Human Genius? Sorry, I’m a Deviant-Chapter 228: Participation

Su Zhan breathed a sigh of relief.
For now... he was safe.
Ye Hongyu said to Su Zhan, "It's fine now. As long as the academy stands, no one can take away my student without just cause."
"Are you injured? Don't be afraid. Qin Bai is just a rabid dog who bites anyone he sees."
Wang Mingyuan adjusted his glasses. "The dean has already warned them. They won't dare come after you so openly again anytime soon."
"Regarding your injuries and... other matters, the academy has its own considerations."
Ye Hongyu nodded and added, "Your most important task right now is to rest peacefully without carrying too much psychological burden. Teacher Wang and I will handle external affairs for you."
"That's right, don't overthink things. Get proper rest—your health comes first."
Wang Mingyuan patted Su Zhan's shoulder. "If you need anything, or encounter any more trouble, contact me or the dean immediately."
Su Zhan responded softly, "Thank you, Dean. Thank you, Teacher."
He now found himself in a dilemma.
Qin Bai was indeed a rabid dog. This time, Dean Ye had forcefully driven him away, but what about next time? Or the time after that?
Qin Bai had clearly set his sights on him and would never let this go easily.
If he left Vermilion Bird Academy...
Without the protection of Ye Hongyu and Wang Mingyuan, he would be completely exposed to Qin Bai's surveillance.
With his current strength, he stood no chance against Qin Bai.
When that time came, Qin Bai would deal with him even more recklessly.
He would likely disappear or die without a trace.
But if he didn't leave...
Staying at Vermilion Bird Academy would provide temporary safety, but what was the point?
The path of an Awakened individual was already cut off for him, and academy resources were no longer accessible to him. Remaining here would be purely wasting his life, squandering precious time that could be used to rapidly improve by devouring Aberrant forms.
Leaving carried enormous risks—he might immediately fall victim to Qin Bai's schemes.
Staying offered safety but no hope—it would be slow suicide, wasting his only chance to grow stronger.
Both choices seemed like dead ends.
Su Zhan felt deeply agitated inside.
He yearned for freedom, craved power, and desperately wanted to survive.
But at this moment, no matter which path he chose, he couldn't see any light ahead.
He needed to find a way to break this deadlock quickly...
After comforting Su Zhan for a few more moments.
Ye Hongyu gave Wang Mingyuan a slight nod, and the two turned and left the cafeteria under numerous respectful gazes.
Shortly after exiting the cafeteria.
Ye Hongyu's private encrypted communicator vibrated again.
She glanced at the caller ID—it was Director Meng from the Supervision Department again.
Pressing the answer button, her tone returned to neutral. "Director Meng, what else do you need?"
On the other end of the communication.
Director Meng said, "Dean Ye, regarding the earlier incident, I apologize for any offense. Please forgive us.
I'm calling to formally notify you.
Tonight at 8 PM, you must attend a highest-level encrypted video conference without fail.
Participants will include myself, along with several high-ranking officials from the Military Department, Aberrant Purge Division, and the Council.
The meeting's theme... concerns your student, Su Zhan."
Ye Hongyu's footsteps paused slightly as she immediately understood the implications.
On the phone.
Director Meng continued, "Actually, regarding Su Zhan's matter, we've... known about it for some time. Qin Bai's actions, and the recklessness of our subordinates, didn't completely surprise me either."
His meaning couldn't be clearer.
He wasn't unaware—this had been a tacitly permitted probe!
"Earlier in the cafeteria, I chose to back down. Firstly, out of respect for you, Dean Ye, to avoid making the situation too ugly. Secondly..."
Director Meng's voice lowered slightly. "This matter might involve deeper implications than imagined. It's no longer something our Supervision Department alone, or your Vermilion Bird Academy alone, can decide independently.
Higher authorities must discuss this together to develop a proper solution. Therefore, we need your participation in these deliberations."
After listening, Ye Hongyu showed no surprise on her face and replied calmly:
"Understood. I'll attend the meeting punctually at 8 PM tonight."
The communication ended.
Wang Mingyuan stood behind her, having clearly overheard the conversation, his expression turning extremely grave:
"Dean, they..."
Ye Hongyu raised her hand, stopping him from continuing.
She gazed at the undulating buildings in the distance of the academy, as if seeing the turbulent and unpredictable situation beyond:
"Qin Bai has probably told them everything he knows. When the time comes, we'll simply deny everything. We know nothing—we're just protecting my student. As for the rest... we'll take it one step at a time."
Wang Mingyuan remained silent for a long while before finally sighing. "Understood."
...
Back in the cafeteria.
"Damn it, that bastard Qin Bai!"
Liu Ziming plopped back down into his chair. "He's completely lawless! How dare he openly frame someone and make arrests like that!"
"Brother Su, he's just a rabid dog biting randomly."
Xu Hao chimed in.
"Qin Bai's actions have exceeded the scope of normal investigation, showing clear personal malice and suspicion of power abuse."
Feng Jue added.
"Right, Brother Su, listen up! No matter what that idiot says about the Transcendence Society or Aberrants, we don't believe it!"
Liu Ziming nodded vigorously. "We only believe in you. You're our brother, our comrade who fought alongside us on the battlefield!"
Xu Hao echoed, "Same here."
"Su Zhan, remember, you're not alone."
Feng Jue spoke more today than he usually would in an entire week. "No matter what happens, no matter how others frame you, the three of us will always stand by your side. That will never change."
Su Zhan nodded silently.
But his thoughts were different.
Did his teammates truly not suspect him?
He had used his Aberrant form multiple times during missions with them.
It was impossible that they had no suspicions.
It's just... they didn't dare voice them.
They might not even care about his Aberrant identity, standing with him even if he were an Aberrant.
But...
These were all speculations.
Only they themselves knew the true situation.
Su Zhan was still pondering how to solve his current predicament.
To find a method.
That would allow him to both leave Vermilion Bird Academy and resolve the Qin Bai problem, or at least make it so Qin Bai could never find him.
This solution... was truly difficult to find...
Until he thought of a method, he probably wouldn't be able to sleep peacefully during this period.