"John Paulo, this is really a rare incident, you know? This is the first time I saw how you lost your composure," the infirmary nurse said while bandaging Paulo's fist.
Paulo only smiled in response. His mind was still wrapped in the things he had witnessed earlier.
"That's it, okay. Don't do it again, okay? You know that hands are the most important part of a musician's body, right?"the nurse said smiling.
"Thank you,"Paulo said briefly.
"Oh, drink this. It will heal faster and won't swell up too much,"the nurse said and handed over the small container filled with liquid.
Paulo took the medicine without hesitation...
...which is a big mistake.
After a while, Paulo regained his senses due to severe dizziness. He couldn't understand why he suddenly felt this way.
"The medicine... it's not for my wound!" Paulo snorted to himself.
"N-nurse...what medicine is that---"Paulo couldn't continue the question when he saw men in suits come in. These were the men he saw earlier.
"No!"Paulo shouted in his mind. He couldn't speak because of the intense sleepiness that was consuming him.
Before he lost consciousness, he heard the words...
"Curiousity kills the cat, Mr. Top One."
On the other hand, Josh, Ken, and Stell were already being let into the science laboratory. Although the two were not there yet, they continued the meeting.
"I heard that John Paulo was in the clinic at the moment, while Justin is still talking with his father. But I think they can make it before we end this meeting," President Hood said.
"Dahil kayo ay batch ng Elite Five na nakatagal ng four consecutive years, you won't be merely called as the Elite Five anymore. Your ranks have gone higher, which is truly rare for an ALAB University student to achieve." Prof. Hong added.
Excitement is evident in Elite Five's eyes.
"You will now be called as the ALAB Elites as of this moment. You are the second batch of the ALAB Elites so be proud, gentlemen," Prof. Hong said with a smile.
Before he could continue, the door to the room opened and two figures of the new ALAB Elites emerged.
"Finally, you're here. The top one and top two students shouldn't miss such announcements like this," said Prof. Hong.
The two sat there motionless. Even if the three wanted to ask them questions, they postponed it for now.
"As I was saying, you are now promoted to ALAB Elites and will have more extra privilege than before, including the access to the restricted building," Prof. Hong said that surprised them.
"Prof. Hong, are you sure? Can we really go to that restricted building?" Josh asked in surprise.
"Yes. However, along with the additional privileges, you will also get tougher and stricter training than before. It is an exclusive, intense training for ALAB Elites that has been developed back then. This is one of the secrets of ALAB University that only the five of you will be able to know," Prof. Hong emphasized.
Mixed emotions are felt by the gentlemen: surprised, excitement, and nervous. However, all of them are truly ready for this evolution.
"Everyday, you will have a medical checkup after your training to monitor your overall health condition. You will also need to be assessed and tested individually every week to monitor your improvements," President Hood said.
"Oh, Dad, will our curriculum change? As in everything?"Stella asked.
"Yes. Kaya umayos na kayo this time. Dahil sa intensed training, you will also follow strict schedule and diet for two weeks. After every two weeks on Sunday, you will be allowed to go out of the university as your day off. That is your only rest day," President Hood's serious promise immediately brought a smile to Stell's face.
"The rest of the training will be elaborated sa as you undergo through it. I just only wish that you would comply with the protocols, ALAB Elites. You are not just Elite Five anymore. Are we clear on that?" President Hood asked the five.
"Yes Dad," They answered.
"Good, the intense training will start tomorrow at 7am. Don't be late," President Hood's reminder.
After the meeting, they were given time to go out before the intense training started tomorrow. So, the five of them decided to eat at the cafeteria of the regular classes. Luckily, it was only five in the afternoon and the students were in class, so they were the only ones eating there.
"Justin, how's your talk with your father?" asked the oldest brother of the five, Josh.
"Ayos lang. Same old, he just scolded me as usual for not getting the too spot. I'm used to it, Josh," Justin said.
"Did I ask him too much? He doesn't seem to want to vent his anger. Not like before. It seems like things are worse now,"Josh said in his mind.
"How about you Paulo? How long have you been in the clinic? Was your injury that bad?"he asked again.
"There were three other students being taken care of before me. That's why it took so long,"Paulo answered Josh.
Josh just nodded because he knew he wouldn't gain anything from the two of them.
"What do you think about the intense training?" Ken asked seriously.
The four of them looked at each other in the void.
"I'm quite nervous, but also excited. For sure our skills will be developed more,"Justin said.
"I don't know about that Justin. Ever since we went to Prof. Hong's office this morning and he mentioned the reward, I've had a different feeling,"Paulo answered.
"What do you mean?" Justin asked Paulo.
"Intense training during our last year? Isn't it strange? The training system in ALAB University is supposed to get lighter as your year level increases because seniors need to focus on real-time and on-stage performance. Why do we, the ALAB Elites, have to do otherwise?" Paulo's long explanation.
"You have a point Paulo. But didn't they say that it was exclusive training? That means the system is really different from the university's regular policies,"Stella replied.
"Whatever the intense training may have, I am born ready for it!" Josh confidently said.
"I'm more interesting in knowing how it works though," Ken said.
"We are the ALAB Elites, Paulo. We are supposed to bring pride to ALAB University, thus we must work hard to achieve this school's vision. Isn't it better that we can hone our skills better than the past batches of Elite Five?" Justin retaliated on Paulo's sentiments.
"Just wait and see...you will eventually know what I'm talking about," Paulo said mysteriously.
Two and a half hours ago...
"Sir, do I really have to do it to John Paulo?" the nurse anxiously asked while on the phone.
"He saw everything, Nurse Choi. I won't let my plan go to waste just because of the kid!" the man said.
The nurse was lost with as she gripped the container with a liquid on it. It is a formula that can make you forgot everything 40 minutes before you drink the medicine.
And she had to make Paulo intake it. They want Paulo to forget everything he saw about Justin and the restricted building.
"You know the consequences of disobeying me, Nurse Choi," the guy said and ended the call.
Nurse Choi immediately composed herself and mutter to herself.
"I'm sorry, John Paulo..."
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