"Let's skip the self-introductions and talk about dreams instead," Xue Dong suggested.
Dreams? In public? Gao Teng thought, feeling a bit embarrassed. Wasn't there a saying by the great Mr. Lu Xun? Dreams are like undergarments—you need them, but you don't show them to everyone.
"Any questions?" Xue Dong asked, noticing Gao Teng's silence.
Reluctantly, Gao Teng sighed and decided to go along with it. "My name is Gao Teng, and my dream is to become the strongest in this world."
"Well said! Everyone, give him a round of applause!" Xue Dong encouraged, clapping enthusiastically.
As the room filled with applause, Gao Teng's face flushed red, and he shrunk a little in his seat.
"Oh, and one more thing," Xue Dong added with a grin, "Gao Teng has a 100% ability affinity, and the potential to reach Super S Grade. So, his goal is far from impossible—it's actually quite practical."
Upon hearing this, everyone turned their gaze toward Gao Teng, their expressions ranging from curiosity to indifference, envy to admiration. Gao Teng felt even more embarrassed, wishing he could dig a hole and hide.
Fortunately, Xue Dong shifted everyone's attention to the next person.
"Now, let's have the next introduction," he said, turning his attention to a girl in a pleated skirt. Her long, jet-black hair was as smooth as silk, and her delicate features exuded an ethereal beauty. She wore a white shirt that lightly hugged her slender frame, her skin as flawless as porcelain. A pair of small black leather shoes completed her look, accentuating her straight, slender legs in white knee-high socks.
Seeing her, everyone had the same thought—girls truly are the most beautiful beings in this world.
"My name is Fang Meng, and my dream is to find the person with the sealing ability."
At that moment, a heavy aura of malice radiated from Fang Meng, signaling that she bore a deep grudge against the one with the sealing ability.
Xue Dong, reverting to his usual laid-back demeanor, muttered, "A person with the sealing ability..."
He knew that Fang Meng's parents had been killed by someone with this ability, and that revenge now consumed her heart.
Next, a bright, sunny young man introduced himself.
"My name is Gu Xiao, and I was born in Liuhun Street. My dream is to change the lives of as many people as I can."
Gu Xiao radiated positivity, his smile seeming to brighten the entire room.
"You were born in Liuhun Street? That place is notoriously rough. Changing it won't be easy," Xue Dong remarked, his tone skeptical. "But I get it. When I was younger, I had unrealistic fantasies too. You'll see—after taking a few hits, you won't be so naïve."
But Gu Xiao wasn't fazed. He kept smiling and said, "I'll do my best. I believe I can make a difference."
"Confidence is a good thing," Xue Dong said, nodding. "It makes the inevitable taste of despair all the more bitter."
Gu Xiao's smile faltered slightly, but he maintained his resolve.
Next up was a girl who exuded sweetness and sincerity.
"My name is Wang Ya, and my dream is to be someone others can rely on."
Her gentle smile was free of pretense, and it was clear from her demeanor that she came from a happy, loving family.
"That's a lovely thought," Xue Dong said, clapping sarcastically. "But if you're unreliable yourself, how can you expect others to lean on you? I'd advise them to value their lives a bit more."
Wang Ya's smile froze on her face, clearly caught off guard by his harsh words.
Then, a towering figure introduced himself.
"My name is Li Gangqiang, and my dream is to help as many people as possible."
Li Gangqiang, a rugged, intimidating presence, spoke with a determination that seemed at odds with his appearance.
"You? Help people?" Xue Dong looked at Li Gangqiang with surprise. "You'd do more good by locking yourself up."
Li Gangqiang glared at him, "Who says barbarians can't help society instead of harming it?"
Xue Dong, unbothered by the retort, simply shrugged. "Why shouldn't they?"
"Don't label people," Li Gangqiang shot back.
"Oh, I don't label people. I categorize them. Next." Xue Dong dismissed him without missing a beat.
As each newcomer introduced themselves, Xue Dong continued his ruthless critiques, leaving the training ground suffused with a heavy atmosphere.
Gao Teng finally understood—Xue Dong wasn't interested in their dreams; he was simply enjoying tearing them down.
"Alright," Xue Dong finally said, "now that we've gotten to know each other a little, let's move on. Head to the locker room and change into the training gear we've prepared. It's time for some special training."
As they were about to leave, Xue Dong added, "Oh, before I forget, there's one more thing you should know. This ten-day training is also an assessment. Only the best among you will become full members of the Security Bureau. Now, what happens to those who don't make the cut? Good question."
He paused for effect before continuing, "The answer is, you'll become non-staff members for a while, completing a bunch of tasks before you get a chance at regular status. And let me tell you, it's not a glamorous job. Take, for instance, the recent murder case at Chunjiang High School. The non-staff members are the ones sifting through clues, risking their lives while the stronger, official members swoop in to finish the job."
The newcomers exchanged uneasy glances, starting to realize that the Security Bureau's methods were harsher than they'd expected.
Xue Dong noticed their discomfort and pressed on, "When the Security Bureau was first established, the restrictions on those with low ability affinity were pretty loose. But those people often lost control, harming ordinary citizens. After that happened too many times, the Bureau had to impose stricter laws to keep everyone in check."
He continued, "Did it help? Sure, a bit. But it also stirred up resentment, especially among those who could manage their powers responsibly. That's why we still see riots and unrest—it's become part of the everyday landscape."
His tone grew more cynical as he added, "It's a complex issue, one that can't be explained in just a few sentences. You'll need to see it for yourselves. Then you'll realize that the Security Bureau isn't as noble as you might think, and that awakening superpowers isn't the blessing it's made out to be."
The room was silent, the weight of his words sinking in.
Xue Dong, lighting a cigarette, took a deep drag before continuing, "I'm not being pessimistic, just realistic. This world is full of class divides, manipulation, and unbridled desires. If you want to control your own fate, you need to keep climbing, reaching the top of the pyramid. Otherwise, you'll always be at someone else's mercy."
He exhaled a cloud of smoke and concluded, "The Security Bureau doesn't aim to create equality; it's about maintaining a balance built on a hierarchy. Some of you might think about revolution, about overthrowing the system. But tell me, who among you can defeat the ruling class of Super S-level abilities? And when you start benefiting from the system, will you still want to overthrow it, or will you want to maintain it?"
The newcomers were speechless, trying to process everything they had just heard.
"In the end," Xue Dong finished with a smirk, "the kindness you show this world will only lead to the beatings you'll endure. Now, let's get to work. Applause is optional."