Gu Luo followed everyone. They crossed the corridors to head towards the reception of the VEIL's university campus.
Since his arrival, he had the impression that he had done nothing but follow the others without really having the time to look around him. The campus was much larger than he had imagined. The corridors were wide, illuminated by long strips of white light embedded in the ceiling. Large windows sometimes overlooked the different inner courtyards, where maintenance workers could be seen walking from one building to another.
Everything seemed perfectly organized.
Even the signs indicating the different sections of the campus were numerous enough to give the impression that it was impossible to get lost.
And yet, Gu Luo had already begun to wonder how he would find his way if he ever found himself left to his own devices.
When they reached the reception, the secretary there gave Gu Luo his student card and the campus regulations, as well as the list of emergency procedures.
He took the documents with both hands and quickly looked them over. His card bore his name, his photograph, as well as an identification number. Printed in small letters in the upper right corner was the VEIL's symbol.
He ran his thumb over the laminated surface.
It was strange to see his own face associated with an institution like this.
He finally put the card in his pocket before carefully folding the regulations and the sheet concerning the emergency procedures and putting them in his pocket as well.
Once that was done, everyone headed towards the classrooms.
After about ten minutes, Leolia suddenly stopped.
"Oh damn!"
She turned around so quickly that Gu Luo almost walked into her.
"What's wrong?" one of the other two students asked.
But Leolia did not answer.
She simply grabbed Gu Luo's hand and began walking back towards where they had come from.
"Wait for me in the classroom, I'll be back soon!"
The three students looked at each other, incredulous.
For a few seconds, none of them moved. Then, as if they had decided that there was no point trying to understand, they started heading towards their classroom again.
Leolia, meanwhile, was walking at a fast pace. So fast that Gu Luo was having trouble keeping up with her.
Her fingers had closed around his hand and she was almost dragging him behind her. Her footsteps echoed across the floor as she muttered to herself.
"It's past ten o'clock. How could I forget?"
Gu Luo looked at her for a few seconds before understanding.
"The medical examination?"
"Well, yes, the medical examination! And on top of that, I promised them I'd be on time. Damn, damn, damn!"
She sped up even more.
Gu Luo said nothing.
To be honest, he found her reaction a little excessive. They were only a few minutes late. At least, that was what he assumed from the fact that he did not have a watch or a phone to check the time.
But what was certain was that Leolia seemed genuinely panicked.
They crossed several corridors before changing buildings. The passage between the two structures was covered, but large openings allowed the cool air from outside to enter.
Once outside, Gu Luo felt a light breeze brush against his face.
They took a small paved path that crossed part of the campus. On either side, rows of trees had been planted at regular intervals. Some were still young, their branches too thin to provide any real shade, while others were large enough to cover part of the path.
Through the leaves, Gu Luo could see several VEIL buildings. The campus seemed almost to function like a small town of its own.
He wondered how many students actually attended this place. He had not seen a single one since his arrival aside from his classmates, and it could not be said that there were many of them.
They finally entered a large building.
As soon as he entered, Gu Luo felt the smell of disinfectant and laundry detergent fill his nostrils. The atmosphere was different from that of the rest of the campus.
The sounds seemed muffled. There were fewer conversations and the few people they passed generally walked at a calm pace. On the walls, posters explained different medical procedures and safety instructions.
Gu Luo slowed down slightly. He did not particularly like hospitals. He had never had any particular reason to like them.
Leolia stopped in front of the building's reception and addressed the secretary.
"Excuse me, Gu Luo had an appointment for a check-up at ten o'clock."
"One moment, let me check."
The secretary typed something on her keyboard. The keys produced a succession of small clicks in the silence of the reception area.
A few seconds later, the device emitted an electronic beep.
"That's fine. You can go. Room 214."
She handed Leolia a small ticket, which she immediately crumpled before putting it in her pocket.
"Thank you!"
Leolia then turned towards Gu Luo.
She pointed at a sign fixed to the wall.
"See that sign? All the rooms are listed there. I'll let you go to 214, I'm going to rejoin the others."
"Okay."
Leolia took a few steps before turning around.
"Don't take too long."
Gu Luo nodded.
She quickly disappeared around a corner of the corridor.
Gu Luo was left alone.
For the first time since the beginning of the morning, he found himself completely on his own.
He approached the sign and began looking for his way.
The hospital map was divided into several floors: three upper floors and about ten underground floors.
Gu Luo remained dumbfounded by this information.
Ten floors underground? He slightly raised his eyebrows.
He did not know what could possibly be located so deep beneath the campus, but he had no desire to find out today.
His finger slowly moved across the map until he found room number 214.
Second floor.
At the end of a corridor.
Simple.
He took the large staircase to his left.
Each step produced a slight echo in the stairwell. He passed a few people along the way, mainly members of the medical staff who were going down the stairs while speaking quietly.
Once he reached the second floor, he remembered the directions on the map. First left. Then twice right. Then continue to the end of the corridor.
He followed the directions without difficulty.
The corridor was quieter than the one on the ground floor. Several doors were arranged on either side, each bearing a small metal number.
Gu Luo walked slowly, checking the numbers as he went.
Then, once he reached the last corridor, he continued to the end.
On his right, a faux-wooden door bore a small label numbered 214.
He stopped in front of it.
For a few seconds, he simply remained motionless.
He did not know exactly why, but a slight apprehension began to knot his stomach.
It was only a medical examination, after all.
He finally placed his hand on the handle and pressed down.
The door opened without resistance. Gu Luo entered the examination room.
The room was relatively simple. A desk occupied part of the space, with several files neatly stacked on the side. To the right was the medical equipment, perfectly arranged, while a small examination bed was set up near the wall.
A window looked out onto the outside, letting in a soft light that contrasted with the cold lighting of the corridor.
Gu Luo had barely taken two steps into the room when a familiar voice called out to him.
"Hello, Gu Luo."