CHAPTER 214: -SUPRISE LESSONS -

"Here, you can sit next to me."

Max had just boarded the bus when a voice called out to him, earning him several cold glances from the others.

Tracing the voice, his gaze landed on the bald-headed youth sitting on the last row seat, with a casual smirk on his lips while appearing to be the most approachable one on the bus.

’Huh?’

Puzzled by this act while noting the cold stare he was given by the others, Max chose to walk forward.

’Not that I was going to miss the chance to sit at the back. He seems rather easygoing than the rest. It is best if I know where we are headed to.’

Walking over to sit next to the bald head, Max thought wryly.

Bald head, sturdy frame, and a laid-back air around him that didn’t match his size. Max appraised the former before taking the other opposite end.

"Thanks." Upon sitting, Max greeted under his breath.

"Oh, it’s nothing." In reply, the bald youth waved it away.

Hiss!

Signalling that the engine had been ignited, the main door closed after the female instructor stepped in and sat next to the driver. That said, the driver had a safety mask on as if to hide his identity.

Up ahead, the headlight illuminated causing Max observing eyes to squint.

Turns out they were in no parking lot but a deep tunnel driveway. And the thick darkness beyond the reach of light previously made it seem like solid walls on both sides.

Without warning, the bus breached the darkness ahead towards their destination.

Just as the vacuum of dead silence seemed to devour the atmosphere, the driver switched on the radio. And strangely, not only Max, but a subtle air of relief seemed to have been let out by everybody at the sound of the playing music.

’This doesn’t look fun anymore. Just how deep underground are we from the surface of the earth? Doesn’t feel like humans should drive here.’ Analysing the situation, Max realised his life may already be in danger.

Unable to hold back his curiosity, he decided to break through his introverted shell and turned to ask the bald youth.

"I have little knowledge about this. Please, do you know where we are headed?"

’Perhaps, this is the Provost’s way of silencing me.’ Max didn’t dare bet.

Tilting to face him, the bald head youth appeared impressed and wryly shook his head before replying.

"I’m surprised that you are able to remain still at this point. I almost fainted from suffocation due to the overwhelming silence before the radio was turned on my first day."

’Huh?’

"Didn’t you notice that everyone else tilted at least twice to glance at you so far?"

Noticing Max’s puzzled brows, the bald head replied with a seemingly defeated look while trying to mask his surprise.

"...I didn’t." Speechless, Max tilted slightly and noticed several gazes turn away.

Whilst, at the front, next to the driver, the instructor’s closed eyes and lips twitched before they opened to stare at the lit screen of her tab with detailed information about Max.

’Is he truly special?’ ...

"I’m Miles."

Shortly after explaining Max’s achievement to him, the bald head youth introduced himself. To which, Max hesitated for a moment before nodding back.

"Max." He replied.

Nodding back, Miles took off his leather jacket and placed it by his side.

"This is also part of our lesson: Adapting to subterranean livelihood and emergency situations."

"I see." Albeit stunned, Max understood.

"Hmm." Miles shook his head in agreement and silence resumed. Or so it was supposed to be.

"I have to say though, how come you aren’t training with the others?"

Miles asked, but this time his question seemed to stir the Elites in the bus. As they all paid attention.

However-

"Others?" Max echoed, appearing confused while causing the listening ears to be speechless.

"Huh?" Stunned, Miles thoughtfully rubbed his bald head. Staring at Max like he was out of this world.

"... Haven’t you realised? You’re the only SS Elite here."

"Oh?" Following these words, Max’s lingering doubt finally settled.

’Right. No wonder they seem weak compared to Kier-’ ’Truly, I should have figured it out sooner.’

"Sorry." Max said apologetically, noting that his cluelessness might have come off as an insult.

"Man." Miles whispered, reluctantly shaking his head just as the remaining Elites collectively rolled their eyes in their seats.

The bus seemed to be moving diagonally, forcing everyone to lean on their seats due to the gravity.

Looking around to see their calm expression-

"Argh-" Max suddenly groaned as the sudden burst of light ahead almost seemed to blind him.

He wasn’t alone either; despite having gone through this repeatedly, the Elites winced with shut eyes.

After what felt like an eternity under the blinding beam of light ahead, they finally reached the end of the tunnel. Breaking through its radiant curtain as they emerged on a large spacious tarred road.

’Huh? It’s an airport? A private one?’

Just after regaining his sight, clearly, Max studied where they were and suddenly spotted a jet on standby.

However, it was no ordinary jet.

’HyperFalcon X?’

’Said to be mankind’s largest discovery and able to traverse 24,500 Km/H.’ ’To think it would be here on standby...’ Max’s thoughts drifted but were suddenly interrupted.

"Alright, get to it."

Upon getting down from the bus, the instructor appeared cold and strict as she waited for everyone to settle.

Puzzled, but not wanting to act too inquisitive, Max didn’t try to ask Miles what was going on but followed in silence.

While stepping out he felt the instructor’s gaze hover on him for a few seconds before she signalled they head into the jet.

Inside, the HyperFalcon’s troop bay stretched before them: rows of fold-down seats with harnesses, overhead weapons racks humming under red mission lights, and the rear ramp sealed as a pressurized vestibule.

"We are heading to China."

H h h h h h