Shi Lang walked away from Jenkins while pondering over the changes inside his mindset. After a few moments, he concluded that it is because of the ease he felt around him upon returning from Ao.
He walked through the corridors and reached the technical class. He saw Rosa Blues standing on the podium and explaining something to the students. The boy did not knock on the door and slightly tilted his hand and found that everyone was busy paying attention. As if sensing his gaze, a boy raised his head and was surprised.
He stood up and shouted, “Lang, you bastard, you have the gall to show your face.”
Shi Lang was surprised by such a strong reaction and the others in the class were the same. Rose Blues was surprised and turned her head to look at the handsome boy standing outside the door. She smiled at said, “Student Lang, why are you standing outside? Come in.”
In the past, the boy would have scratched the back of his head but this time he walked inside with confident strides and saluted the lady. He said, “Student Shi Lang reporting back to class, Head Teacher.”
Rosa Blues nodded and said, “Welcome back.”
Then she raised her head and said, “The studies will be suspended here. Tomorrow is the day for the entrance exam so you all better pay attention to relaxation as well. Do not worry much and just do your best. Okay?”
The students nodded and the boy who had shouted at Shi Lang could not wait to run over with his fist-waving at the latter. Shi lang took half a step to the side avoiding the punch and using his hands, grappled the boy from his underarm, blocking his movements.
The boy said, “You bastard, how dare you leave without saying anything?”
Shi Lang said, “Who told you to go dating without telling me?” his tone was calm and a faint smile hung on his lips.
The students chuckled and Tim said, “You cannot say anything now, can you Lucas?”
Shi Lang let him go and then he shook hands with every guy and greeted the girls with a faint gesture. Jane said, “Lang, why are your hair long? Did they not give you a haircut there?”
Shi Lang shook his head slightly and said, “It is fine like this. I like this new style, it is similar to one of my instructors.”
The people began to chat and asked Shi Lang how was the camp. The boy did not hide the basic details, such as the frontier camp and conditions of life. However, he did not disclose the identity of those who trained him or the things he did there. He just told them that the place was not yet conquered and will take a long time.
The classmates were fascinated and scared. Shi Lang laid it thick on them when it came to the dangers and risks of being on the frontline. Rosa Blues did not say anything but quietly heard his anecdotes. She had noticed the words printed on the back of his t-shirt. When she read those words her expressions changed slightly but then it became normal.
In the evening, the boy said, “I will take my leave now guys, I need to meet my parents.”
Everyone said bye and wished each other the best for the exam tomorrow. The protagonist held his bag over his shoulder and walked through the corridors at a calm pace. Jane, Tim, and Lucas followed him. However, the boy did not speak, he was not like the old him.
Shi Lang thought in his mind, ‘I am getting more like the cultivator I was back then. A true old relic. Huh, and to think I wished to start anew and be normal.’
Lucas asked, “Lang, are you upset about me and Jane being together?”
Shi Lang was surprised and asked the guy, “Where did that come from?”
Lucas said, “No, I mean, ever since you have returned, I noticed you have not talked much to her. So, I thought it was because of me dating her?”
Shi Lang scoffed and said, “You sure have a vivid imagination. Why should I be upset with her? She is my friend, however, after camp, the mindset has changed a bit. So, this is me giving you two a chance to get closer. Go hug her now and go mushy.”
Tim chuckled, while Jane said, “Oi, did you get too black-bellied in that camp?”
Shi Lang chuckled and placed his arm over her shoulder as she happen to be walking beside him. He asked, “What do you think?”
Jane said, “You have become a narcissist as well.”
The four of them chuckled along and came to the school Gate. Shi Lang stopped in his tracks when he saw a figure standing there. The figure was a girl, Amelia, who asked, “Can I have some of your time?”
Shi Lang nodded, “I will be walking back home.”
Amelia nodded and Shi Lang said, “Guys, I will go around with her. See you all tomorrow and remember, what I told you earlier.”
They all shook hands and parted up. Watching Shi Lang walking side by side with Amelia, Jane said, “Lang seems different.”
Tim nodded and said, “He must have gone something drastic to change like this.”
They exchanged a glance and went on their ways.
…
Shi Lang asked, “Why did you look for me?”
Amelia replied, “My mother contacted me, she wanted to ask if you would like to go to her division?”
Shi Lang shook his head and said, “Although the offer is brilliant, I have committed to someone else.”
Amelia was surprised, she asked, “Someone can be better than the second combat force? Your skills and ability are all in line with that division, then why not?”
Shi Lang said, “Because I committed to someone else. Let us see if I get transferred later on.”
Amelia nodded and went on to speak, “I want to know, how my mother knew about you?”
Shi Lang cast her a sideways glance and asked, “Do you really not know?”
Amelia tucked a strand of her loose hair behind her ear and shook her head as she said, “I do not. I thought mom sent someone to pay attention to me but she denied so, I guess only you can tell me.”
Shi Lang said, “Your mother was the person, who trained me for the past three months. Well sorta, I had interaction with other people more, your mother only guided those people.”
Amelia was surprised, she asked him, “You went to that place?”
Shi Lang asked, “How do you know that place?” his tone was calm, but it sent a shiver to Amelia.
The girl said, “I do not know the exact details but once I heard her say that there is a hellish training camp, where either you come back as a hero or you do not come back.”
Shi Lang chuckled and said, “I did not know, Campmaster was so funny.”
The two people walked along on the sidewalk slowly while talking. They looked like a happy couple going home in the sunset.