The pavement seemed to sway pleasantly beneath his light steps.

Following his first day of work in a long while, Kreig almost felt like singing. Or whistling. Or humming. Of course, he did none of these things. But there was a trace, almost invisible skip to his step. He had a good reason for this. It had, after all, been a very good day.

Training people in the art of combat and condition was nostalgic, but somehow, the part that gave the labour such joy was the simple reason that this would not end in war. The muscles built at the hands of these rigorous youths would not be rendered by any blade, nor would they be used to cause equal destruction to any foe. They were simply made for the sake of having. Movement for the sake of health, not death. It almost brought a smile to his face.

Of course, not all of his new students were quite so pleased with the situation. This was nothing new. Those Kreig trained usually didn’t find his training too pleasant, but now he had some crawlspace. He’d been told quite clearly that his students would want and expect more games than simple exercise. Kreig didn’t know too many such games (only the ones he could remember his fellow soldiers engaging in between battles), and so he trusted that his students would eventually give him suggestions. Once they did, he would be happy to oblige them. But for now, they would toil their bodies much like so many soldiers had before.

He looked forward to the games. In the teachers’ room off in one of the main school buildings, the other teachers had told him a few specifics of the trade, one of which was the fact that he was free to join the students in their games at any time.

Kreig had asked if this was entirely wise since his presence might make the game unfair. The teachers had just laughed at him.

“That’s the point, isn’t it?” the boisterous math teacher had replied.

At the time, Kreig hadn’t been able to answer, but now that he gave it some thought, he understood the point quite well. Battles weren’t always fair, after all. There would always be one side with more money, soldiers and mages. The other side had no choice but to make do. If the soldiers wished to survive, they had to defeat their superior foe through treachery, trickery and intellect.

A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.

Kreig had himself seen many such battles play out, occasionally finding himself on the superior side and at other times on the inferior side. That he was alive today proved his tenacity.

Furthermore, playing games with his students might be fun. Bringing them closer together and such.

For now, most of Kreig’s students seemed slightly intimidated, which was expected. Kreig hoped to change that view someday. He didn’t want to be their trainer, simply barking orders for them to follow. He was their teacher. And if Erica had taught him anything these past weeks, it was that being a teacher meant being more than a walking lexicon full of answers.

It meant being a guide. A friend, at times.

The face of his smiling tutor flashed through his head. He felt dizzy and hot.

...Maybe more?

Kreig quickly shook his head. No, no. That was… Not a thought he was willing to contemplate. There was too much in his head already. So, instead, he looked down at his feet. His shoes were alright. A little tight. He looked straight ahead. People parted before him like waves before a boat. A few who weren’t looking ahead experienced a brief moment of panic as they glanced up, froze, and then scurried off to the side.

It wasn’t too unusual of a sight for Kreig, but at times, he really did wish there was some alternative. Some way he could get home fast without having people escape his trod and gaze with panic.

He glanced over at the nearby street, where cars and so-called “bikes” zoomed past. Hmm. Getting a driver’s license didn’t appeal to him, but a bike might get him out of the way of most ordinary people. Alright. Kreig decided then and there to ask his siblings about it.

But first, he had a brief spout of tutoring to get through.

As he came home, he met up with Erica, who stood leaned against a tree outside. She smiled and joined him as they went upstairs. See, with Kreig’s new schedule, they could no longer have tutoring during the day. Instead, they had a shorter bout during the evening, right before dinner. None after dinner, though. One might ask how Kreig could afford effectively cutting his tutoring in half, but there was a good reason for this.

He just didn’t need it anymore. He’d passed the required tests for a few parts already and was well on the way with the rest. Even more so, if he felt that his tutoring with Erica didn’t cover what he had to know, he simply spent his time studying.

Unlike his prior experience studying, he now found it almost enjoyable. Especially so the history books, which he studied with an almost passionate fervour. His interest in math remained waning, however.

Despite his independent studying, Kreig continued to find his tutelage under Erica the most fruitful time.

Regardless, when the time rolled around, Erica left, leaving Kreig alone to prepare dinner. He enjoyed his brief time of solace, and when his sister came home, he welcomed her with a glance. She griped about her day’s worries while Kreig put the finishing touches on the food, and once George arrived home, dinner was served.

From dinner to bedtime was a quick shift.

Even as he slept, Kreig knew nothing of the harsh interrogation taking place between two of his very students.