In the old era, once an Omega reached adulthood, the central system would forcibly match them with an Alpha for marriage. But in today’s new age of scientific progress, medication has been developed to suppress heat cycles. Though it only offers a delay rather than a cure, it’s enough to allow Omegas to gradually integrate into society and take on various jobs.
Alphas, too, experience one or two susceptibility periods each year—times when they become irritable, aggressive, and impulsive. They also require highly compatible pheromones to ease their symptoms.
While there are suppressants available for Alpha susceptibility, they can’t prevent long-term mental deterioration. That’s why most Alphas begin searching for their destined partner as soon as they reach adulthood.
The key marker in secondary gender differentiation is pheromones.
Both Alpha and Omega pheromones have distinct scents, especially during emotional surges, heat, or susceptibility. During these times, they often lose control over their pheromone emissions. Thankfully, blocking patches have now been developed to mask their scent in public spaces, preventing pheromonal leaks from causing social disturbances.
As for Betas, they’re the most populous and least conspicuous gender in society.
With physical strength that pales in comparison to Alphas, and lacking fertility, their pheromones are faint to the point of near undetectability. They’re also difficult to mark. Although their average IQ is said to be marginally higher than that of Alphas, the difference is negligible. As a result, Betas mostly hold ordinary desk jobs and rarely ascend to positions of core leadership.
When it comes to relationships, Betas aren’t particularly attractive to Alphas and can’t satisfy Omegas either. Most end up marrying within their own gender. Of course, there are exceptions, but such cases usually end poorly and become cautionary tales that parents use to lecture their children.
“Shall I show you around a bit more?” Rhodes, having resolved one dilemma, exhaled in relief. “This evening, the Arts Division has prepared a special performance in your honor…”
“No rush. I believe you’ll have your hands full today,” the Crown Prince said leisurely, glancing up. “Though I’ve tentatively decided on someone, the selection process isn’t over yet. There are many outstanding students—it’s only fair to give everyone an equal chance, don’t you think?”
Rhodes blinked.
“Your Highness, do you mean…?”
The Crown Prince said casually, “The Military Commission’s Science Division has recently upgraded the Central Matching System. I’ve heard the margin of error is now less than 0.0001%. It seems like the perfect opportunity to put it to the test. Announce it today—anyone who wishes may sign up. I’m curious to see what kind of result the system will give.”
Rhodes froze, then stared in disbelief.
“Your Highness, you want to use the system to select your secretary?”
The Central Matching System was a household name by now. Initially designed to match Alphas and Omegas based on pheromone compatibility, it had gone through generations of debugging to become one of the most precise, impartial, and transparent systems in the entire Empire.
By submitting one’s personal data, the system could—within at most three months—find a highly compatible partner.
But using it to pick a secretary… how did that make any sense?
Rhodes hesitated.
“Your Highness, the system has scientific grounds when it comes to pheromone matching. But in choosing a secretary… what parameters does it even evaluate?”
“Obviously, whether they suit me or not,” the Crown Prince said, with an almost arrogant air. “He’ll be living and working alongside me. If I can’t stand his personality, it’s only a matter of time before he’s dismissed. What I want is someone who resonates with me—someone whose soul connects with mine.”
Rhodes’s mouth twitched.
“…….”
If you didn’t know any better, you’d think this was the selection process for the Crown Princess.
If those exact words were made public, who would dare participate?
Actually—
Thinking about it differently, there might be even more applicants.
Living and working with the Crown Prince? That’s a privilege not even the Crown Princess might enjoy.
***
Physical training was a routine ordeal for all students at the military academy. Regardless of division, every student had to undergo physical assessment—and this metric held the highest weight in overall performance. No matter how smart someone was, without exceptional physical fitness, their future goals would be out of reach.
The assessment was divided into four components: endurance, strength, balance, and flexibility. Alphas were tested in the first two; Omegas in the latter two. As for Betas, they were evaluated on all four. The tests followed an elimination system—if a student ranked in the bottom 100, their graduation would be delayed.
This rule applied only to the numerous Beta students. It was a way to sift out the elite—only top-ranking candidates would avoid elimination.
As a result, the testing area had split into two distinct groups: one relaxed and treating the exam like a game, the other tense and visibly distressed—Betas, no doubt.
This exam was crucial. Chi Zhan had been training at high intensity for weeks now. Victory should have been a certainty. Yet, standing in the assessment arena, he found his thoughts wandering again.
No. He had to stop replaying what happened earlier. Focus. Get his head in the game and prepare for the task at hand.
The assessment lasted an hour in total. When Chi Zhan emerged from the testing grounds, the electronic screen displayed a bright red number: 2.
Among all the Beta students who had taken the test so far, he ranked second.
Chi Zhan pressed his lips into a thin line.
It was probably thanks to that little bottle of nutrient solution that the discomfort had eased somewhat. But deep down, he knew—his condition today was off. He couldn’t explain why, but it felt like something invisible had blanketed over him, draining his strength. Occasionally, a strange weakness would flow through his body—fleeting, yet undeniable.
“Chi-Chi! You’re done? I placed fifty-sixth—yes! No delayed graduation for me!” Tao Ran rushed over, beaming. He’d always struggled with physical tests, so simply passing was cause for celebration.
The system’s large screen was still cycling through student results. Tao Ran looked up—and there it was: Chi Zhan’s name, second on the list. First place went to someone named Tang Ling.
How could this be?! Chi-Chi wasn’t first?
Tao Ran’s smile faded immediately. He stole a cautious glance at Chi Zhan.
