The Villain Is Too Popular

"Morning, Tendo."

Jing Liuli, eyes still heavy with sleep, waved at the silver-haired young man who had just entered. She sat holding her pillow like a sloth, looking as if she had just been forcefully dragged out of bed.

The fact that even Jing Liuli, who loved to slack off, was compelled to arrive early indicated how important today was to everyone. Besides Jing Liuli, there were ten other Children of Stars in the conference room. With Tendo's arrival, a total of eleven Children of Stars were now present.

Seeing himself being stared at by so many people at once, Tendo immediately smiled and said, "Don't be so nervous, everyone. It's just a Star Essence selection meeting. Relax, relax." As Tendo spoke, he casually took the head seat according to his student ranking, his movements so natural as if he was born to sit there.

Even Chen Xing, who always regarded Tendo as a rival, didn't find anything amiss with this. After all, with Tendo's displayed strength and potential, if he sat second, no one could sit first.

However, as the pinnacle of Stars, this Tendo character, besides possessing terrifying strength far beyond his peers, also had a mouth that made people want to rip it apart.

"Eh? Chen Xing, your injury hasn't healed yet? It seems our organization's medical standards aren't up to par. Otherwise, why wouldn't they have mastered scarless technology?" Tendo said, looking at the scar remaining on Chen Xing's arm, somewhat curious.

Chen Xing calmly replied, "It has nothing to do with the organization. I intentionally asked them to leave this scar."

"Because it can constantly warn me that I must work harder to avoid such desperate scenarios from reoccurring."

"Ah? Desperate? But I felt that final assessment was quite easy, didn't it just end after a casual fight?"

"..."

Chen Xing gave Tendo an exasperated look, clearly too lazy to respond to his obvious teasing. Just as Tendo was about to continue teasing this perpetually stern-faced tsundere girl, the conference room door suddenly opened. The Doctor entered, followed by Yun Meng, walking into the room.

Seeing the two of them appear, everyone present stood up to show respect... except for Tendo. He sat lazily in his seat, motionless, looking very much like a defiant troublemaker in a classroom.

However, Yun Meng and the Doctor didn't seem to mind his impolite behavior. The Doctor walked to the large projection screen in front of everyone and gestured for them to sit down. Yun Meng, as she passed Tendo, lightly tapped the back of his head.

"At least pretend a little, you have no manners."

Tendo rubbed his head, smiling: "Sister Yun, my injury isn't healed yet, so I can't move around much."

"Suit yourself, I'm too lazy to bother with you." Yun Meng shook her head helplessly. After all, although Tendo was a Child of Stars, his status within Ember was very special. Even she indulged Tendo almost infinitely.

This led to many things that would be unforgivable for others becoming utterly insignificant when it came to Tendo. For example, Tendo's 'arrogance' at this moment. If it were anyone else, Yun Meng would surely make them understand what manners were. But for Tendo, a mere tap was enough; could she really punish him?

"Good morning, everyone."

The Doctor stood before the massive projection and lightly tapped its surface. The next second, a holographic illusion resembling a nebula appeared before everyone. Within this nebula, there were indeed some special stars, emitting an eerie glow. 

Seeing these special stars, the Children of Stars present seemed to understand something. Their expressions grew excited, and even their breathing became a little hurried.

Seeing everyone's reaction, the Doctor smiled and said, "It seems you all understand what these stars mean. That's right, they are the legendary Star Essences."

"Ninety-five years ago, a special meteor shower changed the entire world, and the truth of that meteor shower was these sources of miraculous power—the Star Essences."

"For a long time afterward, people were both curious about and fearful of this wondrous power."

"And after years of research, we have almost figured out some of the principles of Star Essences."

As he spoke, the Doctor manipulated the holographic projection. The next second, the dazzling star cluster suddenly changed. A magnificent explosion occurred at the very center of the cluster. Then, countless glowing meteors streaked across the sky, flying towards all corners of the universe. Watching these scattered meteors, a keen light flickered in the Doctor's eyes beneath his silver mask.

"The Essence of Stars, the most fundamental, most core cosmic power of a planet."

"Although we don't know why the meteor shower 95 years ago occurred, we do know that its appearance completely ushered in a new era."

"However..." The Doctor captured a meteor flying out in the holographic projection and displayed it in front of everyone. "...Just as the Star Essences inaugurated a new era, I believe your appearance will also usher in a brand new age."

"An era... named Stars."

The Doctor's words seemed to carry a mysterious power, full of a captivating allure. Even Caroline, with her calm technomancer nature, showed clear emotional fluctuations at this moment.

"Alright everyone, except for Tendo and Chen Kong, who is still in the recovery pod, the rest of you follow Yun Meng to receive your respective Star Essences." Hearing the Doctor's words, everyone first curiously glanced at Tendo, then rose and followed Yun Meng deeper into the base.

After everyone had left, the Doctor immediately looked at Tendo, who was sitting at the head seat, and inquired, "Tendo, are you sure you want to choose that Star Essence?"

"You know, with your performance, as long as you ask, I can get you even the rarest Star Essence."

"And based on our long-term observation of your unique characteristics, a certain Illusion-type Star Essence in the base is very suitable for you right now. Are you sure you want to give up that Star Essence and choose this ordinary Vector Control?"

The Doctor took out two mysterious metal cubes from his pocket and opened his hand. The next second, the two metal cubes flew in front of Tendo. These two metal cubes contained Star Essences, coveted by countless people.

One was 'Vector Control,' which Tendo had specifically requested. The other was the Illusion-type Star Essence the Doctor mentioned was very suitable for him—'Imagination.'

[Star Essence: Vector Control]

[Effect 1 · Kinetic Interference: Can alter the direction of motion of any object in contact, thereby accumulating or neutralizing kinetic energy, for example, slowing down falling objects or accelerating swinging blades.]

[Effect 2 · Energy Flow Interference: Can deflect or disperse energy attacks (e.g., flamethrowers, lightning, shockwaves), but cannot create something out of nothing; can only manipulate existing vectors.]

[Star Essence: Imagination]

[Effect 1 · Synchronization: Can temporarily replicate Star Essences that have been touched and use them (usage effect is only 50% of the original's strength, and only one Star Essence can be used per Synchronization, with a maximum of three copied Star Essences stored, and cannot copy existences whose Star Energy Level exceeds one's own, unless the other party voluntarily releases restrictions and actively accepts synchronization).]

[Effect 2 · Fantasize: Can briefly fuse copied Star Essences to form a special Star Essence with multiple effects. The usage effect is determined by one's own Star Energy Level and the type of fused Star Essences (can only be used once per natural month).]

'Imagination' was a very special, Illusion-type Star Essence. Its wide range of applications and strong practicality, combined with Tendo's outstanding combat talent and powerful innate Star Energy Level, could theoretically allow him to continuously adjust his tactical system based on different opponents, thereby achieving a near-'omnipotent' level.

However, all of this was merely theoretical. In reality, without the special Star Core 'Black Star' to compensate for 'Imagination's' fatal weakness, this Star Essence would actually be mediocre.

It was meant for crushing weaklings and couldn't be used in high-level battles. It could be said that the 'Imagination' Star Essence was tailor-made for the protagonist Chen Kong from the very beginning. It was completely incompatible with Tendo.

But Tendo naturally wouldn't reveal these things. He placed his hand on the Star Essence cube containing 'Vector Control' and said with immense confidence, "Whether it's suitable or not, it's not for others to say."

"The 'Imagination' that can only forever hide behind others' shadows does not conform to the personality of me, Tendo Simei."

"I, Tendo Simei, either do nothing, or if I do, I will be the strongest."

"So, Doctor, I think this 'Vector Control' is very suitable for me."

With that, Tendo didn't give the Doctor a chance to dissuade him and directly opened the Star Essence cube containing 'Vector Control.' In an instant, a special spherical object, only the size of a ping-pong ball and emitting brilliant starlight, appeared before Tendo. Without any hesitation, Tendo directly placed his hand on the luminous sphere, absorbing the mysterious power it contained.

As for 'Imagination'? This thing was better left for the protagonist, Chen Kong, to use. After all, Chen Kong liked to hide in the shadows outside the spotlight, didn't he?