TIC Chapter 33

 Chapter 33

Xiao Yan looked up and scanned his surroundings; he was eager to find out exactly who was watching him.

“What other motive could there be? If I didn't put pressure on you, you certainly wouldn't give the test your absolute all! I’ve submitted a formal request to the higher-ups: if you achieve an A-level rating on this test, you’ll come work as my research assistant!”

“Is that really the case?” Xiao Yan asked, sounding deeply skeptical.

“What else would it be? If you’re by my side, at least I can keep an eye on you! If I just let you run off on some ‘field research’ missions, I’d be living in constant dread every single day!”

Casey’s expression was utterly earnest.

Xiao Yan sighed. *Yeah, he’s right; I really have been incredibly irresponsible toward this friend.* He knew perfectly well what Casey was constantly worrying about, yet he kept doing things that only served to heighten those anxieties.

“Please don’t be mad at me... You’re the only friend I have... I just don’t want you going into dangerous places anymore...”

Casey lowered his head. No matter how the outside world hailed him as a genius, or how much he projected an image of strength and arrogance, he was, at heart, still just a boy. In this cold, sterile research center, he was treated like an adult—yet how many people truly remembered that he was nothing more than a child?

Xiao Yan gently embraced him, patting him on the back.

“It’s okay. You’re my best friend. Back when everyone else was mocking me as a ‘waste,’ you were the only one who ever stepped forward to stand up for me.”

*Worst-case scenario? I pass this A-level test and actually go work as Casey’s research assistant.* Besides, wasn't he currently desperate to get involved in research work and gain access to information regarding the X-Virus? Casey surely possessed the most cutting-edge research equipment and the most highly classified data available.

At that moment, with his chin resting against Xiao Yan’s shoulder, a flicker of slyness danced in Casey’s eyes, and the dimples at the corners of his mouth deepened into an expression both profound and inscrutable.

With the test data submitted and Lily safely escorted to the medical bay, Xiao Yan stretched his arms and gave a long, satisfying yawn. “I’m hungry—let’s go grab a bite!”

“How can you be so completely unconcerned about your test results?”

“What is there to worry about? If I get assigned as your assistant, then I’m a Class A elite. If I get sent back out for fieldwork, then I’m just a Class B loser.”

“You really are laid-back! But what about Lily? Do you really not like her? I remember every time you saw her pass by at the Academy, you’d just stare right at her chest!”

“That’s a man’s nature! Besides, pursuing beautiful things is a human instinct!”

Xiao Yan and Casey left the laboratory.

Inside the observation room, a man in military uniform stood before the glass pane.

“Report: the test results are in.”

“What is his classification rating?”

“A-level.”

“And his neural interface speed?”

“Three hundred exabytes per second—consistent with the data transmitted from Base 14.”

The man rested his chin in his hand, deep in thought. “Even Shen Bing’s terminal access speed is only 2600 terabytes per second.”

“Sir... should we raise Student Xiao Yan’s research rank?”

“Certainly not. Since we now know that the Surge Organization’s objective in attacking our research vessels was to harvest the researchers’ brains, if they were to discover Xiao Yan’s research rank and his terminal access speed, they would undoubtedly make him a target. Notify the Central Research Institute: Xiao Yan’s research rank is to remain unchanged, but his security clearance is to be elevated to Level A. He is to be placed under full-time protective custody.”

“And what of Lieutenant Colonel Casey’s request?”

“Approved. Keeping Xiao Yan within the Research Institute—the facility with the most stringent security protocols—serves as a form of protection for him as well.”

“Understood! I heard... that you personally reviewed Xiao Yan’s research report regarding that Level 1 mutant?”

“Indeed. It is a remarkably bold and intriguing hypothesis.”

“The research supervisors at the Central Academy felt his report was preposterous—nothing but pure conjecture, devoid of any theoretical framework or supporting data, and entirely unworthy of verification.”

“All research begins with a hypothesis. Consider, for instance, Galileo’s heliocentric model from centuries past, Newton’s theory of universal gravitation, or even the ‘Father of Virology,’ Constantine’s, theory of viral mutation—all began as mere hypotheses. Each one seemed wildly outlandish and met with initial resistance, yet ultimately, they were validated and enshrined as scientific classics. Perhaps Xiao Yan’s work will become the next such classic? The most fascinating aspect of this world is precisely this: that at any given moment, a figure you had previously deemed utterly insignificant might suddenly turn everything you thought you understood and accepted completely upside down.”

Xiao Yan enjoyed a truly sumptuous dinner that evening; after all, due to supply constraints at Base No. 14, food rations were strictly portioned, and it had been a long time since Xiao Yan had been able to eat his fill so unreservedly. Thinking of Shen Bing, who was still back at the base, Xiao Yan rubbed his nose and mused to himself: *It seems a Colonel’s life isn’t necessarily any more comfortable than a student’s!*

“What are you daydreaming about now?” Casey’s finger playfully poked at Xiao Yan’s cheek.

“Just thinking about something I’m rather proud of,” Xiao Yan replied, blinking innocently.

“And what exactly has you feeling so proud?” Casey leaned forward, propping herself up on her hands, inching closer and closer to Xiao Yan until those beautiful eyes—shimmering like emeralds—were right before his face. His expression was clearly smiling—displaying that same childish capriciousness as always—yet beneath the confines of his military uniform, a subtle air of aggression seemed to emanate.

“N-nothing...” Xiao Yan instinctively leaned back, pressing his back against the chair.

“Liar. Were you thinking about Lily again?” Casey raised an eyebrow, his eyes turning cold and deep.

“Hey! If you hadn't brought her up, I wouldn't have thought of her at all!”

“If you weren't thinking about Lily, then what about Hein Burton?” Casey propped his chin in his hand, gazing at Xiao Yan; the palpable sense of pressure—so distinct from his usual joking demeanor—made Xiao Yan flinch slightly.

“...What about Colonel Burton?” Xiao Yan hadn't expected Casey to suddenly bring up Hein.

“His unit is deploying for a mission soon. Lieutenant General Averell, the head of the Academy of Sciences, assigned a Major to provide them with technical support. Do you know what his team members said?” Casey paused, locking his gaze with Xiao Yan’s. “They said that aside from you—that little rookie—they don't need any other technical personnel dragging them down.”

Xiao Yan rubbed the back of his head and chuckled. “I never realized my reputation was actually that high!”

“And you’re still laughing! I assumed Hein Burton would keep his men in line, but who knew he wouldn't say a single word? Do you realize what that implies? It means he shares the exact same mindset as his subordinates! Thank goodness Major General Gordon and Lieutenant General Averell both oppose your leaving Shire; otherwise, you’d be dragged out to face that bloody carnage with those guys again! Just how many lives do you think you have to spare?”

Xiao Yan parted his lips to speak. He wanted to say that as long as he was with Hein Burton, he had a gut feeling that no matter what happened, he would make it back safely. Conversely, here in this underground city—without Hein—his mind felt vaguely unsettled.

“Alright, regardless of all that, I want you to keep your distance from Hein Burton’s unit. I don't want to reach the most critical phase of my research only to have my assistant dragged away to fight zombies!”

“You’re overthinking it,” Xiao Yan said, lowering his head to resume eating.

For some reason, ever since returning to Shire this time, Xiao Yan couldn't shake the feeling that something about Casey had changed—that he was somehow different from before. “Alright then. If I ever find out you’re still pining over that woman who nearly got you killed—or if you’re thinking about sneaking off-campus—I’ll twist your head right off and add it to my collection. I’ll put it on my desk so I can look at you whenever I feel like it. How does that sound?”

Casey narrowed her eyes and smiled—a truly adorable expression.

Xiao Yan, however, felt a chill run down his spine; he nearly tumbled backward right off his chair.

After dinner, Xiao Yan and Casey returned to their respective apartments.

The apartments for B-level trainees were arranged in rows of attached units, and the living space was pitifully small—barely enough room to squeeze in a bed and a single terminal unit. Xiao Yan didn't mind this, though; after all, a dorm room was just a place to sleep. Besides, as long as he could plug into the terminal, he could spend all his leisure time immersed in online games—a condition that might best be described as internet addiction.

As he approached his apartment building, he noticed several figures standing in the shadows near the main entrance. They were dressed in military uniforms, though their collars were unbuttoned; judging by their demeanor, they clearly weren't the technical staff from the Research Institute—they looked more like personnel from the Department of Military Administration. This was the department Xiao Yan loathed most: a bureaucratic cesspool that accomplished nothing yet reeked of official arrogance.

Naturally, he chose to ignore these eyesores completely. Xiao Yan walked up to his door and was just about to use his fingerprint scanner to enter when the men from Military Administration closed in, surrounding him. Their gazes were predatory and hostile, devoid of any goodwill.

Xiao Yan immediately went on high alert.

“You’re Xiao Yan?”

The officer in charge shoved Xiao Yan roughly and snarled, “Why aren’t you answering?”

In terms of physical combat, Xiao Yan knew he was nothing more than a clumsy, green rookie; his mind raced as he tried to figure out how to lure them away.

“That’s him! That’s the guy—Xiao Yan! I remember now! I saw him earlier today when we were disembarking from the transport craft!”

Xiao Yan’s heart sank. He was just about to turn and flee when someone grabbed him by the collar, slamming him back against the wall.

Before he could even utter a word, a fist smashed into his face. He instantly felt dizzy and disoriented, and the coppery taste of blood flooded his mouth.

Damn it! What the hell is going on?! Out in the field, he gets chased and bitten by zombies; now that he’s back in Shire, he’s getting chased and beaten up by people! “I asked you a question—how dare you not answer! Beat this guy to a pulp!”

A flurry of fists rained down; with nowhere to dodge, Xiao Yan could only crouch down, shielding his head with his arms.

Heavy blows landed on his shoulders and arms; beyond the physical pain, Xiao Yan felt a burning rage simmering deep within him.

He was being beaten mercilessly.

Ever since entering the Academy of Sciences, he had been mocked countless times by Class A trainees as a "waste," but this—being inexplicably and brutally beaten like this—was a first.

No matter how laid-back he was, or how little value he placed on trivial matters of pride, Xiao Yan still possessed a fiery spirit deep in his bones.

“If you’ve got the guts, go ahead and smash my skull in! Otherwise, I swear I’ll report every single one of you to the Military Discipline Office!”

No sooner had the words left Xiao Yan’s lips than the ringleader grabbed him by the hair and slammed his face violently against the wall. Watching Xiao Yan’s features contort under the pressure, the ringleader grinned triumphantly and raised his voice: “Listen here, kid. You think you’re going to report *us* to the Military Discipline Office? Looks like you still haven’t figured out *why* you’re getting beaten up! We’re here to teach you a lesson on behalf of Major Denzel from the Military Discipline Office!”

Hearing this, Xiao Yan finally understood what was going on.

Major Denzel had been relentlessly pursuing Lily, even promising her that if she accepted his marriage proposal—even if she failed to qualify as a Class A researcher—he would ensure she could remain in logistics work and wouldn't have to leave the Shire. But Lily had turned him down.

The kind of man Xiao Yan despised most was precisely this type: one whose ego was bruised by a woman’s rejection, so he sought to regain his sense of self-worth by bullying completely unrelated bystanders.

“In that case, do me a favor and pass a message along to Major Denzel... Tell me: when Lily was running for her life, being chased by a horde of zombies... where, exactly, was the ‘esteemed’ Major Denzel?”

Xiao Yan curled his lips into a mocking sneer. Although he looked utterly wretched right now—his mouth throbbing with pain even as he spoke—he simply could not bring himself to hold back when confronted with something he found so utterly repulsive.

“You little punk—you’ve got a death wish!”

Another fist flew toward Xiao Yan’s gut. Acting on pure instinct, Xiao Yan shot out his hand to intercept and seize the attacker’s fist, as the image of Hein Burton flashed through his mind. He then drove his knee upward, slamming it violently into his assailant. The officer hadn't expected Xiao Yan to fight back; completely caught off guard, he was struck so hard in the gut that he vomited up the contents of his stomach.

The other two men were stunned into silence for a moment, then immediately swung their fists at Xiao Yan in a fit of rage.

By now, Xiao Yan had regained his composure; dodging and weaving, he searched for an opportunity to escape.

As members of the Military Administration Department, they had, after all, undergone systematic combat training. Before long, one of them pinned Xiao Yan down, while the other moved in to pummel him with his fists and feet.

"Step on his knees and lean back—he’ll lose his balance."

A cold, dispassionate voice drifted through the air, washing over Xiao Yan’s ears and sinking deep into his mind.

Xiao Yan surged upward, planting both feet firmly on the knees of the man pinning him down. He threw his weight backward with sudden force; sure enough, the man lost his balance and began to topple over. In that split second as his attacker fell backward, Xiao Yan lashed out with a kick at the other man—the one who was just about to land a punch on him.

Now free, Xiao Yan scrambled to his feet and, before the two men could fully recover their wits, darted out of their attack range.

As he regained his bearings, he saw a man with a stern yet elegant countenance standing beneath a streetlamp.

Xiao Yan stared at him in stunned silence, unable to fathom how he could possibly be here.

"Hein..."

Hein Burton strolled leisurely toward him. Suddenly, his hand flashed past Xiao Yan’s ear—the rush of air tugging at the strands of Xiao Yan’s hair—and from behind him came the sound of a muffled choke.

Xiao Yan had feared Hein was about to snap *his* neck, and his heart had seized up in terror. But when he stiffly turned around, he realized Hein’s hand was clamped around the throat of a man who had been attempting to sneak-attack him. With seemingly effortless strength, Hein hoisted the man into the air; the man’s face instantly turned a deep crimson as his toes slowly lifted off the ground, his eyes wide with the sheer terror of facing imminent death.

The other two officers stood frozen in shock at the sight.

"You... You... Who the hell are you?"

They cowered back, too intimidated to step forward.

Hein’s brow furrowed slightly. With a sharp jerk, he flung the officer he was holding aside; the man crashed to the ground, clutching his throat as he began to cough violently. “I’d advise you not to stick your nose where it doesn’t belong! Otherwise, we’ll report you to Major Denzel—and he won’t go easy on you!”

Hein took two more steps forward, disdainfully tapping the epaulets on his shoulder; his crisp, immaculate combat uniform clearly proclaimed his rank.

“Sp... Special Operations Forces...”

“He’s a Colonel...”