The Expo Center
Pontia City was especially bustling today due to the Revelation that would be held for five days straight. This period had become something like a festival for the people, particularly for street merchants who would set up stalls along the streets near Pontia Expo Center. In the past, these merchants would be told to move out because they congested the sidewalks and even the roads. However, the central government eventually issued a policy to accommodate the hustle bustle during the Revelation period since almost all cities in Rivideria suffered from the same issue.
Due to this, those who came to the city centers during this period were not limited to the Revelation participants and their family members and friends, but also people from the city districts and even visitors from around the area who wanted to enjoy the festivity and perhaps catch a glimpse of a future powerhouse.
Drai was fortunate to be listed on the first day of Revelation. Several days of delay didn't mean much for others, but Drai would definitely benefit from having a headstart before enrolling in an academy.
The Varz family had just arrived near the Expo Center by the magtrain, which is a train powered magnetically due to the New Age resources which enabled extreme magnetic force to be incorporated into public facilities. The heavy pollution during the Old Age had mostly cleared due to the changed properties of the past fuels which led to their abandonment. Now, most nations and kingdoms operate on clean energy.
Many other participants also opted to travel by magtrain due to the traffic and the distant parking area from the Expo Center. Being a training freak, Drai wasn't close to his peers so he only engaged in small talks. However, Daro and Lina were excited to meet their friends and had been enjoying the brief ride while catching up with them.
The three walked from the station with a bunch of other people while taking in the sight of various items sold by the street vendors.
"Get your coffee here, friends! Premium beans from Malen Highlands, energizing and delicious! My little friends who couldn't sleep last night, have a cup! It could even give EXP (experience) and SP (skill points) for beverage related classes who haven't tried it yet! Get your coffee here for only 5 pons!"
"New tech from e-Rax here! Mu-Earring 5 for the young and trendy! Have a concert dangling from your ears! Add-ons are also available for audiophiles!"
"Talismans for luck! Talismans for health! Talismans for love! Get your talismans here! Made by the one and only Master Kleya of the Rune Guild! Talismans for life!"
Every merchant seemed to be extra passionate today. Drai looked at their items with an intrigued look, but he didn't stop at any of their stalls. He felt that spending money for things that neither increased his strength nor endurance was wasteful. Not that there would be such a miraculous item here. Only exclusive stores associated with high level evolved ones would have those kinds of items and Drai wouldn't be able to afford them anyway at the present.
Daro and Lina also weren't really interested in the items. Their current concern was Drai's Revelation and if Drai weren't asking to stop at a stall, they would just proceed to the Expo Center.
At the gates of the Expo Center were security guards responsible for checking the visitors. Only participants and their family or friends were allowed in. The Varz family passed by the inspection smoothly albeit with Drai getting a peculiar look from the security guards. Maybe it was because of his odd build, his scars, or his uneven short hair. Drai was used to this and so long as they didn't bother him, he just didn't care.
The Expo Center housed multiple buildings with huge open spaces which usually hosted various events throughout the year. Drai once heard his peer asking her friend to go watch some music concert here with her. Drai wasn't particularly interested in music although he enjoyed those loud guitar riffs because the shows where huge burly men were featured usually used those types of music as their soundtrack.
At the entrance of the main building, there was another security checkpoint. The three waited in line briefly before being checked and allowed to enter the building. Inside, there were a sea of chairs, most were occupied by adults. There were also quite a few children and elderlies. Drai and his parents headed to the receptionist near the entrance.
"Good morning and welcome to the Expo Center. For the participant, please confirm your attendance through the biometric scan," said the receptionist warmly.
Drai headed to the scanner briefly and after confirming his identity and registration, the receptionist said, "Participant Varz, please proceed to the door at the southeast corner where you will gather with the other participants. There will be a briefing before the Revelation. It is recommended to leave personal devices behind in case they interfere with the Revelation. For the family and friends, please wait in this area until participant Varz returns."
"Did someone's comm explode or do something else in the past?" Daro asked.
"No, Sir. But it's better to be safe than sorry. Central Government's policy."
"Thank you," Drai said while heading to the closest empty seats with his parents.
"Mom, Dad, please wait for me here," Drai said to his parents. "I'll be back after I'm finished."
"Okay, son. Go and get yourself a sweet class! Hahaha!" Daro laughed while patting Drai's back.
"There will be scouts from various academies, institutions, and companies later, dear. Just pick one that you think is to your liking. And if no one tries to recruit you or if you feel that none are suitable for you, just come back here and we'll figure it out later, okay?" Lina advised Drai while touching up his clothes.
"Thanks, Mom, Dad. I'll be going."
Drai walked toward the door silently while catching the eyes of the people he passed by. If not for his youthful face, he probably would've been thought as one of the parents who were accompanying their child.
After walking into the door, he was met by a branching hallway which might lead to other buildings. Luckily there were security guards and signs which led to his destination.
A short walk later, Drai was met with another door. Upon entering it, he saw a familiar setting but without the parents, children, and elderlies. It was a space full of teens reminiscent of the Prep where he used to go. Some had anxious faces while others were calm. Some were conversing with their peers or new friends.
In front of the seats was a platform which would probably be used later by the briefer. Drai walked to the closest empty seat, which was at the front row since the door was at the front corner of the room. His particularly buff figure was noticed by plenty of people, some of which were his peers in his district.
"Whoa! What the hell is wrong with that body!?" a boy exclaimed while his eyes buldged from shock.
"This guy probably drinks protein shake since he was a baby!" said another boy who was rubbing his eyes, not believing his sight.
"It's probably steroids. But aren't those harmful for teens like us?" another person chimed in.
"It's not steroids! That guy is Drai, Drai the muscle brain!" one of Drai's peers recognized him.
"You mean Drai the training freak from the hillside district? He's an urban legend in Pontia! All of our peers know his name," said a girl who apparently came from a neighboring district.
"So his training regime weren't exaggerated? They were so extreme that somebody should have died in the process!" shouted a tall boy, seemingly horrified upon knowing the truth.
"Only Drai could survive through it. And by the looks of his body, they seem quite effective."
"Did you hear about his latest training, 'busting balls'? My friend tried it once and he was sent to the hospital foaming and twitching."
"Yeah, I've heard of it. Do you think his balls are still intact or…" pondered someone with an unhealthy curiosity.
"Damn, now I'm curious too. Do you think he'll beat me up if I go there and ask him?" a nearby person bravely wondered.
"Hey, guys. Don't judge a book by its cover. I'm from the same Prep as him and my peers and I know that Drai isn't a bully. In fact, he's rather kind for someone with his build. I think he knows there's no point pummelling us when he could be hitting some rock near the hills," said a student defensively.
"Or barbequing himself on a fire pit," another student chimed in.
"Or challenging a poor farmer's beefaro."
"Or busting balls."
"Guys, please stop with the balls," said a girl helplessly. She wondered why boys were so fascinated with genitals.
"Anyway, he'll probably get a really crazy class later. Maybe something like Mad Muscle?"
"How about Steel Man?"
"It would be funny if he gets Gym Trainer," a student chuckled.
The students were excitedly discussing Drai's possible class offers when they heard a soft female voice.
"Ball Buster…"
The surrounding students went silent due to this earthshaking prediction. When they turned toward the source, they found that it was an innocent looking girl who had turned beet red from the stares of the dozens of students. These students were staring in astonishment because this was the girl who told them to "stop with the balls" earlier.
"What the hell, Miss? You said 'no more balls' but if it's you saying it, it becomes alright?"
"Maybe if we speak softly like her, she'll also let us talk about balls."
"So, we're gatekeeping balls now, huh?"
These boys couldn't seem to hold themselves back from teasing the girl since the situation was rather funny. The girl stared hard at her shoes, seemingly wanting to bury herself in the ground. Fortunately for her, at this moment a loud voice sounded from the speakers.