Human Genius? Sorry, I’m a Deviant Chapter 30

"Deal." Xie Xi seemed worried Su Zhan might change his mind. "Don't leave after class. I'll come find you."

Su Zhan gave a slight nod.

The classroom immediately erupted in chatter.

"300,000?! The Xie family's young mistress is really throwing money around!"

"Rich girl alert! Absolutely terrifying."

"Didn't even bat an eye. Impressive."

"This should be interesting."

Xu Hao nudged Su Zhan with his elbow while waggling his eyebrows. "Bro Su, the campus belle is challenging you! Want me to dig up info on her Life Soul's weakness?"

Liu Ziming crossed his legs, putting on an air of worldly experience. "Su Zhan, you're still young. 300,000 isn't enough—make it 300 million. Then you'd be set for years."

"I..." Liu Ziming faltered. Even as a rich heir whose company hadn't been handed over yet, he couldn't produce that kind of money.

Su Zhan shook his head with a smile. Liu Ziming was a good guy—he just loved showing off.

Feng Jue gave Xie Xi a cold glance. "Scythe—large attack range. Weapons like that share the same weakness. Get close and she can't use it effectively." Having delivered this tactical analysis, he closed his eyes again as if it were just casual commentary.

"Easier said than done," Liu Ziming retorted. "If even you know this weakness, why wouldn't others? You think she's stupid? She'll definitely maintain distance."

Feng Jue gave him a brief, dismissive look before ignoring him, seemingly above arguing.

Liu Ziming suddenly perked up, sitting straight. "But if we add another condition to the bet—like the loser has to be the winner's assistant for a month..." He smirked at Xie Xi. "Then I'd love to watch this show."

Feng Jue didn't even open his eyes. "Pathetic."

"What would a poker face like you know?" Liu Ziming flashed a roguish grin. "This month-long assistant business has its nuances—training partner by day, bodyguard by night, serving tea during meals." Lowering his voice meaningfully, he added, "Most importantly... available at all times."

Fortunately, he spoke quietly enough that Xie Xi, being far away, didn't hear. Otherwise, Liu Ziming would've become her next target.

Xu Hao immediately caught on, exaggerating an "Ooooh!" sound. "Young Master Liu's real motives lie beyond the wine!"

Feng Jue finally opened his eyes and coldly spat out two words: "Disgusting."

Su Zhan didn't know whether to laugh or cry. So this rich young master was quite the playboy. But then... wasn't it typical for a wealthy heir to have romantic experience?

"Su Zhan, come here." Liu Ziming threw an arm around Su Zhan's shoulders, whispering, "You're too young—you don't know how to handle women like her." Raising a finger mysteriously, he explained, "First, proud women like her admire strength most. You need to win decisively later—preferably within three moves. Second, after winning, don't immediately order her around. Leave her hanging for three days—let her imagination run wild."

Xu Hao had somehow crept over too. Su Zhan pretended to listen attentively, though he wasn't actually interested. He just found Liu Ziming's antics amusing.

Ignoring them, Liu Ziming continued his "lesson": "Most importantly—the third point. Create accidental physical contact. Like brushing fingers when passing items. This gradually gets her accustomed to touch."

"Disgusting," Feng Jue repeated.

"Alright, alright." Su Zhan mediated. "Young Master Liu, I really have no such intentions. If you're interested, go for it yourself—I'll fully support you."

"Hey, I'm even less interested!" Liu Ziming said seriously. "I don't like aggressive women. Someone like Xie Xi would have to be on top during... you know. No thanks—I prefer taking charge."

Su Zhan and others: "..."

Half an hour later, after all questions were answered, Wang Mingyuan dismissed class.

Xie Xi immediately approached Su Zhan, waving a slender arm. "Let's go."

"Wait." Su Zhan raised a hand. "I have something to do first."

Xie Xi's delicate brows furrowed. "What now?"

"My Life Soul is control-type—not suited for offense." Su Zhan spread his hands. "I need to get weapons from the Equipment Hall first. How else could I be worthy of fighting you?"

Xie Xi studied him suspiciously for several seconds before grabbing his sleeve. "Fine, I'll go with you." Leaning close, she threatened in a low voice, "Try running away, and I'll tell the whole school how the SSS-ranked Su Zhan is a coward who flees from battle."

Xu Hao, Liu Ziming, and Feng Jue followed behind. Despite Liu Ziming's earlier teasing, he now acted perfectly proper in Xie Xi's presence.

As they walked down the academy's main avenue, drawing countless glances, Xie Xi followed so closely behind Su Zhan it looked like she was escorting a prisoner, sparking whispers among passing students.

"Look at that freshman—getting personally escorted by Xie Xi."

"Heard they made a duel bet? 300,000 on the line."

"Tsk tsk, these freshmen keep getting richer—throwing around 300,000 just like that."

A majestic bronze structure loomed before them, flanked by stone statues holding swords engraved with glowing blue runes—clearly some defensive mechanism.

The Equipment Hall had arrived.

Su Zhan suddenly stopped. "Classmate Xie, picking weapons might take a while."

"No rush." Xie Xi leaned against the doorframe. "I've got all day—I'll wait."

"Wow..." Xu Hao gaped at the towering dome ceiling. "This is grand."

Uncharacteristically, Liu Ziming didn't argue, simply agreeing, "Cool."

Upon entering, the temperature dropped noticeably. Countless weapons floated in translucent energy fields, organized by category.

The melee weapons section displayed everything from ancient bronze swords to modern combat blades. The firearms area showcased various guns, most prominently a three-meter-long anti-materiel rifle. Smaller items like mines, grenades, bulletproof vests, and combat suits filled another section. Heavy lead doors at the back bore warnings: "High-risk weapons—instructor approval required."

Su Zhan went straight to the most ordinary rack in the melee section, running fingers along rows of standard-issue weapons while Xie Xi tapped her foot impatiently behind him.

"This'll do." From the bottom shelf, Su Zhan retrieved a pair of utterly unremarkable steel dual blades—dull gray with unpolished edges, only marked "Vermilion Bird Standard-037" on the hilts.

"You're serious?" Xie Xi's beautiful eyes widened. "Mass-produced garbage? Not even graded!"

Xu Hao peered over too. "Bro Su, there are higher-tier weapons over there. Even though man-made melee weapons have limits, these are just..."

"Unnecessary." Su Zhan casually twirled the blades. "They just need to be sturdy."

Liu Ziming said earnestly, "Su Zhan, if money's the issue, I'll buy you better ones."

Su Zhan flicked a blade lightly. "No need. A controller's job is creating opportunities, not dealing damage. Good blades would be wasted on me."

This was true. In peacetime, melee weapons couldn't compare to firearms. Even after the Mist invasion, their status hadn't changed. Though materials improved, fundamentally they remained the same. If they were truly formidable, why would anyone need weapon-type Life Souls?

Xie Xi snorted. "Whatever. Just don't make excuses when you lose."

A mechanical arm floated over lazily. "Standard weapons—10 credits or 1,000 Daxia dollars."

After swiping his card, Su Zhan smoothly sheathed the twin blades at his back. "Now, we can head to the training grounds."