Vivienne thought for a moment and replied,"Above A level, I think."
"A level is A level, what do you mean above?" Galen Keyes' voice dripped with sarcasm. "Be precise when you speak. It's a matter of attitude."
Vivienne gave a noncommittal "Mm."
Whatever you say.
The other students also found the new student a little mysterious—not because her mental power was A-level.
With her abysmal physical stats and yet still getting admitted, it made sense that her mental power would be A-grade.
Otherwise, no amount of connections could get someone in so openly.
But—
Joey Yu muttered under her breath: "Is she putting on an act?"
Someone whispered: "Is it A or A+? Could she actually be S-level?!"
"Dream on. She'd have said so if she were S-level."
"Hell, if I were S-level, I'd tattoo a giant S on my shirt…"
Jan Squire's eyes flickered with doubt. A-level mental power? That's hardly impressive... Could she really be a pure-blooded connection case?
Galen Keyes was relentless, determined to dig until the end: "'Mm' what? Miss Cross, what exactly is your mental power rating?"
Jan Squire frowned slightly. Galen Keyes was being a bit too aggressive.
Vivienne blinked, wondering why this petty teacher was so hell-bent on knowing: "I'm not sure."
She wasn't lying.
After her "second awakening," Dr. Ian Yale had done some preliminary checks, but her mental power readings had fluctuated wildly. They had settled on an average value of S-.
-- Why hadn't she done more detailed testing?
Vivienne refused.
Though Ian Yale had been frustrated to no end, practically scratching his head bald trying to tempt her with large sums of star coins in exchange for precious human data to fuel his academic career—she still refused.
In the end, he couldn't force her. Protecting citizen rights was one of the military's key doctrines.
He couldn't violate her will.
…
"Not sure? How can you not be sure?" Galen Keyes pressed on.
Irritated by his questioning, Vivienne casually tossed out an excuse: "The equipment at the time wasn't precise enough."
"Not precise enough?" Galen Keyes pretended to think for two seconds, then gave her a look of heartfelt concern: "How about this, Miss Cross—next Monday, the academy will receive the latest mental power tester. I'll invite you to be the first one tested. How about that?"
"…"
Vivienne: You're a little too obsessed, sir.
Tony Zane glanced at Vivienne, clearly concerned. He also thought she was really out of luck—first day of classes and already being targeted. But school rules were strict; talking back to a teacher could land you in serious trouble. Vivienne didn't seem to have any background…
Suddenly, a student raised their hand. That raised hand stood out clearly in the classroom where Vivienne was the only one standing.
Jan Squire spoke lazily: "Mr. Keyes, may I ask when the new student introduction will end? Can we start the lesson?"
Damn!
Tony Zane mentally gave Jan a thumbs-up. As expected of our second-gen class monitor—always loyal!
"End? Well… soon enough." Galen Keyes hedged. "Just as soon as Miss Cross agrees—"
Jan Squire interrupted him again, coldly repeating: "Can you start the lecture, sir?"
The two locked eyes. You could almost see the sparks fly.
Galen Keyes' expression visibly soured. But faced with certain powers, he chose to swallow his resentment: "Fine, let's begin the lecture. Miss Cross, remember next class—"
Jan Squire raised his hand once more, voice emotionless: "Can you start the lecture now, sir?"
"Yeah, when are you going to start?"
"We're paying tuition too, Mr. Keyes."
Galen Keyes' facial muscles twitched. His breathing quickened, nostrils flaring—he was clearly pissed.
Jan Squire, however, still wore the same indifferent, mechanical expression. Despite his striking red hair and crimson eyes, which should have made him look fiery and vivid, he gave off the vibe of a pre-programmed automaton - If you keep pressing the new student, I'll keep pressing you.
"You…"
Galen Keyes gritted his teeth but ultimately dropped the matter. After a deep breath, he finally started teaching.
Vivienne blinked, not giving him any further reason to call her out. She quietly sat back down.
Once Galen Keyes stopped his targeted sniping, the class period flew by quickly, punctuated only by his occasional sharp voice. Soon, the bell rang, signaling the end of class. Galen Keyes grabbed his briefcase and practically bolted from the room.
Maybe he felt embarrassed himself.
Vivienne deliberately lingered at the door, waiting until the red-haired young man came out.
She politely thanked him: "Thank you, class monitor."
Regardless of everything, Jan Squire had helped her out. Vivienne wasn't one to forget favors—maybe, just maybe, she'd run into a kind person.
Of course, if it turned out he wasn't, she could always turn her back on him without hesitation.
"No problem." Jan Squire's steps faltered. He lowered his gaze, as if deliberating, hesitating to speak: "It's just…"
Vivienne: ?
What now? Was this the part where he revealed that the Minister of Finance was an ally of Augustus and that he'd been ordered to monitor her?
"Mental Control" was the last class of the week. Students were leaving in pairs and groups. Tony Zane and Joey Yu paused at the door, looking back curiously. "Jan?"
What are you and the new student whispering about?
Jan Squire didn't even turn his head: "You guys go ahead."
"Okay, sure."
"What are they talking about?"
"Who knows? Let's not worry about it.
Let's go play ball—loser buys drinks!"
…
Jan Squire said: "Let me buy you dinner."
Vivienne's head filled with question marks.
Wasn't it him who helped her? By logic, she should be treating him, not the other way around.
—Not that she planned to.
Because she wasn't yet sure if he was friend or foe.
And definitely not because she was broke.
Vivienne lifted the corner of her mouth and joked casually, testing the waters: "Is this some sort of class tradition?"
"No." Jan Squire shook his head, meeting her gaze. "I wanted to talk to you. But here isn't the best place. Do you have time?"
Being stared at so directly, Vivienne finally noticed that Jan Squire's eyes weren't the usual red, but a deep, layered scarlet—like the last rays of sunset on the horizon, or burning embers glowing in the night.
When he focused on something, his red eyes seemed even more vivid, the light reflecting in his pupils like flickering flames, full of life.
You're not a robot after all, huh…
Curious about his purpose and unable to refuse, Vivienne reluctantly agreed: "Alright, thank you, Squire."
The venue was once again Obsidian Restaurant, their table tucked into a window-side corner without other patrons nearby.
The air conditioning was cranked up. The temperature was low. Vivienne subconsciously shivered, tugging at her sleeve to pull the fabric down over her wrist.
Jan Squire glanced at her. "What do you like to eat?"
"Anything. I prefer sweet things."
"Okay." Jan noted it down quietly and placed the order through his terminal.
Vivienne shifted uncomfortably. "Class monitor, if there's something you want to say, just say it."
Are you an ally of Augustus?
Condensation gathered on the outside of Jan's glass. He touched it lightly, the coolness soothing the vague restlessness inside him.
He hesitated before speaking:
"Actually…"
"Jan Squire!!"
A thunderous voice shattered the air, like a lightning bolt striking down out of nowhere. The entire restaurant seemed to shake.
A furious young man stormed over, footsteps heavy and urgent, each step pounding like a challenge against the floor.
His eyes blazed with fury as he roared: "Well, well! Eating from one bowl while eyeing the pot!"
"You're cheating ?!"