Chapter 33: Faction Draft
The professor stepped forward, scanning the new tamers with dramatic silence. The four Faction Heads, now behind him, glanced at each other momentarily before looking into the crowds of tamers, scoping the ones they planned to add to their separate Factions.
"Welcome, New Tamers," the professor began, momentarily stroking his silver beard. "My name is Professor Saggitaru. I am in charge of Factions as overseer. These," he gestured regally to the four figures behind him, "are your Faction Leaders."
"I may not need to introduce them. Most of you are already very familiar with all of them. But for those that do not..."
"Lance Orchid of Knight Faction." Professor Saggitaru gestured to the tall blond in tiger-striped armor. Lance stood ramrod straight, his rigid face didn’t move as he assessed the crowd.
"Viktor Smiths of Gilded Faction." The red-haired leader with the massive gauntlet adjusted his posture, like the armored hand weighed on him.
"Dara Kyle of Ravelin Faction." The girl in snakeskin gear offered a small smile, her eyes sharp as flint.
"And Fenris Harkson of House Faction." The raven-haired girl remained impassive. That intense expression still plastered on her otherwise beautiful face.
"These individuals," Saggitaru continued, "were once where you sat. Now, they are amongst Nebulon’s finest Riftwalkers. They head the four Factions, leading you in inter-faction competitions, Faction tournaments and possible Rift Clearing missions."
"As you know, Factions are especially important to succeed here at Beastcorp Academy. Your Faction is your crucible, your support network, and the very ground where you will prove yourselves."
He launched into an explanation mirroring Kekius’s earlier one: Merit Points, resource allocation based on Faction performance, inter-faction challenges. Jethro half-listened, his mind already dissecting future plans.
Resources were the key, and points were the currency.