The Exchange Teacher - Welcome to Dyntril Academy

The next morning, Basque woke up alone and sore—the alone bothered him more. He needed to get Natt alone and let her know he didn't care about the "rebel" thing. He knew she cared about the students and wouldn't endanger them; she wasn't Sophia.

Basque threw his legs over the side of the bed and rubbed his shoulder. Just because he could swing a body around like it was a weapon didn't mean he shouldn't or wouldn't feel the effects of it.

A flash of heat ran through him as he recalled Billiam's reaction. He'd been fine with mocking and speaking ill of the woman, but what Basque had needed to do out of desperation was "psychotic?"

Shaking his head, Basque put the thought aside. He didn't know when he'd get to see Billiam again, but he would get his answers when he did. Getting angry now wouldn't do him any good.

After getting dressed, Basque walked through the empty school to the training grounds, but was surprised to find the door already unlocked when he got there. His heart rate picked up.

Natt! Had she come to talk to him?

Basque pushed through the doors, and his shoulders slumped as he saw the person there waiting for him.

"Good morning, Madam Elaina."

"Master Basque," she nodded.

"What brings you out here so early?"

She pointed at him with her hand.

"Me?"

"Didn't you tell me yesterday that you would train me?"

Basque's nod was slow.

"I heard that you train with your students every morning at this time."

"I do."

"Just think of me as another student, then."

"We don't do weapons training."

She shrugged. "That's fine."

Basque frowned. "Look, I don't mean to come off as egotistical, but just, with my experiences in your country, I find it prudent to reiterate that I'm not into polygamy."

Narrowing her eyes, Elaina's face hardened, then lightened when she shrugged again. "I want to get angry, but I saw the way even Miss Julvie threw herself at you. Bravo to you for that, by the way. I also hear how the sup-teachers talk about you." She shuddered. "So, I guess my response is pretty hard for you to believe. Anyway, my point is that that makes two of us."

Before Basque could respond, the sound of his class coming outside broke their solitude. As they walked to the training ground, the Class E students didn't even pause their conversations when they saw the strange woman there.

However, Class E was no longer alone. The six new students from the past two days also came out with Basque's students, chatting away as if they were actually part of the class. Only, there were two new boys, one of whom had a face that was forever etched in Basque's mind.

"Mister Uscar, what are you doing here?" Elaina asked with a bright smile and eyes that said he was about to get in trouble.

The copper-haired boy pointed at Basque. "Him. He's the only one who cared that Mister Merk died, and his students toyed with the rest of us."

"Does Master Tann know you are here?"

"My father, Count Lorian, is aware and expressed his desire that I immediately join in Master Gerenet's lessons, post haste."

Elaina's smile faltered. "Yes, of course."

Uscar looked at Basque. "Master Gerenet, would it be okay if I joined you and the elevators?"

Basque kept his face expressionless. "I will not tolerate discrimination."

"Discrimination?"

"'Elevators, lifts, commoners,' and any other word that's not their name or 'Class E students'."

"What's wrong with calling them what they are?!" the other new boy with vivid red hair asked.

"Well, Mister Karel, how would you feel if they called you a 'knob' or 'narble'?"

"I'd punch them in the face for disrespecting me!"

"And calling them an 'elevator' isn't disrespectful?"

"Not at all! It's just a statement of fact."

"Taraia?"

"Yeah, Gerenet-Shr?" the lime-haired girl walked over to him. By now, most of his students had gathered behind him. Only Medow and Braelyne stood off to the side with Emmah and Zophiah. The students from Class D were mixed in with his class. Only Uscar and Karel stood apart.

"What are the words you are forbidden from using about your fellow students here?"

"You mean 'polishy'? 'Narb'? 'Shinies'? 'Hobgob'?"

"Yes," Basque said. "Thank you, that's enough."

"'No balls'? 'Twists'? 'Narbar'? 'Gobbler'? 'Knobgob'?" Taraia's grin was wide, and Karel's face was red. When she said the last one, she motioned her fist in front of her mouth.

"Taraia! Enough. I think he's got the point."

Karel pointed at Taraia. "You're dead, low-class Lime!"

"Gerenet-Shr! He insulted my hair color! Make him write a paper!" Taraia pointed back.

"You may go back to your pod, Taraia."

The lime-haired girl turned to Emmah and Zophiah. "You guys are cool. Sorry you had to hear those words."

The two girls shook their heads, and Taraia returned to her pod.

"As you can see, they have plenty of derogatory—"

"Because those words are classist!"

"And yours weren't?"

"No! They're elevating themselves to the ranks of nobility! So, they're elevators! What she said was just dirty commoner insults for people better than them!"

Basque shook his head. "They are all insults."

"Go eat Yani, outwaller! Come on, heun. We don't need to listen to this." Karel grabbed Uscar's arm, but the copper-haired boy pulled his arm free. "Uscar?"

"I understand, Master Gerenet. I won't refer to them as anything derogatory."

"Heun? Are you serious? What are you doing?"

Uscar looked at the other boy. "Can't you just grow up, heun? You were there orientation day and watched Deputy Headmaster Krill crawl on the ground in utter defeat."

"You're choosing an outwaller and 'vators over me!"

"I killed Merk with my own hands! And the only adult here who even seemed to care was that man!" Uscar pointed at Basque. "Sure, you and I go back, heun, but Merk and I went back further AND HE'S FUCKING DEAD! I don't want to die! The only reason any of the Class E students got hurt was because they cheated and changed the rules without telling them!"

Karel shook his head. "Heun, Uscar, ever since Merk died, you've changed. You're no fun anymore. If you stay here, we're done."

"Why don't you go cry to Miss Avali about it? Maybe she'll let you stick your tongue down her throat again."

Karel swung at Uscar, but Basque was there first, grabbing Karel's fist before it landed. He knew he should have stepped in sooner, but Merk's death had hit Basque hard, and hearing Uscar's thoughts had paralyzed him. "Boys, that's enough. Mister Karel, Mister Uscar has made his decision clear."

The vivid red-headed boy jerked his hand free from Basque's grip, tsked, and stomped off.

"I'm sure he'll come around," Basque told Uscar.

The copper-headed boy shook his head. "No, he means it." He looked at Basque. "Don't make me make a mistake here."

A hand reached out and patted Uscar on the shoulder. Both Basque and Uscar looked at Taraia, Uscar in confusion, Basque in surprise.

"I like you." She looked at Basque. "Can I have this one?"

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"Have?"

"Yeah, you gave Emmah to Medow and Zophiah to Braelyne. I want this one."

"Taraia, I didn't 'give' anyone to anybody. Those girls are free people who can do what they want."

"Yeah, but you had them help them."

"You want to help him?" Basque raised an eyebrow.

"Yeah? I wouldn't be asking otherwise."

Basque looked at Uscar, who just looked confused.

"Great!" Taraia said and wrapped her arm around him. "You'll fit in well here, heun? Uscar? What's your name anyway?" She pulled him away, back towards the other students.

"Uscar. 'Heun' is a term of endearment for friends."

She slapped his chest with the hand that was wrapped around his neck. "I tell ya, heun, play your slaps right and I might let you stick your tongue down my throat."

"Play what?" Uscar asked as Basque yelled out, "Taraia!"

"What, Gerenet-Shr?" She asked, looking back. "He's hot and has balls. Totally my type."

"Taraia! This is class and it's never time for sexual harassment. And stop gambling on slaps! I'll ban the game."

"Taraia!" a chorus of voices yelled out.

"Fine! Fine!" she said and took her arm off of Uscar. She leaned closer to him and said, "I meant it, though."

"Taraia! We're going to have 6 pages about inappropriate comments to people."

"What?! I just finished the other one, though!"

"So, you want more practice, is what you're saying?"

She held up her hands. "Okay! I'm sorry. I won't talk about how hot he is and how much I want to stick my tongue down his throat anymore."

Basque groaned. "Saevi, lead the stretches today."

"Yes, Gerenet-Shr." The platinum-haired girl ran to the front of the class, and the other students filled out into rows.

Standing off to the side, Elaina rubbed her chin and watched. "Is every day this entertaining with you?"

Basque walked over and stood next to her. "That entertained you?"

"Yes. You just tore apart the bond between two of the more prominent comital houses. Those two boys were believed to raise their houses to earldom together."

"Comital?"

"Counts, Master Gerenet. Counts. Very nearly earls. Those two boys grew up together, and their fathers expected them to team up after graduation. All gone because of you."

"That's lovely." Basque's tone was dry. "Now," he tilted his head in the direction of his student, "There's room in the back."

"What?"

"You're here for me to train you, right?"

"Yeah, with the whip."

He looked her up and down. She wasn't large, but she also wasn't slim and muscular like Natt. Although, he thought, he shouldn't compare anyone to Natt. It wasn't fair. Not even Rakelle matched up. Evaluating Elaina strictly as a hunter, she was out of shape.

"You're not ready."

"What do you mean?"

"Join the class, Madam Elaina."

She looked at him, then did as she was told. That morning, Basque had them run fifteen kilometers. Elaina barely finished. As she lay on the training grounds, Basque stood over her.

"If you're serious, every morning at this time."

"And…the…whip?"

Basque shrugged. "All up to how well you improve your physical condition."

"I hate you."

He nodded. "I hear that a lot."

Leaving her, Basque followed his class back to their dorm hall. He was pleased that more people were joining them. Of course, the day might come when he had to turn people away—he couldn't train the entire school, but if Karel was any indication, that day probably wouldn't be soon.

He shook his head. He'd let things get too far out of hand. He called on Taraia as he knew she wouldn't be shy about listing off the derogatory terms commoners had for nobles; he just didn't realize there would be so many, and that a good number were sexually charged.

Then letting the friends argue for so long in front of his class was also something he should have stopped earlier. But he was proud of Taraia for welcoming Uscar, even though her comments were beyond inappropriate. He'd have to pull her out of class and have another chat with her in private.

Once they reached the third floor, Class E peeled off to go to their rooms; the nobles continued up the stairs. Rushing ahead, Basque tugged on Uscar's elbow.

"Will you be okay?" Basque wasn't about to let a boy get bullied for training with his class. After Reianna was bullied for no apparent reason, he wouldn't put it past the other kids to do something to Uscar.

The boy looked at Basque's hand on his elbow, then up at Basque. "Yes, thank you."

"Look, if anyone does anything to you, come to me."

"Why?"

"So I can help you."

Uscar nodded and tried to walk away.

"Promise me."

"I promise."

Basque locked his eyes on the boy's. After Uscar's gaze failed to waver, Basque nodded. "Good."

Letting him go, Basque went back to his room. It was empty. He wished Natt was in there, but he'd see her at the teacher's meeting. He rushed down his nondescript breakfast, bathed and changed into his normal robes, then headed out to the teacher's room.

"Basky!" Harnel greeted him. "How did everything go yesterday?"

Natt wasn't there yet.

"Good, Harnel. Very busy, but good."

"Ha! What wonderful news. That little Reianna's something special."

"That she is."

"A special piece of trash."

The two men looked over at Julvie.

"What?"

"Don't mind her, Basque, she's just angry that a first-year Class A didn't win a tournament for the first time ever. She's probably still getting an earful from parents."

"It wasn't the first time!" Julvie spat.

Natt walked in behind the pink-clad teacher; Natt's one eye stayed glued to Basque's face, like she was worried about how he would look at her. Basque's breath caught. Would he ever get used to her face?

"She's right, Harnel. It wasn't the first time." Natt sat down.

"See! I'm not some sort of historical loser!"

"That's still debatable," Natt said.

"One-eyed Yani!"

Basque didn't look away from Natt.

"When was the last time then?" Harnel asked.

Natt didn't look away from Basque as she answered, "Twenty years ago, when I was a first-year. Class E had a mage."

Julvie pointed at Natt. "See! It takes a freak of nature to beat the natural talent of Class A. Ambassador Gerenet, mages are required to be reported upon discovery here. You need to abide by our laws."

"Teachers! Teachers! Quiet down," Krill called out.

Basque looked over to the headmasters' desks. He hadn't noticed them coming in.

"I know it's been an exciting couple of days since the tournament, but let's maintain proper decorum."

The room stood and greeted the two headmasters. Once they sat, Krill began again. "As you all know, and I'm sure have been discussing all morning, Master Basque and I attended a special council of the arches yesterday. Having personally educated our esteemed guest about the rules concerning the discovery of mages, I knew full and well that the young commoner girl was not a mage."

Krill looked around the room. Next to him, Yasher sat with his hands folded over his stomach, looking half-asleep.

"However, Duke Jorellen and Earl-ess Wendina insisted that the first-year elevator was a mage, unable to accept the fact that their daughters could be bested by someone from such a lowly birth."

Basque gritted his teeth. There was the Krill he knew and hated.

"However, in a room full of our peers, Royal Mage Billiam himself confirmed that Reianna Santi is not a mage."

The room burst into conversation at the direct confirmation of the rumors.

"What will this mean for the Duke and Earl-ess?" Tann asked.

"The Earl-ess will be harder hit by the scandal than the Duke. He is one of the five dukes after all," Ashkar answered.

"What does it matter?" Basque asked Harnel.

"In order to convene the meeting of the arches, they both had to stake quite a lot, both financially and socially. It's a massive loss for both of them."

"But why?"

Harnel pointed at Krill. "Because your friend over there pulled the 'student privacy' card. Only an order from the king or the arches could get past that."

Basque knew Krill's motives weren't altruistic. He recalled the way Krill grinned and his words to Jorellen after the tournament in the tent. The duke was Krill's target—Basque and Reianna were just his tools this time.

Not that it bothered him. Krill could play whatever politics he wanted; Basque didn't care. All he cared about was if those games had ramifications on his students.

"People! People! Please. Save your speculations for your free time. We have a morning meeting—"

The door to the teachers' room slid open, and a man in servant's garb entered. Everyone's eyes followed him as he made his way to Krill, then whispered in Krill's ear. Silence filled the room, but still, the servant's voice could not be heard.

Krill's eyes went wide. The servant bowed and left the room. Putting his fists on the table, Krill leaned forward. "Ladies and gentlemen, I have just received some alarming news. This morning, it was discovered that Earl-ess Wendina passed away while fighting a Yani in her training grounds."

The room exploded.

"She's dead?"

"What impeccable timing!"

"Does this mean her claim to the next marchioness opening is back up for grabs?"

"How could she die to a Yani?"

"What about the Yani?"

"People! People!" Yasher banged on his desk. The room fell silent again. "Let Deputy Headmaster Krill finish."

"Thank you, Headmaster. It appears as if one of the animals she was keeping on site transformed in the late hours of the evening. Her response was immediate, and she killed the Yani before passing herself."

Krill looked around the room, then his gaze settled on the first-years' teachers. "Master Tann, after the meeting concludes, please bring Miss Sanya to the headmaster's office."

Tann nodded.

"Viscountess Ulivia. Please take care of 1-B today."

She nodded as well.

"In light of this news, we will be ending the morning meeting here."

Once again, the room exploded into conversations. Natt stood and dashed out of the teachers' room. Basque followed her.

"Natt!" he called after her as she sped down the hallway. She didn't stop.

"Natt!"

Still, she didn't stop, so Basque ran and caught up with her. He put his hand on her shoulder, and she spun around to knock it off, but he finally got her to stop.

"What's the matter? Are you mad at me?"

"No! It's…I know you talked to Sophia and Sym about me. You know about this," she pointed to her eye. "And you know what…Sophia and I have tried to do together."

Basque put his hands on the outsides of her arms. She didn't try to shake him off.

"And?"

"And? And so you hate me! I'm a danger to the students."

"Me knowing or not knowing doesn't change the fact that everyone else knew and knows. Just because I know now doesn't mean that the circumstances have changed."

Reaching up, he brushed her hair away from her missing eye. The sound of other teachers finally exiting the teachers' room drifted down the hallway. Basque glanced over his shoulder, then pulled Natt into one of the guidance rooms.

"Don't run away from me. Don't avoid me. Natt, I—" he cut himself off, licked his lips, and said, "I want to spend every second with you that I can. I know that you have nothing but the best intentions for those students. Everything you tried to do, you did to create a better world for kids like them. After talking to Symantha and Sophia, I only grew fonder of you."

Natt grabbed his robe and pulled him to her. Standing on her toes, she kissed him deeply, then backed away. Putting her head in his chest, she said, "I'm terrified. You're the best thing that's ever happened to my life. Everything you do, everything you say, it's just exactly what I need."

He wrapped his arms around her and held her to him. She put her hand over his heart and felt it beat.

"May I…move in with you?"