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nShi Lang got out of his room, dressed in white and blue track gear. He found his mother inside the kitchen as usual. The parents had to leave early in the morning so his mother would get up early to deal with chores. He stood at the door of the kitchen and said, “Mom, do you know about my training camp?”

nThe lady replied without turning her head toward him, “Yes, your father me about it. What do you want to talk about?”

nShi Lang said, “Nothing, just checking if you are upset and do not want me to go?”

nThe lady turned her head towards her with her eyes filled with tears and said, “Do you really wish for me to cry for all my life? Go out there, make some name and get me a robot to chop onions. These things are my natural bane.”

nShi Lang chuckled and started laughing. His mother Luna Mancini was allergic to onion and her biggest dream was to get a chef bot inside the kitchen. Shi lang had a cheerful family. Luna scoffed and said, “You are heading out for something right? Go or you will be late.”

nThe boy rushed up to her, hugged her from behind, and after pecking on her cheek, he said, “You are the best, mom.” and then he left.

nHe heard Luna saying, “Be careful on the road.”

nShi Lang replied to her with a long okay and then he rushed out of the house at a fast pace. The boy was going to see Jane. He did not want her to feel like he was running away from the two of them. Lucas lived in the dorm, while Jane lived with her family. So, he decided to see Jane first.

nHe was going to head to her house directly as he would usually do. jane lived a few blocks away from his house, so he would have taken a bus to get there but since now he was strong, he decided to check the effects of his serum enhancement procedure as well. The boy moved his legs and began to jog, the pace slowly increased, and began sprinting.

nThe boy flashed through the streets like he was a specter. Thankfully the civilians in the city did not come out of their nests so early in the morning. He ran a distance of two kilometers within five minutes. The boy stood in front of Jane’s apartment building.

nThe apartment door was locked and could only be opened by the occupants from inside. Shi Lang pressed the button adjacent to the unit number where Jane and her family lived. A soft voice asked, “Who is it?”

nThe boy replied, “It is me Aunt Martha, Shi Lang.”

n“Oh, Lang, dear, wait I am opening it for you.” said, and with a click, the door of the apartment was opened up. Shi Lang got inside and ignoring the elevator he climbed the thirteen floors steps. He was trying to get used to his physical strength by doing this. As he arrived in front of the door, he found it open already.

nHe got inside and found Martha, Jane’s mother to be getting back to the kitchen. He said, “Good Morning Aunt Martha.”

nThe lady was surprised and turned around, “Good morning Lang. I see our boy has become stronger. Topped the school in this assignment?”

nShi Lang showed her a bashful smile and said, “You glorify me too much. Also, I smell jam toast. I will take five no six.”

nMartha smiled and said, “I feel generous for our star, so I will throw in a juice for you.”

nThe two people chuckled and then Martha entered the kitchen. Martha and Luna both worked at the same place, and they had a long friendship. However, Martha was his mother’s boss. Despite being paid better they had to manage like Shi Lang’s family as Jane’s school fees were that high. However, Shi Lang had only become close to them after he came across Jane at the school.

nShi Lang walked inside the house as if it was his own place. He came to a room that had a (Stay Out) poster and pushed the door open. Inside was a messy room. This room belonged to Jane. The boy sighed and said, “She will make a pet out of Lucas.”

nHis gaze fell on a lady who was sleeping in a weird stance. It was like she was splat on the wall with the way her limbs were looking. He said, “Jane, wake up.”

nHis voice was soft, and the lady did not wake up. The dim light from the windows was pouring. Shi Lang walked close to her bed and said, “Jane, Jenkins said he will beat up anybody who likes you. He said, he has a secret crush on you.”

nJane only replied, “Lang, if you dared to lie anymore about this. I will bust your teeth out.”

nShe spoke but she still did not get up from the bed. Shi Lang smiled and asked, “Oh, seems like someone cannot sleep with all the excitement in her heart.”

nJane snorted and did not reply. Shi Lang said, “Okay, do not throw a tantrum at me now. I came here to see you off. I am leaving for a training camp with Commander Aries.”

nJane sat up in her bed with a flinch. She looked at the boy in her room with a dazed expression. Shi Lang knew that he cannot hide it forever so he said, “I will not make an excuse, I was indeed hurt when Lucas kissed you. I mean, I was planning to confess but okay. It does not mean our friendship ended or something. Knowing your brain, you probably found out yesterday only. He must have too.

nHowever, do not worry, it is not something too saddening. We are friends before I had any other thoughts on you.”

nJane nodded, she was aware that Shi Lang was very level-minded so it was not a big deal for him to get over it in just one night. She asked, “Then why the training camp?”

n“Oh, that, it is an invitation from Commander Aries, under the recommendation of Principal Stevenson,” said Shi Lang.

nJane nodded with thoughtfulness. She asked, “When will you be back?”

n“Before Army Enterance.” told the boy.

nJane said, “Good, now go make me proud. I will look after your parents.”

nShi Lang chuckled and said, “You better look after this minefield of your room. Spare my parents. Also, tell Lucas not to think too much. Also, if he dared to chase someone else. He will have it from me.”

nJane smirked and said, “I dare him.”

nThe two people chuckled and after a small talk, Shi Lang came out of the room. While Jane went back to her sleep, the boy ate a hearty breakfast and met Jane’s father. The school had given them a day off after the exams.

nHe left after saying bye to Martha and her husband. When he got home, he only found a note from his parents. They had already gone off for work and left him their good wishes on a piece of paper. Shi Lang sighed and said, “How come they are so easy about this?”

nHe packed his bag with his training gear inside it and then he left the house. He left a text to Lucas, Jane, and Tim and to his parents about his departure as he came to the crossroad. He was early but he saw that Aries was already waiting for him in a heavy lev vehicle.

nThe man said, “You are a punctual kid. Let us go.”

nShi Lang took his bag off from his shoulder and got inside the vehicle.

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