With their strongest first-year, Johnmark, sent to Sparkshire, the Crownspire students remaining at home felt vulnerable.
It was an uncomfortable admission—one that most of them made only internally, in the privacy of their own thoughts where nationalism and pride didn't require constant performance. But it was true.
For all their posturing and overcompensating—being aggressive, defensive, trying to prove their worth against the Republic students who walked their halls—they still had the decency to admit in their minds when they were bested or outmatched.
Johnmark had been that safety net. The student with a Soul Talent. The fighter who made even third-years cautious about engaging him directly.
And he was gone.
Sent to Sparkshire to represent Ashmar. Fighting the Republic students on their home territory.
