Chapter 603 - Misunderstanding The Purpose

"Number one… she wasn't the fastest." Ma Ping uttered when he saw the report of the first task. "She was third to the last and considering that the last two were injured, her result was not really something to be proud about."

"But she wasn't injured." His subordinate claimed. "In fact, she was the only one who wasn't injured."

"That's because she played it safe!" Ma Ping reasoned. "In this life, there is no playing it safe."

"But sir… what's the use of finishing a mission and becoming first if you also lost your arm in the process?"

This made Ma Ping silent. He stared at his subordinate before his gaze drifted towards the result of the first test. All the trainees this time were injured. Some suffered minor burns, but all of them suffered! Everyone except Gabi. (Author's note: At this point, everyone is going to call Gabi, Leo. This is her fake name.)

Not even a minor scratch.

No, the woman avoided all laser beams. True. She was slow, but all of her movements were calculated. She would stop, look at the laser, then run to the next concrete. Her fast movements didn't really attract Ma Ping's attention. What he wanted to know is how was she able to pass the test without wounds?

This test was designed to injure everyone and make them weaker. However, Gabi didn't receive any injuries. Moreover, this person also topped the test. She already has an enormous advantage when it comes to points. Now, she was the only one who didn't receive any injuries.

"But how?" Was it just cowardice that saved her?

No. That's impossible. The madam recommended this woman herself! There's no way that she was a coward! If Ma Ping was right, Lyca already tested Gabi's courage. The only reason why Gabi is here is that she passed that test!

So… how come she wasn't injured?

"Play the video again." Ma Ping instructed. His subordinate immediately complied. Then, for the third time, they watched Gabi from all angles of the camera. "She was mumbling about something." What could it be? Was she… trying to predict the laser beams?

"Sir, I think she is predicting the laser beams."

"How is that possible?" Ma Ping said. Even he doesn't know how to predict the movements of the beam.

"But isn't that the only explanation how she was able to avoid all laser? Look! Every time a beam targeted a place far away from her, she moves! Look… there it is again!"

The three people inside Ma Ping's office watched as Gabi made her way across the concrete walls. They zoomed in and out and in and out and in and out. Soon they realized that she was indeed mumbling something.

"Call her here."

"Sir?"

"I wanted to know how she was able to predict the laser beams. Even I don't know that there's a way to predict them!" How could a mere homeless predict the laser beams? Did Madam Lyca stumble upon a rare genius?

Tomorrow, they will announce the result of the entrance exam. On that day, the trainees will also start challenging other people, including the top placer. However, this time, the top one didn't receive any injuries. So, other people might not challenge her. But what if she challenges other people?

Those laser burns were not big, but they were really designed to cause a second-degree burn. Meaning, it would be quite painful. In fact, a lot of people might not have the ability to sleep tonight without any pain relievers.

While Ma Ping was silently thinking about his next actions, Gabi arrived and saluted.

"Take a seat."

"Yes, sir."

"This time, I want to congratulate you for passing the test." Ma Ping said.

"Thank you, sir."

"Do you understand why I am congratulating you even if you didn't receive any points?"

"Yes, sir."

"Good." Ma Ping nodded. He stared at Lyca's calm expression as he wondered if she already know why he wanted to talk to her. "Let me be honest with you, Leo." Ma Ping leaned back. "The test was designed to hurt everyone."

She didn't miss the surprise on the woman's small face.

"Every test was designed to hurt everyone." Ma Ping continued. "The reason behind this matter is that we wanted to see everyone's performance despite injuries. Can they still fight while in pain? Can they still survive behind enemy lines? Each and everyone here was already considered the elite of the elites. However… being an elite doesn't mean that they are going to live when they encounter someone unpredictable outside."

The woman looked confused. Ma Ping smiled inwardly. It seems that until now, this woman didn't know the purpose of this training facility. However, Gabi was able to suppress her curiosity. She waited for Ma Ping to finish his words. "Everyone… is going to encounter someone better than them one day. There will always be a better fighter, a better thinker. When facing an enemy that is stronger and better than you, the key is always adaptability, flexibility. Can you still survive even if you are injured and your enemy is stronger than you? This training facility is a place that would train you how to survive despite all odds."

"Now, you can only imagine my surprise when someone… actually finished the mission unscathed." He smiled. "I am not upset that you didn't get injured. However… I am really curious how you were able to survive more than thirty laser beams without sustaining at least one burn?"

"I— "

"I want an honest answer."

"Well… I thought the test is going to test our computing skills."

Huh? This time, it was Ma Ping's turn to look clueless. What computing skills? Was there a misunderstanding somewhere? He looked at his subordinate behind Gabi, and the two of them shrugged as well. "Explain further."

Gabi gulped and met Ma Ping's eyes. "I thought that you were testing if we could predict the next target of the beams, so I — I used a simple formula to predict its next movement. "Seeing that everyone in the room turned silent, Gabi continued. "See… I thought that all technology was based on a program. For example, a robot. A robot's movements were based on a program that was instilled inside them. If you program a robot to cut trees, then there would be a program for it to raise its arms, a program for it to swing it and cut the trees. I thought the lasers were the same.. So… I umm… analyzed its movement."