Chapter 16: Chapter 15: Tough Talks
"Hey, by the way, do you know 'Sophia' from Section A?" kyle asked, changing the topic.
"You mean the rich Sophia?" joe asked, his tone skeptical.
"Yeah, I heard she also attempted the tower and got an A rating," he said, his voice laced with admiration.
"That's reasonable. Her father is a player too. She has a first-hand chance at an A-rank guide," I said.
"But what are you worried about? Aren't you getting an A-rank guide yourself." I said, pointing my tumb to myself.
"And the specialty of my guide is that you don't have to fight a single zombie," I said, with a sense of pride.
"What?!" They shouted, their voices echoing with disbelief.
"So, if your guide is safe, why do we need to learn hand-to-hand combat and other skills?" Kyle asked, still trying to piece everything together.
"It's about being prepared for anything," I explained. "Even with a safe guide, things can go wrong. It's better to have some combat skills and knowledge of evasion tactics just in case."
Joe nodded, understanding dawning in his eyes. "That makes sense. But what about this 'battle focus' skill? How does it work?"
"It's a bit like multitasking," I said, trying to convey my enthusiasm. "It helps you stay sharp and react faster, both in and out of combat. And as a bonus, it improves your learning speed, which is perfect for cramming before the final exams."
Kyle and Joe looked impressed, their faces reflecting newfound motivation. "That sounds really useful. I'm definitely going to make that a priority," Kyle said with a determined nod.
"Me too," Joe agreed. "But let's focus on getting those skills first. I'll start preparing for the final exams and look into the Hunter University entrance process."
As the bell rang, signaling the end of our break, we headed to our respective classes. I could sense a shared determination among my friends. We all knew that making it into a Hunter University would be a massive challenge, but it was one we were now willing to tackle head-on.
Later that day, as I sat in my math class, my mind kept drifting back to the tower and the upcoming university entrance exams. The prospect of entering a Hunter University felt both thrilling and daunting. I knew it was a path filled with risks, but it also seemed like the best chance to get serious about becoming a player.
After school, I went home and sat down with my parents. They were having their usual evening tea, and I decided it was time to discuss about my decision.
"Mom, Dad, can we talk for a minute?" I asked, trying to sound casual.
"Of course, Alex," my mom said, setting her cup down. "What's on your mind?"
"I've been thinking a lot about my future," I began. "And I'm seriously considering applying to a Hunter University."
My mother's face tightened with concern, while my father's eyebrows furrowed. "Hunter University?" my father repeated, his voice full of skepticism. "You know how risky that is, right? It's not just a regular university."
"I am," I said, nodding. "I know it's not a conventional path, but it's something I really want to pursue. I've been training, and I believe I have what it takes to make it."
My mother shook her head. "We are not talking any more about this, Alex. It's not just about your decision. There are serious risks involved."
My father nodded in agreement. "It's a hazardous path with no guarantees. We can't just overlook these concerns."
"I understand that," I said. "And I've done my research. I know what's involved and the risks. But I also know that this is something I'm passionate about. I want to climb the tower and see where it takes me."
"No means no alex" mom said " and i dont want to hear any more about this.
[The Next Day]
The next day, I met up with Kyle and Joe again.
"Hey, Alex, why do you look so down?" Kyle asked, noticing my mood.
"I wasn't able to convince my parents," I replied, a hint of frustration in my voice.
"It takes time, dude. It doesn't happen in a day," Kyle said.
"By the way, guys, aren't you forgetting something?" Joe said with a grin.
"What are we forgetting?" Kyle asked, looking confused and with a mischievous grin. "Alex, do you know?"
I flashed Kyle a mischievous smile and said, "I don't think we're forgetting anything."
"Okay, okay, fine, I'll give you a party," Joe said, chuckling.
Kyle and I fist-bumped, pleased that Joe agreed to host the party.
"Happy birthday, Joe!" we said in unison.
"Now show us," Kyle urged.
Joe lifted his hand, revealing a black tattoo on the back of his wrist. It signified his eligibility to enter the tower.
"Finally!" I said, with relief.
"Now we can train together in the tower," Kyle said, clearly excited.
"Yeah, we can," Joe agreed, his enthusiasm matching ours.
It was a moment of shared excitement. We, three best friends, were about to embark on the adventure of climbing the tower together.
Joe nodded. "And remember, we're all in this together. Let's make sure we're ready for whatever comes our way."
Later That Week
Despite the excitement of Joe's tattoo and the prospect of climbing the tower, the conversation with your parents was still weighing heavily on my mind. I couldn't shake the feeling of disappointment from their.
That evening, after spending some time training with Joe and Kyle, you decided to give the conversation with your parents another try. You approached them as they were finishing dinner.
"Mom, Dad, can we talk again?" you asked, trying to sound both respectful and earnest.
Your mother exchanged a worried glance with your father but nodded. "Alright, Alex. What's this about now?"
"I understand your concerns," you began, "but I need you to understand mine too. I've been given a chance to do something extraordinary. It's not just about climbing the tower; it's about pursuing something I'm passionate about, something that could define my future."
Your father sighed. "Alex, we've been through this. The risks are real, and we don't want to see you hurt."
"I get that," you said, feeling the weight of their worry. "But life itself has risks. I've trained hard, and I've got friends who are in this with me. We're prepared. This is my chance to do something important, and I want to take it."
Your mother's eyes softened slightly. "We just want to make sure you're safe and that you're making a decision you won't regret."
"I appreciate that," you said, "and I promise you I've thought this through. If you could just trust me and support me, it would mean everything."
There was a long pause as your parents exchanged glances. Finally, your father spoke. "We understand how much this means to you. We just want you to promise that you'll stay safe and keep us informed of what's happening."
"Of course," you said, feeling a mix of relief and determination. "Thank you. I'll make sure to keep you updated."
"But there is someone else you need to convince more than us" and from the looks of it its going to be much harder."
"Yes, I know. I'll talk to her," you replied. "She hasn't been speaking to me since this week."
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