However, what happened next made Charles Lynn extremely upset. During his physical examination at age 12, he was diagnosed with a terrible disease in this world—Heart Source System Compatibility Disorder.

In this world, all living beings begin cultivating Heart Source Power from a young age, thereby mastering great strength.

The Heart Source Power System is the fundamental core of this world.

Whether it’s everyday tools, Heart Source vehicles, or even Heart Source armaments, all operate by channeling Heart Source Power into the Heart Source Power System.

If a person’s compatibility with the Heart Source Power System is below 10%, this condition is called [Heart Source System Compatibility Disorder].

At his physical examination at age 12, Charles Lynn was normal in all other aspects, but his compatibility with the Heart Source Power System was only 8%.

This meant that he would never be able to equip Heart Source armaments, and after graduating from a higher academy, he would not be able to log into the Alliance Heart Source Battle Network.

For the beings of this world, this disease is no different from a terminal illness—a condition that strikes fear into people’s hearts.

Having this disease means that, if war breaks out, one cannot form any combat power at all and is simply a weakling.

In this world, although the weak are protected, they are regarded as second-class disabled people. They can receive imperial disability subsidies, but it is very difficult to earn anyone’s respect.

Of course, Charles Lynn was angry and frustrated, but time is a good medicine. Two years after crossing into this world, when he entered Nanluo Advanced Academy at age 14, he had already accepted this fact.

However, when logging into the Alliance Academy’s virtual platform, Charles Lynn suddenly discovered how he was different from the other students.

On the virtual platform, after donning Heart Source armor and equipping Heart Source armaments, he swept through battle zones like a shooting star, quickly surpassing the geniuses of his grade and breaking record after record.

In his first three years at the academy, under the codename “Ling,” he battled with top genius students on the virtual platform, defeating and surpassing them one by one.

In reality, he joined the Nanluo Maintenance Club and became the club president in his third year.

Such a life was like a beautiful dream, one that Charles Lynn could not extricate himself from.

Until a year ago, Charles Lynn suddenly woke up to the truth: this was, after all, just a dream. No matter how brilliant he was on the Alliance Academy’s virtual platform, once he graduated, he would become an ordinary person.

Because, to log into the Alliance Academy’s virtual platform, the compatibility requirement for the Heart Source System is only 5%.

However, to log into the most important Alliance Heart Source Battle Network in this world, a compatibility of over 10% is required.

No matter how dazzling his scores on the Alliance Academy’s virtual platform, if he couldn’t enter the Alliance Heart Source Battle Network, it was all meaningless.

This situation was just like when Charles Lynn was on Earth—no matter how skilled he was on a battle platform, if he couldn’t join the professional league, it was all for nothing.

In his third year, he knew he couldn’t keep indulging. Once he graduated, the Alliance Academy’s virtual platform would be closed to him, and since he couldn’t log into the Alliance Heart Source Battle Network, it would all be just a dream.

That’s why “Ling” faded away at that time, rarely appearing on the virtual platform.

The four years of brilliance on the virtual platform left him with only one thing to take away: a +1 to his graduation resume rating.

Lost in thought, Charles Lynn spaced out for a while, then stood up, cleaned the maintenance club thoroughly, checked it twice, closed the door, and left.

Chapter 03: The Ninety-Nine Layer Heart Source Cipher Lock

In the western part of Nanluo City lies Mobin Port. The hot June wind billows in from the sea, making the flags on the giant ships snap in the breeze.

Mobin Port is the largest port in Nanluo City. It’s a place teeming with all sorts of people and is also the most chaotic part of the city.

Of course, for commoner students like Charles Lynn and Henry Lewis, the taverns here are very cheap. Occasionally having a good time drinking here won’t force them to tighten their belts for the rest of the month.

In a shabby tavern in a corner of the port, the first thing that catches the eye upon entering is a minotaur statue, over three meters tall.

This is not unusual—many taverns in Mobin Port have a minotaur statue standing outside.

The first time Charles Lynn came here, he was puzzled. The tavern owner wasn’t a minotaur, so why put up such a statue?

“Because the minotaur race is very powerful, but they advocate peace and have a great reputation on the continent. Erecting such a statue represents this tavern’s attitude of not causing trouble and not fearing death. There’s another reason—size!” That was the tavern owner’s answer.

Charles Lynn looked down at the minotaur statue and was left speechless.

This graduation dinner was attended by students from several dorms, and there were no female students. Everyone gathered together, drinking heartily and talking about everything.

Night fell.

As they left the tavern, a few students began to cry. Some were heading to training camps on the empire’s border, and after the trial period, they might stay there. Who knows when they’ll meet again.

Charles Lynn had drunk a bit too much. Looking at the familiar faces around him, he knew that some of them he might never see again in this lifetime.

“Charles Lynn, I’m leaving too. Let’s keep in touch, and remember our promise—to meet again in Nanluo City a year from now.”