The bus sped down the exclusive transit lane at a velocity of 150 km/h.
For most residents, public buses were the primary means of transportation, offering one of the fastest ways to travel within the city. Moreover, due to the "Corner Law," the city had no subway system whatsoever.
The meeting spot chosen by the class monitor was the largest supermarket in the city, a place Luo Di had only visited once, five years ago.
≮Next stop: Terminal Supermarket (Front Plaza). This is a high-density platform. The doors will remain open for ninety seconds. Please exit in an orderly manner.≯
Through the bus window, the colossal landmark building came into view.
The exterior of the structure utilized a dynamic projection lighting system, providing continuous illumination while simultaneously broadcasting cutting-edge product advertisements.
Each entrance bore the supermarket's emblem—a "brain placed within a shopping cart."
The bustling front plaza made Luo Di feel uneasy. Aside from school, he hadn't been to such a crowded place in a long time. Hastily, he dialed the class monitor's number.
Almost as soon as he started dialing, a familiar voice called out from the side, accompanied by a slender arm waving energetically in the air.
"Luo Di!"
Today's class monitor wore a white T-shirt with a cute bunny printed on the chest, paired with her usual snug athletic pants and white sneakers.
Standing beside her were the other members of the practice team.
One of them was a male classmate who had been on sick leave recently. His athletic performance was second only to Luo Di and the class monitor, ranking third in the class, but his academic grades had always been number one.
He wore custom-made glasses with a prescription exceeding 500 degrees, a casual shirt paired with sporty cropped pants, and stood at an impressive height of 183 cm. His appearance immediately marked him as a well-rounded achiever, excelling in both academics and sports. He was also the vice monitor of Class Five.
Luo Di rarely interacted with his classmates and was equally unfamiliar with this person. In two years of high school, they had exchanged fewer than ten sentences.
Of course, the vice monitor himself was also somewhat introverted and peculiar, often spending his free periods alone at the far end of deserted staircases or on the rooftop, engrossed in books.
As for the other team member, she was the class monitor's friend from another school.
Her light blonde hair cascaded down to reveal a pair of emerald-green eyes, set against fair skin. She wore a short-sleeved shirt similar to the class monitor's, featuring a cartoonish fierce dog on the chest, paired with athletic shorts.
Compared to the class monitor's slender legs, this Caucasian girl's legs were noticeably thicker—more muscular, to be precise, with pronounced definition.
Notably, she was the tallest among the four of them.
As Luo Di approached, the class monitor enthusiastically began introductions.
"Our vice monitor Gao doesn't really need much introduction, does he? Gao Yuxuan was still recovering at home but decided to give me, his class monitor, enough face to join this practice session."
Luo Di and Vice Monitor Gao exchanged a glance and nodded politely.
The class monitor then turned to her friend from another school.
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"Anna Ivanovna, a student at the best high school in our city. Though her grades are only above average at her school, they would definitely be top-tier at ours.
I'd say, Luo Di, you're probably the only one here who could beat her in sports."
Anna had already stepped closer, scrutinizing this seemingly ordinary young man. In perfectly enunciated Russian-accented Mandarin, she said, "So, you're the guy whose sports scores are higher than Wen's? Care for an arm-wrestling match?"
Before Luo Di could refuse, the class monitor had already stepped between them.
"Anna, don't scare off the teammate I worked so hard to recruit. You can save those challenges for later when you're more familiar with each other. Our time is tight, so let's get on with buying the necessities for this practice session."
Anna seemed a bit disappointed at not getting to arm wrestle, so she strode ahead, persistently flexing her biceps to show off her strength.
---
Terminal Supermarket (T.S.M)
At the entrance, there was a security checkpoint similar to those found in smart airports. Every customer had to pass through an inspection before entering. The scanners also identified the wristbands worn by individuals, retrieving their most recent valid "Psychological Report."
As students, the four of them underwent psychological check-ups at the school infirmary every two weeks, which made this process quite convenient.
After passing through security, they were immediately approached by a manager in a tailcoat, who addressed the class monitor directly.
"Honored VIP customer, how may I assist you today?"
"No need, just make sure to activate the express checkout lane for us when we pay."
"In that case, I won't disturb you further. We'll be monitoring your movements at all times. Should you require any assistance, simply wave at one of the cameras."
Luo Di silently observed everything. It was rumored that Terminal Supermarket memberships couldn't be purchased with money alone, and the number of members was extremely limited.
The class monitor skillfully grabbed a large shopping cart and reminded the group, "We have three hours to shop. Let's start by picking up the essentials."
---
[Living Essentials - Outdoor Survival Equipment Section]
This section offered everything one might need for outdoor camping and survival.
Luo Di, unfamiliar with the specifics of the practice session, had no idea what items would be suitable for fieldwork. He simply watched as the others selected their gear.
"Long-lasting high-intensity flashlight," "Portable electric lamp," "Windproof lighter," "Matches," "Portable first aid kit," "Backpack with integrated toolset"—the initial selections were relatively standard.
Then the vice monitor picked up a standard-issue combat knife, while Anna chose a tactical axe bearing a military-grade emblem.
The class monitor, however, refrained from selecting any weapons. Instead, she turned to the last member of the group. "Luo Di, why aren't you picking anything? I told you, all practice-related expenses are on me, so don't feel shy."
"Uh, are these cold weapons meant for dealing with wild animals?"
"Exactly! Oh, I forgot to explain the type of 'practice' we're doing. Silly me—no wonder I always score poorly on academic subjects compared to Gao."
The class monitor quickly stepped back to Luo Di's side, her light steps almost skipping. She leaned in close, her warm lips nearly brushing against his ear, and whispered softly.
Her voice was like a gentle caress, each word sliding out as if massaging his eardrum.
"Since everyone here is considered an outstanding student, I asked my dad to pull some strings and arrange a high-difficulty 'new practice' for us. A research institute in our city is conducting a field project for exceptional youths.
This project simulates scenarios involving [Anomalous Events]."
"Don't worry," she added. "These simulated events are far less dangerous than the real thing, and with the institute's precise controls, there's absolutely no risk to our lives."
"Simulated anomalies?" This was the first time Luo Di had heard of such a thing.
"Yes, recently, many top students have been secretly participating in these practices. They provide a significant boost for college applications."
"And the difficulty level?"
"Somewhere between three stars and the maximum, depending on our 'lottery result' when we arrive. So, Luo Di, hurry up and pick a self-defense tool.
If you haven't done any extracurricular training in this area, I personally recommend the combat knife we practiced with during PE class."
"Alright, I'll take a look around on my own first."
---
Temporarily leaving the group, Luo Di's lips twitched slightly. Upon learning that the practice would involve simulated anomalies, a deep-seated excitement began to stir within him, bubbling up from the depths of his thoughts.
He even considered pre-ordering a custom mask, though time wouldn't allow it.
Since the practice involved simulated combat against targets, Luo Di immediately thought of slasher-style weapons from movies. He stopped in front of a machete.
Just as he reached out to grasp the handle, the sound of an engine suddenly roared behind him.
Turning around, Luo Di's pupils instantly froze and contracted. The excitement brewing in his eyes seemed to ooze out like pus, spilling over as his gaze locked onto a special counter in the supermarket.
[Chainsaw Section]