My setting is above yours!

Chapter 10 Ability Limitations
I'll get the number one ranking in the Physics Department at Moen University?

Seeing the burning look in Dunn's eyes, Ron realized he wasn't joking...

He truly believed he had the ability.

So... can I achieve this goal?

That's Moen University! The most demanding of the three universities in Ideal City...

Only the most elite individuals out of the 11 billion people in Ideal City have the opportunity to enter Moen University.

Ron had no doubt that he had the chance, but to take first place in the physics department among these elites—

Isn't this taking a slightly bigger step?
Just as Ron was pondering, Kevin, rubbing his buttocks, leaned over and whispered in Ron's ear:

"Bro, you really have to agree to this... Don't let the fact that the teacher beat me up fool you, he's definitely the best professor in the entire Ideal City!"

As he spoke, a subtle sense of pride crept into his voice:
"Back when my teacher was a professor at Moen University, he was the most authoritative figure in the physics department—"

Although he's currently working under an assumed name as a tutor in Zone C, his teaching skills haven't declined at all. A genius like you needs a good teacher like him!

Was he a former professor at Moen University?

This is another great help to myself...

Ron couldn't help but feel relieved.

Anyway, he was going to attend one of the top three universities anyway.

Moen University, being fully funded by the Moen municipal government, is more suitable for ordinary people like him compared to the other two universities.

After graduating from Moen University, there is a high probability that one can directly enter the patrol bureau or even enter Moen City Hall and embark on a political career.

If I could easily become the top student in the physics department, my future would surely be even brighter... Why not?

What Deng Yin said wasn't really a request, it was just a reward!

He clearly had other things he needed to do himself...

Ron pondered for a moment, then looked intently at Dunn, who was quietly waiting for a response:

"I can grant that request... but making me the top student in the physics department shouldn't be your goal, right?"

He probed:

"What exactly do you want me to do?"

Deng Yin shook his head: "You are indeed very smart... but that matter is beyond your current understanding."

"Only the top-ranked student in the physics department is qualified to do that. I see an opportunity in you, but you may not have the ability to seize it."

Once you truly become number one, I'll tell you exactly what you need to do.

As he spoke, he patted Ron on the shoulder reassuringly, his tone sincere:
"But don't worry, this is definitely not a bad thing for you; it's even a chance to rise to the top in one step."

It might allow you to obtain 'permissions' when you shouldn't have them... but that's a story for another time.

"The most important thing now is for you to prove you can do it, isn't it?"

So... they were all rewards.

Then there's no reason to refuse.

Ron smiled slightly and calmly replied:

"Of course... as long as you can teach me how to control my superpowers."

If he could master [Vector Manipulation], even compared to all the geniuses in Ideal City, Ron would definitely be among the most talented.

He has absolutely no chance of failing!

"Good, good, good!" Deng Yin smiled. "I need a confident student like you!"

As he spoke, he strolled towards the basement of the training hall:

"Come with me... We'll need some newer equipment for the next lesson."

Newer equipment?
Ron was stunned. He had thought that AR helmet was already a fairly advanced ability training device in Ideal City...

Unexpectedly, there were even more useful things hidden in the training hall.

He hurriedly followed Deng Yin down the stairs and saw an extremely heavy steel door standing in the basement!

It's like a vault door, sealing everything inside tightly...

Ron and Kevin watched anxiously as Dunn went through several identity verifications before finally opening the extremely heavy door to the basement more than ten minutes later.

Inside the door were sophisticated instruments that Ron didn't recognize at all, seemingly hidden by Dunn in a laboratory beneath the training hall.

...This really doesn't count as an illegal structure?
Ron looked at the device with some curiosity, and soon saw Dunn search in a safe for a moment before taking out a silver collar.

"Here, put this on."

Ron took the collar and saw that it was entirely silver-white with an interface inside, clearly meant to be connected to a brain-computer interface.

Apart from that, the collar is a single piece with only one indicator light embedded in the edge, which is dim and without light.

"This is a 'capability limiter'..."

It was originally a prison device used by the patrol bureau to restrict the use of special superhuman criminals, but its civilian use was recently lifted. I only managed to get the civilian version through connections within the bureau.

He explained, "Your current ability model can no longer be handled by ordinary means."

To save your life and ensure you can control this ability, we must restrict it.

Deng Yin pointed to a pure white cabin nearby, large enough for a person to lie down in:

"Put it on, then enter the fully immersive pod. I will help you adjust the limiting parameters of your abilities and try to control them in virtual reality."

Is he also a serious criminal in cosplay?
Well... who knows, I might actually get arrested by the patrol bureau someday. I'll just treat it as an experience first.

Ron put on his ability limiter, connected to his personal brain-computer interface, and lay down in the immersion pod as instructed.

"Om-"

The hatch gradually closed, and a blast of cold air blew onto Ron's face. He immediately felt a wave of drowsiness wash over him and slowly closed his eyes.

The next moment, he "woke up" from a blank state.

"You have already integrated virtual reality. Now, everything around you and even yourself are pure analog data."

Deng Yin's voice came to my ears:

“Now, I’ve limited your output to fifty percent… Try using your full power and see if you can control it.”

As Dunn finished speaking, several stones instantly fell into the empty space in front of Ron, clearly test objects arranged by Dunn.

He tried to simply distort gravity, and the stone floated up, then immediately began to move erratically.

Ron's abilities instantly overloaded and went out of control...

However, he did not experience the same pain as in reality, and the surge of his abilities quickly came to a halt.

"You felt it, didn't you?" Deng Yin's voice came from beyond the sky: "Because it's a complete infiltration, everything about you is a data simulation."

"So... even if it's an ability you can't control, it won't damage your personal reality."

“However,” he changed the subject, “for this reason, your personal reality will not grow by using abilities in the simulation.”

"But that's not what you need most right now..."

Once you gain a certain degree of control, your personal reality will quickly grow to the same level as your computing power.

I see……

However, if that's the case, once the ability is limited to the level that Ron can control, wouldn't he also be able to use [Vector Manipulation] without any loss in reality?

"Fifty percent won't work, hmm... I've adjusted the limit parameters again, try using the ability again."

Time flies by.

After several adjustments and tests, Ron continuously felt his abilities being restricted and weakened—

The gravity that was once within reach has been almost completely blocked.

Electromagnetic fields, light... and various "vectors" are no longer able to reach it.

Ron picked up a pebble from the ground and gently tossed it outwards...

"Whoosh!"

The stones flew out at the speed of bullets, shattering into pieces on the ground in the distance.

His abilities have now been limited to this extent.

—It can only control the momentum of the object it contacts to a certain extent, and its maximum output is no more than the force of launching the pebble with the power of a pistol.

However, even if it's limited to Lv.1 vector manipulation, it's still vector manipulation. The output of this kind of power far exceeds his Lv.1 telekinesis!

"Alright, it's finally all adjusted. I didn't expect you to be even more capable than I imagined..."

Even just by listening to his voice, one could tell how exhausted Dunn was. He activated the full-dive pod, waking Ron from his slumber:

"Now, your abilities have been limited to only one percent... Feel it."

Ron stood up and, following Dunn's instructions, tried to control the flow of air.

"Whoosh..."

A gentle breeze suddenly arose, and then Ron clenched his fist into his palm.

There was no stinging or dizziness.

A sudden clarity dawned on my mind.

Although this is far, far weaker than that seemingly all-encompassing "vector manipulation"...

But Ron felt better than ever before.

Because this power is now truly in his grasp—

Complete control.

"Alright, stop getting carried away with your abilities... Let's call it a day."

Deng took off his glasses, his face showing obvious fatigue, and led Ron and Kevin out of the basement.

The sun sets in the west.

Ron then realized that he had spent an entire afternoon in the virtual reality.

It's almost time for dinner with An Hui...

People gradually started entering the training hall. Students and coaches from the cram school began training, and when they saw Ron and his two companions come out, they would greet them with a hint of respect.

"Come once every afternoon from now on..."

Although the most difficult limitation has been resolved, if your personal reality is only at Lv.1, you might not be able to get into Moen University.

Dunn escorted Ron to the door, a hint of seriousness in his eyes:
"I will train you in the most rigorous way to help you improve your personal reality and computing power... You'd better be prepared."

Strict? Training?
A hint of excitement flickered across Ron's face.

He might hesitate or be afraid if it were anything else, but if it's just learning and training...

Then he'll have to prove his worth as a master in the field of involution.

"I'm always ready, teacher."

"I hope you are truly prepared..."

Deng shook his head and went back, leaning on his cane.

Ron stood at the entrance of the training hall, looking at the silver collar around his neck, and couldn't help but feel a little curious.

Who would have thought that restricting [vector manipulation] would be the way to allow him to continue advancing?
There are truly amazing people among ordinary people...

However, locking this thing up makes me feel like a fugitive, so I'd better cover it up.

Ron turned up his collar to cover the collar, and just as he hailed a taxi using the address An Hui had given him, he heard footsteps behind him.

He turned around and saw Kevin had followed him out, smiling at him:

"So, my future junior, isn't the stuff your teacher gave you pretty good?"

Ron subconsciously replied modestly:

"That's really good... but I'm not sure I can actually get into Moen University. Senior, you're making me feel too flattered."

Kevin immediately retorted, "You're already the old man's student, my fellow disciple, you can't look down on yourself!"
If you ask me, with your level of ability, you could easily get into Moen University and get first place; nobody can stop you.

Can we stop bragging without thinking?
Ron couldn't help but give a wry smile:
"It's not that simple. All the geniuses in Ideal City are vying for a single opportunity to attend one of the top three universities..."

In Zone D, hundreds of millions of students take the college entrance examination every year. But only a few hundred can get into the top three universities. Why am I one of those rare talents?
And what makes him, among this group of talented individuals, rank first in his department?

Kevin chuckled:
"This is the difficulty level of Zone D, not all zones."

Both Area A and Area B have regional bonus points, giving them an extra two or three hundred points on the college entrance exam...

Do you really think those who get extra points for their region and take separate A/B zone exams are geniuses?

I don't deny your anxiety now, because I was just like you back then. I was very nervous during the college entrance exam, afraid that sleeping for three years in high school would affect my grades.

But I still got into Moen University with ease, only to find that apart from a few true geniuses, almost everyone there was a bunch of mediocre students who got in through bonus points… Otherwise, where did I get into the top ten?

As he spoke, he suddenly sighed:
"If my senior hadn't asked me to help out a junior she just met today, I could have taken you straight to the school to see just how useless those people really are..."

Skillful.

Even if you have time today, I've already made plans with Huihui tonight. Do you think I'd abandon her to go on a tour of Moen University with you?
Ron inwardly scoffed, but on his face he put on an awkward yet polite smile:

"It's alright, Kevin, there will be plenty of opportunities in the future... Oh, my car is here, how about we talk next time?"

Kevin clung to the car door:

"Hey, don't rush off. Add me as a friend first... I may not have much else, but I have plenty of time. If you want to go to Moen University anytime, just let me know!"

Ron had no choice but to ask Kevin's friend for help before he could close the car door.

To be honest... he's really not very good at dealing with people like Kevin.

His overly familiar manner actually made Ron somewhat resistant.

but……

Ron turned his head and looked at Kevin, who was waving enthusiastically at him from behind the car.

Having a senior brother like this isn't so bad, is it?

It didn't take long.

The hovercraft quickly took him to his destination.

Ron paid the bill with a pang of regret, and couldn't help but gasp as he looked at the obviously upscale restaurant in front of him.

Good heavens... eating at a restaurant like this in Zone C?
A single meal must have cost at least a thousand credits?
Huihui's life has improved; she can even afford to have a table set up in a place like this now...

Ron found the private room according to the address, pushed open the door, but did not see An Hui inside. Instead, another girl was sitting there.

She was wearing a slightly faded school uniform, her hair was a little messy, and she was wearing round glasses as she flipped through a thick book.

The moment Ron saw her, a sense of respect arose in his heart.

There is no other reason.

It was simply because a blood-red crescent moon was sewn onto that faded school uniform.

That's the emblem of Moen University.

She heard Ron open the door and looked up, somewhat puzzled...

The moment she saw Ron, the doubt on her face vanished, replaced by wariness and a hint of hostility.

"You're Huihui's 'friend' who failed to awaken her superpowers and still owes hundreds of thousands of credit points?"

She emphasized the word "friend," making no attempt to hide her hostility.

...Why is she hostile towards me?

Ron looked at the senior from Moen University with some confusion, only to find her staring intently at him:

"Huihui was worried that you wouldn't be able to awaken your abilities and wouldn't be able to earn money to repay the huge student loans, so she asked me for help..."

I do have a way to help you, and I'm willing to lend a hand—but since Huihui isn't here right now, I need to tell you something seriously.

She warned:

“I’ve seen a lot of people like you… Don’t think that just because your friend got into one of the top three universities, you can leech off them.”

Her scholarship only covered her tuition; it didn't cover her debts.

Upon hearing this, Ron immediately understood why this senior was hostile towards him.

...So, it was all to stand up for Huihui.

Ron couldn't help but chuckle.

I've become a vampire?

(End of this chapter)