Shi Lang held the silver case containing the gene serum and walked to the school gate. He found some of his classmates planning to celebrate the night. However, he refused politely and said, his parents were waiting for him.

In his mind, something other than his cultivation and strength growth was going on. The boy had never shown it, but he has been in love. The person he loved was none other than Jane, his best friend. When he had joined the school. It was Jane, who talked to him for the first time and slowly the two people had become friends.

He never took a step forward because he was not confident with his strength being held back. His practicality held him back, after all, he did not want to hold her back. After the examination result, when he saw Jane, the previously buried feelings began to surface again. As he was thinking about what to do and how to confess his feeling, he spotted two people standing at a distance.

He recognized their silhouettes and smiled. They were none other than Lucas, Tim, and Jane. The boy picked up his pace and walked over to them. As he was getting close to them, he saw Lucas and Jane not noticing him, and Tim made a silent gesture to him to keep quiet. He was smart enough to realize what was going on and stopped in his tracks.

He saw Lucas leaning in on Jane as the girl just stood there. The two people shared a kiss. They expressed their love to each other openly. Tim smiled and cheered from the side. He was genuinely happy for his two friends to get the girl he liked. Jane realized that she had kissed Lucas in presence of other people, and pushed him back.

The two people woke up from their daze. Lucas cursed at Tim for ruining his moment, while Jane turned her face with a faint blush, only to notice Shi Lang running away. She said, “Isn’t that Lang?”

Tim said, “Huh? Why is that guy not here? I saw him coming in when you two were busy kissing.”

Lucas and Jane exchanged a glance. They have known Shi Lang the best. They could sense the ambiguity of his behavior. Jane chased in the direction Shi Lang had left, and Lucas followed. They never realized that Shi Lang could have feelings for Jane, until now.

In that one glance, they came to understand, how Shi Lang was the most tolerant and patient with Jane. The rest of the class including Lucas would sometimes snap at her but never him. Tim also followed the two to find what was happening. However, they did not find Shi Lang anywhere.

Jane took out her phone and was about to call the person when her phone rang. She picked up the call and asked, “Lang, where are you? We…”

She wanted to say some things but she could not bring them up. However, before she could figure out a way to express the complications in her heart. She heard a calm voice from the other side.

“I boarded a ride back home. Dad called and said, It was urgent. Do not worry, I will bring you and that doofus the best gift. Also, congratulations to you two. Spare me for the day.” the speaker was Shi Lang.

Jane sighed and smiled as she said, “You know I thought you fell in love with me, and now this scene hurt you. I was getting worried, you idiot.”

Shi Lang erupted in a peal of laughter as he said, “I do love you but as a friend. Why would I be sad? Go have fun with him. Give him a punch from my side.” then he disconnected the call after Jane said bye to him.

Jane had reddish eyes and mumbled, “You cannot lie, Lang.”

She was feeling guilty because she ignored his feelings. Women were not insensitive, they just never paid attention to time. Lucas came over to her side and asked, “What did he say?”

Jane did not want the secret to spill and break another heart. She had already hurt Shi Lang and now if she let it out, the bond between her and Lucas will become strained, the same will happen to Lucas and Shi Lang. She shook her head and made an excuse.

Lucas hugged her as she said, she is just emotionally overwhelmed. Three people knew what happened today, they all heard a lot of things that were left unsaid. Two people were on the listening side, and the things they heard were clearly stating for them to move on happily as the one who said all this was moving on as well.

…

Shi Lang sat inside a lev vehicle with his head resting on the seat headrest. Beside him sat, Aries. This vehicle was an army vehicle, and Aries had come across Shi Lang when the boy almost ran under his vehicle. He had something to talk to this boy and asked if he needed a ride. Shi Lang agreed and in a blink, he got inside the car.

Aries was not a brawn for brain idiot. He could understand the teenage crisis Shi Lang had faced. He wanted to say some motivational words, when the boy asked him in a calm voice, “Sir, what was it that you wanted to talk about?”

Aries was surprised, he regained his control and asked, “Are you sure you do not want to take a few more moments? We can talk later, you know?”

Shi Lang shook his head and said, “Pondering over broken dreams gives one nothing but regrets. Please tell me what you wanted to talk about?”

Aries sighed and said, “It is good if you are thinking like this. What I was searching you for is to extend an invitation.”

Shi Lang asked in a curious tone, “What invitation could it be that you came forward personally, Sir.?”

Aries smiled as he stirred the vehicle and said, “Invitation to join the elite training camp under the guidance of General Knight. The location is secret but the gains are good.”

Shi Lang heard this and raised his eyebrow. He asked after some thought, “What is the catch?”

Aries chuckled and said, “You do not miss anything, do you?”

Shi Lang did not answer making the smile on Aries’s face stagnate. The man said, “The mortality rate of this camp is high. Five out of Ten die.”

Shi Lang was shocked. He asked, “What sort of camp are you inviting me to? That too, General Knight, as in Amelia’s mother?”

Aries nodded with a solemn expression and said, “This camp only takes in thirteen people each year. Half of them die, the remaining half break down from the pressure. In the past two decades years, there has not been a single guy or girl who had survived and not has the scars left from what they experienced in there.”

Shi Lang asked, “What is the point of this camp then? The Federation is wasting money and time.”

Aries said, “Do not jump the gun. Your principal was the last person to come out of this camp. His prowess, I do not need to say anything. It is not known why he pulled back, but well. He was the one who suggested this idea to me.”

He watched Shi Lang lost in thoughts and said, “The camp lasts three months, you will be given abstinence from school. You can train there, and come back for the military entrance exam. You surely have the capabilities and potential for this camp. It will not only make you strong but also help you ease up things for your parent’s livelihood. The rest you know well.”

That said, he stopped the car. Shi Lang looked around and found that he has arrived at the place near his home. He said, “I will need some time to think about it.”

Aries said, “I can only wait till tomorrow morning. Call me on this number if you make a positive decision. Otherwise, I will see you at the entrance exam. My brigade needs people like you.” as he extended a card to him.

Shi Lang nodded and got down the car. He saluted the man as he drove away and carrying his back and gene serum case, he walked on the road, lost in thoughts.