[Ting!]
[1 Supporting Character Acquired!
>16 remaining]
Oops! I quickly stepped away from Serin who looked at me dumbfoundedly. She probably was surprised by my overly feeling close when we'd only met. I scratched the back of my head, then, I answered and continued our conversation.
"The government can't relocate the refugees in the business district area. Although it's true that Osca is thriving, because of this disaster, many businesses are affected. Besides, with the emergence of the awakeners like us, I highly doubt those private sectors would continue to thrive in the same business they have been doing."
Serin looked at me with interest. I nudged my head forward to tell her to look ahead, which she did. Then, I continued.
"At least, in the countryside where lots of vacant lands and fields are, they can live without overcrowding. And of course, agriculture, livestock, fisheries, and forestry if there's any forest here, is the best they can do. The city will be locked soon, and supplies of food and other resources will be limited. Can you imagine the amount of food this whole city can consume in just a single day?"
Serin shook her head.
"The poor will rely on the rations given by the government while the rich will have to be more mindful of their spending and the food they take. Until the government is completely in control of the situation, then, we do nothing but abide by the rules and take whatever we can take."
"And by abiding by the rules, you meant following this person without asking anything at all?"
My shoulders jumped when a head peeked in and chipped in my monologue. I appreciated the active response but can he at least clap first so I can know he's listening? I sized up the man who looked at me with raised eyebrows.
He's tall and big, and he has this overconfident aura that annoys people. He has buzz-cut hair, thick eyebrows, and blue eyes. I stopped scrutinizing him after I caught a glimpse of his bulging muscles under the loose tunic shirt he wore.
The man offered his large and callous hand, "I'm Ryder Vaughn. You are?"
"Atlas Sterne."
Serin looked at me for a second then continued walking. I shook my head and pointed at her, "Her name is Serin."
The twenty-year-old girl flinched and shyly looked back to us, and then she slightly bowed at Ryder who gave her back a kind smile. How come she acts so timid now when she'd been the one initiating conversation with me? Does she like me?
No way. It's probably because she can't handle talking to two people at the same time, I bet.
Surprisingly, Ryder's overconfident aura was nothing but a farce, maybe just brought by his large appearance and straight posture, but he was actually polite and mannerly. We talked about the government take and actions from the news we heard, as well as the state of other cities.
As it happened, we didn't realize that we already arrived in the conference room where four other people were waiting.
The chick in a high-waisted skirt and long-sleeved polo shirt introduced herself, "My name is Aina Evans. I'm the Vice Mayor of Osca, and like you, I am an awakener as well."
Aina Evans gestured to the four figures seated on the round table and continued, "These people are sent by the Department of National Defense to lead the training and surveillance of those who are awakened.
"Commander Kyle Valdez of the First Infantry Division of the Armed Forces of Roan."
The man on the far left raised his hand. He has clean-cut red hair, sharp grey eyes, and an intimidating aura. He was too young for a commander, but the atmosphere surrounding him was proof enough of why he achieved such a feat. He looked unreachable.
If this is a historical story where the government is a monarchy, I bet he'll be the duke. He looked noble and dignified.
However, it made me wonder why the commander himself would visit Osca and meet the awakeners personally.
"Deputy Director Lionel Maji of the Government Arsenal."
What is this? Why are they introducing us to such big fishes in the National Defense Department? I'm beginning to sweat because of my gut feeling that they're going to use us, the non-profile awakeners, as frontliners.
The old man seated next to Commander Kyle Valdez nodded his head and continued patronizing us with an unpleasant expression on his face.
So, I did the same secretly. His gut almost pushed the table because it went and dangled in between the table's edge and his spine. His chin is doubled; his eyes are rounded like two crudely designed and worn-out buttons, and crooked nose.
If the commander is the epitome of beauty, then the old man doesn't have any even compared to the commander's cleanly cut nails.
Does he make the weapons himself? Or does he eat them?
The other two seated on the far side are introduced as the commander and the deputy director's assistant. I didn't pay much attention to listening to their names.
Vice Mayor Evans clapped her hands and said, "The main conference will start once all the awakeners in the city have arrived. In the meantime, you will be given rooms and food in this building. As the research about this phenomenon is still ongoing, the information we have gathered so far will be talked about in the meeting, as well as the allocation of everyone's role in this changing era.
"In these times, we must join hands and protect our country from unknown invaders. I believe awakeners are what this world needs right now. So, I hope that you won't act on your own and pass judgment according to your beliefs and principles. We might have possessed powers now, but we have laws to abide by."
The vice mayor was referring to the awakeners who wreaked havoc in the city riding their high horse thinking they were the kings and inquisitors – just like that student, Luis Cole. I shrugged my head to erase the memory. The name is still vivid in my mind.
"Is there something you don't agree with, sir?"
All eyes were on me. I blinked my widened eyes and focused on the vice mayor, "No, ma'am. I was just shrugging away a bug that seemed to enter my ears."
"I see."
I sighed in relief. But because of that, the other two high personalities in the room looked at me. I avoided looking at them. Fortunately, the employees arrived and escorted us out of the room. They even accompanied us to our respective rooms.
"What's the point of introducing us to them if they're not going to speak?"
I heard one ask the other in front of me. The motive is obvious. They want to show us and make us feel we're special and important by having us stand in the presence of those high-ranking personalities.
Now, they'll think they're the aces and the heroes in saving this country. I scoffed inwardly. Soon, we'll be dying on the battlefields against googly-eyed and drooling monsters, and all they do is provide moral support in the form of appealing and touching public speeches behind screens.
The ones at the top get credits while the fighters get buried.
As soon as I reached my allocated room, I locked the door quickly and lay on the bed. I didn't get enough sleep because of the nightmare, so I immediately lulled myself into one. This time I hope, the student won't visit me.