Chapter 7: Test 2

I thought about it. The best way to get more information is by seeing the city myself. There's a limit on how much I can get by reading books. Plus, I'll have some fun.

Papa doesn't seem to react at all, I wonder what he'll think?

Moments passed, and he seemed to think about it. Nervousness came over me.

'I wonder if I said something wrong?' It took him a while before giving his answer.

"I'll allow it, but on one condition." He said.

I raised both my fists on my chest, waiting for what condition he'd need.

"When you go out, I must be there and you must get full marks on every subject except swordplay." 

I didn't waste time and answered enthusiastically. "Yes! I will, Papa!" 

He looked pleased, his usual smile gave a hint of amusement. 

"Ehhh?! I wanna go too!!!" Leon held Papa's left sleeve and demanded.

"Papa I want to go too! Take me with you!"

He patted Leon's head then replied. 

"Alright, but you have to impress your teacher okay?"

This isn't fair! How can he get the same privilege I get?! 

I then held his right sleeve and asked.

"Papa this isn't fair! He'll get the same thing I get!"

He then patted my head and answered.

"Don't worry Leo, I have a good present for you later."

I guess it's fine if it's like that. 

We then spent a bit more time playing or rather destroying toys, before going to bed. I swear Leon is a natural-born criminal. 

****************

The next day came, the exam started and Leon and I took different tests in different rooms. The look on his face when he realized we wouldn't take the test together was priceless! I wish I had a camera and preserved that image forever; alas, at this time, cameras are not yet invented. 

The tests were nothing hard, math was something high school students could easily answer, and geography and history were something I already memorized.

Psychology, on the other hand, was something tricky. The questions were the ones where there's no direct, or right answer. Some of the questions asked: What's a perfect day for you? What does friendship mean to you? Or If the world doesn't have gods, would it prosper?

There were also problem-solving questions and some brain tests. I don't know what you call them, to be honest. Aside from that, things are going well.

Swordplay is also quite simple, I just had to hit a straw dummy hard enough so it would leave a mark.

After the tests were done, we had lunch and waited for the results. 

****************

In a room full of papers and books, Pantalone sat with the instructors. On the side, there's a charred body, getting tucked into a compartment under the floor by a fatui soldier.

Pantalone is casually reading the test papers and evaluating them himself. Leon's papers are already on the side with markers on them, showing that it's already been scored.

'Finally, it's Leo's psychology papers.' Pantalone thought.

He read every single question and answer, not leaving a single letter behind. 

As time passed the instructors got more and more uncomfortable. The Regrator was someone dangerous. His methods were nothing but cruel; some even say it was worse than death. His connections throughout Teyvat are the largest; one order from him and a whole nation could fall economically. His ambition, even amongst the Harbingers was the highest. It's still a mystery why the gods never favored him. 

'Master Leo, everything is in your hands.' The math tutor prayed, silently.

Every time Pantalone switches papers, everyone in the room trembles. Until he reached the last question.

"What is the most important thing in the world?" For the first time in years, his smile changed. Before it was like a mask, a simple tool to deceive.

But now, his smile was scary and devious.

In the paper, where the last question was placed. There was only one answer.

"Power."

****************

We were waiting in our room, I could feel his nervousness. Leon kept pacing around, some bruises could be seen on his hands, but it was nothing serious and it had already been treated by the maids. 

"Leon, stop pacing around, it's distracting!" I complained.

"Leo! Aren't you worried! Our fate will be decided by this test!" 

"No, it won't," I replied flatly.

"What if I don't get any answers right?! What if I didn't impress our instructor?! What if..."

He continued to pace around like a paranoid. He really wants to go out huh? 

Not soon after, a maid came in and called for us.

"Young Masters, Lord Pantalone called for you."

We both tensed up. We didn't know that Papa was the one who would evaluate the answers. 

We walked slowly in the corridors of the house. Leon doesn't have the same energy he usually has. Before, he would have run instantly.

We were guided to a room where we had never gone before. As we walked, multiple maids lined up on the side, bowing. Our teachers walked out of the room, their faces looking pale. Our sword teacher was not with them, weird.

Two guards then opened the door, their clothes different than the usual guards that protect us. 

I remember them, they're wearing uniforms for Electro Hammer vanguards. They gave us a sideway glance before closing the door.

Inside, Papa was waiting for us alone. For some reason I felt a different aura around him, I could also smell something burning.

"Leo, Leon, sit down." He gestured for us to sit on the chairs in front of his desk.

"You've done well, both of you." He said as he handed us the results.

"Leon, it looks like you'll need a better teacher for swordsmanship. Your previous teacher had an emergency and had to quit."

I felt it, something wasn't right. Why would the teacher leave that fast? And why were our teachers pale?

A chilling thought then came to mind.

The burning smell, the electro vanguards outside, and the pale teachers. A cold sweat dripped down my back.

"Awww, he was so nice," Leon remarked.

"I agree Leon, he was indeed too nice." His smile unchanging

"Now, I want to ask both of you on your answers in this question." He pointed out the last question of our psychology test.

"I want to ask Leon first, Leo, can you step out for a bit?" 

I don't want to leave. I don't want to leave Leon here. Papa might seem nice, but I forgot he is also a Harbinger and is closely related to Dottore. 

I looked at him in the eye and said nothing. His lips curled up a bit, before saying.

"Don't worry, Leo, I won't hurt the two of you." 

"Ehh?" Leon let out, confused.

"O-okay, Papa." I stood up and looked back before going out the door.

****************

Minutes passed. My worry was ever so high, I feel like I'll get white hair at this rate. I started to pace around the door, not minding the stares I got from the maids and the two Fatui soldiers. 

'Papa won't hurt Leon, I'm sure of that. Papa loves us. Yes! Papa loves us.' All sorts of thoughts raced on my mind. 

'Why did Papa kill the teacher? Why did he ask me to leave?' 

I felt a tug on my shoulder. I saw a maid holding a tray with sweets and offered it to me. I took a few and ate them instantly. I could see the worry in the look of their face. I then felt it, my whole body was wet. I was sweating from head to toe.

"Young master, are you alright? You're so wet! Here let us get you a change of clothes."

The maids rushed and changed me on the spot while rubbing a towel on me. 

A few minutes came by, and Leon finally came out of the room, smiling.

'Why are you smiling?! I was so worried!'

I approached him and asked aggressively, shaking him in the process.

"Leon! Are you alright?!"

"Stop! Stop! I'm okay, what's wrong with you?!" 

"Nothing happened right?!"

"Nothing happened, Papa just asked me questions, and that's all."

I heaved a sigh of relief. 

"Oh, Papa said you should come inside." 

"Okay" I replied

I then entered the room, nervously. 

'Nothing happened to Leon; I'll be fine.'

Inside, Papa's smile greets me.

"Leo, come sit." 

I sat on the chair in front of Papa. The burnt smell is still there.

"So Leon, I want to ask about this answer of yours."

He gave me the test paper of our psychology test and pointed at the last question.

"Why was your answer, Power?"

I gulped. Nervously, I answered.

"It's because that's what I believe."

"Hmmm. Then, why do you believe so?" He probed.

I squirmed, not knowing if my answer would be enough. He seemed to have noticed it and reassured me.

"Don't worry, Leon, Papa won't be mad."

I then looked at him in the eye and finally gave him my answer.

"It's because power can give you anything, it can protect you, give you mora, protect your family, and lets you live a good life."

He looked disappointed.

I felt a cold pressure weigh on me.

"I see." He then murmured. "I guess you're still young."

I stayed still; not knowing what to do.

Moments passed in silence. Papa just sat on the chair looking at the window. 

"You may leave." He said.

As I was about to reach the door, he then said.

"I'll give you one more chance, what is "Power" Leo."

I stopped. I tried to brainstorm and even tried to find the answer in my past life memories. 

"Power is a gift and a curse," I answered.

He looked at me with his usual smile.

"Continue." He said.

"Power can give you anything, but it can also take away everything. With power, you'll have responsibilities, with power many doors will open for you." I stopped not able to think of any more answers.

"Is there more, Leo?"

I racked my brain, trying to come up with anything. I tried to remember the vague memories of news, of conversations that my past life had. I then remembered the brief moments in the game that have Pantalone's influence; from the hidden lore to the dialogue of NPC's. And, I answered.

"With power. You can fight a god."