Hand Of God

Chapter 64 Flame Phoenix

With that, Thomas vanished from sight.

Gradually moving away from the bustling playground, Serena walked alone to the base of the dormitory building.

In a shadowy corner, she clenched her fists tightly.

Her right fist pressed hard against the wall, drawing blood, though she didn’t even notice.

Back then, hiding in the basement, she had been listening intently to every sound of Adam’s battle.

Today, sitting in the front row, she watched as Adam’s cold gaze completely overwhelmed the senior students of Orienta.

She didn’t know why, but she felt the gap between herself and her goal growing wider.

Now, thinking back to her first meeting with Adam, she felt a pang of humiliation, as if she were nothing more than a clown.

What should she do? Why was it so hard to catch up? How could she surpass him?

She wanted to surpass him, yet why did she still need his protection when danger arose?!

Ever since before the Hunting Competition, she allocated only six hours a day for sleep and one hour for meals, devoting the rest of her time to developing her abilities and honing herself.

But why did the gap seem to widen instead?

Was it impossible for a B-rated superpower user like her to catch up to geniuses like Adam? She wasn’t exactly an ordinary B-rated either!

And after all, Adam had started with only E-rated superpower!

At this thought, Serena slammed her fist into the wall again, but the pain in her hand paled in comparison to the anxiety and anguish gnawing at her heart. Tears began to well up in her eyes.

"Don’t push yourself too hard," Just then, a voice spoke from behind her. "Does your hand hurt?"

Hearing that voice, Serena couldn’t help but flinch—her vulnerable state had apparently been witnessed. She quickly wiped away her tears and turned around.

Seeing the slightly familiar white-bearded old man, she stammered, a hint of panic in her voice:

“President Freud… Hello.”

“What’s wrong, kid? Were you crying?” Thomas asked, his expression suggesting he’d expected this all along as he noticed Serena’s reddened eyes.

“No,” she insisted, rubbing her eyes firmly. “I just didn’t sleep well last night, and then I had to wake up early for the Opening Ceremony. I’m planning to go back and catch up on sleep.”

Thomas didn’t press her. Instead, he asked calmly:

“Your mother is Grace Robert—possessor of an S-rated Flame Phoenix superpower, a peak-level-6 superhuman currently serving in the UHG, correct?”

Serena didn’t answer, but her lowered head confirmed it.

“Let me guess,” Thomas continued. “You often watch Adam—do you see him as your benchmark for cultivation?”

“You grew up alongside your mother… Do you also hope to become someone like her one day?”

“But no matter how hard you try, it feels impossible. Everyone calls you a prodigy, yet you still feel miles away from the person you aspire to be.”

“In fact, the harder you push yourself, the wider the gap seems to grow.”

At that moment, Thomas sounded like a demon who could see straight into her soul—each word cut deep into Serena’s heart like a blade.

She remained silent for a long moment before replying flatly, her expression unreadable:

“No. There’s nothing to compare. I’m not feeling well. If you don’t need anything else, I’d like to go back now.”

With that, she turned and started walking toward the dormitory building.

But Thomas clearly wasn’t done. He pressed on:

“Adam started with only an E-rated superpower. You once thought he didn’t deserve assessment-free admission—and yet, in just a few days, he’s soared far beyond your reach.”

“Your mother possesses S-rated superpower talent, but yours was rated only B-class.”

“You’ve surely heard people say, ‘She’s not as gifted as her mother, but her talent is still quite impressive,’ haven’t you?”

“Lately, Adam’s name has been on everyone’s lips. I imagine the fact that you were the first opponent he defeated has become quite the joke by now.”

“In that battle the other day—you were protected by the very person you wanted to surpass. That must have stung.”

“All these years, living in your mother’s shadow… It must be unbearable.”

One sentence after another—until, finally, Thomas broke through Serena’s defenses.

She stopped in her tracks. Her slender back trembled slightly, and tears spilled uncontrollably onto the ground.

His words had stirred up too many memories—too much emotion to contain.

“Do you want to surpass them?” Thomas pressed, seizing the moment.

“Yes.”

“What did you say?”

“I said I *do*! One day, I *will* surpass them—even if my talent isn’t enough! Just you wait and see!!!”

Serena whirled around, nearly roaring the words. Her tear-streaked face no longer held its usual beauty—instead, it twisted with raw, desperate fury.

Seeing the girl finally drop her mask and release her pent-up emotions, Thomas fell silent. A faint smile appeared on his face.

With a flick of his hand, a private spatial domain enveloped them both. Two chairs materialized, facing each other.

“What if I told you,” he said gently, “that your talent is no less than anyone else’s in this world—would you believe me?”

Serena glanced around the space, realizing they were no longer in the real world. She calmed slightly and sat down, shaking her head with quiet resignation.

“Among all superpowers named ‘Phoenix,’ I’m probably the weakest.”

“No,” Thomas said firmly, meeting her tear-swollen eyes. “There are no phoenixes in this world.”

Serena looked up, confused.

“If there truly is one,” he continued, “it’s very likely *you*.”

“A phoenix must undergo rebirth through ashes.”

“Remember this: Heaven gave you a lower starting point than others—not to hold you back, but so you could write a story of an impossible comeback.”

“Do you believe me? Will you take me as your master? Become the third direct disciple of this unworthy teacher?”

Serena sat frozen in her chair, utterly stunned—as if she’d just ridden a rollercoaster.

She never imagined President Freud would seek her out… just to say *this*.

“In truth,” Thomas added softly, “I’ve had my eye on you for a while. Your temperament… reminds me of a girl from long ago.”

“Who?” Serena asked.

“Sissi.”

“The way you look at Adam now… it’s exactly how she used to look at Diana.”

“That hunger for power, that refusal to accept being second-best—it drives people forward, yes… but sometimes, it drags them into darkness. That’s why I came to find you today.”

“Sissi was my second direct disciple. I treated her like my own daughter… but I fear she’s already walked down a crooked path.”

“Perhaps I am a failed teacher. But… would you be willing to listen to an old man’s story?”

While Thomas was drawing Serena into his private domain for what amounted to a deep psychological intervention, Diana had already brought Adam to the door of an office.

Adam glanced up at the plaque—*University President’s Office*.

“You said you’d get my superpower rating reassessed,” Adam asked. “Is President Freud doing it himself?”

“No,” Diana replied. “The Vice President will handle it.”

Adam’s eye twitched. *Even the President’s office is handed over to the Vice President now?*

As soon as they stepped inside, they saw a man lounging on the sofa, idly bouncing his knee. The moment he spotted them, he leapt to his feet.

“Oh! The Super Elite! Hello, hello!”

“The top freshman? I’ve heard so much about you! Hey there, little bro—I’m Kenny Brown. Call me Kenny, or Brown, whatever you like!”

The man was instantly familiar, his long, unruly hair swaying as he extended a hand. He stood about Adam’s height and radiated chaotic energy.

Adam had no idea what exactly this guy had “heard so much” about—but he *did* feel like someone had stolen his catchphrase.

Before Adam could respond, Kenny barreled on:

“I’m Head of Public Relations! Let me tell you, our department is *amazing*.”

“Once you join PR, credits come easy, the workload’s light—it’s basically a dream gig. Seriously, opportunities like this don’t come around often!”

Adam: ???

*Wait… since when did I say I was joining Public Relations?*