Another year has passed, and our studies got harder and harder; it's not something you teach to a normal 5-year-old, from simple calculations up to psychology, each day it gets harder and harder. I don't think even high school or university students are taught psychology unless they take the class. Leon seemed to struggle a lot, not much I could say; Good luck Leon.
We have 4 tutors, though they seem more like professors than tutors. One of them teaches us math, the other, teaches us geography and history, the next one, teaches us psychology, and the last teacher, teaches us how to wield a sword. Not gonna lie, the only reason I can endure this is because of my past life's memories. Leon would always get scolded but he gets out quite easily unlike me. They seemed to be more strict with me, I don't know why but it's bugging me.
The bell rang, signaling the end of the session. Leon instantly dashed out of the room carrying his stuff clumsily.
"Master Leo, can I ask you to remind Master Leon that we have a test tomorrow?" Our math teacher asked.
"Sure, teacher," I answered and left to chase Leon. Roaming around the mansion, I can't find Leon anywhere. I swear, he's getting better at hiding. I asked some of the maids where they'd seen Leon, but no one seemed to have seen him. I searched for him some more before finally giving up.
I asked the maids to bring me some sweets before going back to our room. I stayed there until it was close to dinner.
"I wonder where Leon is now?" I thought as I approached the closest maid to ask for more sweets. Sweets are the only thing I won't stop eating, even if I get diabetes.
As I was about to ask, I heard someone calling me from behind. It was another maid, but her clothes were different than the rest. I remember seeing her walking behind Papa before; she must be his maid.
"Master Leo, Lord Pantalone wants to have dinner with you, Master Leon is already waiting at the dining hall." I was delighted.
****************
At the dining hall, Pantalone sat with Leon. Having a small chat, and spoiling him with sweets.
"Papa, I don't want to study, I just want to practice how to use a sword! Can't I just not do the others please!!!" Leon pleaded his eyes like that of a kitten.
Pantalone chuckled and replied. "We can't have that, you will need to learn these things and not just how to fight. Remember the thugs that Papa told you about?" He asked in a soft and loving tone.
"Yes! The bad guys! They steal from people and make their lives bad!" Leon replied.
"You remember quite well. Now, do you want to be like them?" He asked.
"I will not be like them! I'll be a hero!" Leon enthusiastically replied.
Pantalone was taken aback but still wore his usual smile. "But a hero needs to be smart. do you know a hero that's not smart?" He reasoned.
"No?" Leon replied quietly. He seems to think about it, trying to remember the stories he had read.
"But I don't want to study." He grumbled once more.
"Leon, let's talk about this when your brother is here, okay? Now go wash your hands and we will have dinner."
"Okay!" Leon ran to the bathroom to wash his hands.
Pantalone was left alone at the table, his smile never leaving his face. He slumped on the chair and heaved a sigh.
'Looks like they're growing well.'
These past 5 years, were so busy for him and the whole fatui. They started to recruit more and more people, and the range of operations widened. As the one who holds the coffers of the fatui, he must fund everything. The amount of papers he had to sign, plans that had to succeed and people he had to cut off were many. After a long time, he finally had time to come home, but that was only momentary as he had to come back and finish the rest.
He sat alone at the table, waiting for Leon and Leo. Bored, he took out the test papers of past exams and reports from Leo and Leon's Instructors.
'Leon seems to be good at using a sword, while Leo doesn't seem to be good at it.'
He expected as much. From the reports of the maids, Leon was the energetic one, while Leo was always buried in books.
Reading the rest of the report, he finally read the test papers of Leo.
'This is...' Looking at the result of Leo's tests, he can't help but be shocked.
'A perfect score on math and history, he also scored high on psychology.' Anyone who would see a 5-year-old get a perfect score on a test that even some educated adults in this world couldn't answer would call him a Genius, but a 5-year-old getting a high score on psychology? No one would believe that.
'Leo, what are you?' Still wearing his smile, Pantalone saw a chance. His ambition, his hatred towards the gods was ignited once more. As someone who has great ambition, he was never favored by the gods. Crawling his way to the top; he has stepped on many people, taken their opportunities, and stained his hands with blood. He was numbed by his experiences. The one time someone made him love again, he was betrayed. Even then only the twins are left behind.
He never held any expectations. At first, it was just curiosity, he wanted to know if his blood would be as smart as him. But now, he saw a vision, a vision of the possible future. He might not fulfill his dream, but they will.
The picture of the twins surfaced in his mind. He never intended to involve the twins with the fatui. At most, he would have sent them away to live their lives in peace. But now he realized; The potential they had, anywhere they went there would be people to chase and take advantage of them.
The gifted ones always bear the curse of fate. A thought crossed his mind.
'I will shape you to be the best pawns for the Tsaritsa.' His face is unchanging as if it's a mask itself.
Leon finally came back, waving his wet hands in the air.
"Master Leon! Please dry your hands!" A maid screamed.
'This will take time.' Pantalone thought.
Soon after Leo arrives and greets before sitting beside Pantalone.
"How have you been, Leo?" Pantalone ask.
"I've been good, Papa," Leo replied.
"Papa! Can we talk about not studying now since Leo is here!" Leon stood up from his chair and asked.
"Not now, Leon. We can talk about it after we eat, okay?" Pantalone answered, still wearing his usual smile.
Time passed as they ate. They talked about their normal lives in the mansion while eating. Leon would exaggerate his "horror" stories of how his treasures would disappear when he sleeps. While Leo would ask questions on Pantalone like, 'How was work? Or 'I wanna know Papa's work' and every time Pantalone would shrug it off and give a half-assed answer.
After finishing dinner, they relocated to the living room where there's expensive-looking furniture and potted flowers.
"Papa! I want to stop studying and just practice fighting!" Leon demanded
"Leon, don't bother Papa, it's for our own good." Leo declared.
"But it's boring!" Leon complained.
"But you need it!" Leo said.
"I don't want it!" Leon strongly said.
"Alright, don't fight. What about this? Leon will just have to study for 30 minutes every day and train for the rest of the time. How does that sound?" Pantalone compromised.
"Really?! Yey!" Leon jumped and hugged Pantalone.
"But you still have to pass the test okay? If you don't I will not allow you to train." Pantalone added.
"Okay!" Leon then raises his hand and shows a thumbs up to Leo. Leo knowing that he'll ask for answers, is showing an annoyed face while frowning.
'Let's see if you manage to pass without me, tsk' He thought.
"It wouldn't be fair if it's just Leon right? So, Leo, is there anything you want?"
Leo was about to answer but he felt a twisting emotion inside of him, as if it was telling him to ask an absurd thing.
'What now? Is this your last regret?' Realizing it was his past life's regret, he thought about it some more before answering.
"I want to explore the city."