CHAPTER 57: RECOMMENDATION

As I placed the last item in my bag, I then glanced at the still dumbfounded look on her face. Then, closing the chain, I put on the bag before taking the $200 change I got after reducing the $500 to $300 after a 5 minute long ’negotiation’.

Since I was in a good mood, I also helped Lisa lower the cost of her items from $2600 to $2000, making her just gawk at me while I negotiated. I would have gone to save another $100, but at that point, Lisa started feeling bad for the shopkeeper, asking me to stop.

Well, it’s her money. I thought before closing her still opened mouth with my hand and then speaking,

"Let’s go."

I also picked up her carry bag, which had all her items, as we got out of the hardware store.

Oh, isn’t that like the latest model? I saw a glistening white high-end fancy BMV just outside the shop, waiting for us. It was a sportsback SUV model that was still famous 10 years later.

I think it was released around this time of the year, too. I thought as I observed the people around looking at the car in amazement. The driver’s window opened up, Silva’s face came into our vision. She signalled us to get in fast, and we both moved faster before sitting in the middle seat.

As I placed the bags at the back, I heard Lisa asking

"How did you even do that? That was so... great! I could never do something like that!!!" Lisa spoke her mind as she looked at me as if I were some sort of superhuman, while Silva, taking an interest in her words, asked,

"What did he do?"

And without even waiting for me to speak, Lisa began explaining everything she had witnessed. She spoke in complete detail, not missing even a single thing, while I and Silva just kept listening to her.

A small smile formed on my face as I then looked out of the car, at the passersby, ignoring Lisa, who was probably going to talk for another few minutes. Silva took a peek at me through the rear mirror before she too smiled and then kept her focus back on driving.

About 5 minutes later, when Lisa reached the end of the ’conversation’ Silva, then skillfully changed the topic a few times before revolving it back to me,

"So, Mikael, tell me about yourself."

"What would you like to know?" I asked, focusing on her, while she pondered for about 3 seconds before asking,

"Where do you live? At least gotta know where to drop you."

"Galaxy Apartments, South-Side, Tivago. Just drop me in front of the Children’s park," I answered.

"That locality? Ah! Yeah, you were little Daniel’s best friend. Now I remember! You were the guy who was in crazy love with another girl, right? Though... you don’t look the type," she probed. Lisa, who was listening with a half-focused face, suddenly turned serious before looking at me with a surprised expression on her face.

Is that what my reputation is within the Rothraks? Daniel, you son of a... forget it. I am not even gonna think about it. I sighed before answering,

"It was an idiotic time. Mostly forgotten about it already. Don’t wanna remember it anymore, either."

Silva nodded. Not making the situation awkward, she then changed the topic," What plans do you have for the future?"

"Preparing for the Eugene University Exam. Hoping to get into a software engineering college so that I can major in that," I answered again, making her ponder about it for a moment before suggesting,

"Have you thought about the Regalia University?"

Regalia University.

It was obviously much bigger and better than Eugene University, where I wanted to go. In fact, it was perhaps the best college in the entire country. Boasting the best facilities and campus, it has everything it can provide to the students. Almost everyone wants to enter it. Just that...

"Doesn’t it require a recommendation?" I asked.

You need to be recommended by an alumnus first. Plus, if you fail the test, the alumni might lose 90% of the privileges they have gained from that university later on, so it would be extremely difficult for anyone to get the ticket unless they are very, very capable. Obviously, nobody is going to bet their life privileges on anyone random.

"I have one. You can have mine," she said without missing a beat.

"..."

"..."

Both I and Lisa just stared at her silently.

"Why?" and I asked which occupied our minds.

"Why, huh? For starters, Lisa already has her recommendation from her mother, while the rest of the children... are below subpar. Not even a single of those worthless worms has even half the talent that is required to enter into Regalia," she spoke, being blunt, and I saw Lisa sighing, as if she knew this already.

"Yemir?" I asked about the eldest child, to which she pondered before speaking,

"Yemir chose business over the recommendation, saying he can’t be bothered to be bound by college degrees, while Freya, another one who was capable, went out to see the world. I didn’t include them because they themselves didn’t want to join the universities, saying that it would limit their freedom. Can you really believe them?"

Hmmm... it was true, I suppose? I mean, my research reached the same conclusion. I thought, but I still didn’t get the answer that I wanted.

Understanding my intentions, she continued speaking," as for why I chose you. Let’s say that you have piqued my interest greatly with your actions. Though, it’s not for free either. You have to complete the task that I will give before you can have that recommendation. Consider it as a test of sorts."

"Task?" I was interested in the recommendation but not so much in working for someone else. But if I can have something I can gain from this task other than just the recommendation, perhaps I can give it a go.

"Attend a ball with me. I need a partner who can-"

"No," I answered.

To be seen with Silva means to be known throughout the whole country. I would rather keep my identity as hidden as possible. Even if it is regretful to let the recommendation go, I could not sacrifice it in exchange for making my entire life unnecessarily chaotic.

A smile formed on her face as she continued from where I interrupted her," who can help me find out about the other guests at the party. It is a masquerade party, and we will be wearing full masks. You don’t need to be worried about your identity."

Hearing that, I paused for a few seconds. If it were a masquerade party, my identity could be somewhat kept hidden, but even then, I need to think deeply about it before I can give a definite answer.

As I was thinking, the car slowed down, and the children’s park that I had mentioned to her appeared in front of me. We had already reached back near my apartment, while I opened the door after taking my backpack.

"The party is in 8 days. I will give you 5 to think about it. Here, this is my phone number. Make sure to give me a call when you are done making a decision," she said as she gave me a paper slip.

Looking at her waving at me, while Lisa just kept staring at us blankly, made me sigh. I saw the car slowly drifting off into the sunset before looking at the pink slip with the phone number. There was a small heart made at the edge of the last number.

Turning it around...

I hope you make the right decision

...Was written on it.

"Recommendation, huh?" I mumbled as I traced my steps back to my apartment. Perhaps I could talk about this with Mom first before deciding this.