Chapter 28 Grand Opening

It had now been a month since the attack of the Frost Sabre pirates, and things were already back to normal at least partially, but today was a special day it was the opening day of the first free public school.

"Finally, it seems all that planning came together." 4th said as he gazed at the building in front of him. It was a grand structure made out of stone, its walls were littered with various decorative engravings and the gate of school had the name "Arc Academy" drawn beautifully on it.

"Indeed, hopefully our efforts won't go to waste now." Ade sighed, after all he wasn't sure how well this would go. Although there was naturally a school in Tigria it was in reality only for a select few such as the 2 Noble Clans and the families with money equivalent to the Noble Clans but didn't share the same status and merits.

"Mhmm, after all they're a bunch of 6-10 year olds what can we do if they don't take their education seriously." 4th shook his head as a thoughtful expression dawned on his face. Seeing the boy Ade couldn't help but crack a small smile 'Aren't you like 9 years old?'

After this small chat Ade and 4th made their way into the school to make sure everything was properly prepared. Nothing could go wrong today, or else the entire initiative would go down the drain along with all the money spent.

Simultaneously Arch was pacing back and forth in the palace. "I've never seen you so nervous before you're going to be fine!" Apollo assured patting Arch on the back. ".......Okay." Arch let out a breath before collapsing onto his chair.

'I have to get their attention immediately, how do I do that? They're like 10 years old at most fancy words won't work. Do I rip off another speech I've heard before? Maybe the Will of Fire. Nah that's a bunch of baloney and would make no sense.' Arch deliberated looking extremely serious.

On the side Apollo couldn't help but chuckle. "I wonder how you're going to behave when you have children if you're this scared of them." Apollo laughed, immediately bringing Arch back to reality. "What do you mean? I am 16 so I still have a long time, you on the other hand are 23 and single you should be worried." Arch replied with a look of displeasure on his face.

"Well at least I am not 30 like Arthur I've heard at that age he could even be considered a wizard." Apollo said matter of factly with the most serious face Arch had ever seen. '....Is he serious? What next is he going to call Arthur a Sage when he's 50?' He didn't know what to think of his older brother's antics.

'Haha, I may be the simplest of us 5 but even you Arch have been caught in my trap.' Apollo chuckled, he had been trying to ease his brother's worry and it seemed to have worked. "Anyway isn't this your day off, why are you hanging around here?" Arch questioned.

"Hmmm? I just felt like visiting my younger brother. After all who else am I meant to visit? I see Achilles almost everyday lately, Arthur barely says a word, 4th is honestly more busy than you sometimes, and our parents seem to have eloped." Apollo answered with a smile.

"You're not exactly wrong to be fair, anyway I should.... I have to get going!" Arch shot off his chair running off, he had to make his speech in 5 minutes if he wasn't there on time he'd be the biggest joke of the Kingdom.

"Haa, I remember when he was just a baby, how much he's grown up since then." Apollo sighed, it was time for him to go back. He had to make sure the army was prepared for any pirate attacks that may happen in the future.

It was now 2 minutes until Arch's speech would begin and he had just arrived. "Your Majesty the opening ceremony will be starting soon." Ade said before explaining what was going to happen, originally Arch was meant to arrive at least 10 minutes before but he had been caught up chatting with Apollo. A minute later Arch simply nodded and the children were entered into the premises.

"Bye Mama!"

"See you later Papa."

"Be a good boy Billy"

As parent and child said their good byes some children happily walked into the premises others were shyly led in by some of the teachers, over all it was what they had expected.

Soon the children were lined up orderly and stood facing Arch. Fixing up his clothes Arch stepped forward his expression as cold as ice.

"Hello, and welcome to Arc Academy the place where you will learn and grow as a person for the next few years. As some of you may know I am Archelaus Tigra and I hope you'll listen to my words carefully." Arch voiced as his expression turned into that of a smile.

"OOOH THE KING!"

"I've heard the King is super strong and smart!"

"My Papa said the King is the strongest man for 1000 miles!"

The kids began discussing amongst themselves, and Arch was quite pleased to say the least. "Ahem, anyway going forward you will all be divided based on age, and then further divided into classes which for now will be completely random. After a year you will be asked to pick a main career and then your class will be changed." Arch explained as he regained the attention of the children.

"What's a career!" A random child asked from the crowd. "Its what you want to become when you grow up." Arch simply explained. "Any more questions will be handled by your principal. I hope you will all do your best and enjoy your time here at Arc Academy." Arch finished off before stepping back.

As soon as Arch fell back a stern mean looking old man stepped up. This was the principal of the Academy and he was, a heavy handed man to say the least which made it all the more weird when Arch saw him trying to act nice.

'I mean I did ask him not to be too cruel.' Arch thought as he watched the old man explain everything in detail. This was Hank Grey considered one of the most educated men on Tigria and was quite the stern old man.

Arch remembered having been taught various things about Tigria and the outside world from him in his younger years. 'Good times.' He sighed as he watched the old man lecture the young children.

A few minutes later the speech concluded and the children were guided to their classrooms to begin their school life. 'Now that I think about it, didn't I skip school in this life?' Arch thought to himself before departing from the Academy.

He still had a lot of paperwork to do.