Chapter 190: Genius Privilege

I could have graduated long ago; I’m only pursuing a doctorate now. If it weren’t for these stubborn old fools insisting I win an award before they’ll even consider granting me the degree, I’d have left this place already.

Mary fiercely chewed the beef in her mouth, as if it were those professors themselves.

Louis fell silent.

Beside him, Haley took a deep breath but still struggled to calm her complex emotions.

A doctorate is not the same as a doctorate—Mary’s doctorate is surely no ordinary one, and regardless of the type, it’s still a doctorate!

How old is she?

She’s going to become a doctor already?

No, no, not yet.

Haley steadied her emotions.

At that moment, Mary said, “But it should be soon—I’ve cracked most of those problems, only one remains. My first doctorate should be granted to me very soon.”

“Keep going, don’t forget our deal,” Louis encouraged.

Mary nodded.

She and Louis had agreed: she would earn three doctorates, break into academia, then return to Orlando.

Academia has always been deeply tied to the scientific world; once you control academia, you’ve effectively controlled science too.

Talent would then flow in endlessly.

Besides, Louis didn’t want his presence to hinder her advancement. As for Qi cultivation and such, she could manage both without conflict.

That’s why they made this agreement.

“As for Uncle, he’s been busy with something every day—I don’t know what,” Mary’s eyes flickered with subtle concern.

“Louis, can you check on him for me? I have a feeling he’s up to something bad.”

Frank doing something bad?

Louis recalled Frank’s face—upright, righteous, strikingly similar to Captain America—and couldn’t imagine him doing anything sinister.

But Louis still agreed. “Alright.”

Then, the three of them chatted as they ate from their trays.

Of course, though it was called “three chatting,” most of the time it was just Louis and Mary talking, with Haley occasionally interjecting.

Their conversation wasn’t all idle chatter—it included much about magic arts and Qi cultivation, especially magic arts, which Mary had deeply studied over the past few years because of Louis.

She had deliberately explored the culture of a certain country and understood the yin-yang and five-element transformations within magic arts.

Even with her extraordinary insight, she could now discuss magic arts cultivation with Louis to some extent.

In a certain sense, she was a Dao companion who could debate with Louis—that was one reason he treated her differently.

“That’s right. Before internal Qi is generated, Qi cultivation is utterly ordinary. But your idea of using chemical hormones to stimulate its emergence—I can’t agree.”

“Louis, you told me before to make use of modern technology. Modern chemical hormones can all affect the human body. With proper combinations, they might force the body to generate internal Qi.”

“You’re right, but internal Qi isn’t merely bioenergy. Hormones don’t influence it as much as you think.”

“Then why not combine hormones with alchemy and pharmacology? After pharmacological transformation, it should affect internal Qi…”

“By the way, internal Qi seems to affect spiritual energy—I feel my mind is much clearer and my energy greatly increased, which helps my research…”

“Naturally. Cultivation is a form of evolution. Hey, could we approach this from biological evolution?”

“….”

Watching the two argue, Haley’s eyes flickered with envy.

Mary’s status truly is different.

Among them, perhaps only Emilia could barely match her?

“Alright, alright, you’re right—I’ll be careful. Since Haley’s here now, I’ll hand this over to her.”

“Mm, her natural talent in chemistry and biology is truly trustworthy.”

In just a few words, Haley realized her future path had already been decided for her.

Soon, time passed and their casual chat ended.

“Come on, I’ll show you your dorm.”

“I live alone in one room, and the one next to me is empty—let Haley move in.”

“Is that really allowed?” Haley asked, puzzled.

“Of course, as long as I say so,” Mary said proudly.

Seeing this, Haley almost smiled—Mary’s demeanor reminded her of the past.

Mary had always been this proud.

But she truly had reason to be.

No, I can’t fall behind either. In chemistry and biology, I’m still quite skilled.

Along the way, many students greeted Mary warmly, their tone intimate, even slightly deferential.

They looked at Louis with confusion, as if wondering why a man was beside the genius Mary.

Louis remained calm.

He simply activated his Spirit Vision, scanning the surroundings. After all, this was Mary’s residence—even if it was a prestigious school, it was still America, a place that wasn’t necessarily safe. Better to check thoroughly.

“Mary, take Haley to the dorm first. I’ll take a look around.”

“Alright, meet you at the lecture hall later.”

Haley and Mary quickly arrived at the dormitory building.

The situation was exactly as Mary described—she truly had privileges: she lived alone in a luxury suite complete with bathroom, balcony, living room, kitchen, study, game room, and bedroom.

This was the treatment of a genius among geniuses!

The room next to Mary wasn’t as luxurious, but it wasn’t ordinary either—many facilities were fully equipped, leaving Haley puzzled.

“This building is only for special students. Those with talent naturally have privileges—it’s openly acknowledged by the school, and everyone accepts it,” Mary explained.

“Even our classes are different from others’. Our sessions are called ‘Superhuman Courses’—ugh, what a terrible name…” Mary grumbled as she helped Haley unpack.

Haley gained a deeper understanding of this school.

So blatantly?

This was… amazing!

“Alright, come on. I’ll show you the classrooms. They’re not fixed, but you should at least memorize the lecture hall’s location.”

Mary strode ahead confidently.

Haley felt Mary had truly changed.

When they reached the lecture hall, they saw Louis walking into one of the rooms.

Mary glanced at the room, thought for a moment, and remembered—it was hosting a lecture today called the “Supernatural Lecture.”

The speakers were a couple, named… Warren?

“Let’s go in and take a look.”

(End of Chapter)