The More They Love Me, the Stronger I Get

Chapter 006

“A volunteer application for higher education?”

Leo Shaw stared at the crisp, embossed header of the A4 document, his brow arching in genuine surprise. He looked up from the paper to find May Lewis—or Sonya Sutton, as he called her when the doors were locked—watching him with a gaze that was far more tender than the one she wore in the Academy Arena.

Sonya nodded slowly, leaning back against the edge of her mahogany desk. The afternoon light caught the golden flecks in her eyes, softening the sharp, professional edges of her silhouette. “I received an encrypted communique from the West Martial Military District earlier this morning. The schedule has been accelerated. Tomorrow, the academy will commence the Awakening Ceremony for every student in the senior tier. Immediately following the ceremony, the qualifying exams will begin.”

Leo frowned, his mind racing through the implications. “Why the rush? The standard academic calendar doesn't slate the exams for at least another six weeks. This isn't just an administrative tweak; it’s a full-scale mobilization.”

“You’re sharp,” Sonya said, her voice dropping to a serious, low-frequency hum. “The sensors in the Netherlands have been picking up abnormal seismic activity. It’s not just a minor fluctuation; the high-tier Mutant Beasts are migrating toward the border. There’s a high probability of a Beast Tide—one larger than anything we’ve seen in the last decade. The Grand Dominion needs fresh blood, and they need it yesterday. They want your generation to awaken, test, and be deployed to specialized training towers before the winter sets in.”

Leo tapped the edge of the paper, the reality of the Metahuman World finally sinking in. This was no longer a game of grades and social standing. It was a preparation for war. He looked at the form again, noticing the blank spaces for his top three choices. “So, you’ve brought me here to pick my future for me? I assume you have a specific destination in mind.”

Sonya stepped closer, her hand reaching out to brush a stray lock of hair from Leo’s forehead. Her touch was warm, a stark contrast to the icy persona she projected in the hallways. “I won’t leave your future to chance, Leo. If you want to survive what’s coming, you need to be in an environment that suits your specific potential. Listen to me carefully.”

She paced the length of the office, her heels clicking rhythmically on the plush carpet. “If your Spirit Power measurement tomorrow falls below an A-tier, you will mark Clearspring Academy as your primary choice. They have the most robust meritocracy in the dominion. Unlike the legacy-heavy schools in the Capital City, Clearspring Academy distributes resources based on mission contributions. If you’re a mid-tier talent but you work harder than the rest, you’ll get the Spirit Stones and the Precious Medicine you need to bridge the gap. It’s a place for grinders, and with your family’s backing, you’ll thrive there.”

Leo considered this. It was a safe play. A pragmatic, defensive strategy for someone who might not hit the genetic lottery. “And if I’m better than an A-tier?”

Sonya stopped and turned, a mysterious, almost feline smile playing on her lips. “If you awaken as an A-tier or higher, you’ll fill in Phoenix Academy.”

Leo nearly choked on his own breath. “Phoenix Academy? You can’t be serious, Ya-jie. That’s an all-female institution. It’s a fortress of the elite, and they don't exactly welcome men through the front gates. The enrollment requirements are legendary—you either have to be a literal Fairy in appearance or possess a high-tier fire-elemental affinity. I don’t think I fit the dress code.”

Sonya laughed, a rich, melodic sound that filled the room. “Don’t worry about the gender restrictions. The academy has a 'Special Research' clause for high-potential talents, and I have enough leverage in the West Martial Military District to push your application through. Phoenix Academy possesses a unique Spirit Ore vein that is unparalleled for rapid cultivation. If you want to reach Tier 5 before you're twenty, that is the only place to do it.”

She paused, her expression turning slightly pensive. “However... we have to be realistic about the biological data. Both of your parents were confirmed B-tier awakeners. Statistically, the chance of a child surpassing their parents' tier is less than ten percent. There’s a twenty percent chance you might even drop to a C-tier. I just want you to be prepared for the possibility.”

Leo felt a surge of internal amusement. If he were the "Old Leo," he’d be sweating right now. But he could feel the Nihility Divine Thunder coiled in his solar plexus, a sleeping dragon of SSS-tier power that made the B-tier concerns of his parents seem like a distant memory. He reached out, his fingers catching Sonya’s chin and lifting it until her eyes met his.

“You worry too much,” Leo said, his voice brimming with a quiet, absolute confidence that made Sonya’s pulse quicken. “You’ve laid the groundwork and paved the road, but don't underestimate the driver. Tomorrow, I’m going to show you what a true 'Favored Son' looks like. I won't just pass the test; I’m going to break the measurement scale.”

Sonya’s eyes widened, a flicker of genuine shock crossing her face before it was replaced by a flush of red. She tried to maintain her stern, elder-sister mask, but it was crumbling under the intensity of his gaze. “You... you arrogant brat! Do you have any idea how many geniuses I’ve seen crushed by their own expectations? If you awaken as a C-tier tomorrow, I’m going to—”

“Going to what?” Leo whispered, leaning in until the scent of her perfume—a mix of sandalwood and ozone—filled his senses.

Sonya didn't finish the sentence. The "Ice Queen" of the Spirit Martial Academy was currently being melted by the very fire she usually wielded. She was a Tier 5 powerhouse, a woman who had faced down Berserk Gorillas and Iron-Armored Rhinos without flinching, yet she found herself breathless in the presence of a boy who hadn't even officially awakened yet.

The heat in the room wasn't just from her Vermilion Bird Fire anymore; it was the raw, unrefined energy of a connection that transcended their official titles. For a long moment, the looming threat of the Beast Tide and the complexities of the The Grand Dominion’s politics vanished, replaced by the rhythmic thumping of two hearts in a soundproofed office.

The chime of the afternoon bell eventually broke the spell. Leo made his way back to Class 2-Spirit, the taste of Sonya’s expensive lip gloss still lingering on his lips. As he slid into his seat, the air in the classroom felt heavy with anticipation. Every student was whispering about the rumors of the early Awakening Ceremony. The tension was so thick you could cut it with a Darkwater Spike.

Yuna Lynch, sitting directly in front of him, turned her head slowly. Her large, expressive eyes searched his face, her nose wrinkling slightly as she inhaled. Her high-sensitivity to Spirit Air allowed her to pick up on subtle changes in a person’s aura.

“You were gone for a long time, Leo,” she whispered, her voice a mix of concern and a sharp, intuitive suspicion. “Did Professor May Lewis... make things difficult for you?”

Leo leaned back, a casual smirk on his face. “You could say that. She’s quite the 'demanding' teacher. She gave me a lot of 'personalized instruction' that I wasn't expecting. My head is still spinning from all the... information.”

Yuna’s eyes narrowed. She didn't know the specifics, but the way Leo’s eyes sparkled told her that whatever had happened in that office had nothing to do with textbooks. There was a faint, floral scent clinging to him that didn't match the standard academy soap. She felt a twinge of something cold in her chest—jealousy, though she would never admit it—and turned back to her desk with a huff, her long ponytail whipping through the air.

Leo just chuckled, reaching out to give the end of her hair a playful tug. He knew he was playing a dangerous game with the hearts of the two most powerful women in the academy, but then again, he had always enjoyed a high-stakes gamble.

The rest of the day passed in a blur of excitement and nervous energy. When the final bell rang, Leo gathered his things and headed for the main gates. The sun was beginning to dip, casting long, golden shadows across the Academy Arena.

Waiting by the gate, leaning against a weathered stone pillar, was Monica Bailey.

If Yuna was a delicate flower, Monica was a lightning bolt. Even in the fading light, her skin seemed to glow, and those legendary legs—clad in denim shorts that left very little to the imagination—captured the attention of every boy leaving the campus. She wasn't just a beauty; she was an event.

“So, the 'Top Scholar' actually kept his word,” Monica said as Leo approached. She pushed off the pillar, her movement as fluid as a mountain stream. “I was half-convinced you’d be too exhausted after your 'private session' with the Ice Queen to help a girl in need.”

Leo let his eyes wander over her, a slow, appreciative scan that made Monica’s confident smile falter for a fraction of a second. “I never miss an appointment with a lady, especially one who promises 'repayment' in such interesting terms. So, tell me, where are we going? My driver is waiting with the car.”

He gestured toward a sleek, obsidian-black sedan idling near the curb. It was a custom-built masterpiece, worth at least $15 million USD. The windows were reinforced with Spirit Ore laminates, and the body was plated in a lightweight alloy designed to withstand a direct hit from a Tier 4 Air Cannon. It was a rolling fortress, a symbol of the Shaw family’s overwhelming wealth.

Monica glanced at the car, then back at Leo, a mischievous glint in her eyes. “A car like that? In the area we’re going? You might as well put a giant neon sign on your head that says 'Rob Me, I’m a Rich Kid'. No, we’re taking something a bit more... discreet.”

She pointed to a simple, slightly rusted bicycle leaning against the fence. It was a stark contrast to the high-tech environment of the academy, a relic of the pre-Spirit Revival era.

“The district we’re heading into is a labyrinth of narrow alleys and bustling markets. A tank like yours won't make it two blocks without getting stuck in a crowd of vendors. So, what do you say, Young Master? Are you willing to lower yourself to my level? I’ll even let you steer.”

Leo looked at the bicycle, then back at the girl with the most beautiful legs in the city. The idea of the heir to the Shaw fortune pedaling a rusty bike through the slums was absurd, but that was exactly why it appealed to him.

“If it gets me closer to you, Monica, I’d ride a donkey through the Netherlands,” Leo said, stepping toward the bike.

He dismissed his driver with a sharp wave of his hand, ignoring the man’s look of utter confusion. He swung his leg over the seat, his Spirit-Forged Body making the heavy frame feel as light as a toy. Monica hopped onto the rear rack, her arms wrapping around his waist, her warmth pressing against his back.

“Hold on tight,” Leo said, feeling the surge of adrenaline that always came with a new conquest. “I have a feeling this is going to be a very interesting afternoon.”

As they pedaled away from the safety of the academy gates and toward the sprawling, neon-lit chaos of the lower districts, Leo felt the system chime in his mind.

[Affection Level with Monica Bailey is rising! Current: 63%... 64%...]

[Warning: Entering a 'Gray Zone'. Host should stay alert. The Fiend Sect has been active in this area recently. But don't worry—with your new Divine Artifact, you’re more than a match for any low-tier thugs!]

Leo pedaled faster, the wind whistling past his ears. Behind him, he could feel Monica’s heartbeat against his spine. Ahead of him, the city beckoned—a world of secrets, monsters, and beautiful women, and he was going to conquer every single one of them.