A while later he left the assessment room with a certificate which entitled him to register with a cohort as candidates for the student council.
Despite being theoretically ready- he wanted to spend the remaining few days consolidating the cohort… but despite their tries- only Latham of the two apprentices had actually managed to raise his rank in just a few weeks. The rest weren't far off either… but nonetheless they remained the same.
All in all, Markus' council had 1 expert, Helen. 6 learned, Markus, Triss, Meer, James, Jacob and June. 4 learners, Spence, Vern, Kal and Latham. And one apprentice, Han.
This was still quite different from the competing cohort. Alas- they had to continue with their candidacy without giving up or losing their nerve.
On the evening of the deadline, the cohort met up by the dorms and were heading toward central campus, following a forest path. They needed to present themselves, along with Markus and his certificate to complete registration so it was now or never.
"I swear Markus if you lose that certificate and this was all for nothing—" Triss said, checking that he had everything he needed
"I have it literally in my clothes and zipped up. Everything is fine. Nothing can stop us from—-" Markus began to say as he felt a malicious intent and his essence flared up to protect him.
The other stage threes and Helen felt it too and put up barriers made of essence. The principle was the same of shell however instead of covering the body- it covered a specific area. They not had a patchwork barrier active.
Not a second too early that this barrier was put up, a powerful barrage with a barrage of ice, whirlwind, boulders and flames rained upon them from beyond the trees.
The barrier did not hold up long seeing as deviations were used against basic elemental barriers but Markus was not idle. Stretching his senses he felt where every attacker was and under them exerted all his stage three influence to create twelve whirlwind blasts, one for each attacker he sensed.
The attacking group was all made of stage three and four members so they could take a hit… but still- whirlwind was the most lethal deviation of an element because of its inherent risk.
Accepting that risk- he conjured the blasts and activated them without delay and nine of the twelve blasts exploded and struck true, sending their targets flying and sustaining severe damage but not enough to count them out from the fight.
Three of the twelve blasts however… misfired.
Instead of blowing up- they drew an absurd amount of essence from Markus.
In truth they wouldn't have done that if it weren't for Fin who as an expert wind user, exerted influence on Markus' whirlwind blasts and made them thirst for power before collapsing in on themselves, doing nothing harmful to its targets and instead just greedily consuming the essence of the caster.
With Markus being subject to essence manipulation, he was now at a substantial disadvantage. With his essence consumed and still under attack, the situation was dire to say the least. Meanwhile the patchwork barrier collapsed and his group was effectively carpet bombed.
The rank 3 members, as well as Helen, were able to suffer the damage without getting themselves hurt too much which was good as they now needed to face three rank 4 opponents. Markus meanwhile was close to essence exhaustion because of Fin's trick.
On the other hand… the stage twos were hurt significantly and Han… the apprentice of Markus' council, fell. He was now mortally wounded and unconscious from a powerful ice shard to his chest.
"You didn't think I would actually allow you to compete did you halfwit?" Fin asked rhetorically
"You're playing dirty— but once the headmistress and guards hear of this— it will be you who regrets this!" James said
"Look around— I don't see any guards or administration. It will be your word against ours and you have no proof. And with your casualty over there— you don't even have enough time to find a replacement." Fin continued, satisfied with his ambush tactic
"We could respond in kind." Markus said coldly
"I can always find a substitute. You however… need quite a few. I highly doubt those stage two learners will be able to actually take part. Admit it already— you lost before you even started." Fin said, giving a sign for his group to leave.
"They can't get away with this!" Meer said
"I think we did. I'd say see you soon but I'd be lying. I hope you vote for us— dropouts." Fin said before leaving.
As they left, the guards finally approached.
"What happened here? You fight among yourselves?" Of the guards asked, knowing damn well it was not the case
"Are you kidding me! Where were you guys when the explosions went off! You're meant to protect the student body!" Markus shouted with anger.
"Calm down and mind your tone before I do something about it." One of the guards said
The air around the guard seemed to become incredibly hard to breathe in, as if someone was affecting the air density. Decreasing it and consequently the oxygen available in the air.
Before long the guards felt faint.
"What are you doing!" One of them said weakly, almost wheezing
Markus' anger and concern for Han and the competition blinded him that he did not notice it.
"Markus!" Helen shouted
His trance-like state was interrupted and the air returned to normal.
"We need to take Han to the infirmary. Let's go." Markus said going to pick the first year up on his shoulders.
They left and the guards did not get involved anymore. They were still of higher rank but the expression of the students somehow struck fear into them. As if antagonising the students further would lead to unwanted consequences.
Eventually they reached the central campus and the infirmary.
Markus and Helen were more or less unharmed. The other stage threes were alright, only some scratches and bruises. They were mostly shaken up and just needed limited medical attention. The stage twos however… they all had to be taken in for urgent attention.
And Han… it was later relayed he was now in a coma and it was uncertain if he'd awaken from his comatose state anytime soon. The attacking council did not pull their punches and a stage one was not much better defensively than a mundane human.
'Dammit how could I not think of this! Of course they'd try to pull some shit like this— when have nobles ever fought fairly!?' Markus berated himself inwardly
'You probably saw this coming Anax— didn't you?' He asked
But Anax did not give him a response.
'Damn you Anax— and damn these nobles! Born with a silver spoon in their mouths and yet still acting like the scum of the earth to ensure their spoon turns golden— the whole lot of them are rotten! Even if Elizabeth uses me— I hope I get the chance to kill these bastards!' Markus lashed out in anger
"Markus? Are you alright?" Helen asked, placing her hand on his shoulder.
"How could I be Helen! These damned nobles pulled a fast one on us and we did nothing! They will win again before we even have a chance to do anything about it!"
"… what does their noble background have to do with—" Helen asked before being interrupted
"Because that's all nobles do— play dirty and cheat the system whilst pretending they are holier than thou— FUCK!" He shouted in anger
Most of his council was from minor noble families… meaning he just insulted most of them to their face.
"Is that what you think? Then maybe you should have a council of peasants and bastards—" Triss said
"Enough!" Helen shouted
"But he's the one insulting us— you're a noble! Why are you taking his side?" Triss said
"Because he didn't mean it. He's just an impulsive dumbass who will change his mind once he calms down— but beside that— I am loyal to him. And you should be too. He helped us when he had no obligation to and only wants us to succeed— even if he's a dumbass right now." Helen said
Markus realised what he said and how it came across.
"I'm sorry… I lashed out at you all for no reason— you're not like them and didn't deserve any of it… that's wrong of me. I'll… be more considerate." Markus said, sincerely and slightly awkwardly apologising.
"… I'm sorry too… I shouldn't threaten to leave when you've only had our interests in mind… we intend to stay by you- don't we guys?" Triss asked
"Yeah!" The rest echoed
"Thanks… but with Han out… we need one more…" Markus said- realising that even with the retention of his rank 2 members, they were short one person.
"I'll do it." Amy said, walking in the infirmary after eavesdropping on their conversation.
"Huh!?" Everyone else said in shock and surprise