Jealousy

Theron weaved through the crowd of disciples, none of whom seemed all that intent on making room for him despite having clearly heard Dorian's voice. But there wasn't much of a reaction to gain from Theron at all.

After following the party for long enough, Theron believed he had a gauge on the temperature of why things were happening this way.

Jealousy.

It was something that he had overlooked, but it was more and more obvious the more he looked at it.

All of these geniuses came from families vying for rank beneath the Thistles. The better they performed, the better their status would be once the Thistles became the new Imperial Clan.

Someone like Theron surely threw a wrench in those plans, not just because of who he was, but because of who he had "backed."