Advisor: (voice steady, but with a hint of surprise) "Six votes for brutality."
The room erupts in murmurs of shock. Adrean, Yangden, and Juliana were expected to vote for brutality, given their nature. Daveon's vote is less surprising, given his unpredictable behavior. But the real shock comes from Jessica and Kaelen, both of whom voted for a more brutal exam. Their votes send ripples through the room, with many of the teachers exchanging glances of disbelief.
Angelina, Enna, and Sean look at Kaelen with shock. They had never expected him to side with those in favor of brutality. His usually calm and measured demeanor had made them believe he would vote for balance.
Angelina: (softly, confusion in her voice) "Kaelen… why?"
Kaelen does not answer, his face emotionless as always. His silence is deafening, and the room falls into an uneasy quiet.
Jessica Voiden: (defensive, but calm) "I care about the kingdom. I voted for brutality because I believe it's necessary. If we don't push these students to their limits now, we'll never know who the true leaders are."
Sean Isseki: (shaking his head, disappointment in his voice) "I see your reasoning, Jessica, but this is not the way. We risk losing more than we gain with these new rules."
Adrean leans back in his chair, a satisfied grin on his face as he watches the tension rise.
Adrean: (grinning) "Finally, some sense. Let them bleed. Let them fight. Only then will we see who's truly worthy."
The tension in the room reaches a boiling point, especially for those who had voted for a balanced approach. The king, however, remains calm, though his gaze lingers on Kaelen, who still does not explain his vote.
King: (voice steady) "The vote has been cast. The Gunxam will proceed with the new rules."
The tension in the room thickens as the weight of the decision settles on the group. The six votes for a more brutal Gunxam exam have been cast, but not everyone is satisfied with the result. Sean Isseki, ever the calm and thoughtful advisor, leans forward, his deep brown eyes focused intently on the king.
Sean: (his voice measured but concerned) "I understand the majority has voted, and I will respect that decision. But we must set limits. If we are to make the exam more challenging, then so be it, but we cannot allow this to devolve into chaos. There needs to be clear boundaries—no killing. Injuries, yes, but death cannot be the measure of success."
His words hang in the air for a moment, and several teachers, including Angelina and Enna, nod in agreement. But before anyone can speak, Adrean's voice cuts through the room like a blade, filled with sarcasm and fury.
Adrean: (sneering, his red eyes flashing) "Ah, here we go again. The same old song and dance. If they're not strong enough to survive, they shouldn't be here in the first place. If you want to coddle them, Sean, then by all means, tell them not to kill each other. But in the real world, there are no rules like that."
Sean: (growing more irritated, his voice firm) "This is not the battlefield, Adrean. These are students. Some are still children. We are here to train future leaders, not slaughter them before they've had the chance to prove themselves. And you know as well as I do that the rivalries between families, especially the Igedvon and Novac families, won't just disappear during this exam. They'll use it as an opportunity to settle old scores."
Adrean: (leaning forward, his fists clenched on the table) "Good. Let them settle it. They should learn the consequences of weakness now rather than later when it costs them everything. If they're going to fight, let them fight. Survival of the fittest. That's the only rule that matters."
Sean: (his patience thinning, his voice now tinged with frustration) "So, what? We just let them kill each other in cold blood? You're talking about children! We need safeguards in place. Soldiers on the ground to monitor things, to intervene if necessary, especially in cases of severe injury. If we don't, this exam could turn into a massacre."
Adrean: (his tone mocking, but his anger rising) "Oh, so now you want soldiers babysitting the kids, making sure they don't stub their toes? Give me a break. If they can't handle a fight, they shouldn't even be here. The only green flag I'll ever wave lets them settle things on their terms. No soldiers. No hand-holding."
Sean shakes his head in disbelief. The frustration on his face is clear as he responds, his voice calm but filled with a deep sense of concern.
Sean: (sighing, but resolute) "This isn't about coddling anyone. It's about preventing unnecessary deaths. If we let this spiral out of control, we could lose some of our most promising students. I won't stand by and watch them kill each other for the sake of rivalry. You can't control the hatred between the Igedvon and Novac families, and you know that better than anyone, Adrean."
Adrean: (grinning darkly, his voice dripping with sarcasm) "Of course, they'll fight. They've been rivals for generations. But that's what makes them stronger. If you keep shielding them, they'll never learn to handle real conflict. Let them fight. Let them bleed. And if some die? Well, they weren't strong enough to survive, were they?"
Sean: (growing more frustrated, his voice rising slightly) "This isn't about strength, Adrean. It's about ensuring that the strongest survive to lead, not just to kill for sport. If you strip away the rules entirely, you're inviting chaos. If you want them to prove themselves, let them—but within limits. Or are you so blinded by your need to prove who's the strongest that you've forgotten what leadership means?"
For a moment, there is a tense silence, both men locked in a battle of ideologies. Adrean narrows his eyes, his body tense, but he says nothing further, leaving the argument hanging in the air. The rest of the teachers remain silent, each of them torn between the call for brutal testing and the need to protect the future of the kingdom.
The king, who has been listening quietly, finally speaks up, his voice calm but filled with authority.
King: (with finality) "We will move forward with the new rules. However, Sean is right. There will be limits. No unnecessary deaths. We will station soldiers nearby to monitor the situation, and they will intervene if any fight crosses the line. This is not a battlefield. It is a test of skill and leadership. That is the final decision."
Scene: Silence fills the room, but the tension remains thick.
Adrean, still smoldering with anger, remains silent for now, though the look on his face makes it clear that this battle of ideologies is far from over.
Scene: The Grand Hall - End of the Meeting
The tension in the room has not entirely faded, even as the teachers prepare to leave the grand hall. The decision has been made, but it lingers in the minds of those who opposed the brutality of the Gunxam exam. The group begins to stand, pushing their chairs back as the soft sound of footsteps echoes through the grand chamber.
Sean Isseki, who was one of the loudest voices against the brutal version of the exam, watches Kaelen Isseki with a hard expression. His usual calm is still there, but beneath it, a growing sense of frustration pulses. The others—Angelina, Enna, and Kylie—exchange glances, their disappointment clear. They had expected Kaelen, a man of calculated discipline, to stand against such ruthless measures, and his unexpected vote has left a bitter taste in their mouths.
As the group begins to file out of the hall, Sean catches up with the others, his voice low but carrying the weight of his concerns.
Sean: (glancing at the others, his face etched with worry) "I can't say I'm surprised by Adrean or Yangdeak, but Kaelen… something doesn't sit right with me. He's always been disciplined, and calculated in everything he does. For him to vote for brutality? It doesn't make sense."
Angelina, who walks beside him, nods. Her grey eyes are filled with concern, though her usual calm demeanor remains intact.
Angelina: (softly, still trying to process it) "I agree. Kaelen has never been one for unnecessary violence. He's a strategist, someone who values control and balance. Why would he suddenly side with Adrean and the others?"
Enna, walking quietly on the other side, adds her thoughts, her gentle voice filled with worry.
Enna: (voice soft but firm) "Something must have changed. I've known Kaelen to be distant, but this… this is different. And now, with the exam moving in this direction, we need to think about the consequences. We have students like James and Linda—people who won't hold back. They'll take advantage of this."
Sean's brow furrows as he sighs, his face lined with the weight of the situation.
Sean: (his voice grim) "Exactly. Those two are a real threat. I do not doubt that Adrean knows it, too. He knows that this brutality favors James and Linda. And not just them—other participants will use this rule to settle old scores. Soldiers or not, they won't be able to stop what's coming if those rivalries boil over."
Austin Novac, normally calm and thoughtful, walks beside them, but his mind is elsewhere. His blue eyes are troubled, his usual composed nature shaken. Sean notices this and places a hand on his shoulder.
Sean: (with concern) "You're worried about Charles, aren't you?"
Austin nods, his expression darkening. The thought of Charles entering such a dangerous situation without the protection of the previous rules gnaws at him.
Austin: (sighing heavily) "Charles has always been a skilled fighter, but this is different. With the Novac-Igedvon rivalry and the chaos these new rules will bring, it's not just about skill anymore. It's survival. And I'm not sure if he's ready for this kind of brutality. He's strong, but James… James is a different beast altogether."
Angelina places a reassuring hand on Austin's arm, though her worry for her students is clear.
Angelina: (soothingly) "We'll do everything we can to prepare them, Austin. But you're right—this is going to be harder than we thought. And with students like James and Linda, it's hard to predict how far things will go."
Scene: Angelina, Enna, and Kylie Walking Together
As the group continues to walk through the palace corridors, Angelina, Enna, and Kylie lag, talking quietly among themselves. Kylie, normally brimming with energy, looks unusually serious. She fiddles with the fabric of her robe, her green eye flickering with frustration.
Kylie: (grumbling under her breath) "I hate this. Pushing students to the point of breaking… it's not how you create strong leaders. This is going to backfire. I'm sure of it."
Enna nods, her soft features shadowed with concern.
Enna: (quietly) "It's not just the students. It's the rivalries, the history. Families like the Novacs and Igedvons—they'll see this as an opportunity. And the students who get caught in the crossfire? We might lose some of our best talents, not to mention the emotional damage they'll carry from this."
Angelina, her calm voice filled with thoughtfulness, speaks next, trying to offer a balanced perspective.
Angelina: (softly, but firmly) "We have to trust in their strength, but we also need to be there to guide them when this is all over. The aftermath is where we'll truly see the damage. Some will come out stronger, but others… others may never be the same."
The three women walk in silence for a moment, each lost in their thoughts, knowing the consequences that will come if the Gunxam goes as brutally as it seems destined to.
Scene: Adrean and Yangden Walking Away, Quiet but Intense
On the other side of the palace, Adrean and Yangden walk together, their expressions unreadable. Adrean's anger is still simmering beneath the surface, his red eyes glowing faintly as they walk through the shadowed halls.
Yangden, silent as ever, finally speaks, his cold voice barely audible but filled with curiosity.
Yangden: (curtly) "Kaelen's vote surprised you, didn't it?"
Adrean's jaw tightens, his fists clenching at his sides.
Adrean: (gritting his teeth) "Of course it did. Kaelen's always been against this kind of thing. For him to suddenly vote for brutality? It doesn't make sense. I can't figure out what game he's playing."
Yangden remains quiet, his piercing blue eyes scanning the darkened corridor as they walk. He shares Adrean's confusion but remains composed, as always.
Yangden: (calmly) "He's unpredictable. But it works in our favor. As long as he's on our side, we'll push through the brutality we need. The rest of them won't stand a chance."
Adrean grunts in agreement, though his mind is still whirling with questions. Kaelen's vote might have tipped the scales in his favor, but it has also raised several unsettling questions.
Scene: Jessica, Daveon, and Juliana - Processing Kaelen's Vote
As the others leave the palace, Jessica, Daveon, and Juliana gather near the palace gates. Daveon, normally laid-back, has a curious expression on his face, while Juliana stands with her arms crossed, her sharp orange eyes scanning the courtyard. Jessica, still adjusting her mirror, speaks up first, her tone filled with disbelief.
Jessica: (shaking her head) "I still can't believe Kaelen voted for brutality. He's always been the calm one, the one who's all about strategy and balance. What changed?"
Daveon, leaning casually against the stone wall, shrugs, though his amber eyes flicker with interest.
Daveon: (smirking slightly) "Who knows? Maybe he's just tired of playing by the rules. Or maybe he sees something we don't."
Juliana, who rarely speaks unless she has something important to say, uncrosses her arms and narrows her eyes.
Juliana: (coldly) "Whatever his reasons, it's in our favor. The brutality will separate the weak from the strong, and that's all I care about."
Jessica, still confused, gives a small nod, though her mind remains preoccupied with Kaelen's unexpected shift. Kaelen has always been an enigma, but today, his vote has left everyone guessing.
Jessica: (confused) "But still it's unpredictable. Not it, Dave."
Daveon: " Yes, But not for me. You know the story of mine when I was 4 years old and I killed a frog with one finger and everyone was shocked how he did it?"
Jessica and Juliana sprinted away very fast.
Daveon: (running) "Hey Ladies, Why are you running it's not complete yet."
The scene shifts to the King's room where we see Kaelen and King