The lecture hall buzzed with morning chatter as Lin Chen and Zhou Ming found seats near the back. Professor Wang's Advanced Economics class was notorious for being impossible to follow, but with his enhanced intelligence, Lin Chen could see patterns and connections that had eluded him before.
More importantly, his Talent Identification skill was working overtime. As he scanned the room, information flooded his vision:
[Student #23: Hidden Potential - A-Rank Financial Genius]
[Student #47: Hidden Potential - S-Rank Tech Innovation]
[Student #12: Hidden Potential - B-Rank Leadership]
It was like seeing a hidden world. All these people walking around completely unaware of their dormant abilities. Lin Chen's mind raced with possibilities.
"Dude, check this out," Zhou Ming whispered, pulling out his phone. "I've been analyzing the stock market patterns since this morning, and I think I can predict short-term fluctuations with like 80% accuracy. It's weird, but numbers just make sense now."
Lin Chen smiled. The enhancement was working perfectly. In his previous life, Zhou Ming could barely balance his meal card budget.
[SYSTEM NOTIFICATION: Subject Zhou Ming showing rapid talent awakening]
[Your enhancement effect: 47% stronger than predicted]
[Bonus reward unlocked: Skill Evolution Point]
"That's incredible, Zhou. What if you applied that analytical ability to something bigger?"
Before Zhou Ming could answer, the classroom door opened and Liu Mei walked in. Even knowing what she'd eventually do, Lin Chen felt his heart skip. She was genuinely beautiful - long black hair, intelligent eyes, and a smile that had once made him believe in fairy tales.
[Liu Mei - Hidden Potential: SSS-Rank Business Strategy & Innovation]
[Current Status: Talent completely dormant, following conventional path]
[Warning: Confidence issues preventing talent activation]
[Time until Zhang Wei's interference: 72 days, 14 hours]
She spotted Lin Chen and waved, making her way over. Several male students watched her with obvious interest, but she only had eyes for him. The irony wasn't lost on Lin Chen - in trying to save their relationship, he might be the one to change first.
"Morning, Chen," she said, settling beside him. "You look different today. More... focused?"
"Just had a good night's sleep," he replied, studying her through new eyes. In his past life, he'd been so focused on his own struggles that he'd never really seen her potential. Liu Mei wasn't just pretty - she was brilliant, innovative, and driven. She'd just been hiding it behind social expectations and fear of standing out.
Professor Wang began his lecture on market disruption theory, but Lin Chen was barely listening. His enhanced mind was already formulating plans. He needed to help Liu Mei discover her abilities before Zhang Wei swooped in with his family's money and connections.
[NEW MISSION AVAILABLE]
[MISSION: Awaken Liu Mei's dormant business talent]
[DIFFICULTY: High - Subject has deep-rooted confidence barriers]
[REWARD: Advanced Enhancement Skill + Relationship Status Upgrade]
[BONUS OBJECTIVE: Do this without revealing your system abilities]
"Liu Mei," Lin Chen whispered, "what do you think about Professor Wang's disruption theory? Any real-world applications come to mind?"
She looked surprised. "I... well, I've had some ideas about optimizing campus food delivery, but they're probably stupid."
"Try me."
For the next twenty minutes, Liu Mei hesitantly outlined a comprehensive business model that would revolutionize how students accessed meals, complete with AI-driven demand prediction, sustainable packaging, and integrated social features. Her ideas were genuinely brilliant - far beyond anything a typical business student would conceive.
Lin Chen activated his Basic Enhancement skill, directing a subtle flow of energy toward her confidence centers rather than raw ability.
[Enhancement targeting: Self-confidence and creative thinking]
[SUCCESS: Subject's mental barriers reduced by 40%]
[HOST BENEFIT: Your charisma and persuasion abilities increased by 400%]
Liu Mei's eyes gradually brightened as she spoke, her voice growing stronger and more animated. Other students began turning to listen, including Professor Wang himself.
"Miss Liu," the professor interrupted, "that's a remarkably sophisticated analysis. Have you considered presenting this at the university's innovation competition next month?"
Liu Mei flushed. "I... I couldn't. It's just random thoughts."
"Actually," Lin Chen said, his enhanced charisma making his words more compelling, "I think you should. With some development, this could be genuinely revolutionary. I'd be happy to help you refine the proposal."
[SYSTEM NOTIFICATION: Relationship Status with Liu Mei improving]
[Her trust in your judgment: Significantly increased]
[WARNING: Zhang Wei will attempt contact in 3 days]
After class, the three friends walked across campus. Zhou Ming was frantically taking notes on market patterns, while Liu Mei kept stealing glances at Lin Chen.
"You're really different today," she said finally. "More... confident. It's attractive."
Lin Chen felt a pang of guilt. In his previous life, he'd loved her purely and desperately. Now, knowing her future betrayal, his feelings were complicated by strategy and protection. But maybe that was better - love based on understanding rather than blind devotion.
"I've been thinking about a lot of things lately," he replied truthfully. "About potential. About how people never realize what they're capable of until someone believes in them."
They reached the campus café, where Zhou Ming immediately pulled out his laptop and began running calculations. Within minutes, he'd attracted a small crowd of economics students marveling at his analysis.
[SYSTEM NOTIFICATION: Zhou Ming's reputation increasing rapidly]
[Your indirect influence creating ripple effects]
[NEW OPPORTUNITY: Three students want Zhou Ming to teach them]
Lin Chen's phone buzzed with a text from an unknown number: "Heard you might be interested in making real money. Meet me at the north gate after your last class. - A Friend"
His blood ran cold. That message... he remembered it from his previous life. It had been the beginning of his downward spiral - a get-rich-quick scheme that had cost him his scholarship money and led to his first fight with Liu Mei.
But this time, he knew it was coming.
[HIDDEN QUEST DISCOVERED: Prevent your past mistakes while gaining from the situation]
[OPTIONAL OBJECTIVE: Turn the tables on those who would exploit you]
"Everything okay?" Liu Mei asked, noticing his expression.
"Just remembering something I need to take care of," Lin Chen said. "Liu Mei, Zhou - would you be interested in starting something together? Not just a business, but something that could change how this whole university operates?"
Zhou Ming looked up from his laptop. "You mean like a startup? Dude, with my new analytical abilities and Liu Mei's ideas..."
"We could actually make a difference," Liu Mei finished, her eyes shining with possibility.
[SYSTEM NOTIFICATION: Power Network Formation Detected]
[Current Network: 2 members (Zhou Ming, Liu Mei)]
[Network Synergy Bonus: All enhancement effects +25%]
[ACHIEVEMENT UNLOCKED: The First Steps]
Lin Chen smiled, but his mind was already racing ahead to the evening's confrontation. In his past life, he'd been a victim. Tonight, he'd show what happened when prey became predator.
[SYSTEM REMINDER: 23 hours, 7 minutes remaining for primary mission completion]
[NEW SKILL AVAILABLE: Tactical Analysis - Predict opponent strategies]
[WARNING: Multiple system users detected in city area]
[ATTENTION: Your rapid progress has attracted attention from unknown sources]
As the day progressed, Lin Chen felt the weight of his choices. Every enhancement he made, every person he helped, was creating butterfly effects that rippled outward. Zhou Ming was already being recruited by investment clubs. Liu Mei was sketching business plans with infectious enthusiasm.
But with power came danger. And tonight, he'd face the first real test of whether his rebirth was a blessing or a curse.
The afternoon sun cast long shadows across campus as Lin Chen prepared for a confrontation that would set the tone for everything to come.