Jenkins Cooper’s lecture continued, with his unique and novel perspectives on numerous historical issues. It was inherently intriguing.
William listened attentively, the lecture cementing a deep impression of Jenkins Cooper in his mind by the time it concluded.
After the class, Jenkins cast a lingering glance at William before exiting the classroom.
“William, where are we eating later?” Wyatt followed closely behind William, as if he had found his compass in life.
“Anywhere,” William responded nonchalantly. He didn’t really know where to get lunch, and Jenkins Cooper was waiting for him just around the corner.
Upon spotting Jenkins Cooper, Wyatt grinned awkwardly and greeted him with a nod, “Hello, Professor Cooper!”
Jenkins nodded in acknowledgement, “I have something to discuss with William.”
“Sure thing, Professor Cooper!” Wyatt hastily excused himself, calling out as he retreated, “We’ll wait for you at the Skyline Bistro, William.”
Naturally, Daniel and the others didn’t dare linger either. They quickly followed Wyatt downstairs.
Jenkins looked William up and down before chuckling, “I didn’t expect you to be a student at our university, and a freshman at that.”
“Is being a freshman so surprising?” William chuckled in response, “A lot of knowledge can be gained outside of the classroom, right?”
Jenkins, of course, didn’t deny what William said. He was well aware that a diploma or a degree doesn’t necessarily equate to ability.
Many truly capable individuals educate their children from a young age, often learning as much, if not more than they would in school.
Take the freshman in front of him, for instance, William knew ancient characters even the esteemed Mr. Taylor was unfamiliar with. Knowledge doesn’t appear out of thin air.
Both Jenkins Cooper and Edward Taylor assumed William came from a family of scholars.
“William, may I ask what your father does?” Jenkins thought it might be more direct to ask about William’s family rather than inquiring about the ancient characters.
William smiled and responded, “I’m sorry, but I’m an orphan.”
“I’m sorry,” Jenkins said, stunned by William’s revelation. A moment later, he regained his composure and said enthusiastically, “Then, William, why are you so reluctant to teach Mr. Taylor? Do you realize the significance of the information on that ancient stele for human civilization?”
William responded with a faint smile, “I don’t know, and frankly, I don’t care to know.”
“You!!” Jenkins was nearly winded by William’s indifference. He quickly rallied and said, “Let me put it this way, William. If you can translate all the text on that ancient stele, you’d make a substantial contribution to our nation, even the entire world.”
“You could become a historic figure. Your name could appear in textbooks…”
Jenkins grew more excited as he spoke, his eyes alight with fervor. 𝘦𝘯𝑜𝘷𝘦𝘭.𝗇𝓔t
But William interrupted him outright, “I don’t need my name to appear in textbooks, nor do I seek fame or renown.”
“Do you not have even the slightest bit of ambition or aspiration?” Jenkins retorted, a tone of frustration tinging his voice. “Are you content to lead an ordinary life, fading into obscurity like a speck of dust? A century from now, aside from your descendants, would anyone else even remember you existed?”
“You clearly have the ability! Why? Why won’t you use it?”
William raised an eyebrow, visibly displeased, “Are you trying to tell me what to do?”
Jenkins was at a loss for words.
He’d never encountered such a brazen student.
What was this attitude?
And yet, when he met William’s gaze, he found himself unable to voice a retort.
William had, somehow, exerted an unprecedented pressure on him.
By the time he snapped back to reality, William was already heading downstairs, leaving him staring at his retreating figure.
The students who had overheard their conversation were likewise stunned by William’s audacious retort.
Jenkins is a revered professor at Hudson University. William’s audacious manner of addressing people is just too over-the-top.
Nevertheless, William doesn’t care about such trivialities. Leaving the university gates behind, he ambles leisurely towards the Skyline Bistro.
For a man of his ilk, he can afford to dismiss many things.
Achieving historical fame?
That’s the thing he despises most.
In truth, he has been written about in books and celebrated in poems by many. However, the drastic transformations in his identities over time have made it impossible for future generations to realize the existence of such an immortal figure.
Even now, Anthony Carter and the like wouldn’t dare to leak William’s secret.
Even Lila and her circle are oblivious of William’s true background.
All along the way, William maintains a distance of a couple of hundred meters behind Evelyn.
Many times when he awakens, he encounters someone who looks exactly like Evelyn. It’s not just about physical resemblance, William believes, perhaps it’s a case of a soul being reincarnated in a new body!
Evelyn and her friend had just stepped outside the university gate when Edward intercepted her.
“Evelyn, what a coincidence? Can I invite you to dinner?” Edward, failing to woo the affluent Lila, has immediately set his sights on the commoner beauty, Evelyn.
If he can’t win over a wealthy goddess, could he not handle a regular girl?
Evelyn paused, frowned and said, “Classmate, I don’t think we know each other that well? Besides, I saw on social media, weren’t you chasing after Lila just yesterday?”
Edward felt a pang of embarrassment. His pursuit of Lila was such a spectacle yesterday that many people at the school posted about it on their social feeds, so it was quite normal for Evelyn to have seen it.
“True! But I only confessed to Lila yesterday because of a bet I lost with a friend, sort of like Truth or Dare, you know? The loser had to confess to Lila.” Edward tried to appear nonchalant, continuing, “Classmate, my name is Edward, can we get to know each other?”
Evelyn, holding her friend’s hand, promptly took a step forward, retorting, “I don’t see the need.”
“Wait!” Edward called out, attempting to grab Evelyn’s hand.
Suddenly, a gust of wind blew, and William rushed from behind, instantly grabbing Edward’s wrist, smirking at him.
“Holy crap! Where the hell did you come from?” Edward was startled by William’s sudden appearance.
It wasn’t just about him moving silently, it was as if he had popped up out of nowhere.
“Keep your hands to yourself!” Initially, William had only intended to gradually get closer to Evelyn. But how could he tolerate Edward disrespecting Evelyn in this manner?
“You again? Who the hell are you?” Edward could never forget that face.
It was William, the bastard who stole his thunder yesterday. If William hadn’t been there, even if Edward had failed, he wouldn’t have been this humiliated.
“My name is William.” William replied with a slight smile, “Evelyn is my friend. I’d suggest you stop harboring designs on her, or else you’ll regret it.”
“You… punk, I’ll remember you!” Edward was itching to punch William then and there. But for the sake of not leaving a negative impression on Evelyn, he held back, knowing he might not win in a one-on-one fight.
After dropping a threatening remark, Edward turned and walked away.
William, who was cornered by Ryan yesterday, is still standing here unscathed today. Without a thorough understanding of William’s background, Edward wouldn’t dare to act recklessly.