A moment of silence reigned inside the laboratory room. Ivan's closed eyes twitched and when he opened them, he stared blankly at the empty air. I knew right then he managed to do it. His pupil is dilated and his eyeballs move side to side, and up and down like a doll.
I cleared my throat and caught his attention, "How is it? Can you see it now?"
Ivan excitedly bobbed his head down and looked at me with anticipation. I showed him a proud smile and continued, "It's just like a screen, you can touch the icons and press buttons with your hands. Now that you managed to open it, you can explore it yourself."
Dr. Eugene slammed the table indignantly, "Show us!"
I shook my head to answer, "We can't show it to you even if we want. It's like a screen that can only be visible to us. If you want to learn more about it, get awakened."
The doctor frowned, "I wished I could. But until now, there's no definite explanation for who gets to be awakened. It is believed that the environment or the situation plays a huge part in the awakening but then some awakeners awakened at the comfort of their homes."
Dr. Molly nodded in agreement. She was silent all this time and I almost forgot her presence. She looked at me with curiosity and asked, "How about you, sir Atlas? How did you awaken?"
Ivan and Dr. Eugene waited for my answer. Will it bring me good if I told them right at the moment, I was attacked by a monster on the day the door appeared? Better to keep to myself for now.
"Inside a barn in the countryside."
Dr. Eugene gave me an envious look, "See? You're just farming and you get to awaken. While I ran around and gathered the tools and data amidst a collapsing building and yet I didn't get to be chosen. Isn't it unfair?"
Let him think otherwise. I stood from my seat and faced the man seething in jealousy. I tapped his shoulder while saying, "The lord has a better plan for you. Don't be discouraged. I did everything I needed to do here. Ivan will fill in the details, but if there are some concerns about the system, I'll try to answer if I can. I'm going back to my unit now."
I feel like a high-profile person now. Soon, my name will be on billboards and papers with the words 'Atlas Sterne: Discoverer of the System User Profile'.
"Hehehehe!"
A shadow loomed beside me and spoke, "What are you laughing wickedly for?"
Serin looked at me funny and took a step away. I scowled at her. But then, I remembered I'm seven years older and I have something I need to say as well. I grabbed her hand and dragged her in the corner.
She was taken aback and even tried to shrug me off, "Hey! Where are you taking me?!"
The R&D facility and the Awakeners Organization have two road lanes and a linear garden in between. I sat her on one of the benches in the garden under a mushroom canopy. She was about to complain again but I beat her to it and started explaining things about the system.
Serin listened to me well when I showed her, I was serious. She probably realized it was the reason why I was called out to the research facility. Not long after, her eyes sparkled in amazement.
"What is this?!"
"That's what I'm telling you," I stood and added, "Have you seen Ryder? I'd like to teach him this too."
Serin stood and followed me, "I've seen him in the training facility earlier."
"Okay. Thanks."
I headed to where the facility was. I looked behind me and raised my brow.
Serin averted her eyes and answered, "I'm going there too."
I let her tag along. Along the way, I saw many awakeners doing their own training regimen. Their arrows bobbed up and down. I should start hoarding as many as possible, no matter what the role is.
Who should be the supporting character in a story?
"Aren't they the ones with whom the main protagonist interacts the most?"
I looked at Serin, baffled. Does she have the ability to read minds? Serin stopped in her tracks and stared at the ground as if looking at me would confirm my hunch. I covered my mouth upon realization.
She has a point!
Dr. Eugene might be one of the supporting characters! If this is a written story, then he already delivered many significant conversations and added to the plot of the story. I should go back. No, Ryder first, let me teach him, then, I could just sweep in over the doctor's head once I see him again.
I glanced at Serin who went silent and just continued walking ahead. If she can read minds, then, she must have been hearing my monologues. Did she already discover the secret of this world? I pocketed my hands and walked slowly, then I thought of a way to confirm.
You're so tall, Serin! Are you a basketball athlete?
No response. I scrunched my face.
Your hair is always braided messily, do you even comb it? How many times do you even wash it?
Serin stopped again, glaring at me while speaking in an irritated tone, "Can you stop staring? You're creeping me out!"
I widened my eyes at her. Seriously, I am the one who's the creep here…? I looked at her suspiciously and answered, "Aren't you the one who's reading minds here?"
She stiffened. She avoided my eyes and tried to leave but I grabbed her arm. No way I could let her go after she heard all my thoughts.
I probed, "How long have you been reading my mind?"
She shook my arm but I didn't let go. She sighed resignedly and replied, "I did it just minutes ago, okay? I saw it on my skill and tried it on you. But it has a limit. I can only use the mind-reading skill for 2 seconds. I just heard you ask that question but I thought you voice it out so I answered…"
So, that's how. I believed her. I let go of her arm and sighed in relief. Then, I fell into thinking while staring at her face. Her messy braided hair was really disheveled. I was even compelled to tuck those strands away that hindered her bright green eyes.
As I have a hair type longer than normal, I always make sure to keep it with me. I took her hand and opened her palm, then I placed the small comb I fished in my pocket on her hand.
She became furious after seeing the object. But I just chuckled and ruffled her hair even more, while giving her advice, "Don't just tell people about that ability of yours. Keep it secret for now. For your own safety."
Imagine what will people do if they learn their minds can be read. The 2-second time limit of her skill might improve or be upgraded if she trains and carries out system missions. On top of that, mind-reading skill is poisonous, especially to those who lack mental strength.
Serin didn't follow me after I said that. I went to where Ryder was and did what I intended to do.