Chapter 70 - University
Theo’s eyes moved between the two options, and for the first time in the past few hours, he felt a moment of relief.
’At least it isn’t anything that destroys the jet or does something strange to me.’
His shoulders relaxed slightly, though not by much.
Then he narrowed his eyes and looked closer at both options.
’Even so... these are some very interesting abilities.’
To feel when someone was watching you?
Theo stared at the first option for a few seconds, thinking it through.
If he’d had that ability in the dungeon, he would’ve known immediately that the maniac was watching them from the entrance.
’I might’ve been able to take him out without him realizing.’
In any future situation, an ability like that could guide him through ambushes and hidden enemies.
But even as he thought about it, another concern quickly rose.
’Can’t something like this also go really wrong?’ he thought, his brows slowly furrowing together.
What if he had to fight in an arena filled with spectators?
Wouldn’t he go absolutely insane if hundreds or even thousands of people were watching him all at once?
Even if the ability didn’t actually hurt him, the constant reminders would take his attention off the fight.
Theo fell silent for a moment, not quite sure.
Then his gaze dropped to the second option.
’Now that... is interesting.’
The ability to know when someone is lying.
At first glance, it sounds simple.
But the more his mind churned, the more its limits expanded.
’I’d be able to figure out so much information just by listening.’
If someone wanted to lure him away under false pretenses, he’d know.
If city officials broadcast that everything was safe while it really wasn’t... he’d know.
And those seemed to just be the basics.
Theo smiled slightly, his mind instantly going to another place.
’I can earn tons in casinos by calling bluffs,’ he thought. ’Or even broker information for large sums of money.’
Letting out a quiet breath, he calmed himself down again.
A serious expression reappeared on his face as he looked at both options.
Both could easily save his life ten times over.
Yet...
One was just simply better.
’I choose option 2,’ he thought, nodding once.
For a second, nothing happened.
Then the screen in front of him flickered.
[Choice made.]
[Granting the ability to know when someone is lying...]
The screen vanished instantly.
A strange sensation spread through his body right after.
Theo stiffened slightly, letting out a quiet groan.
It wasn’t painful.
Just... really uncomfortable.
The sensation started somewhere in his chest, slowly rising up through his throat.
Then, finally, it came to a stop after washing through his ears.
Theo let out a deep breath, relaxing back into his seat.
’That was... unexpectedly easy.’
Suddenly, a deep voice sounded out in front of him.
’’What just happened to you?’’
Theo’s head turned, locking eyes with Adrian.
’’Huh...?’’
Adrian tilted his head slightly, his eyes already narrowed.
"Your breathing changed," he continued. "Like you were going through something."
He paused for a moment. ’’But you were just sitting here.’’
Theo held his gaze for a moment, his expression remaining calm despite his mind desperately racing for an answer.
’’...Just a bit of discomfort from the altitude,’’ he said hesitantly. ’’But it passed already.’’
The moment the words left his mouth, all he could do was stare at Adrian and hope he’d accept it.
Adrian narrowed his eyes even further.
’’Is that so?’’
He held Theo’s gaze for a moment longer, examining him closely.
Then, slowly, he leaned back into his seat.
’’I’ll take your word for it.’’
Immediately as he said that, a faint thud echoed through the back of his mind.
It was very soft, almost sounding like a single heartbeat.
But Theo understood immediately.
’He’s lying.’
He didn’t react though, settling back in his chair instead.
’I was too hasty again,’ he thought. ’There was no way a Diamond Core teacher wouldn’t notice even the slightest bit of discomfort.’
But at the very least, he now understood how his ability worked.
Another half an hour slowly passed by as Theo thought about his future.
Finally, an announcement echoed through the intercom.
’’Please tighten your seatbelts. We’ll be landing in two minutes.’’
Owen woke up dazed beside him, rubbing his eyes.
’’We there?’’ he asked, letting out a big yawn.
Theo nodded, already fastening his seat belt as the jet started to descend.
’’That’s good,’’ Owen muttered, putting on his seat belt too.
The humming from the engines slowly changed, lowering in tone as the aircraft dipped through the clouds.
A minute or two later, a thud echoed through the jet.
The entire aircraft shook for a moment as its wheels touched the ground.
It didn’t take long before it finally came to a gradual stop.
Adrian immediately stood up, his gaze dropping on Theo and Owen.
’’Let’s go,’’ he said. ’’I need to get the two of you registered.’’
Theo unfastened his belt and stood up, Owen following right after him, still looking half-asleep.
The door flew open, Adrian jumping out immediately.
Theo and Owen followed right behind him.
The moment they stepped outside, Theo’s gaze lifted automatically.
Then he paused.
’What... is this?’
A massive campus stretched out in front of him.
Dozens of buildings filled the area, each around five stories tall, spread out across a wide expanse of land.
Paths cut between them in every direction, with students already moving around in the distance.
’’Welcome to the campus ground.’’
Adrian’s voice echoed out in front of them, carrying a hint of amusement in it.
He gestured forward casually.
’’Westridge University.’’
Theo didn’t respond.
His eyes were locked on a massive circular structure far in the distance.
’A dueling arena...?’
Theo’s eyes narrowed slightly.
The structure stood apart from the rest of the campus. Students moved around it, some already heading inside.
’’Whoa,’’ Owen let out beside him, already walking forward.
Theo stood still for a moment longer.
’I guess this is where it begins...’ he thought. ’A big university.’