Chapter 158 - (158) Your Choice
Chapter 158 – (158) Your Choice
Geth led the group to a small clearing that he'd scouted out the previous evening. He'd already planned on this from the beginning.
Multiple stone benches sat in a circle around a small campfire. He took a seat before gesturing to the others to do the same.
"Anyone happen to know any fire magic?" He asked.
The old cook nodded and lit the fire before taking a seat. Blade followed suit, nodding to the others that it was okay.
Geth sat on the ground in front of the fire. He stared at the flames while speaking to the group.
"I'd like to hear your reasoning for voting against joining Valhalla. Make your explanation brief. Blade, I'd like you to break the ice for everyone."
Before Blade could speak, Geth held up his hand, "Make your introductions with your name, Level, and Class as well."
"Blade. Level 38. Strider. I would have voted to go if it wasn't for my history with some of the people in Valhalla. I believe that it would be in their best interests for all of the students and teachers to go."
He took a seat and tapped the arm of the woman beside him. The old cook stood up and cleared her throat.
"Helga. Level 31. Cook. I enjoy traveling the wild and prefer not to get bogged down from political affairs."
She sat down and gently rubbed the shoulder of the old man who sat beside her. The old coach stood up, still looking pale from their earlier encounter.
"Ulysses. Level 34. Rogue. The players you hurt back then would have all gotten scholarships if you hadn't taken away their senior year. I don't like you."
He took his seat. Geth chuckled, speaking up before the next person could stand. Ulysses became enraged at the younger man for finding that funny.
"Maybe you should have taught your 'pets' some discipline. If they hadn't tried to force themselves on a girl I was seeing, they would have had their precious scholarships."
Ulysses' anger faded entirely. He took on a pensive look and seemed to be trying to recall something.
Geth let him be and gestured to the next man. He was a bit younger than Geth and probably hadn't been a teacher for long.
"My name is Troy! I'm Level 36! My class is Archer! I respect you because Blade respects you!
The only reason I voted against going is that Blade said that he wouldn't be going! I mean no disrespect!"
The young man practically yelled his answers before sitting back down. He briefly saw Blade press his fingers against his temples and found it amusing.
"Storm. Level 32. Mage. I… have my own personal reasons. It would be better for me to follow Blade."
Geth could see her begin to blush as she sat down. He also didn't miss Blade glancing away awkwardly.
The following person who stood up was a scholarly-looking man. He had long robes and a short scepter in one hand.
"My name is Felix, also Level 32. I'm a Cleric. I've only stayed here to help look after the younger ones.
If they go with you and are safe, I would like to explore again. I have no alternative reasons for saying I won't go."
Geth was a bit surprised to find another Cleric.
'I wonder what path he will choose to follow.'
The last two people stood at the same time. They were a man and a woman in their mid-fifties or so.
Geth recognized the man as the school janitor. He wasn't familiar with the woman.
"It's nice to see you again, Geth. I missed our talks from when you were younger."
Geth nodded at the man, "It's nice to see that you're doing well."
"Anyway, I now go by Shaka. My wife goes by Zulu. The two of us are both Level 35. We both chose the Warrior Class, but she uses more magic while I act as more of a defender."
Shaka looked at Geth with a large grin. He placed his fist to his chest.
"I would be happy to follow you anywhere, but not if I have to sit still in some city. We are looking for adventure, not a home."
Geth smiled back at the man and looked around to the rest. He stood up and began speaking.
"My name is Geth. I am Level 52, and I am an Oracle. The reason that I asked you here is to form a party to take over this region."
Everyone in the group looked at him in surprise. Some because of his Level, others because of his statement.
"Are you saying that you don't mean to exile us?" Ulysses asked him a bit timidly.
"What? No. I need a strong-willed party that can spend months away from others without going insane.
Most of the people who voted to return with me to Valhalla are in it for the advantages. The eight of you chose your own paths even after knowing the benefits I can provide."
Blade stood up, "I'd be more than happy to serve you, but how do you know we wouldn't keep this city for ourselves?"
"That's easy. If you decided to do that…" Geth allowed his Mana to run free. The pressure he gave off almost brought Blade to his knees while those sitting broke into cold sweats.
He pulled the pressure back into his mental sphere. A bright smile flashed across his face.
"I'll kill you," He shrugged and acted as if it were the most natural answer.
"I'm not making you do this. It is your choice whether you would like to be part of the kingdom of Valhalla or not. Our territory will eventually expand with or without you."
A few in the group wiped the sweat from their brows. Shaka and Zulu both stood up next.
"As long as we have our adventure, you have a deal!"
"I'm going anywhere that Blade goes!" Shouted Troy.
Felix, Storm, and Helga all stood up and nodded in his direction. Everyone looked toward Ulysses and waited for an answer.
Sigh
"Fine! But if we are going to be some elite unit, then we need a cool name!"