Chapter 72: In This World, You Are the Only Phoenix

Hearing the voice, Lila couldn't help but be startled. She hurriedly wiped her tears, realizing someone had seen her in a vulnerable state. She turned around and, recognizing the familiar white-bearded old man, greeted him with slight panic.

"Dean, hello."

"What's this, child? Have you been crying?" Cain asked, his tone sounding as if he had expected this.

"No, I didn't sleep well yesterday, and I got up early for the freshman ceremony today. I was planning to go back and catch up on sleep," Lila said, rubbing her eyes hard, refusing to admit the truth.

Cain didn't press her, instead asking a different question.

"Your mother is Jiang Yuérú, right? An S-level superhuman with the Fire Phoenix ability, a peak Sixth-Realm superhuman currently serving in the United Human Alliance?"

Lila didn't respond verbally, but her slight nod indicated she was confirming.

"Let me guess. You've been watching Liam, haven't you? You want to use him as your training target, right?"

"You grew up with your mother around. Haven't you always wished to become like her someday?"

"But you've found that, no matter how hard you try, it seems impossible to reach her level. Even though people around you say you're a genius, you always feel like your goals are out of reach."

"So much so that the harder you try, the more distant those goals become…"

Cain spoke like a mind-reading devil, each word cutting into Lila's heart like a knife.

She didn't say anything, her face expressionless, and replied, "No, there's nothing to compare. I'm not feeling well. If you don't have anything else, I'd like to go back now."

With that, she turned to head toward the dormitory.

But Cain wasn't about to let her go so easily. He continued, "Liam started with just an E-level ability. You used to think he didn't deserve a spot in the special admissions. Yet in just a few days, he's reached a level you can't even dream of."

"Your mother has an S-level talent, but yours is only rated at B-level."

"You've probably heard people say, 'She's not as good as her mother, but her talent is still impressive,' right?"

"These days, with all the talk about Liam, the fact that you were the first to be beaten by him has probably become a joke, hasn't it?"

"And during that battle a few days ago, being protected by someone you want to surpass, that must have been hard to swallow."

"All these years, living in your mother's shadow, you must feel so unwilling to accept it, don't you?"

One sentence after another, Cain's words finally broke through Lila's defenses. She stopped walking, her slender back trembling, and tears streamed down, uncontrollably falling to the ground.

Cain's words had triggered many memories, and she couldn't control her emotions for a moment.

"Do you want to surpass them?" Cain pressed on.

"Yes..."

"What did you say?"

"I said I want to! I will surpass them someday, even if my talent isn't high enough! Just you wait and see!!!"

Lila spun around, practically shouting, her face covered in tears, which made her usually beautiful face look a bit distorted.

Seeing this child finally let go and start to vent her emotions, Cain fell silent, a hint of a smile appearing on his face.

He raised his hand, creating a special space that enveloped the two of them, with two chairs placed facing each other.

"What if I told you that your talent is no worse than anyone else's in this world? Would you believe me?"

Lila glanced around the space, realizing this might not be the real world. She calmed herself down a bit, sat down in one of the chairs, and shook her head dejectedly.

"Among all the abilities named 'Phoenix,' mine is probably the weakest... I..."

"No," Cain shook his head firmly, looking into her tear-filled eyes. "There are no Phoenixes in this world."

Lila looked up, puzzled.

"If there is one, you might be the only one."

"Phoenixes are meant to rise from their ashes."

"Remember, the heavens gave you a lower starting point than others so that you can write a story of turning things around from the bottom."

"Do you trust me? Would you be willing to become my third personal disciple, despite me being an incompetent teacher?"

Lila sat in her chair, stunned, as if she were on an emotional rollercoaster.

She never expected Dean Cain to come to her and say such things.

"I've had my eye on you for a long time, actually. Your personality is very similar to that of a little girl I once knew…"

"Who?" Lila asked.

"Li Qi."

"You looking at Liam now is exactly like how she looked at Sophia back then."

"The desire for power and the unwillingness to be outdone can push people to excel, but sometimes it can also drag them into a deep abyss. That's why I was eager to find you today."

"Li Qi... is my second personal disciple, whom I consider my daughter. But she might have already strayed onto a dark path."

When Cain mentioned Li Qi, his expression turned sad and pained. He couldn't help but think of that red envelope…

"I might not be a competent teacher. Would you like to hear a story?"

While Cain pulled Lila into his space for a counseling session, Sophia led Liam to an office door.

Liam looked up at the sign—Dean's Office.

"You said we're here to re-evaluate my ability level. Is Dean Mo going to do it?" Liam asked.

"No, the Vice Dean will handle it," Sophia replied.

Liam's eyebrow twitched. Even the Dean's office was given over to the Vice Dean?

Sophia opened the door, and inside, a man was sitting on the sofa, tapping his foot. As soon as he saw someone enter, he stood up.

"Oh! If it isn't the great War God! Hello, hello."

"And the freshman chief! I've heard so much about you. Hello, junior, my name is Jack. You can call me Little Sword or Brother Sword."

The man was incredibly outgoing, with wild long hair and a height similar to Liam's. He extended his hand for a handshake.

Liam wasn't sure what this guy had heard about him, but he felt like Jack had stolen his usual catchphrases.

Before Liam could say anything, Jack continued talking to himself.

"I'm the head of the Public Relations Department. I tell you, our PR department is fantastic."

"Once you join us, it's easy to rack up credits, and the work is light. It's a pretty sweet deal, if you ask me."

Liam: ...

???

Wait a minute, when did I say I wanted to join the PR department?