On the way to Tuatri, Markus went with Bailey and Charlotte in the same transport.
"So Markus, what did you actually do to get to the cabin?" Bailey asked
"Kill a lot of things. Wolves, vultures, snakes, bears— a few families of bears actually. Then a river swordfish, fought a crocodile, man eating plants— oh I had a wolf pack at some point. They were eaten by the plants though. And the. The tiger spirit— but that was more of a sprint and last second getaway using the— wait actually what do I even call it?" Markus asked
Bailey and Charlotte shared a look
"Quickstep?" Charlotte said
Bailey damn near lost it as she heard the name
"What— he steps and moves quickly." Charlotte said
"Works for me— then I quickstepped and bang— I was in the barrier. Then I did it again and my essence went crazy as I ascended to the rank of expert. But there's something I can't figure out. Was it the use of quickstep that let me ascend? Or surrendering completely and letting the wind guide me?" Markus asked
"It was both. You had to surrender. You are used to having autonomy so you had to surrender completely to be able to receive the guidance. Once you heard it, you applied it and quickstepped. That was your moment of intuition. Although I've never heard of a moment of intuition appearing in front of a lesser spirit." Charlotte said
"Probably because there are almost never survivors of unplanned lesser spirit encounters." Bailey said with a scoff
"Markus. When you get back to the academy, do not use quickstep." Charlotte said
"What— why!" Markus protested
"Well— because you must wear a hat! Or else your hair will fall out!" Charlotte said
"What!?" Markus said
"She's pulling your leg. That technique is awfully similar to the Wind's Path used by the Windbournes. If you are seen using it people will get the wrong idea and bring attention to you. And you should know how detrimental attention can be." Bailey said
"Understood. I won't use it carelessly and will avoid witnesses." Markus said, respecting the situation
Eventually they arrived. A whole day ahead of the capital group.
Although Markjs wanted to sleep in a bed and eat normal food, he needed to see what remained of the student council.
He saw five students with black eyes and sunken expressions.
"Alright I got it from here. Thank you— and go get some rest. You all look horrible—" Markus said
After five hours of work— Markus put the pen down
'Well- at least they kept on top of the paperwork. But the disciplinary part didn't go to well. Thankfully, they left me a list… holy shit ten rank 3 students and four rank 2!' Markus exclaimed
It was now the afternoon so he went out.
Going out to the classrooms one by one, he grouped up the people on the list.
Once they were all there, he took them to the training hall.
"Alright asswipes. I hear you fought back against the temporary hires when they tried to enforce order. Now, to give you a chance, you will all come at me at once. Fourteen versus one— seems about balanced." Markus said
The trouble makers cracked their fingers, getting ready for a fight.
"Ready when you are pres—" one of the bulkier ones said
They all ran toward Markus.
He felt their movement and gaps in their 'formation'. Enhancing his muscles and shell, Markus glided between them whilst dealing calculated hits to them all. As conjured attacks began to fly at him, he kicked them down and slapped their attack away, swatting them down like flies.
"What is going on here!" Miss Fallie asked as she heard the commotion
"Discipline?" Markus answered unsure as he waved his hand and flipped everyone upside down. Then with a flick of his wrist downward, they were all ragdolled on the ground.
Feeling the strain of the wind, Markus let the wind nearby flow and he followed the flow, gliding in front of them.
"Well— I'll let you off easy this time. But next time I'll break an arm. Okay!" Markus said as he left
They all groaned on the floor
'It's much easier to sense the strain now. I barely used any essence in that fight because I drew on the existing nearby wind particles to do what I wanted. My essence was used just on myself and to sway the wind to do my bidding for me. The gap really was big between ranks. I could have never been this aware if my essence was not this refined. I wonder how much more I will be able to sense as an elite?' Markus thought as he enjoyed the power of an expert.
Although it was easy to be intoxicated with it, he closely looked over how hard he strained.
'I never want to lose my connection to the wind again. Even with just my essence, I still felt like I had lost a limb. I really am glad to be connected to the wind again. And this time it is deeper than anything I had known before.' He thought with a smile
In the evening, he went to the cafeteria and had normal food. Although there was food on the transport, it was transport rations. This was his first proper warm meal.
Markus grabbed a hot tray.
"What's for dinner today—" he asked
It was a nice hot chicken soup followed by mashed potatoes with pork cutlet.
"Oh thank the spirits—" he said as he began eating
That evening, he returned to his room, took a hot shower and then slept.
He slept for 24 hours!
He would have slept for longer but there were several knocks at the door.
He groggily got up and cracked the door open.
"What—" he asked
"Surprise! We're back!" The council of Tuatri shouted
"I'm going back to sleep—" markus said, turning to close to door
Helen yanked the door open.
"Come on, we need to celebrate together. We got a draw against the best academy in the continent!" Helen said
As she reached for Markus' shoulder to yank him out of his room, she reached for air as he had vanished already. Instead, a light breeze was at her fingertips.
Markus was already in bed
"What the—" Triss said
"How did he move so quickly—" Meer asked
"No way—" Helen said as she walked in
"Seriously…" Amy said, stunned
"Wait what happened?" Kal asked
"… Markus… he became an expert…" Helen and Amy said simultaneously
Meanwhile Markus was snoring away already
"What!?" They all shouted in surprise
Markus jumped up on the ceiling and let his essence fill the room with oppressive force and killing intent
"Oh shit it's you guys—" he said before suppressing himself and dropping down
"What— the hell!" Helen exclaimed
"Long story short— I got sent to a death zone. I got humbled and learned surrendering, got guided by the wind away from the claws of a deity then ascended to expert. Almost died from thirst before escaping from said deity. And had some students hold the fort down and I finessed the rest of the paperwork and discipline stuff— they won't do it again." Markus said before collapsing on the bed
"WHAT!!" They all shouted in shock
"Ugh— I'm not getting anymore sleep am I. Fine- let's celebrate. Good job on getting a draw. Did you fight anyone interesting?" Markus asked as he yawned
"My sister, Amy brother and the princess." Helen said
"Who's nicknamed the princess?" Markus asked
"No— the actual princess! The queen's daughter—" she replied
"Oh shit— and you guys lived? alright— tell me everything from the beginning—" Markus said
As the rest filled him in, the headmistress was writing a report to send.
"Your Majesty,
It is with humility and allegiance to the crown that I write this report on the individual, Markus Windwave.
Following my previous report on the necessary execution, he has survived, as Master Jessica Windbourne may have already informed you. The young man did not tamper with the wind construct but instead, the construct was consumed by the vegetation in the death zone.
Further to Markus' current state, I am delighted to report that he has successfully advanced to the fourth rank of expert. This was following an unexpected guidance from the wind, which led him to use 'The Wind's Path'. Following my research, I confirmed that Markus Windwave is in truth Markus Windbourne.
I do not doubt Your Majesty was unaware of this. As your humble servant however, I must state how grave the situation is should the Windbourne patriarch uncover this. His discovery of Your Majesty's possession of his third direct heir would no doubt spark a civil war between the Windbourne region and the Central region, leading to a possible expansion of a continent wide war.
Having said this, I trust in the plan and will of Your Majesty. As such, I await your command on how to proceed with Markus Windbourne, following his ascension ahead of June.
Yours faithfully,
Charlotte Windbourne"
Following this letter, she sealed the letter and hired a courier to deliver it to Master Jessica.
'Naturally I cannot have it delivered directly to her majesty or her hand as that would attract too much attention.' Charlotte thought as she handed the letter over
In the week that it took to be delivered, Markus was having the time of his life.
By the end of the week, he reflected on his time as an expert.
'Life is just amazing now, Anax. I can sleep without stressing over an advancement. I spent my days learning about history, culture and maths– instead of the ways I can force the wind to tell me something. The student body is thriving with new clubs, activities and now there are more students interested in joining the academy due to our performance against other academies. And now that I'm an expert, I don't even have to beat up people as they just surrender and behave when I have to intervene! The only thing that sucks is that things are weird and tense between me and Amy but I don't regret my choices.' Markus said as he laid in bed, relaxing on a sunday evening.
This was his well earned break from it all. If only it could have lasted longer…