Volume Two: The Youth of a Thousand Faces, Where False Seems True Chapter Ninety-Four: Shining in All Directions

The battle ultimately ended with Shangguan Yudie’s victory, and Luo Jiajia returned to the conference room alongside her. Without a word, Shangguan Yudie took her seat, while Luo Jiajia stood nervously, awaiting the seniors’ remarks.

“Sit down,” Huo Ye gestured toward a chair, inviting Luo Jiajia to take a seat. Though she complied, she felt as if she were sitting on pins and needles.

Clearing his throat lightly, Huo Ye began, “Luo Jiajia, we’ve all seen your performance. I won’t tell you the result just yet; first, let me share our thoughts. First, there’s that short blonde senior, Remy Kelly. He valued your status as a superpowered individual and assessed your abilities early on, being the first to agree to your joining. Then there’s Senior Kazama, who was dozing off—she appreciated your deft handling of individual powers, something I agree with; superpowered individuals indeed have a unique grasp of their personal abilities. Next is Senior Jiang—you know him—he admired your quick thinking in the moment. Then there’s my sister, the white-haired Senior Alice; she thinks you’re adorable. No doubt about it—she’s just that spontaneous.”

As Huo Ye spoke, Alice stuck her tongue out at him in displeasure, but he completely ignored her.

“Following that is Senior Shangguan, who fought you directly. Her recognition means that during the battle, you genuinely posed a threat to her. You’re outstanding. And finally... there’s me.” Huo Ye paused, not rushing to reveal his own opinion.

Luo Jiajia straightened her back a little more, beginning to feel dry and parched. Huo Ye, one of the academy’s few S-rank students, had just transferred and already become a figure of great renown—the formidable little grim reaper, the black prince adored by their fan club—was about to give her the final evaluation. This assessment would determine whether she could join the Starlight Society as she wished.

“My evaluation is different from others because I focus on a person’s flaws. Your combat lacked decisiveness. Honestly, that’s a major flaw on the battlefield; hesitation can cost your teammates their lives in an instant. Secondly, your methods were somewhat one-dimensional—too much defense, insufficient offense. Of course, since you’re a superpowered individual, limited to your own unique ability, that’s somewhat understandable.”

“Finally, and what I consider your greatest shortcoming, is that you’re not ruthless enough. I’m not speaking of cruelty in an evil sense, but rather the decisive attitude needed when facing an enemy. After all, after you landed that heavy blow on Senior Shangguan, she was basically immobilized. At that moment, a finishing strike would have secured victory easily. But I believe you hesitated because it was only a VRF trial and instead, as a junior, you started a conversation with your opponent. That led to your defeat. You’re excellent, but no one is perfect. I hope you can face these flaws honestly.”

Luo Jiajia’s expression gradually fell. Being told of such a long list of shortcomings meant she likely had no chance of joining the Starlight Society. She stood, bowed respectfully to everyone in the room, and said, “Thank you all for your recognition. And thank you, Black—no, Senior Huo—for your guidance. I will work harder and keep trying until I join the Starlight Society!” With that, she turned and strode out, hiding the tears threatening to spill from her eyes.

But just as her hand gripped the door handle, Huo Ye called out, “Don’t be in such a hurry to leave. I never said I opposed your joining.”

Luo Jiajia froze, then excitedly turned and asked loudly, “Senior, really? Is that true?”

Huo Ye smiled. “Of course it’s true. Your fighting does have issues, but as I said, no one’s perfect. Everyone has flaws. What matters is working hard to overcome them—together.”

He stepped forward, extended his hand, and said, “So, Luo Jiajia, as the president of the Starlight Society, I officially welcome you to join us. Let us shine together in this era glittering with stars!”

“Thank you... thank you!” Overcome with joy, Luo Jiajia gripped Huo Ye’s hand. Life’s greatest delight is when a great fall swiftly turns into a great rise.

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“To celebrate the president joining the Starlight Society, cheers!”

“Cheers!”

That evening, a group of young ladies from the Black Prince fan club gathered for a team-building celebration of Luo Jiajia’s victory. Most were first-year girls. After all, given Huo Ye’s proclamation at the opening ceremony, any student who had endured the academy’s brutal elimination system would see it as a challenge and wouldn’t think well of him. But the freshmen felt quite differently.

“Wow, so domineering.”

“Wow, so handsome.”

“Whoa, awesome.”

Most freshmen had these kinds of feelings toward Huo Ye. Besides, Huo Ye was a rich and handsome noble scion—if he were in a cliché power-fantasy, he’d be the arrogant villain, inevitably ruthless and villainous. Thankfully, he was not like that, which was the main reason for his popularity.

“Jiajia, you haven’t told us yet—since the prince pointed out all your flaws, how did you end up joining?”

One girl pressed Luo Jiajia to continue.

“You’re really hitting the key point. The best part is yet to come. I thought I was done for, so I thanked them and said I’d grow and try again later, then turned to leave. But the prince called me back and said...” Luo Jiajia cleared her throat and, in a voice she thought was deep and magnetic, recited:

“‘Your fighting does have some problems. But as I said, no one’s perfect; everyone has flaws. What we need to do is work hard to overcome them—together. So, Luo Jiajia, as president of the Starlight Society, I officially welcome you to join us. Let us shine together in this era glittering with stars!’”

“That’s so cool!” one girl exclaimed.

“Yeah, the prince is such a charming person. Seeing him feels like having a big brother next door—warm and gentle. Especially his hand—it should always be gripping a blade, but there wasn’t a single callus. His fingers were long and soft like a girl’s!” Jiajia recalled the warmth of Huo Ye’s palm and smiled involuntarily.

“Huh? You shook hands with the prince? Girls, keep pouring drinks! Nobody goes home until she’s drunk!”

——————————————————————

“So, big brother, you ended up letting that girl into the club after all—talk about saying one thing and meaning another,” Alice teased during dinner, poking Huo Ye with her fork.

“You never stop talking even when eating,” Huo Ye glared at her.

Alice replied nonchalantly, “Brother, don’t blame your sister for reminding you. That Luo Jiajia is the president of the Black Prince fan club. Since you agreed to let her in, get ready for a flood of admirers.”

As she spoke, Alice struck exaggerated poses to dramatize her warning. Huo Ye merely rolled his eyes.

At the mention of “a flood of admirers,” Shangguan Yudie’s chopsticks trembled subtly, causing a piece of braised pork she had just grasped to fall back onto her plate. Huo Ye, eyes rolled skyward, saw nothing, but Alice caught it all.

After dinner, Huo Ye announced he would conduct VRF special training with Jiang Feng and returned early to his room.

Meanwhile, Alice sneaked into Shangguan Yudie’s room. She sensed something was off about today’s events and had her suspicions. Unable to keep secrets, she was like a cat with a keen curiosity—when gossip was close at hand, she had to uncover the truth.

“Xiao Yu, I want to ask you something,” Alice said.

“Hm,” Shangguan Yudie simply nodded.

Alice leaned in closer, glanced at the door, then whispered, “Still the same question: do you still like Ye Yuhan?”

Shangguan Yudie’s cheeks flushed crimson, as if scalded by boiling water. Grabbing a pillow, she covered her face and softly nodded, “Yes.”

“Oh,” Alice said, then pressed on, “You seemed strange today. Did something happen?”

“No, absolutely not. I just... wasn’t feeling well,” Shangguan Yudie mumbled from behind the pillow, her voice heavy with pretense.

Alice pointed at her. “No honesty, huh? You can fool my brother, a guy, but you think you can fool me? Tell me—is there a secret?”

“No!”

“Really~ no?” Alice gave her a peculiar look.

“Really no!” Shangguan Yudie persisted.

“Hmph!” Alice suddenly adopted an interrogative tone. “Tell me, have you discovered my brother’s secret?”