"By the way, what superpowers did you awaken at school today?"
Jiang Lei asked warmly as he placed more food into Smith's bowl.
Smith looked at his father's kind smile, and his heart skipped a beat. He hesitated, thinking carefully about how to break the news. Finally, he said, cautiously,
"Well, Dad... about that. I've got some good news and some bad news. Which one do you want to hear first?"
Jiang Lei raised an eyebrow but answered without concern, "Let's hear the good news first."
"The good news is... I've awakened two S-level superpowers."
"Double S-level?!"
Jiang Lei practically jumped out of his chair. His eyes widened, and for a moment he looked as though he couldn't believe what he'd just heard. Then his expression broke into a wide grin, and he laughed heartily.
"Hahaha! You really are my son—Smith, the son of Jiang Lei! You're more promising than I ever was!"
Smith chuckled awkwardly, but the more excited Jiang Lei became, the more anxious he felt.
"Uh... Dad, don't celebrate just yet. I haven't told you the bad news."
"Hahaha! What bad news could be worse than this good news? Come on, tell me!" Jiang Lei was still riding high on his son's S-level awakening.
Smith sighed and scratched the back of his head.
"The bad news is... my S-level superpowers are Wood Release and Spirit Eye."
"Wood... and Spirit Eye?" Jiang Lei repeated slowly, still smiling. "That's not so bad! Hahaha—Wood and Spirit—"
Then his expression froze. The laughter stopped mid-chuckle. He stared at Smith with a stunned face.
"Wait. You're serious? Wood and Spirit Eye?!"
Smith lowered his head, shoulders slumped.
"Yeah. I know they're considered the two most useless powers. I've disappointed you, Dad."
Seeing his son so dejected, Jiang Lei couldn't bring himself to scold him. He sat back down quietly and was silent for a moment.
Then he patted Smith gently on the shoulder.
"Son, don't be discouraged. Sure, Wood and Spirit Eye have a reputation for being weak... but that's only because the people who had them before didn't know how to use them properly."
"You've awakened both as S-level powers. That's a huge difference! You might be able to take them in a whole new direction."
"I believe in you."
Smith raised his head, surprised by the support.
Jiang Lei added with a smile, "And hey, if things really don't work out, you can always come back home, be a carefree, spoiled young master. I'll take care of you!"
Smith's eyes lit up immediately. "Dad, you said it! Don't go back on your word!"
Jiang Lei suddenly realized he might have said too much. His face darkened a bit.
"Wait... did you trick me?"
"Of course not! I really do have Wood and Spirit Eye powers," Smith said quickly. "But hearing you say that makes me feel a lot better. I'll definitely carve a new path forward."
"I'll prove to the world that Wood and Spirit Eye aren't useless at all!"
Jiang Lei's stern expression softened again. "That's more like it! You're a true son of Jiang Lei!"
Smith grinned. "But seriously, if I mess up... I can still come back and be that spoiled prodigal son, right?"
"Ahem... not prodigal. Let's just say you can come back and be a rich second generation who eats, drinks, and enjoys life," Jiang Lei said, rolling his eyes.
"Hahaha!"
Despite the mixed news, the father and son enjoyed a warm and hearty meal together. The atmosphere remained light and full of laughter.
---
The next day, Smith had to return to Huaihai University. The school only granted one day off after the awakening ceremony.
Today was the first class meeting following the new class assignments. It marked the official beginning of real combat training and student development.
"Dad, I'm heading out."
Smith waved goodbye to Jiang Lei and made his way back to the university.
The campus was bustling with life again. Students were chatting, laughing, and searching for their assigned classrooms. Everyone was filled with energy and excitement about their futures.
Smith eventually found Auxiliary Class 1 on the first floor of the training building.
As he walked over, a group of students suddenly blocked his path.
"Well, well, if it isn't our double S-level genius... waste."
Smith raised an eyebrow. "Who?"
He looked at the speaker. The guy stood over 1.9 meters tall, bulky and solid, probably weighing more than 150 kilograms.
"We're from the combat class," the tall guy announced smugly. "I awakened a C-level beast-type ability. That already makes me better than you—someone with two useless S-level abilities who got tossed into the auxiliary class."
His friends snickered behind him.
Smith crossed his arms, unimpressed. "Okay... and?"
The tall student blinked. Smith's calm reaction had caught him off guard.
"I mean, aren't you embarrassed? You're just a piece of trash in the auxiliary class! You're a disgrace to Huaihai University!"
Smith shrugged. "So what? We've got the school belle, Yan Yue, in our class. Do you have one in yours?"
"You...!"
The tall student was stunned. He couldn't think of a comeback.
Smith smirked and went for the kill.
"Let's face it. Most of you beast-type guys are all brawn and no charm. You'll never get to experience the joy of spending your days next to the campus beauty."
That struck a nerve. Every guy at Huaihai University had dreamed of being in the same class as Yan Yue. Her unexpected placement in the auxiliary class had shattered those dreams for many—especially the combat and elite students.
Of course, Smith didn't actually know Yan Yue personally. But that didn't stop him from using her name as ammunition.
"Don't get cocky!" the tall student shouted. He grabbed Smith by the collar and lifted him off the ground. Smith, at 1.8 meters, dangled slightly in the air.
But Smith remained calm, his voice steady.
"My dad is Jiang Lei."
"Huh?"
The group fell silent for a second, unsure of what that meant.
"Your dad's Jiang Lei? So what?"
The tall guy didn't get it, but his friends did. One of them rushed forward and grabbed his arm.
"Brother Kun! Stop! His dad is that Jiang Lei! One of the only three fifth-level psychics in Huaihai City!"
"The head of the Jiang family?" Kun finally realized. He'd heard of the Jiang family's reputation before.
Smith nodded casually. "That's right. So I suggest you put me down—before you bring your whole class down with you."
"Sure, I may have 'useless' powers. But my dad is Jiang Lei. You think you can afford to pick a fight with me and survive his wrath?"
The threat worked.
Kun's friends scrambled to calm him down, their tone more respectful now.
"Brother Kun, let's just drop it. It's not worth it."
"This is a fight between men! Who calls their parents in a fight?!" Kun grumbled, clearly frustrated, but he still let Smith go.
Smith straightened his clothes and adjusted his collar. "Well, I'm a man who plays smart. You want to beat up a younger student and get the older generation involved? Be my guest."
"Don't get too full of yourself!" Kun warned. "Just wait until we go outside the city for missions. Let's see who protects you then."
He turned around and left with his crew.
Smith called out, "Hey! What's your name?"
"Xu Kun! Remember it!"
Smith grinned.
As they disappeared around the corner, Smith thought to himself,
No wonder the young masters in those novels are so arrogant. It really does feel different when you've got a powerful dad backing you up.
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