The Blue Mist Academy cafeteria was less of a dining hall and more of a social battlefield. The "Gold Talent" students sat on the balcony eating dragon-tail steaks, while the 1-Star "trash" sat near the kitchen vents, inhaling the fumes of better lives.
Xiao Fan sat at a central table, leaning back with his feet up. He looked like a king, despite his uniform having a literal patch on the elbow.
"Bro, you're dead," his roommate, Wang Hu, whispered, trembling. "Lin Xinyue is coming. The 'Ice Beauty' has never eaten with a male student. The Student Disciplinary Committee is already watching you from the bushes."
"Let them watch," Xiao Fan said, picking his teeth with a splintered chopstick. "Maybe they'll learn how to relax. Stress causes wrinkles, Hu. Look at them—all these 'geniuses' look like they haven't pooped in a week because they're too busy meditating."
The Arrival of the Ice (and the Fire)
The cafeteria went silent. Lin Xinyue walked in, her Silver-rank aura making the air slightly chilly. She sat across from Xiao Fan, her expression unreadable.
"You're late by three seconds," she said.
"Technically, I was early for tomorrow's lunch," Xiao Fan countered with a wink. "So, what's on the menu? I hope it's not 'humble pie.' I'm allergic."
Before she could respond, a shadow loomed over the table. It wasn't a mindless thug. It was Shao Meng, a 4-Star Talent student in the Platinum track. He was smart, calculated, and extremely aware of his public image. He didn't scream; he smiled like a shark.
"Junior Sister Lin," Shao Meng said smoothly, ignoring Xiao Fan entirely. "It's beneath your status to dine with... statistical noise. If you need a sparring partner or a meal companion, I have a private booth reserved."
He didn't attack. He was a "refined" gentleman. He knew that if he beat up a 1-star student in public, his reputation would take a hit and the Academy elders would dock his points.
"I made a promise, Senior Shao," Lin Xinyue said coldly. "He saved my sword from hitting the crowd."
Shao Meng's eye twitched. Saved the sword? The kid was tying his shoe! "I see," Shao Meng said, his smile widening. "Well, as a Senior, I should reward such... 'bravery.' Allow me to pull out a chair for you, Junior Sister."
As Shao Meng reached for a chair, his hand brushed against a bowl of soup. Normally, a Platinum-track student has reflexes like a cat. But today, the universe had other plans.
A small fly, which had been buzzing around for three miles, chose that exact millisecond to fly into Shao Meng's nostril.
"ACHOO!"
The sneeze was explosive. Shao Meng's hand jerked, catching the edge of the soup bowl. The spicy broth flipped into the air, perfectly tracing a parabolic arc.
Shao Meng tried to dodge, but his expensive silk shoes—which he had polished to a mirror shine—slipped on a single drop of spilled water.
SPLASH.
The spicy soup didn't hit Xiao Fan. It didn't hit Lin Xinyue. It drenched Shao Meng's own white robes, specifically his crotch area, making it look like he'd had a very tragic bathroom accident.
The "Mercy" of Xiao Fan
The cafeteria fell into a deathly silence. The "smart" students in the back turned their heads, pretending they hadn't seen anything to avoid Shao Meng's future wrath.
"Oh, bro..." Xiao Fan said, his voice dripping with mock sympathy. "That's a bold fashion statement. The 'Spicy Crotch' look is really going to trend this season."
Shao Meng's face turned purple. He was a logical man. He knew this was an accident. But the humiliation was worse than a physical beating. He didn't stay to argue; he turned on his heel and walked out with as much dignity as a man with wet pants could muster.
"He's going to remember this," Lin Xinyue warned, though her lips quirked upward for a fraction of a second.
"Good. Maybe he'll send me a 'Thank You' card for the fashion advice," Xiao Fan chuckled.
Just then, the waiter arrived. "Pardon me, the gentleman who just left... he pre-paid for the most expensive 'Heavenly Qi Platter' before he sat down. Since he's gone, would you like it served?"
Xiao Fan beamed. "See? He's a great guy. Bro even paid for the steak!"
Slow Growth: The Midnight Glow
Later that night, after a meal that cost more than his apartment, Xiao Fan felt a heat in his chest. The high-quality food, combined with the Vermillion Blood Fruit he'd hidden in his bag, was being processed by the System.
[Ding! System Analysis: Digesting high-grade nutrients.]
[Current Talent Progress: 1-Star (Middle) — 85% Complete.]
[Warning: Your physical body is currently 'Too Lucky.' To prevent your bones from becoming 'Soft Gold,' please perform 10 push-ups.]
"Ten? In one go? System, you're a slave driver," Xiao Fan groaned.
He did five, got bored, tripped over a loose floorboard, and landed in a way that accidentally cracked his back into a perfect alignment.
CRACK.
[Ding! Luck Event: 'Accidental Chiropractics.']
[Talent Breakthrough: 1-Star (Middle) ACHIEVED.]
[New Perk Unlocked: 'Eye of the Grifter' — You can now see the 'Luck Value' of items in trash piles.]
Xiao Fan sat up, feeling a surge of fresh Qi. "1-Star Middle. I'm basically a god among ants... okay, maybe just a slightly stronger ant. But hey, at least I don't have soup on my pants."
He looked out the window. Tomorrow was the "Treasure Hunting" field trip for the 1-star class.
"Time to go shopping in the garbage," he whispered.