Chapter 16: Arrival
[Luxury Starship A-0903, First-Class Cabin]
After Shen Qingzhu finished his dinner that was made with organic ingredients, he walked over to the nutrient pod and activated the cleaning mode to sanitize the pod.
While he waited, Shen Qingzhu measured and poured in a series of liquids one by one, including nutrient supplements, energy restoratives, and beauty-and-hair tonics, blending them in the proper ratios.
When everything was ready, Shen Qingzhu took off his clothes and stepped inside.
Now that Shen Qingzhu had completely left C-07 behind, he finally had the opportunity to begin rehabilitating this body. Shen Qingzhu’s body was both malnourished and in urgent need of muscle growth. In addition to eating rich meals made from natural ingredients, he paid extra for a first-class suite equipped with a nutrient pod.
The pod had a range of modes from trauma recovery and tissue regeneration, to stimulating muscles and nerves for fat loss and strength training, or even serving as a fully immersive holographic chamber.
The reason he chose this method instead of natural exercise, as a recently differentiated Alpha, exercise could destabilize his still-fragile pheromones.
Fortunately, the results of this method were good. Over the next month, his height increased by nearly three centimeters. The skin that was once dry and cracked turned healthy and full, and a faint layer of toned muscle had begun to form along his limbs and back.
Professor Ethan, who had been tutoring him for half a month, noticed the difference: “Oh, how remarkable!”
The holographic figure of the elderly scholar leaned closer, looking Shen Qingzhu up and down with a smile: “My dear boy, tell me honestly…did you stumble upon some kind of miracle pill?”
How else could this child have changed so dramatically in just half a month?!
Shen Qingzhu laughed helplessly: “There’s no miracle pill, Professor. I just used some nutrient serums.”
Seeing that Dr. Ethan still looked unconvinced, Shen Qingzhu offered with a smile: “Once I arrive at Imperial University, how about I mix a few formulas for you to see for yourself?”
That made the old man beam: “Excellent, excellent!” He said and then began reviewing Shen Qingzhu’s homework.
Truthfully, to Shen Qingzhu, these intermediate courses were quite simple for him. In his original world, he had long since passed the exams to become a Master-level Medic, Pharmacist, and Nutritionist. He had even lectured as a visiting professor at Imperial University.
Within less than ten days, Shen Qingzhu completed every intermediate course and passed seven certification exams, all with outstanding marks.
Professor Ethan, who had been monitoring his progress, was completely stunned.
The main difference between the Intermediate and Beginner certifications wasn’t theory, but a complex practical component. Due to the practical component, even though Imperial University offered their courses publicly on the StarNet, the passing rate for Intermediate and Advanced exams remained notoriously low.
After all, regardless of how advanced holographic technology was, true practical training couldn’t be perfectly replicated. Mistakes and unexpected variables always appeared during real-life procedures. So the majority of students could only master the techniques under direct, face-to-face mentorship.
So when Professor Ethan saw that Shen Qingzhu used nothing but holo-net lessons yet passed multiple hands-on certification exams with near-perfect scores, he could only think, What kind of monster is this?!
But then he remembered that Shen Qingzhu was Shen Xian’s beloved son, and he calmed down a little. Still Ethan would never let a genius like Shen Qingzhu slip away. He immediately contacted Shen Qingzhu, offering to mentor him personally.
⋅ ˚ ₊ ‧ ୨୧ ‧ ₊ ˚ ⋅
When Shen Qingzhu found out that the professor who had cleared his access was Dr. Ethan, he was just as surprised. Dr. Ethan was a leading authority in the field of Omega pheromone research.
Back in his previous life, Shen Qingzhu had often sneaked into Dr. Ethan’s lectures at Imperial University, and much of his later success stemmed from those lessons. Dr. Ethan had once lamented that Shen Qingzhu wasn’t an Imperial University student and had even tried to poach him from the Royal Omega Academy. Unfortunately at the time, too many eyes and trouble followed him wherever he went. He couldn’t bear to drag such a pure academic into his mess, so Shen Qingzhu had declined.
How incredible was fate, he once again had the chance to study under Dr. Ethan. Shen Qingzhu couldn’t be more happier or grateful. Even with all his achievements in his previous life, Shen Qingzhu understood there was still so much to learn.
To have a mentor like Dr. Ethan was a blessing, like a guiding light to lead him to a better future.
⋅ ˚ ₊ ‧ ୨୧ ‧ ₊ ˚ ⋅
That night, Shen Qingzhu drifted off into a deep sleep. The nutrient pod continued to work to replenish nutrients, ease fatigue, and stimulate muscle growth through microcurrents and massage. When Shen Qingzhu woke up in the morning, he felt light and refreshed.
And of course, his “little bamboo shoot” was lively again.
At first, Shen Qingzhu was a little concerned about this daily phenomenon, and even scoured through countless papers and medical databases. In the end, he learned that for newly-differentiated Alphas, this kind of hyperactivity was common and the result of unstable pheromones and increasing vitality.
Like a seed bursting through the soil, a newly-differentiated Alpha brimmed with raw, instinctive energy. They had “a biological urge to assert its strength before the world”, said the paper, which Shen Qingzhu noted was written by an Alpha.
With time, pheromones would stabilize and this tendency would naturally diminish. Some studies even suggested that “the higher an Alpha’s genetic rank, the stronger their physical and sexual drive. For such Alphas, indulgence is the best outlet—after all, many would gladly become their lovers. Just remember to maintain hygiene and nutrition."
Shen Qingzhu’s reaction was to report the post for pseudoscience.
Although he was no longer exasperated every morning, once he reached Imperial University, he planned to investigate the matter more rigorously. And maybe even have someone design custom underwear to minimize…visibility.
Shen Qingzhu really didn’t want to get mistaken for a pervert!
After leaving the bathroom, he casually added a new task to his to-do list, which already included:
- Try space bungee jumping
- Go on a proper shopping trip
- Eat at a street stall
- Wear floral shorts to the beach
- Get a hovercar license
- Get a starship pilot’s license
- Pilot a mech at least once
These were all things he had once wanted to try but never had the opportunity to.
In his previous world, as a rare 3S-grade Omega, Shen Qingzhu could never go out alone. He had to go everywhere with an entourage, and followed by gossip and attention, so even ordinary experiences were forbidden luxuries.
But now that he was an Alpha, he had incomparably more freedom than before. Despite his disgust for most Alphas, the freedom that came with it brought a quiet joy to his heart.
⋅ ˚ ₊ ‧ ୨୧ ‧ ₊ ˚ ⋅
Two days later, the starship arrived at A-09 Space Station.
Standing before the vast panoramic window, Shen Qingzhu gazed down at the enormous blue-green planet below. A strange mix of excitement and anticipation rose within him.
“Whoa, what is that?!” Shouted several freshmen waiting for their space-elevator passes.
Curious, others began to crowd around the window and soon the station was filled with awestruck exclamations.
Away from the crowd, Shen Qingzhu walked straight to the service counter and asked with a gaze filled with expectation: “Hello, I’d like to buy a ticket for space bungee jumping.”
“Hm?” The clerk looked up and froze, his heart skipping a beat at the sight of Shen Qingzhu’s gentle smile and breathtakingly beautiful face.
Before the clerk could recover, the assistant robot spoke up: “Please confirm your choice, sir. Space bungee jumping carries certain risks. We recommend reading the safety guidelines carefully.”
“I’m sure,” Shen Qingzhu nodded.
“Please provide identity verification.”
He scanned the light band on his wrist.
“Verification complete. Space bungee jumping requires special equipment. Please follow me.”
The flustered clerk finally snapped back to reality when he saw the stunning stranger about to walk away with the robot. With a red face, he almost vaulted over the desk, and pushed the robot aside: “I—I’ll take you there!”
Shen Qingzhu didn’t mind at all and smiled at the clerk: “Thank you.”
The young man turned even redder, glancing back every few steps as he led the way.
The moment Shen Qingzhu entered the changing room, the clerk whipped out his light-brain device and, with trembling fingers, sent a post onto the Unistar forum.
[AAAAAHHH!!! Saw drop-dead gorgeous beauty at the space-station!!! Mom, I’m in love!!!]