Varian flipped the page of his book, soaking in all the knowledge he could cram into his head. Losing track of time was a flaw that he was constantly trying to work on, but he couldn't help it. Every time he held a book, he got lost in the world of knowledge. It was like he just couldn't tear away from it. In fact, there was only one thing that had ever been able to snap him back to the world of reality where equations were not so easily answered.

The door swung open, slamming into the wall, announcing the arrival of only one person. Varian scrambled to stand up, hiding the text behind his back. He could feel his cheeks turning red as he averted his gaze away from the 'visitor'.

The man stormed up to Varian and reached behind his back. He snatched the book and waved it threateningly in his face. "Again? You're supposed to be practicing with your sword!"

"I'm s-sorry, sir. I-I just lost track of time…" Varian stuttered, heart pounding in his chest.

The man started to circle him as if he were prey. Varian visibly flinched as the man spoke. "We give you a roof, food and water, we shelter you from the dangers of the world and you repay us by filling your head with useless facts when you should be teaching your arms to lift their own weight!"

"But I think that these books have much to offer… they have strategies… different angles-"

"The strategizing is for me to do! You just obey!" The man spat. The teen could feel the saliva droplets on his cheek, but resisted the urge to wipe it off. The man walked behind him again. "But if you're so set on sitting around doing nonsense-"

Varian jolted as the man slapped the book across his backside. He drew in sharp breath to keep from crying out. Biting down on his lower lip, he bowed his head to hide the tears that were threatening to spill out of his eyes.

"Huh, maybe this stupid thing is good for putting something in your head. It could remind you your place," he taunted.

The man suddenly grabbed Varian's chin and tugged, making Varian turn around to face him. The boy swallowed as he was forced to look up at him, feeling the man's nails digging into his jaw. Shaking, Varian tried to keep his lip from trembling, but it obviously wasn't doing much good. The man only smirked. "I mean, if you're so set on learning, I'll just teach you myself."

"No, please! I'm sorry! It won't happen again! I swear-" Varian begged as he tried to get out of the man's grip.

The man only turned the boy around to face away from him and twisted his arm. Varian yelped, squeezing his eyes shut from the pain. "You promised last time!" He barked at the now sobbing teen.

"I'm sorry…" Varian sniffed.

"You said that last time, but I'm not so sure you meant it," the man huffed.

Varian whimpered as his head was slammed into his desk as his arm was still twisted behind his back. The book smacked his already throbbing head. He cried out violent sobs from the sharp pain, almost certain that he had a concussion now.

"Weak!" The man huffed, making Varian somehow sob harder. The man raised the book again.

"No! No! I've learned! I've learned! Please!" Varian screamed.

The book was lowered. "Are we sure?"

"Yes!" Varian sobbed.

"Good," the man nodded. He slapped the book against the boy's backside a second time before tossing the book aside. Obviously, it had been for good measure. Pulling Varian up, he shoved him to the floor.

Varian gingerly placed a hand on his head as he shakily began to push himself off the floor.

"Come on! Git!" The man snapped with inpatients, kicking Varian in the side in the process. This earned another yelp from the teen.

"Gordon!" A voice in the doorway stopped the man from kicking the boy again.

"What is it, Andrew?"

"How do you expect him to do his work if you continually beat him senseless?" Andrew had put himself between Varian and his cousin.

"Whatever, cuz. It wasn't like he was even doing his work. He was fooling around with them books again!"

"What's so wrong with books?"

"You hate them as much as I do," Gordon huffed.

"Not true. I'd rather not be stupid like you, so I read and I like those with half a brain to read. Leave the kid alone!"

"Fine. I was finished anyway," Gordon muttered as he stormed out of the room.