chapter676

Lydia drifted off into her own thoughts for a moment.

Kevin spoke up again, The research institute by the border found a strain that looks like P-K55. They're running tests, and right now, they think it might be a new

mutation. If that's true, things could get messy fast."

Lydia nodded. Let me know what they find out. I'll help if they need me."

Kevin gave her a relieved smile, the kind that said he already knew she'd step up. "Alright. Let's wait for their results, then we'll talk it through together."

"Okay."

"Oh, and by the way, freshman training starts tomorrow. You don't need to go if you don't want to."

Kevin was well aware of Lydia's skills. The training would be nothing to her, just a game.

Lydia arched an eyebrow. "I don't want any special treatment.

Kevin laughed. "Fair enough. But I bet your class is going to take first place, no question."

Lydia just shrugged. "We'll see."

Since she had training in the morning, Kevin sent her out of the lab early so she could get some rest in her dorm.

As Lydia left Lab Building 2, two girls spotted Kevin watching her go. They stopped in their tracks, stunned.

"Yara, isn't that Mr. Moore? Was that student just leaving the special lab with him? Did I imagine that? Tina, Yara's classmate, stared at Lydia's silhouette as it vanished into the night.

Yara frowned, her eyes following Lydia. "You saw right. That was the principal, and he brought a student out of the lab."

Tina lowered her voice, "But that's the new special research lab. Hardly anyone gets to use it."

Yara's gaze sharpened. You said it yourself, hardly anyone. There are always exceptions."

Tina huffed. "Even you couldn't get in. Now he's letting someone else inside? That's so unfair."

"Maybe she earned it," Yara replied, her tone calm but thoughtful.

Capital Med had a whole maze of labs, split across three big buildings. First-years usually stuck to Lab 1, second-years moved up to Lab. and third-years worked in Lab 3 Some students, the ones with So the ones wit

withet

serious talent could, jump

ahead.

Yara was one of those-she got into

Lab 2 as a freshman.

Over the summer, when the school built the special research lab, Yara had asked her grandfather, Vice Principal Johnson, if he could show her around. Even he hadn't gotten past Mr. Moore.

Now Yara's curiosity was burning. Who was that student Mr. Moore had just led out? Tina pouted, "Mr. Moore is impossible. You're Mr. Johnson's granddaughter and he still wouldn't let you in. But he'll take some other student for a tour? Honestly."

Yara just smiled, gentle and unbothered. It's fine. One day, I'll prove I belong in there, too."

Tina sighed like it was a tragedy. "Yara, you're way too nice. You have connections but you never use them. Just like that campus queen poll Lydia disappeared from the forum and everyone blames you, but you don't say a word to clear things up. You just let them talk

Yara smiled again. People will believe what they want. Let's go back to the dorm."

Lydia had only just stepped into her room when her phone buzzed. Connor was calling.

She picked up and walked out onto the balcony.

Inside, Daisy lounged on her bed with a face mask on, watching Lydia. Daisy scoffed quietly. How long was she gonna up that perfect act? Strating around like she owns the place, you'd think she was some billionaire's daughter.