Brian Carter was just about to say something when Grace Howard, who had already walked some distance away, turned her head and saw Brian Carter still chatting in the corridor. She immediately called out softly, "Brian Carter, go take a shower, be careful not to catch a cold!"

Helen Scott's expression instantly became quite dramatic. He looked up to the sky and sighed, "Ah, I'm so envious, jealous, and resentful. Why isn't it me... Brian Carter, go take a shower, be careful not to catch a cold, how gentle..."

Imitating Grace Howard's tone, Helen Scott spoke in an exaggeratedly affectionate way, making Brian Carter break out in goosebumps all over, a black line appearing on his forehead.

Chapter 3: Power Surge

After showering, Brian Carter changed his clothes and sheets. Looking out the window, he suddenly remembered that he seemed to have been slicing radishes for a very long time in that virtual space, but in reality, only two or three hours had passed. Was it because he worked so hard that he experienced a time illusion?

Thinking about today's strange experiences, Brian Carter lay on his bed. Although physically exhausted, his mind was extremely excited. He didn't know how long he tossed and turned before finally drifting off to sleep.

Early the next morning, Brian Carter arrived at the Strength Training Room, a facility provided by the academy for students to cultivate. Here, there were numerous training apparatuses available for many students to use.

Brian Carter went to the stone lock training area, where there were stone locks of various sizes for strength practitioners of different levels.

He walked straight to the two-hundred-jin stone lock, warmed up a bit, then reached out and grabbed the stone lock, lifting it with a sudden effort.

As soon as he lifted it, Brian Carter was a bit surprised—why was it so easy?

Just a few days ago, lifting this stone lock had felt very strenuous. Did he pick up the wrong one?

After carefully checking, Brian Carter's eyes showed even more confusion—he hadn't picked the wrong one.

Could it be... after yesterday's training in the virtual space, his strength had suddenly increased?

Brian Carter put down the stone lock in his hand and was about to try a heavier one when a commotion suddenly broke out not far away.

Turning his head, Brian Carter's brows immediately furrowed.

Several tall students were surrounding a shorter student, each with their arms crossed and mocking smiles on their faces.

"I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I really didn't mean it, I apologize to you..."

The shorter student looked panicked and fearful, repeatedly apologizing to the burly, bear-like young man in front of him, who stood with his arms crossed.

"Apologize?"

The tall young man let out a loud, mocking laugh. "You were just training, but your foot kicked me. Why do I feel like you did it on purpose? Are you dissatisfied with me? You kicked me, and you think just apologizing is enough?"

The short student's face turned red, and he stammered, "I really didn't see you—you suddenly walked over... So what do you want me to do before you'll let me go..."

The tall young man took a step back, spread his legs, turned his thumbs down, and snorted, "Crawl between my legs, and we'll call it even. Otherwise, since you kicked me with your right foot, I'll cripple your right foot!"

The short student's face flushed with shame and anger. This blatant humiliation made his blood rush to his head. He raised his previously lowered head, gritted his teeth, and said angrily, "Even if you kill me, I won't crawl!"

"Good, you've got guts!"

The tall young man stared at the short student with a sinister smile, then laughed loudly to the other young men around him, "Teach him a good lesson for me. I bet he'll change his mind. I want to make you beg me to let you crawl!"

The short student clenched his fists. Even though he knew he was no match, he couldn't just stand there and take it. Just as the group of young men moved toward him, a hand suddenly landed on his shoulder and pulled him back.

Naturally, it was Brian Carter who intervened. The short student was named David Miller, a classmate of Brian Carter's. Although Brian Carter and David Miller weren't particularly close, he couldn't just watch someone from his own class be bullied. Besides, Brian Carter also knew the tall young man—there was even a bit of a grudge between them.

Brian Carter stared at the tall young man and said with a smile, "Eric Turner, showing off your strength again, huh..."

The tall young man, Eric Turner, straightened up and uncrossed his arms, staring at Brian Carter. "What, Brian Carter, you want to play the hero for him?"

Brian Carter smiled and said, "He's already apologized, so let's just let it go. After all, you're ranked tenth on the Strength List, Eric Turner. Bullying David Miller—isn't that a bit pointless..."

Eric Turner looked at Brian Carter and sneered, "Bullying David Miller is pointless, but bullying you would be fun, right?"

Brian Carter blinked, glanced at the group, and shrugged. "With just you guys? I don't think you can do it."

Eric Turner snorted, "Don't think that just because you're ranked eighth, I'm afraid of you. Last time you just got lucky. Now there are four of us here..."

Brian Carter curled his lip. "You can try if you want, but don't blame me for not warning you—when I fight, I never hold back."