Chapter 14: Choices
One had to know that the center of San Pluto was the most flourishing part of the city with all the big companies and wealthy people living in it, affording a simple apartment in this location was as hard as shaving one\'s hair with their toes.
When compared to the western side of San Pluto on the other hand, everyone had to admit that that location held a significant importance to the people of San Pluto. The western side wasn\'t as bustling or as populated as the center of San Pluto, it rather had few people and was mostly a quiet neighborhood. The reason for this was that…
Getting a place on the western side of San Pluto was close to impossible! Only those at the Pinnacle of Power were able to afford to stay in that part of San Pluto, people spent billions upon billions but still got turned down at times even when their request was a simple duplex or bungalow.
Yet, James was promising these three young men three villas in that place? Even Adam did not have the right to stay there!
Ralph and Ivan carefully observed everyone\'s expressions and could easily figure out that the location of the villas that James was offering was of a higher status compared to Adam\'s, but that wasn\'t what attracted them the most about everything that the man had said.
To Ivan, all he could hear was having the chance to train with others who were as talented or even more talented than himself. Getting the chance to compete against such geniuses was the most attractive offer for someone who had sworn to gain strength. Why would he want to receive special treatment when he could fight and increase his strength against other prodigies?
"I accept" Ivan\'s voice broke through the sea of murmurs, causing everyone to temporarily turn quiet and look at him.
James\' eyes flashed over as he gazed at the white-haired kid, nothing looked special about this young man at first glance but who would imagine that he was actually an SS-level talent Nexulyte?
Ralph and Glen turned to look at Ivan in surprise as this was the first time Ivan had decided to make a decision for himself, he would usually leave the decision-making to Ralph and just follow with it as long as it was alright.
Seeing that Ivan had decided to join the Owen Tower, Ralph knew that he must have thought it through before accepting because he had done the same. So without wasting anyone\'s time, he accepted James\' offer as well.
James wore a slight smile on his face as he looked at the two future powerhouses of his Tower. He really did not care much about what Glen decided to do as he was as valuable as these two.
Though slightly reluctant, Glen still decided to accept James\' offer. After all, his two friends were going there, why should he be the one to go another way?
Having secured what he came here for, James turned to look at Adam and shot him a provocative smile.
"There, you have their answers. Are you still planning to follow them to our Tower?" He asked.
Adam did not respond and only gave all of them hateful glares before leaving, the rest of the crowd also began to disperse slowly in search of other newly awakened Nexulytes.
James turned back to look at the three of them, he waved his hand and three tokens appeared above his hand which he passed to each of them.
"These are the tower\'s tokens which will show that you are a trainee when you come to the tower. I\'ll like to bring you with me but I know that you all might have a few things to take care of before coming since the training will last for six months and you will not be allowed to leave until graduation.
Luckily for you three, the training will start in a week from now so make sure you find your way to the tower by then. Someone will be waiting to receive you once you arrive" James explained to the three who were observing their tokens.
Before he left, he added.
"Just so you know, there are people who will join the training as well who failed to graduate last year and also people who have received special training from their families. So do not think it will be easy and put your all into your training" Only after this reminder did James leave the three alone.
They stayed there for a few more seconds, taking in the new feeling and everything that had happened since they exited the pod.
"Yes!! We are now Nexulytes!" Glen could not help but jump in excitement while waving his token in the air. Ralph had a smile on his face, equally happy about everything. Only Ivan kept a serious face, he was thinking how the training would go and how long it would take him to start carrying out his plans.
The people who were in the hall turned to look at the trio since Glen\'s shout of excitement had been heard by them but no one tried to caution them over their behaviors, more like no one dared to.
Their celebration was called short by Ralph who suggested for them to leave and return to meet the cab driver who was still waiting at the parking space.
On their way out, however, they ran into four men at the entrance of the awakening center. The face of Ralph and Glen turned stern and hateful upon seeing these four men while Ivan\'s face became cold and murderous.
These four people were the Nexulytes in charge of guarding the outskirt that the three of them were from. They were also the freaks who had tormented Ivan for years.
"Well well well, what do we have here?" One of the four men said with a surprised voice upon seeing the three boys, they quickly moved toward them and surrounded the three.
"We only left our post for a day and you dared to sneak out? You want to try and awaken, right? Then why leave so soon, can\'t pay the fee?" Another one asked with a dirty grin on his face but his eyes shone with a dangerous glint.
The one who seemed to be their leader stared at Ivan intently, seeing the clean clothes that Ivan was in left a bad taste in his mouth.
"Who gave you the permission to leave the outskirt? How dare you come to San Pluto? Tell me!" He demanded with his eyes still fixed on Ivan.
Ivan, as if getting hit by an old trauma, seemed to have forgotten how to speak or move and could only stare at the ground obediently with his hands clenched.
"Oh, I see you\'ve grown some balls after we left you for just one day. You even dare to ball your fist in front of me" the man asked in a threatening voice.
Many of the people who were close by had gathered to watch the show, some of these people were amongst the crowd who had experienced the battle between the Owen Tower and the Lance Tower over these three but decided not to speak up.
They wanted to see what those four men would do and try to step in at the last moment, in hopes of forming a good impression on Ivan and Ralph which would lead to a good connection with powerhouses in the future.
Seeing the many people watching them, Glen became tense and angered. Unable to hold himself back anymore, he glared back at the leader of these men.
"You better let us be if you know what\'s good for you, we\'ve now awakened and have been recruited by a powerful Tower!" He let out in an attempt to scare these men away but his action seemed to now have achieved its intended effect.
"Hahaha, did he just say awakened? How funny? Can you afford to pay by even selling your family? And even if you do, what can trash like you from the outskirts possibly achieve?"
The four men laughed in unison.
"Don\'t you dare talk about my family!" Glen shouted back in rage.
"Hmm, you dare to raise your voice at me? Looks like I\'ll have to teach you a lesson before we go back" the leader of the men said and approached Glen with one of his hands raised high, he was going to slap Glen.
Grab!
His arm was caught in midair by a powerful grip. The man turned back to see who it was that had grabbed his arm and was met by a pair of sharp green eyes.
It was James!
Glen\'s face showed one of excitement upon seeing James, Ralph equally sighed in relief.
"Now now, who might you be trying to harm a trainee of the Owen Tower?" James asked with a cold smile that sent shivers down the spines of the four men.
" T-tower master?" The man whose arm was grabbed by James stuttered fearfully.
"Hmm, you know me?" James asked with raised eyebrows while releasing the man\'s arm from his grip.
The four of them quickly moved to the side and bowed to James while introducing themselves.
"We are Nexulytes of the Owen Tower, I and my squad have been tasked with guarding one of the outskirts around San Pluto for years now," The leader said.
" Yet you choose to bully those weaker than you? Looks like the discipline of the Tower is lacking, the four of you are coming with me" James said before strolling past them while the faces of the four men turned pale. They looked at Glen\'s group one last time with disbelieving gazes before hastily following James.
Ralph saw that Ivan was still standing with his head lowered even after James had left with the four men, he approached him and placed a hand on his shoulder.
"It\'s alright now, they will most likely never bother you again, let\'s go," He said as they left for the parking space.