Chapter 3

In the early morning, soft simulated daylight shines into the bedroom through the smart dimming windows.

Lin Yao opened his eyes, and what came into view was Lu Cheng's enlarged handsome face with a gentle smile.

He was lying on his side, one hand carefully around Lin Yao's waist, and the other hand gently playing with Lin Yao's silver-white hair scattered on the pillow.

The hair shone with an almost ethereal sheen in the morning light, making his delicate features even more translucent. Especially those eyes, as azure as the clear sky, seemingly untouched by dust. Now, they held the dazed gaze of someone just awake, like a lost deer in the woods, their purity trembling with a thrill.

Anyone who sees such a face will only think of a fragile glass doll, and will never associate him with the ruthless leader of the old world who climbed to the top by stepping on mountains of corpses and seas of blood.

"Awake? Yaoyao."

Lu Cheng's voice was hoarse and filled with tenderness from the morning. He leaned in closer and naturally placed a gentle good morning kiss on the smooth forehead. "How do you feel? Does the wound still hurt?"

His eyes were full of concern, as if Lin Yao's frown was a big deal.

Lin Yao blinked his extremely confusing blue eyes, shook his head slightly, and said in a soft voice, as if he had just woken up: "Much better...Acheng."

He enjoyed Lu Cheng's meticulous care and intimacy, a newfound sense of security that enveloped him like a warm spring, but the ice in his heart never melted. He needed more information, needed to reach the core of this world—the Academy of Supernatural Powers.

In the next few days, Lin Yao played the role of a seriously injured and weak lover who needed care, while quietly observing this family and Lu Cheng's preparations for the upcoming college life.

He saw the thick books on supernatural power theory in Lu Cheng's study, saw the faint electric sparks jumping on his fingertips when he practiced basic ability control, and heard him occasionally mention the desirable facilities and powerful mentors in the academy.

…

That afternoon, Lu Cheng was in his study room sorting out a list of items needed for school.

Lin Yao, barefoot, silently walked to the study door, holding a cup of nutrient solution Lu Cheng had prepared for him. His loose pajamas made his figure appear even thinner. His silver hair fell softly, and his azure eyes held a hint of just the right amount of dependence and... a sense of grievance that he wanted to speak but couldn't.

"Acheng..." he called softly.

Lu Cheng immediately put down what he was holding, walked over quickly, took the cup from his hand and put it aside naturally, then put his arm around his waist and led him to sit on the soft chair next to him. He half-knelt in front of him and looked up at him: "What's wrong, Yaoyao? Are you feeling unwell?"

Lin Yao lowered his head slightly, his silver hair falling down, covering part of his face, leaving only his graceful jaw and gently bitten lower lip exposed, making him look particularly adorable.

He was silent for a few seconds before raising his blue eyes, which were filled with anxiety and attachment, and his voice trembled slightly.

"Are you...are you going to report to the academy soon?"

Lu Cheng's heart tightened instantly, and he quickly held his slightly cold hand.

"Well, next Monday. But Yaoyao, don't worry! The college is in the inner city, very close to here, and I will come back to see you every day. I will arrange everything, and someone will take care of you. If you need anything, you can always..."

"I don't want it!" Lin Yao interrupted him abruptly, his voice carrying a rare, fragile and willful tone, his eyes slightly reddened. "I don't want anyone else to take care of me! I... I don't want to be separated from you... Ah Cheng..."

He grabbed Lu Cheng's hand tightly with his backhand, his fingertips turning white with force, as if he was grabbing the only driftwood, "I... I'm scared... It's so strange here... I only feel safe when you are by my side..."

He buried his face in Lu Cheng's shoulder, his body trembling slightly like a frightened bird. This half-true, half-false dependence and fear perfectly exploited Lu Cheng's protective desire and love after being tampered with.

Lu Cheng's heart was instantly struck by this fragility and dependence, and it melted into water. He hugged Lin Yao tightly in his arms, patting his back to comfort him: "Don't be afraid, Yaoyao, don't be afraid... I'm here... I won't abandon you..."

"Then... then take me to the academy... okay?"

Lin Yao raised his head, his azure eyes like the sky washed by water, filled with desperate pleading and hope, "I want to be closer to you...even if it's just to stay outside your dormitory...or...or is there anything I can do in the college? Cleaner? Librarian? Anything is fine! As long as I can see you every day..."

His tone is humble and full of longing, perfectly portraying the image of a man who is "desperate for love and extremely insecure."

"Yaoyao..."

Lu Cheng looked into those watery blue eyes, the words of refusal stuck in his throat, his heart aching beyond measure. He spoke with difficulty, his voice filled with apology and helplessness.

"I... I also want to be with you all the time! But... the Supernatural Academy... it... it's specially established for awakened ones. To enter the academy to study, work, or even just stay for a long time, you need a clear record of your supernatural identity or a pass specially approved by the academy... You..."

He paused, unable to bring himself to utter the word "ordinary person" for fear of hurting Lin Yao. He simply hugged him tighter, "Your identity chip is still being reissued, and... the academy's regulations are very strict..."

Lin Yao's body stiffened in his arms, as if struck by this cruel reality.

He was silent for a moment, his shoulders slightly shaking, as if he was suppressing his tears. Just as Lu Cheng was flustered and thinking about how to comfort him, Lin Yao slowly raised his head.

There were no tears in those deep blue eyes, but instead a strange, confused glimmer. He seemed to have made a decision, and his voice was soft and uncertain.

"Acheng...what if...what if I say...I seem to...have some...strange abilities?"

"What?" Lu Cheng was stunned.

"It was... that time... outside the wall..." Lin Yao's voice became softer, as if he was recalling some vague and painful fragments. "In order to help you block that... that polluted beast that could launch a mental attack... I felt like something hit my brain hard... and then... then something seemed to be different..."

He showed a look of pain at the right moment and covered his forehead.

Lu Cheng's heart instantly rose to his throat. That mental attack by the poisonous beast that had damaged Lin Yao's identity chip, could it be... could it be that the attack not only damaged the chip, but also accidentally...

"Yaoyao! What's different do you feel? Tell me now!"

Lu Cheng's voice was filled with nervousness and a hint of barely perceptible ecstasy! If Yaoyao really awakened his special ability, even the weakest one, then the possibility of entering the academy would greatly increase. He would never let Yaoyao's talent be buried.

Lin Yao frowned, as if trying hard to feel and describe: "It's just... sometimes... I can feel other people's... a little bit... emotions? For example... you are now... very nervous... and worried about me?" He looked at Lu Cheng tentatively.

Lu Cheng nodded vigorously: "Yes, I am very worried about you now! What else?"

"Also...just now in the living room, that robot that brought the supplies...when it approached me, I felt like it...seemed to have no emotions, just...programs?"

Lin Yao's description was vague and elementary, and the effect was extremely weak and unstable, somewhere between "somewhat useful" and "useless".

This was exactly what he needed... an extremely weak, difficult-to-define, yet real, mental perception ability. This fit the premise of an unexpected awakening after a mental shock, and it was also the most fundamental branch of his "soul manipulation" origins. Demonstrating it was risk-free and would never reveal his true abilities.

"Emotional perception!" Lu Cheng's eyes lit up instantly. Although it was faint, it was definitely a sign of psychic ability. In City D, psychics were rare and precious.

"Yaoyao, you... you might have really awakened. Even though it's very weak, it's definitely a superpower!"

He excitedly grabbed Lin Yao's shoulders, his eyes filled with great surprise and hope: "Great! Yaoyao! This is really great! Although your abilities are still very weak, as long as there is a hint of potential, the academy will have a way to help you stimulate and guide it. Psychic abilities are always so elusive in the early stages. With this foundation, I can find a way to apply to the academy to have you enrolled as a "student with special potential." Even if it's just an auditor or a logistical support position, as long as you can stay in the academy, I can see you every day and ensure your safety."

His brain has been working rapidly, thinking about how to use his father's influence and his own identity and guarantee to obtain this exception for Lin Yao.

Lin Yao looked at the unpretentious ecstasy and excitement in Lu Cheng's eyes, and a hint of extremely quick, cold satisfaction flashed in his blue eyes.

He succeeded. Using a nearly negligible display of power, he not only perfectly explained why he could sense Lu Cheng's emotions, but also pried open the door to the Academy of Supernatural Powers.

A hint of shyness and uncertainty appeared on his face at the right moment. He lowered his head slightly, his silver hair falling down. "Is it really...really possible? I...my ability is so weak..."

"sure!"

Lu Cheng was firm and decisive. He lifted his face and kissed his smooth forehead heavily, his eyes blazing with determination. "My Yaoyao is the best! Even if he has only a little potential, he deserves the best training! Leave it to me! I will make sure you can stay in the academy. From now on, we can go to school together."

He seemed to have already seen a bright future where the two of them would be inseparable in the academy.

Lin Yao leaned in Lu Cheng's arms, feeling the boy's exuberant joy and promise, and an almost imperceptible, cold and weird arc appeared at the corner of his mouth.

Weak?

Low potential?

A psychic seedling?

Very good. This was exactly the disguise he needed. Entering the academy, contacting the core, obtaining information, finding an opportunity to restore power and utilize the replica... The stage of this drama was finally about to open a more important curtain.

And the affectionate lover who paves the way for him is his best cover and springboard.