An uncomfortable quiet settled, councilors looking to the neighbors to share their disapproval with a glance.
"Mages, wizards, the wielders of the gift. Humans. We're unique from other sources of magic. Though we use mana to cast our spells, our bodies absorb spent mana, multiply it, and return it to the world. But our kind is dying, and we're doing little to restore our numbers. Something has to change."
Several council members let out a groan. "Ay, then you want us to start training up mages again, is that it?"
This was not the first time Gregorian had pitched this idea, though for entirely different reasons.
"Elder!" Lee pleaded, "You remember why we stopped training mages, right… sir?"
Because competition scares you, Gregorian thought bitterly.
"I understand that the blanks don't much like our community. The war had an effect on us all, and I'm very aware of that. But things are different now. They're not as superstitious as they were, and we're not nearly the threat we used to be." Gregorian lied. They were much more of a threat now than ever, especially himself. But threat only existed with action. Action he had no intention of taking. "We'll start small. Train up a manageable sect of blanks. This is not an overnight solution. It will take years to return the lost mana to the world. The best time to start was a hundred years ago. The second best time is now."
Discourse broke out, berating the room like the buzzing of an angry wasp nest. Nearly half the councilors were red in the face, flinging obscenities at him, cursing his name. Lee even began to gather power. Gregorian smiled at that. He wished he would. Give him a reason to rend the flesh from his bones.
Maybe it was something in his expression, or perhaps Lee felt the sudden opening of Gregorian's mana channels, but the color drained from his face and he backed down.
"ENOUGH!" Gregorian commanded, slamming his staff to the ground.
The others looked up, shocked at the outburst.
He shouldn't let his control slip like that, but he was only human. He sat in a huff, rubbing a hand over his weary face.
A rasping voice cut the silence. "Elder, as powerful as you may be, your bedside manner needs work. Know your audience." Laz said. His flawless features quirked up in a half-cocked grin. "May I lend my expertise?"
A wave of nausea overcame Gregorian. Laz slithered from the shadows, face aglow with mirth; a youth that belied his true age. Gregorian could wipe him from existence with a gesture and a thought. But Laz would never allow it to come to that. His ambitions were better suited for the position of elder, but his methods worked better in the shadows. Should he truly want Gregorian gone he would set pieces into motion that would topple his empire.
Laz was the only person here he feared.
As dangerous as it was to give him the floor, it would be worse in the long run to ignore him. With a small nod, Gregorian took a step back.
"Our esteemed Elder is correct," He began magnanimously, arms extended wide as though hugging the room. "Magic is soon to become a memory. It is time to usher in a new generation of mages. But who? We can't just release our art to the world. What would those monkeys do with it, hmm?"
He let the thought sit for a moment, allowing them all to consider their options.
"I've been toying around with an idea for the past few decades that I've been… excited to put in motion. While not its original intention, It would fit perfectly with our current predicament."
"We don't have all day, you living corpse. Loosen your tongue and speak plainly." Chun spat. Gregorian could have kissed her right then if he didn't think she'd disintegrate his lips after.
Laz's grin faltered and he fixed Chun with a look that promised violence. But finally he cleared his throat, "We each have our own ideas of who deserves power. I'm sure we'd all like to be personally responsible for the next generation of Mages."
A murmur of general agreement filled the room.
"Well then I propose a little… game. A competition. The winner will have total control over who is taught our art. They may even choose to pick nobody at all." He added looking at Lee.
Gregorian considered this. It wasn't a terrible idea. Especially considering its source. These fools were starved for entertainment, and this would ensure at least their interest if not their approval.
"What are the terms?" Gregorian asked against his better judgement.
"The exact specifics we can work on together. It will take some time to prepare. However, I vote we each choose let's say…. 50 prospects to represent us. They'll be put to the test, and those who fail to meet our expectations will be removed."
"Removed?" Nico asked, the conversation now having his full attention.
"Killed, Mr. Galanis." Laz said flatly. "We can't allow the blanks to get wind that we're training again. We'll be snuffed out before the mana hits the wand. A small sacrifice for the preservation of the gift."
"An addendum to your rules," Lee said with one of his massive arms in the air, "Gregorian, as talented as he is and with the resources he has, is at too much of an advantage. He should have some sort of handicap."
"Agreed." The rest said, much to Gregorian's chagrin.
"Hmm, that's uncharacteristically wise of you Leslie." Laz said with a wicked smile. "It appears even pigs can find gold."
An orb of fire as large as a bowling ball and hot as a sun flashed across the room in a moment. It hit the opposite wall over Laz's shoulder, singing his robes.
The wall exploded in a cacophonous blast, splinters spread like shrapnel in the room. Shields were raised in an instant and glares pointed at Lee.
Within moments the wall mended itself, and Lee's face grew red as he settled back in his chair. Laz, to his credit, didn't even flinch. Instead, his smile became a degree wider; a manic gleam in his eyes.
"Gregorian, the others raise a good point. I believe that you should be relegated… a single participant." Laz said amiably, back to business.
A handicap was one thing, this hamstrung him. But something in him came to life. Embers rising up to a fire. He yearned for a challenge. The idea of pitting one of his own against 400 chosen by these pretenders and coming out on top made him feel like he was 100 again.
"Fine. You have a deal." he said, doing his best to look crestfallen.
Chun opened her mouth to argue, but he calmed her with a look. At best he could call a vote, and it would come 7-2 against him. No need to waste the time.
"Where will this competition be held?" Gregorian asked, already knowing the answer.
"I think it should be somewhere that still has a massive mana pool. Somewhere we're all familiar with, and a place that can comfortably house 400 untrained mages flinging around deadly spells. No?"
Gregorian nodded. It was decided.
"Shelve whatever projects you're currently working on." Gregorian commanded, once more filling his voice with authority. "We're already working on borrowed time. We'll hold this competition in 6 months. You have until then to find your 50… students. As I only need to find one, I'll spend my time fixing up the school and getting it ready for our visitors."
"I already have my 50," Laz said with a smile. "I'll assist with the setup. I have some… fun ideas in mind."
Gregorian grimaced but nodded. He would need all the help he could get.
With that the meeting was dismissed, and one by one the Councillors disappeared to every corner of the world. Each seeking a champion.
Only two remained. Gregorian and Laz, the space between them broiling over with mutual contempt.
"What are you really up to?" Gregorian challenged.
"Well, telling you wouldn't be very fun would it?"
Gregorian sighed. He would keep an eye on him, but for now he had work to do.
The others got 49 strikes. He needed one home run.