The Power Academy

Chapter 31- Announcing the Winners

Chapter 31

Kayla's PoV:

Having Master Whitehall next to me was a very comforting feeling. The way he moved with confidence, but softness to allow me to go at my own pace, yet still leading me was such a stark contrast to Greg's violent demand for submission. As I followed him down the aisle towards the three judges, I wonder how many years he has been involved in the community. Obviously, if he is a professor here at the academy, he must have a very upstanding reputation and have several years of experience.

I zone out through the judges walking around critiquing each knot on my body as Master Whitehall stands still, unmoving even when the judges ask him to step aside. He keeps his promise and refuses to let go of my hand, making sure that I feel safe above anything else. The judges are making their last notations as the next pairing walks into the auditorium, soon followed by Jasper and Gemma.

I assume that Jasper had quite the time dealing with Gemma moving around because he was sporting an amused scowl while walking in with Gemma over his shoulder. The entire time he walked down the aisle to get in line you could hear Gemma's muffled jabs and remarks complaining about not being able to see anything from over his shoulder, but each remark was met with a gentle slap to her ass by Jasper. I smiled at him encouragingly, knowing she is a lot to handle, and he smiles back, only to look away fairly quickly as he puts Gemma down to stand in line with him.

Looking back up at Master Whitehall, I meet his gaze, as if he was studying my face to be the first to notice any signs of discomfort. "All right, Kayla darling, why don't you and Master Whitehall go sit down in the front and allow us to judge the rest of your class," Madam Carter stated in the form of a question as I nod respectfully. I am led by Master Whitehall down to a set of chairs and am turned away from the crowd once again. For the first time since it was placed on me, Master Whitehall lets go of my hand and immediately removes my ball gag. Knowingly, he pulls out a handkerchief and wipes my face with it, wiping away all of the drool from around my lips and chin. I stretch my jaw out as he once again wraps the fuzzy blanket around my shoulders, then leading me to sit down.

"You did so well, little one, thank you for trusting in me to keep you safe through it all," Master Whitehall said as he pulls the blanket tighter around me, essentially burrito-ing me into it.

"Of course, Sir, you made it easy to trust you."

"I will take that as the highest of compliments, Kayla. Your innocence was and still is something to be treasured. I don't believe I have ever met such an innocent submissive with as much maturity and understanding as you," I blush and look down as he compliments me, knowing I am anything but innocent after what had happened with Greg. Without missing a beat, he gently but firmly grabs my chin and pulls my gaze to meet his. "You endured something no one should ever be asked to, that does not mean your innocence is tainted, simply more valuable because you are still willing to learn and experience the lifestyle. Any dominant would be idiotic to not fall at your feet for your submission."

"Are we not the ones that should be on our knees, Sir?" he chuckles at my response, knowing I was trying to make a joke of the situation.

"Submission is earned, little one, yes the system we have put in place here at the Academy is set up for it to be a very rapid pace for a dynamic to form, but true submission between a dominant and a submissive is something that is earned through trust and respect. The submissive is in full control to set their limits, and it is in the dominant's control to roam within those limits as they please, with their consent, of course," for the rest of the time that the judges are working through our classmates' harnesses, we continue to talk about the lifestyle, occasionally stopping to laugh or talk about a harness or two. Some put in the effort to make it beautiful, however, it was not successful in restraining. Others focused on the restraint aspect and found knots in all sorts of places that were not aesthetically pleasing. After the judges critiqued the last pair, they walked away into a corner to confer with one another for a brief moment, and then returned to the center of the stage.

"I would just like to congratulate each and every one of you today. Each piece was beautiful in its own way, some were better however at balancing practicality and beauty. Now, due to the... unfair advantage, some may have over others with inexperience, we have decided to grant the prize to three pairs, one for beauty, one for practicality, and one who has shown off the true balance of both. These three pairs will be winning an off-campus group dinner to celebrate their wins, and then upon return, private time in one of our playrooms to learn, explore or play as they choose," When the playroom time prize came up, the class erupted into quiet murmurs. Everyone suddenly on the edge of their seats hoping to be one of the three couples called. I nervously looked at Master Whitehall, and he turned towards me and whispered,

"If we win, which I expect we may, little one, the choice is yours. I will sit in there with you all night and answer any questions you have about any tool, toy, or contraption in there to your heart's content. No need to fear about doing anything outside of your comfort zone." I release a breath I didn't know I was holding, but simultaneously felt a twinge of something else that I couldn't quite put my finger on.

"For the category of Beauty, will Daniel and Erin come forward?" Madam Carter asks. The pair quickly scurry up to the front of the auditorium and onto the stage, clearly excited to show off their work. Danny had tied intricate knots to look like a Celtic heart in the middle of her bust, showing off her delicate Irish skin with the emerald green rope. However, it clearly did not serve practical purposes because she simply had braided green bracelets around each wrist, with no form of restraint. We all clapped for the pair as they kissed and moved to the side so that another couple could be called to the center stage.

Miss Maggie was next to the front, "Now for practicality, some submissives are brattier than others, and it takes a strong dominant to know when to forgo the fancy ties and to put something together efficiently. Jasper, you clearly have your hands full with this one, Gemma why don't the two of you come on up here?" Gemma nearly runs away giggling at Jasper as he rushes to catch up to her. When she gets on stage we all nearly laugh as she was essentially mummified aside from a few key places being exposed and enhanced with multiple colors of ropes. Jasper rolls his eyes and laughs as Gemma dances around the stage, proud that her brattiness won them the prize as well.

Master Turner walked forward last and coughed, clearing his throat, "Now, you all know that with time and experience, you will enhance your skills and flourish. It should be of no surprise to you that because of this, the true master at balancing beauty and efficiency is your teacher Master Whitehall and Kayla, I awkwardly shimmy out of the blanket burrito I was in and he helps me up the stage. As the rest of my class looks at me I nervously turn away and grab Master Whitehall's hand. He squeezes it and wraps his other arm around me, allowing me to feel safe. I calm down and look back around only to make eye contact with a very territorial-looking Jasper... well shit what am I getting myself into now Kayla?