Page ౮ ) Elizabeth Taylor and the start of education

[Location:Penber Estate, Ravenholm Island, West Blue]

[Time: The Next Day]

The morning was peaceful, the sun was shining, the birds were chirping, and the breeze was blowing through the trees, creating a serene atmosphere, when:

"What the hell is this?!"

Inside a room somewhat looking like a classroom, but with only a single student, sat our protagonist, the dashing, the handsome, the man(boy), Ray Penber. Who was in despair on looking at his study schedule.

"This wasn't made for humans! This is child abuse!"

For someone as mentally strong as our protagonist, one must be curious. How terrible could the schedule be? So much so that Ray calls it child abuse?

Mind you, Ray wad a successful businessman in last life. The life of a businessman is a tough one, where a single decision can make or destroy someone's life. An environment, where people predate on each other's weakness, where they pull others down, all so that they can rise to the top. And in such a world, Ray, or rather Toni, rose to the pinnacle. Such is his willpower, whetted and developed by a harsh world.

But even such willpower is broken in front of this schedule... Let us see, what hell looks like.

[Ray POV]

"Math, History and Civics, geography, Policy making, Finance, Psychology, business and arts for the mind?"

"Dance, etiquette, unarmed and armed combat training for the body?"

"I'm only 7 years old! How in the holy Jesus am I supposed to learn all of this at once?!", Ray yelled at his tutor, holding the sides of his head in distress.

"Young Master Ray, it is of utmost priority for you to learn to control your emotions in front of others. It is unbecoming for the heir of the Ravenholm Island and the Familia. Also, who is this Jesus you speak of?"

"Don't worry about it. But there's no way anyone can complete such a vast amount of syllabus!"

"This schedule is exact same schedule taught to every heir in the previous years, and you will be no different, Young Master Ray.", the tutor replied assertively, adjusting her glasses as she spoke.

Elizabeth Taylor, Ray's tutor, was an old woman, with grey hair, but the years had not make her back bend, and she stood perfectly straight. She wore clothes somewhat similar to that of a maid, but more better looking. She had piercing grey eyes that seemed to peer right into someone's soul, and a somewhat hooked nose. She held a thin stick in her hand, overall giving her a strict vibe.

"But why do I need to learn Arts and dance?!"

"As the heir, and eventually the leader of the Ravenholm Islands, you will need to learn art to appreciate it and to build connections using your knowledge of art. You will need to learn how to dance, as during events, you will need to dance with the Young Ladies of other prestigious families and organisations. You will also need to learn etiquette to not be seen as rude at those very events."

"...tch." Ray could not find any holes in her explanation, thus dropping his plan of convincing his teacher into dropping any unnecessary subjects.

"And will you be teaching everything?"

"I will be teaching you almost everything, except for armed and unarmed combat. For that, you will be trained by a trusted combat personnel."

'Damn it! With such a jam-packed schedule, I won't be able to make time for any Haki training... I need to find a way to train Haki. Well, there is the easy way of showing to my father my Observation Haki, which I've had since my birth, but that'll expose me too much... I wish to be a bit discreet until I grow stronger. Innate Observation Haki is too rare to be found, even rarer than Conqueror's Haki, and those found to possess it are either controlled or killed off... and I do not want to be assassinated a 2nd time. The Familia may be strong, but it can't protect me all the time.' Thinking as such, Ray dropped the idea of revealing his talent.

"Any more questions, Young Master?"

"...None."

'I need to find some ways to make time, not only for training, but for other important projects... I'm a grown-ass man, I can ace this shi. Then maybe it won't take so long, and I would have the time I want.'

"Okay, we'll start the class with a bit of world history and geography

'This should be easy. I remember the One Piece lore, as well this world's geography.'

"Ok, let's do this!"

[Time: 2 Hours later.]

'What the hell is this?! It's so much more complicated when compared to One Piece?! The history of the Penber Family is an extensive one, but thankfully, the planet's geography remains the same. Problem is, other than, East Blue, Grand Line and New World, not much of the world is explored in the story, with only tidbits of information, or flashbacks existing in the manga and anime.' Ray pondered, losing concentration on the class he was currently in.

*𝘞𝘩𝘢𝘤𝘬!*

"Ouch!" Ray rubbed his hand, which had a bright red mark from the stick carried by his tutor, Elizabeth.

"Pay attention to what I'm teaching, Young Master. Do not let your mind wander.", she stated, a strict look on her face.

"Miss Taylor, I am very curious about one thing, unrelated to studies. Answer me thus, and I'll concentrate in the class next time."

She was about to reject him, but looking at the restless curiosity in his eyes, she decided to indulge him for once.

"Hah... very well Young Master Ray. Go ahead. But I can't promise to answer your doubt, bur I can promise that I'll atleast listen."

"Alright, my question is: how are you so confident in front of me? During my birthday party, people looked at me with fear and respect, even within the Familia. Only my parents ever hit me. And now, you have hit me. Do you not fear the consequences?"

"Your father had given me full reign over how your studies will go. Thus, there are no consequences."

"For now. But what about in the future? When I become the Head? Aren't you afraid that I would make life difficult for you and your family? Wouldn't you fear me holding grudges towards you?"

"... I won't answer that for now Young Master. I will answer that question in the future, when you will have completed your education and would have grown into a fine man."

"I will hold you to your promise, Miss Elizabeth."

________________________________________

Author: Give me powerstones, and add the story to your library.