CHAPTER 224: - BACK-

Feeling quite lightheaded, after soaking in the warm spring for about thirty minutes. Max had changed back into his uniform. Currently heading towards the building with both Elites and Paragons within.

When he stepped in he was met with a slightly rowdy atmosphere.

Some Elites and Paragons seemingly in a heated debate over something. A few particular figures could be seen mediating, reading, drawing and sleeping.

’Quite the leisure.’ Max thought. Not deceived, he knew this was just a warm up.

Besides, just like the monk from earlier said. Their main purpose here was to live in this simulated ancient environment. Which meant they were free to laze around as long they fulfilled their set of martial exercises.

The atmosphere quietened slightly as they began to notice his presence.

’Huh?’

Puzzled at the unreadable complicated glances he was receiving, with some even tinged with silent respect. Max doubtfully resumed his steps. Using Blake’s green hair as an anchor, he instantly located the latter seated on a long bench, immersed in reading.

When he got closer, Blake raised his head towards him.

"Hey." Max calmly uttered, gesturing towards the opposite bench across the table.

"Hmm." Blake nodded, expressing that he had no company.

Max noted the complicated glint in his eyes.

"You too?" He asked quietly.

"Huh?" Blake jerked slightly in absent response.

"I mean... You’ve got the same expression as them. Did I do something wrong?"

Although their brotherly relationship didn’t start out as good. Max felt it was in his interest to know if he had done anything wrong.

However, when those close by heard these words. Still silence descended upon the atmosphere.

Blake revealed a dumbfounded look, and Miles who was just about to come over had his mouth agape unable to close it for a second or two.

"He must be crazy." A youth in Paragon uniform couldn’t take it anymore and decided to voice out his thoughts.

The rest seemed to agree too.

Taking time to suppress his speechlessness, Blake finally spoke up.

"You mean you don’t know what you did?" He asked, expressing his doubt with an exaggerated look.

’Huh?’

"Yes." Max answered, his words like a sharp sword that struck the guts of every S Elite and lesser Paragons alike.

Blake’s face flushed green, thinking he was trash compared to Max.

"You completed all 50 Sets of Martial Discipline twice while acting like it was something fun." Blake said in an exasperated tone.

’I didn’t even count.’

"Sur-" before the words could escape his mouth, Max’s alarmed senses rang.

’Shit. I blew my cover.’

...

3 hours later.

"Alright. The chopper will get here soon."

Miss May announced, dressed in a corporate skirt suit that hugged her slender figure.

The sun now hung in the West, but since they were high up in a mountain that spiraled into the clouds, its orange glow shone upon them. Depicting a beautiful tapestry amidst the clouds.

The distant hums of rotors grew louder, and the Elites checked if they had left anything behind one last time.

At the other edge of the large courtyard, the Paragons similarly did the same under the voice of the burly Instructor.

It turned out that he wasn’t as fucked as he thought he was for blowing his cover.

Everyone seemed to think that he was a genius whose body could absorb the serum at a rapid pace.

Max felt pleased and relieved after hearing this.

However, when both Instructors’ eyes fell on him. He felt strange and could sense that there was something he wasn’t being told yet.

Miss May’s cold aloofness no longer existed, and when she looked at him her eyes glinted with complicated emotions.

’Who cares.’

As his cold eyes drifted from Miss May, he caught Akira looking at him from a distance.

It wasn’t the first time, so Max chose to entertain by staring back.

...

A minute later. Two massive military transport helicopters hovered in the sky while slowly descending into the courtyard.

The rotors downwash whipped their hair backward, forcing them to raise arms against the dust sweeper within the wind.

Following its descent, everyone boarded calmly. Minutes later, they were back up in the air and both choppers split into two opposite directions.

"We are heading to the port." Max heard Miles say and nodded in quiet response.

Thirty minutes later, just like Miles told him. Max spotted the Super Falcon X jet parked in a private port.

The whole ride was silent, even after the chopper landed.

...

Hours later.

It was already nighttime when they appeared in their familiar aerial space. When they landed, the Elites revealed a fatigued look as they boarded the awaiting bus.

...

’So this is why she rarely comes back home?’ Max thought silently, realizing the reason for his sister’s frequent absence at home.

Nothing more worthy happened. When they got back to the classroom. Everyone disembarked to their dorm rooms after muttering a soft goodbye.

"See you later bro." Miles quickly dashed towards the door ahead of the others.

"Hmmm." Nodding, Max picked up his bag and brought his phone. Not noticing the Instructors’ frail attempt to stop him with a disturbed look on her face.

"I totally forgot to charge it."

After repeatedly trying to switch on his phone but the low battery icon refused to vanish. Max gave up and slipped it in his pocket with a quick sigh.

Upon getting to the form section, he was able to find his assigned room due to the number placement.

"Now let’s see." He whispered as he inserted the card.

"Not bad."

At the sight of his room, Max nodded, impressed.

The room was ample and precisely to his taste. Ash-gray walls wrapped the space. A charcoal accent behind the lofted bed added depth. It had a shelf, nightstand and tall wardrobe.

Stepping in, Max went straight to the charging port.

For a reason, there was an unknown sense of urgency telling him to turn on his phone.

Zzz! Zzz! Zzz!