The Academy: Making of a Ruler (The Eagle King's Academy Book 1)

by C. C. Monö

  “Uh-oh,” said a dark voice from behind and Thabo appeared. “I’m gone for five minutes and already he’s in trouble.”

  “I think we need to do something,” Axel said and slid off his barstool.

  “Bugger off!” Paul slurred and poked the large man in his chest. “You have noooo idea who I am.”

  “Just get him out of there,” Thabo whispered.

  Axel made his way towards his friend while he took in the scene. Paul was standing with his hands balled into fists. Next to him stood a woman with an anxious expression on her face as she stared up at the brute. A crowd had gathered around them, watching the events unfold with excited curiosity.

  “Hey, Paul,” Axel called. “We’re leaving.”

  “Axel!” Paul yelled when he saw his friend approach. “This shithead claims I’m hitting on his girlfrie…”

  Someone let out a cry and Paul went down with a right hook to his temple. Axel didn’t think. He threw himself towards the brute, but just before he connected with the man, he saw movement in the corner of his eye. Shit, the brute had company. A lot of company!

  CHAPTER 57

  People were shouting and screaming. Nicole turned to Thabo.

  “Time to leave, Mr Zulu,” she said, keeping her voice calm and clear. “Tell Julien to start the car.”

  “No! I am a Zulu prince!” Thabo bellowed, and was off to help Axel.

  Nicole sighed and pulled off her coat and suit jacket.

  “Men and their pride,” she muttered, following Thabo.

  From the other end of the room came a group of hard-looking men, charging like a hoard of raging elephants, with bulging muscles and manic faces. How swell, Nicole thought.

  Nicole shoved her way through the crowd. Thabo had thrown himself over the big brute in an attempt to help his friend. Paul was still out cold by the counter, being tended to by a few bystanders. From the right, the first attackers came storming towards the students when a petit woman in black pants and white blouse stepped out of nowhere and snapped the man’s head back with a perfect elbow strike. The man’s eyes rolled back and he dropped to the floor with a heavy crash. The second thug had little chance to react. He never saw the man in blue jeans and grey hoodie until it was too late. A quick blow to his head and he joined his friend on the floor.

  Nicole made a slight right and jumped up on one of the wooden beer kegs. With a kick that Master Wú would have been proud of, she dropped one of the attackers in mid-air. She landed with a slight crouch and surprised a big fellow by kneeing him in the groin. She ducked as a third man threw a half-hearted punch towards her. Most men, even brutes, had enough decency to know it was wrong to hit women. It was a respectful trait but it also made him an easier target. Nicole blocked the man’s punch without effort and slid in to give him six whirlwind blows, just below his chest. The man let out a cry and bent forward.

  “I do apologise,” she said, and kneed him in the face.

  Nicole turned to see the two Academy Watchers knock three more attackers to the floor with skilled efficiency. There was movement behind her. An older, big-bellied man came at her and she let her foot connect with his face with a beautiful back kick.

  As he went down, Nicole considered the situation. Twelve attackers had been dealt with in less than a minute. A few of them were struggling to get up again, but none remained a threat. Her main objective now was to get students out of here.

  Paul was on his knees, clasping his head with both hands. Thabo and Axel were still wresting the brute. Around them, people were chanting, for the situation had turned into something of a comical standstill. Thabo was lying across the opponent’s massive legs, holding them down with all his might. Axel was on his back, under the big brute. He was bear-hugging the man, thereby immobilizing the brute’s arms. This allowed Thabo to throw random punches or kicks at the man’s torso, but because of Thabo’s angle, he couldn’t see what he was actually hitting.

  Nicole smiled as she reached the two students. They were no fighters, that much was clear, but no one could call them cowards. She squatted and shifted her weight slightly to the right, catching a glimpse of Axel with his eyes pressed shut and a determined expression on his face. He looked cute as he struggled.

  She had to wait another second or so until she saw an opening. Then, with lightning speed, Nicole smacked the brute hard on his temple, and he went limp. Well, that’s that then, she thought, and stood up. It took a second or two before Thabo realised the man wasn’t fighting anymore. Hesitant, he turned and regarded the man with a confused expression on his face. People were shouting and cheering.

  “I got him,” he wheezed and climbed off the man.

  “Well done!” Nicole exclaimed, helping him to his feet.

  “Did you see that, Axel?” Thabo asked and wiped his bleeding nose. “I got him.”

  Nicole yanked Axel off the floor.

  “That was impressive, Mr Zulu, but we should leave now. We can’t be here when the police arrive.”

  “Man! What happened?” Axel panted, staring at the chaos of moaning men around them.

  “Never mind that,” Nicole replied. “Please help Paul to the car. I need to get my coat.”

  Axel nodded and, together with Thabo, he assisted their friend towards the stairs. As soon as they turned their backs to her, Nicole made eye contact with the Watchers and nodded towards the students. The male Watcher gave her a discreet, two-finger salute of respect before he and his partner followed the students to ensure they reached the car without further incident.

  Nicole walked over to her coat, got her wallet and pulled out a two hundred Euro bill.

  “For your trouble,” she said, handing the money to the bartender. He stared at her as if she was making a joke. “I also believe I knocked out one of your bouncers. Make sure he gets this.” She handed the man a couple of more bills.

  “What about your friends,” the barman muttered and nodded towards the two Watchers ascending the stairs. “They knocked out the other bouncer.”

  Nicole laughed, hauling out her remaining bills.

  “I do apologise,” she said. “Heat of the moment, I guess.” She buttoned her suit jacket. “I’ll send someone to pay for all the damages and offer you a more reasonable compensation for your troubles.” The bartender brightened a little. “Of course, if you can be a little discreet about what happened here, I’m sure my boss will increase that compensation substantially.” She pulled on her coat. “Now, I must leave.”

  CHAPTER 58

  Nicole stood under the golden eagle. She watched Dr Vella and a servant guide Paul to the elevators. A medical examination would determine whether he needed to be hospitalised or not. God, Professor Jackson would have a fit when he found out that three of his students had been in a bar fight.

  “Mr Hallman,” she said and looked at her wristwatch. “I’m afraid you’re late for your appointment with Professor Evans. Shall we?”

  He nodded and turned to Thabo with a wide grin.

  “We’re quite a team, huh?”

  Thabo touched his swollen nose and beamed.

  “We certainly are. Now I’m desperate for a cold beer, a bag of chips, and an exhilarating paper on statistics. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

  He shoved his hands in his coat pocket and strutted down towards the elevators while Axel snickered behind him.

  “Did he just make a joke?” Nicole asked.

  “He’s full of surprises, that guy.”

  Nicole shook her head and motioned in the direction of the waterfall.

  “We must go.”

  She could sense his confusion as she guided him through the greenery to the little pond hidden among large trees and golden birdcages at the end of the foyer.

  Professor Evans was waiting for them in one of two armchairs, holding a cup of coffee while admiring the water lilies.

  “Good evening, Professor,” Nicole said as they approached. “I apologise if we’re a little late.”

  Professor E
vans nodded ever so slightly, and with her cup still in her hands, she turned to Axel with a smile.

  “Welcome, Mr Hallman,” she said, her voice soft and friendly as she gestured towards the empty chair. “Please have a seat. Would you care for something to drink? A cup of tea, perhaps?”

  “Yes, please. That would be nice.”

  “Wonderful. Tea it is.” Professor Evans settled back, and with her eyes still on Axel, she said, “Ms Swan. Would you be so kind and get Mr Hallman a cup of tea?”

  Nicole hesitated and then threw Axel a quick glance. He was considering her with his beautiful, serious eyes and, for some reason, she found herself feeling a little embarrassed.

  “As you wish, Professor,” she said with enough dignity to sound confident without appearing arrogant. If there was one thing the professors hated more than anything, it was an arrogant attitude from subordinates.

  Walking away, her phone began to ring. Seeing who it was, she bit back a moan.

  “Good evening, Professor.”

  “You know bloody well it’s not a good evening,” Professor Jackson barked. “Get your ass to my office now!”

  “Ye–” There was a faint click and the line went silent. Swell. The man’s Irish accent had been unusually strong, which meant he was in a very foul mood, as was expected.

  Nicole hurried off to the reception and found Lise behind the computer.

  “Could you please do me a huge favour, Miss Davis? I need you to order down a pot of tea with chocolate biscuits for Mr Hallman. He’s at the pond with Professor Evans.”

  “Of course, Ms Swan.”

  “And could you please tell him that I apologise for not delivering it myself. Professor Jackson has demanded my immediate attendance.”

  The young receptionist stood up and picked up a phone.

  “Certainly, Ms Swan.”

  “That’s sweet of you. I appreciate it.”

  When Nicole stepped into Professor Jackson’s office a few minutes later, she found him sitting in his chair, arms folded across his chest and a grim expression on his face. The room was also occupied by five other individuals: Professor Plouffe; Dr Vella; Mr Nakata, and two of his subordinates, Ms Tanya Brown, master of Watchers, and Mr Eli Peretz, master of guards.

  Tanya gave Nicole a slight bow of her head, a great sign of respect. Nicole returned the gesture and turned to the assistant principal.

  “Sir?”

  “I want to know what happened,” the man growled. “Professor Plouffe, you gave the three students in question leave to visit a pub after dark.”

  Professor Plouffe rolled back on his heels, making his pregnant-like belly wobble.

  “Yes, sir,” he rumbled. “Mr Harris asked me if he and his friends could visit the famous Delirium Café. I didn’t see any problem with that.”

  Professor Jackson turned to Nicole.

  “And Ms Swan, what happened?”

  Nicole pulled off her coat and hung it over her arm. Then she told the group about the events at the pub. When she was done, Professor Jackson turned to Tanya.

  “Ms Brown. You sent two Watchers to keep an eye on the students, a…” Professor Jackson picked up his glasses and studied his computer “… a Ms Emmet and Mr Kaiser, I believe?”

  “That’s correct, sir.”

  “Do they support Ms Swan’s story?”

  The room went silent.

  Nicole stared at the assistant principal as he took off his spectacles. What in the world was he doing? Did he think she was lying?

  The master of Watchers furrowed her brows. She was in her mid-fifties and in better physical shape than most students. Her hair was white as snow and pulled back in a simple braid. She had a thin scar running down from her ear to her jaw. No one knew how she’d earned it, but it earned her respect nonetheless.

  Ms Brown gave Nicole a fleeting look before taking a step forward, her hands clasped behind her back.

  “Yes, sir. I’ve talked to them both and they…”

  “Why two?” Professor Jackson interrupted.

  Tanya paused.

  “I’m sorry?”

  “Why did you send two Watchers?”

  “Well, I chose two because Delirium Café is a well-known and well-respected pub, sir. The risk of something like this happening was minute.”

  “And yet it happened,” Professor Jackson grunted. He adjusted his tie and then brushed off some imaginary lint from his suit jacket. “As I’m sure you understand, I’m very disappointed. I want to know why your people couldn’t protect Mr Harris.”

  “I understand your disappointment, sir, but things escalated fast, and…”

  “For crying out loud!” Professor Jackson roared, slamming his fist into his desk. “Mr Hallman, a bloody student, reached Mr Harris before your people did. Are you telling me our students are faster than our Watchers?”

  Nicole glanced at Mr Nakata. As usual, his face was unreadable.

  “Sir.” Tanya’s cheeks were burning red. “With all due respect, Ms Emmet and Mr Kaiser sat some distance from the students, as is required by our protection policy.”

  “No!” Professor Jackson snapped. “The policy states that your people should remain unseen by our students. It doesn’t state that they should be incompetent.”

  Poor Tanya. This wasn’t her fault, and since Mr Nakata didn’t do anything, Nicole cleared her throat.

  “Sir,” she began with a gentle voice. Professor Jackson glared at her but she disarmed him with a smile. As long as she smiled, he wouldn’t consider her a threat. “Just for the record, the Watchers saved our students today. They failed to protect Mr Harris, but the aggressor’s body language was indecisive. He reacted violently without much warning.”

  “Are you a Watcher, Ms Swan?” Professor Jackson snorted.

  “No, sir.”

  “Are you trained in the field of personal protection?”

  “No, sir, but I know for a fact that without Ms Emmet and Mr Kaiser, twelve very aggressive men would have thrown themselves over our students and they would’ve been lynched.”

  To her surprise, the assistant principal didn’t object. He just stared at her for a long time before shifting his attention to Mr Nakata.

  “It’s your bloody job to clean up disasters. How are you dealing with this mess? What can I tell our dear principal when I call him?”

  “We have secured video from pub security cameras,” Mr Nakata replied, calm as always. “People being bribed to keep silent. Some guests filmed fight, but they will erase video. I have also two people watching social media for any release of video.”

  “That’s it?”

  “Hai.”

  “All right. You have my authorization to use any means necessary to make this bloody thing vanish. It never happened, understood?”

  Mr Nakata nodded and the assistant principal moved on to Dr Vella.

  “You told me you’ve examined Mr Harris. What’s the status?”

  “He has a mild concussion and will need to rest for a few days, sir. Other than that, he’s fine. I also checked on Mr Zulu. I was afraid he’d broken his nose, but that’s not the case. He has a few cuts and bruises, but nothing serious. I haven’t been able to examine Mr Hallman yet. He’s not in his apartment, but from what I could see when I met him in the foyer, he’s no worse off than Mr Zulu.”

  Professor Jackson lowered his eyebrows, and for a moment, the resemblance between him and the golden eagle in the foyer was striking.

  “Where is Mr Hallman?”

  “With Professor Evans, sir,” Nicole replied.

  CHAPTER 59

  “It was an interesting question you asked the other day,” the professor said when the two of them were alone. She still held her coffee cup between her hands like a true, sophisticated lady. “The one about manipulating people. Do you remember?”

  Axel nodded and his eyes wandered to the chocolate biscuits on the coffee table. He was starving and they looked devilishly delicious. As it was, he’d gained fou
r kilos since arriving at the Academy, and needed to watch his diet, so with impressive will-power, he turned away from the plate and re-focused on Professor Evans.

  “I remember, and I’m sorry if I offended you, Professor.”

  Professor Evans laughed.

  “Who said you offended me? All you did was ask me a question.” With skill, she balanced her cup on its plate with one hand while adjusting her scarf with the other. “And it’s a fair question. Great leaders are powerful communicators. They know how to use all means of communication to reach deep within a person and make that individual listen. Because most non-leaders are mediocre communicators, they won’t observe subtle signs in body language or react to questionable wordings. Therefore, they’re more likely to be manipulated.” She gave him a cunning smile. “Now, correct me if I’m wrong, Mr Hallman, but isn’t that what you were trying to say earlier?”

  Axel thought about it for a moment.

  “Sort of. I guess I just feel that there is a lot of responsibility when one learns various communication techniques.”

  Professor Evans beamed.

  “You are right, and ‘responsibility’ is a much better word than ‘manipulation’, if you ask me. Now let me tell you a little secret. I’ve taught here since the Academy started many years ago. Until today, only two other students have asked me the same question you did. They even used the word ‘manipulate’. Like you, their perspectives were challenged by their peers, and like you, they stuck to their opinion. The first time it happened, I thought the person in question would become a mediocre communicator at best. I’m sad to say she never got the opportunity to prove me wrong. But the second person did. In fact, he became the most extraordinary communicator I’ve ever had the pleasure of teaching. And do you know why?”

  “No, ma’am.”

  “Because he was afraid. You see, communication can be manipulative if misused; in fact, it can be a devastating. This student understood that and it terrified him. As such, he decided to learn everything he could about communication, and, as history would show, that was a very wise decision on his part.”