As the conference proceeded, Dr. Eugene proved the connection between the core, the fluid, and the body. Assumptions rise and many wonder if the awakening is just like a mutation they can only see in movies.
My head throbbed from the audience chatters. Finally, the doctor ended his discussion. I quickly stood, rejoicing that the class was finished. However, the vice mayor of Osca, Aina Evans, stood and climbed on stage.
Then, she announced, "The Awakeners' Organization was established by the government to gather all the awakeners, help them learn about their new identities, give them the necessary support for their growth to achieve a common goal – drive the monsters back to the door and save Roan. The future of our country is in our hands, let's never forget why we were given powers by heaven, and do our duty to save this land."
The audience clapped to her speech. I did, too, even though I knew it wasn't the heaven responsible for this.
The crowd dispersed after the meeting adjourned. They all went to the canteen to fill their stomach, but as I dreaded the chance that I might get called anytime, I left Ryder and Serin, and then, went back to my room.
I checked on the upgrade requirements while I sat and ransacked my backpack. I still have food from that town in my bag. I sat on the floor and leaned on the bed, then, I started munching on the snacks I had.
There are still 15 remaining. I already opened Ryder's arrow. As I thought, awakened people have a higher chance of being a supporting character.
Knock. Knock.
Here it is. The time I dreaded. What if they make me a research subject? I should have visited the parking lot to know where my bike was, so I'd know where to run off to once they started dissecting me.
"Atlas Sterne?"
The employee asked as soon as I opened the door, "Yes."
"Please, follow me. The vice mayor is looking for you," the male employee said before he turned around.
I followed unwillingly. The arrow above the head of the employee caught my attention, so I asked, "Are you an awakener, too?"
Without looking back, the male employee replied, "Yes."
[Ting!
1 Extra Character Acquired!
>This requirement is already completed]
The male employee looked back with furrowed brows so I quickly pretended like I was swatting away some flies in the air. He even ducked in fear that I might smack his head instead.
We went up ten more floors before the elevator stopped. I started to feel nervous. The sounds of our footsteps echoed in the hallway, and the door at the end felt like the door you see in movies where the inside is where you're going to be cooked alive.
It's dreadful.
"Good day, Mr. Sterne."
I nodded my head in acknowledgment and mumbled my return greetings to the vice mayor and the star of the conference, Dr. Eugene Cardinal, and some NPCs.
On the table right in front of the doctor was my application form, packed with red circles and doodles. What the f*ck?
The doctor noticed where my eyes at. He casually brought his arms up and placed them on the table, folding them above his paper. He looked guilty, but then, he fixed his glasses and acted like a genius before speaking, "We notice some abnormalities in your condition. I'd like to insist on an immediate examination."
I remained silent. It's better to assist things first before responding. Judging from their stance, they seemed like they wouldn't force me to do anything. However, the bodyguards behind them looked as though they wanted to strip me.
I don't want to become a guinea pig. I decided I'd make negotiations.
"Am I obliged to answer to that?"
Vice Mayor Aina Evans tapped her slender fingers on the table and bore her eyes on me, "Of course not. An examination requires permission from the subjects themselves. If you refuse, then we can't touch you, but we insist that you must do so, as this will also benefit you. We don't know if your head might have been damaged by the phenomenon."
She thought the things I wrote down were all just a product of my imagination. I scoffed inwardly. Oh, please, I, more than anyone else, wanted that to happen.
I welcomed her intense gaze and answered cordially, "My head is working just fine, ma'am. Which is why I'm refusing on the spot."
Examination, my foot. They were vying for another experiment since they found someone peculiar. Who would want to lie on the table and welcome his dissectors with open arms, hm? Only nuts will!
Dr. Eugene chuckled. He finds my answer amusing but I find his face annoying. His slick hair swept neatly to the back looked like something that got licked by a mastiff.
The doctor fixed his glasses again, and said, "Don't be so on guard, Mr. Sterne. We merely wanted to know what compelled you to write such as…," he opened his arms and looked down, scanning the paper he made a mess of with his eyes, "…system profile, stats, and skills…a very detailed at that, I must say."
I wanted to curse myself. I'm so stupid. I should have known being conceited wouldn't do me anything good. No wonder the papers I saw passing by me were empty. It was because these awakeners had yet no idea how it works.
Because of the Escape System that was bestowed to me back then, I was able to learn the system's existence. But perhaps, these people, only saw the notification congratulating them of their awakening, and nothing more.
The circus on the stage earlier was probably because the performer accidentally ballooned himself on the act and learned that he could actually do something like that. How about the child at the city gates? Or Luis Cole, the student he killed? They were using their abilities as if they were born with them!
And how about the ranks? How could they know them if they didn't know about the system?
I sighed, feeling helpless. Nothing will happen if I don't do something about this. Right now, what they must do is to be united. Gatekeeping the system won't do me good. At the very least, awakeners knowing about it will make more progress.
I just hope that there won't be another Luis Cole emerging from this. I pulled the seat across them and sat myself without their permission.
"I can explain the details of those things to you, but on one condition."
I won't just tell them how it works. I need to have the upper hand on this.
Vice Mayor Aina raised her brows in question and showed wariness. On the other hand, the doctor's eyes sparkled in delight.
Aina asked impatiently, "What is it?"
I wet my lips and sit like a proper businessman, "I discovered this system after my awakening, and I'll help with the research too. So, I'd like my name to be known as the major contributor."
The name Atlas Sterne should be known worldwide. That way, gathering companions to save the world will be easier.