Chapter 27: Choice
Rocky was presented with two choices.
A)To go to the university for nourishment of young talents with his real talent hidden and his profile as the champion of Gemini suppressed.
Going down this route would see him have his image on Earth tarnished, with the viral video of his branding being deemed a deep-fake and his status as a champion being denied.
If he decided to go down this road, He was to be given membership of the True Elites Guild and protected as a high priority individual on Earth and within the tower.
A core team would always be assigned to his protection detail and the truth about his true talent and status was to remain hidden until Rocky felt that he was prepared for the responsibility it brought and was strong enough to fend for himself on the universal stage.
This was the road Karna and Cody suggested that Rocky take as in their opinion it was the most practical approach.
While Cody also wanted to change Rocky's identity entirely and bury him in debt to exert more control, Karna convinced him to ditch the more extreme points, as he convinced him to take a more moderate approach.
B) The second choice for Rocky was to align with the church and reveal himself as the champion.
If he chose this path, Karna warned Rocky that his life would be fraught with needless challenges, the likes of which Rocky would not even have imagined.
Of Course the threat to his life was the most obvious drawback. Nefarious factions would always be after his life and Rocky would face a perpetual struggle for survival.
However, even if he ignored that, Karna warned Rocky from personal experience that once his talent and status was revealed he would be a target for various social conspiracies that he was not prepared for.
Karna explained how once his talent was revealed, men and women tried their hardest to genuinely please him and get closer to him, however, all of them did so with the hopes of getting closer to a rising star and how Karna could trust no-one because of his status.
He explained to Rocky how living a normal life would no longer be possible for him and how overnight his life would observe a drastic shift, however, after explaining all this, he finally let Rocky choose between the two choices, as in the end it was his own life at stake and nobody had the right to coerce him into doing something that he did not wish to do himself.
"So what will it be? Will you be sensible and patient? Or vain and dead?" Cody asked, as Rocky was tempted to say that he chose the first path.
Rocky was not a glory chaser. He wanted to make a big name for himself as a successful climber, but he wanted to do it for 'Himself' and not as the champion of anyone.
He did not care about the prestige that his position as the champion brought and he did not wish to tackle more trouble than he could handle, however, before he could mutter the words "I choose the first choice", the system screen lit up.
[ Strongest System Notification:- Lord Shakuni wishes to inform you that choosing the second path will help you rescue your sister faster- ]
A system notification popped up out of nowhere and informed Rocky that choosing the second path would help him save Riva faster, as the moment he read it, all other hesitation was removed from his mind as he answered confidently "I choose the second option-"
Karna and Neatwit let out and audible sigh together, while Cody bit his finger in frustration.
" CHILDISH CHOICE. FOOL! THE CHAMPION OF THE GODS IS AN IMMATURE FOOL" Cody shouted in anger as he stomped his feet, causing the entire medical facility to tremble because of his power.
" That's enough Cody, the champion has spoken.
The will of the champion is the will of the gods and I will not see the will of Gemini be disrespected.
You've done all you can. From here on out, let us handle the upbringing of the champion" Pope Cole said as he escorted everyone else out of Rocky's room.
While just a few days ago, the Bishop of the Church of Gemini wished to interrogate Rocky for being a heretic, now it's leader became a puppet in Rocky's hands.
Life was truly a mystery that way, as never in his wildest dreams could Rocky have ever imagined that his biggest backing would someday be the Church of Gemini.
" Please rest well, Champion, I will handle the imbeciles from here on out.
Also don't worry about the fees for your university education.
Everything shall be arranged" The pope assured Rocky as he closed the door to Rocky's room to give him some space.
**********
A few hours later, the church of Gemini made the earth shattering announcement regarding the verification of the champion and his connection to the divine and revealed Rocky to be a SSS talent that has never been seen in the history of mankind before.
This news was like petrol on fire for the media that was already ablaze with Rocky's content, as within hours a new sensation was born.
A picture of Rocky working out with the text
"Earth's First son.
Gemini's Champion.
Rocky Yadav"
Went viral on social media, as the name "First Son Of Earth" stuck alongside Rocky forever.