Chapter 175 The Mentor’s Legacy

For a moment, Tilda wondered if she'd found the wrong person. She thought maybe Dane was related to her mentor; their eyes and faces shared a hint of similarity. But honestly, Dane didn’t look anything like her mentor. The hope that had just flared up in Tilda’s eyes faded quickly.

Dane watched Tilda quietly, then took a deep breath. He pulled out a small whiteboard and wrote: “You really are the mentee of our mentor.”

“What?” Tilda was startled when she saw the words. It took her a moment to realize what this might mean. Her voice trembled as she asked, “Are you my senior?”

“Yes. I was the first mentee. My name was given to me by the mentor.”

“I was an orphan. Mentor found me, took me in, and raised me. I didn’t have a name until he gave me one.” Maybe because it was his first time meeting Tilda, Dane grew excited, and his writing got faster and faster. He had so much to say.

“D–Dane…” Tilda muttered softly, almost in a daze. This was the first time she learned her mentor had other mentees, the first time she realized she had a senior. And not just anyone, Dane was a scientist considered the nation’s treasure.

Suddenly, Tilda’s eyes filled with tears. She tipped her head back and took a deep breath. “Dane, did you never know about me?”

"No. I have met others, but I didn’t know Mentor had taken on anyone else after all these years apart—let alone a girl like you."

Tilda’s face lit up with surprise. “There are others? How many?”

“I’m not sure. I haven’t seen our mentor in years. But he gave all of us the same special last name—Kerrigan. He traveled all over the world, adopting and teaching orphans. You’re lucky to have your own name. Most of us just got his last name and a first name.”

“Really?” Tilda was a bit disappointed. It seemed like even Dane didn’t know where their mentor had gone. The old man, who was the most important figure in Tilda’s life, had vanished without a trace. But still, knowing there were other mentees and that she had found her Dane, Tilda felt incredibly lucky. It felt like when one door closed, another quiet window opened for her. She hadn’t noticed before; Tilda was trapped in her grudge against her family and unable to break free from hatred.

From there, Tilda and Dane talked for a long time. They shared memories of learning from their mentor and what they had been through.

Honestly, Dane didn’t know much more about their mentor than Tilda did. Tilda put together a few key points. First, their mentor loved to travel. He had great power and influence. Even Tilda couldn’t find any clues about where he went. Second, their mentor usually took in orphans as students. If you already had a family name, he let you keep it; otherwise, he gave you his last name and a new first name. Thirdly, the mentees he took in were never ordinary people. Dane was a genius with an IQ of 260. Tilda had the Omega bloodline. Fourth, when their mentor felt the mentee was ready, he would disappear. He left no trace and no chance for them to find him. Whatever his mentees chose to do with their lives afterward was their own business. He never interfered.

Oh, not exactly. Maybe there was one exception. Whenever that old man taught Tilda and Dane, he always repeated one lesson: “If you are given great gifts, never forget to use them for good. Broaden your mind. Serve your country and your people. That is your duty.”

Tilda wiped her eyes and gave a small, sad smile. “It looks like that old man really was a mystery, wasn’t he? I bet he’s still out there, alive and kicking, just like he did with us back then. He’s probably traveling the world and nurturing a new mentee somewhere.”

Tilda couldn’t help but laugh through her tears. “Back then, he really worried me. He nearly drove me crazy. Silly old man.” She felt like crying again, even though it had been so long since she’d had that urge. After she got a second chance at life, Tilda once promised herself she would never cry again. But this time, for her mentor—the most important person in her life—maybe it was okay to cry a little for him.

Dane saw this and pressed his lips together. Then, without warning, he moved closer to Tilda.

In the security room, Manfred and River watched the screens. They tensed up: “Professor Kerrigan, what are you doing?” Their voices were tight with worry.

Dane simply reached out, placed his hand on Tilda’s shoulder, and gently patted her. Their mentor used to do that whenever Tilda was sad. He would appear silently, strict but caring, and softly pat her shoulder in that same gentle way.

Tilda couldn’t hold back her tears anymore. They broke free all at once. She threw herself into Dane’s arms and hugged him tightly. “Dane, I really miss him. I miss him so much,” Tilda sobbed.

“I lost the people I cared about most. I almost lost myself. It’s so hard out there; I’ve felt so lost all these years.”