Cyrus Solaris
Back on my isle, I headed toward my room, until someone stepped into my path.
Professor Randall.
His arms were crossed, fingers tapping against his sleeve in a slow, deliberate rhythm.
"Where have you been all day?" he asked, taking a few steps toward me.
I looked everywhere but his eyes, contemplating what I should and shouldn't tell him.
"I was getting some fresh air."
"What about your classes?"
I paused. "I had a rough day."
"We all have rough days, Cyrus, that's the life of a starbound."
"I don't think you would understand."
"Try me, kid."
I released a shallow breath. "Fine. Before I came to this academy, I was forced into a situation that required me to make a difficult decision. A decision I don't regret, but still follows me everywhere."
"What was it exactly?"
"I would rather not say."
"Ok, so what does that have to do with missing your classes, Cyrus?"
"For the first time in a while, I was reminded of the event. It was just an intense moment."
Professor Rhandall's face relaxed
We were standing on the outskirts of the Isle, and he paced in front of me, thinking for a few minutes, his face serious. Then he stopped and turned his gaze towards me.
"Cyrus, as astronomers, we have strong aptitudes to the perception astral affinity, we are taught to see how even the smallest of connections in cosmic phenomena are important for the success of completing a rift, but I'm not just talking about what happens in space."
"Then what are you talking about?" I asked, tilting my head as I watched him get animated with his hands
"You are a part of a team, correct?"
"Yes"
"And that team isn't doing well, is it?"
Grimacing at the thought, "You are correct."
"Tell me why is that?"
"We have bad compatibility."
"Do you, or is it something else?"
I thought it over. There wasn't any other reason.
I looked at Professor Rhondall and shrugged.
"You really do have much to learn. Cyrus, you are failing to see the connection that your team truly has. Teams don't magically mesh together and perform well. They have to work at it. They have to choose to open up and build the kind of bond all great clusters share.
If you fail to see the connection your team has and parade as a lone wolf, you will never become a great astronomer, let alone graduate from this school."
Looking at Professor Randall, I could tell he believed what he said. But I wasn't a believer. I have seen with my own eyes, the power of a single person.
I've seen it with Gramps, my dad, and even Theron. They were some of the strongest in the world, so I know it's possible for me too.
"I appreciate the advice, Professor."
His face softened up, exactly what I needed to get him off my back.
"Tell me, Cyrus, why do you think I was so happy to have you in my house, knowing that you might have had aptitudes elsewhere?"
"Because crazy attracts crazy," I responded.
The professor let out a short laugh, "Why yes, but because your abilities have the greatest potential to change the world as we know it." He said, walking towards me to place a hand on my shoulder.
Standing there, I wasn't sure whether I was still in trouble or supposed to feel encouraged. Hearing his words made me want to improve.
Tonight has been strange, but strange isn't always bad.
"Just promise me one thing, Cyrus."
"What is it?"
"Please just don't skip class. I can't make you the best if you don't show up."
"I understand. I will do my best going forward."
"But another thing. You will still be punished for what you did. Even though I like ya, I can't just go around giving special treatment. I have to be fair."
"What type of punishment were you thinking?"
"Nothing too over the top. Just cleaning the house telescope, including the outside and inside lenses."
"You can't be serious."
"Oh, but I am, my dear student."
"Either this or cleaning all of House of Obalex you vandalized," he said, patting my head.
My mouth dropped.
"You really don't think, I don't know the whereabouts of every one of my students."
I stood there frozen. I didn't know what to say. Now I realized the professor was sharper than he let on–scarily so.
"Now get going to bed, you're ordered to get up two hours earlier than the rest to clean that telescope", The professor said, waiving as he walked away, chuckling.