Another while passed, giving the people present opportunity to voice their burning curiosity. 

"This is either the biggest conspiracy theory ever or the most guarded secret from the vertex, though I wouldn't put it past them," a person voiced. 

"Yeah, but I can't believe he told us so much. This seems so unlike the vertex, they wouldn't deem us worthy enough to tell us," another countered. 

"Well, now that they told us. There's no way they're letting us go free" Azario said, anxiety obvious in his voice 

"Yeah-" 

They were interrupted by Aghatya. His face had hardened, looking less inviting and defeated. 

"Sorry about that. The connection is really bad, huh?" he expressed emotionlessly.

A wry smile flickered on Azario's face. 

'Someone's mad~.' 

"The reason you people were taken is because of your physical qualities being a desirable level." 

Azaria and Deemas shared a look of confusion. 

'So that's why a lot of the people here are in their gym clothes, but my stamina is abysmal, and my strength is nothing special.' 

'And Deemas is just a 14-year-old kid. Why the hell would they take us? Did they make a mistake?' he wondered desperately. 

'Aah,' he sighed cathartically 

'There's no point in thinking about that, no chance in hell they will let us go now.' he ruminated in resignation, his face looking miserable. 

"The reason we need such physical capabilities is because of the... unpredictability of the natives. To ensure a safe expedition, so the vertex can find out more about these false realities." 

"So much so, that they can stop the false realities from taking over our world," he asserted almost solemnly, his face however looking resolute. 

A contagious fervor of hope washed through the people in the room. 

'Is it really possible to stop the black holes,' Azario considered seriously, he too beginning to hope. 

"Those of you with loved ones'" he addressed.

"I can sympathize with the fact that you will miss those people and that those people will be concerned about your well-being. Do not worry, we have already informed them, but of course we put in measures to prevent them from leaking the information. Though I do understand your desire to be reunited with them, now that we have told you such sensitive information-we cannot let you go." 

The people in the room instantly gasped under the suffocating sense of dread.

'There's no guarantee these soulless monsters will go through the hassle of informing our loved ones, especially when there's a risk of information leaking,' Azario surmised darkly. 

'What methods could they even employ to prevent the information from spreading on such a vast level, that wouldn't be a herculean undertaking of resources and time?' 

A few of the people, absurdly enough, sagged their shoulders in relief. 

"We shall give you the opportunity to pick between 2 mandatory classes you have to take. Either you can enroll into the spearman class or the archery class. These classes correspond to the position you will take in case of an attack on the expedition." 

The crowd jolted with alarm.

'A spearman or an archer,' Azario deliberated. 

"Do keep in mind that spots to be either are limited and the number of spots depends on a predetermined ratio, which is 750 archers to 2,500 spearmen. Therefore, if you do not pick archery by default you will be enrolled into the spearman class. However, your choice to be an archer is only one aspect to be able to be enrolled into that class and therefore receive that role in case of an attack. You will also need to pass the test," he informed. 

Azario felt a familiar turbulence of anxiety. 

"Remember what your strengths are. If you pick something because it's 'cooler' or 'easier' then don't. You will be wasting time training in that discipline-if you manage to pass that is-then you will then get kicked out because of your inadequate skills. Overall you will be worse off, as in case of an emergency you will be more likely to perish but sooner than –" 

"-if you fail, you will have to take the spearman test the very same day and be greatly disadvantaged compared to those who first picked the spearman class. They will have a better chance at ending up in a higher tier than you, gaining better rewards and support," he advised his eyes deadly serious. 

"As I mentioned moments ago, there will be tiers for each class. For the spearman class it will be 5 and 3 tiers for archery. The reason it's only three tiers for archery is because the role of the archer needs to be done skillfully as a consequence of the limited number of arrows and the reusability of said arrows due to the reusability being susceptible to compromise. Keeping in mind the stakes, the competition for it thus will be fierce," he added on. 

"Depending on your tier you will be rewarded and given ways to better strengthen yourself. Furthermore, it will determine your position in the army. The higher the tier the lower the danger of the position. All in all, the higher your tier the greater your chances of survival. Undoubtedly in an event that something does go wrong, your reliable presence alone will most likely prevent such things from happening in the first place," he conveyed smoothly.

 "I will give you 2 minutes to talk it through and decide. However, after this point, there will be no changes, except from archery instructors transferring inadequate students to the spearman class." he publized, fanning the flames of distress that was burning Azario.

"So, your time starts-now." 

Everyone burst into intense conversation, Deemas promptly turned around to face Azario. 

"Deemas we should probably pick the archery class, because everyone knows that the archers are at the back and thus less likely to die. It also doesn't seem that hard you just grab an arrow and just pull the string back" Azario spewed in a hurry.

"No. I'm going to pick the spearman class," Deemas replied resolutely.

Azario paused with stupefaction.

"What? Why? " 

"Cause, I'm not a coward who's going to just sit at the back hoping I don't get killed," Deemas declared callously. 

Azario's face creased.

"Deemas are you out of your mind!?" he questioned furiously. 

"It's not about being a coward or not It's about living or dying, don't you want to live?" he continued.

Deemas remained impassive.

"Not if it means living as a coward." he proclaimed.

Azario squinted incredulously.

"Are you stupid? Why would you go that far for them? They abducted us for christ's sake." 

"But if we are able to have a safe expedition then it's possible to stop the black holes once and for all." 

"Deemas, you idiot. You actually believe them? Are you out of your mind?"

Deemas shifted uncomfortably on the spot. 

"Even if they are lying, if the expedition fails do you think we will still be alive? So we need to try our best, plus they will reward us for doing so," he reasoned. 

"OK but archery is still better, because an archer will always defeat a spearman. So even if that is your goal you should pick it" 

"That's not true," he argued.

 Unbelievably incensed, Azario exploded

"Jesus Christ why are you always so stubborn!?! You just don't listen when I tell you things!! Why are you so ******* arrogant?!! You have NF1 so your bones are weak and extremely less likely to heal properly after an injury. You have nodules on the nerves of your forearms and your back, that if pressed will give you paralyzing pain. Your muscles are weaker than an average person's and it's harder for you to even gain muscle," he ranted scrupulously. 

"And if all of that wasn't enough, you have this God-awful stubbornness and anger that can get you KILLED!!"

*Inhale* 

Azario took a deep breath, composing himself. 

"For the love of God, don't pick spearman class. Let's pick archery class so we can be together and support each other." 

"If you pick spearman class, it will end badly for you," Azario assured matter-of-factly. 

"…."

A deep shadow was cast over the Deemas' face crestfallen, his lips straining into a grimace and his hands balling into fists.