Special Training from Director-General Shen

Director-General Shen glanced at him.

She had to admit, the way his fluffy silver-white ears drooped in dejection was incredibly cute. Even she couldn't help but steal a few more glances.

Sensing his utter despair, Director-General Shen spoke up to comfort him.

“You don't need to be overly distressed about the prophecy. In fact, the first time I saw you, I thought you would either be severely injured or dead. I didn't expect you to appear before me completely unscathed the very next day.”

“So, just follow your heart.”

Bai Xiaodu reluctantly accepted the compliment.

“Thank you, Director-General Shen. But I really, really didn't come here for what you just saw.”

“I believe you.”

“Really?”

“Yes.”

Bai Xiaodu's face flushed red.

“But you've been secretly smiling this whole time! You haven't stopped!”

Director-General Shen shrugged, her long silver hair swaying like silk with the movement.

“Is that so? My apologies. I just recalled something amusing.”

“What amusing thing?”

“Someone bribed the association's security guard to sneak onto my computer and watch...”

“Stop talking about it!”

Director-General Shen chuckled and said no more.

The two did not linger in the room. Bai Xiaodu was led into her office, where they sat down once again.

Sitting across from him, Director-General Shen inquired in a leisurely tone.

“The day of my prophecy is drawing closer. How is your strength right now?”

“Your opponent has long been a Rank 0.9 Transcendent Apprentice, and he belongs to the notoriously difficult machine civilization. Are you confident you can defeat him on your own?”

Seeing Bai Xiaodu slowly nod, Director-General Shen couldn't help but raise an eyebrow.

After their few interactions, she had come to somewhat understand his personality. Judging by his current demeanor, he was highly confident.

Director-General Shen did not say much, merely extending her slender, pale hand. Her meaning was clear: begin your performance.

Bai Xiaodu wasted no words, straightforwardly demonstrating the same trick he had shown Xin Hai'an. His movements were as smooth as flowing water.

After sweeping away the very last speck of dust, he sat back in his chair with a relaxed posture.

Naturally, Bai Xiaodu had no intention of revealing that his skills had been enhanced by a Pathway. Still, this was a solid display of his capabilities outside of that.

After all, the person in front of him was Director-General Shen, not Xin Hai'an. Only by demonstrating sufficient value could he catch her eye, rather than being treated like a useless tool and discarded after one use.

Meanwhile, Director-General Shen was holding the portrait made of ice shavings, examining it closely with great interest.

Bai Xiaodu silently gave himself a pat on the back.

As expected, this trick would stun anyone who saw it. After all, this was a portrait brimming with the hidden affection of a pure-hearted youth—someone who didn't dare speak his true feelings, only daring to watch silently and commit her every detail to memory.

Under his expectant gaze, Director-General Shen slowly set down the portrait and delivered her critique.

“Your execution is very practiced.”

“...Thank you.”

“Alright, let's talk about serious matters. You have a very good grasp of both your spells, especially Freezing Ray. Your control and power can be considered the peak of the Apprentice Rank.”

“It's surprising. It doesn't seem like a single ray, but more like a fusion of several high-tier rays fired simultaneously...”

Cold sweat began to bead on Bai Xiaodu's back. He quickly cut her off.

“It's all thanks to your excellent guidance, Director-General Shen. I asked you about the finer details of spellcasting before, and your advice was incredibly useful.”

“In fact, seeing you reminds me that the Mage Hand cantrip I recently learned hasn't reached Proficient yet. I really need some guidance.”

She neither agreed nor disagreed, merely offering a smile, as if she accepted his explanation.

Seeing that Director-General Shen didn't pry any further, Bai Xiaodu breathed a sigh of relief.

Whether dealing with Lingxin or Xin Hai'an, he could always adapt to their personalities and handle them with ease. But when facing Director-General Shen, those blue eyes of hers were simply too powerful. Calm yet deep, they seemed capable of drawing him in completely, leaving him unable to struggle.

Bai Xiaodu was trying to think of a way to get her to reveal more details about the prophecy. However, Director-General Shen stood up from her chair and walked over to his side.

They were now standing very close. As a silver fox-kin, his canine heritage gave him a highly sensitive nose, and Bai Xiaodu could easily catch her scent.

Unlike Xin Hai'an's, Director-General Shen's scent was incredibly faint, like tiny wildflowers by the roadside after a fresh rain—subtle yet utterly captivating.

Seeing her shadow gradually loom over him, as if about to envelop him completely, Bai Xiaodu felt a surge of nervousness, unsure of what she was planning.

Forcing himself to stay calm, Bai Xiaodu did his best not to show any signs of fear. Doing so would give him away and arouse even more suspicion. He had too many secrets right now. If he was caught, he would surely be dissected and studied as some sort of freak.

“Mm...”

Feeling a soft, warm presence pressing against the back of his head, Bai Xiaodu's mind went completely blank.

Something felt off, but he couldn't put his finger on what was wrong.

Blinking his wine-red eyes, he watched as Director-General Shen's face drew closer and closer, close enough that her warm breath brushed softly against the tip of his nose.

Director-General Shen's beauty was undeniably breathtaking. Aside from the word "bewitching," Bai Xiaodu couldn't find any other term to describe her.

Just as he was trying to think of a way out, a sudden, sharp pain pierced his mind, and an intense wave of dizziness washed over him!

Then, Director-General Shen's voice rang out—incredibly gentle and utterly seductive. It slithered along his cheek and slowly crept into his consciousness.

“Is Xiaobai the most well-behaved boy? Hmm?”

Even though a shred of his sanity remained, Bai Xiaodu could not control his vocal cords. He realized what was happening.

It was 【Autocracy】!

The essence of authority was control—controlling others to provide everything you desired. This was a true transcendent. Before those who wielded the power of a Pathway, an apprentice possessed not a single shred of resistance!

Bai Xiaodu grew incredibly anxious. If he actually confessed how he had developed those two spells, he might as well be dead!

Yet, that mysterious force compelled him to speak in a low whisper.

“Yes...”

“Then... how did you train your 【Freezing Ray】 and 【Gust】 to become like this? Won't you tell me all about it?”

Director-General Shen's voice grew gentler and gentler, as if trying to envelop Bai Xiaodu completely and wrap him in a warmth unique to women.

Knowing he mustn't speak, Bai Xiaodu's conscious mind desperately fought back.

“Hmm? Unwilling to share? In that case... you won't be my favorite little puppy anymore.”

Just as Bai Xiaodu was about to completely succumb, the shattered, dagger-like blade resting in his breast pocket quietly emitted a barely perceptible glow.