Chapter 19: 3S
Omega?
Mecha Academy?
This absurd post title instantly drew the attention of the entire forum.
The words “Omega” and “Mecha Academy” had always been the two biggest traffic magnets on Unistar.
Whenever people mentioned Omegas on Unistar, the first thing that came to most minds was the Royal Omega Academy. Unlike other merit based institutions on Unistar, the Royal Omega Academy placed great emphasis on an applicant's genetic rank, such that every Omega admitted was at least A rank.
Three hundred years ago, before ABO equality laws were introduced to the empire’s Constitution, the Royal Omega Academy used to be called the “Nobility’s Bride Academy” and was located on the Empire’s Central Star, with nearly all of its graduates marrying into noble or powerful families.
Afterwards, the Royal Omega Academy relocated to Unistar. Though it was no longer as closed and conservative as before, it still drew in elite Omegas from across the Empire. The Royal Omega Academy’s presence was so overwhelming that whenever people spoke of Omegas on Unistar, their first impressions were of beautiful, fragile, elegant, and graceful Omegas.
All traits that were the complete opposite of the Mecha Academy. The first impression of mechas were always cold metallic machines, massive violent clashes, and blood-boiling space battles.
With these contrasting images, this post that somehow connected both Omegas and Mechas pulled in countless curious users.
[OP: Hi everyone, I’m an Alpha, freshman from Imperial University’s Mecha Academy. This afternoon, I received a notice saying that the competition for Freshman Chief was about to begin and interested students should go to the academy plaza to participate.
Here's the ridiculous part. Originally, I was just gonna join for fun, wasn’t planning to compete for Chief. I’m just an A-rank, four-star colonel in Infinite Mecha, and passed the junior mecha pilot certification on my first try, but I know the Mecha Academy is full of monsters and geniuses. My achievements really aren’t anything special.
But! No one told me! There was an omega among the freshmen!
Aren’t Omegas just pretty flower vases who can’t even live by themselves… but this Omega is super viscous, he smashed my mecha’s power system with ONE PUNCH!!!
All of the other freshmen were beaten into total wrecks too!
Even the sophomores who came to join the fun got punched straight into the wall and are still hanging up there.
Is there anyone who can beat him? If this keeps up, all of the Alphas are going to lose face!!!]
↳[Is it just me, or does the OP’s tone feel sus]
↳[Smells like tea.]
↳[Another ignorant, egotistical idiot Alpha. Diagnosis complete.】
↳[curious] How can you tell?]
↳[Let me translate for you:
“I’m a freshman, a proud A-rank Alpha, certified junior mecha pilot, a four-star Infinite Mecha big shot. I confidently joined the Chief competition… and got easily beaten by an Omega I looked down on!
I’m furious! I refuse to accept this! I’m calling reinforcements to beat him up together!
We must take this Omega down! Otherwise, I’ll drag the whole Mecha Academy down with me! It’s not that I’m bad—it’s that the academy sucks!”]
↳[LMAO, Infinite Mecha is a VR game, right? People really brag about game titles now?]
↳[So IU’s Mecha Academy really has an Omega freshman that strong?]
↳[HAHAHAHA yes! I was there and watched the whole thing while eating sunflower seeds. I pretty much know who OP is. He’s the only one who called over upperclassmen for help after losing, then they got flattened too. Now he’s throwing a tantrum.]
↳[Wait, Omegas can enter the Mecha Academy now?]
↳[I’M DYING OF CURIOSITY!!! Who is this Omega? What do they look like? What’s their genetic rank? How can they operate a mecha? How vicious? Are they ugly???]
↳[Enough guessing. Picture coming right up:
[Mecha duel personal info panel screenshot]]
The traditionally simple freshman ID photo was a face both dazzling and aggressive. The white-haired, gold-eyed youth in the photo was still breathtakingly beautiful, as radiant and brilliant as the sun itself.
↳[HOLY!!! WHAT IS THIS GOD-TIER BEAUTY?! I’M IN LOVE AHHHHHH!!!]
Ji Mingxue? Why did the surname Ji sound so familiar?
And what?! Genetic rank: SSS-rank Omega?!?!
↳[How many years has it been since the empire had ABO with a rank this high?]
↳[…There’s never been a B, thanks. But even for AO, hasn’t it been nearly 200 years since a 3S appeared?]
↳[He’s a Ji! The Ji family! The First Noble House!!!]
↳[Golden eyes really are the Ji family trademark.]
↳[[shocked] Wait, wait wait, isn’t His Highness the Crown Prince the same age?!]
↳[The Crown Prince is 19. This guy is 18. And the news always says the Crown Prince has poor health and has been recuperating on a private planet for years.]
↳[Probably not the Crown Prince, but another Ji family descendant.]
↳[Err but he’s an Omega. A precious 3S-rank Omega, isn’t it crazy that the Mecha Academy let him in? What is the Royal Omega Academy even doing?! Shouldn’t he be protected?]
↳[[hand shaking while lighting a cigarette] For some reason after you realize he’s a Ji family descendant, suddenly being a 3S Omega and piloting a mecha doesn’t feel that strange anymore.]
With so many explosive points surrounding Ji Mingxue, people across Unistar began rushing toward Imperial University, eager to see this extraordinary Omega with their own eyes.
⋅ ˚ ₊ ‧ ୨୧ ‧ ₊ ˚ ⋅
Imperial University Military Academy
Pheromone Confrontation Training Room
Unlike the noisy chaos surrounding the Mecha Academy, the atmosphere here was quiet and serious.
Outside the training room, two professors who had finished reviewing the data logs inside exchanged looks.
Even though Professor Ethan was not an expert in Alpha pheromones, he could still tell: “This child’s genetic rank is likely far higher than S-rank.”
Pheromone concentration was a key indicator for determining AO rank. With 5000 kl/m² as the boundary:
Above 5000 = S-rank
8000–13000 = SS-rank
Above 13000 = 3S-rank
It was a fact that S-rank Alphas were extremely rare in the Empire. SS-ranks existed, but most were among the older generation, and 3S had not appeared for over two hundred years.
But the two professors witnessed the pheromone concentration inside the training room exceeding 9300 kl/m² and was still slowly rising.
Professor Li Jin tapped his pen urgently: “I need to conduct a full examination for him. According to Imperial law, any ABO with a genetic rank above S must be immediately reported to Central Star. No concealment is permitted.”
“No rush,” Professor Ethan said unhurriedly: “We can’t determine his true genetic rank until after the full exam anyway. What we need to do right now is help him get through his first susceptibility period.”
The higher an AO’s genetic rank, the more severe their atavistic traits. In this context, “atavism” didn’t mean reverting to ancient Earth humans, instead, it pointed to the animalistic aspects within ABO genetics.
Alpha genes carried traits similar to canines and serpents, for example, the existence of the reproductive bone and the pheromone glands in the palate. Therefore during susceptibility or heat, these two parts reacted the most strongly.
Professor Li Jin activated the training room’s external communication system.
“Shen Qingzhu, this is Professor Li Jin. I’ve reviewed your real-time data. How are you feeling right now? Can you still maintain rationality? Any abnormalities in your reproductive bone or the pheromone glands at the back of your neck or inside your mouth? Excessive swelling, overactivity, or severe soreness?”
Though embarrassed by these personal questions for the first time, as a doctor himself, Shen Qingzhu knew these were standard medical questions. He imagined himself as a patient and answered the questions with as much detail as he could.
“Thank you for your concern, Professor Li Jin. My mind is still relatively clear. The glands in my neck and mouth feel swollen and hot. My cheeks are sore and itchy. I keep wanting to bite something.”
Li Jin nodded: “That’s normal. There’s a disposable bite tool in the training room. It can help relieve discomfort. You can ask the robot to bring some.”
“Hmm?” Although called a tool, when Shen Qingzhu opened it, it was just a long chibi dragon-shaped bite stick.
Shen Qingzhu: …
He wordlessly placed the bite “tool” in his mouth, gently grinding it with his canines.
The irritating itch eased slightly, but his canines began excreting pheromone fluid, turning the stick bamboo-scented.
“Thank you, Professor. I feel much better now,” Shen Qingzhu said muffledly.
Li Jin asked: “And the reproductive bone? Any abnormalities?”
Shen Qingzhu paused. This question was much harder to answer.
Not hearing Shen Qingzhu speak, Professor Ethan asked worriedly: “Child, has something gone wrong with your reproductive bone?”
Reminding to himself that this was all medical routine, Shen Qingzhu pressed an ice pack to his hot face, and replied helplessly: “It’s fine. Very healthy. Very lively. A bit too lively, actually.”
His pants were so tight it was painful. Even the slightest friction from fabric made the fat bamboo shoot even more excited and drenched in sweat. Logically, it wasn’t possible for anyone to see him from outside the training room, but he still couldn’t bring himself to let it all hang out.
The restlessness Shen Qingzhu felt was similar to when he’d been an Omega, except Omega heat caused weakness and emptiness, while Alpha susceptibility made one want to grind and bite something.
He felt like part of his brain has turned into a wild, aggressive beast.
Fortunately, Shen Qingzhu himself wasn’t aggressive, and neither was his pheromone. So even though this was his first susceptibility period as an Alpha, aside from the unfamiliar physical reactions, his mindset remained calm.
On the other hand, Professor Li Jin and Ethan were both surprised.
Professor Ethan said with some awe: “I can’t believe this child can still stay clear-headed. From what I know, almost all Alphas become extremely anxious during their first susceptibility period, sometimes crying, screaming, or smashing things.”
Professor Li Jin replied: “Alphas in susceptibility are like beasts. When male beasts can’t find a mate or release their reproductive urges, anxiety and irritability are natural. But Shen Qingzhu’s pheromone concentration has already exceeded 13,000 and he’s still calm. He’s even joking with us.”
Professor Li Jin pondered: “Is he… frigid? Or is this simply an ability of a 3S Alpha?”
“Let’s not jump to conclusions like that,” Professor Ethan defended: “He might just be shy, or maybe 3S Alphas really are this special, we don’t know. Let’s not keep on speculating and continue helping him.”
Li Jin nodded and said to Shen Qingzhu: “There are suppressants in the training room, but the strongest is only A-rank, so it likely won’t work on you. Since this is your first susceptibility period, I recommend releasing as much as possible, don’t bottle it up. Also, there are nutrient solutions and stamina recovery agents. Don’t worry about overexertion. If your temperature won’t drop, you can soak in the cold pool, but don’t soak for more than three hours at a time.”
“Understood,” Shen Qingzhu replied.
Although cooling down in the cold pool sounded great, Shen Qingzhu held off from entering for as long as he could to observe his physical changes and test the limits of his susceptibility.
After holding out until his head felt hazy and his nose was filled with the scent of bamboo forests and deep snow, Shen Qingzhu finally walked into the cold pool, drinking nutrients while gently massaging the bamboo shoot.
Three hours later, the bamboo shoot finally calmed down.
Shen Qingzhu got out, wrapped himself in a soft bathrobe, drank a stamina recovery potion, and reviewed his data on the monitor. Then he could finally relax and lay down to sleep.
A little while later, he was awakened again by the restless bamboo shoot and sore glands.
Shen Qingzhu sighed helplessly: “Being an Alpha is such a pain.”
⋅ ˚ ₊ ‧ ୨୧ ‧ ₊ ˚ ⋅
After three days of beating the bamboo shoot countless times and chewing through several bite tools, Shen Qingzhu’s pheromones finally stabilized, and his swollen glands returned to normal.
The cursed first susceptibility period was finally over.
One good thing was that on the second day, the spiritual power that had been sealed within him broke free. When he released his power, an invisible force surged outward, manifesting a vast bamboo forest within the empty training room.
Jade-green bamboo talks swayed gently, their falling leaves transforming into inch-long silver needles, with hidden killing intent.
Shen Qingzhu picked up a needle and smiled. He may be a peace-loving person, but peace required the power to protect oneself.
His powerful spiritual power in this life was exactly the same as in the past, making Shen Qingzhu very satisfied. He dismissed the bamboo forest and exited the training room.
Professor Li Jin and Ethan were waiting outside, ready to escort him to a physical examination.
Professor Ethan said solemnly: “Child, you probably already know, but your genetic rank is likely extremely high. Possibly 3S-rank.”
Shen Qingzhu nodded calmly.
Professor Li Jin said: “Once this is confirmed, the academy must immediately report it to the Empire. Do you understand the consequences?”
Shen Qingzhu nodded again: “I imagine it would attract a lot of attention. Some nobles might even try to obtain my genes.”
Both professors smiled with a little bit of pride. Professor Ethan even winked: “That’s right. But don’t worry, Imperial University will always stand behind you. As long as you are here, even the royal family wouldn’t dare act openly. Professor Li Jin and I will protect you as well.”
Shen Qingzhu smiled and thanked them sincerely.
Professor Li Jin added: “To protect you, we plan that after your rank is confirmed, we will simultaneously send a report to the empire and publicly announce your identity and genetic level. Can you accept that?”
“Yes,” Shen Qingzhu said.
No one understood better than he did what being 3S meant. That simple label designated him as a treasure coveted by countless people.
Hide it away, and it might get stolen someday.
Hold it high for all to see, and anyone who dared reach for it would be attacked.
In his past life, the only way for Shen Qingzhu to survive was to shape himself into a “perfect Omega”, famous across the empire and one whom no one dared touch.
But now he could live differently.
⋅ ˚ ₊ ‧ ୨୧ ‧ ₊ ˚ ⋅
That unsuspecting evening, a notice appeared on Imperial University’s official website.
[Following examination, freshman Shen Qingzhu has been confirmed as a 3S-rank Alpha. The university has reported this to Central Star.]
At first, only a few saw.
But after someone reposted it to the Academy Star forum, the entire Unistar and soon the Empire’s entire StarNet exploded in heated discussion.