Chapter 5

The potential assessment room, located deep within the academy building, was even more solemn and quiet than the reporting hall. Cold metal walls, sophisticated instruments, and the air was filled with the faint scent of disinfectant and the unique energy field of ozone.

The person in charge of the assessment was a middle-aged male teacher named Zhou who wore glasses and had a stern expression.

Seeing Lu Cheng bringing Lin Yao in, Teacher Zhou pushed his glasses, glanced at the special potential application receipt and the previous preliminary screening report handed over by Lu Cheng, and his brows immediately frowned.

"Student Lu Cheng, I understand how you feel."

Teacher Zhou's tone was businesslike and carried unquestionable authority.

"But the academy's rules are the rules. Psychic perception, especially at such a weak and unstable F-level, has a potential and value that is... with all due respect, very limited. The academy's resources are limited, and priority must be given to students with real potential. Auditor slots and support positions also have minimum potential requirements, and F-level... simply doesn't meet the standards."

He looked at Lin Yao with undisguised scrutiny and a hint of barely perceptible contempt.

Lu Cheng's face darkened, and just as he was about to speak, a slightly cold hand gently pulled his sleeve.

Lin Yao lowered his head slightly, his silver hair falling to cover most of his face. He was silent for a few seconds. When he looked up again, his eyes, as blue as the clear sky, were already covered with a thin layer of mist. His long eyelashes trembled slightly like butterfly wings wet by rain.

His lips were slightly pursed, revealing a kind of fragility and embarrassment that he tried hard to suppress. His voice was as light as a feather, with a hint of broken sobs.

"Acheng... forget it... Teacher Zhou is right... it's me... I'm so useless..."

He struggled slightly to break free from Lu Cheng's embrace and took half a step back. His frail figure looked particularly lonely and insignificant in the cold evaluation room.

"A… F-rank loser like me… who doesn't even possess a single decent ability… is completely unqualified… to enter such a sacred place… I… I shouldn't have put you in such a difficult position…"

He turned slightly to avoid the sight of Lu Cheng and Teacher Zhou, his shoulders shaking slightly, as if he was crying silently.

His look of being bruised and battered by reality, feeling inferior and desperate, perfectly portrayed a poor person who was "turned away because of his weakness".

Lu Cheng's heart was instantly gripped! Looking at Lin Yao's self-loathing expression as he tried to hold back his tears, he felt a surge of anger mixed with overwhelming heartache rushing to his head.

His Yao Yao, in order to be with him, destroyed her chip and wanted to elope with him, but they were separated unexpectedly and ended up at the bottom of society suffering hardships. After finally reuniting with him, she unexpectedly awakened a little ability. She wanted to get closer to him with humble hopes, but was trampled upon again by these cold rules and snobbish eyes.

"Yaoyao, you are not allowed to say that about yourself."

Lu Cheng suddenly pulled Lin Yao back into his arms, hugging him tightly. His voice was filled with suppressed anger and unquestionable determination, "You are not useless! Your abilities have just not been properly guided. Potential level is not everything."

He raised his head and looked at Teacher Zhou with his eyes as sharp as a knife, but this time, he did not directly use his status to pressure others. Instead, he used a smarter way that was more in line with his "chosen one" personality.

"Teacher Zhou!"

Lu Cheng's voice regained its composure, but the intensity was still undeniable. "I understand the academy's rules, and I understand the resource allocation. But rules are static, and people are dynamic. Lin Yao's ability is psychic perception. Although weak and rated F, its specificity and auxiliary value are worth re-evaluating."

He paused for a moment, and saw that Teacher Zhou raised his eyebrows slightly, as if he had heard something. He immediately struck while the iron was hot, showing the insight and logic that matched his status.

"Psychic abilities are already rare, and perception is a crucial prerequisite for exploring high-risk dungeons, warning of potential sources of mental contamination, and even assisting teamwork. A team member with psychic perception, even if weak, can potentially save the entire team at a critical moment. The Academy's exploration team casualty reports over the past decade show that 23% of tragedies were caused by failure to promptly detect sources of mental contamination!"

Lu Cheng's tone was calm and persuasive, a tone unbefitting his age. The data he cited clearly hit a sore spot for the school. Teacher Zhou paused as he pushed up his glasses, a thoughtful look in his eyes.

"I know that with Lin Yao's current potential level, it's unreasonable to directly occupy the resources of a formal student."

Lu Cheng changed the subject and proposed a compromise and seemingly reasonable plan.

"But, can we give him an observation period and the opportunity for a special assistance position? For example, as my personal spiritual assistant? Nominally affiliated with the academy's logistics department, but in reality following my course progress, he'll undergo basic perception training and potential development assessments under the supervision of a specific instructor. All additional resources and instructor fees required for training will be borne by me personally! It won't use up the academy's public resources!"

He emphasized the word "exclusive" to emphasize the binding relationship between Lin Yao and him, and also pointed out the key point of "resources at one's own expense".

At the same time, he once again displayed the family emblem on his wrist that represented the power of the city lord. Although he did not say it explicitly, the invisible pressure had already spread.

"During this period, I am solely responsible for his safety, and I guarantee all his actions! If, after a period of observation and basic training, his potential still fails to meet the minimum requirements for a support position at the academy, or if he fails to demonstrate sufficient support value..."

Lu Cheng took a deep breath, as if making a great sacrifice. "Then, I voluntarily give up the 'Priority Exchange Rights for the Core Resource Library' for this special recruitment without entrance exam for one year, as compensation for the possible expenditure of resources by the college."

When these words were spoken, even Lin Yao looked sideways slightly.

Priority redemption rights at the core resource library! This was one of the core benefits of being a special recruit. It allowed one to redeem within the academy for extremely rare and precious cultivation resources, guidance from senior instructors, and even dungeon exploration opportunities. Lu Cheng was actually willing to use this to guarantee him?!

Teacher Zhou was completely moved. He hadn't expected Lu Cheng to go this far. Not only had he cited data to point out the potential value of Lin Yao's abilities and proposed a solution that wouldn't take up public resources, he was even willing to use his own valuable core benefits as collateral and compensation.

This has gone beyond simply using power to pressure others, and has demonstrated considerable sincerity, responsibility and importance attached to Lin Yao.

"This..." Teacher Zhou pondered for a moment, his eyes moving back and forth between Lu Cheng's determined eyes and Lin Yao's figure, who seemed fragile and helpless but actually had no ripples in his heart.

Finally, he sighed and operated a few times on the light screen.

"Student Lu Cheng, your proposal... although unprecedented, considering the uniqueness of Student Lin Yao's abilities and your guarantee and compensation plan, I will report the situation to the Office of Special Potential Students and the Academic Affairs Department, along with your application and comments. Pending approval, Student Lin Yao may temporarily remain at the academy as 'Lu Cheng's Exclusive Auxiliary Observer,' accompanying you for basic perception training. However, this will be limited to the area you are responsible for, and you will be required to undergo regular evaluations."

This was already a huge concession. Although he did not have the formal admission qualifications, he had obtained the opportunity to stay in the college legally, study with Lu Cheng and receive evaluation, which was equivalent to having one foot in the college's door.

“Thank you, Teacher Zhou!”

Lu Cheng's eyes flashed with surprise, and he thanked her sincerely. He lowered his head to look at Lin Yao in his arms, and said in an excited and soothing voice, "Yaoyao, did you hear that? We can be together now."

Lin Yao finally raised his head from Lu Cheng's arms. His deep blue eyes were still stained with tears, but a smile of relief, infinite gratitude and dependence blossomed on his face, as pure as the first snow. "Well! Thank you, Ah Cheng! Thank you, Teacher Zhou!"

He looked at Teacher Zhou with eyes full of gratitude and timid respect.

Teacher Zhou looked at Lin Yao's delicate, fragile, and grateful face, and thought of Lu Cheng's heavy guarantee, and the last trace of doubt in his heart disappeared.

Maybe... this F-level kid really just needs a little chance and a strong support?

He waved his hand. "Alright, go to the information entry office and get a temporary pass bracelet. Remember, until the official approval comes, strictly abide by the regulations."

"Yes! We will definitely abide by it!" Lu Cheng promised solemnly, holding Lin Yao's hand tightly, as if holding a lost treasure, and left the potential assessment room.

Walking out of the evaluation room and away from the sight of outsiders, the fragile and grateful smile on Lin Yao's face instantly disappeared, and he returned to his usual calmness. However, there was still a trace of tears in the depths of his eyes, making his face still look harmless.

Perfect.

Lin Yao silently commented in his heart. He used Lu Cheng's sympathy and desire to protect him to guide him to proactively propose a solution, and in a way that seemed reasonable and didn't rely solely on his status and privilege.

Not only did it achieve its goal, but it also maintained Lu Cheng's image in the eyes of the college's top management and avoided causing unnecessary resentment.

Mr. Zhou's final compromise was largely the result of Lu Cheng's value analysis and heavy guarantee, rather than simply his identity as the city lord's son.

Lu Cheng was still immersed in great joy and a sense of responsibility. He held Lin Yao's hand and made plans excitedly.

"Yaoyao, that's great! Let's go get the bracelet first, and then I'll take you to familiarize yourself with the academy. My dormitory is a single room, it's very spacious, you can stay with me. Basic perception training... I remember the library has the most basic introductory textbooks, I'll go check them out this afternoon. Oh, and there's a special energy meditation room in the academy. Although you can't use it now, it's good to get a feel for the environment..."

He chattered on and on, full of anticipation for their future study and life together.

Lin Yao listened quietly, occasionally responding with a "hmm", letting Lu Cheng hold his hand, feeling the warmth and vigorous energy coming from the other's palm.

It's really...an increasingly convenient tool.

Lin Yao's heart was cold but clear. Lu Cheng had not only successfully opened the door to the academy for him, but had also taken the initiative to shoulder all the subsequent troubles: training resources, tutor arrangements, security, and even planned his daily life.

He only needs to play the role of a weak person who depends on him, is grateful to him, and needs his protection, and he can sit back and reap the rewards.

Looking at Lu Cheng's energetic profile in the sunlight, there was no love in the depths of Lin Yao's blue eyes, only a hint of satisfaction with the usefulness of the "tool".

He enjoyed the convenience of this arrangement, but also carefully calculated the risks of each step. Entering the academy was only the beginning; the real challenge was how to hide himself from the eyes of so many powerful people and how to use the resources here to restore his strength.

And the affectionate lover who is wholeheartedly paving the way for him is undoubtedly the most important card in his hand.

However, when this card realizes that all its efforts have been seen as a mere convenient tool by the other party, will the backlash from love to hate completely overturn this carefully designed scam?

The corners of Lin Yao's lips curled up into an almost imperceptible, cold and expectant arc.