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nHaving overheard the conversation from before, Gary was about to explain what he had just seen, but someone else was one step ahead of him.

n“It was a trade,” Izzy answered. “What we saw earlier at the canteen must have been them agreeing to the terms, and this was the transaction itself. I thought it was strange what the professor said, but now it’s clear. People inside here are definitely using their position and connection on the outside to get certain benefits. It’s not just a question of who is the strongest.

n“Thinking one step further, this means that if you cross the wrong person in here, or get on their bad side, you might not end up as the only one suffering. Worst case scenario, it might be your whole family.” Izzy gulped.

nIf that was true, this begged the question, what position those in the top ten held for them to be treated like some type of gods. Others would constantly approach them, seemingly trying to curry favour. For the one that had just traded away his position, he probably thought it was better to help out his family than himself.

nOn closer inspection, it didn’t seem as bad as Gary had anticipated either, since the losing student’s badge had gone from 47 to 48. Meanwhile, the winner’s badge was now showing 47, indicating that all those whose rank had been in between the one had theirs adjusted by one.

nEventually, Izzy asked for another meeting, inviting the others. Ian and Gary agreed immediately, while Numba just followed behind and leaned up against the wall, not saying anything.

n“After that little demonstration, it should be safe to say that this place here is more complicated than what we were told by the professors. It’s in our best interest to find out more information about who is who, like who is from what city and what their backing is! It might be for the better to avoid fighting those from the same city or town as you, or those in your surrounding.

n“As a start, how about we properly introduce ourselves. I’m from Pompano, a Tier-3 town. My family owns a few restaurants, and we’ve also branched out to the surrounding towns in recent years.”

nIan was the next one to introduce himself. “I also come from Pompano. Izzy and I are childhood friends. My family operates an IT servicing company there and is helping out some prominent companies from Tier-2 and Tier 1 cities.”

n“Both our families are doing quite well financially, but in terms of influence, it’s not really worth mentioning. They pretty much invested into us becoming Altered to help with that, but first, we’ll need to get into the AFA of course.” Izzy explained. “No doubt there will be someone from Pompano that has a connection to the gangs, or the mayor or something.

n“If we come across them, it would be hard for us to touch them. However, if we work together then someone like you from another town or city, can!” Izzy seemed excited about this idea and plan she had.

nThinking about what Izzy had said, Gary realised that there shouldn’t be anyone in here he needed to really worry about then. The Howlers were now the biggest gang in Slough. At the same time, he couldn’t think of anyone other than Xin that was an Altered there.

n“And what if they’re from a Tier-1 city?” Numba asked. “Now I’m not saying that those guys will bother with someone who comes from a lower-tier town or city, but in the off chance they do, and they’re close with their parents or something, it could be the end of our families.”

nGritting her teeth, Izzy felt a little embarrassed, but she did have an answer for this situation.

n“In that case, the best approach would be to wait. I’m sure that there are people who are too big that no one wants to touch them. However, if that’s the case, they should easily get a top ten position, and after a week they can leave. There will always be an opportunity at some point.

n“There are only so many cities, and so many Altered out there. My guess is that those types should have already gone through. This system creates a stalemate in the top ten, as you are allowed to challenge them. Remember, you have to keep your position for a whole week.

n“This gets rid of all of those that everyone is afraid to touch, and leaves the ones constantly challenging them. We can get through this, we just need to know more about everyone and each other.”

nIzzy seemed to be a scheming type of person. Always coming up with ideas and ways to push herself to the top. Numba agreed with her rationale, and he even suspected that her being the one who had planned Gary’s downfall might have played into her getting the invitation with the rest of them. Although the Goat Altered didn’t trust her, he also wasn’t sure how far he could get with his own backing.

n“I was adopted.” Numba eventually revealed. “I was adopted by a Tier-3 electronics company due to my potential. My position is pretty much the same as the two of you, the company is currently looking to expand, preferably into a Tier-2 city, and they want me to be their public face.”

nFinally, Gary had been given an answer to why Numba had felt different from the rest and it was because, like him, he hadn’t been born into this position.

n“Why are you smiling at me?” Numba asked, taking a step back. “Man, you’re seriously weird.”

n“Sorry, I’m just happy to find someone in a similar position as me, you know?” Gary admitted, though his sheepish smile remained on his face.

n“Does that mean you were picked up by someone as well?” Ian asked.

nTo be honest, Izzy and Ian were holding out for Gary’s answer. With how strong the Werewolf had proven and with the type of talent that had made the professors consider admitting him straight into the AFA, they were hoping that he was at least from a Tier-2 city. If he was, surely he would form a family with a strong backing.

nMost likely, he was just someone who the scouts happened to miss. Which seemed like a probable thing.

n“Ummm, I mean I guess you could say I was picked up,” Gary replied, scratching the back of his head. “I’m from a Tier-3 town called Slough, not sure if you’ve heard of it.”

nThere was an instant disappointment on all of their faces because given their backing it meant that none of them had the power to bully themselves into a better position like they had just seen. As for Slough, other than Kirk and a few news reports that had come out from it recently, it was pretty much an unknown place. Even then, Kirk had only been the Rookie champion, so only people who really followed the AFC would know of him.

n‘I guess I shouldn’t tell them the whole truth. Otherwise, it would be a bit weird.’ Gary thought.

n“In my case, I’m being sponsored by a gang called the Howlers.” Immediately, everyone’s eyes opened wide when they heard that they were next to a gang member.

n****

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