Road of the Heavenly Light

9-3: Gerard's Dedication

Alexander had always liked group projects, but the fondness for them had been draining away with every minute he spent sitting awkwardly in Darren's carriage with Andy after class the next day. They weren't even talking to each other, they just shot each other annoyed glances every so often. Alexander did not believe that Andy was a bad person, but they had certainly got off to a rough start. In his eyes, he could see an emotion he couldn't place. Was it resentment? Jealousy? Hurt pride? He couldn't say with certainty, but it clearly had to do something with his age. Andy clearly looked down on him for being younger, maybe even thought he was privileged, and probably rightfully so. He had been the youngest student ever to enroll, and only by recommendation from the king and queen, which had only been possible because he knew Laura through Felix. But what choice did he have? Alexander didn't want to admit it, but he knew he didn't have the advantage of time. He had to study in Falmar and then Belmont young, because it was likely his father would not be around much longer. He had looked like he was ready to depart from the day their mother had died. Andy really didn't have to judge him that harshly for something he had no choice in.

When they arrived at Darren's estate, they went straight to the library to start working on the assignment. They both wanted to have it done as quickly as possible, if only so they never had to speak again. The butler entered soon after and asked if they wanted anything to drink. Andy asked for coffee, and since they apparently did not have orange juice in Falmar, which was everywhere in Aurion, Alexander settled for tea. With the butler gone again, they began to look at the tactical problem they would have to solve. It was about the situation Gerard found himself in after the long siege of Damasna. The city had come under their control, but the Magnos army now threatened to partially encircle them by advancing north rapidly to cut off their routes to Falmar in the west, with secondary attacks coming from Gaspard in the east and Grivia in the south. Moving out with the full army meant abandoning a highly strategic city that had cost a lot to capture, but moving out with only part of the army left both groups vulnerable to surprise assaults by the larger Magnos army. A footman briefly entered the room to give them their drinks before they moved on to looking at a map of where the various segments of the Magnos Army were deployed, as well as the strength of the Falmar army. It would be a complex puzzle to solve, that much was certain.

Alexander pondered the problem for a while, until a potential solution came to him.
"Wouldn't it be wise to move out the whole army from Damasna and split it in half, with one half kicking Magnos' remaining garrison in the east in Gaspard, with the other half going south to secure Grivia, and with it, the border with Magnos proper, which is easily defendable. That would leave the Magnos army in Aurion stranded with no supply or hope of reinforcements."
"And what then?" Andy scoffed, "they're still way stronger than the Falmar army, and they'll easily defeat them when split up, not to mention that they could just huddle up in Damasna in the meantime, or take Artos and cut off the route to Falmar. No, what we need to do is rapidly move out half of the army towards the Magnos army on both sides of the main river, and then perform a pincer attack from both sides towards the river, trapping the Magnos army."
Alexander acknowledged that his plan was just a mere fleeting idea, and that Andy's concerns were legitimate, as was the plan he suggested. It still disappointed him that he didn't manage to come up with a better suggestion himself. But still, he was young and new to this whole thing, so he had plenty of time to learn.

They worked together for the rest of the day to iron out the details of Andy's idea, and when Andy had left to go home and Alexander was in his room that night to work out the final details, he found himself feeling conflicted. There were major flaws in Andy's plan, such as the security of the flanks and the morale among the Magnos army, and he wasn't sure if he'd be able to remedy them in time. His mind flickered back to his own idea, which did not have the flaws he was struggling with. Andy had made some good points, but perhaps they could be looked deeper into. Would it be terribly cruel to go with his own idea for the assignment, even if it could be possibly be a better one? He supposed he would find out, as Alexander turned on the oil lamp and placed it on his desk as he sat down and began detailing out his ideas. As it turned out, the Falmar army, especially when split up, was many times faster than the Magnos army, filled with heavy armored knights and cavaliers, and so could easily secure the south and east of Aurion before Magnos would have time to take Damasna or Artos, with enough time for the Falmar army to regroup and prepare for a decisive strike against the cut-off Magnos army. Alexander cheerfully jumped from his seat upon finishing the assignment.

The cheerful mood quickly vanished the next day as Alexander arrived at the academy. He had to explain to Andy that he had changed their plan for the assignment without his consent, and considering they already didn't get along, this would only make him dislike Alexander more.
"There you are, kid. Do you have the assignment?" Andy asked, approaching him with curiosity.
Alexander nodded, "but I ended going with my plan instead, I found too many flaws, and I was abl-"
"What?!" Andy exclaimed, "you must be daft! We'll be kicked out if we hand in that plan of yours!" Andy was fuming, and Alexander was sure he would kill him. "If this ruins things, it'll be your fault, and you won't forget it!"
Alexander nervously nodded as he tried his best to hold back the urge to run away and hide as they made their way to the classroom, where Mr Heathward had joined the professor to look at the assignments. His hands were shaking as they approached the two professors and handed in the assignment.
"Alexander did everything without telling me, as he didn't find my ideas good enough," Andy clarified, and Alexander was ready to collapse on the floor. Mr Heathward and the professor looked over the assignment without commenting in Andy's words, and he saw Mr Heathward's eyes wide.
"Why, this is a genius plan!" he exclaimed, "I daresay even the best I have ever seen. Well done, Mr Gaspard. You clearly have great potential, reminiscent of that of Gerard himself. My compliments." At first, Alexander felt his heart drop, before a wide smile appeared on his face along with a great sense of pride. He really was made for this. This was his destiny. He looked over and saw Andy's shocked face, and it only made him feel prouder.
"I should warn you, however, that cooperation is vital, even if there is disagreement or there are personal feelings involved. I believe it will be beneficial if you and Mr Whitewood permanently pair up and receive lessons directly from me at the highest level, so you may learn from each other too."
"What?!" Alexander and Andy shouted in unison. Oh well, not everything could be perfect.