After class blues. [Mason]

It was a question often considered by many. Who hated a boring class the most, the students or the professor teaching it? And while most would lean towards the prior, Brandon was slowly starting to doubt that. Of course...his class wasn't boring to most students. Even if what he was currently holding was a purely theoretical, off-schedule workshop, with optional participation too, it was still interesting to hear him trying to analyze battle tactics with a marker on a board.

But for him? Well..it was far from what he wished he was teaching those kids. Out there, when they'd leave this island, there was a world full of peril, and those with a mythical background or a precious power would have a bounty on their head without even knowing it. In Brandon's opinion, they would have to go through fire and iron, and shaped into first class combatants, just so that they have chances of survival.

Soon though, he learned that this wasn't exactly the case. This was a proper Academy, not a training camp, and it was meant to provide a pleasant, regular school life and teen years, along with a proper training in developing one's power. It was better for the students to lead a more normal life, so that they become balanced adults, that's what he had been told, but he still couldn't fully accept it, not after the life he had lead.

So, there he was, having mostly compromised. He was wearing a gray shirt and black vest, and his sleeves had been rolled up, revealing his toned forearms as the man made a few final designs on the board. Finally, after glancing at his watch, he turned to face the class.

"So...that's all about the theoretical approach to combat for today, kids. I hope you've been keeping some notes. Go study them..." he said, and while his tone of voice sounded cheerful and gentle, as he had been trying to have it when teaching kids, it broke a bit at this very end. It wasn't theoretical study that would save their lives, and he knew it, and it made him feel as if he was lying to them. 

"Now, go along now....be safe..." he said, a bit less entusiastically, shaking his hands a bit towards them and moving to wipe the board clean as the students started leaving the classroom. Just what was the point, really?

    As the weeks turned into months, Mason quickly adjusted to his time at Foresta Academy. Classes were a mix between academics and practicals ranging from subjects as common as math or English, or as specific as ability techniques and control. Of course the work was double that of a typical high school student, but the school was quite accommodating and understanding, and the work could be balanced out as to not completely overwhelm the students... if they managed to schedule properly!

    Before long though, Mason had longed for more hands on classes. Even most of the "practicals" classes were theoretical, and students rarely got to hone their skills in a class setting. This didn't sit well with Mason, especially since his abilities were so physically based; also being a kinetic learner, Mason understood best while doing.

    When he heard about an optional class dealing with battle techniques, Mason was sure that it would deal with actual strategies and movements. Of course he expected there to be some theoretical aspects of the class, but after a few weeks of sitting and listening, Mason began to loose hope. This class was no different, and Mason, though actively listening, had taken to doodling on his page. After over an hour of the professor talking, he began to zone out.

    He sat in the middle of the class, his outfit trendy as always, both fashionable and moveable, and attempted at least, to improve some skill. His pencil moving along the page as he drew some of the scenery outside. It wasn't until students got up and walked towards the exit, that Mason realized the class was over. He picked up his backpack, slung it over one shoulder, and walked not toward the exit, but to his instructor.

    "Excuse me, Professor?" he asked, hands stuffed in his pocket. "I was wondering. Are we ever actually going to get to practice some of these strategies? Or are we just talking about them?" He tried to speak with respect, but the hope he had that Cross would say yes could be heard clearly, as well as the distain for being so still with such an active topic.

    "It's not that it isn't interesting," he added quickly in his defence. "But don't you think it would best to serve us if we got to try out some of the stuff you talk about?"


occ - Just a picture of Mason's "trendy" outfit.

SPOILER: Click to show

Brandon yawned a little as he finally wiped the board clean. He had no papers with him, no pre-planned and written down lesson outline. He just winged it each time, unless it was a super special occasion. He even scratched the back of his neck a bit, when he heard a guy's voice and turned to regard him.

"Oh...?" he said, raising a surprised eyebrow a bit when he heard the student's words. This guy actually wanted to try it out? Brandon tried not to get his hopes up. Many students had come to him, wanting to try out "battle tactics", but they all failed to realize that using one's power is different from fighting. The danger, the split second decisions, the killing intent oozing from one's opponent and causing them to suffocate, their knees going weak. No...there was a huge different between practice and battle. 

After a few students had ran away, drenched in sweat and some in tears too, Brandon had decided to take it easy, and when a student said "I want to learn how to fight.", Brandon had decided to hear "I want to learn how to use my power."

"You want to try those things?" he asked after a moment of thinking the above. "Why, are you planning to fight someone?" he said in a cheerful, jesting tone and then laughed heartily with his deep voice filling the classroom, as if this was something absurd. "You need to be careful with these, you know. If your arm gets hurt or something, you won't be able to attend classes properly and write your...essays and stuff!" Brandon said, managing to smile, but the smile didn't reach his eyes, eyes that were filled with bitterness and rejection.

Of course, Arwen's battle classes were more intense than theory, but Brandon knew full well that many students didn't like them, thinking them too extreme, making the battle-hardened man quite disappointed and unsure of how to teach and what to show the kids.

    "Uh, no, I'm not planning on fighting someone," he said honestly with a laugh. Mason sat on the edge of a table, his feet still partially taking his weight to help hold him up."Although, I never really do when I fight," he said, swiping the tip of his nose with his thumb. "I just," he continued, drawing out his words as he finished his thoughts while speaking. "I want to be prepared in case something happens. I know how to use my powers. I know how to defend myself. I want to practice the things you're teaching us. I'm not always going to be going one on one with someone equal to my level." He tried to express himself, conveying the fear he had being what he was like everyone else at this school, while also revealing the determination and eagerness to learn.

      Mason stood back up, and ran a hand through his styled hair. He looked at Cross for a moment, but seemed disappointed when his teachers eyes didn't share the same enthusiasm. In honest, Mason wasn't exactly sure where this urge to learn came from. There were a number of people in his life who warned him about the dangerous and malicious intent that the world has; it's not just all sunshine and daisies. As he listened in class, the more knowledge Cross revealed to have, and yet, it barely seemed like an eight of what he could really teach.

    There was a moment as the two shared a look, before Mason nodded his head a smile. "Sorry, I'm sure other students have ask you in the past. There must be a policy against it or something." Mason adjusted his backpack and headed for the door, one hand gripping the single strap hanging on his shoulder, the other in his pocket. He faced away from Cross as he headed to the door. "I guess I'll see you next class Professor," he said with a hand on the doorknob. Perhaps, he thought, if Mason could just show Cross what he had to offer, then maybe his teacher would be willing to teach more than just theory.

Brandon's eyes squinted a bit in focus when he heard the student's words, and his lips became a bit more firm. Was this guy for real? Was he really asking to learn? There appeared to be some resolve in his words. Not a boastful, superficial enthusiasm, but rather, something contained and thus, more likely to be true. Brandon was processing all this, and he almost didn't realize that his student was going for the door.

"Wait up, kiddo." he said, his tone more serious, and he was almost speaking in a different way. At the same time, a heavy, big hand landed on Mason's shoulder, stopping him from leaving. At first, the professor thought to ask about the kid's power, since he couldn't at all remember it among all other powers in the school. But then, he shook his head at that thought. As long as this kid's power wasn't turning squirrels into cupcakes, he could work with him.

"You say you want to learn a few stuff about real combat, huh?" Brandon continued, his tone contemplating. "In that case, meet me at the meadow in one hour. Don't keep me waiting!" he said, nodding to himself, moving to his pocket and lighting up a cigarrette, then leaving the classroom. He couldn't deny it....he was trying hard not to allow himself to be excited, but his fingertips were tingling!


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