Cyrus Solaris
I couldn't believe we failed our first test because of dumb logic. Who cared if we didn't trust each other? We got the job done, that's all that matters. This was the exact reason why I didn't want a team. I wish there were a different way to get my license.
We all got messages as we waited for the proctor to deactivate our bracelets. During that time, we were told that our afternoon classes would be replaced by our specialty classes with our house instead.
With my bracelet deactivated, I headed right for the exit, eager to leave the sight of failure.
"Cyrus, wait," Sora asked.
'For what?"
"To talk as a group, if were stuck with each other, we should get on the same page."
"I don't want to be late for class," I said, throwing a wave back towards them as I left to head back to my Isle.
I was surprised to see how big the facility was. The sheer magnitude of these isles was mind-blowing. It took me twenty minutes to finally make it to the top, where I would find my way back to the teleporter.
I was back on the main Isle again.
I walked alone to my house, dismissing any conversation someone tried to have with me. Not being in control of my performance was foreign.
Up until now, that's how life operated. This outcome made me want to see if the Head Master could bend the rules and just let me go solo.
I was walking into our house planetarium. I took my place in the back, and Professor Rhandall started his lecture.
"Today, we are going to continue from our last lecture. Can anyone provide the most important things an astronomer needs to understand?"
Kuru raised his hand, "They need to know their own positioning in the universe, and the timing of events."
"Perfect Kuru, now does anyone know why these are so important to an astronomer?"
No one raised their hands. That didn't stop the professor from scanning the room. I hoped he didn't pick on me. No part of me wanted to participate in class today; I just wanted to train.
"Cyrus, care to answer?"
Clicking my tongue, "It's so that we can predict phenomena that may affect our missions."
"Good, but does this just apply to rifts?" the professor continued, his gaze constant.
"No. It also applies to the physical and astral realm." I responded, thankful for the reading I did before vandalizing House Obalex.
"Precisely. We are the risk mitigators, something that often gets overlooked by those who have immense power," the professor said, as he clicked a button on his remote, causing the room to go dark and the ceiling to light up with an image of a crater.
"Can anyone tell what this is?" the professor asked. A lot of students looked perplexed and hesitated with an answer.
"Well, it looks like a crater, professor," a kid from the crowd said.
"You are right. This is a crater that was created when a comet landed on our planet twenty-three years ago in the Arthenos region." My ears perked. No one had ever told me about a comet that struck our region. I wondered why. I raised my hand, fighting through the blisters on my shoulders.
"Yes, Cyrus."
"So what is so important about this crater?"
"It's a good lesson on what happens when you mess up your job."
"How so?"
"Well, you see, the Solaris clan back then didn't have a good astronomer on hand. They misread the star chart because they read it in the wrong orientation. It was stated that there were no celestial phenomena to be worried about. But they were wrong, and the region paid for it. This is why we have to be perfect with our readings. Otherwise, someday something much greater than a comet shower will be on our horizon, and we need to be prepared for when that time comes."
"Sounds like Solaris clan didn't see a lot of things coming," Kuru said. The students chuckled.
"They couldn't foresee their own ruler going mad and turning into one of the biggest terrorists ever."
I fought the urge to confront him in front of the class, stag horn in hand. These kids didn't know anything. The real truth, Shademaul's like Kuru only wanted the downfall of my clan, because my father called out the oppressive actions they enacted on their continent.
But I couldn't say that here, I couldn't protect my family against false allegations. I had to keep my cover; people would eventually find out my father is here in Xhatal.
"Alright, class, that's enough. We are not House Wanareth. Now, if you look at this star map, which orientation should the astronomer have read it, twenty-three years ago on the fourth month and the fifteenth day at high noon?"
All the students around me pulled out their tablets to track our planet's position at the time.
I kept staring at the crater.
Why had Theron done it? What did he know about our family that Gramps and Dad kept from me? He was a Truth Seeker, yet everything he said felt designed to keep me just short of the answers.
Next time I see him, I'll be leaving with my questions answered.
I couldn't focus for the rest of the class; the lack of sleep and injuries were finally catching up to me. Professor Rhandall hated it when people fell asleep in his class, but there was no fighting it for me.
My eyes grew heavier with each blink until they finally shut, sleep winning over my will to stay awake.