54 - Curriculum

A/N: The chapter ahead is raw, which means not been proofread yet nor edited.1****1

Wattroid opened the four doors of the car. Watts Xirquit and Ohms Xirquit, together with their mother and father went out dressed fashionably thanks to their stylist, Viscountess Givenchy Quine.

The drones hover all over the place to record the moment, to which will soon be aired through holograms the day after. There were other people who arrived first before them and are already inside the building, the main base of Watts' company, ArcanumX.

"Ah, I miss the media. I really like being popular. Didn't know that I will miss paparazzis," Ohms snickered while doing light, neck stretches as they walk inside. The employees, dressed in their comfortable uniforms, bow their heads as they pass them by.

"And watch edits of yourself across social media platforms. You made your own mental disorder," his father commented and pressed the button of the elevator.

"You're jealous because you don't get as much as I do."

Voltage rolled his eyes and caught his wife grinning secretly. Little did he know, she's a fan of his fan-edits and preserved a memory card full of it to this day. They are assassins but people other than those in their circle know about that. Their family got famous worldwide for their wealth and stunning appeal, and it skyrocketed when they had their firstborn son, Ohms.

A model, an actor, an engineer: these are Ohms' top three careers before and is very expensive. Elektra too became an actor, only doing action movies and action series, challenging Titania's fame and title as the 'Queen of Action Films'.

Prince Maxigaufeas kicked the ball made of paper wrapped altogether when Lord Thirdy tried shooting it in the trash bin. Lord Thirdy kicked it back to him. The Prince caught it and raised his hand, then shoot it.

"Ayyy! That's my boy! Three points!" Lord Thirdy hyped and clapped his hands.

Princess Eowyne sighed and looked at everybody else who are minding their own business. There are adults among them, the Headmaster, the school directors, faculty, administrators, and other important figures that supports the Academia since the beginning until now.

Only the Prince and Lord Thirdy are the ones making noise, playing basketball, talking about random things, gossiping like ladies, and then fight like the brothers that they are.

They stopped and everyone turned their heads to the door when they heard a series of knocking. The security opened it. They all sat properly, thinking that Watts Xirquit has finally arrived, but when another member of them came in, they were not that disappointed.

"VALOR MY MAN! You're the earliest bird in this town!" Lord Thirdy laughed and walked to his friend with his open arms. Prince Maxigaufeas summoned a copy real ball, which he should've done much earlier.

A man of impeccable elegance, his midnight-black hair cascading in sleek waves down his back, framing a face chiseled with masculine beauty. His skin, a shade of muted gray, speaks of a timeless existence, as if he's walked through centuries without aging a day. His eyes, pools of obsidian, hold a depth of nonchalance and stoicism, reflecting the ancient soul of a vampire who has witnessed the rise and fall of civilizations. He moves with a grace that defies mortal limits, his presence commanding attention and respect wherever he goes.

He gave Lord Thirdy a gaze, who's in front of him with his open arms, expecting him to give him what he's asking. Meanwhile, Prince Maxigaufeas is measuring the distance and trajectory of his aim.

They imagine hearing cicadas in their heads because of the scenario playing before them.

The Prince passed the ball to Valor.

Valor slowly raised his hands. Lord Thirdy smiled wider, nodding proudly as he wait for his friend to give him a hug, only for Valor to lift his hands higher and said,

"Rawr."

The ball hit his head and he had no reaction at all.

The Headmaster almost let out a laugh. Some found it dumb, most found it funny. Lord Thirdy hugged himself with a broken heart.

"I'm fine. It's alright. I understand."

Prince Maxigaufeas then burst out in laughter before catwalking to Valor, swaying his hips smoother than a lady's, and clung onto the man's arm lovingly.

"It's because he loves me. Right, baby? I missed you so, so much~"

Princess Eowyne covered her mouth and gasped when she heard his feminine voice.

"Me too. I was very lonely without my friends."

Tears poured down from his friends' eyes and pulled him in for a brotherly hug.

"You're so sweet. I'll give you my blood for free. You're my favorite vampire." Prince Maxigaufeas tearfully offered, truly touched.

"But you have to suck his blood from his butt," Lord Thirdy continued, so the Prince kicked him.

"That's so freaking weird! Ahh, I can't unsee it in my head!" The Prince held his head and shook it side by side, up and down.

They stood by the door and converse instead of sitting down. That's why when the door opened again, they were on the way.

"You three, get the fuck out of the way. Why are you standing there?" Ohms interrupted their sizzling conversation, getting their attention.

The Prince immediately pulled the two aside. His anxiety level rise when he laid his eyes on his very first trauma.

"Stop, Kuya," Watts sighed and passed his blazer to the security.

The other members of the Crowns scanned him from his head down to his toe. The Princesses, excluding Princess Eowyne, couldn't take their eyes off of him. After all, this is the first time they saw Watts in person since his change, since he went out of his 'closet' which is Wattroid.

Princess Ceto of the Five Oceans, or Crown Ceto, bit her lower lip as she swing her seat side by side. She didn't know another finest man hides within an ugly disguise. She never liked Watts when he was wearing Wattroid no matter how famous and prominent he is in the campus. She only have eyes on beautiful, stunning, and sexy men. Valor, Prince Maxigaufeas, and Lord Thirdy to name some.

"I smell a cunt among the people in here. You better not do something funny to my son here or I'll beat the shit out of you," Ohms blurted as he pull himself a chair. Crown Ceto looked away, still wearing her grin.

They settled down.

"Is everyone here? So we can begin." Watts.

"Nah, I'm not seeing Crown Sun. Is she not coming?" Crown Ceto singsong cutely and it irritated Ohms like hell.

"Do you usually sound like a deformed dolphin? Because you voice is annoying as hell---"

Franchetti Xerene lift one foot, removed her heels and threw it right on her son's forehead. Bull's eye. He didn't had the chance to dodge.

"How about you shut the fuck up and keep all your says to yourself? How about THAT!?"

"But she's so annoying!?"

"Facts." Somebody said in another voice that they didn't know who it came from. Safe.

"I apologize for my brothers behavior, Crown Ceto. He's normally like that," Watts, but he's looking at his brother, telling him something. Ohms hissed and crossed his arms and his legs at the same time.

"I did send an invitation to her. Maybe she didn't want to be here."

Then, Wattroid approached him and said, "My Lord, Crown Sun's invitation is still here. You said to not give it."

"I did?"

Wattroid smiled wryly and nodded.

"Right. Then send it now. If she's not here within a minute, send a letter telling her the consequences of not being able to attend this meeting."

Their jaws dropped. And in the middle of their disbelief, Ohms' proud and expensive laughter ring in their ears. He's even clapping.

"I like it! I like it so much! Wow. I'm loving you more, son."

Franchetti Xerene regret pushing him out of her womb.

"If only I knew you'd be such an asshole, I should've swallowed you back then."

Voltage Xirquit almost slipped down his chair and gave his wife a pair of widening eyes.

"Would you rather Watts be your eldest and me as your youngest?"

His mother scoffed, "Watts would've been our only child."

Ohms may be smiling, but he's annoyed as hell.

"You're the sweetest Mom ever," he said, filled with sarcasm. She smiled and sent him a flying kiss.

"That's enough." Watts mediated while massaging his temples.

Lord Thirdy nudged Valor, so Valor raised his hand.

"Yes?"

"I missed you. We should hug to make your brother jealous."

Watts' eyebrows furrowed while Ohms raised his.

"Who told you to say that?"

Valor turned to Lord Thirdy and Prince Maxigaufeas who were giggling.

Ohms was about to pull out his gun when Watts stopped his hand and sighed.

"We can catch up later. And I missed you too, good friend. I hope you were well."

"I am. I am grateful for the blood bags you send me every month. I cannot live without you. Please don't die. I will die, too."

Prince Maxigaufeas and Lord Thirdy covered their mouths with both hands as they try their best to suppress their laughter.

"We didn't---Pfft! T-told him---HAHAHAHA!---We didn't told him that!" The Prince said between his laugh, smacking Lord Thirdy.

"Can we just begin?" Crown Nafreaia of Axeore Empire clicked her tongue.

Princess Nafreaia Axeore, whose every movement embodies grace and elegance, her fiery red hair cascade in soft curls around her delicate shoulders. Her eyes, a mesmerizing shade of emerald green, sparkle with privileges as a royal that belies her youthful appearance. Though she may seem fragile at first glance, there's an undeniable aura of power emanating from her presence.

Clad in garments reminiscent of ancient Greek goddesses, her attire exudes timeless beauty and sophistication, draping her slender form in flowing fabrics that accentuate her ethereal grace. Her voice, sweet and soft like the whisper of a gentle breeze, carries a warmth that soothes and comforts those around her. Yet beneath its gentle tones lies a quiet determination and resolve, a reminder of the formidable strength hidden within her delicate frame.

Beside the Axeorean Princess is her brother, Prince Aleoxolt. His eyes naturally look 'angry', shooting sharp glares, but he's always been that way and is actually nice. A introvert: he would only talk to you if you talk to him. Very observant and abides by the rules diligently.

"May I see the curriculums you have designed so far?"

Headmaster Jeth Draven Lervoux nodded at his secretary to give the files to Watts Xirquit. He shared the rest to his family. He wanted to hear their thoughts about it. They know his tastes that's why he brought them with him and left Elektra and Spike to do the 'tasks' he gave to them.

"We may do a dry run to test its effectivity. That's everything we have planned so far. If you'd like, we can test it out this year so we can evaluate it. Revisions next."

Franchetti Xerene opened her palm, asking for a pen. Wattroid gave her one.

"Revise this part. You changed everything but the mission, vision, and core values. That's why none of these proposals makes sense. They don't align to the Academia's goals and aims,"

Everyone straightened their backs. It's Aloisia. In front of them is Aloisia.

"And what's this? Teaching children the English language in kindergarten? Do you not value their mother tongue?"

"A-About that---"

She raised her pen to stop the Headmaster from talking, "You once ran an institution. I can't believe you pass this one. English is not the universal language of this world, and we shouldn't dare replace this world's languages with ours. This is so disappointing. It would've made sense if you're pushing bilingualism or multilingualism here."

She drew huge cross signs to the pages she already read then slammed the file on the secretary's hands.

"Is that the proposed curriculum for daycare and kindergarten? What about for the elementary?"

Voltage Xirquit raised his hand to inform him that he's the one reviewing it.

"There's no such thing as a 'perfect curriculum', son. So far, this one is good. It' only flaw is that...there are too many unnecessary subjects added here. Let the children play while they learn. This sample lesson plan look so boring. Where's the engagement here? Instead of making it a student-centered, it became a teacher-centered. Look into pedagogical theories of Piaget, Vygotsky, Pavlov, especially Gardner's Multiple Intelligence. Those theories will help a lot."

The directors and faculty breathes in relief, slowly. They'd surely do what he said. How grateful they are that Voltage Xirquit is so calm. On the other hand his wife is so...scary.

"This is utter trash. Just do it all again," Ohms said and closed the file, leaving the pen on it.

His mother looked at the file he reviewed. It's for the junior and senior highschool. Ohms may be arrogant, but he's not sloppy. She knew he wrote something in there. Otherwise, he won't use a pen. What he wrote, she doesn't know. Maybe a big middle finger on the front page.

"I like this proposed curriculum for the colleges," Watts said, clicking his pen.

Wattroid then gave the secretaries a signal to handout the same files to the other Crowns in case they have forgotten. They did.

"But I think it's best if we'd make the major courses 'fixed'. Meanwhile, the general education may be a choice, but the minors are mandatory. Let's give the students the freedom to enroll in the general education and minor courses they want. They already have lots of minors and the other courses would be unnecessary. Let's set a fixed units to take as usual. They are to fill the remaining by enrolling to courses they want to complete. How's that sound?"

"That's a great idea, but won't that leave them behind?" Prince Maxigaufeas.

"I don't think so. Honestly, they should be focusing on their major subjects more since those are really for their chosen program. Putting other subjects are sometimes unnecessary and has nothing to do with their program. Tasks from those subjects will only stress the students, especially in times of cramming." Princess Eowyne argued as she scan the documents.

Prince Maxigaufeas nodded while smirking, "You're so right, baby. Let's implement this at once. My baby said so."

The Princess didn't like it and gave him a glare. They're in a formal setting and he's saying nonsense? Annoying.