Adam was unsure of what to do, but he went along with the old man.
"...What did you call me here for?" [Adam]
The guards tensed up, but the old man raised a hand to stop them.
"It's fine, it's fine. He's still young." [Old Man]
("What were the guards about to do to me...?") [Adam]
"Why don't you have a seat first?" [Old Man]
He waved his hand at a nearby seat provocatively. Careful with his word, Adam tried his best to reply respectfully.
"I'll take you up on your offer." [Adam]
He walked over to his seat and sat down stiffly.
"Hahahaha! No need to be so scared. It will only be a short moment of your time." [Old Man]
Adam couldn't find any words to say, so he just nodded in agreement.
"First of all, I would like to congratulate you for your accomplishment." [Old Man]
"...May I ask what accomplishment are you speaking of?" [Adam]
"You achieved the highest amount of points recorded in this contest." [Old Man]
He brought his hand underneath his desk and pulled out a tablet.
"The reason I have brought you here is to recruit you." [Old Man]
"...Recruitment?" [Adam]
"I want to enlist you in a certain squadron in the military when you get into your second year." [Old Man]
"Why for my second year?" [Adam]
"Mr. Frank. Would you care to explain for me?" [Old Man]
"It would be my honor. For your first year, you learn how to harness your ability. For your second year, students get an internship at the military to fend off voidlings. The internship lasts until the third year. For the third year, students act as a guard on the border of our country. As for the fourth year, you are no longer an intern. It is a year for you to dedicate your time to finding what career you want." [Mr. Frank]
"Thank you for your explanation Mr. Frank. Do you understand now Adam?" [Old Man]
"...Was this entire tournament actually an examination?" [Adam]
"Indeed. As you may know, the military requires manpower to protect our citizens from monsters as well as humans. This examination helps us find talented youths to help us in our cause. What do you say?" [Old Man]
"Are there any benefits to joining?" [Adam]
"There are. The special squadron I want you to join will be the best of the best. They will teach you everything you need to know in combat. As for other benefits, it has a high wage and discounts from most stores." [Old Man]
"Will this be a full time job?" [Adam]
"No it will not. It will only act as your internship for your second and third year. Although… You are welcome to join full time after you graduate." [Old Man]
"One last question." [Adam]
"Ask away." [Old Man]
"I have a friend who is in the military. May I ask what squadron he is in?" [Adam]
"May I have his name?" [Old Man]
"Roy." [Adam]
The old man looked shocked for a moment, but changed his expression back in an instant.
"Unfortunately, that information is classified." [Old Man]
("Roy's information is classified?! Seriously?!") [Adam]
"If I join… will I gain access to that information?" [Adam]
"If you rise in the ranks. Absolutely." [Old Man]
"Then I will join it." [Adam]
The old man's mouth spread into a wide grin.
"Then place your signature here." [Old Man]
He handed Adam the tablet and pointed at where he wanted Adam to write on. As he was about to sign it, Krino stopped him.
"Wait!" [Krino]
("What is it?") [Adam]
"Read the contract details first. We have to check if there's anything fishy." [Krino]
Adam held the pen in the air, barely hovering over the tablet.
"Why have you stopped?" [Old Man]
"Can I read the contract first?" [Adam]
"Of course." [Old Man]
He read through it slowly and carefully, until he happened upon a strange sentence.
("Any information or event that is seen or heard within the military or during an operation will be hidden. If breached, the signatory will be held responsible.") [Adam]
"Not going to lie. Sounds legit, but extremely fishy." [Krino]
Adam continued to read, but nothing else caught his eye.
"Have you decided yet?" [Old Man]
("This is super shady... Krino, what do you think I should do?") [Adam]
"At this point… I have no idea. Just go with whatever you like. If you ever get into trouble, I have your back." [Krino]
"Yeah, I'm done." [Adam]
He signed the contract and handed the tablet back to the old man.
"Pleasure doing business with you. I'll see you again in another year." [Old Man]
The guards escorted Mr. Frank and Adam outside of the room, leaving them in front of the elevator.
"Phew~ that was so exhausting…" [Adam]
"It's going to be that same when your second year comes." [Mr. Frank]
"I don't really know if I made the right choice, but I hope my gut feeling was right." [Adam]
They took the elevator back down to the first floor where the class was waiting for them.
"Adam! Where were you?" [Felix]
"I… had some business to take care of." [Adam]
"You're the star of the show! You can't just leave us like this." [Alex]
"Star of the show?" [Adam]
Alex pointed to the massive screen behind him.
("Isn't that the school scoreboard?") [Adam]
He inspected the screen closely and noticed it wasn't the schools. It was a placement for the competitor who had the most amount of points.
"I'm first?!" [Adam]
It displayed Adam's name, school, and points on the top of the bracket. He had a total of 635 points.
"Tell me how you did it man!" [Orion]
"Haha… I only went around killing voidlings. They were around every corner." [Adam]
"That's what I was asking! How were you able to kill so many?!" [Orion]
"I don't know what to say…" [Adam]
"Alright, Alright that's enough. I have the main event right here." [Mr. Frank]
"Main event?" [Orion]
Mr. Frank held our two accessories. One in each hand.
"I promised you a reward didn't I? The bracelet in my left hand can turn into a shield that can handle an attack from a level 6 voidling. Incredibly tough stuff that shield is. As for the ring, it's a dagger that can slice through steel as if it was butter. You can only pick one." [Mr. Frank]
("Hm… Dual wielding seems kinda nice.") [Adam]
"Are you stupid? I'm a two handed sword." [Krino]
("Then I can use it as a throwing knife.") [Adam]
"Just pick the damn shield." [Krino]
("Fine…") [Adam]
He grabbed the bracelet and slid it onto his wrist.
("Hm. Looks nice. It's actually kind of fashionable.") [Adam]
"How do I activate it?" [Adam]
"Here's the manual." [Mr. Frank]
He handed Adam a book about three inches thick.
"..." [Adam]
("I guess I'll have Felix read it later.") [Adam]
"...I really question your friendship." [Krino]
"Now that you have your pick, it's time to head back. We're heading back to the bus, remember to follow the sign!" [Mr. Frank]
As Adam was about to take a step forward, Felix grabbed him by the shoulders and pulled Adam in front of himself.
"Huwha-?!" [Adam]
"I need you to stand in front of me so you don't get lost." [Felix]
"Okay, I got it…" [Adam]
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
When they were on the bus, Adam had a sudden thought.
"Hey Felix." [Adam]
Felix appeared to be in a daze so Adam nudged him a few times.
"Huh? Oh uh, yeah?" [Felix]
"I was just wondering… How did you move so well when we were covered in that black liquid?" [Adam]
"...You saw that? I thought your face was in the ground after you got knocked into a tree." [Felix]
"I managed to turn my head and watch right as you did your little dome freezy thingy." [Adam]
"It's called Domain Expansion. As for how… I guess that freezing the area includes the effects inside it. I felt completely fine until I brought my domain down." [Felix]
"Cool. Second question, how do you punch so hard?" [Adam]
"...What do you mean?" [Felix]
"Everytime you punched the voidling, and when you ripped out the voidlings stuff… I heard really loud thuds. Like mega hits bro. When did you become that strong?" [Adam]
"So you noticed my new skill with sounds?" [Felix]
"Oh~ So it was a new skill." [Adam]
"Yeah. It's a combination of Domain Expansion and something else." [Felix]
"Sounds tricky." [Adam]
"I basically harden the space around my fists and use my ability to move the space around my arms to give it a little more power." [Felix]
"...I still don't get how that works." [Adam]
"...It's complicated." [Felix]
By the time they arrived home, dinner was ready and Aurora was still there.
"Looks like you two are back." [Aurora]
"Welcome home. Just in time, dinner is ready." [Vivian]
"Don't you have a home to get back to Aurora?" [Felix]
"I do, but I have to put my home on hold since I have to teach you two." [Aurora]
"Ouch." [Adam]
"How was the tournament?" [Vivian]
"I got first place!" [Adam]
"I got second." [Felix]
"That's incredible! We have to celebrate!" [Vivian]
"Yeah, lets not." [Felix]
"Why not?" [Vivian]
"Because you already cooked dinner. Let's just save it for another day." [Felix]
"Then tomorrow it is!" [Vivian]
"No, really. You don't have to-" [Felix]
"We have to celebrate it! Winning a tournament is something special!" [Vivian]
"...Alright. How about we all go down to a restaurant I know on Saturday?" [Felix]
"Is it The Old Gentleman?" [Adam]
"You know me so well." [Felix]
"Oh, by the way. I need you to read this manual for me." [Adam]
"Why?" [Felix]
"It's how I use my MDE, remember?" [Adam]
"Oh… Your shield." [Felix]
"MDE?" [Vivian]
"Don't worry about it." [Felix]
"I'm not very good with textbook related things." [Adam]
"It's a manual." [Felix]
"That's at least three inches thick. I require assistance from your photographic memory please." [Adam]
"...Fine. I'll get back to you tomorrow okay?" [Felix]
"Thanks man! You're the best!" [Adam]
"Damn straight." [Felix]