Chapter 35: Time To Study

(Setting: Crystal Kingdom: Royal Palace- Baku's Bedroom)

(Scene: Baku appears in his bedroom fresh out of the shower)

[Baku Cree]: Ahh... That was a nice shower... I don't know if my body is supposed to be all sore and tense like this, but I think I'm feeling stronger. Majorku's training ain't no joke either, I can't wait to see where it takes me... Oh yeah, Mom's not here, I wonder what she's doing right now. I hope her day is going well…

*knock knock knock.

[Baku Cree]: Hm?

*Baku opens the door and is meet by a group of tutors awaiting him on the other side.

[Group of tutors]: *in unison* Good afternoon, master Baku! We are the tutors his majesty asked to instruct you in your studies in order to prepare for your big test!

[Baku Cree]: *Sigh* Okay... This is gonna suck, but let's get started I guess…

(Setting: Crystal Kingdom: Royal Palace- Library)

(Scene: Baku appears in the library ready to study)

*The palace's library was massive and home to thousands of books and records containing information on Planet Eternia’s history as well as stories of legendary heroes and warriors who once lived on the world. Bookshelves went as high as the ceiling and formed rows upon rows of neatly organized and in alphabetically order sections. Memoirs of the royal families ancestry could also be found here, as well as detailed autobiographies of other members of the Royal Center. Administrative bills and laws that were signed by the king, the queen and their advisors remained kept in spotless glass frames like a museum.

*Data of the country's military officers and space program was collected within the palace's library in remembrance of their missions, as well. It must've taken the maids hours to dust and clean everything in here, every single day. Baku was amazed to be surrounded by so much knowledge, even if he didn't like to read or study. It was still impressive nonetheless. He takes a seat and is met by the Algebra tutor.

[Algebra Tutor]: *Enthusiastically* Alrighty my friend, let's get started! First, we are going to do some practice test! Try to answer these questions as best as you can and be sure to show your work!

[Baku Cree]: *Sigh* .........

*Baku tries to answer the questions, but decides to skip some and cannot find answers for some of the other ones so he leaves them blank.

[Baku Cree]: Okay... Here you go…

[Algebra Tutor]: ......... Hmm... I see......

[Baku Cree]: What?

[Algebra Tutor]: It seems like your main problem is remembering formulas and the order of operations to solve your questions. Let's see if I can simplify this for you. Then, I'll show you the steps to find the right answers, and I'll walk you through the process to help you remember how you found said answers for use on other questions.

[Baku Cree]: Very well then…

*Baku and the Algebra tutor continue to go through question after question as Baku tries to find the answers and the tutor helps him along the way. The tutor reminds Baku when and where to apply formulas to his questions and how they work to solve for the answers.

[Algebra Tutor]: Are you beginning to understand how you are coming up with these answers?

[Baku Cree]: *Unconfidently* I think so...?

[Algebra Tutor]: Well remember, this is why we made flashcards and took notes. You'll have these for the future, so that you can get out of tough spots. Now then... --

*Ring! Ring! Ring!

[Algebra Tutor]: Oh dear…

[History Tutor]: *Shouting* Times up, bub! It's time for your next lesson!

*The history tutor slams a stack of books on the table in front of Baku and pushes the Algebra Tutor out of the way replacing him.

[History Tutor]: *Shouting* NOW TELL ME! WHAT PART OF WORLD HISTORY DO YOU NOT UNDERSTAND!?

[Baku Cree]: *Nervous* Uhh... Everything?

[History Tutor]: *Shouting* OH THIS IS GONNA BE JUST FUN! MASTER BAKU, FOR THE NEXT THIRTY MINUTES, I'M GOING TO EXPLAIN PLANET ETERNIA'S ENTIRE HISTORY TO YOU!

[Baku Cree]: *Nervous* Oh geez, this is gonna suck so hard…

*The history tutor proceeds to explain the history of the planet to Baku for what seems to be hours.

[History Tutor]: *Siigghh* And that is everything you need to know about Planet Eternia... Even though you should've already known this... Do you have any questions?

[Baku Cree]: ... My brain... is fried…

*Ring! Ring! Ring!

[History Tutor]: *Hmph* Looks like our time is up. Until we meet again, I want you to continue studying and reading up on what we went over today. Understand?

[Baku Cree]: *Sigh* Yeah, sure, whatever…

*The history tutor leaves the library and the next one walks in. However, it's Baku's Astronomy teacher, Mr. Yarish.

[Mr. Yarish]: Hey Baku, what's goin' on?

[Baku Cree]: Whoa, Mr. Yarish? What are you doing here? My best grade comes from your class!

[Mr. Yarish]: I guess the Crystal King wanted me to come speak to you. He said that he believes that we have a strong student-teacher bond. Whatever that means?

[Baku Cree]: Yeah, that sounds kinda weird… But you are one of my favorite teachers, haha!

[Mr. Yarish]: *Smiling* Hehe, and you just so happen to be my favorite student! So, how's life as a royal? Pretty fancy, huh? This palace is freakin’ massive, ain’t it? I almost got lost on my way here, until a bunch of butlers pointed me in the right direction... Is it just me or do they all look the same?

[Baku Cree]: Hehe, you're not alone Mr. Yarish, and it's alright, I guess... They expect us to wake up ridiculously early every day, so that sucks. But my mother seems to be enjoying it a lot, and that's all I care about. She’s the sole reason I even took up being the World Guardian, in the first place.

[Mr. Yarish]: Is that so? If that’s the case, how’s being the 15th World Guardian treatin’ ya? You feeling like a super hero yet?

[Baku Cree]: Ehh... I guess... I haven't done anything special yet so I don't really know. Prince Majorku started training me and I feel like I'm getting stronger thanks to him.

[Mr. Yarish]: Oh, the prince, huh? It's been years since I've seen him. He was an incredibly stellar student of mine, had perfect grades in all of his classes and all his test.

[Baku Cree]: Yeah I know, he's handsome and awesome. Hanging out with the Princess' friends is cool too... But, I haven't seen my boys Barrtio and Finn in forever... I miss them and I don't know if they're okay either…

[Mr. Yarish]: You talkin' about your commoner friends you skip school with?

[Baku Cree]: Mhm... I have to focus on my studying so that I can pass all of my classes in time for Mid-Terms. That way I can get Lady Millia's father to let her back into the High University, so my bestfriends can be together again.

[Mr. Yarish]: Why did you let your grades fall into the toilet, Mr. Baku?

[Baku Cree]: *Sigh* ... I simply don't like going to school... I don't believe that anything my teachers are telling me will ever be applicable in the real world, and their classes are so boring... *Smiling* Except for yours of course, hehe... Also, I just hate the environment... All of the students just suck being around... I only like my crew, and the Princess and her friends.

[Mr. Yarish]: Hahaha! Baku, I used to be just like you when I was your age. I once had the same attitude towards my studies until one of my favorite professors opened my mind to the theories and concepts outside of our reality and comprehension. Then, I found my passion in astronomy and the mysteries of our galaxy. With that, I want to help youth like you find their place in the world, because I believe everybody you and I will ever meet has a reason to belong.

[Baku Cree]: ... Hmm…

[Mr. Yarish]: Do you believe that you will be a good World Guardian, Baku?

[Baku Cree]: I guess it will be up to the people of the planet below to be the judge of that. I don't know how to be a hero of any kind, or how to protect anyone... I've always been the weakest one of my friends, and needed help when I got in fights and stuff from them... Honestly, I'm still nervous about everything... Even after my training, I still don't know if I'm gonna be able to defeat or defend anyone... I'm also afraid of leaving home and my mother alone... I know she'll be fine here, but.........

[Mr. Yarish]: I relate to how you feel, Baku... It's understandable for a boy your age to feel this way, especially since you're going to be carrying the weight of the world on your back... But remember this at least. No matter what you hear other people say about you, the only opinion you should listen to is your own. The words of other people should not affect you or your goals. Because you will always be number one in your own book. As long as you believe in yourself, that should be your driving motivation to begin and end your journey.

[Baku Cree]: *Smiling* Hehe, thanks Mr. Yarish! That means a lot to me to hear from you!

*Ring! Ring! Ring!

[Mr. Yarish]: Sounds like this session is over... I guess I'll be heading out now... See ya later, Baku. Remember what we talked about and good luck on your test, okay? I'll see you in class!

*Mr. Yarish leaves Baku alone in the library.

[Baku Cree]: ... I'm number one, huh? Alright, sounds good to me!