SSS Awakening: I Can Class Change at will - Chapter 265 Rejecting the offer.

Chapter 265  Rejecting the offer.

“No, thank you,” Moon said, seizing the opportunity Tom had created. “I’ve heard that memory extraction procedures can be dangerous to the subject. I decline the offer.”

“Mr. Outlaw, the procedure is actually completely saf—” Tara began, attempting to salvage their position.

“Did you not hear what the young man said?” Tom interrupted with arctic coldness that made the temperature in the room seem to drop several degrees. “He stated clearly that he doesn’t want to undergo your procedure. That should be the end of this discussion.”

Tara nodded rapidly, her head bobbing like a frightened bird as she met Tom’s pitiless stare. “Yes, sir. Absolutely. We understand completely.”

Recognizing that the situation was escalating beyond their ability to control, Rock immediately moved to de-escalate before Tom’s displeasure could turn into something more dangerous for their careers.

“Mr. Outlaw, we completely understand what you are going through. Perhaps with adequate time and rest, more details will naturally return to you. Memory often clarifies after sufficient recovery from stressful experiences.”

Everyone in the lobby understood their intentions, and the two Evolvers knew that very well. Despite suspecting that Moon was concealing more information, they weren’t going to pursue it aggressively while Tom Glassy stood as his protector.

Moon nodded with apparent sincerity. “If I remember anything else that might be significant to the Association’s understanding of the incident, I’ll certainly share it through appropriate channels.”

‘This kid…the promise is carefully worded. Whilst technically cooperative but committing to nothing specific.’ Rock thought but did not speak.

Both Evolvers recognized they’d gotten everything they could extract from the interview. After exchanging brief pleasantries and expressing gratitude once more for Moon’s service, they departed, sweat building on their backs despite the orbital’s cool temperature.

Back in their Association transport vehicle, speeding away from Tom’s orbital, both representatives immediately activated their secure communication system.

“Priority contact needed,” Rock spoke into the encrypted channel. “Patch us through to the Ascender who supervised the gate operation.”

Within moments, they were connected to the same individual who had originally provided Moon with the S-rank staff—the Association representative who’d overseen the entire mission from outside.

“Sir, there’s definitely something significant the Outlaw boy is concealing about what occurred in that final chamber.” Rock paused, frustration evident in his voice. “However, Tom Glassy has positioned himself as the boy’s protector. We weren’t able to extract any meaningful additional information, and attempting to push harder would have created a diplomatic incident with one of our most influential Ascender allies.”

“The boy refused memory extraction, and Glassy supported his refusal with… considerable emphasis,” Tara added. “Whatever Moon experienced in that gate, whatever he encountered or accomplished, he’s determined to keep it private. And he has the backing to maintain that privacy, unless the higher-ups themselves intervene…I don’t think we can do anything about it.”

There was silence on the other end of the communication as the supervising Ascender processed this information.

Finally, the voice returned: “Understood. Continue monitoring the situation, but maintain distance for now. If the boy is hiding something significant, it will eventually surface through other channels. We can’t afford to alienate Tom Glassy over speculation, regardless of how well-founded our suspicions might be. The higher-ups are also busy in the high sanctuaries. They don’t have much time to spend in dealing with these things. Besides, that boy is affiliated with another powerful family, not just the Glassy family.”

The communication ended, leaving Rock and Tara to contemplate what secrets might be worth an Ascender’s protection.

And what those secrets might mean for the future of awakener society.

♢♢♢♢

Selene and Yara had finally arrived at Zone C after the lengthy journey through crowded transit lines and chaotic streets, only to discover that Moon was no longer at the gate site.

After asking around, they learned that Moon had been taken aboard Tom Glassy’s private orbital ship shortly after emerging from the gate.

Unfortunately, without having direct communication access to the orbital’s systems and lacking any official authority that would compel cooperation, Selene and Yara found themselves with limited options for immediate contact.

“His phone has no signal,” Selene sighed after multiple failed attempts to reach him. “It must be stored in his spatial ring while he’s aboard the ship. No connection possible.”

She looked around at the dispersing crowds and cleanup crews with visible frustration.

“It seems like we’ll have to return to his apartment and wait for him to contact us when he’s available. In the meantime…” Selene’s expression brightened as she turned to Yara, “we should celebrate his success? I want you to try something called ‘cake’ from human cuisine.”

Yara’s eyes lit up in excitement at the mentioning of food despite the disappointment of missing Moon. “Yes! I would love to!”

Selene grabbed Yara’s hand and led her through the crowd toward the commercial district, navigating toward a dessert shop she’d noticed during their earlier shopping expedition.

Although many had evacuated, some had decided to stay, and that dessert shop was one of the few that did. Once they’d found a charming little bakery and were examining the display cases filled with colorful confections, Selene’s phone suddenly rang. “Which one would you like to try…?” A kind old woman working at the bakery smiled at the two girls.

“Sorry, one moment!” Selene said excitedly, immediately reaching into her pocket. “Yara, It’s probably Moon calling back!”

Without even glancing at the caller identification, she answered with enthusiasm.

“Moon! You finally called back!” she said, pressing the phone to her ear.

“…Moon? Finally called back?!”

The voice on the other end was not Moon’s—it was deeper, carrying a dangerous curiosity that made Selene’s stomach drop as she realised the identity of the caller.

It was Alaric, her older brother.

Across the Second Sanctuary, Emma watched Alaric’s lips twitch at his sister’s obvious mistake and couldn’t help but chuckle with delighted mischief.

“Aaah, teenage love~” Emma said in a sing-song voice, placing one hand dramatically over her heart while the other gestured through the air. “We’ve all been through it at some point, haven’t we? That sweet but sour mixture of emotions, the way certain names just slip out when you’re thinking about someone special~”