Except for those privileged classes who had already fused with Type A, everyone else dared not slack off, and, following Ms. McLean's instructions, focused all their attention on the Type A in their hands. As for those students from the privileged class, they didn’t waste any time and each took out their books to read. They were different from the ordinary people; while the privileged class enjoyed their privileges, it also meant even fiercer competition. From a young age, their parents had instilled in them that if they wanted to always stand at the top of society, they had to work even harder than those so-called losers below.

Henry Bennett found it hard to concentrate because he was so hungry that his stomach ached. Just as he managed to focus on the Type A, his stomach let out a loud growl.

In the quiet classroom, the sound was especially loud, directly affecting the student at the next desk, whose life potential value exceeded one hundred and twenty. That student immediately shot him a look of disgust. Henry Bennett's face flushed with embarrassment, and he lowered his head awkwardly.

The girl sitting in front of him suddenly leaned back toward him. Henry Bennett was worried she was going to scold him as well. But the girl didn’t turn around; instead, with her hands behind her back, she quietly placed a piece of high-energy chocolate on his desk, then sat back down.

Henry Bennett was stunned. The female classmate, after putting down the chocolate, sat upright as if nothing had happened, so as not to be caught by the teacher on the podium. Henry Bennett hesitated for a moment before picking up the high-energy chocolate and popping it into his mouth. As soon as the chocolate entered his stomach, a warm current spread through his belly, filling his chest and abdomen with warmth, and his heart felt even warmer.

“Focus your attention, then feel the fluctuations inside the Type A... Can everyone feel it?” Ms. McLean said from the podium.

Following the teacher’s instructions, Henry Bennett refocused his attention on the Type A in his hand. As he concentrated, he was suddenly pulled into a strange world.

With a “whoosh,” the classroom he was in, the desk he sat at, and the classmates around him all disappeared, replaced by dazzlingly bright white walls. All around him—up, down, left, and right—was a blinding white light that made it impossible to open his eyes.

In front of him, a soft white glow slowly floated over. When it reached Henry Bennett, the white light spread out like a jellyfish, forming a semi-transparent white membrane that gently floated in front of him. Henry Bennett couldn’t help but reach out a finger to touch it. The membrane shrank back suddenly like a startled rabbit, drifting away as if wary of him. Henry Bennett smiled, finding the membrane very cute. He wondered if it was a high-tech electronic pet from the Federation. But how could something like this appear inside the Type A?

He smiled again at this timid electronic pet and raised both hands to show he meant no harm.

The membrane seemed to sense the kindness in his heart and slowly drifted closer again.

In front of Henry Bennett, the membrane floated and danced around him. Suddenly, Henry Bennett noticed that the rhythm of the membrane’s movements seemed to be connected to the beating of his own heart.

The membrane rippled like water, as if it were dancing, and the rhythm of its steps matched the rhythm of Henry Bennett’s heartbeat.

With each beat of Henry Bennett’s heart, the membrane drew a little closer. After dozens of beats, the membrane finally enveloped Henry Bennett’s body.

At that instant, Henry Bennett’s brain was suddenly flooded with a torrent of information as chaotic as interstellar particle turbulence. The average person’s brain development could never withstand such a massive influx of information. Henry Bennett let out a miserable scream, clutching his head in pain as he collapsed.

……

“All right, when you feel the fluctuations in the Type A synchronize with your heartbeat, the fusion has begun. There will be some pain at this point, but don’t worry, everyone—don’t be afraid. This is the normal rejection reaction during Type A fusion. As long as you endure it, you’ll complete the fusion smoothly. This painful process won’t last more than ten seconds, so there’s no need to worry…”

The life monitoring device’s crystal rod on the desk usually emitted a faint blue glow. If the monitored life value dropped, the light would change accordingly. When the monitored person’s life value dropped to a dangerous level, the light would turn yellow. When the value became extremely dangerous and immediate rescue was required, the light would instantly turn a glaring red, and the device would automatically inject a dose of potential-boosting stimulant into the monitored person.

“Teacher!” While Ms. McLean was still speaking unhurriedly on the podium, the girl in front of Henry Bennett suddenly raised her hand and stood up, pointing to Henry Bennett, who was slumped over his desk behind her, and said, “Teacher, this student’s life monitor has turned yellow.”

Ms. McLean didn’t take it seriously: “It’s normal for students with lower life potential values to experience this. Sophia, why are you standing up? Have you finished your fusion?” Sophia’s potential value was as high as one hundred and eighty, making her a key student in Ms. McLean’s eyes.

Sophia nodded. “My head hurts a bit, but I think I’ve completed the fusion.” Ms. McLean was overjoyed: “That’s wonderful, Sophia, you’re the most talented student I’ve ever seen. Work hard, and you’ll make great contributions to the Federation!”

Making contributions to the Federation also meant gaining corresponding rights.