"That's the beacon of civilization illuminating the darkness~"
Feng Mu recalled the knowledge he had seen in his textbooks and pursed his lips.
He had no wild ambitions to spy on Upper City, nor any curiosity to explore the truth. What really troubled him was—he hadn't seen sunlight in three years.
He almost forgot what the sun looked like, as if the last time he saw it was in a past life.
He couldn't help but seriously suspect that a major reason for his poor genetic aptitude was due to a lack of photosynthesis, leading to calcium deficiency.
He rode his bicycle all the way home.
It was an old community, a mix of rusty iron-sheet builds and peeling plaster low-rise buildings, resembling bloated, deformed earthworms tangled together when viewed from the trash-filled streets. The air was filled with an indescribable stench.
Even after being here for three years, Feng Mu still couldn't fully get used to the smell.
He locked the bike at the entrance of the building, took a deep breath, and pushed the door open.
Inside was about seventy square meters, cramped and outdated. On the living room table lay processed synthetic meat, which was considered a rare feast in this household.
The tableware was set, but no one was at the table. Clearly, his father, who worked at the Patrol Office, hadn't returned yet.
His mother Wang Xiuli was still busy in the kitchen, with the occasional sound of dishes clinking.
His sister was watching TV on the sofa, the TV sound was quite noisy.
Feng Mu sat on the sofa; the siblings barely chatted, one was focused on watching TV, the other was staring at the screen dazedly.
A quarter of an hour later.
His father Feng Ju returned, and his mother went to greet him, helping him remove the military coat.
After his father sat at the table, the siblings only then took their seats, waiting for the father to move the first chopstick before picking up their own.
During the meal, the family began chatting, mainly the father asking, the sister answering, and the mother smiling along. He just focused on eating silently.
"The results of the genetic aptitude test are out, right?"
"Yes, last week the school ran a test for all new students aged 18. The results were announced this morning. My genetic aptitude score is 87, ranking third in this year's students."
"Good, good, 87 is a superior aptitude, that's great."
"Next week, the school will transfer me to the experimental class. Dad, you said if I could enter the key class, you would buy me the latest holographic watch."
"Dad keeps his word. I'll take you to buy one in a couple of days, but remember, don't get arrogant. Since it's superior aptitude, you need to work even harder. Our family's future hopes rest on you, understand?"
"Yes, I understand."
The promised sister Feng Yuhuai was full of joy, and even Feng Ju, who usually had an unsmiling, dignified patriarchal demeanor, showed a reassuring smile.
"Elder brother, don't just focus on eating. Your sister is performing so well, you should be happy." Feng Ju suddenly directed the topic towards Feng Mu.
Feng Mu put down his chopsticks and nodded to congratulate his sister.
Feng Ju glanced at his mediocre and dull son, a hint of displeasure on his face: "I remember your entrance test score for genetic aptitude was 49?"
Feng Mu's eyes were filled with complex emotions. That day was precisely when he crossed over to this world.
He still remembered waking up in the school's storage room, half his body soaked in cold blood, a shocking cut on his wrist, and a blood-stained report card close by.
It was considered the suicide note left by the original owner, their shared secret.
Feng Mu muttered:"49 points, inferior aptitude."
Seeing Feng Mu's muted but calm voice, Feng Ju furrowed his brow: "You should have had a mock exam last week, how many points did you get?"
Feng Mu answered: "Literary scores 521, martial arts scores 236, total 757."
"Is it enough for Zone 9's military academy passing line?" Feng Ju didn't even ask his son, but rather turned to inquire his daughter.
Feng Yuhuai shook her head decisively: "Literary and martial scores should each be 750, total 1500. The lowest passing line for Zone 9's military academy throughout the years is either single literary 650 or single martial 550, or a total exceeding 900 for hope. Brother's score is far below both single and total."
Feng Ju put down his chopsticks, stared at Feng Mu, and said sternly, "Did your sister say it right?"
Feng Mu didn't dispute: "Right, but there are still three months until the military exam. If I make a strong effort at language scores, climb a bit higher in martial arts, and with a Bone Refining Pill, perhaps..."
The Bone Refining Pill, as the name implies, can enhance genetic aptitude. It is expensive, only effective upon first usage, and the lousier the aptitude, the more remarkable the result.
In other words, if Feng Mu could use it, his aptitude might get a critical hit and increase by 5–10 points.
But for Feng Yuhuai, it would at best rise by a point or two.
Feng Ju no longer listened to the unrealistic fantasies of his son, interrupting coldly: "A Bone Refining Pill, your father exchanged all his merits in the Patrol Office, could come up with one, but..."
Feng Mu only heard the word "but," his heart grew cold as Feng Yuhuai's ears perked up, her eyes shining brightly.
"Giving it to you, even if it increases your aptitude by 10 points, your martial arts scores can go a bit higher, but it would still be considered inferior aptitude. For you or for our family, it's a loss deal. Wouldn't it be better to save it for your sister to help her rise to another level, don't you think?"
Although Feng Mu held little hope, he still felt like his heart was being pierced by a knife. He took a deep breath and hoarsely replied, "Father is right, after all, sister is the hope of our entire family."