The Genius Evolution Store

"These instructors will be helping you for the next two months. We can do the personal introductions later.

"However, half of these instructors will be rotating due to their training schedules as well. Just like you, we’re doing our best to be competent instructors, after all.

"For the first and fourth weeks, the first group of instructors will help you. For the second and third weeks, the second group will take over. That’s why you won’t find this place boring. I will be here 24/7, so you may come to me if you need anything."

Ellia and the others also noticed Maya.

"Auric..." Ellia glanced at Auric.

"I’m not the only one seeing things, right?" Vera smiled wryly.

"You guys aren’t mistaken. That person is Lady Maya, the genius of the Relesha family, who became a senior adjudicator in just one year. She would most likely reach Rank 6 before thirty years old. She is one of the best prodigies in this country," explained Katarina. "I didn’t expect that she would be joining us, though."

Auric just sighed. He thought he was already mischievous, but it turned out he was nothing compared to his teacher.

"She was missing during the test at the academy. And she will leave in one week. It must be for training... I should have expected this..." Auric scratched the back of his head.

While they were talking, Supervisor Jacob continued with his speech.

"All right. The instructors here will be taking turns teaching you. You may do whatever you want during your free time, but there is only one rule that I want you to follow. You have to sleep in the dorm. You can’t sleep in your mansion, hotel, or any place you know.

"That’s all. Now that each of you has a group, please proceed to the right. You will find our staff handing over the keys to your respective dorms. There won’t be any classes in the dorms, so proceed in an orderly manner."

Auric and the group received their keys as well, and Auric ultimately became the leader once again.

Before going to the dorm, Auric couldn’t help but come to Maya.

"I’ll be damned. To think you would surprise me like this, Teacher." Auric shook his head helplessly.

"Oh! I’m looking forward to seeing your achievement. I mean, is there any better place to watch something this amusing than a VIP seat?" Maya grinned.

"You need to do your job as an instructor as well." Auric sighed.

"What are you talking about? I’m a pretty good teacher. Don’t you know that already?"

Auric was a bit speechless. Maya was indeed more thick-skinned than him.

"It’s a pleasure to meet you, Lady Maya." Katarina politely greeted her.

"Mhmm. You need to work hard, Katarina. Also, make sure to take care of this boy for me. If he makes trouble?"

"Of course, I should assist him as long as it doesn’t get him killed." Katarina nodded.

"Heh. I like a clever girl such as you." Maya patted Katarina’s shoulder.

"Can you actually join something like this? Won’t it cause any problems because of your situation?" Ellia asked.

"If you are talking about my probation or criminal record, it’s been wiped clean thanks to him. So, this time, I don’t have to send him away anymore. Instead, I can join him." Maya winked playfully.

"I greet Miss Maya. I’m Vera from the Schneider family." Vera politely bowed. "I’ve heard of your achievements, including your academic achievements."

"Oh! It looks like the Schneider family has a good heir. I don’t have any particular grudge against your family, so we can get along."

"Thank you very much."

Maya looked around. "You should go first. Grab your luggage and move to your dorm. I’m sorry, but I won’t be telling you guys the schedule here, but all I can say is that these people are capable. Learn from them. There are a few people I can recommend.

"First, take a look at that old man with the perfect mustache. He even has that little curl. A perfect handlebar. Anyway, that old man is exceptionally good with his practical style of using elements. It works not only for elementalists but also for people who fight with weapons. So, you want to learn from him.

"Second, you need to learn from that old woman with slanted eyes. She is good at basic energy control. She’s probably the best in the country. You won’t regret going to her.

"Third is the middle-aged man with a muscular body. However, don’t get tricked by that body. He’s actually good at practical combat. It will be beneficial for Vera and Ellia, but even Katarina and Auric can learn some close-quarters combat with him.

"The fourth person is me, obviously. I can beat you guys without any reservation because I know all of you. It’s good for defensive training. You can probably learn to dodge your opponent’s attacks.

"Last but not least, Supervisor Jacob. He is an all-rounder. He has deep insight into all weapons and elemental control. You will visit him last to show your form. You will probably get good advice to stabilize your improvement. Of course, the rest of the instructors here are good."

"..." Auric just looked away when Maya suggested himself among the Rank 6 instructors. He knew it was bound to happen.

"I understand. Thank you for your suggestions. We’ll take our luggage here first." Katarina politely nodded.

"Oh! Good luck. I will be here for the next seven days, so feel free to come to me if you feel like it. I’ll help as long as I’m not teaching a group."

"Yes." Auric waved his hand.

Auric and Ellia returned to their rooms, while Vera and Katarina returned to their homes.

...

Katarina suddenly halted her steps before glancing to the right. "Why are you lurking around that corner, Evan?"

"Well, isn’t this Big Sis Katarina? I wonder what you’ve been up to this whole time. The family is quite concerned about your blatant abuse of power. Haven’t you been asking the family to snoop around for you? They’re worried that you might end up opening a Pandora’s box."

Katarina looked at the young man before her. Just like her, he had white hair even though their elements were different.

Despite being her younger brother separated from her by only one year, the distance between them was quite far. After all, he was a Rank 2 human, while she was already a Rank 4 human.

Katarina chuckled. "Oh, Evan. What do you mean by snooping around?"

"The elders have informed me about it. "There’s no need to play dumb anymore, Big Sis." Evan smirked.

"The elders? Wow." Katarina grinned. "It turns out that while I’m doing my best for the family and even getting stronger for its sake, you are playing a game of politics. It doesn’t look like you have any pride. You’re even currying favor with the elders now."

"What? You are—"

Katarina cut him off. "You and the elders know nothing. You guys are so busy playing politics that you don’t even improve the family. You are like parasites, trying to tear this place apart instead of trying to improve it. Quite pathetic, isn’t it?"

"How dare you! Do you understand what you’re saying right now?!"

"Unlike you, I do understand everything I say. I can see the entire lake rather than a small pond at the edge of the lake." Katarina chuckled. She walked toward Evan and glared at him up close. "Listen here, my little brother.

"My offer remains the same right now. Step away right now, and you will still be able to live lavishly in the future. If you end up becoming the elders’ toy, well, you better pray that you still have a roof over your head."

"I’m the true successor to this family! A woman like you—"

"A woman like me? Oh well. That’s a rather interesting statement. How about you? Do you have the talent to be stronger than me? No. Can you do something without getting the advice of others because you understand the situation? Also no. Now tell me, what is actually the basis for your confidence to the point where you claim that you’re the true successor?"

Her gaze had turned cold.

Evan shivered. He still remembered that gaze. Katarina was usually kind. She smiled a lot and brightened the mood.

However, Evan knew that she could become like a demon when threatened.

"If I want, I can get rid of you at any time. Please remember this, little brother. The reason you’re able to enjoy this lifestyle is that I allow it." Katarina paused for a moment. "And tell the elders to stop questioning my judgment with their narrow minds."

Evan was completely terrified. He couldn’t even move anymore.

Katarina scoffed, seeing how easily he was intimidated. If he couldn’t withstand this level of intimidation, there was no way he could withstand the pressure of the elders.

Katarina could only sigh inwardly. She walked away with a cold gaze, not wanting to hear anything else.

When she reached the corner, she suddenly heard a voice. "Weren’t you too harsh on your brother?"

Katarina glanced to the side, seeing no one. However, she knew that her father was right next to her.

Even though her eyes couldn’t catch anything, she could still faintly feel his presence.

"Was I harsh? I wasn’t as harsh as you, Father. At least, I was trying my best to keep my younger brother away from those hyenas who could only fight for the meat we have, rather than hunt a new animal."

"And now you’re even criticizing your father."

"Because of that, you know I’m your daughter."

"Indeed. Normal on the outside, twisted on the inside. That’s how our family works. Unfortunately, your brother is normal on the outside, empty on the inside." He paused. "However, you may be able to gain the family’s support with your talent right now, but it will be different in the future."

"It won’t be any different. In the end, what you truly need is strength. The reason you’re sitting in that position is that you are the only Rank 6 human in our family, Father. And right now, I’m the only prospect who has that potential. Maybe the elders can become a bit more useful if they get a son-in-law or daughter-in-law with a talent similar to mine."

"You also know that while strength is necessary, being a tyrant can also be a problem. We are not talking about political bullshit like being a dictator or something. While you may be able to rule with an iron fist, you won’t be able to live in peace that way."

"Don’t worry. My path has been cleared. All I need to do is to cross it." Katarina smiled.

"It looks like you have a truly good relationship with the boy called Auric Elfe."

"No information is safe within the family." Katarina smiled. "What are you going to do with that information?"

"Who knows? However, there is one thing you need to keep in mind. Our family concept is simple. Trust but verify. You can ask us to trust you, but without any proof, no one is going to follow you."

Katarina fell silent. Everything had been in place. All she needed to do was execute her plan.

She knew she had used a bit too much power in the family, so people might feel discontented.

Still, she could manage all the problems that would come her way.

Hence, Katarina said, "Three months. You will be able to figure out why I am the best in the family within three months."

"Three months, huh? I guess you have no choice but to waste two months at that training camp."

"Wasting my time?" Katarina chuckled. "Well, I’m here to pack my clothes, so can you give my message to the elders, Father?"

"Very well. What do you want to tell them?"

"Don’t bother me for three months. Anyone who bothers me shouldn’t expect any mercy from me during those three months."

Her father fell silent, while Katarina took his silence as an answer.

She suddenly had a big smile on her face as though her coldness from earlier had been fake.

"Then I’m going, Father."