Shi Lang was taken to the mess hall through the corridors. The boy followed her in silence. Dalia asked, “Do you not feel that it is confusing to walk inside this maze?”
The boy replied, “Not actually. I am counting my steps and directions.” his tone was calm.
Dalia was surprised and nodded. She said, “You are the first one to adapt so quickly.”
Shi Lang smile warily and said, “Instructor, the first step inside the camp limits told me if I did not adapt quickly then I will die.”
Dalia chuckled and said, “Smart enough to figure that out.”
The two people reached a flight of stairs and Shi Lang followed Dalia. His footsteps were the same as the lady. He did not dare to let his guard down. Staircases gave him a bad feeling. Dalia said, “You are being too cautious, overworking your brain will make you paranoid.”
Shi Lang shook his head and said, “I cannot help but be vigilant here at every step. Gradually it will become a second habit. Paranoia will not happen to me if I could control my mind. Is that not the goal of this camp?”
Dalia could not help but stop for a second and asked, “How did you even figure that out?”
Shi Lang replied, “When I reached the office of the camp master, she did not cast me even a single glance, this would have caused a big let down in my mind, thinking that all my effort was for nothing. However, the treatment given to my wounds is something very expensive.”
Dalia said, “How is that relevant?”
Shi Lang said, “On the side table of my room, there was a clock, I have been unconscious for a day. The gash on my back, would not heal magically on its own.”
Dalia nodded and said, “Can I dissect your brain?”
Shi Lang shook his head and replied, “Not before I die.”
The lady clicked her tongue and led him to the mess hall.
…
The mess hall was nothing more than a few tables and a few automated food dispenser machines. Shi Lang spotted four people eating the food on the table not far away. Dalia led him to the side of the food dispensing machine, they picked up some disposable plates and the lady said, “You can choose whatever you want to eat. After you have done it, then come to that table, I will introduce you to the other instructors.
Shi Lang nodded and began to look through the interaction screen on the food dispenser. The boy clicked a few times and the machine produced the meal he asked for. He carried his plate to the table where all the instructors were eating.
Dalia smiled at him and said, “Come have a seat.”
Shi Lang placed his plate on the table and saluted the people before taking the seat. The people nodded back at him. Dalia said, “Time for an introduction.”
Then she pointed at a middle-aged man, as she said, “Colonel Carlos, a survival expert. He will teach you how to live behind enemy lines.”
Carlos had a creepy smile on his face. Shi Lang almost wanted to ask him, if he was the one who spread caltrops inside the corridors. Still, he held it back.
Dalia pointed at a slender and lean man as she said, “This is John, the assassination and spying expert. He is also an expert sniper. He will teach you how to infiltrate the enemy lines and take out specific targets.”
John nodded at Shi Lang with a poker face. His gaze, however, sent chills down the latter’s spine. Shi Lang did not expect that he would come across as such a terrifying character. This person had a lot of blood on his hands.
Dalia pointed at a lady who wore her hair down and said, “This is Yuu, she is a weapon expert, capable of using weapons both cold and hot, ancient and advanced. While she is also the expert in close combat, after all, the human body is the best weapon.”
Yuu did not glance at Shi Lang but kept eating the food in front of her. Dalia said, “I am Dalia, a medical expert. I will teach you how to live if you are injured and how to kill without injuring and fighting the enemy. My second major is poison.”
Shi Lang nodded and said, “Thank you for your guidance.”
Carlos chuckled and said, “I see you are a good boy. Do not think this will make us go easy on you.”
Shi Lang nodded but did not reply. He began to eat the food on his plate. Dalia nodded and said, “You have met the camp master. She will be responsible for your test assignments. You can only get the next level of knowledge once you have completed these assignments. I do not think I need to tell you that if you did not perform your best, you will die.”
Shi Lang nodded and said, “I understand, Instructor Dalia.”
Dalia nodded and the people began to eat. Shi Lang could tell that the people were all different from what they seemed to be. He could tell that all these people were like this because of the mealtime. If they were training him, he would again take swings at the edge of life and death.
He ate his food and kept thinking of what he could have done to avoid injuries in the first test. He raised his head and did not know when but the people had all vanished from around him. He did not have a watch on his body so he could not tell the time, but he was sure that it had only been five minutes.
He stood up and came to the dustbin at the side to dispose of his plate. As soon as he let go of his plate, the boy rushed to the side. His hair stood at the ends from a dangerous sensation. The place where he stood was now occupied by Yuu. A cold voice echoed in his ears. If you can survive my chase for ten minutes, you are eligible for my training program. Your time starts, now.”
Shi Lang cursed his daze and rolled to the side. He avoided a kick aimed at his temple. His training began.