My setting is above yours!

Chapter 15 To untie the bell, one must tie it

A ring just like the one worn by the old magician?!
Even though the color is different from the old magician's emerald ring, the shimmering patterns on the smooth surface of the ring are clearly a "magic circle"...

Ron was certain that this was definitely an "ability amplifier" used by magicians.

These people... are they magicians?
Ron stared in astonishment at the ring on the man's hand. Seemingly noticing his gaze, the man in black immediately pulled his hand back into his sleeve and glared fiercely at Ron.

"Don't get into a conflict with them."

Xia Zhi pulled Ron along and immediately led him out of the elevator.

As the elevator doors closed, Ron couldn't help but frown.

Why would a magician appear at the D-sector patrol station?

and……

He glanced at Xia Zhi beside him and could clearly see a hint of displeasure on her face.

Clearly... she had some issues with this group.

Has she met a magician?
Ron carefully considered his words and tentatively asked:
"Who... are those people?"

"Are you also an agent from the patrol bureau?"

"I do not know either."

Xia Zhi crossed her arms somewhat irritably. "The task force that was parachuted in from above is a bunch of parasites who only know how to make rice expensive... Do you remember when I said you did me a huge favor?"

Busy?

Ron immediately realized what Xia Zhi was talking about:
"You mean, the serial killer I killed was the case they were sent down to handle?"

“That’s right,” Xia Zhi sighed, “They were in charge of that case, and they even kicked our C-112 team out of the investigation team because of it…”

"But after kicking us out, they did nothing. They just squatted in the small room every day praying to the idol. I really don't know what they wanted to do."

As she spoke, her expression brightened:
"Thank goodness for you... If you hadn't brought that serial killer to justice on the spot, who knows how many more innocent citizens of the ideal city he would have killed."

I'm sorry, but the murderer you're tracking is actually standing right in front of you right now...

Ron thought to himself, but he understood one thing.

...Clearly, Xia Zhi was unaware of the magician's affairs.

If she really knew anything about magic, then she would definitely know what the police department was up to—

Block messages.

They wanted to contain the impact of the "magic" murder case...

Or rather... do they want the magician to track down the magician?
Ron seemed to be deep in thought, and a sense of urgency arose in his heart.

As expected, the Magicians' Association wields immense power in Ideal City...

It's unbelievable that they could even extend their reach into a law enforcement agency like the patrol bureau.

Although they managed to pin the crime on the recently deceased murderer by smearing him, it doesn't mean Ron is completely safe.

Perhaps the magicians in the patrol bureau will close the case here, but the Magicians' Association still has a Damocles' sword hanging over Ron's head—

That was the commission the old magician accepted.

Ron was certain that if the old magician didn't show up at the scene of the commission in ten days or so...

The Magicians' Association will likely begin an investigation as a result.

A storm is brewing...

Perhaps we should think about how to resolve this problem.

Ron sighed inwardly and silently followed Xia Zhi to the director's office.

"Dong dong dong."

Xia Zhi gently knocked on the door, and soon a rather young male voice came from inside:

"Enter!"

They pushed open the door, and the room was very simple, with only a desk, a holographic screen, and bookshelves filled with files...

There was also the police badge of the patrol bureau, its steel gleaming, hanging high on the wall of the room.

A young man sat at a desk, wearing black-rimmed glasses. Although young, his hair was noticeably gray, but otherwise unremarkable.

Upon seeing Xia Zhi, his expression immediately turned serious, and his tone carried a hint of helplessness:

"Again? Let me tell you, I have to obey the orders from above. Don't think that just because I'm the director of the D District Patrol Bureau, I'm just a small-time director."

Even if you tell me again and again, I can't put you back in the task force..."

Summer Solstice shook his head:
"No need... because the murderer has been caught and the case is closed."

"They've already caught them?"

The young bureau chief looked up in astonishment. "They moved so quickly?"

“No,” Xia Zhi shook her head, a hint of disdain in her voice, “If only those parasites were really that efficient…”

She pointed at Ron, "It was all thanks to the intervention of kind-hearted citizens who bravely intervened when the murderer committed another crime, and brought him to justice in self-defense."

“…So powerful?”

The young bureau chief's expression changed as he looked at Ron, now showing a hint of surprise.

He stood up, circled Ron twice, and clicked his tongue in amazement:
"A high school student? I never thought our D district could produce such a genius. Truly, heroes emerge from among the young..."

As he spoke, he looked at Xia Zhi:
"But you can just follow the procedures and fill out the documents when applying for a bravery award. There's no need to come to me, is there?"

Xia Zhi shook her head: "He's about to take the college entrance exam, there's not enough time... I want to help him apply for the 'Good Citizen' medal."

Good Citizen Medal?
Ron had heard of such things; theoretically, these medals were awarded by the patrol department to recognize good citizens within its jurisdiction.

However, the standard for this so-called "good" has always been vague, and the right to interpret it belongs to the inspection bureau.

In other words... this is a prestigious honor reserved for the wealthy.

I've heard that this kind of honor and award is just a small part of the extra points that wealthy people get on their college entrance exams.

It might even bring certain conveniences in real life, such as discounts when using public facilities funded by the Moen municipal government... Ron never thought he could get something like that.

"You want to give him special treatment?"

The young bureau chief pushed up his glasses. "You know, it's just that this kind of thing isn't enough... You want to use your points to help him fill the gap?"

Xia Zhi nodded: "Yes, he did me a big favor."

"Send me your file, I'll submit an application to the logistics department, it shouldn't take more than a few days... Your name is Ron, right?"

The young bureau chief turned his gaze to Ron and smiled:
"Alright, little hero, the medal should be delivered to your home in a couple of days. Be sure to receive it when you receive it; this thing is recognized by the medal, not the person."

They only recognize the seal, not the person?
Wouldn't that be perfect for private transactions?

Well, it turns out that this is something that rich people can buy with money.

This really fits the stereotypical image of Ideal City... Ron was speechless for a moment.

After a quick registration of their personal information, the young director asked Ron and Xia Zhi to leave the office.

Xia Zhi led him out of the patrol station and teased him:

"Want me to use my superpowers to send you there?"

Recalling the dizzying sensation that seemed to drain all his strength, Ron couldn't help but shudder and immediately shook his head vigorously.

"I knew it... Alright, I've already paid the fare for you, the taxi will be here soon."

"Go back by yourself. That case still needs to go through the final closing procedure, and I have to be there, so I won't see you off." She waved to Ron, then turned around gracefully and hurried back to the police station building.

...He really is a good person.

Watching Xia Zhi's departing figure, Ron felt quite fond of her.

He could sense a strong sense of justice from Xia Zhi, a sense of responsibility towards his police duties, and a friendliness towards ordinary citizens...

If all the patrol officers in the patrol bureau were like this, perhaps the crime rate in Ideal City would drop by another ten percent?
Never mind, what am I thinking?

In Ideal City, do we really expect grassroots patrol officers to achieve this level of competence?

Do they really think the Moen city government is a charity?
We must not forget that the municipal government was once the world's largest business conglomerate...

"Moen Business" ah.

Thinking of this, Ron shook his head, banished his unrealistic fantasies, and got into the ride-hailing floating car that Xia Zhi had arranged for him.

And at the same time——

"You're saying this person is another wanted criminal?! A 'fire control' ability user with the capacity to record things?"

Xia Zhi stared in astonishment at the forensic doctor in front of her, who was wearing a protective suit and a mask, and said urgently:

"Where are the victims? Where are their ashes?"

"I know what you want to ask, Xia... but don't worry, the unknown ability influence has indeed been detected."

The visibly elderly forensic doctor gestured for her not to rush, took a small, transparent box from a nearby cabinet, and placed it in front of Xia Zhi:
"You'll know after you try it."

Xia Zhi gently opened the box, her fingers approaching the ashes—

Before she even touched the ashes, a faint ripple appeared in the space around her.

"As expected... just like before, it can affect my abilities..."

She murmured to herself, and the forensic doctor carefully collected the ashes, offering words of comfort:

"Don't worry... It's very likely that this person's ability has mutated, causing this situation to lead us to believe that there are two murderers with similar behaviors."

But in reality, they are the same person.

Is it the same person?
Xia Zhi frowned, a strange feeling lingering in her heart.

While that seems to be true... the kind of ability mutation that happens is extremely rare, occurring only once in millions of people.

Could it really be such a coincidence?
Moreover, when he tried to kill Ron, he didn't demonstrate any extraordinary fire control abilities.

Xia Zhi thought of those figures wrapped tightly in black robes, and how they had all hurriedly left shortly after the murderer's body was teleported over...

Could it be that... there's some secret hidden behind this case?
A profound reminder stirred within her; her sixth sense was warning her.

Afterwards, we might need to keep an eye out for similar cases...

She pondered for a moment, then made her decision.

……

Ten days later.

Ability Training Center.

Ron pushed open the hatch of the infiltration pod and sat up.

"Failed again..."

Deng put on his glasses and handed over the data to record:

"Even though your personal reality strength has reached Lv.2 and your computing power far exceeds Lv.2, we still can't unlock your ability model limitations to Lv.2."

He tapped on the data screen and pointed to the records on it:
"According to the reasoning, if you want to become a Level 2 superpowered person, you should need to control 10% of the ability model."

But if I adjust the limit to 10%, your abilities will exceed my control, and the computing power will collapse..."

He shook his head and sighed:
"It seems that the ability model that was awakened too late still damaged your personal reality."

Although the extent of the damage is currently unclear, it seems impossible to advance you to Lv.2 until this is resolved.

Is there no other way?

Ron clenched his fist, feeling the wind flowing through his knuckles. It seemed that with just a thought, he could change the direction of the wind and control it in his palm.

Their abilities have improved significantly.

He was certain that the ten days of special training had been effective... Compared to himself ten days ago, Ron now had much stronger control over [Vector Manipulation].

He used to be able to change the vector of only one object at a time, and his maximum output was no more than the speed at which he could kick a pebble out of a pistol bullet.

Only in close contact, by reversing the flow of blood in another person, can one unleash a destructive power far exceeding that of a Level 1 superpowered individual.

But now, if he wanted, he could control a dozen pebbles to fly out in an instant.

The maximum output power has also been greatly increased, enough to make a pebble have the power of a rifle bullet...

However, he failed to reach Lv.2.

Whenever Ron tries to break the 10% barrier, his once-comfortable power slips away like sand.

Overloaded capabilities, computing power collapse... everything seems to have returned to the time before the ability to limit capabilities was established.

Seeing Ron's silence, Deng, fearing he was hurt, gently comforted him:
"Although Ideal City is now paying more and more attention to practical combat ability, and a significant portion of the college entrance examination score is related to arena battles, it is indeed a bit difficult for you as a Lv.1, but there is no need to worry too much..."

Your abilities are unique and powerful enough that even as a Level 1, you have a chance to defeat a Level 2.

While I certainly won't get any top scores, it shouldn't be too difficult to reach the required rating for Moen University.

Is it just to reach the required rating for Moen University...?

Ron sighed, thanked Dunn for his help, and returned to his small apartment.

In the past, he might have been quite happy, but now that he was only one step away from becoming a Level 2 superpowered being, he was no longer satisfied.

He knew that if he could become a Level 2 [Vector Manipulation] user, he would definitely be able to get an unimaginably high score in the college entrance examination.

It's important to know that simply becoming a student at one of the three major universities allows you to defer your student loan repayments.

The higher the score and the higher the ranking in the admission process, the more loan waivers will be granted.

In addition, there are scholarships and grants from businesses and schools, and even skills development assistance...

Ron couldn't possibly just barely scrape by with a guaranteed A grade and not pursue these rewards that could significantly improve his life.

So... does he really have no chance?
Looking at the Dimensional Update Manual, Ron seemed to be deep in thought.

Perhaps, there still is.

In the loaded settings, the "Out of Control" setting has reached a loss of control level of 60%.

Ron vaguely remembered that when he first loaded [Out of Control], the out-of-control level of this setting was only 15%.

So... is his inability to control [vector manipulation] beyond the 10% limit essentially related to [extraordinary loss of control]?
Since it relates to supernatural loss of control...

Ron looked at the "Enter World Save" option in the manual.

So, those extraordinary individuals who focus on combating the corruption and runaway effects of the potion sequences, and even those who can harness these powers without collapsing—

Should we aim for something more specialized and relevant?
For example, that saintess who is clearly a superhuman... could she possibly have a way to alleviate the loss of control?
Ron pondered for a moment, then finally made up his mind.

The trouble should end it……

It's time to return to the Potions era.

(End of this chapter)