Code Lyoko: Revolutions and Evolutions

Chapter 10

Herve was stunned as he heard the voice, and he said softly, "Uh...hello? Who is this?"

A dialogue box opened in the lower right hand of his screen, "My name is Amy, and I have been watching your dedication to your android, and I wanted to know if I could help you."

Herve hesitated and typed into the entry box, "Just how can you help me?"

"What if I told you that I know for a fact that you are ahead of Jeremy Belpois for your competition? What if I could also tell you that if you listened to my directions, you could advance to a degree to dumbfound your opponent and get you into Materhorne Academy for the Gifted?"

Herve was silent as he read this message he hesitated at first, in the beginning, to type a response and then took the chance, "How can you assure me that what you promise can be delivered on? On what ground should I trust you at all?"

A small window opened with the timestamp of earlier in the day, and an audio track began to play.

"Jeremy, do you think you may be underestimating Herve?"

"It wouldn't surprise me if he doesn't have something very much in reserve. I'm not too worried. It's Herve. Whenever he is reticent, then I worry."

But, Jeremy, Princess raises a point here. He's a heck of a lot calmer than usual. Don't you think it'd be wise to do a bit of reconnaissance to see what you may be in for?"

"Guys, I'm not too concerned. Sure Herve may have a few good tricks, but it's nothing I can't exactly prepare for."

"Even so, I'd be careful, Einstein. You may be thinking you have some hold over Herve, but you better watch yourself. I'm with Ulrich at least check out what Acne's posterchild has in R&D."

"I agree. It's better to be safe than sorry."

"As much as I would like to share your skepticism, I can't. Herve hasn't had that much chance to go anywhere outside of the perimeter besides—"

"Besides, what you are forgetting, he has Sissi as a means to get him what he needs. Herve may be a lot of things, but you do him an indecency by underestimating him. We know the hold that Sissi has on Herve, but also Herve uses Sissi to bend her father's arm. If he can get out beyond the perimeter to get stuff back, then he can easily build something beyond your suppositions."

"Fine, but I'm telling you guys, a lot of this is for naught. But you know what, go ahead do your investigation. Although if I've learned anything, only seven percent of our worst fears ever come true."

Herve's heart beat quickly, his blood running hot as he grit his teeth as he listened to the audio file. The message box then pinged with another message, "You see, Jeremy is resting on his laurels with his suppositions about you. What do you say, Herve that you and I prove him wrong? You have proven your grit and determination building on a months' long project. What say you that we prove the mocker wrong in his pride?"

Herve calmed down at this moment, and he typed into the message box, "Why are you so eager to help me? What have you to gain?"

"Nothing have I to gain except to see if you truly have the grit to persevere in pursuing your desires. To see if you have the courage and fortitude to stand strong in the face of a scoffing opponent and keep your cool."

"Flattery aside, what do you want from me?"

"To prove to yourself that you are not just a laughingstock to be held in derision. Gumption and grit are only half of what makes a future leader. The other half is to accept the hard truth of what others see of you and embrace and overcome elements. You have done well in dedication to improving your designs, but all of that development is for naught if you fold like a cheap tent and go off half-cocked. As I know this revelation of this view towards you can be damaging, I only show you this to see if you are willing to change that view through patience and perseverance to prove yourself to be far stronger than the impulsive boy you were in years past."