Having once been a professor himself, Raze had gone through numerous lectures and different teaching styles, understanding the subtleties of what was being written on the chalkboard. It was laid out as clear as day, insinuating that he, Raze Cromwell, would now be the leader of the Dark Faction.
"Leader of the Dark Faction... I can't say that I never considered the possibility. When I took out Murkel, there was always the plan for someone else to rise to the top," Raze thought.
Everyone sitting around Raze was eagerly awaiting his response. They were staring at him, looking for any sign of emotion, a change in facial expression—anything. But none could decipher what was on his mind or why he wasn't surprised by this proposal.
"Does it make sense?" Raze asked. "You want me to be the Dark Faction leader? With Murkel out of the way and you being Vice Principal, wouldn't it be best for you to take over instead? It would help your society further your goals."
"Even if I could force my way to become Principal and leader of the Dark Faction, someone like me, who they classify as a no-name, would have many who disagree with me being at the top."
"I can see your concern," Amir replied with a smile. "What you're saying is true. Even if I were to become the Principal or head of the Dark Faction, it would require the acceptance of all the clans."
"Convincing them that I am right for the role would be very difficult, but I can't say the same for you."
It was then that Safa raised her hand first. "I accept Raze becoming the new leader of the Dark Faction."
Next, it was Simyon's turn as he raised his hand as well. "On behalf of the Moon Shield Clan, I also accept Raze becoming the next leader of the Dark Faction."
Soon, Raze saw a wave of arms being lifted into the air.
"On behalf of the Erupting Fist Clan, I accept Raze being the leader of the Dark Faction," Ricktor added.
Everyone in the room had accepted Raze as the next principal of the Dark Faction Academy and leader of the Dark Faction.
"I'm sure you're a bit confused, but Raze, all the people who have a chance to go against you are in this room," Amir explained.
"While you were asleep, we were busy," Liam said. "We had to scour nearly all of the Dark Faction and find out who was in charge. Do you know how many people are willing to listen to someone a quarter their age?"
"My body just aches thinking about it."
"Hey, some of us had it a lot harder, alright?" Simyon chimed in. "The whole clan wanted to test if my body could really break a weapon. Do you know how many strikes I had to take on top of my head?"
Safa couldn't stop shaking her head as she watched the two of them arguing.
"Raze, what they mean is, while you were asleep, everyone in this room told the clans that you would be the new leader."
"If they had a problem with it, they were to fight us, and you can expect that many chose to. In turn, we were successful with the help of the Bonum Society. Now we have control of the clans. We're like phantom clan heads if you want to think of it that way. Our say is the say of the entire clan, and there will be no one to get in your way."
Raze had to admit it was a pleasant surprise, and hearing what they had all gone through for his sake brought a smile to his face.
It was rare for everyone to see him smile. They felt as if they were being swept off their feet. Many had never seen such a thing from him before.
"You did all that while I was asleep? Why did you put yourself in danger, put yourself through that trouble? It makes no sense, just to make me the leader of the Dark Faction," Raze asked.
"Raze, it's what we wanted to do, especially after you saved us all in that arena from Murkel. For many of us, you have broken the invisible chains that tied us down."
Hearing those words from Safa, and being aware of everyone's actions, for the first time in a long time, Raze felt like these people with him were ones he wanted to protect.
"Sh*t," Raze mumbled. "That's not what I wanted... it wasn't part of the plan."
"What did you say?" Safa asked.
Raze somewhat ignored Safa and looked at Anna.
"If they find out I'm now the leader of the Dark Faction, will Alter have a problem with it?" Raze asked.
Anna shrugged her shoulders. "If you truly are the leader and the one controlling the Dark Faction, if anything, it is they who will need to be in your good books. You will be ruling one-third of Pagna, and not just in the shadows."
That was both good and scary at the same time. The plan of sneaking into Alter to get his hands on their artifacts had somewhat gone out the window now.
However, going at it from another angle, from the Dark Faction's position, was interesting as well, and now Raze knew of something that could get him back to Alterian.
"And Rayna, what would your father think of this, if the Dark Magus were in control of the Dark Faction?" Raze asked.
Rayna let out a laugh. "If his son-in-law were the leader of an entire faction, he would have a field day about this. He might even go ahead and destroy another Light Faction base for us."
Everyone's eyeballs were about to pop out of their heads. They looked at Rayna and couldn't tell if she was joking or not.
"Regardless, you don't have to worry about that. I'll deal with him."
With that answer, all of Raze's worries seemed to be coming to an end.
"I have no more excuses for not taking up this role," Raze said. "But before we go above, there is one thing I need to do."
Before becoming leader of the Dark Faction, he needed to set things in motion there.
Raze then stood up from his seat. "I need to head to Alterian and talk to the Dark Guild."