Bart chose a restaurant and booked a private room. Kallen had stopped at the front desk to call Alfred, so he was the last to enter, but the other three had left him the seat facing the window.
This little circle had only just formed, so it was still pure-a pure hierarchy.
Because all three of them had been put there by Kallen.
The lively, confident Aisili spoke first. "We all qualified from the same District. When the final round of selection comes, none of us can say whether the format will be like this one.
"And this selection test did involve teamwork. Although it wasn't the deciding factor, it certainly provided some help during the test.
"I think that's why we all chose to sit down here for a meal. When the next round comes, I think we should look out for one another, provided it doesn't harm our own interests.
"Also, if we know we probably won't make it, we can do things that hurt others without benefiting ourselves."
What Aisili meant was very simple: stick together.
Bart said, "I agree."
Ventura placed a pebble on the table. "I agree too."
Then all three looked at Kallen.
His response was what they most wanted to hear, and the key to whether this alliance could form.
First, although they had never fought one another, everyone considered Kallen the strongest.
Second, Kallen had carried a burden to such a height, only stopping when that burden could no longer hold on. That showed he was dependable.
Someone willing to help his friends would naturally find more people willing to be his friends.
Kallen nodded. "Of course."
Everyone smiled.
Aisili asked, "Kallen, who was that person you were carrying? A good friend?"
"Yes, a good friend. But he withdrew in the end.