The selection meeting took place in a windowless conference room deep within Sparkshire Academy's administrative wing. Seven instructors sat around a polished oak table, stacks of student files spread between them like cards in a high-stakes game.
Aldric Thorne occupied the head of the table, his expression carefully neutral as he listened to his colleagues debate.
"We should send our strongest," Instructor Vex argued, tapping a file for emphasis. "This is a diplomatic venture. We need to demonstrate the Republic's superiority."
"That's precisely why we shouldn't send our strongest," countered Professor Harwick, who taught Advanced Tactics to upper-year students. "Ashmar and Solhaven aren't allies—they're competitors we maintain civil relations with out of mutual necessity. Revealing our full capabilities would be strategically idiotic."
"They're not hostile nations," Vex shot back.
"They're not openly hostile," Harwick corrected. "There's a difference."
