The moment Leon Chen put on the watch, the golden gears began to turn as if they were alive. He suddenly felt a current of electricity surge through his body, making him shiver involuntarily.
As the mechanical gears finally stopped, the watch's time automatically adjusted to match the real-world time.
"Seems pretty advanced..." Leon muttered, feeling like this watch had stepped straight out of a movie. He examined it from all angles but couldn't figure it out.
The watch vibrated slightly, and a small metal button began to glow.
Leon pressed it, and Lina's voice echoed in his mind.
"Hello, Mr. Leon Chen. This watch has completed multiple biometric verifications. From this moment, it belongs to you. Please use it responsibly. I'm customer service representative Lina. If you have any questions, please contact us using this watch. Have a great day..."
"Wait!!" Leon felt this was all too surreal. "What's the deal with this watch? Is this a joke?"
"No, this Z13 Power Watch is the prize you requested. It's the latest development from the Heavenly Realm, equipped with various functions like intelligent communication, recording, internet access, and 108 supernatural powers..." Lina explained gently.
Leon 's jaw dropped. This was too bizarre. "Are you kidding me? This isn't a movie..."
"The watch also includes a universal movie function that can record videos with intelligent editing, scene capture, and rendering capabilities. However, please don't use it recklessly as it consumes a lot of energy."
"I want to know about those supernatural powers," Leon 's eyes lit up. He had always been fascinated by superpowers from comics like X-Men.
"The Z13 Power Watch contains 108 supernatural powers. To activate a power for the first time, press the corresponding Roman numeral. But remember..." Lina was about to say something when the dormitory door suddenly opened.
Leon quickly ended the call, startled.
"What the hell, Little Ling, are you chatting with your five-finger girlfriend in broad daylight?" Michael Fang, the second roommate, had returned.
Leon flipped him off. This guy's lewd demeanor was always evident no matter where he was.
"What's this cool watch, Leon?"
"This was a gift from a goddess in the Heavenly Realm because she thinks I'm a good person," Leon chuckled, knowing Michael Fang wouldn't believe him.
Michael Fang scoffed, "You must have bought it as an anime collectible again."
"Why are you back? Weren't you supposed to welcome the freshmen?" Leon changed the topic.
"Right, hurry up! This year's batch is full of beauties. I'm going to freshen up," Michael Fang yelled, rushing into the bathroom.
Speaking of beauties, Leon thought of Lina 's sweet voice and wondered what she looked like.
Leon attended Xijing Huahai University.
Xijing was a rapidly rising international city in Red Country, and Huahai University was a masterpiece of this city.
The campus was enormous, akin to a small town. Just walking from the dormitory area to the extracurricular activity area took over half an hour.
Huahai University was one of the top ten universities globally, producing numerous millionaires, politicians, and businessmen. Notably, one current Chinese-American congressman running for U.S. president was an alumnus.
Every year, the sight of new students enrolling was as grand as a job fair for graduates. Upperclassmen, aiming to end their single lives, eagerly welcomed the new male and female students.
Leon majored in Computer Science at the Information Academy of Huahai University, a highly popular field. With the recent breakthrough in the fifth-generation intelligent computer "Turing" in the U.S., the future of the networked society became more apparent, drawing public attention to this major.
Despite this, the Computer Science department still faced a high ratio of boys to girls.
"Leon, help a brother check out some beauties," Michael Fang, ever the eternal bachelor-turned-beast, said. Leon dismissed him with a sneer.
"How can someone who had his first kiss in kindergarten understand my sorrow," Michael Fang retorted.
Leon said, "Yeah, that was a tragic time for me too."
"How about that girl at the Computer Science registration table?" Leon pointed.
The table was crowded. The girl handling the new student registrations exuded a heroic aura.
Her name was Isabella Xiang, and she was as noble as her name suggested. The president of the Computer Science Student Council and a campus beauty, she was the dream girl of almost every man, though none dared to pursue her.
Why? Simple—self-doubt.
Isabella Xiang was incredibly aloof, not because she was arrogant but due to her icy demeanor. She was the type you could admire from afar but not approach. Rumor had it she came from an influential family. Once, a princeling tried to woo her with the art of romance but ended up avoiding her like a mouse to a cat within three days, becoming a laughingstock at Huahai University.
Michael Fang shrank back at the mention of Isabella Xiang. "Only a hero like Alexander could conquer her. She's destined to remain single."
Leon disagreed, "She can easily attract thousands of men with a wave of her hand. I think Isabella Xiang likes honest men, not necessarily macho ones."
"Leon, I never knew you had a secret crush! Haha," Michael Fang laughed.
Leon retorted, "I don't have a crush on her."
"An honest man like you would be perfect for her," Michael Fang teased.
Leon, frustrated, said, "From today, I'm not a good guy anymore."
"Don't say that, Leon. There are several girls in our class who have crushes on you. Keep being a good guy," Michael Fang patted his shoulder, both envious and jealous.
Leon rolled his eyes, ignoring him. Thinking about being a good guy reminded him of the watch. Leon had mentioned pressing the Roman numerals to activate powers. He was about to try it when Michael Fang shouted again, "Wow, a pure beauty! This one's mine!"
A beautiful girl had appeared at the Computer Science registration desk, wearing a white dress and looking very shy with deer-like eyes. Her purity made the older women jealous—"I was this pure before I lost my innocence!"
A group of boys excitedly rushed to the registration desk, howling.
"President, let me take care of her."
"Beauty, I'll protect you!"
"I'm a lifelong virgin; only I deserve her!" Michael Fang shouted louder.
"What kind of behavior is this? You're embarrassing the Computer Science department. Want to lose credits?" The president's assistant scolded coldly.
The shy girl lowered her head further, blushing deeply.
So adorable.
Under Isabella's cold gaze, no boy dared to misbehave. They all obediently stood like lambs.
"You take her," Isabella pointed in a direction.
All the envious eyes turned. Michael Fang was shocked to see Isabella Xiang pointing at him, unable to believe it.
"Long live the president! I love you forever!" Michael Fang internally cheered, rushing forward.
"The classmate behind you," Isabella Xiang frowned.
Michael Fang was crushed, turning back to see Leon, feeling slightly better.
Leon blinked.