He then released a barrage of wind bullets which after some limited resistance struck Ethan all across his body and weakened him. Then Markus simply conjured a wind blast and sent Ethan flying back.
Ethan didn't even know what hit him— he was just on the ground.
Markus approached and extended his hand.
Ethan grabbed it and got up.
"Thanks." He said
"Good spar." Markus said
"Thanks… do I know you from somewhere?" Ethan asked
"No clue- probably not." Markus said before turning around
"Hey ladies— thoughts on breakfast?" Markus asked Helen and Amy
"Woah dude— are you insane! Those are the number two and three of the student council! You can't ask two refined noble beauties out like that—" Ethan said trying to save Markus
Amy and Helen stopped their training and approached.
"Run before they catch you— for real! They're not a joke!" Ethan said
But there was no time.
"Wait- forgive him! He didn't mean to be so crude—" Ethan pleaded on Markus' behalf
"Do you know him, Mark?" Helen asked
"Oh sorts- we had a little spar just now." Markus replied
"Oh- he thinks you need help. Are you a helpless princess Mark?" Amy teased
"I think the spear made you hit your head too hard— what is wrong with you!?" Markus complained at her teasing
"Do you know each other? Dude— do you know the president too!?" Ethan asked
"Yeah I know that scumbag. I need to pay him back some bruises for the beating I took from his attack—" Markus said
"Calm down and hush— what if he hears you—" Ethan said
Markus, Helen and Amy lost it and began laughing. Then Amy went around and attached herself to Markus' arm.
"Let's go to eat something, Pres." Amy said pulling him away
"Wha… oh… mark… Markus… Windwave… I'm a dumbass—" Ethan said as he fell to his knees in shame
Helen patted him on the back before leaving with Markus and Amy.
They had breakfast and went up to the student council chambers. Despite being only a week on the job— they were already behind. So Markus' 'first day on the job' had to be spent picking up the slack from the last several days.
The student council chamber was a small part of the academy at the top floor. There was a large wooden door guarded.
"Welcome, I recognise you three. The executive trio— the top three of the student council. Quite a fight you put up." The guard said
"One of many. Although I hope I don't need to fight that hard again—" Markus said
"Feel free to go inside. This is your special place that is restricted. Students and staff are not allowed inside unless they are part of the leadership of the academy or have your specific written or verbal consent. For the latter you'll need to give me a daily word and whoever speaks it will be allowed inside." The guard said
"Comprehensive." Amy noted
"Over the top—" Markus noted
"It's actually needed. We have a lot of sensitive information inside." Helen said
"Great… " Markus said as he went in
Past the door was a lobby. Straight ahead was the executive office and a desk in front of it. The office was reserved for the president and vice president and the front desk was for a secretary.
To the right was a large meeting room with a large table and numerous chairs in the middle. Everything was a rich brown colour. To the left of the lobby however was a document room.
"Well- pretty straight forward. Let's get this sorted I guess." Markus said with a sigh, going into his office.
Amy brought over a stack of papers.
"We can compete with other schools from this region— or other regions— for prizes. Also in the name of said preparation we can ask for specialized instructors to assist us so you can figure out how to become an expert and we can work on strategies and teamwork. The others should also become stage 3s before long." Amy said
"Sounds good— any thoughts Helen? Do you know any schools who might make for good competition?" Markus asked
"For now until we consolidate our ranks and strategies we can stay regional. But we should have one big event. Really big." Helen said
"How big? Like a capital city of a region?" Markus asked
"No… that's more regional. Think a little bit bigger. Or a lot bigger. And more central." Helen said
"You're not serious…" Amy said
"We can go big or go home." Helen replied
"The Capital academy for the aristocracy? I heard about it when I was there from the princess— she goes there." Markus said
"You were in the capital and met the princess— what!?" Helen and Amy said in unison
"Uhhh- forget I said anything." Markus said
"How is it that every time I say I can't be surprised anymore you go on and do or say something more ridiculous than last time??" Helen asked
"Must be something in the wind— get it. Cause I'm a wind user—" Markus said in alight tone trying to joke
"Is it too early for a mutiny?" Helen asked
"No. I have your back—" Amy said
"Did we forget I have an earth shattering attack in my back pocket— pipe down—" Markus said
"He's bluffing—" Helen said
"It's fine- guys are weak. Look." Amy went over to Markus, leaned in close and whispered into his ear softly
"Behave yourself and I'll give you a reward."
Markus' face shot bright red.
"Wha— what the hell are you doing— why are you so close—" Markus said, trying to move away but his damned chair legs were suddenly stuck in place.
It was more accurate that there were wind constructs holding them in place but that's not important.
"Aren't you a bit too close— Amy—" Helen said as she cleared her throat
"He could always push me away— if you don't like it just say so. But your reaction says otherwise. You're just shy." Amy teased
'How the hell did I get myself into this—' Markus thought as his blood rushed to his head
"Alright alright. Enough teasing—" Amy said backing up
Phew— Markus exhaled
"For today—" she added
"Can we get some work done today?" Helen asked
"Ahem- right. Why don't I look over the other academies and see what the other student councils look like. Maybe we can take on a neighbouring city's academy." Markus said
"Sure. Just remember we're still not 100%. You might've miraculously healed but most of our group still hasn't." Helen said before leaving
"Where are you going?" Markus asked
"To patrol the area? That's what the disciplinary committee should do from time to time. Being seen deters misfortunate events." Helen said
"Do you want me to tag along after I'm done?" Markus asked
"NO! I don't know why but I feel as if you'd have the exact opposite effect! Stay here!" Helen shouted
"Okay okay- calm down." Markus said taking some papers
Helen left.
"I'll go prepare the special instructor paperwork and then I'll add the purpose when you've chosen." Amy said before leaving
Markus was sat at the desk looking at the academies. There was Crimson City in the middle of the crimson region. Then there was Gallion to the south east of the region. The West, Centre and East guard settlements, to the south of the region, mainly had some combat schools, not academies.
And to the north of the region there was the Fortress of tiger and the Red Trade— neither place had an academy.
The smaller towns between these locations were also not worthy of mention.
"I suppose we can test ourselves against Gallion. Then we challenge Crimson City's academy and lastly… we fight against the capital's academy for the aristocracy— assuming they accept. And if I can't discover my wind intuition by this point against the capital… then I'm really screwed." Markus thought aloud
The door to his office was heavy so Amy did not hear him.
Of course she would also not hear him talking to himself in a moment.
"Does it sound like a good plan?"
"Sure it does—"
"Then let's go— what could possibly go——"
"I better not finish that."
Markus stepped out.
"Well?" Amy asked
"Go big or go home. But for the whole year. We take on Gallion, then Crimson City and then the capital." Markus said decidedly
"Insanity spreads like wildfire around here huh— sure. What could possibly—" Amy began to say before Markus rushed and placed his palm over her face
"Don't finish that—" he said.
Amy gently took his palm and lowered it.
"It's bad manners to touch a lady without her permission, you know." She said still holding his hand
"And it's not a bad habit for a lady to tease a simple peasant." Markus asked cheekily
"It depends. It's only bad if it's forced on a powerless subject. You're not powerless. Far from it." She said looking at his fingertips.
'His hand is still surprisingly soft despite all the raw power that flows through it.' She noted
"You okay? You're looking at my hand like it holds the mysteries of the world." Markus asked
"Sorry." She said letting go
"It's okay- it goes without saying that should something be going on you can always come to me. We're a team after all." Markus said
"We… are?" She asked
"Yes— we are. We fought with our wellbeing on the line and went through it together. We are connected. I don't put up with people I don't care about… but I realised what I did to Fin at the end, punching him for every casualty… was not really because I wanted to beat him. I did that— I wanted to get revenge against him— for everyone. And the same applies for you… I'd punch an expert in the face any day for you—" Markus said, trying to convey he cared for his comrades…
And perhaps something more…