Embracing Magic - E.M Chapter 12 (Part 1)

With the test results out, the punishments for the children also began.

Those who failed were thoroughly beaten on their thighs and had to study separately after dinner.

In any case, with the completion of the Common Continental Language exam, one hurdle was crossed. Literally, it was just one hurdle. The next classes continued.

The next two months’ schedule proceeded.

The morning class was “Etiquette.”

For Rodin, it was an incredibly boring class.

Strangely enough, the children loved the etiquette class. They found it immensely enjoyable and often mimicked what they had learned even after the class was over.

The etiquette class was a combination of theory and practice. It covered things like what to say, which words to choose, how to greet, and dining manners when with royalty, nobility, and superiors.

The afternoon class shifted from math to tactical education, which was essentially a history class. It involved analyzing numerous past battles, looking into the reasons for victories or defeats.

The class heavily relied on the use of “what if” scenarios.

Originally, they advanced immediately, but what if they had moved their forces to the rear?

Originally, they used fire attacks, but what if they had split their forces and attacked from both sides?

They chose to take their forces up the mountain, but what if they had positioned their forces by the river instead?

They progressed with countless “what if” scenarios like these.

Rodin found these classes quite interesting.

Rodin had already read many history books in the library. There were many histories of wars and battles. However, he had never studied history by assuming “what if” scenarios, only memorizing the contents.

“This is fun.”

It was the most interesting class he had ever taken.

He looked forward to the tactical classes more than spending time in the library.

Time flows equally for everyone.

The two months of dreadful mornings and enjoyable afternoons ended. For Rodin, it was a bittersweet time.

There were no particular tests for the tactical classes, but there were tests for the etiquette classes. Fortunately, the tests weren’t difficult. Most of the children passed.

“How many failed this time?”

“Five.”

A month after the Common Continental Language exam ended, a retest was held. Forty-five students took the exam, and nineteen passed.

A month later, the etiquette exam was followed by another Common Continental Language test. It wasn’t even a retest but rather a re-retest. Twenty-one more students were notified of their passing scores.

“Did they get beaten a lot?”

“Yeah. Thighs, buttocks, calves. There wasn’t a spot without bruises. Tsk tsk, they should have studied instead of playing around.”

“Did anyone fail both?”

“Both? Oh! The etiquette exam? No, they were different kids.”

There were five students scheduled for the re-retest, and five others who failed the etiquette exam. Fortunately, none of them overlapped.

“Have you checked the next class?”

“Yeah. It’s horsemanship and military life. Riding is about riding horses, right?”

“Probably.”

The morning horsemanship class was self-explanatory. However, the afternoon military life class was a mystery.

“Hehe, riding a horse. I get to ride a horse. I’m practically a knight.”

“Tsk tsk, do you think riding is that easy?”

“Do you know how to ride?”

“No. If I were fifteen, I would have learned to ride a horse too. Tsk.”

Hedler was too young to have ridden a horse. He had only ridden carriages a few times.

“But how do you know it’s tough?”

“I’ve seen it a lot. Falling off, getting trampled, it’s a mess. I’ve seen people get killed by getting kicked by a horse.”

Hedler glanced around, gauging reactions.

He was lying. He had seen people riding horses but had never witnessed anyone learning to ride or getting kicked off.

“Do you think they’ll cry all night again tonight?”

“Oh! Right. The kids got beaten.”

One and two months ago, on the nights the children were beaten for failing exams, the dormitory was filled with crying.

Those who were beaten cried out of pain and sorrow, and those who witnessed the beatings cried for their mothers.

“Make sure to lock the door well. I don’t want to be restless all night again.”

“Don’t tell others to do it; you do it. You’re always the last to go to bed.”

As expected, that night the dormitory was filled with crying. Even the children in rooms where everyone passed cried after hearing the others.

All night, cries for “Mom!” echoed.

Hedler and Cory woke up repeatedly.

Despite the commotion, some children slept as usual. Rodin and Lant from Room 301 were among them.

Rodin went to bed at his usual time and woke up at his usual time. He seemed completely unaware of what had happened overnight, with a lively expression on his face.

Lant tossed and turned a bit before falling into a deep sleep around 11 PM, not waking up until morning.

—