The mont he finished speaking, the entire office erupted in anguished groans.
"Nooo..."
"How does it get more insane every year!"
"The devil’s training is about to begin. To all you rookies, it’s ti you learned how the rest of us survived."
"Haha, this sounds fun. I love to work out, so I’m not feeling any pressure..."
’An 800-ter run? Isn’t that a death sentence?’
Claire Sinclair felt a sudden urge to write her resignation letter on the spot... Of course, it was just a passing thought.
Her sister had once written in a letter that when she first joined the training camp, she couldn’t complete the run in the allotted ti either. But after a lot of practice, her sister beca the most formidable warrior goddess.
’It’s only 800 ters. If my sister could do it, I can too.’
With that thought, Claire Sinclair was suddenly filled with determination. As she was about to take her draft to Henry Hartwell, she overheard Phoebe Lockwood ask a senior colleague, "Did the paper do this kind of thing last year too?"
"They sure do. Every single year. A lot of new hires quit because they can’t pass the physical training. Lockwood, can you run 800 ters?"
Phoebe Lockwood gave a cold laugh. "What’s 800 ters? I was the 3000-ter champion back in college."
"Wow, you’re amazing!"
"Man, we only have a week. I’ve got to start training now to avoid getting thrown into that devil’s training camp. That place is hell. I was sent there once—stuck for seven days before they let out."
"I had it worse. I was stuck in there for half a month. When I got out, my skin was a whole shade darker. You guys can’t even imagine what it’s like in there."
"That’s terrifying. I’m not taking the bus after work today, I’m running ho..."
’Is it really that bad?’
Claire Sinclair felt a little apprehensive, but she was also strangely excited about this unknown challenge, because she wanted to beco stronger.
’Whatever. I’ll cross that bridge when I co to it.’
Claire Sinclair took her draft and walked into the records room.
Henry Hartwell was sitting in front of his computer, which had a web-based chat window open.
InnocentLad: Doesn’t "June 2nd" just an the date, June 2nd?
ReporterHartwell: Do I need you to explain the literal aning to ?
InnocentLad: Then what do you an?
ReporterHartwell: Go ask about "June 2nd" in your group chat.
InnocentLad: Ask what about it?
ReporterHartwell: Don’t ask what. Just post "June 2nd."
InnocentLad: Fine, I’ll give it a shot.
Henry Hartwell looked up at the young woman who had just walked in. "Finished with the revisions?"
"Yes, Teacher Hartwell. Please take a look." Claire Sinclair placed the printed draft on his desk.
Henry Hartwell took the draft and skimd it quickly. After a mont’s thought, he said casually, "There’s a typo in the third paragraph. Go fix it. The rest is fine. Send the final draft to the art departnt and have them draw a simple illustration. I’m putting this article on the front page."
"The front page???"
Claire Sinclair almost thought she’d misheard him.
Henry Hartwell smiled. "Do you want to use a pen na or your real na?"
"A pen na!" ’I need to maintain an air of mystery, hehe...’
"What’s the pen na?"
"Uh..." Claire Sinclair was stumped. She really hadn’t thought about it.
"Go ho and think about it. ssage it to tonight before you go to bed. You’re free to go."
"Okay. See you tomorrow, Teacher Hartwell."
Claire Sinclair turned and left.
Henry Hartwell stared at his computer screen. After a few minutes, a reply finally ca from "InnocentLad": Damn, sothing big really is happening on June 2nd. A senior hacker friend of mine got an invite a month ago. I’ll paste the original text for you.
[On June 2nd, you are cordially invited to The Prankster Alliance’s party. To those who receive this invite and don’t attend, well, you’ll have to face the consequences.]
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