Chapter 36
[ARE YOU SURE YOU WANT TO MODIFY [MANIPULATE (Lv.1)] TO [MANIPULATE (Lv.10)]?]
[YES.] [NO.]
“Yes,” Mykel said as he tapped on the [Yes] button.
[You have met the requirement to combine a skill]
[Combine [Mind-Stability] with [Manipulate]?]
[Yes.] [No.]
“Yes,” Mykel said as he tapped on the [Yes] button.
[You have attained a new skill!]
[Open your status screen to check it out!]
[Mind Control (Active): Allows the User to control their own mind and resist all mental status. The User can also control the target’s mind for a certain amount of time. (Current skill level is 1. Take control of the target’s mind for 6 minutes)]
Mykel sighed and looked at the door, he imagined himself opening the door and the door immediately opened on its own. After he used [Telekinesis] skill, he could hear a ringing sound in his head and it made him a bit uncomfortable but it was a lot better than the first time he tried to use it.
“I just need to wait until tomorrow to modify the skill to level 10,” Mykel said as he leaned on the chair and stared at the city through the glass wall. He looked at the Fraternity building on the other side of the district. “I wonder what are they planning right now,”
(Inside the Fraternity building)
A big conference was ongoing in the meeting room, Kastor and Caesar sat next to each other with a dozen of people in front of them. They were all from the small associations that came out not long after the Fraternity was created. Some of them used to be the managers of the Guild Association’s branches and decided to quit and made their own knowing that they could make a better profit for themselves.
“Kastor, have you seen the news? The Guild Association just cleared the tenth floor of the towers in less than a day. We should do something about this or the media will start to think that the Guild Association is still better than us,” An old fat man said as he stared at Kastor with dissatisfaction.
The old fat man’s name was Handrick, he used to be the manager of the Guild Association from District 8.
“Do something? Like what? Sending our Awakeners into their death?” Kastor replied and stared at the old man.
“If they can do it, then we should be able to do it as well! If we really going to let the breakout happen, their eyes will be pointing at us,” Handrick said and the people from the other associations nodded in agreement.
A guy with a mustache looked at Kastor as he raised his hand. “Why don’t we ask for their help, Kastor? They should understand that it’s not about competition anymore, but it’s about saving humankind,”
The guy with a mustache’s name was Darnell that used to be the manager of the Guild Association in District 9.
Caesar stared at Darnell with despise. “Now you’re asking them for help after you took the district from them and forbid the Awakeners from the Guild Association to enter the tower? Don’t you have a bit of shame?” Caesar asked as he kept glaring at him. “All of you here are not that different from him. You guys made the decision for yourself and you should know the consequences of your own actions,” he continued as he looked at each one of them.
“Even if I want to ask for their help, they have made a statement during the interview yesterday that they will only clear the towers that belong to them. I know Lyneth and she wasn’t like her father, she’s fierce and took her own words seriously,” Kastor explained as he stared at the city.
“So you don’t want to try and clear the towers? Are you sure we can hold those demons during the breakout?” A good-looking man in his mid 30 asked Kastor.
The guy’s name was Randolph, he was also an Awakeners and the manager of the Guild Association in District 11 at the same time as Kastor.
“It’s not about if we are capable of not anymore, it’s the only thing we can do right now and we need more talent because right now, we are lacking Awakeners with talents,” Kastor explained as he held his hand together in front of his mouth.
“I can try and find you some, Kastor,” Randolph said with a smile on his face.
“Are you sure you can find them before the breakout?” Kastor asked as he looked at Randolph.
“It shouldn’t be that hard as long as you allow me to do it in my own way,” Randolph replied with his arms and legs crossed.
Both Kastor and Caesar were looking at Randolph with suspicion but since they were in a tight spot, they could do nothing but let Randolph do it. “Fine, just don’t do anything suspicious activity because I don’t want to get in trouble if something happens,” Kastor said as he massaged his nose bridge.
The last person in the room was Kastor’s father himself, Gustav, who ran the Guild Association’s branch in District 12.
“Kastor, you have to think of a way to protect the people and that’s always your responsibility as high ranker Awakener. You’re talented and smart, you always think what’s best for the people so we believe in you and Caesar as well,” Gustav said with his hands rested on his cane.
“I hate to admit but that guy, Mykel Alester is better than me in all aspects, but I will try to give what’s best for everyone,” Kastor said as he looked at every one of them.
“We should use the same method as him, Kastor,” Caesar said. “We should train newly awakened Awakeners since we already know much about the system and the skills. If we don’t do it now, Mykel would take every Awakeners for himself,” he explained as he looked at Kastor.
“There are so many Awakeners who joined the Fraternity, and it’s a bit hard to find a talented one among them,” Kastor said while he looked at the list of Awakeners on the laptop.
“There’s one that piques my interest,” Caesar said as he grabbed the laptop from Kastor. “This guy, he possesses a unique skill, and turns out he’s Jeanne Dvar’s close friend,” Caesar continued and showed the data of Asmond to Kastor.
Kastor stared at Asmond and read his skill. “Asmond Radfeld, he indeed has a unique skill,”
“Why didn’t you tell me that you have awakened?” Asmond stood under the street light while Jeanne stood in front of him as she didn’t want to look at him because of the guilt feeling she was having.
“I was planning to tell you when I paid a visit where Mykel was in your house, but then you made that face that made me feel guilty to have awakened before you do,” Jeanne answered with her eyes still looking away from him. “I’m sorry, Asmond,” she said with her head down and looked at the ground.
“But that was six months ago, are you planning to keep it a secret from me if I didn’t see you on TV?” Asmond asked with his forehead frowned.
“I’m sorry, and I have no excuse for that. The reason why I kept it a secret from you was because of the guilt and nothing more,” Jeanne explained. “But, now that you have found out about it, I have asked Mykel and told him that if you’re a talented Awakener, he will recruit you in his team, with me and the others,” She said with a smile on her face.
“That’s not necessary,” Asmond replied and that made Jeanne’s smile disappear, and looked at him with confusion. “I just got a call from Mister Kastor himself that he wanted me to join the Fraternity and he will personally train me to become the best Awakener,” he explained as he stare blankly at Jeanne.
Jeanne looked down and hummed with understanding, she was devastated when she heard that Asmond will join the Fraternity.
“Don’t be sad, Jeanne. Even though I have watched and heard about the Guild Association and the Fraternity aren’t in a good term with each other, that doesn’t mean we can’t be friends anymore, right?” Asmond said while chuckling nervously. “Anyway, it’s getting late and I have to catch a train tomorrow to District 1 to meet Mister Kastor. Let’s see each other again sometimes!” he continued.
Jeanne nodded and then Asmond left while kept looking back and staring at Jeanne who stood still on the sidewalk.
Jeanne decided not to go back to her house yet and wander around the area with the sound of the waves hitting the shore.
“Are you okay, Jeanne?” Mykel’s voice could be heard and Jeanne immediately looked up and saw Mykel sitting on the railing while smoking his cigarette.
Mykel jumped down and approached Jeanne with a pity face. “Want to have a drink and talk about it?” he asked as he raised his eyebrows.
Jeanne nodded and then they both went to the tavern to have a drink.