7 Balance (Tyler)

As I was bringing the two barely conscious boys to the headmaster's office, I did a play by play of the day in my head. First, I find Bianca and protect her from lightning elementals. Then I visit Josh to see how he's doing and spar with him. Next, I run into both Diana and Bianca and protect them from Steven. Afterward I live out my normal life, till lunch. I watch Ben practice then spar with him. I run into Bianca, Diana and Josh just now which is why I'm dragging two bodies behind me.

Sounds just about right.

I walked into the headmaster's office and he was struggling to put on his green tie. "Ah, Tyler! I was meaning to talk to you."

"What do you need me for, Green?" I say in my half-annoyed voice.

He sits down at his desk and pulls out a letter. It had a beige color with a red wax stamp on it. The stamp was the shape of a snowflake. "I got this letter from the ice island yesterday."

"Tell them I reject their offer of being a soldier," I replied.

"Not a soldier. A warlord." I stopped thinking about my previous plans. Warlord. No other position can top that. Even being a king or emperor was a lower privilege than being a warlord. Then I remembered my plan. I have to stick with it. No matter how tempting any other offer is.

"I deny," I say with a coarse voice.

Green looked more surprised than all the people I've seen today combined. "Why not?"

I had to think of a valid excuse that would satisfy his way of thinking. "I feel I am too unexperienced. I can't simply lead an army just because I'm strong, therefore I have another proposal. Allow me to lead a squad."

Green thought about it. "What members of this squad were you considering?" Bullseye.

"First, Bianca and Josh Stanford."

"And your reasoning?" he asked.

"Josh is one of the strongest lightning elementals, and with his sister by his side with water powers, they could be unstoppable."

"Wouldn't it be better if you found a stronger water elemental?" Green questioned.

"I understand that your mind is focused on combat and war, but she also adds an emotional effect on Josh and the rest of the members."

"Other members?"

"Yes, a five-man squad. Next, I would like to request Ben Opul."

"Benjamin? The non-elemental?" He was questioning my decisions. I know what I'm doing.

"Yes, I feel as if the squad would need at least one neutral member in case we need a trump card."

"Okay, but what about the fifth member?"

"Diana Dabria."

He looked at me in question. "Why her? You already have a non-elemental, and she isn't that strong either. She's probably the least favorable candidate for your squad. Why?"

"As I said, I'm also looking for the emotional advantages of the members on other members."

"Are you certain this will be a good group? Wouldn't it be better if you had all of the same elementals?"

"No," I started to fix his tie. "This group of individuals are put together for mercenary missions. Meaning variety is an advantage."

"Alright, if that's what you wish."

I finished knotting his tie. "I would like more insurance. I ask for your signed word. Magically."

Another surprised look. "You understand that the academy gets all of its funding from this ceremony. If there were to be a high bid for someone such as Josh, it would definitely hurt us."

"Then wouldn't he be worth more with more experience and training?" I counter.

"I guess that makes sense."

"Everyone will be more valuable. Even Diana." I didn't want to admit it then, but I saw something more in Diana. It wasn't a feeling. I literally saw something glowing inside her. It was pink and felt warm and comforting. At the same time, there was also a dark, cold feeling from her. I hope I'm making the right decision. I admit even I'm uncertain of my choices. But I have a good feeling about it.

"Okay then." He pulled out an old looking piece of beige paper. Magic paper. He powered his hands and began writing with them in the air. The air turned to a golden color glowing bright as if ink was floating in the air. He then grabbed the ink, and gripped his hand tightly, chanting his spell perfectly. He released his hand from it's clenched form, which was now glowing. He pressed his hand on the paper. It began absorbing the glow from his hand and once his hand was no longer glowing, he raised it, leaving a perfect signature glowing gold.

"I should be leaving now." I got up and started heading toward the door.

"Before you go, I have one more question."

I turned back to Green. "What."

"What are you planning on doing with this particular group?"

I was out the door at this point. Just before the door was closed, and I knew he could still hear me, I stated, "They're going to put an end to this endless war."