"Mike!"
Genevieve hesitated for a moment but decided to catch up,
"It won't take much of your time, just a few words!"
Mike stopped in his tracks, frowning at her.
Why was Jessica's mom seeking him out? Was she scouting him as a potential son-in-law?
"Ma'am, I think you might be mistaken. We are high school seniors, and I believe we should focus on improving our magical practice and theoretical knowledge. I'm not currently interested in dating."
Mike spoke earnestly.
This time, Genevieve was taken aback.
She hadn't even said anything yet, and Mike had preemptively taken control of the conversation with such a statement.
Most importantly, Genevieve hadn't suggested that Mike and Jessica date!
Caught off guard for a moment, Mike had already walked another ten to fifteen feet.
Genevieve took a deep breath and caught up again, speaking quickly, "Mike, I just want to tell you one thing!"
"Jessica is an F-tier talent and chose the Otherworld Summoner class. She... might even struggle to become a Battle Soldier in the future!
Jessica makes her own decisions about these things. Since she has feelings for you, I naturally won't say much.
I just hope you can be... a bit stronger than Jessica, at least, so that your future together might be a bit easier."
Genevieve carefully chose her words, finding it extremely difficult to speak.
Jessica is an F-tier talent, and Mike here is a D-tier talent. They're like two peas in a pod, both scraping the bottom of the barrel.
"I think you've definitely misunderstood something, ma'am."
Mike, trying to be patient, said for the last time, "Jessica and I are just ordinary classmates, nothing more."
A smile appeared on Genevieve's face, clearly not believing Mike's words.
Just ordinary classmates?
If they were just ordinary classmates, would Jessica give such a precious map to an ordinary classmate?
"Alright, save those ghost stories to fool someone else, don't try to fool me."
Genevieve continued,
"I just want to tell you that no matter who Jessica chooses to date or even marry, I support her.
But the Morrow family isn't just up to me to decide, there are definitely other elders who would oppose if you wanted to be with Jessica."
Mike almost rolled his eyes.
What kind of clichéd script was this?
Afraid that Mike would leave, Genevieve quickly finished her last words,
"In the next few days, Florida's Magic High School will have an internal selection. Those who perform well may have the chance to qualify for a top university's summer camp, even early admission!"
"Mike, if you want to be with Jessica..."
Mike interrupted, "Ma'am, I'll say it again, I'm currently focused on studying."
Genevieve changed her approach, "Alright, alright, if you want to study hard, you need to seize this opportunity. If you can make it into the top twenty in the school selection, the Morrow family..."
She left her sentence hanging, but the implication was clear.
With the Morrow family's influence in Florida, if Mike made it into the top 20, he could be pushed into the top university's summer camp, and even bypass assessments for early admission!
The premise was: Mike had to prove himself.
Genevieve's visit was to inform Mike about this opportunity.
After speaking, she nodded at Mike and turned to leave.
"Ah, I always feel like she's got the wrong idea."
Mike was speechless and could only quickly walk back home.
Jessica's talent had awakened a second time, choosing to hide her S-tier talent.
Jessica's mom was an interesting person, it was clear she cared a lot about Jessica.
After leaving the neighborhood, Genevieve stopped by a black luxury car, the door automatically opening.
"Eh, honey, weren't you responding to a level-one emergency?"
Genevieve got into the car and found her husband already inside.
"It was just a drill, it's over now, but I think it's a bit strange."
In the back seat sat a middle-aged man, his temples slightly gray, his face stern and angular.
"Never mind that, did you see Mike?"
"I did, he's more handsome than in the photos, no wonder my daughter likes him. I wonder if Mike will treat Jessica well after they get married."
"They haven't started dating yet, and you're already thinking of children's names for them."
"Are you teasing me again?"
Genevieve retorted playfully, her charm evident.
Jessica was a beautiful young woman, clearly inheriting her mother's looks.
"My poor daughter...Didn't your father just come back from the Abyssal Plane? Go ask him if there's any other option for Jessica."
Genevieve's request was spoken, and the middle-aged man's eyebrows slightly furrowed.
"My father values this granddaughter more than anyone; even without my asking, he's already anxious!"
"I heard that when the news of Jessica's F-tier talent reached him, my father gave up the chance to become a Battle Lord and rushed back from the Abyssal Plane overnight.
If it weren't for the level-one emergency drill, he would have been home earlier!"
"By now, he's probably already met with Jessica."
Saying this, the middle-aged man's gaze drifted out the window, his mood growing somber.
F-tier talent, switching to Otherworld Summoner, Jessica had effectively blocked all her paths!
To reverse Jessica's fate, unless a Battle Lord or even a supreme being intervened, all hope lay in a second awakening of her talent.
How difficult it is for a talent to awaken a second time!
All these words ultimately turned into a sigh.
"Jessica's path, after all, must be walked by herself."
...
"Jessica, tell Grandpa again, what exactly happened?!"
An elderly man stood by the window, his face incredulous.
He was Blaze Morrow, just back from the abandoned factory.
Upon learning of his granddaughter's awakening to F-tier talent, he had immediately ended his exploration of the Abyssal Plane without a moment's rest.
And now, he had just returned home to see his granddaughter.
She had privately told him that her talent had awakened a second time, and she had become an S-tier talent?!
Blaze Morrow was utterly shocked and surprised!
Jessica patiently repeated everything that had happened in the past few days.
"So, you're saying your second awakening was all thanks to Mike's help?" Blaze Morrow analyzing calmly.
"It's not necessarily because of him... I'm not sure."
"There's no uncertainty, it must be Mike!"
As a Battle Chief, Blaze had a unique perspective, and he was certain of this point.
"You did well, hiding your secret while also sparing Mike a lot of trouble, benefiting both of you."
After speaking, Blaze paced back and forth in the room, gradually forming a plan.
"Jessica, listen to Grandpa, pass the Battle Soldiers test as soon as possible, and choose the Lone Wolf faction!"
"And then?"
Jessica blinked her bright eyes, waiting for more.
"Once you become a Lone Wolf, there will be... ahem, you'll be much safer, even if Grandpa isn't around, someone will protect you."
Blaze didn't elaborate on the [Guardian Shadow].
This wasn't something Jessica needed to know at this stage.
"As for your classmate, I'll arrange for someone to make contact. We can't forget this favor."
With that, Blaze walked outside,
"Rest well, prepare for tonight's Tower of Truth, try to get a higher Exploration Rate on the first level before pushing higher."
Exiting the villa, Blaze Morrow walked through the garden, a stooped butler quietly approached him from behind, respectfully saying,
"Sir, the young masters have gone to see Mike."
"What do you think?"
"He's an interesting young man."
The butler hesitated for a moment, adding, "Shall I have someone learn more about him?"
The affairs of the Morrow family, in Blaze's absence, were handled by this old butler.
He had followed Blaze for many years, as close as brothers, and was treated like family.
"No need."
Blaze Morrow declined outright.
The butler's face showed a slight surprise, no arrangements for someone?
Then what was the plan?
"I'll go myself."
Blaze Morrow said offhandedly, "This young man has done a great favor for Jessica, and I'm not in a state to return to the Abyssal Plane or explore the Tower of Truth right now."
"I might as well take this opportunity to see what the new generation of young people is like."
Standing in front of a large tree, Blaze Morrow stood straight, his posture as sharp as a drawn sword.
"Mike, Mike...."
"Your talent may not be high, but you must not lack ambition, don't disappoint me."
...
Back home, Mike finally relaxed.
Sitting on the sofa, he took several items out of his backpack and placed them on the table.
Mike examined each one, beginning to tally the gains from his trip.