Upon regaining consciousness, Xiu noticed that a countdown with a faint white light was hanging above his head. Even though it was his first time carrying out the Cloud Metalas mission, he knew well the importance of completing it within the designated time frame. If one failed to complete the task within the agreed-upon time, their consciousness would be thrown into "outer space," and every "ideation wanderer" who had implanted memories would have an ingrained fear of this place.

Xiu did not dare waste any precious time. He went to the wardrobe in the entrance hall and picked up a coat that he often wore in his dreams before leaving. As he left, he gently knocked on the door behind him. The memories of everything from his dream were still fresh in Xiu's mind, this room held countless nights where he whispered secrets with his neighbor Su.

Outside of his room, a deep corridor led far away until it shrank into a small point. Every 50 steps or so there was an impressive blue portal surrounded by starry skies that reflected off granite surfaces between each portal along those 50 steps reminding visitors they were inside an imaginary building.

This attack made Xiu feel like he was truly immersed in outer space as someone who has always been interested in astronomy since childhood. After all, observing stars at night on top of mountains through telescopes requires enduring piercing cold winds and mosquito bites while accepting harsh weather conditions for astronomical observations but now seeing what he wanted to see all at once.

Orion's Belt, Andromeda Galaxy...

"This building seems to be constantly moving internally; last time I woke up and left my room didn't have such spectacular scenery."

Unaware that these are memory implants forcibly modifying visual stimuli from brain centers,Xiu thought this is how humans will live their lives in future worlds - completing tasks given by systems then falling asleep again repeatedly without end.

1，2，3...

Until Xiu counted to twelve, the surrounding light gradually dimmed and he knew he had reached the end of the corridor. Upon entering a large door, his vision suddenly opened up and looking up, he saw circular stone rings hanging in the center of the hall. At this moment, Xiu felt particularly small. The central hall of this twin tower displayed Ante Company's mystery and authority everywhere. The huge Ante logo hung in the center of the circular stone ring like a dazzling jewel in a gold necklace.

The letters "A" and "T" of Ante are composed respectively of DNA and memory chips, revealing without any concealment Ante Company's ambition to achieve human consciousness control through modifying human DNA as well as memory chips.

Outside Oubel City, Su also recently became a member of Cloud Metalas Genius Plan through Ante's national selection exam.

Facing an opportunity for studying abroad at Orpheus Institute of Technology sponsored by Ante under national name almost without hesitation because one year ago she missed out on that same opportunity her neighbor brother participated in. Su usually received tutoring from Xiu for science subjects so naturally she was among top students nationwide; she firmly believed that even if it were her who participated instead when she was one year younger than little Xiu then she would have won that scholarship spot too.

Although there has been no communication between siblings unrelated by blood since Xiu ran away but every few days each month he would be unreachable for 24 hours which started happening half a year after his departure making Su feel strange about it all. She had asked him about it before but always got brushed off with excuses such as being outdoors doing scientific experiments with no signal due to course arrangements made by him. However, Su felt these things were not important now because soon she will embark on her journey across oceans to see her brother whom she hasn't seen for nearly a year.

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After bidding farewell to Su Ningxun and Pei Chengjun at their doorstep opposite hers, Su went over to say goodbye to Yang Wen for one last time. Even though deep down inside there may be some reluctance towards leaving parents behind or motherly figures like her neighbor brother's mom who treated her like family growing up but after all XinJu City is small where families sending their children far away overseas each year is not uncommon either.

Su just sees this trip as another step towards growth on life path ahead.

"Yi Tong, are you really leaving?" Yang Wen had already learned of Su Yi Tong's plan to leave after passing Ante's public selection. She didn't show too much surprise at Su Yi Tong's departure and tried hard to restrain her own anxiety. And she also knew that it was unrealistic to ask the little sister who grew up together with her to give up reuniting with her brother.

"Yes, Aunt Yang Wen. After a year of not seeing my brother Yi Nan, I finally get to see him!" Su Yi Tong smiled at Yang Wen, her eyes shining with anticipation and excitement.

"Well then, Aunt can only wish you a smooth journey. If you meet Yi Nan, please say hello for me." Step by step forward, Yang Wen smoothed the green hair beside the girl's face and shoulder with a hint of indulgence and reluctance in her eyes. When faced with the man’s departure back then, if she had been like the girl in front of her now, things would have been very different in the end. Perhaps at that time she should have ignored his obstruction and decided to move forward with him no matter how difficult the road ahead was.

"Okay." Su replied solemnly as there was also an emotional attachment in her tone besides missing them all including Xiu and their parents.

After some simple chatting with Yang Wen,Su pointed towards home indicating that she needed to go back home packing things as tonight is when she will take off on a plane for this trip. Yang Wen immediately understood what Su Yitong meant by this gesture，and nodded slightly afterwards.

"Aunt won't send you off then,Yi Tong."

"No need...I'm already grown-up now, Auntie. I should learn how to be independent."

...

In a daze, the silhouette of the boy who left her a year ago for so-called "studying abroad" and the back of her husband who left her at the innocence age of 23 merged together under the sunset that day. A gust of wind blew, stirring up fallen leaves that covered the path where they departed as teenagers. Yang Wen understood in her heart that it was fate for her son to fulfill his father's mission. She had known since childhood that Xiu's genius scientific talent was similar to Xiu Ge's, and his competitive personality was just like his father's. The cheerful smiles of father and son touched Yang Wen's softest spot time after time.

"You two really are alike...", sighing as she watched Su turn around to pack up and leave, Yang Wen remained in place as both father and son left one after another, leaving only longing behind.

Su packed up simply and bid farewell to her family before heading alone to the airport. She took out a postcard sent with an invitation letter for studying abroad. Su was listed as the recipient on its envelope. Carefully reading through its contents, she realized she must take flight U8263 tonight on a charter plane headed towards Paroordo City where Orphidell Polytechnic Institute is located in.

The idea of taking a charter plane felt somewhat strange to Su but after receiving confirmation from Xiu via phone call, she put aside any doubts or worries about it. Upon hearing boarding announcements over loudspeakers, Su gathered herself emotionally before embarking on this journey towards Kusy Continent.