Chapter 16 Toll Statistics

That was brave!"

John had jumped on his back and he almost threw the boy off out of reflex but Jacob clamped his other shoulder and Ivan did something similar. Jake went for his leg and Andrew for the other.

Peter was left out and snatched an ear, making his head tilt to the side.

The only thing Tumunomi Escaver could do was to catch falling packs of food so that they did not hit the ground. And him being successful meant that they all fell to the ground when they entered the room.

Mrs. Rose Marilyn had told them to hang around and that they could chose to come for the rest of the trials or not because they were not going to start the next phase till next month.

Tumunomi Escaver was not one for cuddles, so he tried shaking them off but John and Jake began tickling him and he began laughing.

"Hihihihi"

It was so high-pitched and sharp that Jacob almost jumped back unconsciously but he jeld on and took another look at Tumunomi Escaver. Peter used tha chance to grab a good portion of him.

Maybe the boy was truly broken somewhere inside.

After the laughs though, they saved their food for later since they had already just eaten.

Tumunomi Escaver felt his heart now and remembered it during the trial. He preferred that moment. At times it had felt like a joggers high.

"Hey, teach me how you did what you did."

John looked at him like he was expecting presents at Christmas. Ivan cam close to hear what he would say, Andrew to perked up his ears and shifted towards him. Jake and Jacob turned to him, leaving Peter who also waited.

Tumunomi Escaver looked at all of them and continued eating but when it looked like john wanted to start tickling him again, he jumped back.

"Practice, i practice. That's all."

"How long?" Jacob asked this time.

"Its been 4 years so far. 4 serious years at least."

"Before Derek?"

"When i first watched him i thought it was comic. I laughed at some of his stances. But he one day challenged me to follow him and i did."

Jacob nodded and asked one more questions.

"Why did you make sure to do 30 more than i did in each round?"

"I need answers too."

Silence, then. "Derek?"

"Yeah."

He did not know if his motivation to exceed even Jacob's achievements were because of Derek but he knew that seeing what had happened to the other contestants had changed something with him. And he needed that.

He instinctually felt like it would help him with Derek.

Jacob nodded and more questions came in. The pill had him fully restored by the morrow and he chose to go out and watch.

At the end of this week, the retakers were finally sent away. Today everyone stood and a board hovered at the wall behind the staff. On the projection was a list of names who passed and who sid not.

Finim Barboach announced the results as they also read the visible facts by themselves.

5000 applicants in the first batch. 600 had passed.

900 had happy endings with memory wiping.

1800 of them were permanently left with mental scars.

2700 were gotten rid of.

The first batch had a success rate of 12% and a mortality rate of 54%. The successful people with blank memories were 18% and the invalid were 36%

6000 applications in the second batch

300 had passed.

850 had happy endings with memory wiping.

1500 of them were permanently left with mental scars.

3350 were gotten rid of.

The second batch had a success rate of 5% and a mortality rate of 55.833%. The successful people with blank memories were 14.167% and the invalid were 25%

7000 applicants in the third batch.

700 had passed.

1000 had happy endings with memory wiping.

2000 of them were permanently left with mental scars.

3000 were gotten rid of.

The third batch had a success rate of 10% and a mortality rate of 42.857%. the successful people with blank memories were 14.286% and the invalids wer 28.571%

5000 applicants in the 4th batch.

1000 had passed

1000 had happy endings with memory wiping.

1500 of them were permanently left with mental scars.

1500 were gotten rid of.

The fourth batch had a success rate of 20% and a mortality rate of 30%. Successful people with blank memories was 20 percent and the invalids were 30%

10,000 applicants in the 5th batch.

294 passed.

706 had happy endings with memory wiping.

3400 of them were permanently left with mental scars.

6600 were gotten rid of

The fifth batch had a success rate of 2.94% and a mortality rate of 66%. The successful number of people with blank memories was 7.06% and the invalids were 34%

4000 applicants in the 6th batch

100 passed

1000 had had happy endings with memory wiping.

900 of them were permanently left with mental scars.

2000 were gotten rid of.

The 6th batch had a success rate of 2.5% and a mortality rate of 50%. Successful people with a blank memory was 25% and the invalid were 22.5%

7 applicants in the 7th batch

7 passed

0 had had happy ending with memory wiping.

0 of them were permanently left with mental scars.

0 were gotten rid of.

The 7th batch jad success rate of 100% and a mortality rate of 0%. Successful people with a blank memory was 0% and the invalid were 0%.

Based on success

Batch 7 is 1st place

Batch 4 is 2nd place

Batch 1 is 3rd place

Batch 3 is 4th place

Batch 2 is 5th place

Batch 5 is 6th place

Batch 6 is 7th place

Based on mortality

Batch 5 is 1st place

Batch 4 is 2nd place

Batch 6 is 3rd place...

Furthermore, out of 33,006 in total,

3,000 passed

5,460 had successfully altered their memories

11,100 had become invalids

17,350 deaths.

Tumunomi Escaver saw from this that if he had failed he would have been a just a bunch of numbers.

He laughed out loud and was happy for his time with Derek. If he did not see that those in his batch were holding hands he would have noticed the questioning stares but he will not have cared. Not just because of those on his side who were looking on in abject horror at the numbers but also that his laughed was rich and dark.

Was he wrong to feel proud of this achievement? Jacob heard it too, and although he did not flinch he eyed his roommate.

Mrs Rose Marylin told them not to worry because those who made it will be given a chance next year, if they signed up for it.

Plus, they would now be based underground. The invalids had no choice as they had both defective memories and disabled bodies.

When Tumunomi Escaver looked around, he was wondering once more how everyone had squeezed into the room. Just like the first day of trials, he had been curious about it. But it somehow faded away when he saw the trials and remembered that this was for Derek, so he did not pay it any mind. But now that he had free time to stare about as the 3000 of them had been lined up, it was still a mystery to him.

"Its an SpaceModifier"

He looked at Jacob who continued speaking

"It bends space in an area to make it look less than it actually is, or the other way around."

Tumunomi Escaver did not understand.

"Don't worry, if my assumptions are correct, then you will soon find it easy to understand what I am talking about."

Tumunimi Escaver still had not said a word, so he just continued randomly looking around.

"Now, those who have been mentally altered might still have a chance. But for the invalids, we might not be able to do anything yet."

A group of the kids on the other side had each hugged one another on the other side They either had no idea of what had happened or were in wheelchairs or wielding crutches or having assistants beside them to keep them watched and taken care of.

Mrs Rose Marilyn then clapped her hands and grabbed any unfocused eyes.

"Now, for the next phase, you can either choose to get your chip or your contribution points or a mentor or a Technique Manual or more." She waited, "but those who have passed this round will get contribution points for a year."

"The price of everything on that list will be exactly the same. However, if you chose to get more contribution points then you will have double."

The screen changed its contents.

1 day of chores – 1 contribution point.

Prizes

Chip

Contribution points 3650

Technique Manual – Select from a list

Armor – Select from list

Weapon – Select from List

Foster Parents.

"Also, selecting only part of the contribution points will allow you to have partial rewards for the others. Form a line in your respective batches and chose wisely."

Jacob held Tumunomi Escaver's shoulder and he could tell that his friend with sunken eyes was feeling uncomfortable, but he wanted to help him.

In fact, his goal was to help them all if he could.

"The chip," Jacob held his eyes. "Pick the chip. It's the best thing there."

Tumunomi Escaver did not see deceit in the boy's eyes but why would he pick a chip when he could see armor and weapons?

What if the next phase was battle?

"A house is nothing without a foundation. Trust me!"

He tightened his grip and Tumunomi Escaver had a fleeting thought of actually doing so.

"If things turn out bad I'll give you my points. All of it."

Now, Tumunomi Esaver was not feeling too sure. Why was Jacob willing to stake so much?

When Tumunomi Escaver slapped his hand away, he proceeded to Mrs Rose Marilyn to ask her loudly.

"What's the best prize, Mrs Rose Marilyn?"

She tilted her head. "How so?"

"Foundation."

"The chip."

Tumunomi Escaver stopped and looked at Jacob, then to Mrs. Rose Marilyn.

Where they both playing him?

It was the first thing on the list, but did that mean it was the best? Besides he had other things he could pick from because of his contribution points.

It was placed on the same list as contribution points, weapons, armor, a technique manual and…

He saw a foster parent.

Wait, If Derek was here would he pick foster parents?

Tumunomi Escaver hesitated and Mrs. Rose Marilyn laughed a rich laughter, curiosity full in her eyes.1

The boy then frowned and slowly gauged his options.