Page 52 of Cerulean Truth
I couldn't help but feel a stab of jealousy at my mentor having the honor of working with the Elder. He was after all the oldest magus alive, not to mention the only Offensive turned Specialist in the history of magi.
The Council meeting was over in less than an hour, and I returned to my dorm, still reeling from all the intel.
I mulled over Philip's reaction to my proposal. I shouldn’t have been surprised by his backing, he’d always been very vocal about his doubts on having me as the next Leader.
Luckily, it had never been up to him.
To be honest, it had never been up to me either. I translated myself some whisky and smirked over my glass, remembering the day they announced I’d become Maria’s successor. It seemed like ages ago.
A yearago
I was nervous. I never got nervous. I was trained never to be nervous. But right then and there, I was fucking nervous.
“This is a bad idea.” I muttered under my breath, condensing all my doubts about their insane plan into a single sentence.
"It'll work out, James. Just stick to the plan," Maria reassured me, her voice a calming presence as we made our way toward the Basilica, where I was to inform the Council of my newfound position.
"No one is going to believe I’m fit for Leadership. I don’t have a diplomatic bone in my entire body. I’m First Offensive for crying out loud. Trained to kill first, ask questions later. You really think me as the next Leader is going to fly with the Council?" I snorted.
Maurice offered a reassuring smile. "I’m sure you’ll convince them of your talents in no time, James."
I scoffed, about to retort, but Maria intervened before I could.
"There's no other option, James. For this plan to succeed, you have to assume the role of our next Leader. You're the only one capable of carrying out what needs to be done. The only one we can trust to follow through," she explained solemnly.
I sighed in defeat. I knew that. We had discussed it at length during the past few months. But still, standing in front of the Basilica, ready to tell the Council I was about to join them, and would be leading them into the next Cycle, with the Great Exposure right around the corner…
"You'll excel at it, James. We'll provide you with the necessary training over the coming years, and you'll be more than prepared when the time comes. Your recent endorsement from the United Chiefs, following your heroic rescue of Dennis Dale, has solidified your position. No one will dare to question it now," Maurice attempted to reassure me.
I wanted to agree but fuck those nerves were killing me.
"Do you still have those anger issues under control?" Maurice asked cautiously.
I shot him a dark glance. "Seriously? You're worried about me potentially wiping out Cyclos while grooming me to lead it?"
"Not wiping out entirely... Simply worried about a slight touch of murder and mayhem," Maurice quipped, attempting to lighten the mood.
Rolling my eyes, I briefly forgot whom I was speaking to as I retorted, "Right, because that's reassuring."
We entered the Basilica and my eyes wandered to my surroundings. It was a beautiful, secluded building and I took in its mesmerizing architecture as we climbed the stairs.
"Are you ready, James?" Maria's question brought me back to the present, and I gave her a resolute nod.
"Just remember, your appointment was based on your heroism with Dennis Dale. Everything else remains between us three," she reminded me firmly.
With another nod, I reaffirmed my commitment to the mission.
I took in a deep breath and opened the doors, finding the Council waiting.
The blue dropsof communication flickered to life over my Nexus, pulling me back from my thoughts. I blinked, shot down my whisky in one gulp and accepted Jackson’s request.
“What’s up?” I asked, studying him closely. There was an unusual air about him.
“Can we meet up with Matthew and the girls? I have something I want to discuss,” he replied, his tone seemingly subdued.
“Sure, I’ll hit them up immediately, we’ll meet up at the Touchstone, let’s say in thirty minutes?” I suggested.
Jackson nodded silently before ending the call abruptly.
