Chapter 556 Rules And Goals
[Eon's POV: ]
"Wisdom phoenix is a house that only those with the potential to achieve true wisdom in the field of one's choice could join.
In the past, it once reigned as the greatest house that produced the greatest people of many eras. And even when its greatness fell with the newer generations, the fact that it remained the house where people stuck together and looked after each other never changed.
Yes, other house captains are respected within their houses, but the respect this weakest house filled with losers that don't even know how to do things, throughout history, has followed, admired, and respected their captains, the ones that would lead the bunch that knows nothing about themselves and their talents.
As a captain, they would do everything they have to do for their houses and their members. And there are qualified people to guide and look after us for that.
But, when it comes to the members, they have no one but us to actually teach them what the meaning of the house is, and guide them throughout the amazing journey that would help them grow into a better version of themselves.
We know what we have to do so you don't have to worry about us. All you all have to do as members of the house is to follow what we say, or if you don't want to do that, then at least just mind your own business.
It's alright if you don't want to show respect to some unknown person that's been adopted by a prestigious house or a commoner boy that just luckily has some strength and knowledge.
If you don't want to, then don't do it. It's not like doing extracurricular activities is compulsory.
But…"
Looking at the bunch before me with a little heavier look, I shook my head with a clear frown.
"What you were doing just now was inappropriate behavior for which you could undoubtedly be punished severely.
If anyone here doesn't know, the captains have the authority to file an expulsion request against their house members so, putting aside whatever high status your families have, she holds the greatest authority over all of you in this academy.
And of course, she is a member of the Heliox household. So, even if you might think she is nothing more than an adopted child, just remember you would still be offending the Heliox name itself.
So, if you have the power, resources, and authority to handle the consequences of your actions, feel free to do whatever you want.
But… as long as she is the captain, bear in mind that if any voice is raised against her or she is looked down upon, you will be facing me and my arrows before anything else.
Just how foolish can you be to do that anyway. Is this how low the high society has fallen?"
They looked frightened. Perhaps I went too far with the pressure thing.
"I'm disappointed."
Erasing the Aura from my sword, I shrunk it back down and returned it to my chest pocket area.
This was the pin sword that Rein's grandma gifted me a few years back and it was a relatively simple weapon so it was fine to use it normally.
"It's alright, vice-captain Lucifer. They didn't do anything so don't be too harsh on them."
Zoe requested from behind me with a smile and then looked pitifully at the others that had to endure my anger.
"Just look at this you people.
She's looking after you even after you asked her those obviously uncomfortable questions. Tsk.
How would you feel if I ask you about your late parents whose faces you had never even seen or the reason your parents raised you the way they did only for you to bully other good people and take pleasure from it?
Tsk. Actually, you all should just go. You have lost the right to be here when you did that."
I really would have kicked them out if I could, but by some bad coincidence, there were some talents among them that I needed while there were also some innocent people that didn't mean to do what they ended up doing.
"There is no need for that, vice-captain Lucifer. It's fine. Looks like they have learned their lesson already so there's no need for them to miss this important session."
Zoe was a good person they all did not deserve. But they had her now, by some heaven-bestowed luck, so I can't do much about them.
"As you say, captain." I bowed to her respectfully and took off all the pressure from them, and they finally breathed a breath of relief.
"Alright, everyone. Gather around."
Zoe was sitting on the solely dedicated chair of the captain in this large open hall with many chairs before us.
This room was the same as every other house gathering room as there was a platform where we were standing, behind us was an empty wall that we can use for presentations, and also some unique rooms like a recording studio and house labs that would be available only to the ones we allow.
It wasn't grand but the academy's general house activity tower that we were in, provided many necessary and extra facilities to the houses that they would need.
'So this was ultimately a good enough place to let the students run wild with their talents and imaginations during their free time.'
They provided all this for free too so it was obvious just how much funding they would have to secure to run this entire place properly too.
"What're we doing, Captain Lucifer~?"
I heard a familiar voice from the door and saw Miss Mia smiling at me as she entered. She wasn't late but she came right after all the commotion ended.
"Hello, Miss Mia. We will be giving a brief overview of our house, and then I will list a few rules that we would like every member to follow so that we can achieve our ultimate goal."
She was probably late because her last class was with the other academic professors of alchemy, and she looked tired too so that smile was admirable.
'I wouldn't have had to do all that if she was here early but, well, it was better at the end.'
"Oh~? By that, do you mean winning the year-end festival's inter-house tournaments?"
She knew her stuff well. But, that wasn't all that we were aiming for.
"The ultimate goal that we have for our academic years here, Miss Mia, is to win all the competitions happening in the academy and outside, push the dead last scores of houses to the top, and ultimately… rise as the flame bearers."
Flame bearer was a term used for the house that has the most house points at the end of the third year's festival, the ones that are given the opportunity to carry the divine flames to the top of the school and offer it to the [Source].
It was a privilege only given to the house that finishes first among all eight of them, something this house had not been privileged of since the last nine hundred and sixty-three years ago.
But here I was, saying this absurd thing before young people that didn't even know this very house had ruled as the (Unbeatable flame holders) from the dawn of this institution.
Most of them had a dumbfounded expression right now, but the person I told this to, Miss Mia the alchemist prodigy, gained a cheerful smile as she heard this absurdity.
"Hahaha. That's quite some ambition, captain. But our opponents are powerful, both have quality and quantity of great talents, and we clearly fall behind in terms of powerhouses that can lead each and every field that we will have to conquer to realize that grand goal of yours."
She was laughing. She knew what I just said was absurd considering the relatively common bunch of people present in this hall, but, I knew she felt it was possible.
Somehow, if I was here, she knew I would make it possible.
And yes, I have all the motivation to do this absurdity even if I have to lead all of them myself. But, that wasn't necessary…
"Who said we don't have powerhouses? We have you, Miss Mia, we have some unrefined diamonds that I know how to polish very well, we have myself, and ultimately, we have our amazing captain to lead all of us to this seemingly impossible goal."
And it was very much of a fact considering Zoe herself was a true young phoenix with knowledge of abundant fields of mastery.
She was Zoe, and just that much was enough of a plus point that this house had above every other one.
'And we have to win. I have to make sure we win every single thing if I want to…'
They all were looking at us like we were some comedians saying something absurd and laughable. But, some surely had a spark of hope when they thought about our achievements made during just this first day.
And I knew it would be difficult with Rein, Carla, Alf, Prince Alph, Chry,
Quin, and other talented people as our opponents.
They would do their best and I couldn't go against all of them myself even if I wanted to because of the rules.
That's why we had to build ourselves from scratch. Get stronger until the time comes, and gather as many points as possible even before that time comes.
And for that…
"But even with the few of us, there are a few things that we have to follow together if we want to remove this stigma of last standing house with only a bunch of useless people."
I looked everyone in the eye seriously, and the people that were still standing quickly settled down and looked back at me with a mix of emotions bubbling inside their hearts.
And when I confirmed everyone was paying attention willingly or unwillingly, I started speaking about the rules… that if followed correctly, will definitely lead us to the summit.
"The first rule that everyone including me would have to follow, would be to respect the captain.
I don't know what you think about her and how much you believe in her prowess, but I can vouch for her capabilities. I have seen and experienced all I need to confirm her eligibility, and if anything, she's one of the most capable and amazing people I have ever seen and you will ever meet in your life.
Just give her a chance and when the time comes, you will know what I mean. And if you can't do it, at least don't disrespect the person that will carry most of the burdens among us.
The second rule would be to follow the things that we suggest.
You can overlook it if you want to just stay like how you are, but if you really have any motivation to change yourself even a little bit, then follow our suggestions.
We probably know even more about your selves, talents, and capabilities than you, and if we do not know everything just yet, it won't take us long to figure out everything about your being and background.
You don't need to do much aside from that and no one will force you for anything, but just remember what we suggest, would be better for you all than even some of the masters of that particular field. I give my word for that.
The third rule would be to attend all the meetings we arrange, be it physical or on chats or networks.
They will be important, and attending that will only be better for all of us.
The fourth rule would be to believe in us and yourselves. As well as the goal that we just spoke about.
I know many of you still think it would be impossible to achieve, but I reassure you if we do it right, we are very much capable of achieving it relatively easily. And for those who have any doubts about that, I'm open to duels anytime you want in whatever way or field you want.
The Fifth, would be to at least participate in the events and competitions we suggest.
And these suggestions would be very much thought after, and perfectly evaluated so even if you think it would be tough or boring or a hassle, I suggest you consider our suggestions and participate.
There would be prices anyway and any winnings, or even mere participation, would gain you fame, money, and status in this academy, as well as outside of it.
Commoners have graduated from the academy with noble titles of multiple nations, some low-ranking nobles have claimed the status queues by many steps as a result of even little achievements, and at the same time, even the royals have been disowned by their families for not doing something that could have been easy for them and good for their families.
We know what the competitions are and who would be good for what so, believe in us, and at least try your hands at things that you might never even have considered before.
And lastly, the sixth rule would be to learn how to enjoy even the most boring things.
I want my house to find enjoyment even in the simple act of eating the most normal food, and to make this rule a 'rule', I know what I have to do and I will do it. So, just try your best to do it from your side.
If we only follow these simple things, I know just what great heights we can achieve.
Our opponents, from all other seven houses, are tougher than you can ever think.
We are practically up against seven great walls all taller than the other, and we have to climb them, even break and pass right through some of them, but, I know it is possible.
With all of you present here, and those that didn't attend today, I know it is possible.
We can do it… so let's do it and show them we aren't just some lousy bunch of dead last freaks."
That was my little speech imbued with a little Solnova, and my words had made a home right in their minds and heart, so, one can just guess what kind of atmosphere this little hall with a few hundred students had right now...