The Dark Academy on Korriban

“A Sith does not prefer, a Sith demands life. Your enemies demand your destruction, they do not prefer it,” he said calmly.

“If you are to throw off the life of a slave, you will have to seize it. Your wound did not happen because she preferred it, she wanted to kill you and if not for my intercession it would have been so. Do you believe I acted out of charity?”

"I think it's because you're hoping I'll end up being a useful tool."

Duh...

"And you think that that could happen because any other student would've backed down when challenged by her."

“That is a lesson you should take to heart. Only a fool expects charity. You might prove useful, but you have a long way to go aspirant before I could consider you a tool, let alone a useful one. I have enough hammers in my arsenal… but a finely honed obsidian scalpel, that would be of value to me,” Lord Baras replied as he moved to a balcony overlooking the training grounds.

“No, attacking her was stupid, she wanted you to do it. You did exactly as she wanted. She chose the battleground and you allowed her to trap you.”

"She called me a coward. If I hadn't responded, it would've counted against me."

“You will be called worse in the days to come, not every slight demands an immediate reaction,” Lord Baras said.

“You should never ignore a slight, you should nurse it. Allow it to grow and give you power. You know the Code, aspirant?”

The code. That stuff Spindral was peddling? Hopefully that was the right code. She tried to remember it, and found the words; although it'd probably be obvious she'd only heard it rather very recently instead of many times before like most students.

"...Peace is a lie. There is only passion. Through passion I gain strength. Through strength I gain power. Through power I gain victory. Through victory my chains are broken. The force shall set me free."

She recited the words, still somewhat skeptical; but having come to see there's something to them.

“Those slights will give you strength, and one day that strength will allow you avenge yourself on those that deserve it, when they least expect it,” he said.

“Why do you suppose Peace is the greatest lie, aspirant?”

"Because people are shit. They take and hurt for their own ends. And if you're at peace, they're just going to keep doing it to you."

That was not the response he expected but it seemed she knew well enough the answer. “Yes you have to fight back, but you don’t have to fight when they want you to.”

Lord Baras finished with, “You have potential, aspirant. I can see that now.”

"Great, so the ancient and glorious but forgotten line might prosper again," she said, mockingly; though she wasn't mocking him specifically, but rather... the weirdness that was now her life, apparantly.

"So, what happens now?"

“Now you return to your studies, I suggest you read up on the early history of the sith on Korriban,” he said in reply.

“History is a powerful weapon.”

"I know a bit about that history. The spirit showed me."

"What did you see?" he asked.

"Jedi exiles coming here and conquering the red skinned natives."

“That is the ancient past but yes that is how it happened,” he said with a serious tone.

“This ghost, your ancestor was one of the exiles then?”

"Said he was Lord Oshin. Who defied the council, killed his master, came here and conquered Korriban."

“I see, well keep that knowledge close, I would not share it openly some may feel offended that a slave claims such a distinguished lineage,” Lord Baras replied.

"And you?"

Fuck. Can't even use that?

“I think it should be obvious by your continued existence. As it stands I have more important things I should attend to, aspirant. You are dismissed,” he said with finality.

"Right."

Well, that went better than expected. She turned from him and... decided that it was time to get this massive wound checked out. Of course, she'd get distracted by a bunch of Mandalorian jerks along the way, but eh what can you do?