CHAPTER 4: TEAM TALK

As Ivan and Dela led the group to rejoin the rest of the Haven's students, the atmosphere grew tense. Berg gestured for Ivan to step forward, addressing the students

"Alright everyone, your captain here has something to say," Berg said while gesturing for Ivan to step forward.

The rest of the eight students looked at Ivan with dissatisfaction, then one of them spoke up.

"Master Berg, don't tell me you're going to let him off the hook? What he did back there was unacceptable."

The one who spoke was Romnwell, another one of Haven's most promising students.

Romnwell stood tall, sporting a slender frame, he exuded an air of quiet confidence. His hair was neatly trimmed, emphasizing his elegant look, while also complimenting his sharp features. Dressed neatly in a well-fitted attire, he carried himself responsibly and with maturity, his commitment to upholding the standards of the Haven of Seekers evident, as he voiced his disapproval of Ivan's earlier actions.

"I hear you Romnwell, I've spoken to him and have devised some conditions for his continued participation." Berg spoke up.

"Ivan here has promised to lead the team to an overwhelming victory as an apology for his earlier actions, Isn't that right Ivan?" Berg continued.

Upon hearing Berg's words, a wave of dissatisfaction hit the other eight. Then another one of them spoke up.

Hmph. A soft voice huffed in annoyance , before adding. "such a pompous claim, we are not going up against kids Ivan, they are the best the Library of knowledge has to offer, who do you think you are to make such claims?"

A young lady named Ara voiced her dissatisfaction.

Ara was a striking young woman, with long, flowing hair the colour of the sky cascading down her back in gentle waves. Her eyes, a piercing blue colour, sparkled with intelligence. Dressed in attire that oozes elegance, she exuded an air of grace and confidence.

Despite her youthful appearance, there was a maturity in her demeanour that commanded respect from her peers.

In actuality Ara was a senior to both Dela and Ivan, so she was a bit dissatisfied with both of them claiming the vice-captain and Captain roles respectively, but she didn't let her personal feelings affect her team, which was a testament to her maturity.

Before Dela could speak up in Ivan's defence, Ivan himself spoke up.

"I understand where you're coming from sister Ara, but Master Berg did not completely state the conditions which he has presented to me."

Ivan paused, before he continued.

"Yes the condition states I help the team win the games overwhelmingly, but the consequences of me not achieving so, is that I'll be stripped of my identity as a student of the Haven and will be asked to move out of our sacred hold."

As Ivan said those words, a shocked silence filled the room.

"What!" Ara exclaimed in surprise as she shifted her gaze from Ivan to Berg who had a soft smile on his face.

"Why master? Surely that's too steep a consequence, and you, did you seriously accept such a condition?"

Ara asked,her gaze shifting between Ivan and Berg. Ara was especially shocked by the condition, because she and every other person in the room were aware of how extremely difficult it was to become a student of the Haven.

Before Berg could speak up, Ivan spoke again.

"It's alright sister Ara, I'm well aware of the risks involved, but it now gives me the motivation to take this exchange seriously, and you know how I can be when I'm serious." Ivan said as he flashed a smile at Ara.

Hmph, Ara huffed again, it seemed to be something she liked to do frequently.

"There you go with your pompous attitude, well I guess there is some truth to it." Ara said with a smile.

"So in that note I'll use this opportunity to apologise to everyone for my earlier behaviour, and I promise you all, we're winning this." Ivan added.

"Well then, are there any objections? Dela's voice then rang out, as he scanned the faces of his colleagues.

None of them spoke up, prompting Berg to break the silence.

Hmm, "Since that's settled, let's get prepared, the first part of the exchange will begin in a few minutes from now, you all go on and change into your uniforms. Berg said, ending their discussion and urging the students to get ready.

***

In the room where the students of the Library were, The ten of them went ahead with their preparations with tense but strangely relaxed expressions, they went about their matters with meticulousness.

Then one of them spoke up.

"Say Chenai, you're our captain, what do you think about the captain of the other team, what was his name again? Iban, hmm, no, was it Iya-"

"Ivan" the voice of Chenai rang out.

"Oh yeah, Ivan, I believe it went like 'Ivander Rostov Marquez', what a weird combination, haha." The voice said with a chuckle.

"So what do you think about Ivan?" The library student asked again?

Upon hearing her colleague's question, Chenai stood up from her seat, folded her arms and raised one of them to stroke her chin, as she took up a contemplative posture.

Chenai was a tall young woman, even though she was taller than most her age, it did not take anything away from her, in fact it complimented her beauty and added an imposing aura of a leader, her stature commanding attention wherever she went. With her slender yet athletic build, she exuded confidence and determination. Her bright blonde hair cascaded down her back in glossy waves, accentuating her brown eyes.

With a thoughtful expression on her face, Chenai finally spoke.

"Ivan is... an interesting character," she began, her voice measured and thoughtful.

"Well, not much can be said, as we know literally nothing about him. He may come across as arrogant and impulsive, but there's no denying his talent and intelligence, since obviously he wouldn't have been chosen as a participant and talk less of the captain role if he were not qualified. It would be unwise to underestimate him, but it's not like we planned to."

Hmph, A soft chuckle escaped Chenai's lips, while she brushed aside her beautiful hair from her face, as thoughts of Ivan's charade earlier surfaced in her mind.

"He is definitely an interesting one, or what do you think… Mark?" Chenai asked her vice-captain.

Mark lazily raised his head to look at Chenai, his demeanor relaxed and casual. Out of all the students in the library, Mark was the most unassuming. With his disheveled appearance and tired eyes, he seemed like any random kid one would find in the city. Despite his unkempt appearance, there was an alluring depth to his gaze, hinting at the intelligence, despite his unassuming exterior.

Standing even taller than Chenai, Mark's towering stature added to his unassuming presence, making him seem even more out of place among his peers. His long hair fell carelessly over his forehead, partially obscuring his eyes.

Though he may have appeared tired and disinterested at first glance, only those within the walls of the library knew the true prowess of the unassuming young man. As Chenai's vice-captain, he played a crucial role in the success of the Library team.

Hmph, A grunt of dissatisfaction left Mark's lips, "What I do know is that he's not going to get away with all that nonsense he did earlier, we'll definitely make sure of that during the exchange."

"Well said Mark." Rodbar's voice rang out suddenly, causing his students to immediately compose themselves, as they saw Rodbar's figure slowly making his way into their room.

"You all shouldn't be bothered about Berg's students' words or behavior, none of that matters, what really matters is your orientation. With that said, the exchange will begin in a few minutes. All of you should change into your uniforms. Let's go win this thing now, shall we?"

Rodbar addressed his students with a smile.

"Yes master." All of Rodbar's students roared with enthusiasm causing his smile to stretch even wider.

With that the Library students all stood up and began to make final preparations. While they were busy, Rodbar called out to his captains.

"Chenai, Mark, you both wait behind, I want to have a word."

With that the rest of the students left the room leaving Rodbar with Chenai and Mark.

Rodbar began to speak.

"As you heard earlier, our hold lost the last exchange which was held on our grounds." Rodbar paused, letting his words sink into the minds of his students.

Then he continued.

"Berg and his team then bested me then, it was a close decision, but it was our loss nonetheless, I want no repeat of that and beating them on their grounds will be a very fitting way for things to play out.

"The master of the Haven's students, Berg is no ordinary man, even I can admit to that. He is incredibly smart and displayed impeccable wisdom and decision making even at the young age he was back then, and he became the youngest person to be the master of the haven, which of course is just another testament to his talents."

"And I want to let you know, whoever Berg will choose to represent the haven will also not be ordinary, I'm not trying to put you both under any pressure, but I just want you both to understand the possible level our opponents might be at, and also repeat to you the importance of this exchange again. Do you both understand?"

"Yes master." Both of them echoed simultaneously.

"Good then, let's go and catch up with your colleagues." Rodbar said as he went over to the room's exit.