Chapter 56 - Changed.

Shi Lang got down with Captian Archie and Commander Aries. The lady used her communicator to send out a few messages and found the details of the rules. The outcome was surprising, but the boy did not show much expression. 

When he departed the planet, Aries has taken him directly by a military spaceship from the ground base. However, when he came back they came from the space elevator. He did not know why this happened but he did not intend to ask. 

Aries said, "Kid, here is your ticket, I have to report to the HQ. You must be thinking why we did not go to the ground base. Well, this way I will have it easy, plus you can use some workout. Go, get on a bus, we are just a few hours away from metropia city limits." 

Shi Lang replied, "Glad that you know your age." He saluted the lady and left. 

Aries sensed the corner of his mouth twitching and he said, "Boy do you that insulting a senior officer is a capital offense?" 

Shi Lang did not turn back but said, "Captain, he is trying to scare your recruit." as he left. 

Archie laughed even louder and asked the man beside her, "Does he look like you in your 'Youth'?" 

Aries had a vein building on his forehead and said, "Girl, you get home and I will deal with you." 

...

The space elevator was a heavily guarded place. So when The Federation united, they decided to build the government and Military HQ around this place only. The security was increased and the place was neutral. 

Shi Lang walked along with the passengers and a soldier beside him asked, "Yo, rookie. Where did you come from?"

Soldiers were just like that. They all clung to the moments they can relax from all the stress. The boy replied, "Ao." 

The soldier thought a bit and said, "Found any native beauties there?" as he chuckled. 

Shi Lang wanted to say, 'Yeah, they are big purple and can curse your soul to hell.' but he silently shook his head. 

The soldier said, "Must be a sad place." 

He introduced Shi lang to some of his brothers-in-arms and they began to chat about the various things they have experienced in the military. It was like Shi Lang's inauguration. The boy did not mind them chapping. 

They got on the bus, Shi Lang was sitting on the aisle side, and the smooth ride gave him a chance to shut his eyes and sleep. However, whenever someone moved around him he would open his eyes slightly to take a look. This was his constant sleeping state now. 

Always alert as a soldier should be. His body has grown one whole size with the breaking through to four-star level and he has become more handsome. The bus ride took him three hours before reaching Metropia. 

On the way, there were quite a lot of cities, but Metropia was the last stop. Shi Lang got down the bus and raised his left hand to check on the time. He had a backpack on flung over his right shoulder. He decided something and after getting out of the bus terminal, he waved down a taxi. 

The driver asked, "Where to?" 

Shi Lang said, "Federation Star Academy." 

The driver nodded and the car whooshed off. It took Shi Lang a couple of hours to reach the school after navigating through the web of roads in this glorified concrete jungle. He paid the driver and got off holding his bag to the side. 

He walked up to the gate and found it closed. The guard standing on the post asked, "Sir, the school gate will open after the final classes have finished."

Shi Lang said, "Can you contact the principal and tell him Student Shi Lang has returned? You will not be reprimanded." 

The guard hesitated, after all, it was not a small thing to call the principal. Even the guard was a two-star Terran. But when he saw the confident gaze of the boy he picked up the communication walkie and said a few words. He got a reply instantly. 

The guard looked at the boy and said, "Sir, you are being called inside." 

He pressed a button and a small door within the gate opened. Shi Lang thanked the man and walked inside the campus. His pace was slow and calm. It has been three months since he has come here and it felt like he has been away for a much too long period. 

He made his way to the principal's office and knocked on the door. A hoarse voice sounded, "Come In." 

Shi Lang pushed the door and slowly walked inside. He stood up as soon as he entered and saluted the man. The old man said, "Charlotte took good care of you?" 

Shi Lang nodded with a faint smile. Stevenson asked, "Any questions?" 

Shi Lang shook his head, the old man said, "You can go and visit your classmates." 

The boy nodded and with a salute he walked outside. He did not know why, but he was not in the mood to speak anymore. This change in his psyche was abrupt. He recalled that he was still jolly with Aries and even pulled his leg, but why was he not able to get him to talk now? 

He was walking around the campus in a daze. The first place that he passed by was the classroom for the battle class. He stopped in his tracks and knocked on the side of the door. He noticed that Igor, the old instructor was gone and he was replaced by someone new. 

The teacher asked, "Yes, who are you?" 

"Technical branch, Shi Lang," he replied calmly. The teacher sensed something radiating from the boy. He asked, "What made you come here?" 

Shi Lang said, "Jenkins Edwards." his voice still did not waver. 

The teacher was surprised and glanced at the boy called upon. Jenkins was already standing when Shi Lang came by. He was aware of why this guy was here. He glanced at the teacher and the man nodded. 

Jenkins walked out of the class and the two came to stand a few meters away. He asked, "What happened to you?" 

Shi Lang shook his head and said, "The rules of the assessment have changed, you must have found the details already, be careful when you go for the third round." 

Jenkins nodded and said, "You too, this time I will not lose." 

Shi Lang nodded and left.. He did not know that Jenkins's back was covered in faint sweat. As Shi Lang walked away he mumbled, "Why does he have the aura of death over him?"