Wine, tea, water, or something else?
Indira Shetty led Qi Li over to sit on a nearby sofa and asked.
Qi Li didn't stand on ceremony. "Coca-Cola, thank you."
Surprise crossed Shetty's face, then she smiled again. "That's certainly an unexpected answer. Fortunately ... we really do have what you need here."
Shetty pointed at the freezer, then turned and went to get it.
Seeing this, Professor Brink spoke up. "Shetty, pour me a whiskey."
"Don't even think about it." Shetty refused without turning around. "Professor Brink, you must follow your doctor's orders. I don't want you dropping dead on my watch."
"She's always been this stubborn," Professor Brink sighed to Qi Li. "Of course, she means well, doesn't she?"
"It's fine," Qi Li said softly. "You can sneak a drink when you get back."
At these words, Professor Brink's eyes lit up.
The two exchanged a glance; everything went unspoken between the men.
"It's clear the two of you get along well."
Shetty returned at that moment, handing Qi Li and Professor Brink Coca-Cola and purified water respectively, then glanced at the two of them and smiled.
Professor Brink thanked Shetty, took the cup, and smiled. "I feel my career is about to reach new heights."
Shetty sat down and chuckled. "Chapter 7, Section 3 of *The Hero Within*. The last time you said that was when A-Train was at Godkin."
She then explained to Qi Li, "Professor Brink's greatest contribution to Godkin has been cultivating one batch after another of young people truly passionate about the superhero profession. Now they're all out there shining. Among the standouts — Professor Brink's proudest students, Queen Maeve, A-Train, and Deep Sea — have all joined the Super Seven. And in the future, Qi Li, you'll be the next."
Qi Li knew Shetty was showcasing Godkin University's powerful connections.
He raised his cup and said directly, "That's exactly why I joined Godkin University."
Actually, it was one of the reasons, or one added afterward.
Shetty looked at Qi Li seriously. "As I promised before. Qi Li, you have a high enough starting point, and Godkin University is the place that can lift you to a higher platform. I very much look forward to working hand in hand with you over the next four years to create new records — the first Asian member of the Super Seven, and also the youngest member!"
Qi Li replied, "I look forward to that day as well."
Although he wasn't too invested in joining the Super Seven, if the opportunity was right in front of him, he wouldn't refuse.
After all, it would take his career to the next level.
"So speaking, I naturally have three votes for the Super Seven right here." Qi Li thought of the three people Shetty had just mentioned.
Professor Brink smiled confidently. "But there's a premise, Qi Li — you have to be number one on the Godkin University ranking list."
Qi Li knew what Professor Brink meant.
Godkin University had always had a ranking list covering all students from freshman to senior year.
The rankings were determined by a comprehensive consideration of factors such as talent, superpowers, fame, social mentions, and commercial value, updated in real time.
Put plainly, it was personal fame and popularity.
For example, for the superpower category, the criterion wasn't how strong your superpower was, but whether people liked its outward manifestation.
If you could shoot lasers from your eyes, with Homelander as a precedent, you'd naturally be popular and gain points in the personal ranking.
Qi Li's flight ability was the same.
As for things like Shuttle having to be naked to walk through walls, or breathing out disgusting green poison gas, or turning into strange and wonderful shapes after transforming — even if the superpower was strong, these were major point deductions.
Qi Li was still confident about this.
He made only one request: "President Shetty, Professor Brink, as you know. I've been fighting crime on the streets for a long time. My senior, my friend, taught me a lot in battle, trusted me completely, and assigned me many tasks. It can be said I've accumulated sufficient experience in the superhero industry."
"Of course, this isn't to say I scoff at classes. Practice and theory have always complemented each other. I very much look forward to taking Professor Brink's and other teachers' courses — this lets me review my past practical experiences, better recognize and understand them, and gain inspiration from them. It's just that ..."
Qi Li looked at the two present, expression serious. "I hope the school can entrust me with more responsibility. If the school has any difficulties to resolve — for example, superhuman students violating school rules or even the law; or if some vicious incident arises outside, whether ordinary people or superhumans are involved — I can step in to handle it. Of course, preferably superhumans."
After Qi Li finished speaking, Shetty and Professor Brink exchanged a meaningful glance.
Afterward, Shetty looked at Qi Li again and said thankfully, "Qi Li, your words truly move me. But the school already has a security department — surely you're not asking to put them out of a job?"
Qi Li shook his head. "With great power comes great responsibility. There are always situations ordinary people can't handle, aren't there? Furthermore, my future is tied to Godkin University. I don't want to see any accidents befall Godkin University. With my abilities, I can completely handle it before it happens."
Hearing Qi Li say this, Shetty's eyes brightened slightly.
Indeed, Qi Li's interests were now bound with theirs, and with Godkin University.
Did Godkin University not have secrets that couldn't see the light of day?
Of course it did.
Not to mention anything else.
Just the fact that hundreds of hot-blooded superhuman teenagers with all kinds of strange superpowers gathered together every year — a mere quarrel was enough to cause scandals that couldn't see the light of day.
Let alone other things...
If a powerful superhuman like Qi Li lent a hand, it would indeed be a great help to them.
But they still had to consider it carefully.
Shetty glanced at Professor Brink again.
As Professor Brink nodded slightly, she smiled broadly. "I have to say, Qi Li, you've persuaded me. For someone with rich practical combat experience like you, this is indeed a good way to continue building your fame. I'll discuss this with social media director Jeff and specially prepare a professional film crew for you. In the future, both on and off campus, you'll have opportunities to perform."
Although it differed somewhat from his own plan, Qi Li was generally satisfied.
When he rose to say goodbye, he asked finally:
"Has the new member of the Super Seven already been selected?"
If not, the two before him wouldn't be eagerly planning his future.
As it happened, Shetty gave him a slightly regretful look and spoke the name:
"It's Starlight."
As expected, it was her.
Chapter 11