Rin Haruto turned his head and saw a tall, burly-looking boy running over.
It was Daiki, Rin Haruto's deskmate and friend at school.
Daiki trotted over and put his arm around Rin Haruto's shoulder. "Where have you been these past two weeks, buddy? I asked Aunt Lu, and she said you were busy."
Rin Haruto smiled and didn't say anything.
Daiki didn't seem to mind. He suddenly looked surprised and touched Rin Haruto's shoulders and chest.
"We haven't seen each other for half a month, bro, but your body has gotten a lot stronger?"
Daiki marveled.
"Really?"
Rin Haruto wasn't surprised.
You must know that Rin Haruto had just refined twenty-one bottles of 'Advanced Nutrient Solution' not long ago.
Energy is conserved. Even though the vast majority of the energy from the twenty-one bottles of 'Advanced Nutrient Solution' was converted into 'Essence' and spirit, his body was still somewhat affected.
This was because Rin Haruto created a martial arts evolution path that emphasized secrecy and restraint.
If it were an evolver on another evolution path, rashly absorbing so much energy would have caused them to grow taller and stronger, almost as strong as an ox.
It wouldn't be like Rin Haruto, who only looked a little stronger.
After marveling for a while, Daiki immediately pointed to a few people approaching from not far away.
"Look who's here."
Rin Haruto glanced over and immediately recognized that these people were all classmates.
"It just so happens that we've graduated, so we came out to have some fun," Daiki explained.
He originally wanted to invite Rin Haruto, but Rin Haruto wasn't home, so he had no choice but to give up.
At this time, the others also approached.
"Rin Haruto, what are you doing here? Are you waiting for someone?"
A gentle-looking man with glasses asked casually.
"You're Rin Haruto? I haven't seen you in a few days, but I feel like you've changed a lot." A girl looked Rin Haruto up and down, slightly surprised.
"Hello, everyone." Rin Haruto greeted them symbolically as everyone came over.
In fact, the original Rin Haruto was a very taciturn person. If it weren't for Daiki, he wouldn't have hung out with these people at all.
These people were mainly divided into two groups.
One group was led by Shun, the gentle-looking man with glasses.
Shun came from a good family and was good at studying. Many students were willing to be close to him.
The other group was led by Hiroshi, who had an extraordinary background. An elder in his family worked in the military. He was fearless when he was at school.
Daiki was good at socializing and smoothing things over. He got along well with both sides, and because he was righteous, Shun and Hiroshi both gave him face.
In addition, there were also a few girls present.
"Rin Haruto, look who this is, our class beauty, who has already been admitted to a prestigious university. I invited her over this time. Am I awesome, bro?"
Daiki pointed to a tall girl and said proudly.
This girl had regular features. Her simple jeans outlined her tight, rounded hips and legs.
It was Saki.
"Rin... Rin Haruto?"
Saki's heart was extremely uneasy.
Ever since she saw the unremarkable Rin Haruto being respectfully welcomed into the VIP room at the Water Moon Residential Sales Office, directly buying an independent house worth more than ten million, and even Manager Wang was standing respectfully by his side.
Saki realized that Rin Haruto's identity was not simple.
The entire class, and even the entire school's teachers and students, had been deceived by Rin Haruto.
She agreed to Daiki's invitation this time because Daiki usually had the best relationship with Rin Haruto.
Perhaps Rin Haruto would also participate. Otherwise, with her personality, how could she participate in such a meaningless gathering?
But after arriving, she found that Rin Haruto hadn't come, and she was feeling lost. Then she saw Rin Haruto. This kind of rollercoaster made Saki's mind a little confused.
"Hello, classmate Rin Haruto."
Saki calmed herself down and proactively extended her right hand towards Rin Haruto.
This surprised Daiki. Saki had always been aloof, and even the second-generation rich kids like Hiroshi and Shun couldn't get a smile from her. How could she proactively shake hands with Rin Haruto?
"Hello."
Rin Haruto shook her hand in return.
The group exchanged pleasantries for a while.
Then they proactively found a place to sit down.
Shun called the staff over and ordered a cup of the cafe's signature coffee for each person.
"Brother Shun is so generous."
Daiki flattered from the side.
The cafe's signature coffee wasn't cheap. Each cup was almost thirty yen. The total for everyone was more than two hundred, which was equivalent to half a month's living expenses at school.
After everyone was seated, they began to chat.
"I didn't do well on the college entrance examination this time and chose a third-rate university. I don't know what to do after I graduate?"
A girl sighed.
"That's simple. Aren't you close to Brother Shun? Just go to Brother Shun's house to work after graduation."
Daiki joked from the side.
"You?"
The girl pretended to be angry, but she was actually very happy and occasionally stole glances at Shun.
"Daiki is right. You can come to my company in the future. The benefits will definitely be good," Shun said with a wave of his hand.
How could he give up this opportunity to show off in front of his classmates? Anyway, graduation was still far away, and he could talk about the future later.
"Then thank you, Brother Shun."
The girl quickly thanked him.
The group chatted while drinking coffee.
Soon, they started talking about Rin Haruto.
"Speaking of which, classmate Rin Haruto, you should be on the conscription list, right?"
Hiroshi seemed to have thought of something and said.
As soon as he said this.
The surroundings suddenly fell silent.
Everyone's eyes were focused on Rin Haruto.
Conscription during normal times wasn't a bad thing. They even helped arrange jobs after discharge.
For normal people, it was already a good result.
But this time, the conscription was aimed at aliens. For confidentiality reasons, everyone on the conscription list would probably not return. Even if they didn't die in battle, it would be difficult to see them again in their lifetime.
Although the government would provide compensation and the family would be properly taken care of, they would definitely be a sacrifice.
"It's all rumors. What aliens? In my opinion, these are all just rumors," Daiki immediately said.
"That's right."
"The government hasn't publicly mentioned it, so it might just be a normal conscription."
"Yes, Rin Haruto, don't worry too much. Maybe after you retire, you can be transferred back to work in the military."
The others comforted Rin Haruto.
Of course, it was just comforting.
In fact, everyone was not optimistic about this conscription.
Although the government didn't explicitly state the purpose of this conscription, all those on the conscription list had already received compensation.
This wasn't a secret. Anyone who cared a little could find out.
Tell me, if it was just a normal conscription, would they give so much compensation?
"Actually, it's not like there's no turning point. My uncle works in the military region. I'll go back tonight and ask my uncle to see if he can flexibly adjust it..."
Hiroshi said at this time.
He was the only one on the field with a military background, and he was also the 'most confident' person to say these words.
"Then I'll have to trouble Brother Hiroshi," Daiki said immediately.
This time, it wasn't flattery, but heartfelt gratitude.
As a classmate and friend for so many years, he didn't want Rin Haruto to embark on a path of no return.
When the others heard this, especially the girls, their eyes lit up.
Hiroshi's words revealed a lot of meaning. The most obvious was that he might be able to influence the conscription list. This was a huge network of connections.
Compared to this, Shun's promise to help arrange a job was insignificant.
Just a job, how could it compare to Hiroshi, who could influence the military region's conscription?
For a time, except for Saki, the girls on the field, including the girl who wanted Shun to arrange a job, all became close to Hiroshi.
Rin Haruto sat on the side. He didn't feel disgusted by Hiroshi's chest-thumping behavior. Instead, he found it a little ridiculous.
The conscription list was reviewed by the Wisdom Goddess. How could it be changed just like that?
It was just that Hiroshi was helping him after all, even if the essence of this help was to suppress 'Shun'.
At Rin Haruto's level, the open and secret struggles between Hiroshi and Shun were as ridiculous as children playing house.
"It's almost time."
"I should go."
"Someone is waiting for me."
Rin Haruto looked at the time, got up, and said goodbye.
Then, without waiting for everyone to agree, he left the cafe and walked towards the side of the road.
"Huh?"
The crowd on the field frowned when they saw this.
Especially Hiroshi, who had promised to go back and ask his uncle. Although he didn't guarantee anything, at least you should say a word of thanks, right?
However, Rin Haruto didn't say anything. He just sat there, and now he's just making an excuse to leave?
This rude behavior made Hiroshi feel a little disgusted.
"This person..."
Hiroshi looked at Rin Haruto's back through the glass of the cafe and was about to say something.
Just then.
A sleek, all-black hovercar stopped by the side of the road.
To be precise, it stopped in front of Rin Haruto.
"The license plate of that hovercar?"
Shun also noticed it over there. His gaze instantly focused on the license plate.
Although his family didn't have a military background, they often dealt with the government. He immediately recognized that the license plate of this black hovercar was government-owned.
With this kind of license plate, you can enter special roads. Not only is the distance short, but it avoids the possibility of 'traffic jams'.
It's just that this kind of special hovercar is usually only used to pick up and drop off those big shots. Why is it stopping in front of Rin Haruto now?
"Coincidence, it must be a coincidence."
Shun couldn't help but think to himself.
Just then, under the watchful eyes of everyone, a tall man stepped out of the black hovercar and respectfully welcomed Rin Haruto into the vehicle.
This...
The crowd fell silent once more.
Originally, they had thought that Rin Haruto's excuse of 'someone waiting for him' was just a random excuse.
They never expected it to be true, and the person waiting for him was driving a government-issued vehicle.
"That license plate belongs to the Evolutionary Association. I saw similar ones when I went to the association with my uncle," Shun said, as if realizing something.
Evolutionary Association.
Hiroshi's expression changed slightly.
Among the various government departments, the Evolutionary Association was undoubtedly the most difficult to deal with.
They managed the evolutionary community, were exceptionally powerful, and wielded significant influence.
But why would the powerful Evolutionary Association send a special car to pick up a student like Rin Haruto?
Doubt arose in everyone's mind.
This made no sense at all.
"Hahahaha, maybe the military region has some cooperation with the Evolutionary Association," Hiroshi said, racking his brains to come up with a reason.
"Probably."
"That must be it."
The others nodded slightly upon hearing this.
Although this explanation was extremely absurd—the Evolutionary Association and the military region were two separate systems, so what kind of cooperation could they possibly have?
But it was the only explanation that could make sense of the scene before them.
After all, Rin Haruto was on the conscription list, and the only way he could be connected to the Evolutionary Association was through the major military regions behind the conscription.
"A few days ago, I looked at the conscription notice again and found that Rin Haruto's name was no longer on the list," Saki, who had been silent all along, suddenly said.
As soon as these words came out.
Everyone was immediately stunned.
Especially Hiroshi, his expression froze completely.
He wasn't an idiot and knew how difficult it was to be removed from the conscription list, especially for mandatory conscription like this.
Although he had confidently said just now that he would ask his uncle when he got back, it was just a routine question. He estimated that his uncle wouldn't be able to do anything.
Even if there was a way, the price to pay would be terrifying, and it was impossible to do so for an outsider.
But now, Rin Haruto's name had really been removed from the list?
"Impossible."
"I'm going to ask the Wisdom Goddess."
Hiroshi immediately connected to the network and, after discovering that Rin Haruto's name was no longer on the list, immediately began applying to connect to the Wisdom Goddess to inquire about why Rin Haruto was exempted from conscription.
The next moment.
A solemn and dignified female voice rang directly in Hiroshi's ear.
"Warning, Level One Citizen Hiroshi, you are inquiring about content beyond your authority and are suspected of violating Article 560 of the Constitution."
"This is the first warning. If you continue to inquire, you will be sent to the Supreme Court for trial."
Hearing the Wisdom Goddess's cold warning, Hiroshi's face turned pale, and he was so frightened that he sat down on the ground.
The Supreme Court of the Cosmic Human Alliance had always been used to try heinous criminals. Those who could be tried by the Supreme Court were all burdened with major cases and had caused extremely bad influences.
Who was he, Hiroshi, that he was worthy of the Supreme Court taking the time to try him?
Hiroshi's teeth chattered, and his legs couldn't help but tremble.