Chapter 60 (1/2)

Chapter 60

Compet.i.tion

”So, you decided to call back huh?” Xentus Viri's pompous voice could be heard from the other end.

“Yes Mr. Viri, I have.” Chu Shen was a lot more polite this time.

“Hmph. Learned some respect did ya? Well too bad! I found myself another mechanical protegee and he’s going to get my offer instead! At least he’s more respectful than certain ungrateful brats.”

“If you didn’t want me, then why did you give me your phone number then?”

“Because I wanted to hear you as you realized you gave up on a once in a lifetime opportunity. Ha!”

Chu Shen’s face scrunched up and he looked at Leonard. They were both huddled around his desk while Xentus Viri was on the line. Leonard had volunteered to guide him in the conversation.

Leonard muted the phone from their end. “Don’t worry. He’s obviously just trying to make you nervous. Just ask him what you have to do to get in. Depending on what he asks, you can decide what to do. Otherwise we just have to negotiate or give up.”

Chu Shen shook his head. “No way. Like he said this is a once in a lifetime opportunity. I might be able to get a similar offer but not one as good. I have to get this.”

He un-muted the phone. “Mr. Viri. I know I was rude to begin with but how was I supposed to know who you were? I only arrived on Sparta 9 months ago and have spent all that time studying.”

“Not my fault. I told you who I was and you didn’t even check out my story. You dismissed me, so I am dismissing you. Simple, see?”

“Listen Mr. Viri. I would really like to accept your offer. If you won’t let me tell me what I need to do in order to get accepted.”

“….” There was a long awkward silence that followed after he asked the question. Chu Shen and Leonard exchanged helpless shrugs after the first 5 minutes. What else could they do but wait?

After almost 20 minutes there was a m.u.f.fled b.u.mp. “Alright.” Xentus Viri’s voice came from the desk. “I have decided. In order to have the lab along with the unlimited budget I ask you to do two things.

I have already discovered you are exceedingly smart and have a vested interest in engineering. What you need to prove to me now is that you can indeed create something otherwise the lab would go to waste.

So prove to me that you can create something. I will pay for you to enter into the Robo Games. It’s a simple compet.i.tion where you must use a limited budget to build a combat robot which will fight the other robots. The deadline for entrance is tomorrow so be ready.

If you can get 3rd place I will give you a fully stocked lab, however you will have to pay rent. 2nd place will earn you the lab with rent at half price. 1st place will earn you a free fully stocked lab.

As for the second thing. There is another compet.i.tion called Pod Racing. It’s a popular racing game based off a real cla.s.sic. It’s the same thing, a limited budget to build a racing vehicle.