"Ding..."

  The bell signaling the end of class rang. Dr. Raka gave a few instructions and walked out of the hall.

  One by one, students came forward to congratulate him, and Latham responded with a calm smile to each one.

  With the prolongation of human life, the way education is delivered has also undergone significant changes. Generally speaking, people receive a wide range of knowledge education in schools until they are 50 years old.

  Aside from a few mandatory courses, all students can choose from a variety of subjects to further their education in whatever they enjoy.

  Only after earning a certain number of credits can one graduate and seek work in society. Of course, continuing to study at school is also a good option. After all, with the highly developed productivity, human society generally no longer faces the problem of hunger.

  The cost of schooling is very low, and all subjects are free to study. As long as students are not pursuing indulgence, they can study here forever. Just like Schneider, despite earning enough credits by the age of 30, he still had no intention of leaving.

  However, truly content people are rare. Few can spend their entire lives in an academic environment like this.

  Leaving the classroom, Latham stretched lazily. Since he had no more classes to attend in the morning, he wasted no time in heading straight for the experimental building.

  His school, Millard Planet Public Academy, was vast in size, with more than a dozen teaching buildings, as well as many other facilities, including the experimental building where physical and mental ability levels could be tested.

  The experimental building was a multifunctional complex, with high-end dance halls and restaurants inside. However, Latham's purpose was only the testing hall on the first floor.

  The academy naturally possessed the best testing equipment, and there was more than one set. Of course, using these facilities required paying credit points. Generally speaking, there was no need, and no one would waste time here casually.

  But for Latham, this expense was necessary.

  Testing physical ability required actual action and was quite complex, but testing mental ability was simpler and could be completed with just a testing device.

  He casually selected one of the testing devices, sat down, swiped his card at the reader, and paid ten credit points.

  He then picked up the device, which resembled a sensor, and put it on his head, selecting the test button.

  The tester was a sealed cockpit, and the results could only be seen by the person being tested unless they chose to share it. Under privacy protection laws, no one, except government agencies, had the right to access these records.

  As soon as the test began, a dazzling array of light points appeared before his eyes, forming a beautiful meteor shower.

  Latham didn't know how the machine worked, but after watching the unforgettable meteor shower, the test was over.

  He opened his multifunctional communicator on his wrist, and the results were already entered.

  The moment the display appeared, Latham hesitated for a split second. But it was only for that brief moment; he quickly lowered his head and focused on the screen.

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  On the watch-like display, a row of small characters was clearly visible:

  Mental Energy Level: 7th Rank.

  "Clank, clank, clank..."

  There was a sound from above the testing chamber, and Latham looked up to see a staff member impatiently tapping on the lid. Embarrassed, he smiled at the person above. It was then that he realized the test had already finished.

  He pressed the switch, the door opened, and quickly left the chamber. But just as he stepped out, he heard someone call his name: "Latham."

  Surprised, he turned around and saw that it was Schneider.

  "Oh, hello."

  Schneider walked up slowly, glanced at the testing hall behind him, and asked with a smile, "Did you just finish your test?"

  "Yes."

  "Did you break level five?"

  "How did you know?"

  "Because when I surpassed level five three years ago, I had the same expression you're wearing right now."

  Latham paused. Was his expression really that strange?

  "I think it's time for us to reintroduce ourselves." Schneider extended his hand and said, "Schneider, level five in physical, level six in mental."

  After a brief hesitation, Latham extended his hand and shook it firmly. "Latham, level two in physical, level... seven in mental."

  "Seven?" Schneider's face changed, and he scrutinized him carefully before saying, "A five-level gap between physical and mental? Heh... that's quite rare."

  Latham tried to keep a calm smile. "I'll level up."

  "I believe you."

  "Oh?"

  "To get mental ability to level seven before twenty, you're the first guy I've met like that." Schneider shrugged. "You used to keep a low profile. If I hadn’t asked you today, I bet you would have stayed unnoticed."

  Latham thought for a moment, then couldn't help but laugh softly. He nodded, as if acknowledging Schneider’s words.

  His mental ability was quite unique and, one might say, somewhat hidden from the public eye. If Schneider hadn’t asked today, he might have continued to stay under the radar.

  What an odd guy!

  That was Schneider’s evaluation of Latham, but no matter what, a level seven mental ability was rare talent, at least one rank higher than his own.

  "Hey, what's your AOA level?"

  "AOA?" Latham was startled and smiled wryly. "I haven’t played it."

  "What?" Schneider looked puzzled and asked, "Don’t you like to play?"

  Latham scratched his nose, unsure how to answer.

  AOA was a mecha game on SkyNet, known for its high degree of simulation and mecha data. It was one of the most popular and enduring games on the network.

  For a young guy like Latham, it was natural to like the game. But there was a prerequisite to playing it: your mental or physical ability had to reach at least level three. Otherwise, the massive influx of information would either cause a nervous breakdown or physical collapse.

  Level three in mental and physical abilities wasn’t that high. As long as one was a Federation citizen and had received system training, most people could reach this level by the age of thirty, except for a few with severe disabilities. But for Latham, at eighteen, until yesterday, he had only been a level two "waste" in both areas. How could he join AOA’s virtual world?