Joe's first week of preparation was unlike anything he had experienced before. He wasn't just memorizing formulas or studying history—he was learning how to navigate society, how to command presence, and how to think beyond conventional logic. His grandparents, Silviya Trodeau and Silvester Trodeau, took personal responsibility in preparing him for what lay ahead.
Every day was divided into two primary disciplines: Social Interaction & Influence Classes (Guided by Silviya) and Critical Thinking & Leadership Training (Guided by Silvester)
At night, Joe would discuss his progress with Agatha Snow and Lumi, gaining insight from both their perspectives. While Agatha pushed him to embrace humanity, Lumi sharpened his tactical approach to learning. Lumi also provided him with an impartial view to the overall situation daily. While with Agatha he could vent out his frustrations, express his joy and excitement of learning something new daily.
Silviya was a master of social influence, having navigated the complexities of elite circles for decades. For Joe, she insisted on teaching him the subtleties of presence, conversation, and silent command—skills essential for an heir navigating a world dictated by power and perception. Each day during the week was divided into different types of classes with separate scenarios and challenges.
Day 1: The Psychology of First Impressions
Lesson: "People judge before they listen. If you don't control the first impression, they will define you before you get the chance." said Silviya.
Joe was made to practice posture, tone, eye contact, and the art of calculated silence—learning that what you don't say often speaks louder than words. He noticed how subtle adjustments in stance or confidence immediately changed how people reacted to him. He never had to deal with these at Vashara as he was a designated heir, he need not go through all these pretenses and not care what others thought about his appearance and mannerisms.
Day 2: Conversational Manipulation & Influence
"Every conversation is an exchange of power. The strongest negotiators never say everything—they allow their words to work for them." explained Silviya.
Joe was engaged in simulated discussions with diplomats and corporate officials, practicing subtle verbal shifts that steered conversations to his advantage. He was given opposing views on political policies and had to argue both sides convincingly learning that true influence came from understanding multiple perspectives. He was made to argue both sides to make him understand the points that could be put forth by his opponent. He became aware of the point that he should also think about the counter arguments that can be put forth by his competitors and should prepare future arguments for same.
Day 3: Social Adaptability & Reading Unspoken Cues
On third day Silviya took him to a restaurant for lunch and they sat in private room with one sided glass facing the general public area. Silviya asked him to observe the people having lunch there and told him, "Words lie. Eyes and gestures do not."
Hence, Joe spent the day analyzing body language, micro-expressions, and human behavior cues. He was trained to interpret hidden intentions, false agreements, and emotional conflicts simply by observing. He learned to identify trust, deception, and underlying motives without direct confirmation.
Day 4: Emotional Intelligence & Public Perception Management
On fourth day after breakfast, Silviya took him to Trodeau charity foundation's office on Indraprastha. He observed how the employees greeted and respected his grandmother and how grandmother replied or nodded to them all, occasionally talking with them for five minutes and making necessary decisions on the spot. Joe was mesmerized by his grandmother's charm. He thought, "Charm is not about dominance—it's about understanding what people need and reflecting it back to them." All the while observing his grandmother, Joe studied psychological triggers that influenced people's decisions, learning how leaders shaped public perception through calculated empathy.
Day 5: Networking & The Art of Maintaining Power Without Force
Silviya explained to Joe, "Power is not about control. It's about presence. The people who hold the world's influence do not demand—it is given to them naturally." Joe was introduced to high society networking simulations, learning how to build alliances without appearing desperate or manipulative. He discovered that true influence did not come from force—it came from trust, reputation, and calculated mystery.
Unlike Silviya's elegance, Silvester's approach was unforgiving. He trained Joe not just to think, but to think ahead—to predict outcomes before they happened and make decisions without hesitation.
Day 1: Strategic Mindset Development
Silvester said, "A leader does not ask what happens next. He knows before anyone else does." Joe was made to study historical leaders and their failures, learning that miscalculation was never about bad decisions—it was about failing to anticipate consequences. He was given five simulated crisis scenarios, forced to make immediate executive decisions without complete information—learning that leadership is sometimes about making the best choice when none are ideal.
Day 2: Tactical Problem-Solving & Crisis Management
"Wars are won long before battles begin. If you need brute force to succeed, you already failed.", Silvester said to Joe when they were discussing old war doctrines. Joe practiced multi-layered problem-solving simulations, forced to analyze threats in environments ranging from military conflicts to economic disasters. He had to negotiate a peace settlement between two warring factions with opposing interests—learning that leadership was not about personal wins, but collective survival.
Day 3: Command Presence & Decision Execution
"Topic for today is confidence. Confidence is not just felt—it is manufactured. Leaders do not second-guess." Silvester stated as he entered the Joe's room. Joe was trained in command psychology, practicing how to issue orders with unwavering resolve—even when the stakes were high. He was given a simulated battlefield where he had to lead an army through a chaotic situation—learning how hesitation could cost lives. He was taught to show confident side of himself and be decisive.
Day 4: Ethical Leadership & Psychological Endurance
Joe knew his lesson started when Silvester said, "A leader does not break under pressure. He bends, adapts, and finds new paths." Joe studied philosophical dilemmas in leadership, analyzing cases where power required difficult moral choices. He was given an unwinnable scenario where every decision led to loss—learning how to prioritize survival and long-term impact over immediate results.
Day 5: Visionary Leadership & Creating Legacy
"A true leader does not merely react—he shapes the world." Began Silvester on fifth day. Joe was already adept at listening and remembering the opening statements passed by his grandfather. Joe was trained to think beyond present crises, planning 10-year, 50-year, and 100-year strategies for humanity's survival. He had to outline a vision for interstellar expansion, proving that leadership was not just about solving problems—it was about designing the future.
Each night, Joe relayed his experiences to Agatha and Lumi, gaining insight from their perspectives.
Agatha's encouraged Joe to use his social training not just for leadership, but for real connections. "You should use this to make friends, not just shape your image," she insisted.
She reminded Joe that human interaction wasn't just political—it was emotional.
Lumi assessed Joe's strategic growth, suggesting refinements. "Your decision-making matrices are improving, but emotional intelligence must be monitored for bias," Lumi observed.
Lumi ensured Joe balanced logic with humanity, preventing him from becoming purely tactical.
By the end of the week, Joe was no longer just preparing for a test.
He was learning how to shape the world around him—through presence, intellect, and vision.
The boy who once saw leadership as a burden was beginning to understand its true essence. It wasn't just about being strong or smart. It was about becoming someone people believed in—even before he spoke.