Chapter 166: Chapter 166 - Jim Halberg?
Theo, Iris and Lyra quickly got into the military vehicle.
Thud!
The police officer slammed the door shut behind them.
Finally, the noises from outside faded away slightly.
’’It’s crazy out there,’’ Lyra muttered, shaking her head.
Theo nodded, though he remained silent.
His eyes fell on the other people inside the vehicle, instantly recognizing them.
’Out of all people,’ he thought, slightly irritated. ’It just had to be them.’
The two girls in front of him were from the same group of pre-admission students who had fought with him in the arena.
Hell, even the blond-haired guy with the light element was there.
And as expected, it didn’t take long for them to start their remarks.
’’Why are these peasants in the same convoy?’’ a brown-haired girl said in a nasty tone.
’’Right,’’ the pink-haired girl’s voice rang out. ’’They should’ve separated this by class.’’
The brown-haired girl scoffed, crossing her arms.
’’And it had to be that lucky guy too...’’
But before either of them could say another word, the blond guy Theo had fought raised his hand.
’’Both of you be quiet,’’ he said, his voice firm.
The girls turned to him with hints of shock and displeasure on their faces.
Even Theo raised an eyebrow.
’What was his name again?’ he wondered, locking eyes with him.
That’s when he noticed it — the arrogant glint that used to be there had completely vanished now.
Before he could think any further, the blond guy even stuck his hand out.
’’I wish to formally apologize,’’ he said sincerely.
For a moment, the entire vehicle fell silent.
The two girls beside him looked like they’d just been struck by lightning.
’’W-What?’’ the pink-haired girl blurted out.
Even Theo looked slightly surprised.
The blond-haired young man lowered his hand awkwardly after seeing Theo’s expression.
’’I was way too arrogant before,’’ he admitted. ’’And I realize just how stupid that was now.’’
The brown-haired girl immediately frowned and leaned forward.
’’Jim—’’
’’No,’’ he interrupted firmly.
The blond-haired young man looked back at Theo.
’’Please, accept my apology.’’
A moment of silence fell inside the vehicle.
Theo couldn’t help but blink at how sudden and weird the timing was.
One second, civilians were raining curses down on him, the next, some person he’d fought wanted to apologize.
Even so, he nodded once.
’’That’s fine,’’ Theo said, shaking his hand.
Jim visibly relaxed.
Then he placed his hand on his chest and lowered his head slightly.
’’As you might remember,’’ he said. ’’My name is Jim Halberg, from Halberg Agriculture.’’
Theo pushed his lips into a thin line.
’Right, that was his name.’
’’Nice to properly meet you, Jim,’’ he responded with a small smile. ’’My name is Theo Lane.’’
Meanwhile, Lyra and Iris couldn’t help but look at each other with confused expressions.
Neither knew what exactly was going on.
The two girls beside Jim still looked utterly stunned too.
’’Have you lost your mind?’’ one of them muttered quietly.
But one glance from Jim shut her up instantly.
Then, much to Theo’s surprise, Jim scooted slightly closer across the bench.
’’So...’’ he began. ’’Who are your companions?’’
Theo glanced toward the two girls.
After a second, Lyra finally realized what was happening.
’’Oh, I’m Lyra,’’ she said, giving a small wave.
Jim immediately nodded politely, then glanced at Iris.
But as he saw her, his eyes narrowed slightly.
’’I’m Theo’s girlfriend,’’ Iris started with an almost mature calmness. ’’Iris Blackwood.’’
Jim froze.
Even the two girls behind him went silent.
’’...Blackwood?’’ he repeated slowly.
Iris nodded once.
’’Yes.’’
For a moment, nobody spoke.
Then Jim let out a slow breath.
’’Well,’’ he said sincerely. ’’It’s an honor to meet both of you.’’
Then he leaned back in his seat slightly.
His gaze slowly drifted to the streets outside as the convoy rolled forward through the city.
SMASH!
A rock slammed into the bulletproof glass.
Everyone inside instinctively turned toward the window.
Outside, a police officer had already raised the perpetrator into the air with a wind spell.
Even so, the atmosphere inside the vehicle only grew heavier.
’’Though it isn’t a beautiful day,’’ Jim said slowly. ’’I hope our meeting here will be remembered as a pleasant one.’’
Theo couldn’t help but glance toward him.
For some reason, the guy seemed significantly different compared to the arena.
Not weaker, or less confident... just calmer.
’Now I’m curious,’ he thought, smiling faintly.
’’What do you think about all this?’’ Theo asked, nodding outside.
Jim turned to him with a hint of surprise and remained silent for a few seconds.
Then he tilted his head slightly.
’’You want my honest opinion?’’
Theo nodded.
’’It’s something that could only be expected after everything.’’
The pink-haired girl immediately frowned.
Meanwhile, Jim continued speaking while staring out the window.
’’The average civilian always felt lower than hunters.’’
’’And it isn’t even because they hate them or something. Rather, because they could never reach the same power, influence, wealth, or opportunities.’’
Theo quietly listened.
’’The thing is,’’ Jim continued. ’’Most people used to just accept that, you know.’’
’’Life was difficult, sure. But they were alive and protected. They could start families, actually grow businesses, and hope for a better future.’’
Thud!
Another rock bounced harmlessly off the armored side of the vehicle.
’’Now?’’
Jim shook his head lightly.
’’They just learned the systems that protect them aren’t as safe as expected. Especially those hunters abandoning cities hit hard.’’
His eyes narrowed slightly.
’’So they’re lashing out at everything and anything they can.’’
He paused for a moment.
’’Without regard for consequences... or the eventual end results in sight.’’
With that, Jim fell silent once again.
Theo, on the other hand, slowly nodded.
It was more or less the same conclusion he’d reached himself.
Otherwise, there was no way the country would’ve exploded this quickly.
’’If I may ask,’’ Iris’s voice rang out beside him. ’’How did you get to this conclusion?’’
Jim looked up again, a faint smile on his face.
’’Well, back at home, my family also governs a city,’’ he said, scratching the back of his head. ’’And we don’t really have any protests there since we take care of our civilians.’’
Iris nodded slowly.
Theo couldn’t help but raise an eyebrow though.
’This guy’s family governs a city?’
After a moment, he dropped the thought as it wasn’t that unusual either.
The rest of the convoy continued slowly.
Several more people were brought from their apartments, filling up several vehicles.
Finally, after an hour, they went toward the university grounds.
As time passed, Theo couldn’t help but wonder something.
’Will the competition still continue now?’
After a moment, he clenched his fists slightly.
’It better,’ he thought. ’I need those damn resources.’
