Chapter 17 Mishap And Training

Mishap

The technique manual seemed to be the most attractive as he liked martial arts. Especially after watching movies, but what was this chip?

Tumunomi Escaver decided to ignore them and then he met Finim Barboach who he didn't see when the man had pushed his subordinates so that he would be able to handle the rewards transactions for Batch 7.

"I dare you to take it, Tumunomi Escaver."

The boy in question had half the mind to pull his shoes and throw it at Jacob but the other boy spoke before his footwear was in his hands completely.

"If I'm wrong I'll give you my points and the extra ones."

Now, he was tempted. "But why don't you pick one?"

"Everyone has their own secrets."

Mrs. Rose Marilyn's eyes flashed but said nothing else.

"Double contribution points," was what Tumunomi Escaver asked for first before he took a breath in and pointed to a chip. "That one," Finim Barboach nodded and then he was told that he should wait at the other side of the wall where there were others also waiting.

When he chose double points more than a few followed him.

Tumunomi Escaver weighed if he should spend his other contribution points he had stacked over the years. Curious as to how he would get double points, he decided against it and decided to wait.

He saw all his roommates except Jacob who only opted for contribution points and waved to them as he left the room along with the others into the smell of freshest air. Now they walked through an area they had been before - the single sheet of marble floor that was black otherwise but occasionally shone a progressive bar of light across its entirety like a cascading wave. It also reflected the pulsing lights fom above that was mounted on almost every ceiling panel.

They followed the walls that were of a dark color mainly but also with green lines scattered about them as they made several turns into various corridors. And apart from their steps, the people whispering in the barest minimums to each other and their watches, there was silence.

The kids were then led to a door where they met with a very large room having pure white walls and rectangular Windows that blocked site from outside to inside but not vice versa. The gigantic machines that seemed to have a thousand arms and circular padded benches attached to each one, with arm rests which had restraints attached to them like leg areas did. Aside from those where screens that were connected acros the top half of the wall which had keyboards where even Regulars who did not cultivate could reach to.

Lab Coats and gloves was what most people here wore. And one approached them quickly with a bow at the waist.

"Greetings Mrs Rose Marilyn, the devices are ready."

She stepped to the side and pointed to the chairs. The kids unconsciously hid behind Tumunomi Escaver and he did not notice that they moved with him until he sat on a bench and someone behind bumped into him. He noticed John who cupped the back of his head and sat beside him.

Even his roommates did not know how much they were being looked up to as none of the other kids took their own sits until the rights and lefts of Tumunomi Escaver were taken.

Even Peter had come.

Tumunomi Rscaver himself just wanted to get it over with and he stared at Mrs. Rose Marilyn one more time before he blacked out.

"Don't forget our deal."

***

Tumunomi Escaver woke up with his head ringing and his spine on fire. Grimacing in pain, he tried to turn his neck but it felt broken. He then squeezed his eyes until he saw John staring at the wall with horror stricken eyes.

Ivan asked out loud the question in Tumunomi Escaver's head.

"What's wrong, John?"

"My head is stiff, can't move it."

"What do you mean?"

Tumunomi Escaver looked at him in mild surprise. "You don't feel it?"

Ivan turned to him. "Feel what?"

The doors opened and Jake squinted his eyes as he woke up before gingerly minimising his movements but Ivan seemed not to be effected just like John.

Peter seemed frozen with fear.

From the doors rolled in beds for all of them. And while thy were all gingerly placed on the new beds, horror slowly crawled on Ivan and Andrew's faces.

Ivan and John's movements slowed down until they could not move and their lips dragged off to one side. Now drooling helplessly, their heads hung in ome direction like they were both invalid. But they were not the only ones.

The rushing people in lab coats remained proficient; deftly unstrapping the kids from the chairs before placing them to the beds where they were strapped again in swift, practiced and perfect motion. Two lab coats to each bed, the the process looked as smooth as silk.

"Rush them out NOW! NOW!"

Mrs Rose Marilyn shouted and as Tumunomi Escaver reached for her collar despite his mind numbing pain. She slapped his approaching hand and glared at him.

"What happened to them?".

"They would be alright, you worry about yourself."

Tumunomi Escaver, Andrew and Jake who were currently in pain passed out after they witnessed Ivan, Peter and Andrew being wheeled to a different direction.

***

Tumunomi Escaver, Jake and Andrew each found themselves lying on a bed when they woke up. A sachet of water connected through a thin plastic tube was attached into their right ams from a syringe. After the initial blur and slowness, they could see their surroundings.

In 5 more days Tumunomi Escaver could now move without ringing pains in his ears, feeling like there was a constant note screeching directly into his brains and Jacob having to tell him to make sure he was well enough before making any movements.

Now standing on his feet, he looked at his fists and unclenched them.

Jacob had been doing his own exercise and Tumunomi Escaver was wondering about the chip.

"How do you feel, now?"

Tumunomi Escaver looked at him, and he would not have even answered if he did not truly feel curious.

"I feel... the same?"

He could not put it into words but Jacob understood. Subconsciously, he reached for the bade of his neck where he felt a scar.

"You aren't the same, trust me."

"You said i should get the chip." He rotated his joints and tests them before beginning his own workout regimen. "Why?"

"I'll show you when you finish."

"What happened to the others?"

Jacob's expression changed and his face dropped like the muscles had aged some years.

"There isn't always success in these things."

"You should have said so. I wouldn't have backed down either way." Tumunomi Escaver had not stopped working out. "You will have to explain it to them."

"10 days ago, i thought that sharing it might help." He stared hard at the ground. "They were not the only ones."

He was silent but Tumunomi Escaver had still not stopped. At least an hour later, he had finished as someone with a lab coat cane in.

No, three of them. Each one for a bed.

The one assigned to him saw him working out and began taking notes. He then made a few checks with and without instruments. Among them;

"How do you feel?"

He looked at the person in question. "Do you have food?"

"Hungry, i see." He paused, his intense eyes boring into the kid. "Any other things you need?"

"Clothes, a bath, can i still exchange my contribution points for things?"

"That will usually be after the first phase, but having taken first you might have some privileges."

He nodded and since he had also noticed Jacob's eyes, he asked.

"How are they?"

"That information is classified."

"First position really does come with a lot if perks. Gee, who wouldn't want to be?"

He shrugged beneath his face mask. "He could ask, but they might take contribution points."

Tumunomi Escaver looked at him. "You could get me what i want with contribution points. Them i will use mine to ask."

"Deal." He nodded as Andrew and Jake stirred.

He looked back to the man in a LabCoat. "Hey, when is the next phase?"

"A month from now."

"Why so far away?"

"The... accidents and a chance for the successful ones to acclimatize to their gifts."

Tumunomi Escacer went for the showers and after returning with a towel on his waist he saw folded clothes on his bed.

There were also a pile of books there too.

"Try reading it."

He held the first one to his face, 'How To Build A Regimen To Your Own Individual Needs.'

"Human Anatomy 101."

'Basic Stances Common To Most Martial Artists.'

'Kicks From Various Arts.'

'punching 101.'

Grappling techniques

'Reversals and more.'

...

"I only have enough points left to trade them to you."

"What am i supposed to do with them?"

"Try them out, go through one and see."

"Are you telling me that by reading them i would be able to pass the next phase?"

"No, life is mot a magic trick. Everything needs effort but read and try first."

He glanced at Jacob and was ready to attack if he found out this guy has just wasted everyone's time and gotten some of his roommates to... their disposals.

He was surprised that them being hurt mattered to him. Should he leave only that for Derek?

Tumunomi Escaver shook his head and started reading through.

"Mark each page, too."