The talk was just some boring questions like their experience, feelings, and such. However, the atmosphere suddenly changed when the smile on the president's face disappeared.
In fact, they felt an indescribable pressure coming from his eyes as if there was a huge lump of iron on top of their heads.
"!!!" Theo widened his eyes and looked the president in the eyes as he gulped down, thinking, 'How? Isn't he supposed to be a normal citizen? Even if he has some sort of experience, it shouldn't be to this extent.'
Surprisingly, he felt the president suddenly turned big in front of him.
After everyone sensed that feeling of oppression, the president suddenly opened his mouth.
"Now, let's get one serious question before we end this conversation." His tone was cold and his expression turned grim. "What will all of you do after this? Are you planning to go to another country?"
Theo suddenly understood why the president managed to suppress all the oppositions to the point those who usually ran rampant didn't dare to do their operation in his reign. This president wasn't just a gentle old man. He was an old devil.
Alea was the first to answer his question. "My big family is here."
Sihan followed hurriedly, "I don't have any intention of going somewhere."
Ellen thought for a moment and said, "I am planning to graduate in this place."
"I will only study abroad." Phyrill looked away. He even emphasized "study abroad" as if telling him that he would return after learning from another country.
They didn't realize they had been telling him the truth due to that pressure.
However, Laust had determined to escape from this country. He said with a calm but serious tone. "Can this country make me a Supreme Rank Expert?"
The president raised his eyebrows, finding this one a little amusing. Instead of answering him, he dared to ask back. And as he said, some of their talented people usually went abroad for the chance to become a Supreme Rank. However, none of them returned to this country because they chose to stay there for the rest of their life.
Losing these six talented people was surely a huge hit for Thersland, especially after they just won the Grand Gaia Competition. Hence, the president smiled and said, "I can give you anything you want. I can even use my authority to bring a famous instructor from abroad."
Laust's expression distorted a bit as he closed his eyes.
Meanwhile, President Acupel turned to Theo as he was the only one who had yet to answer his question.
However, Theo never feared this president. Even though he had stated to the seven countries that he would visit them, he already made sure that none of his friends could hear their conversations. There were only a total of ten people who listened to their conversation back then.
Using that situation to his advantage, Theo's expression turned cold as he pressured him back by saying, "Is that… A threat?"
All of them suddenly opened their eyes wide as Theo might be the first one who dared to talk back to this old man. Even Alea heard from her grandfather that it was better to have a good relationship with the government. And it was the stance of the Eilric Family.
Yet, Theo, who had no people behind him, used this chance to fight back.
Luckily, the Minister of Defense had already raised his hand, stopping all the guards from any action.
He was already aware of Theo's status as the Griffith Family's member. His talent was even better than Nella's, so his position was obviously higher than hers.
They could deal with the Eilric Family, but they certainly didn't dare to oppose the Griffith Family.
President Acupel's expression changed again, returning back to that warm and big smile of his. The pressure disappeared completely as if they were never there before.
"Of course not," said the president with a smile. "This is just a friendly question."
Theo sighed inwardly. Instead of continuing, the president quickly backed away as if he already saw this coming.
"My mind is still filled with the competition, so I can't give you an answer." Theo smiled back. He didn't lie but didn't give an answer as well.
He was still thinking over the country of his choice, which was related to the competition. And there was no way he could say he was going abroad right to the president's face, resulting in those two sentences.
"I see. I shouldn't take your time any longer. You should go home and have some rest. I was thinking about rewarding all of you, but I realized I didn't have anything special to give. Instead of making a choice that didn't suit you, I shall reward you twenty million Zils each, so you can buy anything you want."
The president shook their hands once again and let them go.
They were escorted by the guards as the room became silent again with only two people remaining.
"Steve." The president called the minister of defense's name. "What do you think about them?"
"Ellen, Sihan, and Phyrill have a high probability of staying here. However, the Eilric Family here is only a mere branch, so I am assuming Alea Eilric might have considered going to the main family. As for Laust, I am certain that he's going somewhere. According to Radvils, Laust is planning to go to Japan. But I can't say anything regarding Theodore Griffith."
"That child is interesting. Although I shouldn't say this as the country's president, Theodore Griffith truly doesn't suit Thersland."
"!!!" Steve furrowed his eyebrows. "But his potential is the biggest among them. Are you sure you are going to let such a talent go, Sir?"
"Then, can you tell me whether you have enough capability to protect him from seven countries?"
"Sir? I am not sure I'm following you."
"This morning, I have received seven calls from the other seven countries, telling me not to touch Theodore Griffith."
"What?!"
"If it's only one or two, I can somehow handle it. Even if he needs to go somewhere, I can somehow negotiate the terms to make him stay as Thersland Citizen even in a foreign country. However, I am afraid it's not possible to do it against all seven of them."
"That kid did it?" Steve started sweating. "What are we going to do then?"
"We will do nothing. Since they want him, we will simply let him go. We can simply use his family as the scapegoat, telling the citizens that he has returned to his family. As long as we can maintain our neutrality, we won't be held accountable… especially if he dies on the other side."
"Sir… You…"
"What? I only complied with their request." Acupel shrugged and returned to his desk nonchalantly.