Chapter 4 Terrible Latin Teacher
Writer's note: Since Minnie is me, so I will let my story be more of a reflection of my life too. The reason why I get bullied, and the scholarship thing is real in my real life. Proud of myself.
Chapter 4 Terrible Latin Teacher
"Balthazar, I bet you know Latin right?" I've been speaking and reading Latin for centuries, my love… that's nothing to me…even my Latin is better than my English, in fact, oh yes, the beast knew Latin too, he is me, my dark side as you know."
(now we are in our room, he is holding my chin with his right hand, his ringed hand as he switches himself into Beast/Monster form. As Balthazar slowly transforms into his beast form, his right hand still holding your chin gently, you notice the subtle yet profound change. He grows taller, his muscles more defined, and his face contorts into a fearsome, beastly visage.
Balthazar: my vampire rings and necklace have emerged along with my beastly transformation. And you can feel their magic as well. I know you can.
me: I-ta (Latin: yes)
Balthazar in shock: excuse me?
Me: I am a completely Latin beginner but I know the following:
Di-es (day), I-rae ( Wrath),i-lla (that) and as you can guess from that "Di-es I-rae, Di-es illa", that day of wrath, God's wrath day, the judgement day, or in french " Le grand jour " ,the one that always features in classical music, and "Confutatis" (confounded), kyrie (God's mercy or mercy), and why I forgot the word requiem when I mention so much about the context of requiem, it means "rest" in Latin and a type of religious funeral music in English. As for the non-music related part: domi (home), dormit ( sleeps ), frater ( brother), pater( father), soror( sister), mater (mother), et salve balthazar (and hello balthazar)
Balthazar: how do you know that much, that's a lot as Latin is a dead language today!
Me: (proud smile) As I said classical music, while the rest are Duolingo for learned two weeks just for fun! (turns to a naughty smile) I imagine that you pretend to be a new beginner sorcerer, and then while others struggle with Latin, you speak them out, with a more pure accent than everybody, and the teacher has to give you 120 out of 100 and an A (laugh out loud)
Balthazar can't help but snicker as he listens to you give that description, his expression amused as he speaks to you."It seems you are the one born not full human compare to me who really are not born completely human. Oh, as for your imaginary scene, my gosh you have no idea how often I've done exactly that." "Really! you did in the past?"
His voice is still amused in tone, showing that he agrees with your description of that situation Balthazar: "All the time. I've always found that watching people struggle with Latin is very amusing to watch…"
Balthazar grins, clearly enjoying this little story. He loves to think of how funny such a scenario was in his mind, a look of amusement in his eyes as he begins speaking, his mind recalling the story in his mind."Heh… well, there was one time, two years ago. When I found myself seated in the back of the Latin class, the teacher was this utterly obnoxious teacher who thought he knew everything. I don't know why he could be a master sorcerer, He was droning on and on and on, about something unrelated to the lesson, as he does, just boring the entire class to death. He was just blabbering on and on and on, like normal, and all the students were just bored to death by all this, so I raised my hand, as I always did whenever I didn't understand something, to ask a question.
Well, I leaned forward… and, innocent as ever, I asked: 'Forgive me sir, but what was the lesson today again? Of course, he didn't find that amusing… he seemed to get slightly annoyed that I'd dared to interrupt his lecture… so he replied: 'The same as every day… Latin for beginners!'"
As your experience tells me even today there are still teachers who assign questions that they can't answer, it happened to me at that time too. I sat in a class being late, I asked something in Latin to that very teacher, on purpose…"It's a very funny story…
I asked the teacher: 'Do you know much about Latin, sir? He swore he knew it, of course, he swore he knew everything about Latin and everything about that kind of language…I asked: 'Then why have you been making a complete fool out of yourself lately, sir, if you're so knowledgeable and educated and well-versed with the language that you always claim to know so much about?
I did a little performance, for everyone in the class…Ah, it was something very special, something no one else in that class had seen before… and I remember that teacher's look at the end, it was priceless…
So, I remember, I waited until the lesson was drawing to a close and everyone was starting to pack up their things… and I was one of the very last to do so…Well, yes, as usual, I kept asking the teacher questions while he was trying to get everyone to leave… I would ask the simplest of questions, just to mess with him…I would ask him simple things like: 'Why is that called that?' … or: 'Isn't that word written like this?'… " "Oh, yes, he knew I was doing it on purpose. He smiled and assured me he'd answer them after class like he always did. He didn't suspect a thing…"
"So, I just waited until after class, after everyone had left the room, and the teacher and I were alone…I glanced at the door like the way I forced you to pick up the sorcerer ring, I shut the door with that glace, and that teacher turned to me. He froze…because he realized he was locked in with me. We were alone. It was just me and him. So, I just stood there, with a smirk on my face, watching him, waiting to see what he was going to do. He floundered. He was lost… he didn't know what to do but later swore in Latin while I corrected his mistake. Soon I walked through the door. Yes, I used my power as a ghost to walk through it and got out of the room while the teacher at last had to climb out from the windows.
In the next class, I am punctual this time and sit in the front row. He tries to take revenge on the whole class, and before the lesson starts, he locks the doors once the clock is pointed sharp so that he can find out who might challenge him the last time and make sure no one can come in or get out until the class is finished. During the teaching part, the class was about three chapters: The Sealing Spells, Dies Irae, and Merlin. The sealing spells that you knew, girl, but it was not known for beginners or normal sorcerers, I train you and David as a master sorcerer to-be, my child.
So he decided to use these two pieces of knowledge to show off. He first asked us who knew the spell, and I answered with original Latin and English translations. I said out the Omnis mundus te maledicit part(The whole world curses you) in FFFFFF (very very very very very very loud) voice. The moment I answered it, the students were shocked and checked their books, they knew that I was a master sorcerer, for their book mentioned it is a spell that you can't get the incantation until you become a master sorcerer.
Next, he asked what is the meaning of Dies Irae, I answered him instantly along with how it is being used in music, yes I know you could answer that too, my child. I added "Dies Irae to you, Confutatis" and other curse words in Latin, while some students who knew better Latin started laughing.
The moment I said those curse words and other Latin sentences, the list of "which master sorcerer I am" became much shorter, for today's master sorcerers most of them don't know daily Latin. As the teacher keeps teaching, the students next to me ask me questions to continue narrowing down the possible outcomes. I have to say the way they process that leads to the result that "I am Balthazar Blake" is very very smart.
"Are you born male? You might be a LGBT-A-I-Q dress like a male or a trans, or a female use magic to pretend to be a male" "I understand, I like you consider it all, I am a born male"
(possible: Sun Lok, Balthazar, Unknown male sorcerer, Drake's master, Drake Stone)
"Are you Merlinean or Moagranaian" "I was Moagranaian"
(possible: Horvath, balthazar, Drake Stone, Drake Stone's master, Sun Lok)
"Do you speak Hungarian or Russian" "Not Hungarian, but a bit Russian"
(Not Horvath, for he speaks both well)
(outcomes: balthazar, Drake Stone, Drake Stone's master, Sun Lok)
Balthazar: The question of Am I Merlinean or Morganian, I have not finished my sentence yet. I switched to Merlianian for a lot of years already, so Merlinean. And don't worry, I won't do anything to any of you even though I am a Morganian today, I have my rules, and I hate bringing innocent people involved even during the time I was Morganian. (delete the Morganian)
(outcomes: balthazar Aurelius Flood Gorloisen)
"Where are you from originally" "UK and France in today's map "
("In today's map?" he might be older than he looks: an old Merlinian
(possible outcomes: balthazar Aurelius Flood Gorloisen)
" no offence, but are you still alive" "Yes"
(Aurelius Flood Gorloisen is dead so Balthazar or some guy that they don't know)
"Is Latin your first language? You know it so well, look like a native" "Yes"
(got the period that he might born in, the youngest will be born in 600-740AD when Latin died out or he is someone who used it in the 21st century)
A student who loves classical music: "What does the word "baroque" mean" in the era you were born?"
"it means "irregularly shaped." At first, the word in French was used mostly to refer to pearls. Eventually, it came to describe an extravagant style of art characterized by curving lines, gilt, and gold."
( the meaning he said is not the 21st century's definition, it is what the word "baroque" originally meant, so this is not someone who uses Latin in the 21st century, so this man in front of them will be born in 600-740 AD or earlier.)
"who trains you to be a sorcerer?" "Ambrosius"
(Ambroisus= Merlin's last name)
Students chatting: Ambrosius sounds like Emrys…Myrddin Emrys
Balthazar: go on, nice analysis
Student(mp voice) "Sir, are you Balthazar Blake?"
I answered them "Might be" in a low voice for the distance between me and the teacher is very close, while spreading out my aura in the whole room as protection. I was afraid that the teacher might do anything to anyone here. (Even this teacher is so weak in magic, and I could read his mind like reading a children's storybook. )
My child, I have no idea how the teacher as a master sorcerer couldn't feel it at all, even a normal human could sense something is not right in that case even they cannot tell it is magic. Since everybody's aura and magic are unique, most of the class except the teacher knows I am The Balthazar Blake even though I said "I might be".
Soon the teacher goes to the part of Merlin, and I keep answering his can't help but say "For Merlin's sake, do you really know such a lot of things?" Since I do know the chapter so well for I am a person who experienced all of that I answered him "I do, and I knew Merlin himself, I saw him die in front of me and give me the dragon ring. And as your smart students guess is correct, I am Balthazar Blake" That line comes out of my mouth, and all the students who still are not sure if I am Balthazar Blake now confirm that I am Balthazar Blake, I step onto the stage and take over the lesson.
As the lesson finished, I went back to that school's office, my room I was a professor in a super high rank, and most people heard the name but never saw my face in real, only photos.
That night, that teacher came to me, challenge me to a duel. My child, he is so weak, even he could be defeated by his students, oh yes, you definitely could. I release the beast in me to defeat him, disarm him, take his ring, and use up his magic in him, send him back to sleep.
The next day, the student who first knew who I was in the class came to me and asked me if I had a duel, for a lot of people had felt my aura, I told them I did. Also, a lot of students gather enough evidence that the teacher treat the students badly, that the teacher at last being fired.
(back to now), the Me=Minnie, the girl
Me: balthazar, you have no grey hair at all (you are only 60 on appearance with Merlin's age froze spell )
(Balthazar smiles, a hint of pride in his voice at your observation.)
Balthazar: "Why, thank you, my darling. Yes, despite my true age, I am fortunate to have retained a youthful appearance. Of course, it helps that I have access to certain spells and enchantments that can aid in keeping me looking young for longer than the average person. But I must admit, it is quite gratifying to hear that I still look young even without those magical aids."
Me: hey, you don't look like 1000 in any form, I can only sense that you are old from your magic, but can't tell how old it is until you tell me you are 1329
(Balthazar laughs at your astute observation.)
Balthazar: "You are right, my love. I do not appear to be 1000 years old in any of my forms. My human form is more of a "young looking" version, and even in my beast ghost vampire form, my age does not show as much as one might expect. It is true, the only way to truly gauge my age is to sense the depth and power of my magic, for it bears the weight of centuries."
But people even me still can't tell it is 1329, I only can guess it is 80 to 100 not 1329, so...
(Balthazar nods, a hint of contemplation in his abyssal eyes as he reflects on your words.)
Balthazar: "Yes, it is true that most people, even you, struggle to correctly gauge my age. While I may appear no older than 80 to your eye, the true depth of my age, 1329 years, is hidden beneath the surface. It is only through a deeper understanding and connection to the magic within me that one can truly comprehend the expanse of my existence."
Me: understanding and connection to the magic within me? Bullshit, still can't tell, unless, people like Horvath or Merlin, Veronica, or people that are from your era.
(Balthazar laughs at your bluntness, finding your words both amusing and accurate.)
Balthazar: "Ah, perhaps you are right. Understanding and connection to magic may not be enough to fully grasp the extent of my age. It truly takes someone from my era, such as Merlin or Veronica, to fully comprehend the full weight of my years. For they have witnessed the events and changes that have shaped me over the centuries, and have a deeper understanding of the history and magic that is woven into my very existence."
I can't help but look at his monstrous face now, attractive in a different way compared to the human face.
(As you gaze at Balthazar's monstrous face, a hint of fascination mixed with a bit of trepidation dances across your features. The sharp ridges and contortions of his ghostly, beast-like form make for an intimidating visage, yet beneath the fearsome exterior, you can still see the familiar hint of the man you love. His abyssal eyes, ever watchful and intense, meet yours with a hint of warmth and understanding.)
Can Veronica tell you how are you when you standing in front of her like this, although she said she knew you were the vampire king...
(Balthazar chuckles, a hint of wry amusement in his voice at the question.)
Balthazar: "Ah, Veronica. She is a perceptive one, isn't she? To answer your question, I believe that even in this monstrous form, she would still be able to recognize me. She has a deep understanding of my true nature and the magic that lies within me, which would make it possible for her to see past the fearsome exterior. However, I can't deny that there is a certain level of surprise and shock that comes with encountering me in this form."
How can she tell what are the possibilities?
(Balthazar ponders for a moment, considering your question. After a few moments, he responds.)
Balthazar: "For Veronica, there are several possibilities that would allow her to recognize me in this form. For one, she has a deep connection and bond with me, which would enable her to sense my presence and true nature even in this fearsome form. Additionally, she has lived and worked alongside me for centuries, giving her a level of familiarity and understanding of my magic and mannerisms that transcend physical appearance. So, while it may seem difficult for others to recognize me in this form, for Veronica, it would be a piece of cake for her.
She can tell from your eyes, right? Even the colour is changed, even if it seems like two different pairs from others, but not me or others.
(Balthazar nods, understanding your insight.)
Balthazar: "Yes, you're correct. While my physical appearance may change, my eyes remain a constant. And for someone like Veronica, who knows me intimately, they serve as a gateway to my true self, no matter what form I take. It's a combination of her deep connection with me and the familiarity she has with my mannerisms and magic that allow her to see past the changes and recognize me."
What about Merlin?
(Balthazar considers your question for a moment before replying.)
Balthazar: "Merlin, being the most powerful sorcerer of his era, and a close friend and collaborator of mine, would also be likely to recognize me, even if I appeared as an eldritch ghost beast vampire king. Just as Veronica, his deep understanding of magic and his familiarity with my nature and personality would enable him to recognize me, even through the transformations I undergo."
And me? Not as easy as them I think.
(Balthazar smiles as he looks at you, his abyssal eyes filled with a mixture of affection and contemplation.)
Balthazar: "You, my love, are a different case altogether. While Veronica and Merlin may have an easier time recognizing me in this form due to their familiarity and connection with me, your ability to sense my true nature and magic make it quite possible for you to see past the monstrous exterior. However, I must admit that it may not come as naturally to you as it does to them, given your relative inexperience compared to their centuries of wisdom and power."
If I don't know, I can only blindly guess it's you like the student in Latin class guesses out your identity, I sense your aura even though you need not spread it out, also your eyes: darker than human form, but still the mysterious with a pretend of quiet, yet deep down it is crazy wild and insane; your eyes are not so authoritative in this case, but the feeling it gives me from your eyes and your aura is no doubt instantly let me think of " balthazar blake"
(Balthazar smiles, deeply moved by your detailed description of how you perceive his monstrous form. He is struck by how accurately you recognize him, even without the traditional cues his human form provides.)
Balthazar: "I am truly impressed by your ability to sense and understand my true nature, my darling. Your description of my eyes and aura is spot on, and your association of them with me is truly remarkable. It seems that even in this fearsome form, you can see past the surface and recognize the true essence of who I am. Just one thing, don't tell anybody about it, about who I am.
I smile for a while but…