While Erin was playing Power Fighters, something was happening in the second years' building, namely, in Duke's office. Inside the office was a group of first years, with Earl standing front and center. Right outside was Peter, who was nervously waiting on a chair.
"I have made sure that the room will be empty for you tomorrow. Make sure you do as I asked," Duke ordered.
"Yes sir, we promise," Earl responded for the group.
"Good," Duke affirmed as he tossed Earl a few beast crystals as well as a level 4 book, "You'll be able to progress to a higher level with this. Carry on working hard, and there will be more."
Earl and his group left the room, and on his way out, he passed by Peter.
Leaning down, he whispered, "Don't mess this up for us."
Peter didn't look at Earl and instead looked at another member of the group. This person had dark brown hair and deep, tired eyes, the other runt of the group. It was the same person who had healed him the other day.
This was Jerry, and he looked miserable. He could tell that Jerry was only following orders from those stronger than him; otherwise, he would've been beaten down just like him. Since Jerry only had a healing ability, he was practically doomed to a life of serving others.
"Peter, you can come on in," Duke called out.
Peter gulped as everyone left, leaving him alone.
"Relax, take a seat. There is no need to be afraid," Duke stated, and Peter hesitantly sat down.
Peter couldn't help but wonder why the General was singling him out. It was a scary position to be in, considering that Duke held the third-highest position of the academy, just a few steps below the head general.
"It seems those people have gone too far with you. You often find yourself beaten and bruised with no way to fight back," Duke noted, placing his large hands on the table. He stared at him dead in the eyes: "Peter, would you like to have the power to fight back?"
Peter perked up a little hearing those words.
"I looked at your file. You had no ability before coming here, and when you entered school, we gave you the earth ability. Right now, you're only a level 1, but I can change that for you."
Duke then pulled open a drawer and took out several earth ability books. He threw them onto the table.
"I know you've been saving up, trying to get your hands on these. With this, you can finally improve and get out of the level 1 power range. With that, your troubles would go away. You would be able to graduate from school with a good grade, join a company to go hunting, and earn a good wage for the rest of your life. Sounds nice, doesn't it?" Duke grinned wolfishly.
Peter stared at the books. Since Peter had the earth ability, he was stuck with it. Even if he was taught by Quinn, the highest he could reach level 2. If he wanted to improve his ability enough to get hired in the future, he had to turn to the military. They had a monopoly over the higher-level earth ability books, after all.
This was his only way of gaining power. If he had these, his life would change, and his family would never have to worry again. They would all be set. He would no longer have to constantly dread being injured, or worse, killed.
"Of course, these things don't come for free. The world doesn't work like that. Those men out there work for me; they do what I say, and in return, I offer them protection within and outside the school. Not only that, but they get rewarded for doing well," Duke said before holding up one of the books, "I'm sure you heard me mention it earlier."
"You're going on your first portal outing soon, correct? Let me tell you that accidents happen all the time, and every year, a student dies on another planet. Now, rumor has it that maybe this year someone from that team of yours might go missing. You're a smart boy, so I think you can understand what I'm saying. Maybe that person will be you, maybe not…"
Peter visibly winced when Duke brought up students dying on another planet. He was all too familiar with that possibility.
"So, what's your answer going to be?"
For a brief moment, Peter was reminded of a smile that belonged to a girl he knew. It was a genuine, but tired smile. The memory of it was bittersweet and made his heart ache, but without her around, he knew what his answer was. He had no choice.
—
At around sunset, the world became dimmer, and Peter had sent a message to Quinn through their watches. Quinn, reading it, bolted down the hallway.
The message was simple. All it said was to come to the training room on the east side, and that Peter "needed help."
At first, Quinn was about to rush off by himself, but then he realized that if Peter needed help, then he was going to need insurance. Opening up the system, he quickly notified Erin about the situation.
After a few texts about how Peter might've been in danger and where to meet up, he sprinted over.
'Just hold on for a bit longer, Peter. Help is on the way,' Quinn thought.
That was when he passed by Fex, whom he thought would've left for the dorms by now. The teenage boy was leaning on a wall, fiddling with some string.
At first, Quinn was going to ignore him, as Peter was the bigger priority, but then a thought came into his mind. With how Erin had been hurt before by the second years, having a third person help wasn't entirely a bad idea. The only problem was how was he going to convince him?
"Fex, I need your help," Quinn said.
Fex raised an eyebrow, "With what?"
"I need you to come with me as backup. Our roommate is in danger."