Chapter 14: Class

"There is beauty in imperfection."

Pisces Code - 5.1

At the practice ground inside the main tower, specifically at the second floor, Pepin was instructing a young man for the basic tactic in fighting an enemy without any weapon. 

The ground is accessible to all, so some students gathered inside to spectate and hope to learn too. Though far from Pepin, these students were diligently watching him and his student every action, trying to mimic it. 

After executing the last tactic his teacher imparted to him, Pepin dismissed him with praise, "You are getting better and firmer with your pose Aaron. Tomorrow, meet me at my residence. Everything I will teach you is my technique that I will only impart to my disciple."

Aaron clasped his fist at his chest and bowed in obeisance, "Yes master."

When he dismissed Aaron, he headed back to his room as he had nothing to do when he bumped into Yamea on the bridge. He halted, placed his fist at his chest and bowed, "Greetings to you, young lady."

Yamea replied with the same obeisance, ""Greetings to you too, master Pepin."

They settled at the rear of the bridge as they went on asking and giving information.

He asked, "How is your father?"

Yamea shook her head remembering the displeasure she carried even before she was admitted at the Academy. "My father is seriously going to let me marry the young lord, master Pepin. Has he any conscience at all? Am I not his daughter?"

Pepin avoided her gaze. He looked at the picturesque scene of the horizon. 

Yamea wanted to refute her dismay to her father, but she understood Pepin's gesture. She was barking at the wrong tree. Knowing she wouldn't be able to extract any word of assurance from the master, she just looked at the horizon, feeling hopeful. 

⨳ ⨳ ⨳

After two days of travel as a commoner on the common road, Estes finally arrived at the Prota Academy. Presenting his identity through a silver plate inlaid his name, profession and the city he was living to the admins of the main tower, he was received with utmost care as they attended with his every need. 

The attendant handling his matter was full of glee accompanying the prodigy of the Homobono City. It was his pleasure to attend such a genius man. Though Estes was wearing simple clothes like a commoner - plain brown-colored sleeve shirt and simple trouser - it didn't subsided the admiration of the attendant. 

Just after the attendant finished tending his paper to stay, he went straight to his reason for visiting the Academy, "Is there a person here named Clio?"

"Yes, master physician Estes." As an attendant, he knew every employee but not quite the students, "I am going to announce your presence to the headmaster physician Estes. Please follow me." 

Estes waved his hand saying, "Do it later. Lead me to her room first."

The attendant's mouth agape. He couldn't believe that someone was prioritizing personnel other than their headmaster. As far as he knew, the goal of every powerful person who visited the academy was to meet their headmaster. 

The attendant was curious as to why he wanted to see Teacher Clio first before the headmaster, but didn't voice it out. He was not in position to pry with the business of such people. He led him to the faculty's tower where another attendant was waiting. 

"Master Physician Estes from Homobono City is asking for Teacher' Clio's presence," he handed him to the attendant on the faculty's tower before he took his leave. 

"This way sir!" This new attendant led him to the third floor without delay until they arrived in front of the door. He has no idea what the first attendant went through during the conversation between the two. 

He knocked three times before a young lady opened the door. He said, "Is Teacher Clio here? Master physician Estes-" he gestured to Estes beside him, "-seek her presence."

The young lady scrutinized Estes from head to toe before she spoke with her evident thick accent, "She had not emerged from her room even after two days had passed and I am sure that she will not emerge even after I announce your presence, sir. I beseech you to come back four days from now, sir."

Estes looked at the attendant hoping he would debate with her because he was a powerful person after all, but Alas! the attendant just shrugged his shoulders. It wasn't his place to urge any employee. No other choice, Estes stated, "I have an important matter to attend with her. If you can try, she might emerge."

The young lady shook her head, "She pressingly notified us that if it isn't the end of the world, she should not be bothered for a week."

Estes could only twist his face, feeling defeated. 

⨳ ⨳ ⨳

After a week inside her room, Clio arrived at her classroom and found that everyone was sitting quietly without their books on their table. She assumed they were reading again or doing their own businesses which she doesn't care much.

After they went through, her students seemed to demand her teaching. What else could she do if they slapped her with the etiquette they were exhibiting? She was not an idiot not to notice their intention. 

She put her hands at her back asking, "Whose idea is this?"

No one admitted or pointed out their classmates. 

Clio pressed her voice to sound a little petulant not realizing that her cold gaze already planted fear towards the students as she asked again, "Whose idea is this?"

The students scurried on their seats as if caught doing something naughty. Clio found it an astounding act of bravery. A playful thought struck her mind. She wanted to probe them!

"If no one admits or points him or her out, you will all receive a month of suspension."

Every student's eyes opened wide. They thought they built a good teacher-student relationship after what happened to them, but her tone came rushing like tidal waves waking them up from their dreams. They knew they had done nothing bad, just a bit of prodding her to teach them, but the gravity of punishment was beyond their expectations. It was not even a bit disrespectful, just demanding. It was her job to teach them after all. 

Silence came. Clio thought of a heavier punishment. She acted upset as she crossed her arms on her chest. "If no one will admit it, I will need to suspend all of you."

Moments later, a fair lady rose up from her seat and demanded, "It's unfair teacher Clio. We didn't do anything against the academy's rules, but why do we need to be suspended?"

A young man rose too to pacify her words, "No offense teacher Clio, but Terra didn't mean to sound rude."

"She just did," Clio maintained her daunting mode. "From henceforth, I shall not see any shadow in this room till I say so."

Everyone felt silent until a timid voice rose up from behind, "It…it is my idea, teacher Clio. I…I remembered the first time you came here, seeing us minding our own business is rude to you. So…so I suggested that five minutes before the class starts, we clean up our table, ready to learn from you. I… I didn't mean to offend you."

"No teacher Clio. It's not Aldir's fault. I'm the one who pushed them to act," defended by a youthful man with an air of a leader. He has a unique darker hue of his irides that seemed to hide the abyss itself. He was Dwayne. 

"It is my fault teacher Clio. I should have said that it might offend you, but I did not. Instead, I take part in it. If there is one among us to be punished, it should be me." She doesn't sound convincing as her tone was obviously shaken. 

"Yamea," Thuraya cried. She knew her family's condition and if they found out about her suspension, she might be pulled back and incarcerated inside her room in her city. 

They didn't give Clio an opportunity to speak as they twaddle about it being their fault, taking full responsibility for the matter. Clio was astounded by the sudden change of the atmosphere, but her mien betrayed her emotion. Just a week ago, they were ignoring each other and not daring to help one another, but now they were ready to admit fault for the sake of one another. 

As the students debated who was going to take the responsibility, claps reverberated in front of them. They incredulously stared at the owner of the evincible claps. 

Clio dealt with her amusement before she spoke. She intentionally coughed as her daunting expression changed into an adroit philosopher. "You humans never cease to astound me. I didn't mean to scare you all, but what I did earlier is not true. I apologize for that and for my compensation, I will teach you today but don't expect me to do the same tomorrow. Well, it depends on my mood anyway."

She noticed the incredulous looks of her students who haven't yet settled on their seats, so she snapped her finger saying, "Aren't you going to sit?"

Everyone took their seats but not yet digested what had just happened until Clio started her class that took their full attention forgetting their earlier debate. "Let's start with the history of healing as stated by the books of D. Kale, whoever he was, he did incisive narration. Have all of you read it?"

Everyone nodded, but Terra raised her hand which Clio attended to. "What is it?"

Terra rose from her seat, their form of respect when asking or answering a teacher. "I profess that his narration is incisive but I can't acknowledge it as the basis of the healing education as all I understood about the book is just a spry of imagination as a result from boredom.

"He talked about the Almighty Pisces of great importance as if SHE personally descended to our mundane world to impart such heavenly knowledge, but where did that knowledge go? No one can find a single book containing such formulas of perfect healing that he noted.

"Today, science and mathematics are the primary source of exactness more than mere printed letters that are proven paltry. I beg your pardon, teacher Clio, but we are all done with this kind of knowledge. We need practical exercises."

Clio pondered for her edifying statements, but she couldn't help pointing out the loophole, saying, "You are right! You might also know that every physician tends to follow the old books of medicine, and revise it on their own thoughts. They follow it up with practical experience. That is the easiest way to squeeze young minds into vital labor. 

"As time passed, almost the beginning of such practices is forgotten because of its impracticality and impossibility according to novel books or because the inscription is ancient to decipher or understand. 

"Some ancient books hid the very power you all are just shoving away because of your pride at your own knowledge. You just need to find the right one."

Ameril raised his hand when she paused. Clio tended him too. 

He asked plainly, "Are you telling us to search for such a book? Who knows how many books are out there lying like ancient but not. Worst that can happen, we might end up at the wrong one thinking it is right."

Clio spoke responsibly, "Well, that is really a problem, but worry not because I'm here. Open your book by D. Kale and I will show you what he meant."

Clio goes on with her afternoon class proudly narrating some ubiquitous facts about the Almighties which she found interesting to be recorded for all the years that had passed. 

Osman felt something was amiss. He raised his hand thirsting their teacher's attention which Clio tended again. "Where were the Almighties during the virulent wars 1914 to 1918 and 1939 to 1945 years ago? Where were they during the great famine 1845 years ago? Why do they abandon humankind during pandemics of almost successive years? Almighty Pisces should have shown mercy even just once during those times. SHE is the almighty of healing but SHE failed."

Silence came.

The students knew their teacher would have no idea. Those were old times after all. 

Clio felt guilty. Things went out of their hands when they failed to stay above. She turned around facing her back towards them as she simply answered, "They didn't abandon humanity. They just vanished for some reason."

Ameril was obviously excited by what he heard. "Are you sure teacher? What could be your bases? If the Houses would know your opinion I don't think they would acknowledge it." He surmised, 'she might know some hidden history!'

Clio faced them with her cold mien. She looked at Ameril and tried to sound a little naïve, "Maybe, maybe not."

Osman triggered another curiosity, "How can you say that teacher?"

Osman took back his words thinking his teacher also has no idea about it too, "Just forget it teacher. I came out of the topic."

Clio commented, "You are not to stop when you have an opinion. Either way, you will have your answer or a hush, but at least you try."

Aldir raised his hand as he found something interesting going on, but his tone betrayed his excitement about the matter, "Teacher Clio, if they vanished from above, then who is managing the souls of dead humans?"

Clio clearly clicked her tongue remembering Pepin, 'One has already escaped'. She tried to act calm, betraying the fact of what she knew. "Well, I think those Almighties would not be so dumb not to leave plan B in case of such an emergency, right?"

Aldir shook his head and probed, "But what do you think their plan B teacher is? I firmly believe that your thoughts about this matter do make more sense than the teaching of the 'Great House'."

His classmates hushed him for being so rude about the 'Great House.' Aldir scurried to his seat, a little guilty for going too far.

Clio just lampooned, "So much for that! Can we now continue to the formulation of this concept of Lake? We are straying from our topic."

With her lead, the class went on, touching some ancient formulas of medicine, but her students seemed not to notice it. 

Clio dismissed her class. They all looked exhausted from too much information but the delight of their faces were clear as day. They didn't subside to talk about their lesson in a gleaming hushed tone and gaiety action as they left the room, a new scene to everyone's eyes. 

Aldir went to the opposite side of the hallway. He always went to the library after class as his hobby but this time, he will meet unexpected trouble. Just as he was going to enter the library, someone hauled him towards a dark hallway circling him to deprive him from way out. He could only timidly scurry further to the wall. 

"Tell us about your new teacher and I will not harm you," an airy tone stepped forwards.

Aldir raised his head to take a glimpse and immediately lowered it, maintaining his reticent character. The young man was no other than the famous warrior Kaaran, son of highlord Ignatius. 

Kaaran slammed his fist on the wall near his head and threateningly whispered, "Not going to talk?"

Aldir only shook his head admitting, "I don't know much about her."

Kaaran smirked as he shot a sardonic glance, "Who are you lying too, you moron!" He sent his powerful punch at Aldir's stomach which he bore silently not willing to grunt from pain. "What a fine student you are, Aldir. We all knew that she is young and not even close to the qualifications of a qualified teacher, so why not help us kick her out. It is not better for everyone?"

Aldir winced but maintained his reticence. 

Kaaran was going to strike him again but his fist stopped midway when a voice rang up from behind, "What a headache Aldir. How did you get yourself tangled in this kind of mess?"

Aldir obviously winced again but said nothing to retort. He wanted to cry from dismay. 'You are the reason they're after me, teacher!'

Kaaran and his group placed their fists at their chests with impudent characters. Then, he hung his hand at Aldir's shoulder and sarcastically stated, "We are just catching our old ties teacher."

Clio shooed his words and tried to clear his view, "Desist doing filthy things young men or else you will end in an irrevocable decision." She pulled Aldir out of the circle and hauled him towards the library. 

The group just smirked as their eyes followed the two. 

As they were searching for an empty table, Aldir asked, "Why bother with students' quarrel?" He knew that his teacher didn't know why it happened to him. She just assumed I'm in trouble and whatever trouble it might be, she still stood for him. 

Clio pondered for some time before she replied, "You are my student and that's all that matters. Plus, I know they are troubling you to squeeze information of me."

Aldir jumped in surprise. "How did you know?"

Clio couldn't tell that she heard them from a distance, so she just shrugged her shoulders. "Guess it."

Aldir found this as an opportunity to thank her for everything she had done to them. He fixed his monocles and sounded as polite as he could saying, "Thank you for everything teacher Clio. Now, our class is reborn."

Clio didn't want to mingle too much with humans' affairs in case she developed the feelings of holding back to her goals because of them. She decided to let them decide that kind of matters to themselves as they are bound to. Unknown to her, her students seemed to build trust to her. 

She pointed to an empty table and let him join in. 

Aldir sat opposite to her, sometimes sneaking glances at her face hoping to catch a glimpse of her thoughts through her expression, but nothing! 

He recognized the books at her hands and on the table she accumulated over time - history books, legends, folktale, and folklore. Whatever she was looking for, he could assume that she was digging the ancient civilizations, but why?

A senior student from the Scholar Faculty approached her and respectfully delivered the order from his dean. "You are invited by the Headmaster at his office, teacher Clio." He was fanatically gazing at her as if her very existence was just a fantasy that came into life. 

Aldir stood up and placed his fist at his chest, his sign of respect to bid farewell to his teacher. He took his leave when Clio nodded. 

She stood up to follow the senior student.

As they were walking in the hallway, the senior student added, "Can I accompany you?"

"Of course," she coldly replied. The young man walked a little behind whilst asking questions that sounded like an interview. Clio only answered him if his query fell on the education topic and didn't go astray. The young man found her answer amusing and incredible. She was young and not at his faculty but she could intelligently comment about their faculty's studies.

"I never expected a teacher to have this kind of broad knowledge outside their mastered faculty," he honestly commented. 

Clio didn't bother to explain further. They finally arrived at their destination. He pushed the door and let her in. 

The young man mulled over her words as he walked to his residence by himself. 

Meanwhile, Clio found herself the center of the attraction just as she entered the room, eyes at her. She sat at an empty seat as the Headmaster pointed at her. 

Clio hadn't noticed a copy of something on her table until Headmaster Xarles pointed it out. She read it taking notes of the silence everyone was exhibiting. When she finished it out, Xarles summarized, "As you have read, we thought of revising our laws, letting qualified young minds teach those behind them. Do you have any thoughts about it?"

Clio shook her head, "As I have read, all is well. In this way, you cannot limit your students. In the future, it will be very possible that everyone will be able to access education. That is a wonderful action, Xarles." In her deep regards, all they saw was her cold mien. 

"Wait-" a bald old man, wrinkles were visible on his face just like everyone inside the room except for Clio, derided, "You are mistaken young lass. We are revising our law to serve it as a practical lesson to our students and not to add unwanted headaches to our academy."

If Clio could manifest expression, her lips would surely twitch, but she didn't let her admonition seethed. "It is good for a mind to think on its own, better if two minds work together, but isn't best if every mind of this kingdom works together?"

"What do you want to tell?"

"Make education a right for everyone, not just a privilege."

Silence came.

Xarles broke it by commending, "That's a far fetched dream of yours, teacher Clio. You know that in order to do that, manpower and financial states need to be considered. As you can see, we have neither. And that idea of yours will surely stir troubles from nobles."

Haron replied to her statement with just a smirk.

"I'm not suggesting for its direct impose. This can happen by taking a first step bearing to mind the very goal. No need to fret for-" she raised the documents on her table, "-this is the first step I am talking about."

Xarles laughed heartily, a laugh that saw through a thick layer of façade. "Even if we don't acknowledge your thoughts right now, the end result will be what you say. Nice play , young lass."

Clio shrugged but felt a victory deep inside her but she had no way of showing it.

"Well," Xarles clapped in defeat, "the end result is not that bad, but today, we are going to do our duty that is valid for our millennia." 

"I have no qualms," admitted her. 

"As it was your idea that initiated this revision, can you do me a favor by leading it to a tangible plan?"

"Headmaster Xarles, she has no idea how our administration works. It will take less time to promulgate this law if a master does it like Dean Osias." commented by Haron. Inside, he was grinning vaticinating the fruit he was going to pluck sooner if he was able to change their principal's decision. 

Xarles paused, displaying a thoughtful consideration of his comment. "Then, let's do this. Dean Osias will teach Teacher Clio about our administrative work while she is trying to take our plan into action. We all support them of course. Isn't it cool? We are like killing two birds with one stone."

"Clearly, Headmaster Xarles that this young lady will be a burden more than a helper." Haron wasn't going to back up with his ideal thoughts and tricks. He was clearly showing his support to the master of the administration office. 

Dean Osias was fuming in disbelief. Their Headmaster was asking him to babysit? He couldn't help but laugh in his heart. He was going to voice out his refusal -better stay out of the promulgation of the law than to babysit - when simple words stunned them all. 

"I agree with him," Clio said, pointing at Haron. 

"You do?" asked Osias and Haron in chorus. 

No one talked for a minute. The vibes Haron was displaying should earn displeasure from her, but to their surprise, she even agreed to it. 

'How fascinating!' Headmaster Xarles fell into deep thoughts as he was revising his appraisal of Clio. 

"It will have fruition immediately if someone mastered on it handle it than someone who is novice at it," she explained according to their thoughts. She wasn't a novice at all, just too lazy to work it out. She has a matter to attend to, more important than human business.