Chapter 380: The Children at School

Jenny stood politely at the head of a classroom of children. The group of young children had been left to talk and play with one another whilst she watched over them. Despite having a soft smile on her face, her body was as stiff as a board. In the back of the room, she saw Abu leaning against the wall, watching Edward unmoving in his chair. Looking next to him, a maid stood watching Astrid and Balder, who happily played with those around them.

Looking at another group of children, her lip twitched. Samuel Flanders happily played with the children around him, trying to make as many friends as he could. Much like how Issac easily amassed a following at any banquet he was at, Sameul won over many of the boys.

On the opposite end of the room, Anasatisa Brantov sat with a group of girls her age, pretending to act like their mothers but lacking any of the dignity and grace they would have.

Jenny didn’t know how to act. It was one thing to have the Emperor’s children in her class, but having the Prime Minister’s son, a foreign princess, and numerous other high-ranking nobles’ children was getting to her. Numerous crazy thoughts ran through her mind. Would she get fired if the Emperor felt she did a bad job? What would happen if one of the children tried to hurt the royal children? How would she stop an international incident from breaking out if something went wrong?

She wanted to tear her hair at some point, and the only way she could calm down was by letting the children play to think of a plan. The bells tolled across the school, and Jenny sighed in relief, finally being momentarily free from the dreaded thoughts in her mind.

"Okay, children. Class is over." Clapping his hands, she smiled at the children. Some moaned in annoyance whilst others showed a happy expression. "Please follow the teachers outside to the dining hall for lunch." The children slowly walked out, and Jenny smiled, sitting at her desk.

"Don’t be so nervous." A deep but kind voice spoke out from in front of her, surprising Jenny. Looking up, she met Abu with warm eyes. "It is obvious you are nervous about the Prince and Princess. Do not worry. I will deal with any problems that arise; your job is to teach them."

Jenny stared blankly, nodding without a word. Happy Abu grabbed Edwards’ chair and pushed him out. "Did you have a word with her?" Violette asked quietly as she watched Astrid and Balder try to talk properly.

"Yes. We’ll see if it has any effect." Violette nodded and refocused on her duties, her eyes constantly scanning for any threat towards the children. Abu was similar, frowning in displeasure. The Academy was divided into multiple floors, with the bottom level featuring an open plan and the upper floors overlooking it.

Above him, he could feel the eyes looking down at him, mainly Edward, from the older children. It was obvious Edward could feel it too, the young child sinking into himself and pulling his cover tighter over his body. "Edward." Abu leaned forward and spoke softly to the young child. "Don’t be scared. No one shall hurt you. Not here and not with me around."

His voice seemed to have a small effect on Edward, his small body relaxing a little, yet Abu could tell it would be a long and tiring process before he opened himself up again. Abu glared at the people above and frowned when some had a mocking expression, and could tell his presence alone wasn’t enough. It was something he hated, but he needed to make them fear him to protect Edward. He wasn’t a royal Guard, that much was obvious, and eventually, someone who had bad feelings towards Alfred would try something.

"I will meet you later. I have to see the Headmaster." Violette shot him a confused look, indicating to the people above that he held a rare chill that hadn’t surfaced in a long time. "I must do something first."

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Abu stood in the middle of the training ground of the Academy, fixing the armour around his wrists. It had been a long time since he last wore any type of armour. He had debated using a weapon, but looking at the students around him, he felt there was no point. They were still young and untrained. If he used one, there was a chance he would accidentally kill one.

Looking at Edward, who sat protected by guards provided by the Headmaster himself, he smiled. "It is rare you are ever given the privilege to face someone so esteemed." The teacher, a muscular man with scars covering his body, shouted to the students. "But as requested by the esteemed gentleman by my side, the Crown Prince’s bodyguard has offered the chance to spar you pitiful brats. Anyone who wishes may step forward and challenge him."

The teachers spoke arrogantly, having no faith in his students. Lenaing over to Abu, he smirked, "Are you sure about not using a weapon, My Lord?"

"I am not a lord, there is no need. Besides, you know as well that it would be unfair if we used one. You’ve been East. I’m sure you know what the marks on my face mean." The teacher smiled and nodded. He has been a mercenary before becoming a teacher and had seen the fighting pits first-hand. Abu wants a normal man; he knew that he was a champion. The number of people he had killed in single combat was more than most.

"I shall go." A younger student called out arrogantly and stepped forward. Pulling out his blunt sword, he took a stance but looked confused. "Will you not draw a weapon?"

"No need." Abu confidently strode forward. The teacher took his place to the side and looked at the two. With a nod toward Abu, he took a deep breath.

"BEGIN!" With a booming voice, he shouted out. The student hadn’t moved yet, and seeing that, Abu sighed and moved first.

"A sword is a great weapon." Even though it wasn’t his job, Abu started teaching, seeing it as an opportunity to mentor the young men around him. "Capable of piercing, slashing, blunt force and defending all in one." Abu picked up the pace and jogged towards the student. Lifting his sword up, he swung forward. It was a perfectly struck attack, but lacked any conviction.

Bouncing on his toes, Abu dodged to the side, easily avoiding the attack, which looked slow. "Unlike a spear, you can keep a close gap between you and our enemy." Abu didn’t counter and let the student throw a few more attacks. Ducking, leaning back, and sidestepping, he easily avoided them all. "But there is a certain distance that must be kept." Abu closed in, finally ready to attack. The student threw another attack. Pushing the sword to the side with the armour on his arm, he stood in front of the student and punched the boy’s throat, making him struggle to breathe.

In a quick movement, he used his other hand to grab the back of his head and pulled it down, slamming his knee into the boy’s face. Blood exploded from his nose as he cried in agony, and he fell to the floor. "Once you let your enemy past your defences, you must focus on more than your sword. Your body is a weapon aswell and must be used. Or..." Abu paused and crouched down. Throwing the sword to the side, he grabbed the student by the neck with both hands and lifted him up.

It was a terrifying sight to the students. Only the teacher watched with amazement, recalling the last time he had seen the same brutality of the fighting pits all over again. "You will die." Abu’s eyes went cold, and while he felt horrified at how easily he could threaten the boy in his hands, he knew it was necessary to make a lasting impression on the Academy’s students.

The student tried to hit Abu, desperately trying to break free. "Even if you are able to attack your opponent with your hands and feet, it is meaningless without strength." Abu lowered the boy and released one hand. Curling his hand into a fist, he punched deeply into the boy’s stomach. All the air in his body tried to escape through his mouth, but Abu tightened his grip around his neck and stopped it.

"That’s enough." The teacher quickly interrupted, afraid Abu might accidentally kill the boy.

Abu let go and looked at the student, his terrified eyes staring up at him like a monster. "Forgive me, child." The boy flinched as Abu reached out to pet his head. "Your technique is good, but you lack experience. Keep it up." Brushing his armour of dirt, he looked at the other students. "Does anyone else wish to challenge me?" Looking at them, he hoped another would step forward. He needed to make everyone understand who he was. He needed the entire academy to understand what would happen if they dared try to harm Edward.