Wood Style And Sharingan

"Are you all interested in joining the Executive Department?"

Smith had just picked up his chopsticks again when Jiang Lei dropped the unexpected question. The suddenness of it made the whole table fall silent.

"Join the Executive Department?" Smith echoed.

"We're not even qualified yet, are we? Don't we have to be at least level three before we can apply?" Zhao Mei asked, her brows furrowing in confusion.

Wei Lin nodded in agreement. "Yeah, isn't that the basic requirement?"

It was common knowledge that the minimum qualification to join the Executive Department was reaching level three psychic power. Freshmen like them were far from that stage.

Jiang Lei smiled knowingly. "I know. I just wanted to share the news early. The Executive Department is going through reforms. The entry threshold has been lowered. As long as you reach intermediate level two within the next six months, you can apply."

"Intermediate level two in six months?" Wei Lin and Zhao Mei exchanged glances. "That's a tall order..."

Jiang Lei laughed. "Of course it's a challenge. I'm just giving you all a new opportunity. If you can't meet the new standard, you can still apply later when you hit level three."

"Alright, alright, can we eat now?" Smith rolled his eyes and quickly tried to steer the conversation back to the meal. "Why does this always happen during dinner?"

"You're really trying to kill my appetite here."

"Hahaha, alright, alright. Let's eat," Jiang Lei said, sensing the irritation in his son's voice. He quickly dropped the subject with a smile and returned to his food.

---

After dinner, Wei Lin and Zhao Mei got up to leave.

"Brother Smith, we've got a mission early tomorrow, so we'll head back for the night."

"Oh? Where are you two going for your mission?" Smith asked out of curiosity. Since the missions started, their class had been divided into teams, each with different assignments.

Wei Lin replied, "We're heading out to investigate potential monster gatherings nearby. Nothing too dangerous—should be a pretty simple recon mission."

"Alright, take care out there."

"Thanks! See you next time!" Zhao Mei said cheerfully, waving as she headed toward the door. "Goodbye, Uncle Jiang!"

"Goodbye, come visit again soon," Jiang Lei responded warmly with a wave.

As the two girls walked off into the night, Yan Yue stood and gave a small smile. "Uncle Jiang, Smith, it's getting late. I should go too."

The sky had already turned completely dark. A cool breeze drifted through the city. It was clearly time to call it a night.

"Alright. Be careful on your way home. I'll see you next time when we're assigned together," Smith said with a nod.

Yan Yue turned and began walking to the door.

But before she could reach it, Jiang Lei suddenly nudged Smith from behind—with a swift kick to his backside.

"What are you just standing there for?" he whispered in a low voice. "You're really going to let a girl walk home alone at night?"

Then, loud enough for Yan Yue to hear, he called out, "Student Yan Yue, Smith says it's already so late, he'll walk you home!"

"When did I say—!"

Smith spun around in protest, but it was too late. Yan Yue had already stopped and turned to look back, smiling faintly, waiting for him.

Smith could only sigh and shoot Jiang Lei a glare before reluctantly walking toward her.

Behind him, Jiang Lei raised a fist, mouthing silently, "You got this!"

---

It was early summer. The daytime heat had faded into a gentle, comfortable night.

Yan Yue's home was in the complete opposite direction of Smith's, and he'd never been there before. So in truth, though it looked like he was "walking her home," he was really just following her lead.

The streets of Huaihai City were quiet at night. They didn't pass many people along the way.

Above them, the moon was especially bright tonight, casting soft silver light on the ground. A light breeze stirred the air, carrying a sense of peace.

Out of the silence, Yan Yue suddenly spoke.

"Do you want to join the Executive Department?"

"Huh?" Smith turned to look at her. "I haven't thought about it. Why do you ask?"

"What Uncle Jiang said tonight… it was mainly directed at you," she said softly. "You're the only one who meets the requirements right now."

"Wait… how do you know I qualify?"

"Aren't you already at advanced level two?" she asked with a knowing look. "That's already above the threshold."

"…How do you know I'm at advanced level two?" Smith asked, genuinely shocked.

He had just broken through earlier that day. He hadn't even told his father yet. How could Yan Yue possibly know?

She smiled mysteriously. "That's a secret."

A soft floral fragrance drifted from her as she spoke, carried by the breeze.

"What kind of secret…?"

"Back to the topic," she said, ignoring his question. "Will you join the Executive Department?"

Smith scratched his head. "I'm not sure. I haven't really thought about it. That question came out of nowhere."

"I'm going to join," she said firmly.

Smith blinked. "Really? Why?"

Yan Yue didn't answer right away.

Instead, she stopped walking and looked up at the moon.

The silver light bathed her in an ethereal glow, as if she had been wrapped in moonlight. She looked delicate and serene, like a goddess from a painting.

Smith found himself staring at her—not in a romantic way, but because there was something compelling about her resolve.

After a few moments, Yan Yue turned her gaze back to him. Her face was calm, but her voice was filled with determination.

"Because only by joining the Executive Department can I do my part to change the world."

Smith stared, caught off guard.

Change the world…

If someone else had said it, he would have laughed and called it childish.

But when Yan Yue said it—so calmly, so seriously—it didn't feel like a joke at all. Her tone was sincere, her gaze unwavering.

It reminded him of something she had said before—back during the awakening ceremony. She had declared that the support system needed to be reformed.

Back then, her words had sounded idealistic. But now, standing beneath the moonlight, they suddenly seemed… believable.

"That's why I hope you'll join too," she added, her serious expression replaced with a sly smirk. "That way, when I get in, you can take care of me."

"…You're trying to pull connections this early?"

"Of course!"

"Hmph. Fine. Since you asked so nicely, I'll consider it."

"Excuse me?! I didn't beg you!"

"Come on, don't worry about the details."

"What do you mean don't worry?! That's a huge difference!"

They bickered lightly, exchanging playful jabs as they continued walking.

Eventually, they arrived at Yan Yue's home—a simple, cozy residence.

Smith had heard before that she wasn't from Huaihai City. She had been sent here in her early teens, and the school had arranged this home for her. He still didn't know why she was sent so far from her original family.

"Well, I'm home. Thanks for walking me," Yan Yue said with a smile.

Her smile was like the bloom of spring—a blend of beauty and innocence.

"No problem. Sleep early."

"You too. Good night."

"Good night."

---

When Smith returned home, he found Jiang Lei standing at the door, arms crossed, a grin on his face—the kind of grin only men understood.

"How'd it go?"

"…What?"

"You and Yan Yue. I like that girl. She could totally be the Jiang family's daughter-in-law."

"…Dad, can you please act your age?" Smith said, completely speechless.

Jiang Lei laughed. "Alright, alright. I'll be serious."

Then, with a sudden shift in tone, he added, "You're coming with me to report to the Executive Department tomorrow."

Smith blinked. "Huh?!"

Øóffer going on for diamond tier

pàtreøn (Gk31)