Apologies and Punishments

Kayn's first lesson was a general overview of healing and its uses as well as giving examples of how each element could be used during the healing process. While this was going on, Marvelo Whiteclaw was sitting and fuming on his bed with a crystal in his hand, waiting for the other side to pick up.

This communication crystal was top of the line, hence when the other side answered, the scene of a woman with the same white cat ears appeared and was sitting behind a desk filled with paperwork. "What can I do for you dear? Are you not supposed to be attending your first class currently?" The woman asked.

"Mother, I left that class as it was a sham! The professor looked no older than a couple years above me and even stated ridiculous things! I wouldn't learn anything from a professor who just started teaching. Worse yet, he said he was going to deduct 80 contribution points from me!

"Worst of all, I now have to meet with Director Vix about this! She was attending the class but refused to do anything about it! How could someone as esteemed as Director Vix sit there and do nothing?!" Marvelo started to tell his mother all of his grievances, not noticing the frown on her face growing deeper the more he spoke.

"Marvelo Carest Whiteclaw, what have you done? Immediately return to that class and apologize to the professor and Director Vix! That 'sham' of a professor is a genius healer who even Charlotte Erving of the White Hand Society respects!" 

Marvelo's face became flabbergasted, "What? That person who spouts trash is respected by the leader of the White Hand Society? Why are you defending him and not me Mother?"

"I may be one of the five Royal Healers, but that man is probably more of an expert on the subject than even I am! He healed an unknown case of mana poisoning in just a few moments for goodness' sake. This is a disaster! How did I raise such a stupid child! Never mind about meeting them, wait in your room and do not leave until I get there." 

His mother's expression looked like she would murder him through the crystal if she could. He didn't know what to expect when she arrived, but he hoped that she could help him with Director Vix and maybe even get that man fired, obliviously to why she was so upset.

…

Meanwhile, a few hours later the bell rang, signifying the end of Kayn's first lesson.

"That will be all for today, please pick up the worksheet I have on the table next to the podium before you leave. You will be expected to have studied the information on it and we will try to perform the listed spell during our next meeting. Thank you." Kayn spoke as he pointed to the stack of papers that had been sitting on the desk since he got there.

The worksheet was actually just the simple tier 0 healing spell that he had to learn in order to first become Lydia's disciple. It also had a few basic review questions that asked about topics covered in the days lesson.

Everyone in this class had the capability to learn the spell as entrance into the academy was not easy to obtain and only those who were smart enough and had enough talent would be able to enroll.

He didn't expect everyone to be able to cast it though, healing just wasn't for some people. This was an easy way to show those individuals who didn't have a talent for healing just that. Once they figured that out, they could focus on finding what they were good at.

Annabelle Mirth was the last to grab a worksheet, "Thank you for the lesson today Professor, I look forward to learning more from you." She gave a small bow and left the room, leaving the only two people inside Director Vix and Kayn himself.

"That was a very informative first lesson Professor Ashan. I must warn you though, that Whiteclaw boy could be trouble because his father is an entitled prick just because of his wife. His mother is one of the five Royal Healers after all. But knowing her, I don't expect anything untoward to happen."

It was at this moment that the door opened once more with a woman with fluffy white cat ears dragging in a young boy by his own fluffy ear. This was none other than Marvelo Whiteclaw and his mother.

"Director Vix, hello. And you must be the Healer Ashan, or should I say Professor Ashan, that I have heard so much about. I'm Clara Whiteclaw. I'm sorry for the intrusion, but I believe there is a situation that my son must apologize for, even beg on his knees if he has to.

"Unfortunately, he takes after his father with his pompous attitude. I deeply apologize for raising such a disrespectful son." Clara Whiteclaw bowed 90 degrees while also forcing her son's head down as well.

As Clara Whiteclaw and Director Vix had known each other since their days in the academy, Director Vix didn't take her son's disrespect to heart.

"Royal Healer Whiteclaw, while your son was disrespectful towards me, his attitude and behavior towards Professor Ashan were outright despicable.

"Honestly, if Professor Ashan wanted him expelled rather than just kicking him out of his class and giving him negative 80 contribution points, I would probably bring the matter to the Headmaster and recommend the punishment myself. In other words, Professor Ashan has been remarkably kind to your son, given the amount of disrespect he was shown."

Clara glared at her son, causing him to drop his eyes to the ground as he couldn't meet her gaze. She then turned to look at Kayn, "Professor Ashan, please, what would it take to allow for my son to earn your forgiveness? I don't expect you to teach him, and I'll even say right now that you can assign him negative 250 points, but I can't bear to see him expelled."

"Royal Healer Whiteclaw, there is no need to go so far. Since I am new and do look quite young, I'm not opposed to forgiving your son if he personally apologizes to me. I also expect him to do some community work for the healing department as well as receive the negative contribution points you have offered.

"In fact, I'll even accept him back into my class if he promises to not interrupt again and performs as I expect the son of a Royal Healer should."

Clara Whiteclaw stared at her son as this was a much better deal than he would get if he had disrespected any other professor, not including the director of a department.

Kayn couldn't visibly see it, but he could tell that Marvelo was gritting his teeth. It seemed like he was struggling, but he eventually bowed down, "I'm sorry for my behavior earlier Professor Ashan."

However, he still turned around to face his mother, "I'm also sorry to you Mother, but I don't want to follow in your footsteps as a healer. Instead, I will join the light department's paladin recruitment as I've always been skilled with a mace."

With that, he walked out of the room, paying no further attention to those inside. Clara couldn't do anything but shake her head at her son's foolishness. All of her sons took after their father, but fortunately she had a daughter that was intelligent and knew how to be respectful.

"I'm sorry Director Vix and Professor Ashan, all of my sons take after their father. If you would like a better impression of my family Professor Ashan, please visit the fourth-year healing classes to find my daughter Maria. I will take my leave now."

After Clara Whiteclaw left, Kayn and Director Vix stared at each other and shrugged their shoulders before Director Vix spoke, "She wasn't lying about Maria, truly a swan in a family of toads."

She sighed as she thought about Maria before brushing it to the side. "The rest of the day and tomorrow are yours to do with what you wish. You'll find the schedule of the other classes in this booklet. I'll see you in two days Professor Ashan." Director Vix handed Kayn a small booklet before she left the room as well.

Kayn stood there, wondering what he should do with the rest of his day before deciding to eat lunch and spend the rest of the day with Lara roaming the academy.

The remainder of the lectures for the day didn't interest him. Tomorrow morning was a lecture on beginning alchemy though, so that's what he would attend as his first lesson at the academy.