That night, after finishing a hearty beef hot pot and taking care of their nightly routines, He Kui and Shi He lay back contentedly on the sofa.
"You really have reached A-Level!" Shi He exclaimed, her eyes sparkling as she admired the two round, plump Haros in front of her. At first glance, they looked like ordinary Haros, but their movements were much smoother, and they were equipped with integrated radar and infrared capabilities. With automatic attack detection, the retractable shield, and smoke dispersion system, they could deploy a shield and release smoke to protect their owner before an attack even arrived.
"It's nothing too special," He Kui said with a smile.
"It's already impressive! I'm still at B-Level~" Shi He playfully pouted as she affectionately wrapped her arms around He Kui's elbow. However, the movement was a bit too enthusiastic, and she inadvertently felt his elbow brush against the soft spot near her heart. Her cheeks flushed slightly, and though she didn't resist, her modesty made her pull back just a bit.
"He Kui, what do you think about us moving in together?"
"Aren't we already living together?"
He Kui blinked his clear eyes, but to Shi He, he looked a bit like a goofy husky from Earth.
"I mean sharing the same room! That way, we can turn the extra space into our shared workshop!"
Her voice was sweet and bashful, like a bloom ready to open.
"Isn't that too much trouble? We can move in together after I reach A-Level in a month."
"Fool!"
Being called a fool by Shi He with her face flushed made He Kui finally catch on.
"Shi He… is that okay?"
He had hesitated to bring up the topic before, fearing Shi He might reject the idea and lower her favorability. But if he turned her down, it might have the opposite effect, and in this situation, he couldn't refuse.
"...Mm."
Shi He shyly lowered her head, giving a small nod.
Seeing her like this made He Kui nervous. He had plenty of experience, but none in practical matters. Thankfully, he had a genetic compatibility method; otherwise, his unique ability might never awaken.
With his mind racing, He Kui placed his hands on Shi He's shoulders, their lips meeting in a moment of passion.
In that instant, he shed his youthful innocence and became a true man.
[Shi He Hanifus's Favorability: 120]
[Experience Bonus: 6]
[Micro Component Processing Level A: (10246/100000)]
[Academic: Beam Weapon Miniaturization Theory (0/10000)]
As He Kui lay there, holding the soft Shi He against him, he noticed the new line of text at the bottom of the virtual panel and was instantly wide awake.
"What's wrong?"
Shi He, having been squeezed a bit too tightly, stirred awake and nuzzled against He Kui's chest, her small head rubbing against him affectionately.
"Nothing."
What was this 'academic' entry? He couldn't recall it being there before he went to sleep. Was the activation condition linked to that moment? Or did reaching a favorability of 120 unlock it? If he did it again, would it increase further?
He glanced down at the girl in his arms.
"Does it still hurt?"
He Kui asked softly near Shi He's ear.
"A little."
"Then what about today's class?"
"I actually have two days off starting today. I'll just sleep a little longer."
Shi He's gentle murmur sounded like a cat's purr, and her long eyelashes fluttered like butterfly wings before she closed them again.
"Alright."
Not wanting to be too abrupt with the girl, He Kui held back.
He figured this special ability couldn't be so bugged that one encounter would yield an academic achievement. After all, he would have to test it again eventually.
After lying there for a while, waiting for Shi He's breathing to steady, He Kui carefully got up and headed to the kitchen.
The academic achievement must be different from skills; it seemed to be a one-time boost. This meant that once he hit 10,000 points, he could perfectly solve the miniaturization problem for beam weapons. If successful, the path to becoming the head of the design bureau would no longer be a distant dream but a foreseeable future.
As he mentally adjusted his plans for distributing Haro gifts, He Kui heated up a tasteless synthetic breakfast in front of him.
"Why are you here instead of at home on your day off?"
Even during the break, Sule was still in her office. Remembering what Lacus had said to her yesterday, she had an inkling of He Kui's intentions.
"I'm here to apply for the promotion assessment!"
"Hmm, then fill out the form."
"Done!"
He Kui raised his wrist, and a form was transmitted directly to Sule's computer screen.
"Are you absolutely sure you want to apply? It costs 10,000 credits."
The application for promotion included various fees, but if he passed, he would be rewarded with 50,000 credits. Thus, it was not a loss at all; setting such a fee was merely a way to filter out some of the top B-Level applicants.
"Absolutely!"
"Then I'll help you submit the application. I also qualify to be your supervisor, so the official assessment should begin in two weeks."
"Two weeks."
"Is that too slow?"
"Uh-huh!"
Two weeks plus a month meant a month and a half.
"If it's slow, there's nothing I can do. Do you know how many people apply for A-Level in May City every week? Nearly fifty! You just have to wait your turn."
"So many?"
"Second-generation Adjusters are mostly growing up over these years, and with the gradual maturation of adjustment technology, the numbers are increasing. However, only about ten people pass each month."
"Is that so?"
He Kui thought about Aslan and others from military school; if they all matured, perhaps PLANT would see a wave of talent rising. He realized he still had a long way to go compared to the top-level talents, and there were plenty of gifted individuals in PLANT.
Though he had climbed to the upper echelons of the design bureau, he was still just a peripheral figure. Even if he had the miniaturization of beam weapons, the credit might still be taken by someone else.
He couldn't let his guard down, couldn't repeat past mistakes, and shouldn't become too complacent.
Reminding himself of this, He Kui's expression became more serious.
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