Old Brama's face turned malevolent for just a moment before he calmed down. He exhaled a breath and shook his head. To Sylas' surprise, he then turned his gaze toward him.
"Sorry, boy."
Sylas raised an internal eyebrow. Sorry for what, exactly? For dragging him into this mess?
"Niafon, what brings you here today?" the old man asked calmly.
"I think you know that already. I felt you trying to speed someone through the protocols."
"It seems you have a little bit of respect after all."
"Well, I wouldn't blame a little girl from being influenced by her own grandfather, now would I? Do you think I'm some sort of monster only here to target you? The mistakes you've made are of your own making. My Auran Race and your Unitaurs had a harmonious relationship otherwise."
"Don't speak to me as though I am a child. What do you want?"
"Oh? You're so insistent on this? This is already the third time you've done this. The result in the end is always the same."
"Just say it."
"You know the rules, Old Brama. You can't give someone this sort of clearance unless they've both proven themselves trustworthy and actually worthy. Talent is just one aspect. Unless he can walk the Golden Grove, the rest is worthless."
"You know well that the Golden Grove is nothing more than a fairy tale."
"Your ancestors would be sad to hear you say that."
"And yours would be rolling in their graves watching you hold their guild back for the sake of immediate profits over long-term growth."
"In case you've forgotten, Old Brama, your 'little project' isn't just some minor inconvenience. You wiped out half of our capital in just 30 years. You were given more than enough rope. Don't pretend as though you are a victim now."
Old Brama sneered. "And how much have my UniForges made back for you?"
"For me? I have personally made no money from them at all. If you want to speak of the Golden Grove, then you have indeed done a great service. But it isn't the place of the old to ruin the futures of the young."
Old Brama waved a hand, starting to get annoyed all over again. The image in the air wavered wildly and almost shattered, but just barely managed to wiggle its way back to existence.
"I'll take that as a yes, then," the Buddha projection said with a smile. Finally, he turned to Sylas for the first time. "Megean will escort you to where you need to go. And…"
Niafon frowned, looking at Lorien as though he didn't really understand why she was here. After a while, he shook his head as though he couldn't be bothered. Then vanished.
"What is the Golden Grove?" Sylas asked as though he didn't already know the answer.
The old man looked at him, sighed again, and then vanished.
Sylas raised an eyebrow and looked at Megean.
"Golden Grove Trial." freewebnσvel.cøm
Comments
The readers' comments on the novel: Genetic Ascension