Human Genius? Sorry, I’m a Deviant-Chapter 232: Unemployed

Wang Mingyuan quickly analyzed the current situation:
"First, we have at most seven days. After one week, the Aberrant Purge Division, likely Qin Bai himself, will take direct action."
"Second, the dean cannot give us any overt assistance. She must maintain the appearance of ignorance and compliance with the agreement—that's the rule."
"Third, Qin Bai is definitely watching you right now, and watching me too. Any unusual behavior could give him leverage."
Su Zhan listened intently, his mind racing rapidly.
He suddenly thought of a possibility: "Teacher, I'm still nominally a Stream Realm second-stage awakened individual. Can I accept missions? That would give me a legitimate reason to leave the academy."
"No. I already considered that and checked."
Wang Mingyuan immediately shook his head in denial: "All your mission permissions have been directly frozen by the academy's higher-ups. This was one of the conditions the dean agreed to in order to stall them for a week."
"You must remain within the academy, in a controlled state."
"Any attempt to leave through official channels is impossible."
Su Zhan's heart sank.
Looking at Wang Mingyuan, who was taking enormous risks to help him, he felt an inexpressible gratitude.
But as a man, he couldn't utter many of those sentimental words of thanks.
True gratitude meant surviving, not betraying this trust, and repaying it in the future.
"We must find a way to escape."
Su Zhan said quietly.
The two began speaking in hushed tones, rapidly discussing various possible plans.
During their discussion, a practical problem emerged.
"Even if we somehow manage to get you out of the academy, the next problem is even more severe."
Wang Mingyuan said gravely: "Your identity information has definitely been flagged, and your facial features too. Your identity might be forged through some underground channels, but your appearance..."
"You'll need to change your appearance, completely become another person."
"This means you'll need to go to those shady underground clinics for plastic surgery. Are you... willing to do that?"
Su Zhan touched his face and smiled bitterly: "Compared to my life, what does changing my face matter? As long as I can survive, I'm willing."
Wang Mingyuan's eyes showed heartache as he nodded: "Good, you've got guts. So now, the most critical and difficult step... How do we get you out of Vermilion Bird Academy without anyone knowing, while you're under strict surveillance?"
This question loomed before them like a massive mountain.
Time passed minute by minute.
Their secret discussion continued for several hours, until a hint of dawn appeared in the sky outside the window.
The faint sound of the 6 AM bell could be heard.
Wang Mingyuan stood up.
Everything that needed to be said had been said, and all possible plans had been thoroughly examined.
"I should go."
Wang Mingyuan said in a low voice, dispelling the soundproof barrier.
Walking to the door, he placed his hand on the doorknob and gave Su Zhan one final "be careful in all things" look.
Su Zhan nodded heavily, everything communicated without words.
Wang Mingyuan opened the door and walked out naturally.
After leaving the dormitory building, his steps paused slightly as his gaze casually swept toward a dense area of tree shadows not far away.
His eyes lingered there for a brief moment.
Then, as if nothing had happened, he turned and walked toward the faculty dormitory direction.
Exactly where Wang Mingyuan's gaze had rested, in that shadowy area.
A figure almost completely blending with the environment stood quietly—it was Qin Bai.
He had clearly stayed up all night, watching Su Zhan's dormitory from here.
Seeing Wang Mingyuan emerge and that meaningful glance.
A cold curve formed at the corner of Qin Bai's mouth.
He muttered to himself: "Wang Mingyuan, oh Wang Mingyuan, you really are... so protective of your student... What kind of sweet talk did you feed him after messing around all night? Or were you discussing some shady plan?"
Qin Bai's eyes held the playful mockery of a cat toying with a mouse:
"But none of this matters."
"One week? Heh, I'll play along with you for this one week. Let's see what tricks you can come up with."
"Teacher Wang, you'd better pray that I don't catch any concrete evidence... Otherwise, when the time comes, you and your precious student can happily reunite in prison."
After speaking.
He silently merged back into the shadows once more.
...
The next day.
Su Zhan still appeared in the cafeteria on time, looking completely normal as usual.
Feng Jue, Liu Ziming, and Xu Hao were already waiting there. Seeing him approach, they secretly sighed in relief and quickly motioned for him to sit down.
"Brother Su, over here!"
Liu Ziming had the loudest voice: "Look, the cafeteria has crimson scale fish soup today! I heard this stuff is super nourishing and good for recovering spiritual power. I specifically fought to get you a portion!"
Xu Hao also pushed a pile of spirit fruits in front of him: "Eat more fruits, replenish your vitamins A through E and whatever else."
Feng Jue remained relatively quiet, constantly observing Su Zhan's expression.
They completely avoided mentioning yesterday's Supervision Department incident and carefully steered clear of any topics that might dampen Su Zhan's mood.
Liu Ziming began animatedly telling a story about some classmate's embarrassing mishap during yesterday's training session.
Xu Hao clumsily chimed in beside him, even deliberately exaggerating details in an attempt to make Su Zhan laugh.
Feng Jue occasionally interjected with precise sarcastic remarks.
They worked hard to create an atmosphere where everything was normal.
Trying in their clumsy way to distract Su Zhan, to make him temporarily forget his troubles and relax his tightly wound nerves a little.
Watching them putting on such an energetic performance, Su Zhan felt a complex warmth surge in his heart.
But for now, he was willing to play along with them, cherishing what might be their final moments together.
He occasionally nodded and responded with a word or two.
Su Zhan's cooperation made Liu Ziming and the other two even more enthusiastic.
This ordinary meal felt exceptionally warm, yet also exceptionally heavy.
...
After eating.
The group separated.
Liu Ziming and the others needed to cultivate, so naturally they couldn't stay with him.
Liu Ziming and Xu Hao were preparing to break through to the Stream Realm—this was a critical moment for them.
Even if they were willing to accompany him.
Su Zhan would force them to go cultivate instead.
He needed power too desperately now, which made him understand the importance of strength even more deeply.
Why should they waste time accompanying him, this "unemployed drifter"?
They should all go cultivate!
Su Zhan wandered alone through the vast Vermilion Bird Academy like the most ordinary student.
As one of Daxia's five top-tier awakened academies, Vermilion Bird Academy covered an astonishingly large area.
The academy was built among mountains and alongside water.
If a normal person tried to walk through all areas at an ordinary pace, they probably couldn't cover everything even in a full day.