Since the battle between Jean and Ishak, Zaad has become very kind to Jean. His children are also very attached to Jean. In particular, Sabri and his brother Salman, whom Jean helped, went to Jean as soon as time allowed. The two older brothers, the eldest son Salfaraz and the second son Salim, mostly live with their respective teachers and only return home occasionally. Next year, Salman will also move out of the house and live with his teacher.
"How do you find a teacher?"
Jean asked while picking at the grapes, and Salman was thinking.
"If I remember correctly, each teacher writes the number of students they can teach. The conditions and test date are written, and those interested should go to the location determined by the teacher on that day. Then take the test. Only those who pass the quota can become the teacher's disciples."
"Hmmm."
"The most difficult ones are Teacher Jahir, Teacher Almayd, Teacher Caleb, and Teacher Kyle."
"Hmmm."
Jean mumbled as he listened to Salman's story.
"Which teacher would you like to go to, Salman?"
Jean asked, and Salman was deep in thought again.
"I'm currently studying with my private tutor, Teacher Ikhsan. Sabri is also studying with me. However, Teacher Ikhsan doesn't take apprentices over 10, so I don't know what to do..."
"So, does that mean it hasn’t been decided yet?"
"Yes."
Salman nodded.
"Teacher Jahir now has Uncle Sabadda and Uncle Jean. Normally, one teacher would not have more than two people from the same family. But Uncle Jean seems to be special."
"Really··."
"Also, Uncle Sabadda will be an adult next year, so Teacher Jahir will probably be busy around that time as well."
"Is there anything that happens when he becomes an adult?"
"There's a final exam. If you pass, he can get a job."
"Then, what if he doesn’t pass?"
"Looks like he'll have to try again for another year."
"It's tough..."
"The coming-of-age ceremony also extends by a year."
"Hey..."
Jean was surprised as he picked the grapes.
"What happens when he reaches adulthood later?"
"He can't get married or work."
"That's tough."
Jean said and Salman nodded.
“I heard Samad went to Teacher Almayd."
Jean said and Salman nodded.
"That teacher is strict, and only a few people apply to be his disciples. Besides, most of them fail the exam. So this year, two spots open, and Samad has joined, so there won't be any problems."
"But I heard that Samad is only 9 years old?"
"He went there in special. Because Grandfather ordered him to do so."
"I see."
Jean nodded.
"Then the rest are Teacher Caleb and Teacher Kyle."
"Hmm."
Jean said, and Salman thought again.
"To be honest, I don't really understand those two."
"Then, shall we go see them?"
Jean said and Salman and Sabri nodded.
"I want to go."
"Okay. I'll get your permission."
Jean said to Ibrahim, and he nodded and went inside the house. After a while, he returned with two men.
"Master Zaid has given his permission. However, he has ordered me to take these two with you."
"Yes, I understand. Thank you."
Jean looked at them and bowed politely, and they both bowed.
"May I ask your name?"
Jean asked, and the two looked at Ibrahim to confirm.
"This person is Tabarak, and next to him is Ma'az."
When Ibrahim introduced him, Jean smiled and nodded.
"I'm Jean. Thank you again."
"You're welcome."
Tabarak said while bowing, and Ma'az also bowed.
Jean thought that the two people Ibrahim had brought with him seemed very strong, and they were more than just servants. Jean thought they were probably bodyguards who had acquired assassination skills like Ibrahim, and went out with Salman and Sabri.
Jean asked Ibrahim where Caleb and Kyle usually were, and he directed them to the edge of the village. There they saw Caleb's disciples practicing hard. Ibrahim said that it was a fairly advanced technique, and Jean nodded.
“Oh! I thought it was Jean Tareq!”
When one man called out, Jean and the others bowed to him.
"I'm Caleb Hafiz. What are you here for?"
"Hello, for my nephew Salman, I would like to peek at Teacher Caleb’s class."
Jean said politely and Caleb nodded with a big smile. Every teacher wants a disciple from the Tareq family. They have money and ability, so anyone from the Tareq family would be welcome.
"Please do."
Caleb nods and watches his students practice.
"What will you look at on the exam?"
Jean asked, and Caleb was thoughtful.
"First, I'll look at the movement. Then I'll check to see if the weapon can be used. If you have knowledge of poison, I'll have no complaints."
Caleb said and Jean nodded.
"Salman, have you learned about poison?"
"No, not yet."
Salman shook his head.
"Then you'll have to study when you get home."
"Yes, Uncle."
Salman nodded. Sabri just blinked as he saw Caleb's disciples attacking each other with weapons.
"Is Jean still a disciple of Mr. Jahir?"
"Yes, I do."
Jean nodded.
"I saw that match. To be honest, I was surprised. You are the only child who can make Ishak Irshad unable to fight."
"Thank you."
Jean smiled and replied politely.
"My attack just happened to hit him."
"Hahaha, that can't be true. Even though he was like that, he was an active assassin."
"Was?"
Jean tilted his head.
"He died. After the match, he was disposed of by the head of the Irshad family."
"..."
Caleb said and Jean blinked.
"I guess I should have lost..."
Jean said in a low voice and Caleb shook his head.
"Even if you lose on purpose, he'll get even more excited and make a lot of noise. He's always been a troublemaker, and he's caused a lot of trouble before."
Caleb said, and Jean listened.
"So you shouldn't have such thoughts, okay?"
"Yes, Sir."
"You won, and that's good. That he died after that match has nothing to do with you. I can assure you. I'm sure the head of the Tareq family feels the same way. So don't worry. Do not regret it."
"I see...I understand. Thank you."
Jean looked at Caleb and nodded.
"Well, if you want to become my disciple now, you're welcome. Hahaha."
"I'm sorry, Mr. Caleb."
Jean politely declined and shook his head.
"Thank you for your advice. I'll go see other teachers from now on, so please excuse me."
Jean bowed politely, and Caleb bowed his. Salman and Sabri also bowed before they left the place with Jean.
Ibrahim then led Jean and the others to several teachers. And as expected, they treated Jean politely the moment they saw him.
"Do you know what to do now?"
Jean asked Salman, and Salman nodded.
"Yes. I was surprised that there were so many more things to do..."
"Let's do it little by little. There's still time."
"Yes, Uncle."
Salman nodded.
"Mr. Ibrahim, do you have any money?"
Jean suddenly asked, and Ibrahim nodded.
"Then, can we go to that restaurant? Since I'm going out with Salman and Sabri, I'd like some delicious skewers."
"Yes, Mr. Jean."
Ibrahim smiled and nodded. Then they went to the stall and Ibrahim ordered three skewers. However, Jean shook his head and asked some additional for Ibrahim and others' portions. Tabarak and Ma'az were surprised, but in the end, they happily accepted the skewers and ate them together. After everyone ate the skewers and enjoyed them, they went home.
When Jean returned home, he immediately decided to teach Salman and Sabri how to use the sword. The three of them practiced together with each other, practicing with wooden swords.
Zaid listened to the report from Tabarak and Ma'az while watching the children from the window of his office. When he heard the report on the skewer they ate, Zaid laughed and nodded.
"When I hear that, it makes me wonder if he really is a 4-year-old."
"Yes, Master."
Zaid said and Tabarak and Ma'az nodded.
"But Jean is the smallest among those three in terms of body size. He's definitely a four-year-old."
Zaid moved away from the window and sat in a chair.
"But the other two can't be compared to him, because obviously 9-year-old Salman was taught by 4-year-old Jean. Hahaha."
Zaid said as he took out a letter from his desk drawer.
"Tabarak, give this to Mr. Jenal."
Zaid gave the letter to Tabarak.
"Excuse me, but may I ask what's in your letter?"
"It's Samarina's marriage proposal. The answer is that I accept the marriage proposal for her."
"Yes, Master. Now, I'll go deliver it."
Tabarak bowed his head and left the room.
"Ma'az."
"Yes, Master."
"Be careful of the Irshad family's movements. This quietness is worrying me."
"Yes. Master."
Ma'az nodded at Zaid's instructions.
"Even if they say that Ishak Irshad is dead, I don't think I can trust the Irshad family."
Zaid sighed. The head of the Irshad family once told him that marriage with Samarina was something the Irshad family had been waiting for for many years. He finally has a son whose age is good for Samarina, and Zaid is also happy about that marriage arrangement. However, it was the Irshad family who ruined that long-awaited dream.
"Listen Ma'az."
"Yes, Master."
"Trust is important. Once you betray it, people will never trust you again. No matter how many years pass, they will never forget it. Keep that in mind."
"Yes, Master."
"It’s okay to go."
"Then please excuse me."
Maaz bowed his head and left the room. Zaid moved to the window again, looked at Jean and the others, and smiled.