From Bullets To Billions Chapter 649: The Stalker

"Hello there! Are you perhaps interested in joining our Wushu class?"

From behind the registration desk, a friendly and spirited voice beckoned. Max slowed his stride, turning to face the student staffing the booth. A name tag identified him as 'Eric.' He was the sort of individual easily lost in a crowd, of average build with black hair styled in a simple, utilitarian bowl cut. Neither the imposing musculature of a weightlifter nor the sinewy leanness of a marathon runner defined him; in truth, he didn't appear particularly athletic at all.

"Yes, I am," Max responded, moving closer. "Is there a registration form I need to complete?"

"Wow, you're keen! I didn't even get a chance to deliver the sales pitch I spent all morning crafting," Eric chuckled. He reached beneath the counter and retrieved a pristine registration sheet.

As Max accepted the pen, his eyes swept over the document. It was more comprehensive than anticipated, requesting details about his physical condition, his background in competitive sports, and any prior experience with martial arts or Wushu. Max paused, his pen hovering above the paper. He needed to be judicious about what he disclosed, yet he also wished to avoid appearing completely inexperienced.

’Should I claim some experience in these areas?’ Max mused. ’Compared to the average student, I suppose my athleticism is considerable.’ He completed the form, balancing honesty with strategic omissions, before returning it across the counter.

Eric briefly reviewed the sheet, his eyebrows rising in surprise. "Oh, quite interesting. Well, Max, I have your information now, and I’ll be in touch regarding the class schedule. Based on what you've written here, I am genuinely looking forward to instructing you."

"Hold on, you're the instructor?" Max blurted out, realizing a moment too late how his surprised tone might have sounded impolite.

"Haha! Don't let my appearance deceive you," Eric replied easily, taking no offense. "Martial arts isn't solely about brute physical strength. It's fundamentally designed to enable individuals to maximize their inherent bodily capabilities. Its purpose is to level the playing field between a smaller combatant and a larger adversary."

This explanation resonated deeply with Max. It brought to mind the numerous discussions he’d had with Wolf at the Fortis building. Wolf had often stressed that a lower rank or a seemingly weaker exterior did not guarantee defeat; the crucial 'bridge' was frequently skill, technique, and the precise application of one's strength.

Having already committed to the Wushu club, Max understood that joining other societies would encroach upon the time necessary to pursue his primary objective: gathering intelligence on Donto Stern. With his registration finalized, he resolved to address the loose end from his morning encounter – returning the ID card to the young woman he had accidentally bumped into.

He recalled the general direction she had been walking, and with ample time before his first official lecture, he set off across the campus grounds. He soon spotted her not too far ahead; her distinctive short hair made her easily identifiable amidst the throng. She was at that moment entering one of the main lecture halls.

Following her inside, Max observed that the girl, identified as Talia, had met up with a friend. This companion presented a stark contrast to Talia’s somewhat understated

Near a janitor's cart stood a man clad in blue overalls, his thick-rimmed glasses perched precariously on his nose. With a swift, practiced turn of his head, the man, who was indeed acting as a janitor, met Max's gaze and offered a subtle, professional nod.

Max's mind spun as he processed this unexpected sight. 'That's Aron... he actually came to the university disguised as a janitor?' he mused, stunned that his personal guard had managed to infiltrate such a secure campus. 'Just when I thought there was no way he could follow me... that guy really is a...'

"Stalker," Max blurted out, the word escaping his lips unintentionally.

"I told you I had a weird feeling about him!" Yovan exclaimed, pointing a finger at Max. "Who dyes their hair that shade of red these days? And then he just strolls up and admits he's a stalker right to our faces! People these days are completely unhinged."

Max glanced at the two girls and realized the colossal misunderstanding he had just caused. However, he found himself too preoccupied with the surreal reality of his bodyguard undercover as a maintenance worker to bother with any explanations. His head was already swimming. Reaching into his pocket, he retrieved an ID card and presented it to Talia.

"This is yours. You dropped it," Max stated curtly.

The moment Talia took her card, Max turned sharply and walked away. He desperately needed to leave the university for the day, to escape the 'stalker' and make sense of the bizarre situation.

Left behind in the hallway, Talia and Yovan were completely bewildered.

"Why did he have your ID card?" Yovan inquired, her previously defensive stance dissolving into confusion.

"Ah... I think he might have been the person I bumped into earlier," Talia whispered, examining the card. "Did I drop it then?"

"And you let me yell at him and call him a stalker?" Yovan groaned, burying her face in her hands. "Now I've made myself look like a complete lunatic in front of someone who was just trying to be helpful!"

"Well, I don't think the 'lunatic' part is entirely inaccurate," Talia giggled, carefully tucking the card away.

By the time Max reached the university gates, a genuine headache was beginning to form. He couldn't quite determine if having so many members of the Billion Bloodline group, along with his personal security detail, embedded within the university was ultimately a positive or negative development.

As he ambled down the main street, putting distance between himself and the campus, a dark vehicle smoothly pulled up alongside him. The passenger window descended with a quiet hum.

"It's been a long time, Max," the man inside said, a knowing smile gracing his features.

Max halted and looked at the driver, his eyes instantly recognizing the face.

"Dud..."