Job Seeker (Part 1)

"Which one?" Despite all Ronan's preparations, the abrupt term still left him a little dazed.

Zhang Yingying's gaze was like a sharp blade, cutting back and forth across Ronan's face. But in that instant, Ronan's reaction had been utterly genuine. In the end, she found nothing.

Just then, Ronan recovered from his momentary confusion, and his eyes lit up.

"A medium!"

Uh, he seemed to have let something slip...

Zhang Yingying gave an awkward laugh. "Fine, I'll accept the thought."

She took the sheet of paper, using it to block Ronan's view. Yet this only made her gaze linger over the page again and again. With every extra glance, her curiosity went "meow," scratching and clawing at her until it was unbearable!

After two seconds, Zhang Yingying could no longer hold back. She set the sketch aside and asked directly, "Why did you draw it like this?"

"What is a medium?"

Their gazes, questions, and curiosity collided in midair with a crackle and pop, creating a disastrous scene. Yet neither was willing to yield first. For a moment, they simply stared at each other in a deadlock.

Since Ronan was seated, there was a considerable height difference between him and Zhang Yingying, so he tried to stand. But the moment his butt lifted two centimeters from the chair, Zhang Yingying unceremoniously pressed a palm onto his shoulder.

This girl was incredibly strong. It felt as if a heavy barbell had been placed on Ronan's shoulder, forcing his whole body back down. Even the metal chair creaked.

Zhang Yingying leaned forward, her face nearly touching Ronan's. Her posture looked exceedingly intimate, but she believed Ronan could definitely feel the pressure she was exerting. "Come on, tell me. Why did you draw it like that? I don't recall having... hmm?"

Zhang Yingying suddenly paused. She was, after all, an exceptionally intelligent woman. She had merely been startled by the sudden turn of events earlier, but after a moment to process it, her mind began running at full speed. Her eyes narrowed dangerously. "You were testing me?"

Zhang Yingying suddenly understood. That rough sketch had been a trap Ronan had set for her, intended to test her reaction. Clearly, Ronan had already begun suspecting the purpose behind her actions before he ever put pen to paper.

Of course, suspicion was one thing. But Ronan's ability to use his own power so skillfully and openly, even turning it around to set a trap for her... now that was a real surprise!

Sitting in his chair, Ronan did not avoid Zhang Yingying's beautiful face, now so close to his. Their eyes met, and his emotions calmed instead. "You investigated me first. You checked my surveillance footage. And when you said I 'didn't choose Deep Blue,' was it because you thought I would be jealous of Quantum Corporation's steady stream of results based on Format Theory? Then you must have investigated my family circumstances. At the very least, you know about my Grandfather."

Zhang Yingying rolled her eyes. "Has anyone ever told you that remembering too many little details as a child will make you petty when you grow up... and your little chick might really become little!"

After spouting that nonsense, Zhang Yingying admitted that she was a little embarrassed and angry. So she decided to throw her shame into the Pacific Ocean. "If you mind being investigated that much... then let's continue. Well then, classmate Ronan, why don't you share your insights on using your ability?"

Ronan remained calm. "I don't know what my ability is called, what its nature is, or what level it's at. What insights could I possibly have?"

Zhang Yingying choked slightly, realizing that getting angry with this stubborn "dark hero" was utterly meaningless. There was simply no option for compromise in his mind.

Hmph, always flipping the table and going to extremes at the drop of a hat. No matter how mature he tried to act, he was still just a little kid!

After grumbling to herself for a few moments, Zhang Yingying ultimately took a step back first. "I didn't expect your knowledge to be this lacking, so I'll take pity on you... Actually, you could find this out online. A so-called medium is someone who can have close contact with ghosts, spirits, and the like. These people can sense 'invisible things' that ordinary people cannot touch and communicate with them. Other than that, there's nothing especially impressive about them. Satisfied?"

Naturally, Ronan was not satisfied. If there was really "nothing especially impressive" about it, why had she made such a fuss?

"Your turn." Zhang Yingying refused to take a loss and threw her question out again. "Why did you add a band of light to my portrait?"

"A feeling." Ronan held something back as well. He patted his notebook. "Whenever I encounter interesting material, I always get a rather unusual feeling. Then I draw it and enhance it appropriately... Maybe that's mediumship? Hmm, do you have a ghost attached to you?"

"You're the one with a ghost!"

Though she said that, Zhang Yingying was fairly satisfied with Ronan's answer. As far as she knew, the vast majority of mediums did indeed use all kinds of mediums and rituals to strengthen originally vague sensations, ultimately achieving the effect of "communicating with the invisible."

For someone like Ronan to use nothing but paper and pen to vividly present that feeling, whether in efficiency or practicality, was already extremely formidable. Calling it "extraordinary talent" would not be an exaggeration.

After all, this was the outbreak period for Darkside Creatures. Once Zhang Yingying gave some thought to this ability's potential applications, she became excited all over. "How long has your ability been awakened? Do you have any other drawings like this?"

Ronan looked at her strangely. "Shouldn't it be my turn to ask now?"

"..."

"Then I'm asking. Are there many 'Ability Users' like you, Lawyer Zhang? Do you communicate with one another? How do you normally train and cultivate yourselves? How are ability levels divided? Among you, what stage is my ability at? And if..."

"Click!" Zhang Yingying crossed her hands and decisively called for a timeout.

Then she moved a little farther away and gave Ronan a very serious once-over. Something dawned on her. "You really don't understand anything... But you're very interested in the circle I belong to?"

Ronan did not hesitate. "Yes, very interested."

Zhang Yingying blinked. "Even if the place I belong to is an evil organization, or simply an Extraordinary Power research institute that specializes in cutting people open for study... would you still be interested?"

"An organization?" Ronan sharply caught the key point and responded without hesitation. "You've already taken notice of me, haven't you? If you discover that I have this so-called 'medium' ability, will you recruit me? Kidnap me and lock me up?"

"Heh heh, narcissist... Fine, even if that were the case, shouldn't a normal person wait for a better offer? What's with this desperate rush to apply for the job?"

Ronan thought for a moment before replying, "Between being an outstanding student and an inexperienced employee, I choose the latter."

Just as he would rather be an odd-jobber in the Mystic Studies Society, where he might be able to conduct experiments independently, than go to the Chemistry Society and obediently spend a year as a gifted student.

He needed pressure and opportunities. After all, he did not have much capital left; Grandfather's time... was running out as well.

That circle, that circle possibly filled with Ability Users—he would force his way in even if he had to crash into it!

And he would do it by the fastest route possible.

Ronan stood and, beneath Zhang Yingying's astonished gaze, gave her a deep, proper bow. "So, Lawyer Zhang, please seriously consider giving me an opportunity to join."