Driving through town, Adam wondered what he could do next. He had the whole day to himself, and he was in no rush to get back to the academy.
Academic City was one of the massive and popular cities in the Northern Federation. Because he had no idea how big it was, he was quite interested in exploring what it had to offer.
"Hey, Gaia. Do you have any recommendations for places I can visit in this city?" Adam asked the car’s AI system as he drove without any destination in mind.
[A few places come to mind. You can visit popular spots like the city park, aquarium, arcade, the amusement park, or the riverside walkway.]
Adam took a moment to think about his options. However, before he could make his choice, a loud honk snapped him out of his thoughts. He looked into the rearview display and realised he had slowed down.
"Sorry!"
He quickly poked his head out the window and apologised with a cheeky smile. "Set a course for the riverside walkway."
[Setting a course...]
As the navigation system plotted the course, Adam stepped on the pedal, shooting forward. The drive took close to an hour, as the city was just that massive. He caught a glimpse of the riverside before he even got there.
But halfway through the drive there, a strange feeling pricked at his senses, like there was something gnawing at his perception. Adam was not sure what that was, as the sensation was still new to him.
’Haa... Maybe I didn’t get enough rest as I thought.’
He quickly found a parking space and stepped out of his car. He took a deep breath of the surrounding air, appreciating the fresh and earthy smell. There weren’t a lot of people around, just a few on their morning run.
Adam looked around the walkway and was about to move when something caught his attention. ’Isn’t that the same car I saw a while back?’
He wasn’t entirely certain, as that particular vehicle had been behind the one that had honked at him. The car was a large luxury black SUV, unlike his smaller and sleekly designed one. ’Nah... There are several models of the same car everywhere.’
Pushing his paranoia aside, Adam went on to enjoy the view of the city. He walked along the guardrails and quietly took in the atmosphere. So many things had happened in such a short time that it felt like ages ago.
A little over a week ago, he would have never imagined himself in the best academy in the Northern Federation. He had believed it was a place only the best of the best could attend. But from what he had seen so far, it seemed to have a lot more to do with connections.
The students were by no means average, but his perspective had shifted since he awakened. What might have been outstanding talent now looked no different from average to him.
Adam found a bench and sat under the morning sun, its warmth and light bathing him whole. He sat in silence and thought back to the incident this early morning and could not help but smile.
’Gods. I was such an idiot.’ He shook his head in resignation.
Minutes passed in silence as Adam watched people pass by from time to time. His thoughts slowly drifted to a plan of action. He wasn’t like everyone else with the kind of system, unique skill and affinity he possessed.
Normal wasn’t going to cut.
He would have to put in a lot more effort and dedication if he wanted to reach the top. His affinity was not just about recreating existing abilities he understood or experienced.
What he needed was a mindset that saw beyond what the eyes could see. He had the potential to synthesise abilities, materials, skills, and even techniques that have not existed before.
’But understanding existing concepts and principles is the key... I could also resort to ancient techniques and stuff like that. But that would mean stepping out of the comfort zone cities provide and step into the wilderness and ruins.’
Adam doubted the academy would send students deeper into the ruins outside Federation. Maybe ruins nearby, but not far off places where the dangers rose exponentially.
’I’ll get there when I get there... Maybe something can come up later on.’ Adam reasoned calmly as he stood up. ’There’s no point stressing over everything now.’
Returning to his car, Adam hopped in and drove off. He had spent a lot of time thinking already. He might as well hit the books or practice his martial arts since there was nothing to do.
But as he drove, he unconsciously glanced in the rearview camera. Adam immediately furrowed his brows when he noticed the same car he had seen tailing him two cars behind.
Still uncertain about his suspicions, he decided to drive in a random direction, his gaze shifting to his rearview display from time to time. ’I’m being followed.’
The realisation came with chilling certainty. Adam’s body instantly grew tense, his focus snapping into place. He stepped on the pedal, moving faster. Several minutes into the drive, and he could still see the car some distance back.
Thinking fast, Adam slowed down and parked along the side of the road. He didn’t kill the engine, but waited to see what that car would do. The car drove past him like everything was normal.
Adam looked at the car, but could not see anything. The windows were specially tinted. And even if his unique skill could perceive and see through the tint, that would take a bit of time. The thought, however, did not cross his mind.
The car disappeared in a corner soon after. Adam let out a sigh, the tension in his shoulders relieving.
’Maybe I’m just getting antsy with all that is going on.’ He reasoned as he clenched his steering wheel. ’Those people can’t be acting so soon. It will be too obvious.’
What he failed to realise was that he had driven into a rather quiet neighbourhood with very little activity. As he was about to step on the pedal, his instincts stirred with chilling intensity, his heart thundering.
Adam acted before conscious thought even came into place. He reached for the door and jumped out, rolling across the cemented ground. A split second later, his car exploded.
BOOM...!
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