Chapter 62: Talent
*Adam POV*
After some time of idle chatter, Ajax finally decided to open the bag he'd been holding on to.
"Have you had lunch yet?"
He asked as he took out two boxes, which made me laugh a bit.
"No. But it doesn't look like my answer would have mattered."
I gladly took one of the preservatory containers, inside was a steak and mashed potatoes with some vegetables to the side.
I was planning in talking to him a bit more as I ate, the festival was yet to start after all but that all went through the window as I took the first bite.
"Damn."
I didn't remember the last time I had food like this, the steak perfectly cooked and tender and the mashed potatoes creamy and well-seasoned.
All plans of talking went out the window, as I oddly felt more energized as I ate the meal, trying to savor the god like state.
"Is it good?"
I felt like the unvoluntary 'damn' should have answered the question but calling this good would be an understatement.
"If you ever decide against the mercenary thing, I'll hire you to make this for me every day."
He didn't seem to take that offer seriously but seemed happy with the reaction anyway.
I didn't focus on much else for a bit, only talking once I was done.
"When'd you learn how to make this stuff?"
It was hard to come by food this good, let alone made by someone so young.
"I just taught myself over the years."
A dismissive response but I'd come to expect this from him now.
"You said you made this stuff for the whole shelter?"
He nodded in agreement.
"They're not going to be happy about you leaving."
He'd told me about his intention to leave the shelter and why he felt he had to do it, I didn't agree but who was I to stop him?
"It'll take a while anyway." He replied.
"Not really, if you keep making the money you are now, it'll take less than a month. Although I guess buying that bow art set you back huh?"
He told me he was practicing with a bow now, didn't tell me what the quality of the art was but I didn't think it was less than two stars which would be quite expensive.
Awakened supplies in general were crazy expensive and being cheap got you killed, there were plenty of black-market sellers who sold cheap faulty weapons.
"I doubt I'll be able to do such high earning contracts repeatedly."
Never one for optimism this kid.
"Please settle into your seats, the headmaster will be here to address us all eventually-"
An announcer instructed the packed stadium to settle down as the barren field at the center began to transform.
The earth itself molding a speech podium place at the center of a gigantic, elevated platform.
"We're not listening to this nonsense."
I cut the audio from the outside, the mere thought of the arrogant old fool blabbering on for hours annoyed me.
"Wait, do you want to?"
I then realized that Ajax was a normal person who probably looked up to Merlin as one of the strongest people in this world.
"No. It's fine."
None of the admiration could be found in his refusal though as I watched his figure appear on the stage from nowhere.
His dark purple robes and pointed hat along with his long flowing white hair and beard were something I was tired of seeing.
I watched the crowd go wild as Ajax just sat there watching him, his eyes somewhat cold.
"What do you think of him?" It's only natural to ask with such a cold gaze.
He realized that his eyes had given him away again as he let out a light sigh.
"I don't think much of him."
His words relatively inoffensive would be considered treacherous by many.
"Why? He is the strongest of us all after all." At this point, I'd admit I was just trying to get a clear response out of him.
"That title shouldn't belong to someone who doesn't fight."
His gaze was fixed on the old man, as he addressed the crowd the same pompous way he always does.
I couldn't help but laugh at his harsh idea of him because I couldn't agree more.
"If you don't like him now, just wait until this event is over."
Even I felt great annoyance as I thought of the call, I'd received yesterday but as I heard him wrapping up his speech, I disabled the sound barrier.
"I think it's time for you all to meet these brilliant young minds. The future of our nation and this world as a whole."
A thunderous cheer rang out as individuals in blue and white uniforms began to pour into the stadium, some waving at the crowd, others hiding nervously.
While Ajax seemed uncaring of getting into the academy, I often thought he was lying and tried to see if I could get anything out of him now.
His cross shaped pupils focused on one boy I didn't know, his spiky black hair and icy blue eyes made him stand out among the rest.
With the same gaze he looked at several other students, scanning the crowd for familiar faces.
At certain times his gaze would grow cold again, the brilliant emerald green becoming dull as he looked at some of the students.
However, most of the time he remained indifferent and uncaring, his gaze hard to follow as he only looked briefly.
"Among these future stars let's take a look at those who shine the brightest right now!"
With that a large holographic display of light hung above the students as three podiums rose from the Earth, resembling first, second and third.
CREATORS' THOUGHTS 
verytired
verytired No action makes me feel like I waste the time of those reading so I try to make these as entertaining as I can or as short as I can
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone