Chapter 15 TEAM WORK

Chapter 15 TEAM WORK


I frowned, still trying to clear the sleep from my eyes. Zephyr ran his eyes along my body, scrutinizing me with a condescending look on his face. “You have been sleeping?” he asked.

“Yes.” I replied. 

He wanted to say something but my prompt reply had him opening his mouth in awe. “You…” he finally found his voice after a while. “You both have been sleeping all day?” he asked again.

I shook my head and walked away from the door leaving it open technically inviting him and Payten in. Ciora was awake by the time I turned around and she was seated on my bed staring around aimlessly.

Zephyr narrowed his eyes, completely confused. “Did the guards not do their routine checks?” he demanded.

“I don't know. Payten, are you okay now?” I turned my attention to the timid kid. 

“Yes, I am now. Thanks to you all,” he said. 

I nodded then turned to Zephyr. “What are you two doing here?” 

The boy sighed, his crimson eyes lighting up from the initial confusion, he ran his hand through his head and sat down on the small wooden chair by the window. Payten leaned against the wall. Ciora and I sat on the bed waiting for him to speak.

“I figured we should have our first real meeting as a team. We will be with each other for a while, so we should get to know each other and what we can do to strengthen ourselves. You may not know it but the decision we casually made on a fly will affect us a lot through our entire life in this institution. I am a bit familiar with the entire setting, considering I have brothers who have been here before me.” 

Ciora nodded. “Yeah, about that. I wanted to ask, why did you decide to choose us,” she demanded. “You seem physically adept and that means you will ace fifty percent of the classes, I am guessing surrounding yourself with geniuses will only help improve your chances, so why come to two people you have never heard of.” 

Zephyr sighed. “There is something about me I am not willing to share yet because it changes how people view and approach me,” he paused. “But I will answer this, I am in this group because I hate preference and arrogance. I hate what our society has turned into and this is my way of protesting against it.”

I frowned, his words felt like an insult and a praise at the same time. “So you are with us because you consider us weak?” I demanded. 

“No. I am with you because you are ostracized against, because everyone feels neglecting you is automatically a right choice. I hate following multitudes to do evil. I hate the hierarchy that has eaten into us. I want real friendship, people who I like because I am me and people who like me because of that not due to my power or my status.” he breathed. 

Ciora cleared her throat. “Alright, don't go philosopher on us, we get it.” She smiled. 

Zephyr nodded. “Well. First I would like us to choose a group leader. I think that should be in the first order of whatever we want to do,” he said with a smile. However when he finished speaking, he glanced directly at Ciora and so did Payten and I. We were both staring at her and the girl seemed a little flustered. 

“No. No, I am not…” she paused when she realized the gazes didn't leave her. “Okay, alright!” she raised her hands in exasperation. “Just know that I have tendencies to be a tyrant,” she chuckled. 

Everyone smiled and then Zephyr continued. “Next we should all talk about what we are good at. Not just our abilities, hobbies and things we can do as well as others,” he said. 

When everyone didn't say a word, he spoke again. “Alright, I will go first. I am from the flame kingdom so I can control flames, I am also very good in combat, I was trained by my family since I was a kid. I am also a very good artist.” He clasped his hands together. “Well that's all, who is going next?” 

Ciora spoke next. “I am adept at healing magic and plant magic, I can also whisper to animals. I talk a lot, if that's a hobby?” she said simply. 

After she spoke their eyes were on me, I felt shame crawl up my body. “I can't do magic and I don't really think I have any real talents,” I said slowly. “Or even hobbies. People hate me a lot though and I get scorned too. I also attract danger.”

Zephyr nodded and then added. “You also have the Storm god himself watching over you,” he smiled. 

I scoffed then nodded. “How about you Payten?” 

The timid boy heaved before speaking. “I am from the Mist Kingdom. I can manipulate water, but my magic is very weak.” he said simply. “I don't have hobbies. But I think I am not too bad at hiding,” he said. 

Zephyr nodded. “Great!” he smiled heartily like the last two speakers weren't peculiarly depressing. Now that we know each other it is easy to assign roles when we are faced with tasks.” He glanced outside.”It is getting dark,” he commented. 

Ciora sighed. “Well, thanks for the initiative. Since I am the group leader, I will love to actually keep you all here as my slaves.” she sighed. “Since I can't do that, we will see tomorrow!” She smiled. 

Zephyr and Payten bade us goodbye and after they left, Ciora and I were left alone in my room. “I don't want you to sleep here alone tonight,” she declared. “Come over to my side. I always wondered why I didn't get assigned a roommate, apparently the student turnouts this year were lesser than they expected.”

I agreed with her and followed her to her room. Since we just woke, we spent most of the night talking and we only drifted off to sleep a few hours past midnight.