Sora Brontarion
Walking onto the northern isle where House Obalex resided made me feel like I was on the right path to gaining the respect I wanted.
Standing beside many other heirs of great families, I knew this was the opportunity I needed to prove that I was a step above the rest.
At the end of the cosmic chain bridge, two figures stood. One man with ivory skin and straight brown hair, and a woman with brown skin and wavy black hair.
"Welcome, future Arbiters," the lady said. She turned and gestured for us to follow her.
We walked past statues of ancient leaders and generals from the Era of Kingdoms.
Everything on the isle was built to perfection. Not a pillar out of place, not a stone out of alignment. Everything was strict, like the energy the lady gave off.
We were led to a large building encased in massive marble pillars, its entrance sealed by a giant stone door. It almost resembled the courthouse from back home.
Following the teacher's lead, we all stepped into a large room with ten tables, each with five seats.
"Welcome to the War Room, I am Professor Litch, and that is Professor Thorne," the man said.
Taking her spot next to Professor Litch, "You may all be seated."
I scanned the room looking for my cousin Bayu. He found a seat next to Stravos of all people. I heard that he teamed up with him during the Totem games. I didn't think the alliance would last this long.
Part of me wanted to step toward him, but I met his gaze, and the emotions I absorbed from him told me all I needed to know.
Looking to my right, I saw a familiar face. Cendra Pyrralis, the first heir of the Ash Mother, waved frantically, "Sora, over here!"
I couldn't help but smile. Whenever I visited the Antora continent to see my Kazekoshi family, the Pyrralis were always around, doing an activity with them.
We weren't close but knew each other well enough to be cordial.
As I walked over to Cendra's table, I felt a cold chill wash over me. Cendra's hand was frozen inside a block of ice and crashed onto the cement table.
Emotions of discontent flowed into my psyche. Looking over my shoulder, I saw a girl with pale skin and sharp silver eyes walk up behind me, every step leaving a thin layer of ice in her wake. Her name was Kelda, a twin heir of the Great Morzeth family.
I looked back at our professors to see if they had any intention of stopping her. But they just stood eagerly waiting to see the result.
I took this as an opportunity to win them over. With electricity jumping from my fingers, I imbued it with the intention of subduing the discontent Kelda felt toward Cendra. Hoping to delay their familial feuds till after our class.
In a matter of seconds, Kelda calmed down and found a seat next to Bogdan, the heir of the Zemi clan. Taking my seat next to Cendra, I was greeted with bright orange and red eyes.
"Thanks, Sora, and I'm sorry for the aggressive attack on Jace during the Totem games."
"No worries. How are your cousins holding up?"
"A lot better, had no idea Jace was that strong," Cendra said, but was soon followed by a snicker from Stravos.
A sudden surge of cosmic energy filled the room, thickening the air around us. Professor Thorne's hair was gently flowing behind her.
"Now that you all have gotten the petty behavior out of your system, let's get to business." All the snickering fell silent, and the clashing cosmic energy signatures dissipated.
Everyone's attention is now resting on the two professors before us.
Taking the lead, Professor Thorne spoke, "The behavior that most of you showed in these few minutes was unbecoming of future leaders." She said, stomping hard on the ground.
Stravos rolled his eyes at her statement and started to slouch in his chair. I couldn't stand how full of himself he was, and neither could Professor Thorne. "Stravos, do you disagree?"
"Matter of fact, I do," he said, adjusting his posture.
"It's a leader's job to show their dominance, and what Kelda did was show just that."
"I wouldn't expect anything else from a Vortaris. But you are wrong."
"I doubt I am."
Professor Litch's eyebrow rose. But he let his colleague handle it.
"Tell me, Stravos, how did showing your dominance aid you in the Totem games?"
A couple of students had a pale expression on their faces as if she just spoke a taboo. I watched as his face scrunched and his fist tightened against the stone table.
His anger seeped into my psyche, and I couldn't help but be overjoyed at the display. "I conquered everything I faced. My subordinates are what failed me."
"Does your Titan count as a subordinate also?" Cendra asked, driving home the Professor's point.
"When I arrived at the scene, it was ripped to shreds." Stravos returned her a look filled with murder, almost begging her to continue. I knew she was getting ahead of herself. I placed my hand on her shoulder and passed a current through her, forcing her to calm down.
Taking command of the silence, Professor Thorne continued.
"Imposing your dominance doesn't make your team better. It makes them falter under pressure. Leaders empower others, not themselves. Now get your Rift law textbook out and open to page one." Immediately, everyone did as she said.
A couple of hours passed, and we finally finished the grueling gauntlet of lectures given by Professor Litch and Thorne, and it was time for lunch. I stayed behind while the others filed out, wanting to clarify a question with the professors.
Stepping up, Professor Thorne stopped me before I could speak.
"Sora, I saw what you did earlier with Kelda and Cendra. Quick thinking, something that is needed if you are going to lead a team."
"Thank you, Professor."