Chapter 57: First day at University. (1/3)

Max sat on his bike near the entrance, one foot on the ground, helmet resting on the handlebar, keys loose in his hand, when he spotted Mr. Johann jogging back toward the building, light steps, heavy breathing, morning sweat darkening his tracksuit. The old man noticed him and lifted a hand in greeting, planning to jog straight past him. He looked tired.

Max raised his arm and motioned for him to stop. Then he stepped off the bike in one smooth motion and met him halfway, not making the old man walk all the way over.

” Mr. Johann, good morning ”

” Morning, Mr. Weber, is there any problem? ”

” No, I just wanted to let you know, one of my very distant relatives is living with me ”

Johann slowed to a walk, hands on his hips for a second to catch his breath, then waved casually like it wasn’t a big deal.

” Oh! That’s alright, I don’t care about it, just don’t make too much noise, I don’t want to hear other tenants complaining ”

” That’s all ”

” Mmhm ”

Short and clear. Nothing else was needed. Johann nodded and continued inside without another question.

Max turned right away and walked back to the bike, swung his leg over the seat in one clean motion, picked up the helmet, and slid it on, the strap tightened with a quick pull. He rolled the bike forward a little with his feet to line it up straight with the gate, hands settling naturally on the bars and throttle.

BRRRrrr

The engine came alive under him. He eased the clutch and let the bike glide out first, then pushed in power smoothly, the machine pulling forward in one straight line before merging onto the road and heading toward the university.

Max didn’t turn on his god-level driving skill to slow things down, there was no need for it today. He kept the bike within the speed limit and simply rode like everyone else, hands steady on the bars, back straight, letting the cool morning air brush against his jacket and helmet. The streets looked calm and clean at this hour, a few cars passing by, shop shutters opening, trees swaying lightly along the sidewalk, sunlight spreading slowly across the road.

For once, he wasn’t rushing anywhere. He just enjoyed the ride, concentrating on relaxing his mood.

The engine hummed smoothly under him while the city moved past in a steady rhythm, and for some reason everything felt lighter today, his new life finally starting to feel real and meaningful, not just plans in his head, but actual steps forward. From today, his journey as a doctor truly began.

It didn’t take long for him to reach the campus. Even from a distance, the place looked vibrant and full of people, students walking in groups, laughing, carrying books and coffee cups, the morning energy everywhere. The atmosphere was lively but not loud, which only made his bike stand out even more, the deep exhaust note cutting through the air and pulling attention from every direction.

” Damn!! That’s a hot bike ”

” That’s freaking Ducati ”

” Ugh! Too much sound ”

” Hey, that boy looks cute ”

Voices followed him as he passed the small open-air restaurant just outside the university gate, tables filled with students eating breakfast and talking, chairs scraping the ground, plates clinking, the smell of food drifting across the street. Max eased off the throttle and slowed down naturally here, guiding the bike carefully through the crowd before turning smoothly into the campus entrance.

Max guided his bike toward the parking lot allocated for students. They didn’t need permission for it as it was open to all if they were students of LMU. He simply slowed near the small booth and showed his online ID, which was enough for parking. The Ducati rolled inside at low speed, the deep exhaust echoing against the concrete walls, heavier and rougher than the quiet scooters and bicycles around it, the sound naturally turning heads as he passed.

Near the entrance, a few girls slowed down while walking, one hugging her books close, another leaning toward her friend whispering, two of them pretending to check their phones while their eyes kept drifting back toward the bike. They stopped near the gate instead of going inside.

The boy managing the lot noticed them. He straightened up, pushed his glasses up his nose, then walked halfway out of his booth toward Max instead of waiting inside like before, stopping just far enough to be seen clearly from the entrance. His chest lifted a little, his voice raised on purpose.

” You might wanna buy a little calmer bike, this one makes too much noise ”

The words came out louder than necessary, almost like an announcement, then he adjusted his club badge like it meant something.

Max didn’t respond. He simply guided the bike into the corner slot, rolled it back neatly, lining it up straight under the security camera, then the system panel flashed.

[Permanently Lock the Vehicle?]

[Yes/No]

Max pressed [Yes]. He stepped off the bike and walked toward the glasses boy, each step closing the gap quickly.

Up close, the difference was obvious. Max stood six foot six while the boy barely reached five six, almost a full head and shoulders shorter. The helmet, the jacket, the boots, everything made him look bigger. The boy had to tilt his chin up just to meet his visor.

” Did I break any rules? ”

Max’s voice was normal. He was a little curious, that’s all.

The boy’s shoulders dropped a little, his one eye faltered slightly, like he realized he made a mistake.

” N…No, just bothered students around, you know, how it is ”

His voice wasn’t loud anymore, it was meek and almost felt stuck in his throat, he was trying his best to talk.

” I don’t know how it is. Can you please explain? ”

” I…I mean, it’s loud, so I said normally, there are no rules, you can do whatever you want ”

Almost a mumble now.

Max looked at the fool for a whole minute. He didn’t understand how a person like this could join LMU, where he had studied long nights just to enter this university.

” Alright ”

Max nodded once, then took off his helmet, brushing his slightly medium-length hair back with his fingers, then he put it on the bike and walked toward the campus entrance. Behind him, the girls quickly straightened up and began walking too, soft whispers following at a distance.

” H…Hey ”

Max suddenly heard the girls calling him, so he slowed his steps and looked back with a small smile, then saw the one with the phone in her hand hurrying over first, the strap of her pink jacket bouncing lightly as she walked, her ponytail swaying behind her. The other girl followed half a step slower, clutching her books to her chest like a shield.

” You’re a freshman? ”

” Yes, why do you ask? ”

” Nothing, we are juniors in economics, never seen you around that’s why we asked, are you an athlete or something? ”

” No… I am in the Human Medicine department, I don’t play, yeah I go to the gym ”

” Yeah, we figured that, name is Rosie, this is my friend Tamannah from India ”

The girl with the book and glasses smiled awkwardly with a very red face, her fingers tightening around the edges of the notebook, she looked clearly uncomfortable talking with a stranger but was forcing herself to open up. The pink-jacket girl nudged her a few times with her elbow, trying to push her forward.

” H…Hello “

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