Trafford Buyers Club

Chapter 4074 How can you become stronger without injections!

Cracking, cracking, cracking...

The journey was smooth and unobstructed.

Xiao Baizhi really thought her older sister Xia Ji was amazing; all the access restrictions along the way to the Royal University couldn't stop her sister from invading.

Without alerting anyone, the two arrived smoothly at their destination—the Tower of Elden.

This special tower not only houses training facilities specifically for those who have awakened their royal crests, but also serves as a training ground for higher education students.

It mainly focuses on two directions: mech control and warship command, as well as a small number of high-quality individual combat systems.

No matter which direction you specialize in, you need strong mental strength.

In fact, the Abrier Empire is unique in its development of spiritual civilization. In addition to the royal family's unique emblem, some outstanding nobles also develop different spiritual specialties.

"You have seven hours until dawn. I've already told you the details on the way. Begin, don't waste any time." [Xia Ji] was very strict about her duties as a maid.

The nighttime training was time obtained by requesting leave, but the daily tasks that the maid needed to do still had to be performed.

To become stronger, you have to work twice as hard... and secretly cheat.

In order not to be sold... oh, in order not to be "sold out," Xiao Baizhi adopted a resolute attitude of facing death—she took a deep breath and resolutely stepped into the training space.

then.

Then, after the training session began, Bai Zhi was like a tennis ball being put into a washing machine, spinning around and around.

"Help, help me!!!"

"This is just a beginner's course." [Xia Ji] was extremely strict in carrying out the special training mission, with no intention of going easy on the child—even though this child was not a combat specialist.

It even increased the difficulty of the beginner courses without saying a word. If you want to become powerful in a short period of time, you need to use technology and work hard.

"However, is anyone still using the Tower of Elden at this time?"

A stream of data flashed in her pupils. The system defense level of [Elden Tower] was actually very high. Even though it had been constantly improved by the maid, it was not an easy task to hack into the central system of [Elden Tower] in a short period of time.

The key point is that the Tower of Elden also has manually controllable portals... but monitoring the interior of the Tower of Elden is still easy.

Clearly, Bai Zhi wasn't the only one secretly working hard to become stronger.

Soon, Xia Ji found the information of the student who was using Elden Tower during the same time period.

—Justin Elson D. Abrier

……

……

The Royal University is a place that provides comprehensive training for royalty and nobility. In addition to advanced mecha piloting and warship command systems, it also offers courses that specialize in combat.

The most prestigious path is naturally to become a mecha pilot, or even a warship commander—while combat specialists generally have a narrower range of employment opportunities.

But for ordinary people, it is undoubtedly a broad road to success.

"...But I wasn't born a commoner."

Inside the training room, a boy with short, light green hair collapsed to the ground, drenched in sweat and panting heavily. All around him lay training assault-type humanoid combat robots, also collapsed.

The boy's hands were already bloody and mangled. Despite lacking mental abilities, he unexpectedly possessed physical talents far exceeding those of ordinary royalty. He could only keep up with his classmates by relentlessly training his body and squeezing out as much of his potential as possible.

— [You have 89 minutes left to use this week]

A screen suddenly popped up in front of the boy.

Young man… Justin’s eyes twitched slightly. He dragged his tired body to his feet and walked out of the training room—[Elden’s Tower] is not free to use; it requires credits.

For him, every credit point needs to be carefully calculated. He is not a highly rated student, nor is he an elite being cultivated by the royal family. Therefore, his channels for obtaining credits are very limited... so naturally he will not waste time on resting.

"That's enough for today. We don't see any possibility of unlocking the first [genetic lock] in the short term..."

Justin left the Tower of Elden in a low mood, then rode a brand-new single-rider flying motorcycle... and had a smooth journey.

As a member of the royal family, even if he was just a marginal figure, the empire never lacked supplies—Justin clearly owned three of these new types of single-rider motorcycles that ordinary people might have to spend years of savings to buy.

This car was even a gift from his grandfather for his birthday this year.

Justin's grandfather was also a member of the imperial family, but he was an illegitimate son of the royal family. After being found many years ago, he came to live in the royal court.

Although my grandfather also possessed royal blood, he did not have much of the talent of royalty. Since his return, he had contentedly accepted his status as a wealthy idler and soon married the daughter of a minor nobleman. He had always stayed in the royal court and had never gone out.

Justin's father wasn't particularly outstanding. He was also a graduate of the Royal University and currently worked in the government's civil affairs department. Because of his royal status, he hadn't faced any difficulties... but his career path seemed predictable.

By Justin's generation, the percentage of royal bloodline had almost reached the minimum standard.

Once he reaches adulthood and has offspring, if the offspring's bloodline is diluted beyond the standard and they lack any other special talents, then the child may very well be unable to continue living in the royal court.

The boy was unwilling to simply fade into obscurity and worked very hard... but limited by his talent, his future achievements might not even match those of his seemingly mediocre father.

He even felt that his father was a coward.

But in reality, he was even more pathetic than his father…

"Why was I born into the heavenly family...?"

【Dragon Song Bar】

The flying motorcycle eventually came to a stop in the parking lot of a building on the outskirts of the royal court. Feeling depressed, Justin decided to indulge himself a little... The owner behind this bar was a member of the royal family, whose status was naturally much higher than his grandfather's.

But in fact, the owner behind the bar even has to call him "uncle".

The generational relationships among members of the royal family are actually quite complicated.

The other party wouldn't actually call him "uncle," at most they'd just give him a VIP card—after all, with royal support, he could afford it.

In this world, everyone has their own identity – the people in bars are all people who can give themselves an identity… Who doesn’t have a royal family or a powerful noble family behind them?

Justin discreetly asked for a table near a corner in the lobby, ignoring the woman performing the "Crazy Horse" show on stage.

One person, one table, two small plates of snacks, one bottle of beer, plus the entrance fee... that's an average person's entire month's salary gone.

"Have you heard? After the new emperor ascends the throne, it's time to appoint a new empress!"

"Isn't Prince Mao just come of age? Has a new empress already been chosen so quickly?"

"I've heard that many of them are junior members of the Empress's family, but we don't know exactly which ones they are!"

"The Empress's family... indeed has many outstanding noble ladies. If I remember correctly, there's one currently studying at the Royal Academy, hailed as a genius, right? What's her name again..."

Listening to the conversation between two middle-aged men at the next table, who were already at the age of living a life of debauchery, Justin's attention was slightly drawn—mainly because he caught the keyword "Royal Academy".

"Lasha...Lashala?"

"Yes, yes, that's the name! I heard she's a rare beauty, and a top student in the warship commander course. She's already capable of operating a special warship on her own before even graduating!"

"A genius female college student... Youth is truly wonderful!"

The two middle-aged men, lost in their hedonistic lifestyle, failed to notice that a dark look was flashing across the face of the young man at the next table.

Justin downed his beer in one gulp, then promptly paid the bill and left... feeling even more depressed.

Senior Lashala...

"Good evening, Mr. Justin?"

Suddenly, a heavy and powerful hand landed on his shoulder... Justin frowned, and what greeted him was a seemingly harmless smiling face.

"It is you……"

……

As marginal figures within the royal family, students of the same Royal University, and even companions who stood like lackeys in the royal clan council, Justin was no stranger to this "Drag" who had approached him.

The main reason is that the two families still have some past relations.

"Judging from your appearance, you've been secretly training at the Tower of Elden again?"

After leaving the bar, the two found a quiet coffee shop.

Dragon was well aware of Justin's situation—although he was also a marginal figure, his situation was actually better, since his ancestors had always been born into the royal court, unlike Justin, who was a descendant of an illegitimate child.

“I’ll be graduating in two years.” Justin sighed and gave a helpless, bitter smile. “Last week, my tutor told me that with my current grades… after graduation, I might only be able to choose a team like the Portland Trail Blazers.”

"You really plan to go out and find work?" Dragon shook his head. "Wouldn't it be better to stay in the Royal Court after graduation, or choose a high-paying but easy department in the government?"

Although the royal family is willing to support useless people, they will still provide different paths—those who are law-abiding can truly live a life of wealth and leisure, except that they can never leave the royal court.

“My bloodline is too low; it’s questionable whether my offspring will even be able to remain in the royal court,” Justin said with distress. “This is a reality we can’t escape.”

Dorrag nodded in understanding—this is where connections come in.

Although his family was only from the lower ranks of the royal family, they always paid great attention to the issue of bloodline... They would choose their marriage partners to effectively improve their bloodline, and through a series of procedures, they were always able to keep their offspring at a relatively safe standard.

"You're almost ready to unlock the first [genetic lock], aren't you?" Dragon suddenly said.

Justin didn't speak, but his gloomy expression spoke volumes.

If he has a natural talent for spiritual power in the royal bloodline, why would he need to develop his body... The best outcome would be for him to shine in the ground forces of the Pioneer Legion.

"Perhaps this thing can help you."

Then, Dorrag's hand slowly pushed across the table—pressing down a business card.

Justin picked up the business card with a puzzled look. A name, a contact number... that was it.

"What is this?" he asked, puzzled.

“A place that can help people solve their problems.” Dragon smiled mysteriously. “Contact this number, tell them your situation and needs, and you’ll be pleasantly surprised.”

Justin couldn't help but feel wary. Although the two families had some ties... it didn't seem to have reached the point where the other side was extending goodwill—the competition within the royal family was also quite fierce.

Dorag smiled calmly: "It's normal to have doubts, but given your current situation, there doesn't seem to be a good way out. Why not give it a try? After all, the final choice is still in your own hands."

Justin looked thoughtful.

Dorag smiled and said, "I heard that one of the students in the performance team that the academy originally prepared for the new emperor's coronation had to withdraw due to a genetic breakdown... and that's how a spot became available."

Upon hearing this, Justin couldn't help but raise his eyes.

Dorag chuckled and said, "It just so happens to be a spot for the ground phalanx unit... The academy will organize a temporary selection of candidates by tomorrow afternoon at the latest. This is a good opportunity to show yourself in front of the Empire... Think about it?"

Justin remained silent.

Dorag said calmly, "Perhaps it would also be a good opportunity to stand alongside that star-like senior, Lashara... It's just a pity that my major is not relevant to this."

Not long after, Dorrag left. His family was quite strict, and he was forbidden from staying out overnight before graduation.

As if by some strange twist of fate, Justin silently dialed the number on the card and then followed the instructions to a villa area—the area where servants serving the royal court lived.

Even servants lived in far better conditions than ordinary people outside.

He hesitated for a moment, then finally knocked on the door.

The man who appeared was a well-dressed, reliable middle-aged man... Justin secretly guessed his identity, perhaps a butler or steward in a royal household?
“Young Master Justin, is that right?” The middle-aged man introduced himself with a smile, “My name is Fukuzo, it’s an honor to meet you.”

"Mr. Fukuzo, you're too kind. It's my fault for disturbing you so late at night."

After taking their seats and exchanging pleasantries, Justin suddenly didn't know what to say, and the air became awkward.

Mr. Fuzo then spoke up, "Young Master Dragon has already briefly informed you about your situation... Young Master Justin, your main problem is that you can't break through the first [Gene Lock], right?"

Justin hesitated for a moment, then nodded. "He said you have something here that can help me?"

"Please wait a moment."

Mr. Fukuzo smiled slightly, then went inside. He returned shortly afterward with a metal box in his hand, which he slowly opened in front of Justin.

Inside was a sealed test tube containing a dark green liquid, along with a matching syringe.

Justin's pupils constricted slightly, and he frowned, saying, "A banned substance?"

"【Akira Type B】, the latest gene serum, 100% Atlantis technology." Mr. Fuzao said calmly, "It works instantly. Theoretically, it can safely assist in breaking through the third 【gene lock】, but it varies from person to person. Some more aggressive individuals may even break through the fourth. But I guarantee that it can help the user break through the first 【gene lock】 in a short time. If the breakthrough fails, I will not charge any fees."

Justin gasped... The fourth level of the [Gene Lock]!!

His heart started pounding wildly.

But if someone is caught using banned substances... wouldn't that be a huge risk?

Wait a minute, this guy actually dares to sell forbidden drugs privately within the royal court?
Seeing Justin's surprised and uncertain gaze, Mr. Fukuzo said calmly, "Young Master Justin, there is nothing to worry about. After all, I have many clients in the Royal Court... especially the young masters and ladies of the Royal Academy."

Justin looked up incredulously and immediately thought of Dragon who had introduced him—everyone was at the bottom of the class, but it seemed that Dragon's grades had indeed improved a lot recently.
Justin initially thought it was a matter of bloodline, since the Dragon family's bloodline had always been maintained at a relatively ideal level.

So, it's because... you got a shot?

"Look at these, they are all my clients." [Fuzao] then opened the screen, revealing many client avatars—among them, prominently featured was Dorrag's avatar.

Damn it, he really did get a shot!
Justin took a deep breath.

Damn it!
He recognized many of the profile pictures; they were all students with good grades… They were all fellow acupuncturists?!
—How can you become stronger without injections!

At this moment, in Justin's mind, two voices seemed to be tugging at each other, as if in a battle between heaven and man.

To fight or not to fight?