe it—even though he was present, he thought it coincidence. He asked again; Vultra repeated everything word for word. The teacher retreated.
Vultra asked, "What is the essence of this training and cultivation when we still die and it's all useless?" The teacher couldn't answer, so he ended class early. The students rushed to the martial-arts dojo.
The teacher there was Li Quixhao, a world-renowned martial artist fluent in all weapons and the best in hand-to-hand combat. Vultra and Leo exchanged a look and smirked. The teacher welcomed them and directed them to the changing room. After a while, the students formed up and began practice. Leo and Vultra analyzed every martial-arts technique, downloading them into memory.
After class, they returned to their dorms. Leo went to the kitchen and whipped up dinner; he also made dessert. They enjoyed it to the fullest. Leo then told Vultra, "I sense an odd, familiar presence approaching."
Vultra answered, "You felt it too, right? Something's definitely coming—and one thing is certain: it's not friendly."
The scene now shifts to the void dimension. A being said, "All right, it's time. Leo, Vultra—wherever you are, I am coming for you goons. Advance preparation: war is closer than expected. The scent of blood is nigh."
Will the hoeless duo prevail, or be destroyed along with the war? Stay tuned to find out next.