"Congratulations Mr. Leader." Snowfa tells me with a smile to which I just wave my hand unable to speak a word due to heavy breathing.
I look at the recruits who have looks on their faces which shows fear and respect towards me. I just look at them and they shift their gazes to the floor not knowing what to say.
This is the world Almeya is like. It shows fear and respect towards the people who have power. I, being able to defeat a robot animal single handed which is 2 levels higher than me shows the potential of becoming a great powerful person in the future.
I go to a corner of the room with a little help from Snowfa and slouched down to take some rest I desperately need. In that time, Jack calls the new recruits and tells them something which I couldn't hear due to my tiredness.
I want to ask Jack why I had to face such a strong robot animal out of nowhere, without any warning. But I know this is not the time or place, not in front of others.
The recruits continue their fake hunt for the rest of the day while Jack, Snowfa and I monitor their techniques they use to fight against multiple animals. Their coordination as a team is not good, but there is nothing that can't be fixed with proper training.
By the end of the day, all of them were exhausted. They had to take a rest for 30 minutes and drink a few energy and stamina potions to recover their depleted energy and get their strength to move. They have been undertaking the fake hunt the entire afternoon and all 4 recruits can handle 7 robot animals of F grade together. Their team work is still sloppy, but we figured in which battle techniques they are good at.
Mara uses a sword and shield to utilize her Fire element and is like me who prefers to have a balanced fighting. Clevis uses his lightning element on a bow and prefers to do long range damage while his twin brother Lucksonlay likes to be in the front line with his Rock element which has a strong defense and focuses mostly on it. Sylas on the other hand uses the speed and attack of the Air element using a bow and prefers to move around the battle instead of staying in a single place.
After they all left for the day, Jack, Snowfa and I go to the cafeteria to have our evening snacks before leaving the office. Snowfa is clearly happy in the improvement the recruits have shown in a single day cooperating with each other while fighting the robot animals.
She couldn't stop talking about Lucksonlay who was taking the brunt of the attack standing at the front defending his fellow teammates and giving them chances to attack from blind spots. I, on the other hand, am impressed by Sylas on his ingenuity while using his Air element with it's speed and it's piercing ability and not be stationary like other archers I know of.
Snowfa leaves by 6:00 PM as usual while I stay behind to speak with Jack about what happened today. I want to ask him the question, but didn't know how I can without offending him. I have come to respect him and have learned a lot about Ice element from him.
He starts to gather his things from the desk in preparation to leave and I look at him and ask "Why?" He looks a little confused at first and later understands what I am asking about. and replies "Because you are good at it."
"How do you know I am good?" I ask again and he says "The way you treat people, care for and help them when needed. Besides, you take responsibility for actions and decisions not just for your's but your team's too and you are strong. That is what we need in a leader and you have it all."
'When have I ever shown responsibility?' This is the first question that came to my mind when I heard what he just said to me. I am more confused than before and look at him to ask, but he interrupts me by saying "I have noticed you from the day you joined. You might not know now, but you have the qualifications to become a leader kid." And leave without looking at me or waiting for my response.
I just stand there for a few minutes not knowing what he was trying to say. I know I am strong, but I have never taken responsibility for something which I have not done or for something which I have done.
With this confusion, I reach home by 7:00 PM. I go directly to my room and take a shower before coming to the dining hall from where I can see my mother preparing our dinner. My sister is also helping her in the kitchen while my father is yet to come from the office.
I want to talk to them about what happened today, but I couldn't as all of them has stopped talking to me after what happened with Dawn. Even my loving, caring and overprotective sister has stopped talking to me. I am feeling like an unwanted guest in the house.
Dawn tried to reach me many times the following days, coming to my house and standing in front of my room door for hours. She even tried calling, texting and emailing me gazillion times to which I never responded and that is why I have been given this silent punishment from my family.
But I know this is a drama which they are playing trying to make me realize the mistake I have done and to apologize to Dawn. They know I can take a beating from them, but will never tolerate their silent punishments.
They have no idea I have learned to adapt after facing death so close in the forest. Even if the punishment they are giving me is real, I will not be bothered by it even a little as I am sacrificing their love and care to become strong and powerful to keep them safe.