The Ruler Of Gilead - Chapter 12 The New Teacher

The next day Hittan had gone ahead with Headmaster Fahim to be introduced to the rest of the faculty and Captain of the Guards. Fahim had brought the uniforms for the juniors which were the Outer Core students formal dress. The uniforms were white form-fitting long sleeve open front shirts that overlapped at the front when closed. It came with white form-fitting pants worn under the shirt which was held in place by a white cloth belt. The belt had an engraved mountain surrounded by clouds on a badge at the front. The outfit was completed with a cloth-like shoe that was also white.

As for Hittan’s uniform, it was also the same but it came with a sleeveless green coat which had a Mountain surrounded by the clouds emblem on the back. With the uniforms distributed the juniors were given a map of the academy with the directions to an open-air theatre where their first class would be held.

…

It was now time to leave for their first class and Edan looked out into the courtyard at the rest of the members of New Hope and assumed his position. Hittan was busy with formal meetings and he needed to step up to the task of leading the team.

“Are we ready?!”

“Yes,” Sahar responded first as she was the fondest of Edan and Hittan from the Coming Of Age ceremony.

“Then let’s head down the mountain as we need to ensure Hittan has support on his first day.”

…

“Kaia, Master has gone to an impromptu meeting this Early Sun and has informed us to go with the rest of the group.”

“Okay, Kaija. Do you think we can escape the watchful eye of Father while under the master’s watch?”

“Hard to tell, he’s always plotting something. At least he can’t act while we’re with Master.”

“Well, let’s meet up with Sang and the others. You know he likes you?”

“That is his own problem and not one I wish to be involved with.”

“The Ice Princess strikes again! Hehehe, just kidding sister, but he certainly is persistent. Let’s send word to them to let them know we’re coming down.”

…

“Sang! The princesses have sent word that they will meet up with us just outside of the teacher’s commune.”

“Okay, let’s get ready. Though if not to be with the Princesses I doubt there would be a need to even attend these remedial classes. I’m as strong as the Crown Princess and stronger than the rest of these Outer Core student. I doubt they can even fight someone a rank higher than their own.”

“You’re right Sang, they aren’t even worth our time!”

…

“Headmaster is it really okay for me to be a substitute teacher? Some of the other teachers are worried that this decision may cause some chaos amongst the students.”

“Well if some of the students can’t accept it let them see the facts for themselves. I’m sure once you’ve shown them you are qualified their restlessness will be placed at ease.”

‘The world never changes’ Thinking to himself Hittan continued walking with Elder Fahim.

“Okay, let’s move towards theatre 1 of the Outer Core region. I’m sure by now the students would have already gathered.”

Hittan simply nodded as they made way towards the theatre. As the groups started to converge one by one it became apparent how large the academy really was. The academy actually takes the best prospects from the surrounding cities in its territory. Most candidates for the institute are from noble families of the local lords, the regional Kingdoms and nobles of Alicorn Empire. Of course, the members of the Dragon and Phoenix village are among them. However, in the institute, the hierarchy is simple and starts with the Outer Core, Inner Core, God Spark Candidates, the guards (members of the God Spark unit), Teachers or Elders and finally the Headmaster.

The crowd had finally settled and all the groups that had planned to meet up were finally in place. It was a sea of colour as each person had the hair colour matching their mineral core. It was then that the group from the Dragon and Phoenix village realised the reason the village could send them to the academy without the worry of discovery.

“Settle down everyone and please welcome the Headmaster of Sky Element Academy, Fahim!” shouted the guard standing next to the stage.

The crowd watched as two individuals walked onto the stage one being an Elder that the crowd could imagine was Headmaster Fahim. While the other was a slim young man with white translucent hair similar to that of a diamond that flowed over his shoulders, he had smooth white skin that seemed unaffected by the heat of 3 suns and Sapphire blue eyes. His facial features were pretty enough to be almost feminine with his slender straight nose and small mouth. He stood a couple of steps behind the Headmaster but the most shocking part of him was that he wore a teacher’s robe over his 6ft plus frame!

“Good day young challengers! Many of you are new to the institute and I would like to officially welcome you all to the Sky Element Academy. I know some of you may even question the need to be here. You believe yourself to be the genius amongst geniuses! I can’t blame you for that way of thinking. Because the world you know is shallow and in that world, you are the strongest and at worst marginally weaker than the strongest person you know. But there is always a mountain outside the mountain and this is something you need to know before you rush out into the world filled with pride and arrogance.

Behind me, is one such mountain and your new substitute teacher. He will instruct you in the following areas:

-Combat

-Skills Training

-Elemental Power Association

If you believe he is not what I say he is, you are free to validate my claim. Please come and introduce yourself to the class.” Gesturing towards Hittan to come forward Fahim then started making his way down the stage.

‘It seems I must be the target and goal for these junior. Well, it doesn’t matter, at present, I truly am a junior myself. Let’s fulfil the request of the Elder as it won’t hurt to motivate and educate the young arrogant ones.’

“Sister, do you believe that? Do you think that he is as strong as Sang or us?”

“I’m sure the Headmaster would not have made such claims if he wasn’t at least at that level.”

“Oh look Master has arrived!”

“Master, Kaija greets you and I hope the meeting was a pleasant one.”

“Master, Kaia greets you.”

“Okay stop with the formalities you two. You’ll embarrass your aunt.”

“Aunty, was your meeting about him?”

“Kaia, don’t pry into our Aunt’s business. Plus it is obviously as you’ve guessed.”

“Very astute girls. It was about the new teacher and we are all curious about him too.”

Sang had not been too far from the girls as it seemed even though they “met up” they were not standing close to each other. A point Kaija made sure to enforce.

“Sang do you think he’s as good as you?”

“I doubt it, Jager. After all, the Headmaster as never seen us in action before. Not all of us are limited to our own ranks when we fight.”

It was at this time that Falkner couldn’t help but retort the group that started to clammer around him and team New Hope.

“What do you fools know! Step forward to challenge him if you dare and see how the ground tastes!”

Edan had to smile at Falkner’s comment for the fact that it was Falkner that first spoke up.

Hittan had to cough once at what Falkner said but he could not disagree with the logic of it.

*Cough*

“Fellow students my name is Hittan, your new Substitute Teacher. I would also recommend that we reflect on our strength and know we are not invincible. There are many ways to die out there in the world. Let’s not add being foolhardy and arrogant to the list. Many of you are of the opinion that I am unproven or unqualified to instruct you. This a is a fair statement as I do not know what you’re capable of, correct?

Okay, I can solve that right now as long as the Headmaster agrees?” Hittan looked towards the Headmaster who had already stepped off stage.

“I see no problem, but do not be excessive they are after all your students too.”

‘It’s like he’s trying to infuriate these students to attack me in mass!’ “… Okay, I will accept 4 challengers from the Outer Core division and let this be my first class, Combat. However, no one from the Topaz Rank may step forward as that would just be a waste of my time.”

“What! You arrogant toddler! Someone should step up there and show you what a waste of time looks like!” Immediately the crowd was in a frenzy at both the Headmaster and Hittan’s words of taunt!

Sang was the first to lose his cool from what he thought was a pure slap in the face and utter disregard!

“I would like to challenge you! But do not look down on my Topaz Rank as no normal Corundum warrior can stand before me, Sang!” Jumping onto the stage Sang stood before Hittan.

The crowd of students immediately quieted down and started to pay keen attention to the stage.

“Kaija, Kaia watch carefully as Sang is close to your level of strength and this fight is essentially Hittan vs you both.”

“Yes, Aunty.” Both sisters answered in unison.

Hittan looked at Sang for a moment and shook his head. “Take your weapons out or summon your Elemental Skill and we may begin.”

“You certainly are conceited for someone my age, Elder Hittan!” As Sang said this he began to rise off the platform and soared 30 feet off the ground. Hittan looked at him as if nothing had changed and simply waited.

“HE CAN FLY AT THE TOPAZ RANK! The crowd was in an uproar at the sight of someone using skills from higher ranks.

The next moment the crowd was silenced by Hittan’s sudden vanishing act. But left with their jaws dropped at his reappearance in front of Sang!

“Bare handed is fine too, I hope you are ready?”

“My Elder, please instruct me.”

Hittan smiled and took a step forward using the Flicker step while still mid-air and launched a punch to Sang’s stomach.

Ragna looked at her disciples and asked, “tell me what are Sang’s chances in this exchange?”

“50/50 I’d say. Don’t you think so Kaija?”

“60/40 in favour of Hittan.”

“Oh, let’s see which of you is right.”

Seeing the punch headed straight for his stomach Sang took a defensive stance and moved his forearm to parry away the strike in an upward block and return one of his own. Clearly, he had been in a few fights and knew a thing or two. But the moment his arm made contact with Hittan’s, it passed right through!

Bang!

Sang was sent flying towards the ground clutching his stomach.

Thud!

Sang landed on stage crouched over in a state of shock which was an unfamiliar feeling. As evident by the expressions observed on the faces of friends from the Alicorn Empire. Kaia and Kaija were no exceptions as their predictions were completely off. It was a one-sided slap down with no room for arguments! Jager was first to react and rush to Sang’s side to escort his friend off stage.

“Okay, since we’ve ended the warm-ups, I’ll take on the other three challengers. I repeat Corundum Rank or higher.”

It was then that a senior member of the Outer Core division stepped forward.

“By your words, you are accepting challenges from Diamond Rank students?”

“Yes, feel free to summon your elemental skill or take out your weapons.”

“Master, can he manage a Diamond Ranked warrior?”

“I honestly don’t know, Kaia. He keeps his aura under control quite well. But the Headmaster isn’t one to waste time so I think he should be fine.”

BANG!

Another student clutching his stomach on the ground!

“WOW! Did you see that!?”

“One punch and he went down like the last guy!”

“But wasn’t he a Diamond Ranked warrior?”

“What grade Diamond warrior was he?”

The crowd lost their minds in shock and looked to the nearest Elder and found Elder Ragna for answers.

“He was a level 1 Diamond Warrior,” Ragna responded without delay.

“Is there anyone else that would like to confirm my status as a worthy teacher? If not, I think you all should move on to the next lesson or event planned for the day. I hope the lesson of today is not easily forgotten. Do not underestimate your opponent or overestimate your own strength. Measure the situation properly and only commit to a fight worth committing to, because it could be a fight where your life hangs in the balance. The next class is tomorrow at High Sun.”

“Sahar, inform the others that we will wait for Hittan before moving onto the next class.”

“Okay Edan, I will inform them.

“Girls let me introduce you to your new substitute teacher, come.”

“Yes, Master.” The girls answered in unison.