Lu Mingfei doesn't want to be a superhero

"Various drinks made by Sadaharu Inui in The Prince of Tennis".

What is the name of Kinji Toyama's older sister in "Aria the Scarlet Ammo"?

"Don't try to trick me. Kinji Toyama only has one older brother. When his brother is dressed as a woman, he is called Kana. His real name is Kinichi Toyama!" Lu Mingfei said confidently.

"Do you prefer white-stockinged lolis or black-stockinged mature women?!" A voice from an unknown place suddenly rose in volume.

Lu Mingfei answered without hesitation: "As a qualified anime fan, I should treat all girls equally, whether they are lolis or mature women, whether they wear white stockings or black stockings! But if I had to choose, I would want a mature woman in white stockings!"

Festive music rang out from all directions, and the sound of suona horns resounded through the sky.

The hidden door in the wall opened, and a dozen or so researchers in white lab coats applauded.

The lead researcher, with a full beard and wearing a round white cap, stepped forward warmly and shook Lu Mingfei's hand: "Very good, you have proven yourself! Welcome to visit the Equipment Department. Our full name is the 'Institute of Alchemy and Scientific Engineering Applications,' and I am the director here, Akdullah Ahmed Muhammad Farugh."

Lu Mingfei shook hands with Director Akadula, and then the director released Lu Mingfei's hand: "Although your benevolence is commendable, as you grow older, you will understand that mature women are the best, and lolis are just the illusory longings of naive teenagers."

“I am Deputy Director Karl,” another person came up to shake hands with Lu Mingfei. He looked refined and elegant, wearing frameless glasses, but his face was not very happy. He said seriously, “I cannot agree with your point of view. Only lolis are the only supreme! Mature women and the like are all heretics!”

"Damn it! Karl, is your love for anime girls so narrow-minded? You can't even tolerate big breasts and long legs!" Director Akadula shouted in dissatisfaction.

“My heart is delicate and small, it can only hold a petite little girl.” Deputy Director Karl pushed up his glasses.

"You bastard! Let me broaden your heart!" Director Akadula lunged forward, "Ladies and gentlemen, follow me!"

"Brothers who like lolis, now is our time to prove ourselves!" Karl shouted, raising his arms.

The two groups of people started fighting.

Lu Mingfei was covered in cold sweat and retreated to the corner of the wall. He thought to himself that he knew that mixed-race people were prone to mental illness, but the current situation seemed more like a mixed-race person had become mentally ill.

To his relief, there was one other person who hadn't joined the melee, but had also taken refuge in a corner like him.

"How childish, right?" The man hiding next to Lu Mingfei sneered. "A bunch of adults over forty years old arguing and even fighting over their favorite anime characters. It's really shameful."

Lu Mingfei nodded in agreement: "Fortunately, we two are clear-headed."

“That’s right,” the man nodded in agreement, exclaiming enthusiastically, “What’s so great about women? Cross-dressers are clearly the best in the world!”

Lu Mingfei sprinted toward the elevator—he couldn't stay in this godforsaken place any longer.

……

Equipment Department, inside the underground base.

"Ahem, I'm sorry you had to see that earlier." Director Akadula smiled somewhat apologetically at Lu Mingfei, who still had a large bruise around his left eye from being headbutted by Deputy Director Karl.

“It’s alright, I understand,” Lu Mingfei’s lips twitched slightly. “After all, faith is sacred and inviolable.”

“That’s right, that’s right.” Deputy Director Karl nodded, half of his right eyeglass lens shattered.

"Let me introduce you to the basic situation of the Equipment Department," said Director Akadula.

Lu Mingfei nodded.

"Our equipment department is currently divided into two major factions..."

Director Akadula's words were astonishing, and Lu Mingfei was taken aback. He wondered if this was the level of naiveté among researchers, who could even bring their internal factional struggles into the open.

But Director Akadula continued, "They are the mature women faction led by me, and the loli faction led by that bastard Karl. There are also some other unorthodox groups such as the shota faction, the cross-dressing faction, and the loli-tai faction. Our mature women faction is further divided into the gentle type, the queen type, the ice queen type, the wife type, etc., while their loli faction is divided into the healing type, the little sister type, the legal loli type, the natural type, and so on."

“We’re considering whether to kick out the members of the ‘legal loli’ category, since whether ‘legal loli’ actually counts as a loli is still debatable,” Karl continued.

Lu Mingfei blinked.

Who am I? Where am I? What are they saying?

……

Equipment Department Underground Base, Computer Hall.

Many researchers are here to model their research projects for easier computational simulation.

"You want to join the Equipment Department?" Director Akadula stroked his chin. "I acknowledge your knowledge and expertise in the world of anime and manga, but our Equipment Department only accepts outstanding alchemists or researchers, not current students. Unless you can prove your abilities, I can make an exception and hire you."

"This is a program I designed in my spare time. It can hack into most regular networks." Lu Mingfei took out a USB flash drive.

Because he wanted to apply to join Norma's maintenance department, Lu Mingfei prepared to demonstrate his computer skills. He had created the program himself under Tony's guidance, and it had been improved by Tony later. Saying that it could hack into most conventional networks was an understatement. Theoretically, any protection below the level of artificial intelligence would be useless in front of this program.

Conversely, it has little effect on artificial intelligence.

"Let me verify it." Director Akadula took Lu Mingfei's USB drive and plugged it into the computer.

A moment later, Director Akadula looked at Lu Mingfei with some amazement: "Your program can even hack into the control system of the US military's fighter jets."

"Director, you flatter me... Wait a minute," Lu Mingfei suddenly realized, "You're criticizing the US military's fighter jets? Why are you criticizing them?"

“We’ve run out of fighter jets for our experiments lately,” Director Akadura shrugged. “Norma won’t help us, saying it’s against regulations, so we have to rely on ourselves. Your procedure is really timely!”

Lu Mingfei was silent.

If I remember correctly, your last researcher was punished by being forced to become a pilot for hacking into the US military's fighter jets for experiments, right?

"Congratulations," Director Akadula warmly grasped Lu Mingfei's hand. "Now you're a member of the Equipment Department, and we'll be colleagues from now on."

Lu Mingfei: ...

I feel like I can see the life of a helicopter pilot beckoning to me.

P.S.: Chapter 2 is still being written, sob sob~

129. Chapter 128 The Kottingen Family

Kassel College, in the attic of the church bell tower.

The old television was showing the classic 1952 Western film "High Noon," with Law Enforcer Jerry Guber walking through the dusty streets of a small western town with his gun slung over his shoulder.

The people watching the movie were dressed similarly to Jerry Guber: a plaid shirt, a rolled-up hat, and cowboy boots with gleaming spurs. The old man lay sprawled on the sofa like a giant potato, his legs propped up high, a bottle of beer in his hand.

There was a table in front of the sofa. The room wasn't dark, but a candle was lit on the table.

“Hey, can’t you really reconsider?” Angers sat on the other side of the sofa, which was covered with a newspaper—he always felt that the sofa wasn’t very clean.

“I’ve already said I’m not considering it,” the vice principal flicked the brim of his hat with his finger. “Flame is a single lineage, as you know. To use a Chinese martial arts novel analogy, I’ve already taken on my last disciple.”

“Lu Mingfei is an S-level student,” Angers argued.

"Don't even mention that he's S-rank, even if he were SSS-rank, it wouldn't matter. That's just how the rules are," the vice principal said. "You should go ask him or discuss it with that kid Elton. The Gottingen family isn't that strict about their alchemy. Besides, I remember that kid Elton also obtained the title of 'Grandmaster' fifteen years ago, right?"

“Can Elton’s alchemy skills compare to yours?” Angers retorted. “Besides, he’s in dire straits right now and could kick the bucket at any moment. Last year, he passed on his position as a school board member to his only granddaughter.”

"His 'bone metallization' has become that severe?" The vice principal was taken aback.

“I heard he’s almost unable to move,” Angers said. “Is alchemy this dangerous for you? A single failed experiment could lead to a slow death.”

“That’s because he was stupid, using his own body to conduct an immature experiment,” the vice principal scoffed. “A spirit of exploration is not a spirit of courting death. After he dies, I wonder if the Gattuso family will set their sights on Göttingen, this juicy piece of meat.”

“His granddaughter Charlotte is quite talented; it’s said she can already refine ‘star antimony’ on her own,” Angers shook his head and said. “And the Göttingen family isn’t exactly a bunch of weak scholars; don’t forget they also have ‘Kingdom Knights’.”

"So, the Gottingen family still has a deep foundation. Sending your S-class darling to learn alchemy from them isn't a bad thing for him," the vice principal revealed his true intentions, taking the opportunity to refuse Angers' request for him to teach Lu Mingfei. "Besides, I heard that Elton's granddaughter is a stunning beauty who hasn't even come of age yet. Maybe your precious S-class darling can even win her heart?"

“It’s best to stay away from the Göttingen family; they’re too short-lived,” Angers complained. “None of the past heads of the Göttingen family, or their partners, have lived to be eighty. Many people say it’s an alchemical curse.”

“Nonsense! What curse? If I live a few more years, I’ll be two eighty-year-olds,” the vice principal said. “The Gao Tinggen family is just a bunch of idiots with big addictions and a love of playing games, which is why every generation gets themselves into trouble.”

Angers' eyes lit up: "You said it yourself, they're weak and addicted, they can't teach Mingfei, so you're the only one who can do it!"

“I’m even worse!” the vice principal said without hesitation.

Angers raised a middle finger.

……

Kassel College, Principal's Office.

"So, I'm going to study under the family of a school board member?" Lu Mingfei was full of questions. "And their family is in Europe?"

“It’s just a matter of taking a plane every now and then,” Angers comforted him. “Besides, I haven’t reached an agreement with them yet. Maybe not only the vice-principal doesn’t want you, but the Göttingen family doesn’t want you either.”

"You really know how to comfort people," Lu Mingfei said, squinting.

“Ahem, there’s nothing we can do about it. The head of the Göttingen family suffered long-term damage to his body due to an accident during an alchemy experiment and needs to rest and recuperate. Even the position of school board member has been passed on,” Angers said. “He probably won’t have the energy to teach students.”

“It doesn’t matter if he doesn’t have the energy,” Lu Mingfei said. “Just give me a few more books to read.”

With the blessing of the Word of Power, unless the teacher can reach Tony's level, whether or not someone teaches him doesn't really matter much; self-study by reading books is enough.

“I’ll try to discuss it with them, but don’t get your hopes up too high,” Angers sighed. “The Gauttingen family is also a board member family. They have contributed a lot to the development of the entire Peruvian Party and their influence is spread throughout the party. I can’t force them to do anything.”

Of course, it would be a different story if the vice principal were willing to act as an advocate. Which alchemist would dare not give face to Professor Flamel?

As for how to get that lazy old vice-principal to do the work...

Angers, a cigar dangling from his lips, his eyes gleaming—he remembered that the vice-principal had a son who taught at the school.

"Principal, your eyes were so cunning just now, like a villain. And you even had a cigar in your mouth like a villain in a movie," Lu Mingfei complained from the side.

“Ahem,” Angers coughed lightly twice, “Let’s put that aside for now, how’s your control over the Seal of Conquest going?”

"I'm pretty much proficient at it now," Lu Mingfei said.

Nearly half a month has passed since he came to the academy, and he has already conquered the Mark of Conquest.

During this time, he also proved to Angers his "talent" in learning alchemy, which is why Angers is now trying his best to find him a teacher.

“Alright, then I’ll take you to contract that red dragon,” Angers said. “It’s currently sealed in the ‘ice cellar,’ and you can’t take it out of the ice cellar until you have complete control over it.”

"An ice cellar?" Lu Mingfei was taken aback. "So you're preserving it by freezing it?"

“No, the Ice Cellar isn’t a freezer, but a warehouse, a warehouse where the academy stores alchemical equipment, dangerous weapons, and precious artifacts. It’s the highest level of security in Kassel, and anyone who’s been there must keep it strictly confidential,” Angers explained. “There’s a huge alchemical matrix inside, where all the live dragon specimens are kept to prevent them from causing harm. They’re only temporarily taken out once a researcher’s application is approved.”

Lu Mingfei suddenly realized: "Then how should we get there?"

“Take the elevator,” Angers said. “The ice cellar is deep underground; that’s safe enough.”

"Let's go, Principal, let's take the elevator," Lu Mingfei said expectantly.

“No need, the elevator is right here.” Angers put down his teacup and gently pressed the red button hidden in the drawer.

"here?"

Lu Mingfei was startled, then felt the chair and the entire floor shake slightly. Then he, Angers, the huge nanmu desk and the steaming black tea on the desk, all fell into boundless darkness.

"Holy crap! Principal, shouldn't we add a guardrail to our elevator?" Lu Mingfei finally realized that the sofa he was sitting on was part of the elevator, and this elevator had no walls or ceiling, only the floor, which covered almost half of the office.