Despite it being the first day back the Academy didn’t have the small introductory period that it started with last year and got right to work in teaching its students. The basic homeroom and general knowledge classes still fell to Abbot Silvertongue to teach.
“Moving forward this class will also start to delve into some of the secrets that the kingdom of Gryndor is keeping from the general public.” Professor Silvertogue said as the lesson approached the end. “The first one being that the first year in the academy is also the time when you are vetted for whether or not you are a spy. I highly suggest that you do not miss out on these lessons as they are most likely something even most of your prodigious families were not allowed to tell you.”
Ajax had a feeling that the word most wasn’t part of that speech usually but given that two possible archduke heirs and a prince were part of the class amends had needed to be made. Despite this he had no intention of missing any classes. Despite him passing off most of the responsibilities that came with nobility to his family, it was his job as the head of the House to gather important information like national secrets.
“Ajax, a word.” The professor held him back as the rest of the class dispersed.
“As you have been made aware, the two periods you have free from now until your afternoon combat training are for your own chosen study.” the professor reiterated. “Sadly, your scores on the written test was not high enough to get you off the remedial list.”
“They weren’t?” Ajax sounded surprised as his scores weren’t the lowest of the class yet he was the only one that would be taking them.
“Overall your scores in the crafting disciplines were more than enough to put you in the top end of the class however with crafting taken out you were dead last.” the professor explained. “Your reluctance to learn historic names has been particularly flagged.
“Why are the names important?” Ajax questioned. “I know where it happened and how.”
“Because of noble pride.” the professor answered and Ajax couldn’t fight the impulse to roll his eyes.
“No, you will learn.” the professor cut him off harshly, Ajax could feel the professors aura press down on him. “This is not noble pride that we want people to learn our names. There is a reason why we only focus on the last two thousand years my seriously than anything that came before, regardless of the difference in the scale of the achievements.”
“And what is that?” Ajax asked.
“You will not be required to learn the name of great tacticians. For them your current approach is fine, learn from their actions. It is the naturally gifted that you have to study, they form Houses and dynasties that work in a similar manner. Not only that but noble pride demands that they display their sigil.” the professor said.
“Take me as the best example.” the professor pointed out. “Anyone taking the field against an army led by me will always be wary of their own allies because of my families widespread political achievements. A scout’s glimpse of a sigil can tell you that the enemy commander is a strong fire caster, or a powerful swordsman. But that is only if you know what to look for.”
Ajax had to lower his head at that chastisement. The professor was objectively right and he knew it. With the tendency of high nobles to live for more than a few centuries it could happen that a standout hero from a battle that happened five hundred years ago would be the one leading in a battle they were about to take part in.
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“That said, going forward this year you will be spending one or two of your days from each cycle with me. If you can prove to be self-reliant in this these lessons will stop and we will simply provide you the information and test you on it.” the professor said.
“Speaking of scouting.” Ajax said. “As of late I have been having a lot more people try to inspect me as I make my way through the city.”
“Did any of them gather anything important through [Enigma]?” the professor was suddenly serious and on edge.
“No, most are blocked outright, but one or two managed to confirm my name.” Ajax said.
“That’s good.” The professor relaxed. “That would just be the regular spies.”
“I’m being spied on?!” Ajax reacted.
“Investigated is more the way I would put it.” the professor said, but at Ajax’s maintained frown he went deeper. “Your sudden appearance and dominance of the tournaments as well as your ascension to nobility is public knowledge, add your other achievements on top and it makes sense that you would be investigated.”
“Why would it take this long then?” Ajax asked.
“Because it's other nations that are investigating you. It takes time for their spies to get the information back and get new orders so you had a somewhat quiet break but by now all of their spies should have you near the top of their ‘find out what is going on with him’ list.” the professor explained.
“That’s not to say that the royal family has hung you out to dry,” the professor reassured him. “I’m sure you have a constant defense team following you in public. This is why it’s important, if you ever feel someone managed to break through your [Enigma] and gather something sensitive lock your gaze on to him and look startled and panicked. That will mark them for capture or elimination.”
“That would be enough?” Ajax asked.
“Well, this is lesson was scheduled for the middle of the year but I guess I can move it up to tomorrow. Essentially it boils down to this : as royals reach the end of their reign they get a lot more freedom. Even if the crown is passed down peacefully internally, externally it can be used as a piece of theater to get certain unsavory things done.” the professor said.
“Things like what?” Ajax asked.
“The most recent example is the elves. They had their king step down shortly after peace with the republic was reached. Their royal family had him step down, hated by the populace because he struck trade deals with the republic. The current king keeps those deals intact as a sign of respect to his fathers final actions as king.” the professor said.
“And our own king is nearing the time when he will be passing on the crown to his son.” Ajax said as he put it all together.
“Oh that’s not even the half of it.” the professor said. “ Uncle Gryndor was known for his conniving tricks. Hell if I hadn’t ended up as your teacher and only heard of you from the tournaments I would think that you are definitely a planned centerpiece in his final actions as king.”
“But I’m not.” Ajax said.
“You’re not planned, that part is true.” the professor nodded along. “I wonder just how many plans you derailed for Uncle Gryndor, but let me assure you, you are the centerpiece now. There might have been some doubt but the simple fact that you have [Enigma] and are so well protected against spies because of it makes you the perfect point of focus.”
“I can feel the headache this conversation is giving me.” Ajax complained as he rubbed his forehead.
“Don’t think about it all right now, you’re going to be late to your next class.” the professor said as he usher Ajax towards the door. “If you want one positive take away from all this however, know that you have the king backing you for now. As long as you don’t do something completely unacceptable you’ll find that you can get away with a thing or two.”
“Something like what?” Ajax asked as he exited the class and started heading towards the Alchemy room.
“First thing that comes to mind is that when the inspectors come to look over your farming plots, you can tell them all to take a hike. Everyone knows you’re doing something there and I wouldn’t bet against one of them leaking it. But a noble refusing an inspection is always brought up to the king for review.” the professor said. “I can already hear Uncle Gryndor scoffing at the request to sanction you just for refusing an inspection.”
That bit of news did help Ajax’s mood as he entered the Alchemy room. “Ajax there you are, I was beginning to worry.” Professor Vilethorn was quick to greet him. “Now that we are all here, let me begin by welcoming you all and informing you that on the third and ninth day of the cycle the class will not be held on the account of the first years.”
Ajax took a look around the class to see that it had students from all classes, starting from the second and all the way to the sixth. Crafting classes following the mandatory first year schedule worked more like clubs where the different grades interacted with each other and students picked one or two of them to focus on in depth instead of the previous variety approach.
“Second year, you are all going to be taking a test.” the professor continued. “Those of you who do not pass will not be welcome in this class.”