The Strongest Student of the Weakest Academy - Chapter 26: The Academy’s Competition (VIII)

Arriving in a new world where the steam industry was booming, he inherited a three-story apartment on the capital’s royal square, took in someone else’s cat, and listened to the whispers at his ear, ready to witness this mysterious and bizarre era. The epic of the Sixth Era was about to commence, and behind the curtain, The Chosen One was destined to step into legend. Old Gods, Relics, steam, witches, detectives, ancient secrets, the Era’s brilliance... “Would you like to play a round of Roder Cards?” Time engraved the hours, as Silvermoon illuminated the shadows. I compose your legend, you whisper your verses to me.

Themes: Black Market Trading, Global Crime Networks, Boundaries of Human Nature and Morality, The Struggle Between Truth and SurvivalStory Background:In a modern metropolis, the surface level of prosperity conceals the darkness and corruption lurking beneath. Ethan, a highly skilled detective, spends his life navigating the shadowy corners of the city, uncovering the hidden secrets buried beneath the mundane facade of everyday life. When he is drawn into what initially seems like a simple suicide case, he becomes entangled in a conspiracy involving the global black market, power struggles, and transnational crime.Main Characters:Ethan (Protagonist): A seasoned, calm, and intuitive detective who excels at finding the truth in complex cases. On the surface, he is a quiet, solitary man who prefers to avoid social interaction, but deep down, he is haunted by unresolved cases from his past. Faced with dark forces, he is both determined and full of doubt.Lila (Female Protagonist/Key Ally): Ethan's investigative partner, an intelligent and resourceful intelligence officer with a mysterious background. Her past is also shrouded in secrecy, and she seems to have an undisclosed connection to the “Black Angels” organization. She provides crucial assistance in Ethan's investigation, but her motives remain unclear, casting suspicion on her true intentions.Victor Saville (Antagonist/Main Adversary): A charismatic yet dangerous businessman, who appears to be a successful entrepreneur but is, in fact, one of the central figures of the global crime syndicate “The Black Angels.” Cold-hearted, clever, and ruthless, he controls a global black market network, overseeing arms trafficking, human trafficking, and drug smuggling. He is not only a key figure in Langley's death but also the biggest obstacle in Ethan's investigation.The Mysterious Woman (Key Character): An elusive woman who repeatedly appears during Ethan's investigation, warning him not to delve deeper into Saville and the “Black Angels” organization. Her identity is unclear, but it is evident that she holds vital secrets about Saville and his network. Her appearances leave Ethan bewildered—whether she is an enemy or his only ally remains uncertain.

Luo Ning, a cannon fodder female supporting character in a celebrity circle's group pet novel, gets a rerun of life—this time she refuses to be the cannon fodder!Haters clamor: “Luo Ning is just a vase, bad at singing, dancing, and acting; always riding on top celebrities' coattails to generate heat, first-class in everything but talent except for her looks.”Later, when Luo Ning who excels in singing and dancing, skilled in musical instruments, chess, calligraphy, and painting, survival skills, gourmet cooking, and also proficient in drawing talismans and fortune-telling appears before the public—extremely beautiful, highly intelligent, and with explosive acting skills.Haters are convinced: “Sister, I can do it!!!”Suddenly, one day a bombshell hits social media.A photo of the mysterious film emperor Lu Xun kissing Luo Ning's cheek surfaces, igniting a whirlwind of scandals across major headlines.Fans and onlookers do not believe it, “Impossible! The photo must be positioned in a misleading way, Luo Ning wants to cling to the film emperor for hype again, shamelessly chasing for popularity and traffic!”Before Luo Ning could respond, the usually low-key Lu Xun clarifies first.@LuXunV: The photo wasn't positioned misleadingly; the shameless one is me!Following this, everyone witnesses the film emperor changing styles daily on social media, showing off his love; either showcasing the cuisine made by Luo Ning or her beautiful photographs.Fans and the public are stunned, never expecting such a demeanor from the film emperor...

Gripes have their origins and debts have their creditors. We haven’t crossed each other in days past or present, nor formed any grudges. I am but duty-bound to carry this out, so apologies in advance!