Page 126 of Legacy

That had been necessary in the past with the animosity that students had shown toward both Nyx and Ariana.

But now things were changing.

I caught sight of violet-tinged silver hair sweeping on by, just as a commanding, yet smooth voice rang out, “Take your seats, younglings.”

I looked to see Professor Thalric Voss basically gliding down the aisle toward the front of the classroom, his brown robes with gold embroidery sweeping behind his willowy form.

Willowy, yes, but he possessed a great deal of potent power.

“Refrain from making a spectacle of Mr. Laryn and Miss Martel. They are not animals in a zoo. Please show some decorum and decency. Allow them to focus on class, just like you will ensure you do also.” He gestured at the door. “Or you can do me the favor of leaving my class immediately.”

Ari hunkered down in her seat and I clasped her hand, stroking her fingers to comfort her.

Nyx’s eyes sparkled, a wide grin spreading over his face.

“I like him,” V said, eyeing me.

“Of course you do. He’s blunt and a force to be reckoned with. Right up your alley.”

He grinned at my words. “Too true.”

Voss’ words worked impressively, and then everyone took their seats and focused on him, stares no longer coming our way, their attention now only on him.

Nicely done, Professor.

“You see that?” he spoke, as he settled in front of the magical projection screen at the forefront of the classroom. “Reaching an understanding and diffusing an uncomfortable situation without the use of force? Keep that in mind for this class.”

His eyes cut across the room then, taking in everyone’s differing reactions, some in awe of what he’d subtly done—in somewhat of a calculating way which most definitely spoke to me—some taking in the heaviness of his words, and others thinking it was bullshit. Of course, the latter included the row at the front consisting of Kelsana and her clique of two more Dark Fae girls and two vampires. The withdrawn sorcerer, Rennick, who was barely competent at the best of times with his spellcasting, and resorted to aggression as a means ofovercompensation, was right beside Kelsana as he played with her vibrant-green hair, while she fingered his curly rainbow mane at the same time. They’d clearly become a thing recently. With her arrogance and his aggression, that didn’t bode well.

My attention was drawn to the magical panel behind Professor Voss as he activated it with a glowing fingertip. The room responded, dimming slightly, just as the words,Power in Diplomacywere magically scrawled across the screen.

“Yes, there is power in diplomacy, younglings. Aggressive action does not automatically equate to might and supremacy. In fact, in the complicated times we live in, it can very quickly lead to ruin.”

He paused for a beat—for effect, no doubt.

“Without control and restraint, power becomes provocation. And provocation leads to bloodshed. Employing a diplomatic approach serves to prevent war, to prevent unnecessary casualties, and to preserve the sanctity of our choices, freedoms, and daily lives we are fortunate enough to be able to live while we are in a time of peace. You see, a great deal is at stake, and that is why learning the art of diplomacy, the complications of treading such a path, is absolutely vital.”

I watched as he activated a battlefield simulation on the panel.

Two factions were depicted as being at odds.

He went with the classic werewolves versus vampires ancient ingrained grudge. It wasn’t prominent these days, although there were those who still held those old beliefs.

“The class will be split into teams to negotiate with the simulation, magically inputting actions and strategic moves to impact the outcome,” Professor Voss informed us.

Great. Group work.Not my favorite thing by a long shot.

Well, actually, that wasn’t completely true now, was it?

I did function well from a team standpoint when it came to our foursome.

“War ends lives. Diplomacy preserves legacies,” I heard him say, as the class divided itself into teams, and I was aware of Ari ushering the four of us together.

Voss’ last sentence played on my mind, taking my attention as the bustle of the class faded around me. If only that rang true with our situation.

Diplomacy in the situation the four of us found ourselves in couldn’t exist on its own, not with such extreme power players involved.

It required something else entirely.

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