Markus, Charlotte and the tan haired brutish woman were in the headmistress' office.
Markus sat down on the chair in front of the desk whilst the two women stood up behind the desk.
"Now explain in detail how exactly you got the attention of the Duke of Windbourne." The headmistress said
"… after I returned from the capital… I met up with my secretary. She was going to a social event and invited me to tag along. I agreed. We passed the walls by using our student council authority. Then we were picked up and dropped off at city hall…" Markus said
After another breath he continued
"It was only after we had gotten there that I felt something was off but continued. Once the event started… the doors opened and the staff there announced the entry of the two founders— or was it sponsors— of some foundation to expand the Tuatri academy… Duke Leokard Crimson and Duke Everest Windbourne. They walked in. I thought about running before we were exposed but the wind told me not to… and then we got called out. We talked about the academy and an expansion for higher education— and the student council configuration… but that was mostly with the Duke of Crimson… the Duke of Windbourne was somehow— distant… eventually they left. That's what happened." Markus said with an exhale
'He was dissociating as his world came crashing down. He just saw a ghost from the past— still very much alive and doing well.' The brutish woman thought
"How can sneaking out of the academy with your girlfriend lead to this… it is so absurd yet true…" Charlotte said as she scoffed
"Good job Markus Windwave. You do stupid stuff, now you win stupid prizes. Or rather punishment. Due to your failure in keeping a low profile, you are now prohibited from participating against the capital royal academy. Furthermore, you must become an expert by the end of this academic year, meaning that by June 515, you must be a stage four expert or face execution under the imperial vessel decree." She said
'I'm going to be sick—' Markus said, his face turning white as a sheet of paper
If Markus hadn't vomited prior, he would have right about now.
Charlotte too was looking at them wide eyed. The fourth stage of the wind required intuition from the wind. It was an element outside of one's control. But it seemed the Queen did not care. Everything had to be accelerated… and the pressure was greater than ever on Markus to ascend quickly because now the stakes were success or death.
"You are not without punishment Windbourne. Letting the imperial vessel become president, participating in battles and sneaking out is a series of mistakes which grow more serious as they go on. He is meant to be concealed at the academy— yet the exact opposite has occurred. Fix your mistakes before I am instructed to fix them for you." The woman said
"As you command Lady Dina Stonebourne." Charlotte said in a quiet solemn tone
She could not refute anything— not only was the brutish woman— Dina, right, but she was also conveying the will of the Queen. The only thing Charlotte could do is bend the knee and do as commanded.
After she delivered her message, Dina left.
Markus and Charlotte were left with grim expressions on their faces, in the silence of the office.
"I'm marking you with a construct. This way I will be able to sense where you are at all times. Should you attempt to leave, I will know of it. And if think you were hurt when you won the council battle— when I'm through with you you'll think that was a scratch. Have I made myself clear?" She said in a calm yet angry tone
"Yes ma'am." Markus replied in a neutral deadpan tone
She extended her arm and a cross chain appeared on his skin. It was flat and did not protrude through his uniform, but he always felt it there. Like a leash had been placed on him.
"Dismissed." She said after placing the chains on him.
Markus left only to find his council outside the door. Just silently waiting on him.
"We need to change our plans against the capital…" Markus said
"What do you mean—" Helen asked
"Things have changed… I can no longer participate against them. If you still wish to challenge them, I will support you. But I cannot fight." Markus said
"… I see… there is still time. I've had a look over and everything is sorted with the paperwork for the competition against Crimson City." Amy said
"Good. I suppose now we must wait." Markus said, walking back to the chambers with the rest
Time passed. A lot of time actually. It was November 16th, 514.
It was now Markus' birthday.
'Six and a half months… and I don't feel any closer to ascension than I did after I became a stage three… Anax… surely you've seen other wind users become experts. How did they do it!?' Markus asked
"You already know. Some guidance from the wind which created an intuition for the user. But there is a common pattern." Anax said
'What is it?' Markus asked
"It is very similar to how one becomes awakened. Your essence attempts to save you– well… in a way… the wind will attempt to save you if it deems you worthy. In other words, a life or death situation might force the wind to give you guidance and let you force yourself into the next stage. But equally if it does not… you will be dead. I would only suggest doing that as the last resort." Anax said
'I've come close to death several times. I saw no such guidance.' Markus said in protest
"Not truly. When you faced Tillian… you surrendered control to me and my soul is not attuned to the wind. I can use the wind through your body but I am not sensitive to its inner workings. With Fin– you were never truly out of options and would be saved. This life or death situation must be absolute. That is why there can be no other option but for the wind to give its guidance or let you die." Anax said
'Well– considering I would be executed for failing… I suppose it is a gamble worth taking over certain death… ' Markus thought profoundly
Waking up on your birthday and immediately talking about advancing or facing death was not something normal for regular people but for Markus… it had become a common habit since Dina Stonebourne delivered the news of the consequences to his actions.
Markus got himself ready and went to the student council chambers.
There, his whole council was waiting.
"Happy Birthday!" They all exclaimed as he walked through the door
"Thanks everyone." Markus said with a smile
He had already sensed them from beyond the door— but he wanted to let them do their plan.
"We come bearing a gift. Crimson City has finally replied. They agree on one condition." Amy said
"What is that?" Markus asked
"They want to allow luck to be involved. They want to assign everyone numbers. Then for the team, five numbers are selected. There are three available substitutions for incapacitated members. So essentially there will be a random 5 versus 5 with options to replace people when things are looking grim." Helen summarised
"Let me guess— the chance of me, you and Amy being chosen is not 1/12 but more like 1/100." Markus said rhetorically
"I wouldn't be surprised if it were zero." Helen said
"Is there a point in fighting a rigged battle?" Amy asked
"… let's just do it. Even if we lose, Tuatri still receives attention and we get experience." Markus said
'And if I fight a losing battle maybe I will get a little help from the wind.' He added inwardly
"If that's what you want then sure. I'll respond that we agree." Helen said
"Thank you. And thanks for wishing me a happy birthday everyone." Markus said before heading out.
He went to the training hall where he spent most of his day. Meditating and attuning his techniques and authority to their absolute limit. He had even managed something he could not do over the summer.
Markus extended his arm and converged the whirlwinds to take shape and submit to his grip. Creating a handle and long edge, he made a long sword of whirlwind. His blade of whirlwind.
Whirlwind had become very comfortable with submitting to Markus' influence.
'It's easy to negotiate with a volatile element when it's small transactions. If I tried to use the spear attack right now it would only have a 20% chance of me being able to control it. In that future I saw, Fin had controlled its impact, velocity and effect. It concentrated the entire effect into me— whereas I simply shot forth the attack without any aim but to tear him apart— and it did. But it also compromised the other around me. Just like Noe. So I reckon I need to control the chaos and destructive force exerted from whirlwind. Well- control is a generous idea— more like strongly guide it and pray it does as I hope. That's why I think at best I have a 20% chance of controlling the damned spear.' Markus thought to himself.
Monologuing to himself had become common. Anax was not a wind user nor was he interested in the finer workings of wind essence. There was only one essence he was interested in and it kept him on a leash.
So Markus had just to entertain his own mind whilst trying to advance and avoid his 'prize' for sneaking out.