The sun rose higher in the sky, casting a golden glow across the sprawling academy grounds. Amidst the bustling morning, Roderick and Thane made their way toward Elara's quarters. Their conversation had given him much to consider, but it also served to fortify his resolve. Their path was fraught with uncertainty and danger, but they would navigate it together, as they always had.
Elara's door was slightly ajar when they arrived, and the faint sound of a quill scratching against parchment filtered through the gap. Roderick knocked gently, pushing the door open to reveal Elara engrossed in some form of documentation.
She looked up as they entered, a small smile playing on her lips. "Good morning," she greeted, setting aside her quill. "I didn't expect to see both of you so early."
"We've been discussing our next course of action," Roderick replied, taking a seat across from her.
Elara's eyebrows rose slightly, her interest clearly piqued. "Oh? And what have you decided?"
Roderick glanced at Thane, who gave him a reassuring nod. He drew a deep breath before speaking, his voice firm and resolute. "We're not going to instigate a war. But we will prepare for one, should it come."
Elara studied him for a moment, her eyes reflecting a mix of relief and concern. "That's a heavy decision," she finally said. "But I think it's the right one."
"And we'll ensure they continue to do that," Roderick vowed. "I also believe that if we grow big enough that will be enough to scare them off," he revealed.
'si vis pacem para bellum, If you want peace prepare for war.' It was one of Alex's favorite quotes from his previous life.
Elara nodded in agreement, her gaze serious. "We can only hope. What's the plan?"
Roderick leaned forward, his eyes intent. "Two-pronged. We need to fortify our defenses and finances. We could tell the students about it, but I would rather not, it could spur the obsidian institute into action if they knew they had been exposed, plus I worry about the effects it could have on the students."
He continued. "Instead, I think we should offer various extracurricular activities to prepare the students under the guise of practical lessons, and they could also produce some needed funds we could reinvest in defenses."
Thane added, "For example, we could use your enchantment classes as discussed previously, Elara. Students can create enchanted objects and tools that we can sell. It will be a practical experience for them and a source of income for the academy."
Roderick nodded, "Exactly. And those studying Botanics can apply their knowledge in the surrounding forests, foraging for rare plants. We could even offer our services to nearby farms, helping them increase yield."
Elara agreed, "That's a brilliant idea. The students will gain hands-on experience, and it will greatly help the local community."
"As for my students," Thane chimed in, "they can go hunting, or take shifts with the town guards. It will give them a taste of the real world."
"Once we have enough funds, we can hire more professors, expand our facilities, hire some ex-comrades of ours to hang around in case of necessity, etc." Roderick's eyes glittered as he imagined all the ways they could spend the extra cash.
Elara too began fantasizing about what to buy. New laboratories! Enchantment materials! Assistants! She began listing with a radiant smile that lit up the room.
Thane instead kept to his stony attitude, however, Roderick saw his face relax when Elara smiled.
Once the meeting concluded, Roderick left the two and took a walk between the halls, hoping to find the orphans he had recently adopted/enrolled.
As Roderick meandered through the academy's labyrinthine hallways, the morning sunlight bathed the stone walls, illuminating the recently cleaned pavements. His mind was a whirlwind of strategies, plans, and contingencies, a chessboard where the pieces were constantly moving. Yet, amidst this mental chaos, he sought a moment of tranquility.
Amelia, a young sprite that had danced into his life on the day of the Ventispils orphanage visit, was an enigma. She was an orphan, yet she was perpetually cheerful, her innocent joy a beacon of hope in a world often marred by desolation. Using his skill, Scout's Eye, Roderick had discovered Amelia's latent magical potential. It was vast and deep, like an uncharted ocean, waiting to be explored.
He found Amelia in one of the academy's many lounges, dwarfed by the towering bookshelves lining the walls. She sat cross-legged on a plush sofa, her tiny fingers tracing the words in a book, her lips moving as she soundlessly read the words. Her golden curls fell over her face, shielding her deep concentration from the world. Roderick couldn't help but smile at this sight, an emblem of innocence in a world often devoid of it.
"Amelia," he called gently, not wanting to startle her.
She looked up, her purple eyes wide with surprise. Her face broke into a bright smile, her small teeth gleaming like pearls. "Mr. Roderick!" she exclaimed, her voice a sweet melody in the quiet room.
Roderick scooped her up, her small frame light as a feather. He laughed as she squealed in delight, her arms wrapping tightly around his neck. "Amelia, is there a need to be so formal? Just Roderick will do."
She giggled, a sound like tinkling bells, her eyes sparkling with mischief. "Okay, Roderick."
He placed her down gently, lowering himself to her eye level. His eyes softened as he looked at her, this tiny person who carried so much potential. "How are your classes going, Amelia?"
"They're so fun, Roderick!" She replied, her voice filled with enthusiasm. "I'm learning so many things. Today, I learned about the different types of magical creatures. There are so many!"
Roderick nodded, his heart swelling with pride. "That's fantastic, Amelia. Remember, knowledge is a powerful tool. The more you learn, the stronger you become."
Her eyes gleamed with determination. "I will remember, Roderick. I promise."
He ruffled her curls, his hand lingering on her head. "I know you will, Amelia."
Amelia, in her characteristic manner, changed the topic abruptly. "Roderick, can we go outside? I want to show you the flower I found today."
Roderick couldn't say no to her. "Lead the way, young lady."
They ventured outside, the sun high in the sky now. Amelia led him to a small garden, her steps light and swift. She pointed to a small flower, its petals a dazzling blue, nestled amidst the green leaves. "Isn't it beautiful, Roderick?"
Roderick looked at the flower, then at Amelia, her face lit up with admiration. "It indeed is, Amelia. Just like you."
She blushed, a soft pink spreading on her cheeks. "Thank you, Mr. Roderick."
As he looked at Amelia, her joy contagious, Roderick felt a wave of determination wash over him. He was reminded of why he was fighting, of why he couldn't afford to lose. He was doing it for Amelia and all the other young souls within the academy.
Amelia, her attention now on a butterfly that had landed near the blue flower, was oblivious to Roderick's solemn thoughts. He watched her attempt to coax the butterfly onto her finger, her giggles echoing around the quiet garden. There was a purity to her joy that Roderick found profoundly moving. It was a reminder of what was at stake, of the innocence he was striving to protect.
He walked over and knelt beside her, his eyes on the butterfly that was now perched on Amelia's outstretched finger. "She's beautiful, isn't she?" He said softly, not wanting to startle the delicate creature.
Amelia nodded, her gaze fixed on the butterfly. "She's so small, but she's so strong. She can fly wherever she wants. I wish I could do that."
Roderick looked at her, her face full of innocent wonder. "Who knows, Amelia? Maybe one day you will."
Amelia's eyes widened in excitement. "Really? You think so?"
Roderick nodded, offering her a warm smile. "With your magical potential, anything is possible. And remember, even the smallest creature can have the biggest impact. Just like this butterfly."
Amelia looked at the butterfly on her finger, a look of awe on her face. "I'll remember, Roderick. I promise."
As the butterfly fluttered away, Amelia waved it goodbye, her face alight with joy. Roderick watched her, with a complicated expression and matching feelings. His choice to stay and help the academy made more and more sense every day, even though he also wondered how things would have gone if he had simply left.
Sure, maybe the Obsidian Institute wouldn't have felt as threatened without him, but he also would never forgive himself if anything happened and he wasn't there to help. He pushed away the intrusive thoughts and came back to reality.
He stood, stretching his hand towards Amelia. "Come on, let's head back."
Amelia grabbed his hand, her tiny fingers curling around his. As they walked back towards the academy, Roderick made a silent promise to himself. He would protect Amelia and the academy. No matter the cost.