Chapter 91: Press-release
Thursday morning, Michael checked himself out in the mirror. The formal suit created a business-like air around him. With a new haircut and a playful smirk, he appeared mature for his fifteen-year-old looks.
"Just perfect," his mom couldn't stop smiling and clutching her chest. She nudged her husband in the side, "Isn't he?"
"Khm, right. Good luck, son."
Michael turned around and nodded, "Bye, guys."
Graves had planned out the day himself. Usually, the press-release happens first, and then the journalists may mingle if they want, but today, the program was a bit different.
It was Michael's party, so he had to greet the guests himself.
The school had been designed for visits and banquets for the rich and powerful. Considering that the first Alter was a student here, there was no better place to throw a party in his name.
At noon, the journalists were in position, surrounding the building's entrance to capture famous businessmen and politicians as they got out of their cars. One by one, expensive automobiles arrived. Lamborghini, Ferrari, Aston Martin – nothing less was expected from the visitors.
Michael and Graves wanted to draw as much media attention as possible, so they invited the students' parents. If these tycoons had any questions about Altered traits, Michael could give them the most accurate information.
At the entrance to the special school building designated for various festivities, the parents shook hands with Michael and introduced themselves. Most of them knew about the boy, his own business ventures and his popularity among the children.
"Michael!" with a squeal, a familiar figure jumped into his embrace. A tall, heavyset man followed from behind.
"It's only been a week! Did you miss me so much?"
His words fell on deaf ears as the girl squeezed him like a plush toy.
"Sofia! There are people watching!" the tall man reminded.
"Ah, so what, papa? We're just friends!"
"Not after these photos hit the yellow pages," her father shook his head in embarrassment.
Michael pushed the energetic girl away and extended a hand to greet the Bulgarian diplomat, "Don't worry, sir. After they hear what I have to say, the paparazzi won't care about this small hug."
"Thank you for taking care of my daughter, Michael. I'm happy we've finally met."
"Likewise!" They shared a handshake, and the diplomat ushered his daughter inside.
Michael's own parents decided not to come. They had no experience with crowds and formal events. Instead of embarrassing their son, they felt more comfortable staying at home.
In a similar vein, Dimitri's parents were white collar office workers and had no business in a setting like this. Alex's family was even poorer, and Anna's mom was still waiting for Michael to gather more glory points as a precaution.
On the other hand, Donald's father, Robert Tan, was pleased to meet the first Alter. Judging from this ruthless businessman's bright smile, he wasn't aware of Michael's grudge with his son. Even so, Michael remembered it well.
Donald had used Anna's talent to his own benefit in another world, and he had showed his vicious side in this one – sending goons to beat Michael up, tricking Marco into taking the blame. So what if a few months passed? The teenage cultivator held grudges for many years.
After the guests arrived and settled in, Graves walked on stage and made a short speech. He thanked them for coming and for showing support to the school. If their children became Altered, EIS remained the safest place for them, and the best platform to develop their skills.
The parents showered the principal with waves of applause.
"And now, one of our brightest students, Michael North, will take the stage. The day will be broken into two sessions. First, Mr. North will speak as the first Alter and answer questions from journalists and parents. After that, if you wish, you can attend the parent-teacher meeting. Otherwise, stay for Mr. North's second press-release concerning some exciting news from the fields of medicine and education."
Michael knew he couldn't interest all these people with his small game developing company. If they were intrigued after the first part, they could stay and listen.
The room darkened a little. Michael carried a large table onto the stage, showcasing his superhuman strength, and sat down behind it. The journalists did a final check on their camera angles and audio recording. Further from the stage, the parents sat around small dining tables and enjoyed a light lunch.
"Hello. I'm Michael North."
Camera flashes blinded him, so he paused until the journalists had enough.
"I'm sure you know who I am by now. Unlike most, I discovered my Altered trait half a year ago, which is why I know so much more than anyone else. The purpose of this meeting is to reiterate my message once again, for it to reach those who it escaped, and to clear up any confusion that might remain."
Michael slowly spoke about his experiences and the nature of Alters. He repeated all his lies: he was one of them, he didn't know why his powers awakened long ago, and that Alters were still human. Most of his speech was true, like how to activate Qi or that there was no virus.
"In addition, there's one more fact I need to share with you today. It's something you will all find out with time, so let me ease your worries. Altered traits grow in strength over time."
The buzz in the room intensified.
"You mean these abilities are going to become more powerful?" a young journalist interrupted.
Michael nodded, "But it takes time. In the six months I've been Altered, my strength has approximately quadrupled."
Michael didn't really know how fast everyone's powers would grow because he was a cultivator. His strength rose with cultivation levels, purchased abilities and martial techniques. The increase of four times was his best guess.
The cameras clicked, and some journalists even ran outside to make calls.
"Is there no ceiling to this frightening growth?" someone asked.
"Please, don't worry," the teenager suppressed the provocative question, "These changes are slow and incremental. There will be no loss of control."
"Mr. North!" a familiar gleeful voice rang out. Michael rolled his eyes and stared at Abbie Thomas, the reporter from The Breakfast Show. Some months before, he'd had a conflict with the sensation-chasing woman and used her to steal the spotlight.
"Yes, Ms. Thomas?"
"In light of this revelation, the future of humans looks grim. I'm not one to spread panic, but if Alters, as you call them, evolve, won't they lust for money and power? What chance do us normal people stand against these superhumans? Will we have to worship you as gods?"
Abbie grinned, basking in the camera flashes. She loved to be on-screen, provoking people. Extracting their essence for everyone to see. This Michael kid, he was smart, Abbie had to give him that. But to challenge her, he was still wet behind the ears.
Unfortunately for her, when Abbie focused on a sensation, she forgot about her surroundings.
"How dare you!?" Robert Tan, Donald's father, shot up. "Trying to incite hatred here, at the International School? The students here are our future! What does it matter if they're humans or something more?"
"Miss, I should urge you to pick your words carefully," agreed another American billionaire with an amused smile, "My daughter studies here. If she ever expresses the desire for me to worship her, she's so grounded!"
Here and there, rounds of laughter rang out. The rich and powerful weren't foolish. They weren't the ones under potential threat from Alters in the future. On the contrary, it was in their interests to calm down the masses, as it was the poor who would likely suffer from greedy or reckless superhumans.
One young journalist managed to point his camera right at Abbie's dumbstruck face. With a giggle, he ran away while the furious Abbie blinked to throw off disorientation.
"Let me put your wild accusations at rest, Ms. Thomas," Michael said. "I was the first one to discover my Altered nature. I was also the one who told everybody else. The reason I did so wasn't to gain fame or money. I'm not trying to become a spiritual leader or a spokesman for others who follow in my footsteps. But for those who are interested in my opinion, listen carefully so that people like Ms. Thomas won't sway you in the future."
Even though Michael denied having ambitions, he put the words in others' mouths. He hadn't been considered a "leader" before, but after dozens of journalists heard the term, it would inevitably surface in their heads when they wrote articles or delivered reports.
Michael was using the journalists to announce his ambitions by denying them.
"Here's what I think. Altered or not, we are still people. Biologically, we are still humans. I don't believe that Alters will ever stand above other people because we're all connected. I love my parents, and if I became a supremacist, I wouldn't have it in me to oppress my mom and dad. Then, my mom will make me save a friend of hers. Dad will plead for his coworkers. I have barely started my quest to conquer the world, and there are already so many rules!"
The crowd laughed together with Michael. Abbie's face turned a sickly green, like a sour pickle.
"Instead of provoking a conflict, why don't you think of ways to use Altered traits for the public good? Let me give a suggestion. If you're strong – work in construction! You can be paid two, three times the norm! If you have super sense of smell – why not sniff out drug smugglers? We're only using dogs because we can't do the same! If your trait allows you to change an object's color – sell wallpaper or become a food photographer. The world we live in, isn't this our best chance to make it better?"
Clap. Clap. Clap! Ten people clapped! A hundred people clapped! The room drowned in applause!
"What a charismatic young man!" Sofia's father praised, exercising his palms together with everyone.
"I told you, papa!"
"It's a pity his dreams will not come to life. If he's sincere, I hope he knows this."
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BlackInk
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