Exchange students had to undergo a physical examination before enrollment, but the entire process was supervised by officials from both countries. The military academy could not obtain the exchange students’ blood samples, and the examination only covered basic tests for infectious diseases, with no information on pheromones involved.

The blood samples were sent to the campus infirmary and secretly examined by the chief doctor. The results came out before noon the next day.

By the time Song Jin and the other two arrived, Doctor Shen Chu, the head of the infirmary, had already pulled up the detailed report.

“The blood sample indicators are fine. The basic data show no obvious difference compared with the one from enrollment.”

Song Jin ignored the routine figures and fixed his gaze on the special section. These were targeted inspection standards developed over years of research after the super-omega outbreak by experts in the pheromone field, including his father, Shen Sinian.

Among them was a core PRM index. For ordinary people, it would never exceed 0.8, while omega subjects modified with drugs would exceed 300 and be easy to identify.

Qi Ge’s PRM was 0.7, and all the other indicators were also within the normal range.

“Pheromones?” Song Jin asked.

“The pheromone curve isn’t quite normal.” Shen Chu brought a few of the later windows to the top. “I compared it with the super-omega database. There’s similarity, but it’s not the same.”

Pheromone curves are generally used to detect gland development in AOs. For ordinary people, it’s a smooth curve with only slight fluctuations. Super-omegas show a step-like increase, but Qi Ge’s curve fluctuates greatly up and down.

Qin Le, standing beside Song Jin, leaned in to look. “This curve is obviously abnormal.”

Shen Chu nodded. “But we still can’t conclude that this person has undergone modification based on this alone.”

Qian Can cut in, “The key point is that Qi Ge is an alpha. If he really was modified, wouldn’t that make him a super-alpha? Damn, I’ve got goosebumps just thinking about it.”

Song Jin loosened his tie a little, suppressing his irritability as he asked Shen Chu, “Besides this, is there any way to quickly determine whether this person has been modified?”

Qin Le added, “A student council member was attacked. From his recollection, it was very similar to super-omega mental control.”

Shen Chu took off his glasses and rubbed his brow tiredly. “Unless we bring the person here for a full examination, it’s going to be hard with just these blood samples.”

Qin Le frowned. “But bringing someone in for an exam without a good reason makes the intent too obvious. It’ll probably alarm him.”

Qian Can snorted. “This grass is smart. It won’t obediently listen to you.”

Before leaving, Song Jin asked Shen Chu for a copy of the test report.

Qian Can was puzzled. “Boss, you’re really going to give this to Li Xiao? Just forge a fake one and hand it over. He can’t tell the difference.”

“If you don’t put out bait, how will the fish bite?”

Song Jin recalled Li Xiao’s actions since entering the academy and said quietly, “I want to figure out whether he’s a snake, or an eagle hunting snakes.”

He had suddenly revealed his intention to get close to his brother on Saturday. Yesterday he had taken the risk to test Song Jin, and even sent Qi Ge’s blood directly into his hands.

What exactly was Li Xiao trying to do?

At noon, there were many students walking around campus.

After Liu Cheng finished eating with his friends and was strolling through the garden, he saw Song Jin coming from the other side. He immediately lowered his head to hide his face and turned to run.

“Liu Cheng.”

Liu Cheng was startled, and in his head a banner-like sentence kept flashing over and over: It’s over, it’s over, it’s over, the old Liu family is doomed!

“Why are you running? Get over here.” Song Jin’s tone was cold and impatient.

Terrified, Liu Cheng clutched at his clothes and shuffled over reluctantly. “I really won’t do it again! I wouldn’t dare, even if you gave me a hundred times the courage!”

Last time, when Song Jin had mocked him at the restaurant entrance, he had been laughed at ever since.

Song Jin motioned him to a quiet corner.

“I remember you’re the dorm leader. There are eighteen omega exchange students in your building. Keep an eye on their movements and report everything to Qin Le.”

Liu Cheng looked very reluctant.

He already had a heavy academic load, and now he had to tail so many exchange students. If anything went wrong and he got scolded, that would be the least of it. It was a thankless task.

Song Jin said lazily, “The brother-in-law’s legion has a training internship slot next month…”

Liu Cheng was shocked. “I’ll do it! I’ll do it! I’ll do anything you tell me!”

He had always dreamed of joining Major Rong Mian’s legion. Unfortunately, the military currently only had one dedicated omega legion. There were far more people competing than there were places, and it was impossible to squeeze in.

Song Jin said, “If you can get their blood, that’s even better.”

Liu Cheng said, “Don’t even mention blood — I’ll get you flesh if I have to!”

Song Jin raised a brow slightly. “Don’t attract their attention. Otherwise—”

Liu Cheng rubbed his hands together and grinned. “Got it, got it! I’m good at this. I guarantee I’ll complete the mission!”

Qian Can, keeping watch a few steps away, rolled his eyes.

He sold his soul to the devil for a single internship slot. If it were him, it would have to be a guaranteed spot before he’d sell out.

Back in the dorm, Song Jin stood by the door and was just about to knock when the door opened from inside.

Li Xiao: “Where’s the report?”

Song Jin leaned against the doorframe and moved closer. “I’m thirsty.”

Li Xiao: “…”

Li Xiao: “Go to your dorm.”

Da Bei had gone out with someone else, but there was no guarantee the room hadn’t been fitted with surveillance devices.

Song Jin’s gaze passed over Li Xiao and swept the room casually. “The room is too messy to show people?”

Li Xiao shoved him out and shut the door with a backhanded motion. “I’m afraid your feet will dirty my floor.”

Song Jin: “…”

Qian Can: “…”

Earring guy, it’s a miracle you’ve survived this long.

In the kitchen, Li Xiao ground the coffee beans slowly and unhurriedly, while Song Jin sat beside the island counter with his arms folded, watching him like an inspector.

After brewing the coffee, Li Xiao specifically put five sugar cubes in his cup.

Song Jin: “How am I supposed to drink this with only that much sugar? Put in three more.”

Li Xiao: “…It’s a wonder your teeth haven’t fallen out.”

Song Jin: “My teeth are fine.”

Li Xiao handed it over. “The report.”

Song Jin took the cup and casually projected the test report into the air.

“Aren’t you afraid I’ll switch it?”

Li Xiao quickly skimmed the data on the windows. “Since you’re willing to give it to me, you won’t bother with that.”

Song Jin drank the coffee Li Xiao had made himself and gave a soft hum. “You think you know me very well?”

Li Xiao said, “I know someone else.”

Song Jin: “Who?”

Li Xiao didn’t answer. His attention was entirely on the test report.

The data was too perfect. It was nothing like the pheromones he had smelled. The pheromone was like lungs riddled with disease, already full of holes — how could there be no problem at all?

No problem was the biggest problem of all.

Song Jin walked over beside Li Xiao. “That night, on Zhang Ming, you smelled Qi Ge’s pheromones?”

Li Xiao didn’t deny it and kept looking over the pheromone curve report.

Yesterday at noon, he had deliberately gone to the medical center to visit Zhang Ming.

After a full examination, Zhang Ming was confirmed to have been attacked by someone’s pheromones. His pheromone state was unstable and might trigger an early heat period, so he needed to stay under observation at the medical center for two days.

Pheromone attacks only work from higher ranks to lower ranks. Zhang Ming’s rating was A-.

To bring someone down instantly, the attacker had to be at least two ranks above him.

But Qi Ge’s records listed him as only A.

Song Jin continued, “You said the state of pheromones can reflect physical condition, so what did you smell?”

Li Xiao said, “That’s not how a question game works.”

Song Jin raised a brow slightly. “Then what do you want to ask?”

Li Xiao tilted his head to look at him. “I’m still waiting for the last answer.”

Song Jin said, “You can’t deny my answer just because you’re not satisfied with it.”

Li Xiao replied, “I have plenty of patience.”

It was a test of who would outlast whom.

Song Jin understood the implication, but still did not back down.

At least he got a cup of hand-ground coffee today. Not a loss.

Although they now had a suspect, they had no evidence, so the student council couldn’t question Qi Ge without cause.

This matter still needed further investigation.

Soon it was Wednesday.

At 7:30 in the morning, all first-year students gathered in Hall No. 1, ready to head to Tianqi Zuo Q303 exam site for a week-long practical assessment.

After boarding the ship, Director Zhao Qi’s voice came through the sound system in every rest cabin.

“Students, this practical assessment is non-combat-based, but everyone’s score will be ranked according to performance. Take it seriously.”

“The exam site is in a level-two danger zone, with many mutated beasts. If an emergency occurs, you may activate the life-saving airbag and wait for rescue in place.”

“Remember: weapons must not be aimed at fellow students inside the exam site. If malicious harm to a companion is discovered, your military status will be immediately revoked and you will never be hired again…”

For fairness, all exchange students were also changed into the military academy’s standard black training uniforms, and were issued the required supplies and equipment.

Two military sabers of different lengths, a rope launcher, a capsule tent, multifunction goggles, a locator, suppressants and antidotes, two days’ worth of nutrient solution, and some miscellaneous small tools.

In the rest cabin, Li Xiao put away the cleaned saber into its scabbard.

Jiang Hao sat opposite him, touching the saber and sighing, “No big wife, but a little wife is not bad either.”

Li Xiao: “…”

“Your cheating-man quotes have increased again,” Qian Can laughed. “This is an individual competition this time. Why don’t we form a small team?”

Jiang Hao said, “Sure.”

Qian Can counted on his fingers. “Boss, Lele, me, you, and Earring Guy — with this strength, wouldn’t we crush everyone? We’d be a solid first place by a mile.”

Da Bei hurriedly raised his hand. “Add me too.”

A few of them huddled together, heads close, excitedly discussing the practical plan ahead.

Song Jin, on the other hand, showed no interest in anything and sat far away reading alone.

The next morning, when they reached Tianqi Zuo Q303 airspace, everyone transferred to different departure points by aircraft.

On the metal corridor leading to the hangar, Meng Tao looked at Li Xiao and Song Jin walking ahead, his face dark.

He had been beaten into the hospital, and his father’s transfer had fallen through. All of it was because of those two.

He couldn’t swallow that anger!

“Qi Ge, I heard you got beaten?” Meng Tao asked the Qi Ge walking on his left.

Qi Ge’s expression wasn’t any better than his. “Trying to laugh at me?”

Meng Tao lowered his voice, his tone grim. “I just heard that His Majesty would rather he never come back. Looks like he really hates him.”

Qi Ge narrowed his eyes slightly. “What do you mean?”

Meng Tao clenched his molars and said in a harsh tone, “Isn’t it normal for someone spoiled and pampered to have a little accident in the wild?”

At the hangar, Song Jin was at the back of the line. His gaze swept over Meng Tao and the other man in the distance, and he teased, “Your situation is looking grim, Little Li classmate.”

Without needing to guess, Li Xiao knew exactly what those two were planning.

“Thanks for the reminder.”

Song Jin: “Beg me. Protect you.”

Li Xiao stepped onto the aircraft’s boarding ramp. “Can’t afford the payment.”

Song Jin: “Flesh repayment works too.”

Li Xiao: “My flesh doesn’t taste good.”

Qian Can: “…”

You haven’t even gotten on the vehicle and you’re already speeding?!

The aircraft landed in a flat clearing in the forest.

At eight o’clock sharp, a huge virtual screen a hundred meters high appeared in the sky ahead, announcing the mission for this practical assessment.

The first stage was a simulated rescue mission. Everyone had to reach the designated point within two days.

The screen began a ten-second countdown. Somewhere in the forest, a distress flare was launched. Li Xiao and the others used their locators to record the direction and approximate distance.

“There’s text on the screen too!” a student shouted.

[Enter the first round of buzzer-answer lottery. The first student to answer correctly will receive an extra equipment supply.]

“This kind of thing exists?” Jiang Hao was playing this game for the first time, full of curiosity about the unknown.

When the question appeared, he immediately wilted.

No good — he wasn’t good at this kind of military theory question.

Qian Can suddenly raised his hand and shouted, “Expansion type!”

[Student No. 72015140 answered correctly.]

“Qian San, nice,” Qin Le and Qian Can high-fived.

The other students were one step too late and could only stare jealously, their envy practically dripping from the tips of their hearts.

Qian Can grinned. “Buzzer-answering is my specialty.”

Even Song Jin and Li Xiao were curious what the extra equipment would be.

[Please choose one type from the following categories: transport, food, or tools.]

Qian Can didn’t hesitate and pointed confidently. “Transport!”

If they gave him a hover car, they’d reach the destination in two hours, no need for two days.

A little robot flew down from the aircraft and stopped in front of Qian Can. Li Xiao and the others crowded over to watch.

Song Jin: “Be promising.”

Qian Can: “I guarantee I’ll get our team a luxury extended hover car!”

Qian Can took a deep breath and pressed the button on the little robot.

The robot flashed with colorful lights, and the patterns on the screen spun wildly before slowly stopping.

[Ding~ Congratulations, you’ve won an excavator~]

Qian Can: “…”

Li Xiao and the others: “…”

The other students: “…”

An excavator?!

A clattering sound came from the aircraft hangar, and everyone turned sharply to see the hatch open as a brightly colored excavator slowly descended.

The huge screen displayed its specifications.

[Revitalization Brand A999 excavator, maximum speed 15 km/h, driver’s seat can hold two people (squeeze a bit and four people can fit too)]

Song Jin turned and left immediately. “Team disbanded.”

Li Xiao followed. “Goodbye.”

The other students watching scattered like birds and beasts on the spot.

Qian Can: “…”

This can’t be real!