Deviant: No Longer Human

Chapter 296: Back to Xianthera (2)

Silvertide City, Xianthera!

In the heart of Silvertide City, during the vibrant season of autumn, the leaves painted the landscape with fiery hues of orange, red, and gold.

Inbetween this colorful landscape, the architectural marvel of the city, a grand circular dome, stood prominently.

This structure, located centrally within the bustling town, was not only a symbol of authority but also a beacon of learning and governance.

Inside the dome, within a highly guarded room that served as the epicenter of educational directives, silence stood alone...

The room, designed with elegance and precision, featured walls lined with ancient books and modern digital displays that blended the rich heritage of Xianthera with its progressive aspirations.

The large, circular table at the center was made of polished mahogany, reflecting the soft light filtering in from the high, arched windows adorned with stained glass, casting colorful patterns on the glossy surface.

Here, in the sanctum of academic power, Mei Leiyan occupied the president's seat.

Her presence was both commanding and serene, mirroring the quiet power of the season outside.

As the president of the board of education, Amelia's role was pivotal.

She meticulously reviewed the latest reports that sprawled across her desk, her fingers brushing over the pages.

"Not too bad..." she murmured under her breath, her eyes narrowing slightly as the scores turned out better than anticipated.

For the first time in Xianthera, an unprecedented experiment had been carried out: a select group of students' memories were left intact, a deliberate move to gauge their reactions to the realities of their ostensibly flawless utopian society.

However, the experiment couldn't yet be escalated to a full-fledged scale; the necessary safeguards to manage any unintended consequences were still lacking.

"Sigh..."

This limitation made Amelia sigh heavily, her gaze drifting towards the window, lost in thought.

Years had rolled by, each more monotonous than the last, filling her life with a pervasive sense of ennui.

Every time her mind wandered to a certain face from her past, her expression darkened, a shadow of melancholy lingering in her eyes.

"Haaa..."

She leaned back, resting her head on her steepled hands, her eyes reflecting a depth of emotion that the serene office setting didn't quite match.

In the center of the room stood a circular table that had replaced an empty space—a battleground of ideas where she and Wang Xiao had often clashed fiercely on one particular topic.

"Going to bed together is most efficient... My foot..." she muttered sarcastically, the memory bringing a faint, wry smile to her lips despite the nostalgia.

Her gaze then shifted back outside, where the scenery of Silvertide City lay bathed in the rich, warm hues of autumn.

Leaves in shades of fiery red, burnt orange, and golden yellow danced on the breeze, falling gently to the ground in a quiet ballet that contrasted sharply with the silence that enveloped the city.

"Perhaps it's time for a change..." Amelia whispered to herself, her eyes fixed on the tranquil scene outside that mirrored the stagnation she felt within.

"For changing what?" A voice suddenly broke the silence, deep and familiar.

"!"

Amelia spun around, startled, her heart skipping a beat.

Her eyes widened, registering the eerily familiar face before her, her lips trembling.

Seeing her in this state brought a strange satisfaction to Wang Xiao, yet he was completely taken aback by her next words.

"Y-You—I would kill you!"

"??"

Before Wang Xiao could even react, Amelia grabbed the nearest flower vase and hurled it towards him.

Whoosh!

Wang Xiao's eyes twitched as he moved with reflexive speed. He caught her wrist with one hand, and with the other, he grabbed her waist and spun her around, deftly avoiding the flying vase.

"Have you gone insane with excitement?" he asked, his voice a mix of irritation and disbelief.

He held her firmly, ensuring she couldn't launch another impulsive attack, his gaze piercing as he sought to understand her sudden aggression.

Amelia struggled slightly in his grasp, her breath heaving as she fought to calm her racing heart.

"Why are you here?" she gasped out, her voice shaky. "After all this time, you just show up and... and..."

Wang Xiao loosened his grip slightly but didn't let go, his expression softening. "I'm here for a reason..."

"Humph! Leave me!" Amalia's protest was fierce as she struggled, twisting her body in an attempt to break free from his hold.

"..."

This sudden resistance left Wang Xiao momentarily immobile, standing there holding her from behind as if rooted to the spot.

"Why are you resisting so much today?" he couldn't help but ask, his tone tinged with genuine puzzlement and frustration. In a swift movement, he pulled a chair over with his free hand and sat down, still securing her by his side to prevent her from storming off.

"!"

Resisting and me!? Don't act as if you weren't gone for years and just came back the next day!" Amalia snapped. Her voice was sharp, charged with pent-up emotions. As Wang Xiao's hand still encircled her waist, she leaned in sharply, her eyes narrowing dangerously. The light caught her teeth, unnaturally sharp, gleaming ominously as she opened her mouth—

Snap!

"!"

"Wh—" Wang Xiao's eyes shot open in alarm. The unexpected action, the snap of her teeth so close, jolted him into releasing her.

Whoosh!

He jerked his hand back, eyes narrowing as he scrutinized it for any signs of injury.

Bam!

Amelia rose unsteadily, her back colliding with the table with a resounding thud. Whirling around, she fixed him with a defiant grin. "Don't you dare lay a finger on me without permission!" she spat, gripping the table's edge, her eyes ablaze with fury.

"..."

Wang Xiao found himself unable to tear his gaze away from this woman, her demeanor resembling that of a cornered cat.

He couldn't help but wonder what had transpired to provoke such a reaction. Speaking in a low, ominous tone, he ventured provocatively, "If not me, then who else? Have you already found a replacement—"

"You—Shut your mouth!"

Wang Xiao's eyes widened as, before he could react, the furious woman lunged toward him. Her fists were balled up, hurtling toward him with alarming speed.

Bam!

They crashed to the ground in a chaotic tangle.