Chapter 197: The Second Stage Dilemma

Silence descended upon the meeting room after Professor Bai finished speaking.

Only four people were present: Professor Bai, Minister Shen, Chen Jing, and Mr. Su. Each reacted differently to Professor Bai’s explanation. Chen Jing felt some questions had been answered, but many more immediately surfaced.

However, considering certain factors, she held back from asking immediately.

Minister Shen remained silent for a moment before looking up at Professor Bai, his expression stern.

“This is all just speculation on your part.”

“Who could possibly be convinced by such baseless conjecture?”

…

The severity in Minister Shen’s tone immediately shifted the expressions of Chen Jing and Mr. Su.

Even Mr. Su gently tapped the materials in his hand, slowly adding, “Besides what we’ve analyzed, there are still things we don’t understand. For example, what exactly happened to the Dream Maker who entered Mr. Lone Soldier’s dream back then to perform the psychological evaluation? Also, it seems several people under Old Shen encountered some… difficulties while observing Mr. Lone Soldier.”

He paused slightly. “Unpleasant incidents?”

As he spoke, everyone’s gaze shifted towards Minister Shen.

It concerned matters within the City Defense Department. Everyone knew about it, but it was rarely brought up in front of Minister Shen.

“If the difference in Psychic Power is too vast, attempting to probe an Ability User whose level far exceeds one’s own is akin to peering into an abyss. Anything could happen. Besides, back when dealing with the Mental Bomb beneath the South Wall, Mr. Lone Soldier already warned us: Do not probe, do not record. So, technically… we were the ones who violated the rules back then. We can’t blame him.”

Professor Bai explained gently, then added:

“Furthermore, my speculations are merely to help you understand better. In fact, what I intend to convince you with is the data.”

He flipped through the materials as he spoke.

“Currently, Mr. Lone Soldier has consecutively handled two special pollution incidents in a short period, and his evaluations were quite good.”

“In other words, even without counting the retrieval of the painting titled ‘Red Moon’s Gaze’, he has already met the criteria for a Level 3 Special Talent. According to our regulations, he is now eligible to apply for the Second Stage.”

…

Minister Shen’s expression shifted slightly. He stated gravely, “An Ability User wanting to undergo Second Stage enhancement isn’t just about meeting the standard. There’s another crucial criterion: their inherent loss-of-control risk must also be managed within acceptable limits!”

Professor Bai nodded. “That’s precisely what I wanted to discuss. Based on the available data analysis, he already meets the standard.”

Minister Shen glanced at the “65%” written on the board, his brow furrowing tightly. “That’s impossible!”

He began flipping rapidly through the files, trying to find loopholes in the seemingly absurd report.

“Facts and data don’t lie.”

Professor Bai calmly looked at him. “You must accept a fact. Although initially we all deemed his loss-of-control risk high, he did not lose control during subsequent special pollution incidents. He did not lose control when facing the Mental Pollution Bomb created by the Technology Church. He did not lose control while pursuing the Knight Orders outside the city. Even after entering Happy Town…”

“He still didn’t lose control!”

“Triggers for loss of control often stem from instability caused by increased Psychic Power, self-collapse due to overuse of abilities, or various mutations induced by strange stimuli, intense emotional impacts, and so on…”

“From this perspective, Mr. Lone Soldier has practically withstood tests from almost every angle.”

“The only thing he hasn’t experienced yet is a significant emotional impact.”

…

Hearing this, Minister Shen immediately interrupted, “But emotional impact is precisely one of the most common reasons for losing control!”

“Correct!”

Professor Bai smiled. “But he has another excellent habit. He adheres strictly to the rules.”

Finishing his point, he smiled at Chen Jing and Mr. Su. “Someone who follows rules tends to keep their emotions within a certain range. They accept things within the rules, and when rules are broken, they can justifiably strive to correct it, turning a potential emotional outburst into a simple release…”

“Therefore…”

Professor Bai concluded with a smile, “What a promising candidate. I believe he is very suitable for entering the Second Stage.”

The atmosphere in the meeting room grew even more peculiar.

Minister Shen, Chen Jing, and Mr. Su felt they understood every word Professor Bai said, even finding his reasoning sound. Yet, when he reached this seemingly logical conclusion, all three were somewhat stunned…

…This was Mr. Lone Soldier, after all!

…The Mr. Lone Soldier who single-handedly resolved the Mental Pollution Bomb incident!

…The Mr. Lone Soldier who dared to pursue a Knight Order unit possessing three Ability Users outside the city, alone except for one ‘pendant’!

…The Mr. Lone Soldier who wandered through Happy Town and came back out as if nothing happened!

…

…

“What are your opinions?”

Having said his piece, Professor Bai asked with a gentle smile.

“Honestly, I’m not entirely sure…”

Chen Jing answered first this time. After a pause, she added, “But I trust the facts and the data!”

Mr. Su pondered for a moment, then smiled candidly. “Frankly, my understanding of Ability Users isn’t as deep as yours. Sometimes, the things you discuss sound rather complex to me. However, I always remember one other thing…”

“The principle we established when setting up the Special Pollution Cleanup Department: Cooperate with Ability Users, don’t antagonize them!”

With a small smile, he added, “I believe this principle can help us make many decisions.”

In the meeting room, three pairs of eyes turned towards Minister Shen.

Minister Shen’s face was dark. After a while, he finally said, “I also acknowledge the principle Mr. Su mentioned. That’s why I haven’t mandated military enlistment for all Ability Users or treated them like soldiers. I even agreed, under non-threatening circumstances, to allow them to keep some secrets and enjoy certain privileges. But there’s one thing we all understand…”

He paused before continuing, “Ability Users are terrifying.”

His voice grew slightly heavy. “Have you not read the report on Happy Town yet?”

“…Of course, this information was also brought back by him!”

“To think an Ability User, or perhaps a Pollution Source, has already transformed an entire town into a structure resembling a beehive or ant nest… I don’t know what you think, but frankly, I feel fear. Or perhaps… despair!”

…

For someone with his disposition, uttering such words seemed incredibly difficult.

But he said them nonetheless, focusing his gaze intently on Professor Bai. “So, are you absolutely certain you know what you’re doing?”

…

…

Meeting his gaze, Professor Bai nodded calmly. “I’ve also read the Happy Town report. While it’s certainly shocking, frankly, I wasn’t too surprised. Do you still remember the words spoken by that genius researcher from the Moon Eclipse Research Institute just before he jumped from the hundred-story building in despair over his own research?”

Upon hearing this, Chen Jing abruptly looked up. “The three curses?”

“Not curses, necessarily. More like warnings… or prophecies!”

Professor Bai spoke slowly, “The first is that with the emergence of mental variations, the social structures and order we rely on might face unprecedented impact. Humanity could potentially enter a different mode of existence.”

Listening to Professor Bai’s calm, almost detached words, everyone in the meeting room felt a weight settle in their hearts.

“And the second is…”

Professor Bai slowly began, his gaze sweeping over the others.

This time, Mr. Su picked up where he left off, answering softly, “Prepare for the arrival of God!”

A palpable sense of oppression seemed to fill the room, making hearts feel heavy.

Minister Shen clenched his jaw slightly, the muscles on his face tightening.

…

…

“Heh, let’s not dwell on the last words of a madman…”

Mr. Su chuckled lightly. “But we must admit, Old Shen’s concerns are valid…”

“We truly need to be extremely cautious with these matters…”

…

“Regarding Old Shen’s concerns, I’ve actually prepared for them.”

Professor Bai seemed to anticipate his thoughts, speaking preemptively. “I have two points for you, and not just for you, but also for the other gentlemen…” As he spoke, he approached Minister Shen. Meeting the minister’s somewhat puzzled gaze, he said softly, “Are you aware that the Tianlan Sea Nation is currently in close contact with the Deep Well Mining Company?”

Minister Shen frowned slightly and nodded. “My subordinates gathered this intelligence and reported it to me.”

Professor Bai nodded. “Then are you aware that their discussions concern Nurturing Liquid?”

Minister Shen paused, startled, then his brow locked tightly.

“The second point I want to make is…”

Professor Bai continued gently, “Do you really think, given Mr. Lone Soldier’s current Psychic Power level, that he actually needs enhancement?”

Minister Shen was initially confused, but upon reflection, his expression changed dramatically.

Meeting his gaze, Professor Bai offered a faint smile, one tinged with a rare hint of exhaustion. He spoke softly, “The Second Stage for Ability Users primarily focuses on enhancing and stabilizing Mental Power. He doesn’t need enhancement.”

“Therefore, our job is fundamentally about making him… more stable!”

…

Complete silence fell over the meeting room as everyone pondered the implications of his words.

Professor Bai gently placed the file on the lab table, turned around, and crossed his arms. “I’ve said what I needed to say.”

Minister Shen clenched his jaw slightly, then suddenly looked up at him.

“It seems you’d already figured out how to convince us before calling us here.”

After a brief pause, he added, “I agree with the recommendations you presented earlier. So, if he genuinely meets all the criteria, I will not exercise special privilege to deny his application for the Second Stage. However, I have one question for you to answer.”

At this point, Chen Jing and Mr. Su also looked up curiously.

Minister Shen’s facial muscles tensed as he spoke deliberately, word by word:

“How can you guarantee that he won’t become our enemy after entering the Second Stage?”

…

This question instantly dropped the temperature in the meeting room to freezing point.

It was a topic discussable only among the few of them, one that couldn’t be addressed by rules alone.

But it was also a very real problem.

Enhancing an Ability User to the Second Stage carried not only the risk of loss of control but also the risk that the Ability User, upon gaining immense power, might turn against them, developing previously absent ambitions and posing a grave threat to all of Qinggang City…

Yet, facing this most sobering question, Professor Bai seemed the most relaxed.

“I’ve considered this question, and I’ve thought of an excellent solution.”

Meeting the curious gazes of the three around him, he smiled, snapped his fingers, and said, “Sign a contract with him!”