The buzz of conversation reached the homeroom teacher's ears and darkened his expression. He glanced over at the principal, who was staring angrily in this direction. Instantly the teacher knew his semester bonus was gone and he might even get in trouble.
Anger swelled in his chest, and just then, Vincent Fox strode out of the resonance portal, his face alight with excitement and joy.
Seeing Vincent's triumphant look, the teacher's blood boiled.
What did this kid think he was doing? Resonating with a worthless C-Class hero and parading like he'd accomplished something!
"Vincent Fox!"
Without a word of warning, the teacher stormed over and unleashed a torrent of abuse.
"What's the matter with you? Who told you to pick a garbage C-Class hero? Do you want to make the entire school a laughingstock? We're one of the top high schools why do we have a student who can't even lift his own weight?"
He said it loud enough for everyone to hear, holding nothing back.
Vincent's smile faded and he frowned.
"Not all C-Class heroes are rubbish."
The teacher glared at him in disgust. "Oh, so you're going to argue? Refuse to admit your mistake?"
"C-Class heroes are trash everyone knows that! You actually thought you'd find treasure down there?"
"Fine. Vincent Fox, if you ever do achieve something say, kill a single monster and prove me wrong, I'll bow and apologize in front of the whole school!"
Vincent met his gaze calmly. "You said that yourself."
Then he turned on his heel and walked away. He'd already gotten what he wanted. Even if the school refused to grant him a diploma and blocked his path to college, he didn't care.
Watching Vincent's retreating back, the teacher cursed under his breath. "What a fool… Don't any of you follow his example!"
The students chorused, "Yes, sir," and the teacher's mood lightened.
"All right. Keep going with the tests."
The next student, a petite girl, stepped forward. She entered the portal, and moments later the portal glowed bright red.
"Red! An S-Class hero!"
"Oh my someone synchronized with an S-Class hero!"
In an instant the entire hall erupted in uproar. Red light meant S-Class resonance.
The teacher's anger vanished, replaced by pure excitement. He hurried over with local university recruiters hot on his heels, all eager to recruit this rare success.
No one had expected an S-Class victory here. Seeing his student being fought over by multiple universities, the teacher's grin stretched from ear to ear.
As for Vincent Fox, he wasn't part of this spectacle he was already outside, flagging down a taxi to go home.
Vincent's apartment was a modest two-bedroom flat. His parents had died in an accident years ago; this place was their last gift to him.
He returned to an empty home, sank into the sofa, and said, "Open status panel."
In an instant, a holographic screen materialized before him, displaying his current attributes:
Name: Vincent FoxSpecies: HumanConstitution: 10Will: 8Strength: 9Agility: 11Lineage: Saitama Physique (awakened)
(Note: A typical adult male scores an average of 10 in each category.)
This was Vincent's standing right after resonance. Every successful bond generated a unique status panel failed attempts produced nothing.
"No wonder they say resonance can change your fate."
He eyed the panel thoughtfully. "With Saitama Physique, I should be able to grow infinitely stronger through regular training."
He remembered Saitama's legendary regimen: 100 push-ups, 100 sit-ups, 100 squats, and a 10-kilometer run every single day for three years.
It was only midday, just past twelve. Perfect time to start.
He went out for lunch, rested thirty minutes, then began his workout.
First, a ten-kilometer run he took a full hour, pushing himself to the limit.
Then came 100 push-ups, 100 sit-ups, and 100 squats. Even with his enhanced physique, he had to pace himself, resting between sets.
Thankfully, his athletic background helped otherwise few could finish that volume in a day.
Hours later, the sun had set. Vincent opened his status panel again, astonished to see almost every attribute except Will nearly doubled:
Name: Vincent FoxSpecies: HumanConstitution: 18Will: 9Strength: 19Agility: 17Lineage: Saitama Physique (awakened)
He smiled. Saitama Physique was truly miraculous. A little effort, and his power surged beyond imagination.