Rules Are For Losers

Chapter 4 - I'm Responsible. I think.

I stare back at the Head, startled, but quickly try to mask it, looking unimpressed instead (my normal face basically).  I couldn't begin to guess what he wants me to do. Oh wait, I can.  Maybe... To help the servants? Teach lessons? God forbid, go back home for some silly errand or something? If my royal parents have a hand in this, I'm gonna blow my top.

Hopefully it's something nice and simple like, I dunno, joining the army or something. Everyone wants to join the army, right? All those campfires and marshmallows.

Of course I don't say any of this, just look at him lazily and wait for him to continue.

He does, his tone impassive. "I feel you are underprepared for what I am about to say, but the magnanimity of the issue demands it be said. Boys, you are dismissed, save for Håkon*."

'The boys seem to humbly obey (How noice), and leave the room in admirable silence.

The Head sits back. "What is the role of the Darkest Darkness Academy, Penelope? What do you get your cotton socks on for every morning?"

Huh. Well if you're going to put it that way. The role of the Academy, hm? Getting money off fees. Giving themselves a pat on the back for teaching immature kids how to use their immature powers. (Wait, are socks in their uniform? I peer down at my cute dress slippers and sigh).

But I know what he means. And if I speak honestly?

"I don't know, sir."

I can almost feel the sudden unnatural stillness of the lone student behind me. The dear heart probably disagrees (How nauseatingly dutiful). Even the Headmaster seems like he wasn't expecting that.

He stares at me for a sec (though blind to his features, I can always tell), and then, as if having thought it through:

"The Circle for Obliterating the Darkest Darkness founded this school, as I am aware you know, Penelope. But The Circle's history prior to that is a carefully maintained blank. To the public, anyhow."

He tilts his head to the side, as if he hasn't finished thinking about what his next statement. "But recent circumstances have demanded that I shed a little more light on our history. 

  He seems to rub a few fingers against his forehead, and suddenly appears incredibly weary, as if he doesn't want to go on. He then looks up at me, and I look into the shadowy mass that surrounds him, but this time, expectantly. I want to hear what he says next.

"One of the reasons a few powerful figures of the past chose to band together was... to resolve conflicts. Between the leaderships. While once the Kingdoms of Eldur, Jordin, I'ad and Haedien would gladly tear each other apart in war, and colonise the surrounding, unprotected Kingdoms ruthlessly, The Circle, it rose from the ashes of this conflict. The members were, many, those who had already lost what they'd loved, but still had the heart to go on, for the sake of their fellow countrymen. And that's what made them selfless. Alone, they were insignificant, weak, but together... through struggle, strife, they took down each and every power, and created a new world in its wake. They chose the new leaders for each land through counsel and consideration.

And our purpose? Is to continue their legacy. Their students decided to pass on their ideals in a way that made them... more accessible to all. And that is how this Academy was made."

He leaves me time to let it all sink in.

But when you give someone an information load that big... It doesn't sink in.

"Now that that's sunken in, perhaps my request will seem a little more rational and less out-of-the-blue. It is..." He pauses, and I wonder if from hesitation.