Lessons

As Vorden reappeared, it felt like the room itself gasped. The kids, caught between surprise and trepidation, turned to face their mysterious instructor. The faces of several students turned pale white at the adult clearly dressed in Military attire complete with name and rank clearly visible. A few students were slower to the finish line and simply looked puzzled at the sudden apparition, confused by his extremely young face and thought he perhaps was a student, or a student teacher possibly, but nobody of great authority or consequence. A couple of the more flippant and frivolous young ladies that had already began forming loosely defined cliques were whispering to one another, one of which was even seen wiggling her eyebrows at another, blushing slightly at the attractiveness of this bold newcomer.

"Gentlemen," Vorden began, his voice steady and resonant, echoed throughout the room. His presence commanded respect and there was something about his voice that sounded almost aged beyond his years. "I believe this is the Elemental Abilities class, not a dark alcove behind the building. I'm not sure if you are simply trying to put on a show to garner some form of status, or if you are just genuinely oblivious to reality, but you're clearly unaware of your current predicament". The bully looked around at his friends bewildered.

"I see. Well then, If you want to exercise your power over someone, I suggest you mercilessly roast the practice dummies instead. I have only this to offer you as a cautionary tale", Vorden waved his hand at the young men standing still after the shocking interruption of their antics, motioning for them to take their seats. Then he turned slightly and lifted his gaze to the rest of the class. Leaning back on his desk, he folded his arms in front of himself and looked around the room with an expression of dead seriousness.

"I am sure some if not all of you are at least familiar with two unbelievably powerful people that I will mention in a moment. First I want to tell you that when they first started at the academy, neither of them had an ability. As level 1s they were bullied and tormented mercilessly," Vorden shot a glance at Marcus, who slumped down in his chair slightly under the weight of the Blade's sharp gaze.

Then Vorden continued, "It was at times, unbearable. One bully went so far as to break bones, as he would round up a student with a healing ability to tag along and heal the bones, so he could break them all over again," an audible gasp reverberated in stereo from the mouths of several students.

"Wouldn't you know it, the torture became so unbearable that when the particular student was instructed to push the other level 1 into a Red portal to get rid of him, even though they were friends and sending a human without an ability to a Red portal planet would almost assuredly result in death... he did it. He thought he had no other choice,". A somber mood descended upon the entire room. Vorden paused and looked around to examine the kids faces. He wanted to know if the story was having any effect on them. Most were sitting up straight, on the edge of their seats. Several with horrified expressions. All of them were waiting eagerly for the resolution. Vorden let them stew for a second in their anxiety.

"Would you like to know who those two students were?" Several students nodded apprehensively. He paused once more for effect. Then he said plainly. "The great hero Quinn, and the white Peter, better known as ZombieP," several more gasps were heard. A couple kids looked around in disbelief. "Now you may be asking yourself why this story is being shared with you," he returned his stare to the young man who had been subjecting his fellow classmate to hostility. Looking Marcus directly in the eyes he finished the tale. "Well, the weak level 1 grew stronger, and he did so fast. Eventually he was strong enough to take action. He started to patrol the grounds in the evening, catching bullies in the act and.... Well, let's just say he punished them. All of them. The bullying kids. The older students that were coercing them to act. And finally... The General that bribed the older students. They all were met with an unfortunate demise. Then, years later, When his face appeared on the screen of the live broadcast after he became a world power... The comment section of the live chat was full of those who recognized him as some weakling they had once bullied. All of them were grovelling, begging to be forgiven," Vorden had to stifle a smirk as the room fell so silent that he assumed they must have all been holding their breath.

Marcus, lost the bravado, and shifted uncomfortably in his seat while others leaned in, eager to listen intently. Vorden felt something shift within him, a wave of purpose. He stood tall, looked from one boy to the next, and tried to read the expressions of the boys involved in the altercation.

He then looked again right at Marcus and added, "Just some food for thought. You would be surprised how far common decency can go in this life. However if the karmic power of the golden rule isn't enough of a deterrent... Perhaps the fear of retribution might remind you to be less cruel. Either way... If I catch wind of it again, there will be consequences". Vorden spoke in the most stern, authoritative voice he could summon.

There was a moment of silence, followed by a cascade of laughter, at their own discomfort and excitement, from the historical tidbit about the great hero, who was quite literally a god. Also a few rounds of applause and a whistle or two. The kids thought Vorden was just doing the dramatic bit for entertainment purposes, and they enjoyed it.

Vorden's mind was fast at work. This kid so desperately needed a change in perspective. Vorden was under no illusion about this child. Simply asking nicely or verbally reprimanding him would not only fail to foster any positive change, it would surely have the opposite effect. This might take some creativity.