As I expected, the vice mayor was relying heavily on Serin's ability. Serin looked at me with worried eyes. I specifically asked for her presence in that meeting since I had an inkling. So, as she listened to Vice Mayor Aina's plan, her face grew paler and paler.
Even after she explained the limits and capabilities of her Spatial Manipulation, the vice mayor was still intent on using her.
I could see her getting nervous. They are putting a heavy burden on her shoulders. So, I raised my hand and asked grouchily, "How will Serin help, then? That ability consumes her strength."
Vice Mayor Aina answered without hesitation, "Serin can isolate the whole area of District C. Teams will be dispatched to different points of the district's border; they mustn't allow any monsters to step outside the isolated area. A group will remain at the center to fight the monsters emerging from the door. This group will consist of the strongest awakeners at hand."
"It's easier said than done, vice mayor."
"That is the best we can do, Sterne."
Ah. The 'sir' disappeared, huh. I noticed Kyle staring at me, so I glanced at him and raised my brow. If he's going to drill holes in my face because he wanted to curse at me for getting against the vice mayor, then he might as well speak. Perhaps, if he interferes, I might be able to hold back my itching throat to spew snarky remarks at them.
Commander Kyle wriggled his eyebrows at me. I furrowed mine. Is he f*cking making fun of me? Then, he smirked and knocked the table, garnering the attention of the two doctors – Dr. Eugene and Dr. Molly; and Vice Mayor Aina Evans, Serin Oliver, and Alexis Fray.
Kyle began, "With due respect, Vice Mayor Evans, but we can't rely on Oliver's power especially when it's not clear how long can she hold out. As Sterne said, sending five people to danger is a lot better than putting the country in jeopardy.
"Besides, what made you think we can defeat the creatures that will appear from the door? We have no idea what kind are they or how strong they are. If send five people inside, and if even one of them, manages to get out, then we can gather information and prepare."
Dr. Eugene clasped his hands together, and placed them on the table, then he rested his chin above his knuckles and glared at the commander like a scrutinizing panel during a thesis deliberation, "But what if no one survives?"
Kyle smiled and tilted his head, "If we send the five strongest ones first, and none of them survive, then what do you think that means?"
"It means what's beyond is stronger than five awakeners combined," I chipped in. I was the one who suggested this idea, but that damn commander was stealing the spotlight from me.
Kyle nodded, "Exactly. And how many awakeners can defeat one of those strongest? Take me for example, even ten awakeners can't win from me during our training, how about you, Sterne?"
I grinned, "Why, I'm honored you think of me as one of the strongest."
Kyle scoffed, "I only asked you. I didn't say something like that."
Alexis stifled a laugh, but I smirked and answered proudly, "Well, that one of the strongest awakeners who can't be defeated by ten awakeners got beaten up and sent to hospital by me."
"Who the fuck was beaten up? I remember someone losing consciousness from broken ribs and bloody head, pity it's not me, Sterne."
"Indeed. It's a pity it's not you. If given a chance, I'd like to put you to a bloody slumber as well, commander."
"Why not? You can try and see who's going to sleep forever."
"Sadly, I'm insomniac. But I'll make sure to sing you a lullaby and rock you with my blood-made hammock, little baby."
"The f*ck?! Who you're calling a baby?!"
Kyle straightened his body and gave me deathly glares. I shrugged my shoulders at him which only made some of the veins on his forehead popped. I was enjoying teasing him when I remembered that I shouldn't, since he was on my side.
I sighed and raised my palms, "Kidding, commander. Hold your horses, you're too hot. The horses will get scorched."
"ENOUGH. STERNE."
The vice mayor spoke in caps lock accompanied by a wave of hot wind curling the ends of my precious hair. I immediately shut my mouth and covered it with my hand to hide the goofy grin. Commander Kyle's temper is near to eruption. Let's not enrage the volcano more.
I sighed and spouted, "Commander Kyle is right. Let's enter the door instead. It said that it will break after three days of no entry. We have three days to plan, to choose the first five. The door will be open for seven days, in that time frame, the first five needs to defeat what's inside…or learn and gather information.
"During those days, the awakeners should train twice as hard as before in case the first five fails. I have a feeling that after seven days, the door will be closed again, and another three days will be given until the door opens again."
Vice Mayor Aina stared at the table, weighing all my and the commander's words. I glanced at Serin who looked relieved, and then I noticed Alexis staring at me. I cocked my head, silently asking him what was the matter.
The arrogant kid averted his eyes and talked to Kyle instead, "We seem to be forgetting one crucial thing about the door. Or rather, many."
Oh? What did he mean? I tried to recall the red screen that appeared after I touched the door. What crucial things?
Alexis, like a weary older man, slouched on his chair and rested his head on the headrest, then he stared at the ceiling and mumbled, "The name of that door is called Waterborne Abysmal Door. There's no proof yet about the relations, but if the names can be hints of what's beyond, then we can expect that the interior of the door is related to water."
I gawked at the ten-year-old kid. Now I'm convinced the boy is a genius. I was even questioning the vice mayor's intention for including a kid in an adult meeting, but it turned out I was prejudiced and underestimated him because of his age.
He even pointed out the most helpful details. He sure is a strong force to reckon with. I should befriend him. Hmm, I'm sure there's nothing wrong with a grown-ass man befriending a ten-year-old, right?
Alexis caught everyone's attention with his intelligent deduction. He slightly swirled his chair without averting his eyes from the ceiling, "The design of the door is a lotus flower as well, and where do lotus grow? Ponds. We might be expecting overlarge crocodiles or flying water snakes."
Finally, he looked down and stared at me, "Then, the rank of the door was given. It's B," his eyes moved to the doctors, and added nonchalantly, "Can we ask what a B-rank means, now, doctors?"
Dr. Eugene, getting his spotlight, adjusted his eyeglasses and answered, "The study wasn't yet complete. But we have a general idea of the ranks now. We observed that A-rank awakeners have stronger abilities and faster regenerative power than the B-rank and the rest except…," Dr. Eugene side-eyed me and added, "…the S-rank. Sir Atlas's ability is unique and his regenerative power is comparable to the commander, even faster if I must say. So, we haven't really discovered everything about the ranks at all."
Alexis responded, "Then, we can assume that everything inside the door is B-rank. Now, what we're not aware of, is how weak or strong a B-rank monster is."
Dr. Molly glanced at me before she looked at the vice mayor with a resigned look, "I think we really need to study the door first."
I sighed. One person was convinced. No, count those two. Alexis seemed to be on my side as well, now Dr. Eugene and Vice Mayor Aina's approval are the ones remaining. Never mind Serin. She looked like a duck who finally got her eggs out after so much struggle.
I was so compelled to tease her. Her face looked relieved but somewhat weary. Is it because she hasn't regained her strength yet after using her ability?
A heavy sigh stole my attention. I glanced at the direction and Dr. Eugene was nodding his head. He held his thumb up, and then he turned to the vice mayor.
Vice Mayor Aina, after minutes of self-discussion, finally nodded her head, and stared at us, then she uttered clearly, "Then, let us discuss which five will go first."