Chapter 72: Changes at School
They say, when Superman flew across the skies, the world changed. And when Superman stopped flying, the world changed once more.
…
On the third morning since Superman's absence.
Xi Nian woke up to Wanda's soft voice calling him. The scarlet-haired maid leaned over his bed as he yawned and opened his eyes, which now glowed with a distant divine silver light. Absentmindedly, he ran his hand through his long silver hair that fell messily over his shoulders.
"Master, your hair… and your eyes?!" Wanda gasped, her small mouth slightly open in surprise.
"It's nothing. From now on, I'll probably look like this at night. Don't worry about it," Xi Nian blinked at her. Back when he had dug her out of the rubble with his bare hands, he had already revealed his extraordinary power in front of her.
Unexpectedly, Wanda stared at his silver hair, her clear eyes sparkling. "It looks… so beautiful."
Xi Nian: "…"
Forget it. Not worth arguing with a little maid.
He went to the bathroom. After washing his face, his long silver hair returned to its usual form, and his eyes shifted back to their ordinary brown.
The demigod state lasted just the right amount of time.
Xi Nian let out a small breath.
Two nights ago, besides arranging Wanda's living situation with Diana, they had discussed something else.
The world was changing. The hidden side of reality had now been exposed to the sun, and more supernatural events were bound to appear.
Though Diana could act as a steady medium for Xi Nian's abilities, when he had inherited the Greek demigod physique, uncontrolled divine power leaked from him. That was why he ended up with obvious traits like silver hair and silver eyes.
So, in order for him to learn to control his divine power—to wield his demigod body perfectly while keeping his human appearance—Diana had suggested…
Nightly practice.
When Xi Nian activated the Master of Affection state, his powers lasted exactly twelve hours. As long as he triggered it at night after coming home, his power would wear off right before school the next morning.
Demigod at night. Human by day.
With enough practice, Xi Nian would eventually master the demigod body completely.
…
Later, Xi Nian changed clothes and came out of his room. Wanda, wearing a school uniform with her scarlet hair tucked beneath a winter hat, was already preparing breakfast. She looked adorable.
"Wanda, you look great in that uniform," Xi Nian praised sincerely. Right now, what Wanda needed most was encouragement and affirmation.
Her face flushed red as she pulled out a chair for him, then hopped lightly into her own seat.
Xi Nian noticed her little feet still dangled above the ground, unable to touch the floor, yet she sat perfectly still, quiet and well-behaved.
Meanwhile, Xiao Huang had clearly realized that Wanda would now be the one feeding her every day. The little cat rubbed affectionately against Wanda's leg, purring nonstop.
Barry Allen would probably cry if he saw this scene.
Sitting down, Xi Nian ate breakfast and casually asked, "Wanda, today's your transfer report day, right?"
She nodded. "Yes. Miss Diana already arranged everything. I just need to bring the documents and check in. Oh, and Master, I'll be going out this weekend."
"Where to?"
"Gotham City."
"Oh, Gotham—wait, what?!" Xi Nian widened his eyes. "What are you going there for?"
"It was also arranged by Miss Diana," Wanda explained honestly. "She said I could learn more there about being a proper maid. She mentioned a very suitable teacher. Someone will pick me up this weekend."
Xi Nian pictured the image of Alfred Pennyworth, that impeccable butler of Wayne Manor. "That is indeed a good teacher… but isn't that too much for you?"
He hesitated, then added, "If you don't want to go, I can talk to my aunt. You're only thirteen, after all."
Wanda shook her head seriously. "No. I actually asked Miss Diana myself last night. Right now, I can only do simple chores. I need to learn more if I want to truly take care of Master."
Xi Nian didn't press further.
Her current determination was a good sign. No need to discourage her.
Well… if even the maid was working this hard, as Master he couldn't afford to slack off.
His eyes lit up with resolve.
He had taken too many days off lately, and after everything that had happened, he had fallen behind on schoolwork.
Forget the supernatural for now. Starting today, he would return to being a normal high school student!
That was his quiet resolve.
…
Later that morning, during class.
"Students, since your previous assistant instructor, Quentin Beck, resigned two days ago, the school has arranged a new assistant instructor for you."
"Please, come in."
Instructor Rott stood on the podium, explaining to the students. Then he called toward the door.
A figure walked in. Red hair swayed with each step. She wore a white blouse tucked into a black pencil skirt, black stockings wrapping her long legs.
"Hello everyone, I'm your new assistant instructor. My name is Natasha Romanoff. Please take care of me." She smiled warmly, pushing up her black-rimmed glasses.
With a model's figure and movie-star looks, she left the whole class stunned. Instructor Rott turned his head away quickly, not daring to stare.
Gwen frowned slightly, sneaking a look at Xi Nian. She noticed his eye twitch.
Back during the New York battle, Gwen hadn't been at Stark Tower, so she didn't know.
But Xi Nian had. He had stood on the tower rooftop himself, fighting against the Tesseract incident. So he recognized her instantly.
The so-called new instructor was none other than that Black Widow agent.
"What the hell… are they not going to let me study in peace?" Xi Nian sighed inwardly, hoping she wasn't here for him.
Surely she hadn't recognized him from that night.
"Besides the new assistant instructor, the school has also welcomed a new dean of discipline," Instructor Rott added. He glanced toward the hallway and quickly walked over. "Dean, would you like to say a few words?"
"No need."
A cold, composed female voice replied from outside.
Then, a tall figure walked past the classroom.
A woman with curled hair, wearing a leopard-print coat over a tight sweater, her curves perfectly outlined. Even though she only passed by for a moment, she drew the stares of many students.
Xi Nian's eyes followed her until she disappeared down the hall. As she passed, it almost seemed like she had glanced directly at him.
…
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