After having the "delicious" nutritional lunch, Lu Lin spent some time researching his unique skill.
However, he hadn't gained much from it.
The only somewhat positive outcome was the enhancement to his vision.
In the era of Star Core Cultivation, humans' physical fitness had greatly improved; even ordinary people who didn't successfully awaken could feel light as a feather, full of energy, and live longer.
It seemed natural that Lu Lin, having successfully awakened, could see farther than others.
Exiting the Consciousness Universe, Lu Lin checked the messages in his Biological Chip again.
There were a total of 112 students in Senior Three Class 3, and 27 of them had successfully awakened.
This Awakening rate of 24% had already exceeded Teacher Li's estimate of 20%.
Lu Lin was happy for Teacher Li as well.
With such a high Awakening rate, Teacher Li was practically guaranteed the "Outstanding Teacher" title this year.
From what Lu Lin had learned from Teacher Li, this year's overall Awakening rate at Golden Sword High School was much higher than in previous years.
It should be among the best in Tongyuan as well.
Lu Lin smiled happily when he saw Teacher Li's message emphasizing the skill guidance and comprehension session in the afternoon.
It felt great to freely enjoy the privileges of a Federal Citizen. No secret teams, no terrifying laboratories, no more being endlessly studied by others. Indeed, a plain and simple life is truly the best.
After this thought, Lu Lin suddenly slapped his forehead.
I almost forgot! Mom and Dad must still be waiting for my news.
Checking the current time on Saturn, it should be his parents' noon break, so Lu Lin called them directly.
BEEP...
His mom picked up after only a second.
Seeing Lu Lin lying on the sofa at home, Meng Yu's eyes lit up,
"Son."
"Did you make it?"
After asking, Meng Yu didn't dare to speak, her eyes fixed on Lu Lin.
It seemed as if she was afraid that if she said a word, Lu Lin would fail his Awakening.
Lu Lin's mouth curved upward, revealing four white teeth.
He nodded heavily.
"Of course!"
"Whose son do you think I am? With the excellent genes I inherited, if I still couldn't awaken, how could I face you, Mom and Dad..."
Lu Lin couldn't continue.
Upon hearing him say "Of course!", Meng Yu, who was right in front of him, couldn't hold back her tears.
She bit her lower lip tightly, as if afraid her son would see her vulnerability.
"Son, did you really... awaken successfully?"
Meng Yu's voice trembled slightly; she was afraid this was just wishful thinking.
"I did, Mom."
Lu Lin casually pulled up his citizen information.
When Meng Yu saw the large, bold "Yes" displayed after "Star Core Warrior Status" on his citizen information, she finally broke down.
"I knew it, I knew it! My son was definitely going to awaken successfully!"
"I knew it, I knew it..."
Tears streamed down Meng Yu's face; she couldn't stop them no matter how much she wiped.
Lu Lin understood his mom's feelings all too well.
Teacher Li had mentioned that last year's student Awakening rate reached 9.98%, and Blue Star students had an Awakening rate of almost 20%. However, ordinary people living in this era wouldn't easily encounter the aloof Star Core Warriors.
They were like celebrities from the Earth era.
You could open your phone any day and see news about various stars, making it seem as if they were right beside you.
But in reality, it wasn't like that.
Star Core Warriors typically had to cultivate, fight, travel between stars, teach, and so on.
The world of Star Core Warriors was 90% different from that of ordinary people.
It wasn't so easy to see them.
In his eighteen years, Lu Lin had mostly seen classmates and teachers at school.
Lu Lin's parents had worked in Saturn's planting zones for many years, facing the earth and sky day in and day out; they were mostly familiar with other workers and their supervisors.
Star Core Warriors, in their world, were like celebrities from the Earth era.
People heard about them every day but rarely, if ever, saw them in person.
Now that Lu Lin had successfully awakened, it meant a leap in social status and a qualitative change in living conditions for their entire family.
"Mom, Mom, don't cry."
"Shouldn't you be happy that I've successfully awakened? Why are you crying?"
"Right, no crying, no crying."
Meng Yu raised her sleeve to wipe away the tears she couldn't seem to stop. Her tearful smile touched Lu Lin's heart even more.
"Son, you've awakened, and Mom is so happy... I just feel so relieved. All these years, whatever life your father and I have had, it's all been worth it.
"Yes, your Aunt Wang was right! Wearing red sneakers truly means an 'auspicious start,' smooth sailing all the way, and flourishing prosperity...
"Also, you can't look in mirrors, or else your good fortune will be shared with your reflection.
"You can't feed cats today, or you'll depend on others to feed you tomorrow.
"Son, son, wait a minute, I'll go call your Dad."
Overcome with excitement, Meng Yu was at a loss for words for a moment before remembering to share the news with her husband, Lu Ping.
Lu Lin agreed happily and sat on the sofa, waiting quietly.
When father Lu Ping heard the news of Lu Lin's successful Awakening, he was dumbfounded.
Lu Lin clearly saw his dad's hands trembling badly as he pulled an electronic cigarette from his pocket.
"Good, good, good..."
Until the call ended, his dad just kept repeating these words.
He couldn't say anything else.
"Alright, alright, there's nothing for you here. Go smoke your cigarette."
Meng Yu disdainfully pushed Lu Ping aside, took a few steps away, and then whispered,
"Son, can you take some time to come back?"
"Mom wants to hold a Promotion Banquet for you."
Meng Yu voiced her idea cautiously, though she wasn't actually worried Lu Lin would refuse.
Lu Lin had always been sensible and an excellent student. If not for this, she and Lu Ping wouldn't have made such a difficult decision—spending all their savings and even taking a loan from Deep Space Bank to send Lu Lin to study on Blue Star.
Meng Yu understood that after his successful Awakening, Lu Lin would have less than a month's vacation.
During this period, he would need to fill out his university preferences, choose an institution, await admission, and then register.
Though one month isn't short, the round trip from Blue Star to Saturn would take three to four days.
"Okay, Mom. Once I'm done with things at school, I'll buy a ship ticket back."
Lu Lin naturally agreed to his mom's request.
There's an old saying: 'Not returning to one's hometown after achieving success is like wearing brocade at night.' Mom and Dad raised me for so long; now that I've successfully awakened, I hope they can share in this joy. It's not about showing off, but at least it will let everyone know that the decision Lu Ping and Meng Yu made back then was the right one.
"Okay, Mom will wait for you then."
"By the way, son, do you have anything else to do this afternoon?"
Hearing Meng Yu's words, Lu Lin was instantly alert.
He glanced at the time: it was already 1:00 PM.
He still had to get to school by 1:30 PM for the skill guidance session.
"Yes, I do have something."
"Mom, I have to go now. I need to hurry to school."
"Go ahead, go ahead. You're always in such a hurry."
Lu Lin hung up the phone, changed his shoes, and went out.
He ran towards Golden Sword High School.
This time, he couldn't bring himself to take a taxi; he'd just have to run.
He just wondered which Guide would be leading them in comprehending their skills.