Fenix felt that he was in a tough spot. Perhaps, in the end, he would still have to go to the Awakening School.
Hugging his tail, he rubbed against it, feeling conflicted inside.
He really didn't want to go to the Awakening School.
Because the number of Awakened individuals was few, there was only one Awakening School in the whole country, located on the Imperial Planet. Due to the age range of the Awakening period, it was essentially a combined junior and senior high school program. Afterward, students would go on to universities based on their preferences.
During the time at the Awakening School, students had a high chance of meeting influential figures—like the members of Athena's boyfriend group. Because this school was almost like a talent pool for future elites.
From Fenix's perspective, calling it a "cannon fodder reserve" wouldn't be wrong either.
After all, not every Awakened person could become outstanding. Many of them just had a bit more advantages and resources compared to ordinary people.
Of course, what troubled Fenix the most was not that this school had produced Athena and her boyfriend group.
Rather, he was already a senior in college!
He was already 22 years old!
To make him experience junior and senior high school again with a bunch of kids seemed unnecessary.
Don't ask why, just know it's about his pride.
Fenix slumped on the sofa, looking up at the contact information for the Awakening School displayed on the purchase page, and then at the nutritional supplements required during the Awakening period. He rolled over, squeezing himself into the crease of the sofa.
Fenix's family was considered middle-class, and they were relatively generous with his money. His monthly allowance was 1000 yuan, plus the occasional tutoring jobs or online part-time work Fenix did, bringing his total monthly income to about 2000 yuan. Fenix wasn't extravagant, and over three years of university, he had saved up around 20,000 yuan.
He had roughly calculated this amount before.
20,000 yuan.
Renting a small room for 1500 yuan in Marina City, even if the environment wasn't great, renting for a quarter or half a year would cost no more than 10,000 yuan. If he spent cautiously, 20,000 yuan would be enough to get him through the Awakening period, especially since he could continue doing some online part-time work.
But who could have expected!
Who could have expected!
Awakened individuals needed 5800 yuan worth of nutritional supplements per week!
Where was he supposed to get that much money?
Was this called Awakening?
It was clearly burning money!
Fenix lay on the sofa with his limbs spread out, feeling like a useless cat.
He could almost see his future self struggling on the brink of madness alongside Lion.
The difference was,
when Lion went mad, everyone was terrified;
but when he went mad, only he was scared.
Fenix: "..."
Damn, this is too pitiful.
No,
it can't be.
Fenix needs to stay strong.
Fenix can still find a way!
Fenix rolled over and sat up from the sofa, pulling up the nutritional requirements list and began searching for alternatives according to the list's needs.
If he couldn't buy the premium products, he'd buy the lower quality ones; if he couldn't even get those, he'd buy raw materials!
The tale has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.
In today's advanced society, the poor always had ways to survive!
Life forced him to do this!
With a sigh,
Fenix swiftly tapped away on his device, starting from calcium tablets and vitamins, comparing the lowest quality nutritional supplements that met the required amounts. Once again, he fell into a state of contemplation.
He saw the reality of this world.
Poor people simply weren't meant to be Awakened.
Life had finally come for this little kitty.
Fenix scrolled through his wealth page, sighing deeply.
Group Chat Room 302 (4 Members)
Fenix: "Hey guys, a question."
Lancelot: "Your brother is here!"
Fenix: "Alright, here's the situation. My boss, Lion, has a newly Awakened younger brother who doesn't want to go to the Awakening School. I think I can send something to the younger brother to please the boss. But the composite nutritional supplements are so expensive, it's making me depressed."
Alfred: "Yeah, they're expensive. You should consider sending something else."
Send something else?
Right now, what he needed most was precisely this stuff!
It was said that if nutrition wasn't kept up, not only would one develop chronic conditions, but also suffer from Awakening pain.
It was that kind of subtle pain that emerged from the bones before transforming into an Awakened form.
It wasn't unbearable,
but it was very uncomfortable.
Fenix sniffled, feeling bitter.
Fenix: "Is there any substitute?"
Lancelot: "For nutritional supplements, no."
Alfred: "What is an Awakened form?"
Fenix, recalling the reflection he saw in the bathroom mirror, replied: "A cat."
Alfred: "Then send scratching posts, food bowls, litter boxes, cat grass, catnip, and hairball remedies."
Fenix: "? I understand everything except the litter box. Why send a litter box?"
Alfred: "Because I read a case where a feline Awakened person slipped and fell into the toilet."
Fenix: ?
Fenix took a deep breath.
Mom.
The world of Awakened individuals seemed even more perilous than he imagined.
Fenix continued typing with a wooden expression: "Haha, are there any other cases?"
Alfred: "Yes, it's rumored that feline Awakened individuals tend to have smaller... parts, given their feline nature."
Fenix: ????????
Rumor!
This is a rumor!!
Your parts are small!!
Mine will scare you to death!!
Fenix angrily closed the chat window, looking down at little Fenix.
Damn!
The Awakened form doesn't count!
Fenix felt like fainting.
He collapsed on the sofa again, his eyes lifeless.
Perhaps he should still go to the Awakening School.
He could get the nutritional supplements there and then quietly return to work.
It was only half a year, and the big shots probably wouldn't bother a regular little kitty.
He couldn't really risk ending up crazy just because of pride.
Just going to the Awakening School would also allow him to confirm his species.
Fenix lay on the sofa, reaching out a paw to touch the fur on his neck.
Fenix thought he must be a breed cat.
Maybe a lion cat.
Because the fur around his neck was fluffy and soft, looking somewhat like a lion.
A cat that looks like a lion should be called a lion cat, right?
Fenix didn't know much about breeds and wasn't sure.
He rolled over and scrolled down the webpage to the contact information for the Awakening School.
Then he sat up, preparing to send an email to the Awakening School.
While Fenix was scratching his head trying to formulate his words, Lion, who had been watching everything he did, finally took action as Fenix began writing the email.
With a smile still on his face, he slowly opened the chat window and sent a message to the little kitty who had created a fictitious younger brother for him.
Lion: "By the way, do you need the nutritional supplements for the Awakening period?"
Fenix, who was in the middle of composing an email, paused, choking on his words.
Fenix: "I can't afford them."
Lion: "I can provide them."
Fenix: "Really! Do you support payment on credit?"
Lion was taken aback.
So far, no one had ever asked him about paying on credit.
Because those who consumed his goods never got a chance to argue—they usually became cosmic debris instantly.
Seeing the word "credit," Lion hadn't had time to respond when Fenix, fearing rejection, hastily sent another message.
Fenix: "Once I start working, I'll pay you back, please!"
Lion: "Please?"
Fenix: "Typo, please!"
Lion smiled: "Sure."
Fenix: !!
Goodness.
Lion turns out to be so approachable in private!
Damn!
Athena lied to me!!
Lion: "Consider it a favor."
Fine!
Owe it!
Never mind a favor!
One box is fine too!
You are truly my savior!
Fenix was elated and promptly ordered a litter box and litter to prevent any accidents.
After placing the order, Fenix stood up and looked out the window at the gradually diminishing rain, beginning to wander around the big house.
Lion checked the surveillance and saw Fenix strutting around with his short legs, like a little lion inspecting its territory.
Indeed, it looked quite impressive.
Except he was just too small, making him look rather cute.
Lion watched for a while and casually bought a case of composite nutritional supplements.
A box contained twenty packages.
For Lion, this price was insignificant.
After buying them, he glanced out the window.
The light broke through the thick clouds, and the post-rain world glistened with droplets.
Traffic began to flow smoothly.
Opening the car window, the autumn breeze gently dispelled the stuffy atmosphere in the car.
Lion's mood calmed instantly.
He paused, glancing at the car audio system.
Athena's song was still playing.
Previously, her voice barely kept Lion from losing it, but now, it instantly calmed his agitated emotions.
Could it be because Athena was currently in Marina City?
Lion pondered.
"Turn around," he suddenly said, "let's go see Athena's concert."
The driver and bodyguard were both startled.
The bodyguard observed Lion's expression via the rearview mirror and found that he seemed to be in a good mood, so he carefully suggested, "Boss, it's crowded..."
"So what?" Lion shrugged indifferently, "Go."
The driver nodded hurriedly, "Alright, Boss."
Lion sat in the backseat, staring at the song playing on the car audio system, then glanced at Fenix, who was lounging on the sofa browsing social media, before closing the surveillance feed.
The abilities of fantasy beings couldn't be understood conventionally.
Lion had never met Athena in person, but coincidentally encountered her now and discovered his emotional abnormality, so he decided to go see her.
However, it was disappointing.
Lion left Athena's backstage area under her glare, wishing she could 'shark' him.
This mermaid lady was quite ambitious and was annoyed by Lion's sudden appearance, even blocking him directly.
Lion didn't care.
Blocked is blocked; it's not like he couldn't find her anymore.
But the fact that his emotions didn't improve significantly even when he faced Athena in person was a huge disappointment for Lion.
Lion returned to the car and headed to the new headquarters of his company on Cobalt Star.
Lion was tired of the environment and struggles on the Imperial Planet and planned to relocate the company headquarters from the Imperial Planet to Cobalt Star.
And the city chosen was Marina City.
He walked around the newly built skyscraper, inspecting the premises as if surveying his territory.
But Lion walked with a powerful presence, followed by a few bowing project managers.
Compared to him, Fenix's short-legged trotting seemed like a joke.
Lion paused, realizing he was thinking about the little boy he had just picked up again.
He stepped into his office on the top floor and glanced at the secretary's desk next to it.
Then he opened his terminal.
Lion: "Do you need a job?"
Fenix: "Yes! Don't worry, once the Awakening period is over, I'll find a job and promise to repay you!"
Lion didn't care whether Fenix would repay him.
Lion: "You can work during the Awakening period too."
What?
Fenix frowned.
Could there be a business opportunity Fenix hadn't discovered?
Fenix: "What kind of work?"
Lion: "Office mascot."
Fenix: "Huh?"
Lion: "Psychological comforter—just meowing at the employees."
Fenix sucked in a breath.
You want me to sell my charm?!
Ha.
Would the Prince of Hai University, Fenix, stoop to selling charm for a living?!
Fenix sneered: "What's the salary?"
Lion casually checked the average salary in Marina City and doubled it: "8000."
Ha.
A mere eight thousand.
A mere eight thousand wants me to sell charm?!
Fenix's paws flew across the screen: "Okay, Boss, when do I start?"
I can purr, I can meow, I can roll over, Boss, check me out!!!