53: Security check

The announcement chime for the train's arrival jolted Lu Guangming from his chaotic thoughts. He picked up his luggage and followed the crowd off the maglev train, stepping onto the platform of his hometown station. The familiar air rushed toward him, mixed with the city's unique, slightly damp Aura, allowing his tense mind to relax slightly.

The Little Sprite hidden in his coat's inner pocket also peeked its head out quietly, taking a deep breath of 'hometown' air and letting out a faint, satisfied sigh, as if saying, 'Finally here.'

He walked through the bustling exit hall and swiped his ID card to pass through the turnstile. Before he could even take a deep breath of 'home' air, his gaze was drawn to a newly installed security gate next to the exit that shimmered with an eerie blue light.

It wasn't an ordinary metal detector; the doorframe was covered in complex energy-sensing runes. Standing beside it were two serious-looking security personnel in deep blue uniforms, with 'Superpower Monitoring' printed on their armbands.

All exiting passengers were guided to pass through that gate. When most ordinary people passed through, the runes on the gate only flickered weakly before returning to calm. But when a passenger carrying a briefcase who looked like a businessman passed through, the runes lit up with a distinct white light, and a line of small text popped up on the display screen: [Energy Reaction: E-rank (Spirit-type tendency)].

The businessman seemed long accustomed to this; he expressionlessly pulled out his Awakened credentials and swiped them on the nearby sensor. Once verified, he walked away quickly without causing any commotion. The entire process was efficient and cold.

It was Lu Guangming's turn. He took a deep breath, subconsciously pressing his hand against his inner pocket to signal the Little Sprite to suppress its Aura, then stepped forward.

Buzz—!

The moment he stepped through the frame, the runes on the gate suddenly erupted with a golden light several times stronger than before! It even emitted a low humming sound! The data on the display screen jumped frantically before finally settling on: [Energy Reaction: A-rank (Spirit-type, High-Energy Warning)], followed by a continuously flashing red exclamation mark.

The two previously indifferent security guards instantly grew tense, almost simultaneously taking half a step back, their right hands instinctively resting on the baton-like equipment at their waists. No one dared to take a step forward.

“An A-rank reaction, I've never seen one. Is he a Single Digit?”

“I heard they can destroy a city with one punch. That's too dangerous; we might die if he accidentally blows a breath our way.”

The surrounding exiting passengers also stopped in their tracks, casting uncertain and fearful looks, retreating like a tide to form a small circle, creating an invisible vacuum zone around him.

In the inner pocket, the Little Sprite seemed frightened by the sudden tension and the guarded looks, shifting uneasily.

“Please show your Awakened credentials and identification!” one of the security guards said, his voice tight as if facing a formidable enemy.

Lu Guangming could feel the gazes around him—curiosity, fear, scrutiny... like fine needles pricking his skin. He silently pulled out his Donghuang Academy student ID and the temporary credentials issued by the Awakened Management Headquarters (a version specifically for high-level Awakened).

The security guard carefully checked the documents and performed a secondary scan on him with a handheld portable scanner. After confirming the information was correct and the credentials were authentic, his tense expression softened slightly, but the vigilance in his eyes did not completely vanish.

“Classmate Lu Guangming, according to regulations, Awakened at B-rank and above entering public areas must report in. Your information has been automatically entered into the city's Superpower Monitoring network. Please note, unless absolutely necessary within the city area, do not use your Superpowers at will to avoid causing public panic or triggering alarm systems.” The security guard handed the documents back to him, his tone still strictly professional.

“Understood,” Lu Guangming replied flatly as he took back his documents, not wanting to linger. He pulled his luggage and quickly left the exit amidst the lingering strange looks. He could feel the little fellow in his pocket let out a soft sigh of relief and rub against him with the tip of its wing.

Walking on the road home, that familiar chill once again haunted his heart. The scene at the station, intertwined with what he had seen on the train, made him clearly realize that the invisible wall did not just exist between train carriages; it had permeated every corner of this society.

And because of the energy within him that far exceeded ordinary people, he had been clearly categorized on the other side of the 'wall.' Only that tiny bit of warmth in his pocket reminded him that he was not alone.

He walked through familiar streets and into his residential community. After half a year, it was still full of the atmosphere of daily life.

However, Lu Guangming still keenly noticed some differences—on the gates of the community and the lampposts of several main roads, there were a few more inconspicuous silver cylindrical devices with miniature cameras, also featuring patterns of energy fluctuations.

[Glimmer-III Community Superpower Fluctuation Monitor]—a small nameplate was attached next to it.

He had seen pictures of this thing in theory classes at the academy. It was mainly used to monitor abnormal energy fluctuations within a certain range. Its precision wasn't high, but its coverage was wide, making it part of the current standard configuration for communities in major cities.

Home was right before his eyes. That familiar security door now seemed to possess a warm power that could isolate all the troubles of the outside world. Lu Guangming took a deep breath, temporarily suppressed those heavy thoughts, forced a relaxed smile onto his face, and rang the doorbell.

“Coming, coming!” His mother's familiar and urgent voice came from inside, accompanied by the sound of light running footsteps.

The door was pulled open abruptly. His mother, wearing an apron, had a face overflowing with surprise and a loving smile: “Guangming! You're back! Come in, come in! Why have you gotten thinner again? Is the school food not good?” As she spoke, she reached out to take Lu Guangming's luggage, but her gaze immediately fell on his slightly bulging inner coat pocket, her eyes softening even more.

“Mom, I'll do it myself.” Lu Guangming smiled and dodged, carrying the luggage inside himself.

His younger sister, Lu Xiaoyu, rushed out of her room like a small cannonball and grabbed him around the waist: “Brother! You're finally back! Where's my gift? Where's my gift?” The young girl looked up, her big eyes full of expectation, but in the next second, she stood on her tiptoes and asked in a low, mysterious voice: “Where's Little Pudding? Is it back?” Because it always chirped 'Ding, ding...', Lu Xiaoyu had named it Little Pudding.

As if responding to her call, the Little Sprite 'Little Pudding' flew out of Lu Guangming's inner pocket, landing lightly on Lu Xiaoyu's outstretched finger and affectionately rubbing against her fingertip, emitting a cheerful 'ding-ling' sound.

“It's good that you're back.” His father, Lu Yuanshan, also walked out of the study with a steady smile on his face. His gaze swept over his son and paused for a moment on the Little Sprite emitting a soft glow. He nodded with subtle concern, “We all watched the live broadcast of the competition. it was very exciting. You weren't hurt, were you?”

“I'm fine, Dad, doing great.” Lu Guangming moved his arms to show he was healthy. Little Pudding also flew onto his shoulder and, mimicking him, flapped its little wings to show it was also in good condition, making Lu Xiaoyu giggle.

“Brother.” Lu Qinghe slowly walked out of the doorway. Although he looked tired, his eyes were full of confidence.

“Qinghe, how have you been lately?” Lu Guangming asked his younger brother, who seemed to have something on his mind.

“I'm okay.” Lu Qinghe didn't want to tell his family about his great strength yet.

At dinner time, the dining table was covered with his mother's specialty dishes, and the aroma filled the air. The family sat together in a warm atmosphere. Xiaoyu chattered about fun things at school, and Little Pudding stayed by her bowl, curiously looking at the dishes on the table. Occasionally, it would get a small grain of rice secretly handed over by Xiaoyu, and it would hold it and fly to the side to nibble happily. His parents concernedly asked about his life at the academy.

However, this warmth was soon broken by some subtle interludes.

His mother placed a morsel of food into Lu Guangming's bowl and asked seemingly casually, “Guangming, at school... you didn't get into fights with anyone, did you? I heard that conflicts between Awakened are very intense now, and at the drop of a hat...” She didn't finish her sentence, but her worry was clear. Little Pudding, who was chasing a grain of glowing rice in mid-air, slowed down and looked at Lu Guangming uneasily.

Lu Guangming's movements while eating paused for a moment, and he smiled, “Mom, what are you thinking? Those are official competitions with referees. Usually, everyone is quite nice.”

His father also put down his chopsticks, his tone slightly grave: “In the news lately, reports about Superpower-related crimes have indeed increased. Guangming, you now... have significant abilities. You must be cautious outside, be patient in all things, and never try to be a hero.” His gaze also involuntarily drifted toward the now-quiet Little Pudding; it seemed that in this small life, he also felt a responsibility that needed protecting.

Even the lively Xiaoyu put down her half-eaten chicken leg, picked up a brightly colored brochure from the side, and read curiously: “‘What to do if you encounter Superpower crime? Stay calm, hide quickly, find cover, call the police immediately...’ Brother, the little person drawn on here looks like you during the competition, but this one is bad!” Little Pudding flew over and landed on the brochure.

Lu Guangming looked at his sister's innocent face, guessing that she was also hiding her own system and strength, and then looked at the lingering worry in his parents' eyes.

He realized that even in this most familiar and warmest harbor, the rapidly changing world—and the resulting tension, worry, and even a hint of fear—had already permeated every crack. But at the same time, his family's unreserved acceptance and love for him (and Little Pudding) formed a sharp contrast with the alienation of the outside world.

The walls of home seemed unable to block the invisible alienation and anxiety permeating the entire society, but home itself provided the most solid strength to combat it all.

He smiled, reassuring his family, and also seemingly saying to himself: “Dad, Mom, Xiaoyu, don't worry, I know what I'm doing.”

But deep in his heart, a certain place was gently touched. Not just because of the alienation from the outside world, but because of a strong desire to protect the warmth before him and not let it be eroded by the storms of the outside world.