School of the Shark [Open]

"The two of you were almost there."

Their attempts might have been short-lived, but they showed signs of potential. When they both stood up straight, Lelei could feel their resolve pumping up for just a moment before they both slumped back down.

"Both of you. Your postures were great. Spot on. But it's not about lying to yourself nor being 'angry'."

Lelei lowered himself to be more at their eye level, which mostly required he crouch down on his haunches. He looked at his two students, giving each one a few seconds of steady eye contact as if trying to transfer his own confidence to them.

"Don't focus on trying to scare me. That's not the lesson. Clear your mind. Straighten up again. Put your hands on your hips. Now both of you... Look me directly in the eyes and just hold it. Don't look away. Focus only on me."

He stared intensely back at the pair, not putting out any particular emotion. The lesson was a lesson of steadfastness. They were to hold their ground and not be the first to look away.

He silently let the pair try on their confident stances for as long as they could hold them, giving them as much time to practice building their own self-confidence. It only took a few moments before he could feel the right kind of aura one of them: Sylvia. There was a hint of hesitance in her confidence, but that was only to be expected. This was perhaps their first go at having the sort of presence that demanded respect. They would need to learn, grow, and practice before they were close to what Lelei was. Still, even if they only got part way there, it was an accomplishment.

Their little stare down ended when Alfredo faltered just when he was on the verge of getting to where Sylvia was. It was a tad disappointing. But to Lelei, every misstep and failure was just a smaller step forward. as opposed to the larger steps of success.

"Very good, Miss Cogman. You were on the right track. You felt strong to me. But Mr. Summers..."

Lelei brought a hand up to rest on the boy's shoulder as he looked at him, concerned.

"... I won't pretend to know what you mean by 'owner' or what they meant to you. But I do know that you don't need them to reach your full potential. What about that great introduction you gave at the beginning...?"

Learning exactly what Alfredo meant would take time elsewhere. For now, Lelei had a lesson that needed to be taught and he had to work with what he had. The boy needed a shoulder, someone to support him. Lelei would be that. After putting his own hand on Sylvia, he turned the two of them to face each other again. Then he scooted around to crouch behind Alfredo, putting Lelei at just about Alfredo's height. He held the boy's shoulders with his own two hands, holding him in place.

"Miss Cogman, I'm going to need your help. Do what you did to me, but to him.

Alfredo..."

He gave the boy's shoulders an assuring squeeze.

"...I want you try again. If you need strength, draw it from me. I will give you my aura, but you need to project it yourself. Understand? If your owner is gone, I'll be shoulders you stand on."

"Yessss.... Yesss..."

Lelei's grip was firm, but when Alfredo shrugged it off he let go. Staying behind the young bunny boy, Lelei whispered encouragements to Alfredo in a low gurgling voice. The predator was encouraging the prey, attempting to impart some of his own natural intensity into the young man. It was a good thing Alfredo was looking at Sylvia because Lelei was staring holes into the back of Alfredo's head with pure concentration.

"You got it. You got it!"

He jumped up and patted both of their backs at the same time, proud of them.

"You see, Mr. Summers? THAT was what I wanted from you. To just show a little unwavering resolve. The way you held Miss Cogman's gaze steadily shows that you can do it.

And Miss Cogman, you've got the makings of a truly powerful presence."

Lelei gave them another pat on their backs then went back to the front of the class, calling everyone to attention. He reiterated how proud he was to see everyone making progress in their confidence already. But now he wanted to see how well everyone held up when it came to backing up their presence with actions.

"I need everyone with an impressive-looking or intimidating power to stay where they are. Really, anyone who has a power that can be really shown off. Everyone else can up here with me."

Walking around his desk, Lelei picked up a piece of paper with a list of instructions written on it. He read it a few times, looking between it and his desk. With his finger, he traced out a few symbols, as laid out by the instructions. The first symbol made him glow slightly before fading away, and another made the room and all the furniture take on a new sheen.

"Alright. With those spells set up, we can do the next lesson. Those of you who stayed standing, I want you to show me your power and HIT me with it. And make it good."

The spells he had set up were to give himself a little bit extra durability, and to safeguard the room from damage, as well as protect the non-participating students.