Chapter 13: The Hero Association

City A, Hero Association headquarters.

This was a magnificent towering building that pierced the clouds.

The entire structure was made of high-strength alloy and bulletproof glass.

The giant “H” emblem shimmered under the reflection of the sunlight.

Inside the front lobby, people came and went.

Most of them looked like tough individuals preparing to take the Hero Association’s Hero Qualification Test.

Some professional heroes who had come to pick up quests walked briskly, appearing very busy.

At first, when Su Yu appeared at the entrance, she didn’t attract much attention.

But when the robot controlled by Lin Mo followed behind her, almost everyone’s gaze gathered upon her.

“Look at that girl, isn’t she the ‘Pure White Valkyrie’ from the internet…”

“Seems like, maybe, perhaps?”

“It’s definitely her, no mistake! I’ll never forget that face in my lifetime!”

“I didn’t expect she looks even better in person than in photos. I’m going to go…”

“Wait, look who’s standing next to her!”

“Ji… Jinshu Fengbao! The S-Class hero ranked 11th!”

“Who is that girl that she can have Lord Jinshu Fengbao follow behind her?!”

The murmurs surged like a storm, making Su Yu’s scalp tingle.

Almost habitually, she lowered her head, feeling very uncomfortable.

Lin Mo observed everything and couldn’t help frowning.

Out of consideration for building rapport, he directly dispatched his most famous unit model—the S-Class hero “Jinshu Fengbao”—intending to show support for Su Yu and prevent her from being bullied by others.

But he didn’t expect this girl to be even more socially anxious than he imagined.

With no other option, he overclocked the unit’s engine.

The engine’s roar was like an unconscious pressure field emitted by a powerful being.

Soon, the roar of the engine gradually drowned out the entire hall.

All murmurs ceased at the same moment, and even the prying glances diverted away considerably.

After all, compared to his reputation for prestige, Jinshu Fengbao was more known for his fearsome notoriety.

No one wanted to engage unfavorably with this ferocious deity.

Just then, a man in a suit who looked like a Hero Association staff member ran straight out from the building, panting.

Before catching his breath, he bowed first:

“I’m sorry, Mr. Jinshu Fengbao, for keeping you waiting. May I ask what brings you here today?”

Lin Mo manipulated the robot, pointed at the white-haired girl beside him, and said without emotion:

“I’m here to accompany my friend for a hero test.”

“Test?”

The staff member’s brain instantly began spinning rapidly.

When his gaze shifted to Su Yu, his expression suddenly changed, and he immediately put on a warm smile:

“You must be the ‘Pure White Valkyrie’ from the forums! Pleased to meet you. Your arrival truly honors us.”

“Since it’s Lady Valkyrie, please come this way. I will handle the test procedures for you as quickly as possible.”

“Then I’ll leave it to you.”

Unaccustomed to the staff’s enthusiasm, Su Yu glanced at the tall robot standing beside her.

Feeling a surge of confidence, she convinced herself to relax.

—

Under the staff member’s guidance, Su Yu quickly completed the registration procedures and received her admission ticket and number plate.

However, since there was still some time before the exam began, the staff settled the two of them in the Hero Association’s VIP room to rest for a while.

After everyone left the room, Su Yu leaned back on the soft sofa, a look of comfort on her face:

“Wow, I didn’t expect this place to be so luxurious. I’m basking in your reflected glory.”

She was certain that if Lin Mo hadn’t sent his robot to escort her the whole way, she absolutely wouldn’t have enjoyed such good treatment.

At best, the staff would have been polite to her.

‘S-Class heroes are really something else…’

“By the way, don’t you plan to go out for a walk yourself? It’s such a nice day today; it’s a pity not to go out and look around.”

In response to the girl’s question, the robot shook its head very humanoidly, and then Lin Mo’s voice came through:

“I need to devote all my time to my research. How could I have time to go out for a stroll?”

“I’m not like you, who has plenty of time to sleep every day.”

Dissatisfied with this answer, Su Yu pouted her lips in displeasure, turned her head to the side, and muttered quietly:

“I think you’re just a shut-in…”

“What did you say?”

Lin Mo’s calm voice sounded, cold and somewhat frightening.

“N-nothing!”

“You misheard!”

Su Yu immediately sat up straight, her face full of an awkward smile.

‘Is this robot’s ears really that good? He could hear me even though I spoke so softly.’

‘Looks like I can’t badmouth Lin Mo behind his back anymore.’

“I’ll take your word for it.”

Lin Mo gave a cold snort and chose not to pursue the matter, which relieved her.

“By the way, can you give me a hint about the test content? I’m afraid I won’t perform well later.”

To ease the awkwardness, Su Yu quickly changed the subject.

“Don’t worry, I’ve got your back. Besides, this is just a test to assess your initial hero rank. Even if you don’t perform well today, you can gradually level up in the future.”

“Is that so… Then I won’t worry.”

‘That statement was actually bullshit. She said it out loud, but inside, she was still scared to death.’

‘After all, she hadn’t studied in many years. She heard there would be a written test later. If they tested calculus and English, she might not even get through the test—she could just keel over and die on the spot.’

“Don’t be nervous. Your Magic Energy has already been raised to Level 6, which is already above the level of an ordinary mage. As long as you normally give it your all, it’ll be fine.”

“Mm-hmm…”

The girl listened very attentively and nodded from time to time.

Lin Mo paused for a moment before continuing:

“I know your current knowledge reserves have fallen to a relatively low level, but the written test’s weight isn’t high. Just do your best. I definitely won’t help you cheat on this part.”

“If my prediction is correct, after the final results are assessed, you’ll probably be ranked at the bottom of A-Class. So there’s no need to be so nervous.”

“I’m not nervous.”

Su Yu flatly denied it, but her heart beat even faster.

“Right, but your heart rate can’t lie. I can see your physical data here.”

“…”

Su Yu smacked her forehead and looked somewhat regretfully at the Superpower Bracelet on her wrist.

‘Damn, I actually forgot about this.’

“Alright, I am indeed a bit nervous, but this is an old problem. I’ll just adjust myself a little.”

‘This statement wasn’t a lie. Since her previous life, she would uncontrollably get nervous whenever she took an exam. This has become a habit she finds hard to change and simply cannot control.’

‘So before every exam, she habitually took some calming medicine to help herself get through it.’

‘But this time, she hadn’t faced an exam in so long that she really didn’t think to prepare in advance. She just had to grit her teeth and go for it.’

Seeing the girl’s fidgety state, Lin Mo was silent for a moment, then manipulated the robot to stand up.

Without a word, he lifted her arm, drawing strange looks.

“Huh? What are you doing?”

“Don’t move.”

Upon hearing this, Su Yu stopped her instinctive resistance.

A needle syringe extended from the robot’s finger.

The needle tip glinted coldly as it carefully pricked the girl’s skin, eliciting a faint whimper from her.

“A calming medication, no side effects. It should help you get through this exam.”

The effect took hold quickly.

Su Yu tentatively moved her arm and indeed felt much calmer now.

“Thank you, Lin Mo.”

“You’re welcome. It’s rare that you trust me so much. I’m very gratified.”

The robot returned to its seat and settled down, sitting like a mountain in front of her.

“For things like this, you should tell me in advance. I’ll prepare countermeasures beforehand.”

“Next time for sure, hehe…”