What's the Grade?

Clavius Marrows was a knight among the knights of the Silver Claws Order, and many times they wished for him to take on the leadership role. Only after much insistence and with the endorsement of Baron Roderik Von Shift did he eventually assume leadership. Clavius admired Baron Roderik as his liege lord and saw in him qualities long lost among the nobility. Perhaps not even the Prince had as much honor as his Baron, but that was something he kept to himself. He was a man of value and high esteem in his word, never revoking it even if he regretted some ill choice. He was also a thoughtful man who knew how to be tough when necessary and held great military power among his peers. He personally defended his battles and showed why he would not budge from where he planted his flag to fight. His knights were among the best, second only to those of the Royal Palace's high class, but that was another story.

What surprised Knight Clavius was the importance his lord placed on a child he had mistakenly considered part of the useless plebeian crowd flooding the kingdoms, duchies, and baronies. Little Joe was seriously injured, his exhaustion visible, and his suffering evident to anyone passing by. Holding him briefly in his arms, Clavius felt compassion for the child, who had tried so hard to impress the Baron. The students witnessing Joe's situation seemed as happy as vultures admiring the carcass they would soon devour, while also envying being carried by a knight of the Silver Claws Order. They all recognized those insignias and that type of armor that only the most renowned knights were allowed to wear. Things they had only seen in books were now live and in color, and they drooled over that imposing and hurried figure.

Assuming that in some way, little Joe had exceeded boundaries and was severely reprimanded by Clavius, he was taken far enough to experience such a reprimand. As he continued on his way, passing through room after room, Clavius heard young ladies whispering to each other:

"I wish I could be carried like that too."

He smiled as he handed the boy over to Mistress Nali, who, without knowing the reason, found the knight's smile somewhat sadistic for that situation.

"Take good care of the boy," he said seriously, noting Mistress Nali's indifference, knowing that he would rarely see that knight's face again in that region.

"You can count on it. I'll see what I can do to help this boy."

"I'll repeat only this once, Mistress Nali: take good care of this boy because I will come to visit him myself. And it won't be for free. Buy whatever he needs, whether clothes, medicine, or food, and keep the rest." He tossed a silver coin onto the table, something she had never received, not even in her payments as a mistress.

"You can count on it, sir. I won't let this child lack anything. From now on, I'll take care of him as if he were my own."

"No, Mistress Nali, I hope you take care of this child as if he were mine."

And he hurried away, leaving the mistress startled by his words.

"I'm here, sir. How may I serve you?" asked Clavius, curious, knowing that his lord, the Baron, was more discerning than he himself.

"Continue treating me just like any other friend, Clavius, at least until we leave here."

"Yes, my Baron, I mean, yes, sir. But how may I assist you?"

"What did you think of little Joe?"

"What about him?"

"Don't worry, Clavius. It's just an innocent jest between that boy and me."

"So I suppose that's why he calls you 'Rodek'?"

"Yes, exactly. But putting that aside, what did you think of his martial arts demonstration?"

The knight's eyes gleamed for a moment and then seemed to dim slowly.

"I know what you're thinking, Clavius, but I'm asking for an honest opinion from a high-level knight like yourself."

"Sir, forgive me if I offend with my opinion, but... It was the best performance I've ever seen. The concentration, the movement of hands, body, the synchronization... My Baron, what was that?" The knight covered his mouth immediately after and quickly released the words.

"Like this, sir, I barred the door with my sword. I thought it was too important a conversation for Mistress Nali to interrupt us. But what impressed me most were the precise commands you gave, the speed, and the timing of their delivery."

"Don't exaggerate, Clavius. It's not that impressive. This time, all the credit goes to that boy. If he weren't so determined, my orders wouldn't have had an effect."

"Sir Roderik, one of the things that struck me most was precisely the combination of synchronization, speed, and obedience in execution."

"What grade would you give that boy, Clavius?"

"Sir Roderik, I sincerely would like to give the highest grade, but given the circumstances, I give a seven, overall. There was a lack of conclusion in hitting the target, and he also failed to follow through. If only he had torn off a little piece of stone, I would gladly award that boy with an eight."

Baron Roderik knew that Clavius was a knight of high class, very discerning. As much as the candidate had skills in fencing, combat, or even displayed some renowned martial art, he rarely attributed a grade four to the individual. So, that seven was something phenomenal coming from that knight.

"And as for you, what would be your grade for this martial performance?" asked Knight Clavius, curious, knowing that his lord, the Baron, was more discerning than he himself.

"Come here and analyze these stones, please. After that, tell me what grade I would receive."

Clavius went without understanding the reason, and as soon as he touched the stones that had been touched by little Joe in his martial performance, the stones began to crack, one by one, until they were all in pieces. His face turned pale, and almost unable to speak, he only muttered:

"Ten, Sir Roderik! Certainly... deservedly, ten!"