213 An Old Face
Entering the isolated room, Adam found himself standing before an old man who seemed somewhat familiar.
("This guy… Where have I seen him from?") [Adam]
Adam scanned the room with curiosity. The room didn't have much inside. Bookshelves lined the walls, a desk was placed off to the side, and in the middle of the room was a black leather couch the old man sat on.
"Hello, Adam. It's been a while." [Old Man]
"H-Hi…" [Adam]
The old man smirked.
"Do you not remember me?" [Old Man]
"O-of course I remember you?" [Adam]
Seeing Adam's reaction, the old man took out a tablet and held it out for Adam.
"Does this jog your memory?" [Old Man]
Looking at the tablet, Adam saw a contract with his signature on it.
"Isn't this…?" [Adam]
"It's the contract you signed to work for me next year. Specifically, to join a certain squad under my faction." [Old Man]
"...Your faction?" [Adam]
"Ah, pardon me. Forget that." [Old Man]
The old man put away the tablet.
"If you still don't remember, you may want to look back to chapter 29." [Old Man]
"What?" [Adam]
"In any case, I'd like to speak about your contract details." [Old Man]
"Hold on. You're getting me confused here." [Adam]
The old man reached into his pocket and took out a cigar.
"That's understandable. Take your time." [Old Man]
("What's up with this guy?") [Adam]
Paying no attention to Adam's confusion, the old man cut one end of his cigar and lit it.
"Are you finished contemplating?" [Old Man]
("Contemplating? I wanted answers, but okay.") [Adam]
"...Yes." [Adam]
"Good." [Old Man]
Leaning back, the old man let out a puff of smoke.
"Sir, please refrain from smoking near a minor." [???]
The air next to the old man distorted, revealing a man wearing a black suit and tie.
"Huh?!" [Adam]
Surprised by the sudden appearance, Adam flinched.
"Don't be such a downer, Max." [Old Man]
Said the old man as he crushed the cigar in hand.
"Also, couldn't you have warned me BEFORE I lit it?" [Old Man]
The suited man went silent.
"Ah, the cold treatment." [Old Man]
Waving his hand as if to throw aside the conversation, he turned back to Adam.
"Now, where were we?" [Old Man]
He then snapped his fingers.
"I remember! Kid, I'd like to ask for your permission to rewrite the contract." [Old Man]
"...Why?" [Adam]
"Because waiting a year will take too long." [Old Man]
The old man sighed.
"Allow me to explain. It turns out that the voidling incident we had a while ago had also hit three neighboring countries. Unlike us, they suffered immense damages." [Old Man]
"S-sir! This is classified infor-" [Suited Man]
The old man raised his hand, completely silencing the suited man.
"Due to their damages, they are lacking resources. Resources WE have." [Old Man]
Adam raised a brow.
"So… they're going to attack us?" [Adam]
The old man nodded.
"The onslaught of three countries is difficult to fend off without man power. That is why the program of attending the military part time will be extended to first year high school students to third year." [Old Man]
Adam was speechless. He wasn't sure how he felt about the situation.
"I do not ask you to simply accept a contract that has been violated. I am offering you compensation as well." [Old Man]
"And that is?" [Adam]
"Up to you." [Old Man]
Adam's eyes widened.
"...You're letting me choose?" [Adam]
"I can give you anything that can be acquired through legal means." [Old Man]
Adam brought a hand to his chin.
("...Anything he says. What do you think, Krino?") [Adam]
"How about money?" [Krino]
"No, ask for power! Money is useless!" [Astos]
"What?! Money is power!" [Krino]
"Do you think you know more about power than me? A god?!" [Astos]
The two argued within Adam's mind, causing him to ignore them.
"...I got it." [Adam]
"What is your wish?" [Old Man]
"Can I ask you to send someone to a squad?" [Adam]
"As long as the squad is under my jurisdiction." [Old Man]
"Can you send my classmate Tiffany to a squad that won't encounter combat?" [Adam]
The old man's eyes widened with surprise.
"You wish to send… a classmate to a safe location?" [Old Man]
The old man burst out laughing.
"Hah! Is it a girl?!" [Old Man]
Adam answered in a low voice.
"...Yes." [Adam]
The old man continued to laugh.
"To think you would use something so precious for a girl! Oh, how fickle youth is!" [Old Man]
The old man took a deep breath before calming down.
"Your request… I accept it. Not only that, but I will give you monetary compensation along with a booster pill." [Old Man]
"Eh? Wait, that's too much!" [Adam]
The old man shook his head.
"I will not take no for an answer. Think of it as payment for entertaining me." [Old Man]
Pulling out the tablet, the old man started to work on it.
"Now then, shall we seal the deal?" [Old Man]
