Paladin Teacher 2: Chapter 1; Start New Game

>"Time's up!" I shout, several students jumping in shock.
>"Write your names in the top right corner of each page and then put your pens away,"
>Some make last minute scribbles, others sigh dejected.
>Tests can be useful if done right.
>It shows what a student has learned, and that is dependant upon my ability to teach.
>I have a feeling most made it this time.
>I salute some of the students, congratulate them on making it through, wish them a good weekend.
>With one small exception
>"Cavenditch, a moment," I say as I grab the boy's shoulder.
>Justin Cavenditch, number 09 in a class of 16, 16 years old.
>Delinquent, possible affiliations to Anti-Mamono.
>He flinches at my touch. Violently so.
"What?!" The green mohawk atop his head twitch, and he glares at me with wicked eyes. His jacket open, I spot some band t-shirt. Honestly, he only stands out because of that damn mohawk of his. Get a proper haircut, boy!
>Other than that, he’s pretty average in both height and stature. No piercings either.
>"We need to talk about your absences-"
"No we fucking don't. I came for your stupid test, so leave me alone," he growls, his knuckles turning white as he grabs onto the straps of his bag. He sure has some long canines.
>"At the rate you're going, I'm gonna have to call your parents soon. You haven’t been doing very well at school lately, and your absences only exacerbates the problem,” I respond sternly while crossing my arms, a dull rattle from my hauberk.
>”Look, if you have troubles of any kind, you can talk to me. I’m not just here to teach you, I’m also here to help you. Doesn’t matter what, be it heart aches, family quarrels-”
"Oh, fuck right off, my parents have nothing to do with this," Such anger in one so young.
>"So I'll see you on monday?" I ask with an optimistic tone.
"Don't count on it."
>"Alright, I'll be there to wake you up and drag you to school then."
>That only nets me a flipped bird.
>"How rude,” I don’t stop him from leaving. He got his warning.
>I just hope he heeds it.
"Leave me alone, or stuff it up your arse," With that, he leaves.
>Goddamnit, I don't even know where to start with this boy. I have had him for two years, and I still can’t properly get a pin on his personality.
>And who the fuck are the Sex Pistols?
>Sounds like a bunch of sellouts.

>My office is shared by three other teachers, but for the moment I am alone.
>I put down the stack of papers on the mat covering the desktop and hang up my sword and shield.
>Best I get it all done with as soon as possible.
>But before I begin, I take a moment to gaze at a framed photography on my desk.
>It's me, Orda, and her six daughters.
>Me in my great helm, white and red tabard over a sturdy hauberk, gloves and boots fortified with plates. I'm the only one who had to squat for the picture.
>I did remove the sword and shield, and doing a silly peace sign at the camera.
>Orda looks like a very short m/housemother. That bright, proud smile of hers. A beige poncho-like sweater, and a long skirt. Well, long for her.
>Gauda, with her black corkscrews, hugging a stuffed toy, a brown bear with a silly face and two long legs attached to the head. She looks like a porcelain doll with all those frills.
>Roche and her big smile that never goes away. Her short brown hair can never stay down, it's always all over the place. Just like her.
>Jarla and her black hair buns. Never far away from her twin. She's wearing a red choker.
>Etivaz, Jarla's mirror image. There are few differences between them, minor details. She wears a blue choker. Hopefully they will develop some differences when they grow up.
>Mozarella, her straight white hair framing red eyes and a sweet smile. Honestly, she's very pale and white, I often worry she doesn't get enough sun.
>Telemea, brown haired mouse who's clinging to my tabard. She loves to help out her mother with dinner. I think she’ll be a great cook when she grows up. I love gently pinching her chubby cheeks.
>That was their first day of school.
>Despite initial fears, they had a lot of fun.
>To think I had been caring for them for almost six years by that point.
>They always have something to say whenever I visit.
>Christ. Six years. Imagine that.
>I can scarcly believe it.
>Six years ago I was still an asshole, albeit a benevolent one, just going about my day, only spending as much time as I needed with monsters.
>Playing pranks on them.
>Testing the rules.
>Saved by the goddamn bell and goodwill of my students (and some angels, but who cares about them?)
>Now I get worried if a student doesn’t show up. What a strange feeling.
>Big softie me with my hard outer shell.
>Good thing The Order can’t see me…
>Been weird watching them grow, but I really care about them and Orda.
>I almost live at their place at this point.
>I have a change of clothes there, a spare key, even my own toothbrush.
>A lot has changed in six years.

>Squire has moved up in the world.
>Married that centaur.
>I was his best man at the wedding.
>He's attending the police academy now in order to become an officer.
>I'm sure he can make it.
>The HEMA group is still going strong, the core group is traveling around the country to attend events and conventions.
>I am so proud of them.
>Well, enough reminiscence, time to work.
>But as I open the first paper, there's a knock on the office door.
>I call whoever it is in with a rough bark, and a kobold peeks in, her ears flat against her head.
"Um… Mr. Paladin?"
>"That's me. Get in and close the door, you're letting in a draft," I say as I wave her in.
>"Now what is it you want?"

>The kobold looks nervous, wringing her hands, keeping her eyes down on the floor, tail between her legs.
>Classic signs of worry in dogs.
>She's one of my colleague's students, Steve Jefferson, she's been here before talking to him.
>I think her name was Laika or something like that.
"Mr. Jefferson said… He said that, um… That you," she fumbles through her sentence, but I'm patient.
>Not the first time I have dealt with nervous students.
>Her uniform is neatly kept, her hair shoulder length. A single green streak in her otherwise light brown hair.
>Bright, attentive eyes, button nose.
>Her fur is just as well kept as her uniform, almost shining in the light.
>A few deep breaths later and she finally speaks.
"Mr. Jefferson said I should speak to you if he was not available, and I know he has already gone home. So…"
>Another awkward pause.
"Can we talk?"
>"Shouldn't be a problem. What is it that's on your mind, my child?"
"It's… My boyfriend."
>Oh jesus fucking christ, it's another one.
>Do these girls only think about their boyfriend? Do they only think with their vaginas?
(>The answer is yes)
>"Alright, what about him?"
"Well, it's, um, so. So me and my boyfriend, Jessie, I mean Justin, I call him Jessie as as a pet name, he really likes it and he calls me his 'little ball of happiness' and we-"
>"Focus."
"Right! Right. I have been dating Jessie for about a year and a half now, I think? We're starting our third year next summer. And lately he has been… Weird. Like for the past month or so."
>Go on.
"He lives alone, and often sleeps over at my place, and my parents like him and all that, so no problem there, it's just…"
>She bites her lower lip.
"He's been avoiding me lately. Doesn't pick up calls, doesn't answer texts. He comes to school, but refuses to talk about it. Sometimes he even ignores me. So the other day, after he had P.E., we go to different classes, you see, I snuck into the boys' lockerroom, because I know he's always the last one out. So he was showering and-"
>I'd suggest she didn't give me any details, but her expression twists into visible discomfort. There's more to this.
"He had cigarette burns all over his arm," she exclaims, shuddering for a moment.
"He doesn't smoke, I know that, so I have no idea how he got them. And some looked fairly recent. I'm worried he's run into a bad crowd, but I don't know anyone in town who would want to hurt him like that. But the worst thing is, when I confronted him about it, he didn't come to school for two days!"
>Cigarette burns? Shit, that's bad.
>"You mentioned he lives alone. Isn't he a little young for that?" Her ears shift and she nods in confirmation.
"I've tried asking him about it before, but all he says is that he doesn't want to see them. His family, I mean."

This might be a little beyond me. I've dealt with lovers' quarrels before, but this is on a different level.
>"Have you considered asking the police to check up on him?" I ask her.
>She's about to shake her head, but stops halfway through the first shake.
"Well, I considered it. And threatened him with it, sort of. But he got angry and said he'd hate me forever if I called them. If I told anyone, in fact. But I, I can't stand seeing him like that. I love him, so… So I come to you instead."
>"Right. Justin, Justin who?"
"Hmm? Jessie is in your class."
>"Justin Cavenditch? The delinquent?"
"He's not a delinquent!"
>"The green mohawk says otherwise. I thought he was anit-ma,” He’d sure as fuck fit right in.
“He’s not! It’s just his style. Just like you, dressing up as a crusader, isn’t that a little inappropriate for school?”
>”It protects my virginity.”
>smug_crusader.png
“Would explain how you’re a forty year old virgin.”
>…
>bitch.jpeg

>I lean back in my chair, contemplating the situation at hand.
>This isn't something I can just ignore.
>She came to me because Steve recommended me, and I trust Steve's judgement.
>The man is rarely wrong.
>But Justin is also my student, so this goes double.
>"Don't worry, I'll look into it," I say. "Justin is my student, and if he's in trouble, it's my job to steer him back to the straight and narrow."
>Laika's ears perk up and a hopeful smile appears on her face.
"Thank you so much, Mr. Paladin! I'm so glad I can count on you!"
>Oh gosh, stop it. You're embarrassing me.
>"Don't mention it. It's a teacher's job to put their student's concern to rest."
>The kobold sighed with relief, and thanks me as she leaves.

>After two hours of correcting tests, I place the corrected ones in a drawer and lock it, and the uncorrected ones I place in a folder and take it with me.
>I say good afternoon to other teachers and the janitor, heading of to the bikeshed.
>Somebody forgot their bike again.
>Mine's a scratched up blue one.
>It suffered most that time I was almost run over by a van.
>After unlocking my bike, I pull out a rainponcho from the bag on the side of the bike.
>Today is cloudy with a chance of rain.