On Sunday evening, an Aquabourne transport arrived. The headmistress went out to greet them.
Count Argos was the fist to walk out.
"Greetings Count Argos, I trust you arrived safely." She said
"(Scoff) Safely… if your patriarch wanted people to travel safely he wouldn't call for a war against the Crimson region and the Windbourne region." He said with an angry and cold tone
"The actions of the dukes are beyond my control or knowledge. I am a subject of their will just like you are." She said with a tight lipped smile
"Sure… Helen, it's safe. You can come out." Count Argos said
As Helen stepped out, Charlotte's eyes widened in shock.
"Oh my- she is quite exceptional!" She praised
"Indeed. Surviving the northern region's outskirts is no easy feat. She really pushed herself but entrusting herself to the cold… allowed her to adapt." He said
"Greetings headmistress." Helen said with a bow
"Welcome back Helen. Feel free to go to your dormitory and unpack." She said
"Is… he back..?" Helen asked
"… ah- yes." She affirmed
Helen bowed to her father and said her goodbyes before leaving.
'The new students are here too… I wonder how many of them will be bullied as usual because of their background or power… curse these rules. I got lucky myself two years ago because I arrived trained and an Aquabourne.' She thought as she walked around, concerned at what she may see
But to her surprise… it was all peaceful and silent.
'Either the bullies had finally matured… or someone did something? New academy policy? I'll ask Mark about it.' She thought
As she walked to her dorm, outside the shared space between the boys' dormitories and girls' dormitories, there were nine people standing in a circle, talking.
"Helen!?" Someone said from within the circle, a familiar voice to her.
"Mark!?" She said
The two came to face to face after a summer apart. And in truth…
They both hugged each other.
"I've missed you-" they both said
Helen had been isolated in the north. Occasionally given the grace of Troy Aquabourne. Markus had been isolated in the royal palace, constantly observed. But now that they were back at the academy… in trusted presence… a weight lifted off their chest.
After their hug, they looked at the small crowd.
"This is Helen Aquabourne, the council's vice president. And Helen, these are… our council members. Recruits who are competent at one thing or another." Markus said
"Uhuh… and they wouldn't happen to be victims of bullying who owe you a favour?" She asked
"How could you possibly know that—" Markus said, taken aback
"Knowing you… and plain intuition. But they're not exactly… prime candidates. Half of them are apprentices and learners… and the rest, including you apparently, are stage threes." She said, adamant to accept the situation
"Well you're in the same boat— also we need two more so if you know anyone- now's the time to ask. I need a full roster before placing my candidacy." He said
"Well- I do know someone. But you might want to take another look—" she said with a certain prideful tone.
"Huh..?" He said, looking at her
Then he scanned her.
"Holy… crap— you became an expert!? How!" He shouted
"Living amidst my element. If forced me to adapt and follow the principle of water. Maybe you should try to live on a mountaintop." She said
"Ha… as if I'd be allowed— anyway that's great! You can take on an expert and a few stage threes." He said
'Allowed by who..? Who is pulling your strings…' she thought to herself
"What about you— you're still stage three… but you also only advanced a few months ago so…" she said
"I'll have you know I can take on a wind expert. I am more than capable of fighting above my rank." He said
"Is that so… but you haven't learned your principle or been able to absorb it?" She asked
"… I'll be right back—" Markus said
A while later.
"So just went to ask what your fourth principle is?" She asked
"… shush- it's trusting the wind and following a mixed intuition. Apparently I'm meant to feel what I should do through a bond to the wind… something like that. But I don't know what it means. I've never felt… a natural recourse through the wind." Markus admitted
Right then Helen instantly manifested a water tentacle and whipped Markus. His reaction time was fast but he wouldn't block it in time… nor did he need to.
The wind essence within him reacted to the threat and activated itself, forming a shell around him which blocked the attack.
"Seems to me like you have a natural response. You just need to be aware that your essence will assist you and follow through on it. Wind is about freedom and trust isn't it? So do what you want and trust in the wind's assistance." Helen said
"… I'll try… but I don't think I'll get it… not in time for the big day anyway." Markus admitted, feeling something amiss.
"It can still increase the depth of your connection to the wind. You may use your own essence but you still draw power from the source element. Especially with whirlwind. That's how you beat the expert wasn't it?" Helen asked
"Yes… but whirlwind is chaotic. I doubt that I need to adapt by introducing chaos to my combat…" Markus said
"Uhm hey- so I get that you guys are talking about important stuff but if we're not needed we'll go—" one of them said, June a young lady.
"Oh right- I wanted to introduce you all. This big mouth is June. That's Han. This is James. That's Jacob. This is Kal. Over there is Spence. Next to him is Vern. And this is Latham. Plus us two, that's ten. We need two more for a full roster." Markus admitted
"I know two girls. It will be more balanced that way." She said, noting the gender disparity
"… I could give a crap about how many guys and girls we have— they could all be girls as long as they'll sign up!" He said
"So you want a harem all for yourself mr president?" She asked, teasingly
"Ugh just strangle me at this point- it's more pleasant than this talk—" he said deflated
"I'll talk to the girls in the morning. In the meantime- we should all get some rest. And you Markus- find a way to not get in trouble overnight." She said, turning to leave
"Please- when have I ever—" Markus said
The next evening, twelve people are hurdled together.
"This are Triss and Meer. With them we have a full roster and are ready to contend for the student council- assuming Markus here can pass the exam." She said
"I can— don't worry about me. But it's good that we have a full group- and that they're both stage threes. We have a real shot in the battle." Markus said
"About that actually… shouldn't we be at least stage twos to fight? Maybe you guys can teach us the principles and we can try to advance before the battle!" Han said
"That's a point- everyone with wind essence should come to me. Water to Helen. Fire to Triss and Stone to Meer. Just learn from them and them from you. Got it?" He asked
"Yes sir!" The said in unison
With a full roster and three weeks left until the competition, Markus had to train wind users which was only one person- and learn for his leadership test. Then he had to take it and sign up with a full cohort— the timeline was clear. Now it was all a matter of things advancing smoothly.