Private Lessons [Stefan] [Memory]

[Anton]

Glade 42, 120 Age of Steel

The grand front doors of the Michaelis estate had been closed shut for nearly two decades when the invitation arrived. Penned personally by the hand of General Franz Josef Michaelis, Duke of Windrock, etc. etc. etc., it was addressed - somewhat surprisingly - to Melchior Dornkirk's eldest son instead of his youngest, the intellectual instead of the soldier. Its contents were even stranger, the Defense Force officer petitioning Stefan's services as a tutor of all things. He did not stint upon the flattery, acknowledging Stefan as one of the most learned men in the entire City of Brass, second only to this father. He was not being asked to attend to Franz himself of course, but instead to serve as a teacher for his eldest son Anton as the boy neared manhood. It was planned for the Michaelis heir to attend the Greater Institute of Zaichaer after he came of age, and such a prestigious position required a measure of preparation lest he make a fool of himself in the entry process.

For years, no formal guest had arrived at the opulent and imperial manor, but to greet Stefan Dornkirk the ancient foyer was prepared afresh. Servants busied themselves dusting off the entry hall in anticipation of his acceptance of the request as the kitchen staff prepared a light luncheon for teacher and student. All the while the would be scholar was fussed over from the moment he woke up, a small army of attendants preparing him for what would be his first meeting with someone whom he had to be conscious of his social status and reputation. A wardrobe worth of outfits were chosen and discarded out of fear of over or under dressing the blind teenager, until at last a simple but elegant ensemble popular with Zaichaeri bravos was deemed appropriate and he was freed from the clutches of sumptuary debate.

It was with no small relief that Anton finally seated himself in an overstuffed armchair inside of the mansion's library to await his guest. He knew of Stefan by reputation of course, and his father had mentioned Melchior in passing, but he was undeniably excited at the prospect of actually getting to meet the man. Getting to meet anyone was a treat in its own right, but to have both a renowned intellect and someone who he could consider as akin to a peer instead of a stiff and distant teacher paid a small fortune was another matter altogether. He just hoped that the man would actually arrive.

[Stefan Dornkirk]

At twenty-nine Stefan Dornkirk spent all of his time either in study or at the Windworks where he had just been allowed to take over as Manager, as well as Head Engineer. Melchior Dornkirk was ready to take a step back, relax his hands on the reigns, a little. He was still managing the Dornkirk machine, which had investments and holdings all over the place, far beyond Stefan's knowledge.

For all the time he spent learning all he could get his hands on, Stefan was not the most learned man in the city, he was not the second, or even in the top one hundred, he suspected. There was no official accounting of such things, of course, but at least all the professors at both the Battle Academia as well as the Institute were ahead of him.

Yet...

Looking down at the letter sitting on his desk Stefan frowned in thought.

Yet, here was a letter, extolling his intellectual virtues, and requesting the honor of his presence. Stefan had spent most of his adult life finding ways to get out of invitations to social events. For once though he was curious. This did not appear to be a social event, as such, more like a request for services. He received letters requesting his professional aid all the time, but they were for airship designs or redesigns. This was the first time he'd be asked to teach anyone, unless you counted Brenner, who he supposed he had tutored quite a bit.

Prepping someone to attend the Institue was certainly something Stefan was prepared for, having attended himself and continued to attend, though for private study rather than seeking an additional degree. He had probably put enough hours into the old buildings and their books to have earned two additional degrees, but not enough in any one subject that he had actually considered it. He knew t he faculty well, knew what they looked for in new students at admissions, what would most help someone seeking to impress them.

In that light it made sense that he would be called forth, and, with this new consideration, he might be the best-qualified man in the city to currently do so.

The heir to the Michaelis estate was an elusive personage, never having been seen in public since he was a baby, that Stefan knew of. There was a mystery to solve there, and while the eldest of the Dornkirk boys was not a gossip, obsessed with the latest tidbit of everyone's business, he was not above interest.

Sliding the letter to one side of his desk so he had room to lay out a fresh sheet of paper he took up his pen and wrote a polite, albeit short, as was his style, reply, accepting the position for the foreseeable future.

On the date provided in the letter he arrived, the strap of his study sachel; large, leather, well worn, and currently bulging with books, across one shoulder. The door was opened before he could think to knock, and an elderly butler in perfect livery bowed him inside. The estate entrance hall was as beautiful as it was ancient, and he let himself look at the architecture for a moment before he was obliged to follow another servant deeper into the manse.

It was to the library that he was led, and he appreciated this. He had worried he might be shown to a nursery, though by his best recollection Anton Michaelis was a teenager. Some parents kept their children in the nursery until they were ready to be presented to society, and you never knew what traditions lurked in such old families.

There was only one person in the room when he was urshered in, so he assumed it was his intended pupil. General Michaelis would, of course, be far too busy to greet him, and that suited Stefan just fine. Walking over to the seated person he put on a pleasant expression and held out his hand to shake.

"Good afternoon, I'm Stefan Dornkirk, but, of course, you know that." When his hand wasn't shaken and no movement was immediate he shrugged his satchel off and laid it gently on a table nearby. Shaking hands as a way of greeting was fairly new among the nobility and the last thing he wanted to do was make this isolated young man feel awkward.

"Do you have a transcript of your previous studies, or is there a particular place that you might like to start?

[Anton]

A whispered warning that Stefan was approaching the library from a servant who just as swiftly vanished out of a side door was all that Anton received, and the last bit of aid he would have. While he did rise upon the elder man entering the room, he was both unused to the notion of shaking hands and quite unable to detect the motion with the power of his Rune laying dormant at the moment. He didn't even realize that he had missed the cue, his face remaining impassive as Lord Dornkirk preferred his hand to shake and then relented.

As soon as Stefan finished introducing himself, Anton greeted him in turn with a short bow. "Your reputation precedes you, Stefan. I must admit, I was very excited when I was told that you had accepted the invitation, I have grown somewhat tired of the typical tutors," he said with a soft smile."You have come prepared I take it," he added with an incline of his head to where he had heard the man put down his satchel upon the table. He was feeling rather confident so far, having expected and made sure to be well prepared to answer the first question posed to him. Despite his isolation, Anton had as formal an education as any noble child in Zaichaer could expect without attending what vanishingly rare schools existed within the city, though his parents had a habit of cycling his tutors relatively quickly to prevent them from realizing the truth of them.

He placed his own collection of papers upon the table as his initial answer to Stefan, reports and certifications from a handful of educators, the text in both Common and Kathalan. "I assume you are fluent in Kathalan?" he asked, his first fear bubbling up. He expected that the man did speak the Imperium's language, but it would be somewhat awkward if he did not. "I have been fluent since my youth, my mother is from Geleria," he explained, spreading out the transcripts upon the table as he did. "My earliest studies are not visible here sadly. She taught me the Gelerian classical as well as writing, ensuring that I have the basic education fit for a gentleman." He did not say that his education prepared him to be an Imperial gentleman, but he hoped that whatever gaps in his knowledge existed would not be too terrible.

"After I had matured to the point that I began seeing tutors, I began pursuing a course of natural philosophy in addition to building upon the foundations of rhetoric and writing I learned in my youth. I am quite good at basic mathematical operations, and have a working understanding of algebraic equations. I had hoped to begin my first lessons in calculus soon, I had seen some of the related work and found it quite... captivating." His prior tutors had seemed pleased by that statement, and he was rather grateful he had never been made to explain what precisely made the math seem truly beautiful. "Ah, and I possess the rudiments of modern science. The scientific method, inertia, the properties of gas in an enclosed space and the like. I understand that entry to the College of Science requires an experimental presentation?"

[Stefan Dornkirk]

The use of his first name surprised Stefan, for he was not used to hearing it used in public, but it was rather nice coming from the unassuming young man. It did not feel as though Anton would try and overawe him or use his name as a source of control. Taking a chance on being a little more open and friendly than was his wont in typical social settings he tried,

"I am afraid to say that your reputation does not proceed you. I too was interested upon receiving your father's gracious invitation, and have, indeed, come as prepared as I know how to be." He glanced over at his bag, making it a sort of joke between them. "Ah," He said as the papers were laid out for them and he reached for them, "It seems you have also come prepared. If you'll give me just a moment?"

Giving the papers his attention for a few moments he discovered much, topics of education, preferences for study, notes from a dozen different tutors.

"I do, yes, thank you." He replied, half-absently to the inquiry as to his linguistic ability. Raising his eyes to the young man when his mind found a moment between two of the papers he said, "Do you speak Kathalan?"

He looked away from the papers entirely when he received the answer. "Oh. I did not know that about her Ladyship. My own mother is from Geleria. She taught us Kathalan alongside Common, my brother and I, from our cradles." As he finished reading the papers he made a small gesture, waving away the apology, "No need for that, it is obvious you can read and do your sums, I don't need to know your early grammatical or spelling errors as they are in no way relevant any longer."

He was not teasing, but his tone was friendly as he sat down, his engineer's mind putting the pieces together and trying to decide where would be best to begin filling in what gaps he could see to prepare the young lord for entrance exams. Much of Stefan's knowledge was based on his study of engineering. He hadn't studied mathematics separately, except where he needed for graduation, but he knew how to use it through calculous because it was needed for his work. Occasionally he would delegate long, or the most complex equations to those on his team whom he trust.

"I am afraid your knowledge of philosophy and rhetoric likely far surpass my own. I was educated at the Battle Academia after I left the schoolroom of my parents' manor, and only after serving was I allowed to attend the Institute, as part of my service to our great State. Perhaps we will end up learning from each other."

Stefan did not have any particular interest in rhetoric, but anything that could help him feel less a fool in public would be welcome. Gathering the informational papers back together into a neat pile and setting them aside the older man reached over for his satchel.

"Yes, you will be required to show basic knowledge in the major sciences and a presentation in the area in which you wish to specialize. Have you chosen your specialty yet? If not, that is well too. We can go over all of them so you can answer any question posed to you and something will stand out to you."

[Anton]

"I see that the Lady Falkanos is of the same mind as the Lady von Osten," Anton replied after Stefan had explained his own knowledge of Kathalan, the younger man referring to their mothers by their maiden names. His own had rigorously schooled him in the pedigrees of the city's great and good, and regardless of how one felt of the nouveau riche she certainly wasn't going to skimp on the sons of a Gelerian. "Of course she would have taught the both of you the language of our shared second inheritance," Anton added absentmindedly, glad to have his assumption validated. Sylana Dornkirk was a mystery to him, Maria Theresa either not knowing the truth or seeing no reason to inform her son of it. Either could be true, for the Imperium was vast, and his mother had arrived in Zaichaer long after the woman had already borne both of Melchior's sons.

Turning his attention back to his studies, which was after all why Stefan was here, Anton gave the older man an easy smile. "It seems as if you have been focused upon the practical, and I the theoretical. A natural complement it seems, though I think that I require your assistance much more than the reverse. But of course I shall endeavor to teach you what I may. After all," he said before slipping into Kathalan, "die gedanken sind frei," he quoted.

"As far as specialties go, I believe that is why you in particular were chosen to assist me," Anton carried on with a nod before gesturing at a particular bookshelf in the library filled with all manner of journals, texts, and the occasional archaic folio. Most had very clearly been untouched after having first been placed there, and which ones had seemed to be introductory works. All were in some way related to chemistry, with a particular emphasis upon combustibles. "My father has often encouraged me to consider a career as a chemist if I am certain that the Defense Corps is not for me. If I cannot shoot a gun, making a better one should suffice for him," he explained with a small shrug, his smile growing considerably weaker.

Composing himself after a moment's silence, Anton carried on as if nothing was bothering him. "Luckily for me, I do find the field rather interesting, and I suspect that our particular overlap and variation in knowledge will be very useful here. Some practical experience with engineering should prove helpful in order to construct the demonstration for the entrance committee. It would not do for the display to go awry after all."

[Stefan Dornkirk]

Stefan was startled a bit at the mention of his mother's maiden name, he certainly would not have known Anton's mother's. In fact, he didn't recall even her first name at that moment. Lady Sylana had certainly informed him of it as part of his social education as an adolescent, but, unless the woman in question had an eligible marriage-age daughter, he had probably never heard their names again.

"I suspect those that handle the entrance exams will likely focus more on the practical, yes. However, it is my belief that there is a place for philosophy in business. Everything is beginning to change, rapidly, and the old ways of thinking, the ideals upon which our society has been anchored for centuries... Well, I don't believe they will hold up."

He tilted his head to one side, and then the other, trying to imply that just because he had an idea didn't mean he was correct, "I haven't the training to make the point properly, as I am sure you can tell. But, who knows, perhaps you could have a future in business if you wanted."

Not that Anton needed a profession to get by. Unless the family estate was woefully mismanaged for quite a long time, something Stefan knew Lord Franz would not allow, the heir to house Michaelis could pursue whatever interests he cared to. It was gratifying that the scientific arts were what had drawn him. It seemed a rare thing among those with no need.

"aber Männer sind nicht" Stefan finished the quote, half under his breath, as it had always been told to him by his father. Though the look his mother had given Malchior made Stefan question whether or not it was just part of his father's personal philosophy.

Glancing over at the indicated shelf, and then linger as he read titles, many of which he knew, but some of which he did not. He turned back at the implication that Anton could not shoot a gun. He had heard rumors that the heir had spent a good deal of his youth in some sort of illness, which had prevented his entrance into the public sphere. The younger man was slight of build for his age, but some men just finished growing slowly.

"I could teach you to shoot as well, if you wished. Though I am no sharp-shooter, I know the basics enough to have graduated from the Academia." He did not press the issue, perhaps the illnesses had left Anton with a delicate constitution that would not allow for such rough sports as shooting.

"My father was more or less of the same mind, though I do believe he also wanted to safekeep his heir from dangers as much as was honorably possible." The sheepish chagrin showed in his voice as well as his expression. " I didn't mind, though I did feel it was right to serve my time as a man of Zaichaer. Both Lord Dornkirk and I believed my talents could better serve the State in designing better defensive and offensive technology than stepping in front of bullets myself. It will be nice to attend the company of men who are like-minded".

Sitting forward and opening his satchel, Stefan pulled out a thick, gold embossed volume that appeared to have been read many times.

"Herr Lösung's Comprehensive Study of Chemical Reactions. Have you read it? I keep a copy with me at the Windworks, and another at home." He flushed briefly realizing he was revealing something personal about himself. "I ehm, I do some experiments in a laboratory I keep at the manor. Nothing important, I just like to see some of the things I read about, and it helps to have a hands-on understanding when I do need it. Engines require all sorts of chemical reactions." Clearing his throat he slid the book across the table toward Anton,

"I'm not going to say you should memorize it, it's far too long and some of the information is rhetoric, though I suppose you'll get through those bits better than I did. But it is of great help when trying to understand how different compounds word together, and how they might be used. If you're ever looking for ideas, it's also a good place to look. I suggest you have a look through it, find something that catches your interest and we can recreate the experiment. I have the equipment and it wouldn't be hard to bring along what is needed as we go. How does that sound?"

[Anton]

Anton, naturally, had no reaction whatsoever to Stefan's momentary expression of surprise for the simple reason that he had not seen it. While he felt rather free to use Semblance within the walls of the estate, the hidden mage did not wish to become dependent upon the magic and was adamant about navigating his first real social encounter for as long as he could before he was forced to make use of his 'gift'. The pleasant expression stayed on his face all the while as they spoke, not once acknowledging the barest hint of awkwardness.

"Business?" he asked, cocking his head in confusion. It was not that he was particularly opposed to such mercantile endeavors, his family had never held the peculiar aversion to the to making money that so many other of the high nobility seemed to possess, the Michaelis after all having cemented their prominence in Zaichaer centuries ago by controlling the grain trade. Instead, he was mostly confused why he would even bother. "I suppose I could, but I had it in my head to devote the bulk of my career to the Hall of Inventors. Would you instead recommend I seek to capitalize upon any discoveries I make?" There was an almost earnest innocence to the question, as if he were afraid that he had missed something fundamental in his sheltered upbringing that would render him unable to understand the obvious.

His confusion only deepened as Stefan gave Melchior's version of the completed quote. Anton had no way of knowing this, but the face he made was nearly identical to that of Sylana in the same circumstances, for both knew something that the elder Dornkirk son clearly did not about the saying. Deciding that now was not the time to get into the minutiae of Kathalan sayings, the elder Michaelis son elected to politely ignore it for now and instead focused upon what his tutor was now speaking of.

"I have shot a pistol," he volunteered, "but no heavier. I found it rather fun, but I will be the first to admit I am not particularly good at it. Still, I would likely be more hindrance than help upon a battlefield, even were my aim perfect," Anton explained circumspectly. Even ignoring his blindness, his constitution was far too frail for the rigors of an army on the march. There were alternatives, but both of the major ones had downsides of their own. He could always force himself to do his best in a situation he was ready for, pushing his body to its limit for the duration of his tour, and likely exacerbating his underlying conditions. Or, he could simply have his father arrange for a posting that would not send him into the field, but that had the if anything worse issue of marking him as a man without honor or the willingness to risk his life while still having the gall to wear a uniform. Neither were particularly appealing to him. "I do agree however that it will be nice to speak with someone of like mind and temperament."

"I confess that I am unfamiliar with the text," the student admitted, finding nothing embarrassing in Stefan's revelation. The time had at last come for him to use his rune, any concerns he had about not treating it like a crutch forced to the side. This was a book, and no artistry or clever turn of phrase could hide the fact that at present he was entirely unable to read those. Until suddenly he was. Raw power flooded through his mind and body, the specially crafted pathways that long use had furrowed activated once more. Stefan came into focus first, the aura of the other man the most brilliant such in the entire room. To the mage's arcane sight, the engineer was rather captivating, a proud figure of subdued brass trumpeting out a steady and controlled song. The book itself possessed the well ordered orchestra common to scientific texts, with an undercurrent of Stefan's brass, evidence that he was not exaggerating about having read it so frequently.

"No, I have not gotten this text yet, but it seems an excellent next step," he said politely as he took the text in hand, slowly examining the book. Each flip of the page caused the next movement to play in his mind's eye, and though he made no serious attempt at internalizing the information at this first glance, he could already tell the value it held. "That sounds delightful, Stefan. A hands on approach would be rather refreshing after nothing but theory. For our first experiment, do you have any suggestions, or should I simply pick what catches my fancy?"

[Stefan Dornkirk]

The questions as to business were awkward ones for Stefan, he had been raised with the ideal of giving all to the State, but had also been brought up in the sure and steady knowledge that it was his duty to work and increase the family fortune as much as was humanly possible. The combination of Sylana's nobility and Mechiors mercantile genius had not meshed altogether well.

Taking his cue from his young host he kept his expression even and calm, "I see business as a better way to give my inventions to the State. Without it, my father wouldn't have been able to build the factory which allows for the production of airships significantly faster than they were being done before." He shrugged slowly, self effacingly,

"I believe that using your mind for the good of Zaichaer is a noble cause in and of itself. You will inherit, so if you wish to make prototypes of your inventions, or prove the theory, you'll certainly have the option to do so. Forgive me if I seemed dismissive, I did not mean it so. I think I am perhaps too much an engineer, always trying to figure out how to get something from paper to reality." Pausing briefly, sounding as if he had finished he went back into it suddenly, as if he had almost kept back the next bit,
"In truth, I think it is the duty of every man who has the power to create a better reality for his fellow man. Nobility is, for myself, a privilege that comes with a great deal of obligation. I could take my wealth and give to charities, and there is some of that, but if I can create work, good, useful work, for honest men, isn't that better than giving them a handout? Feeding those who can't work, I'm all for that, but taking a man's dignity, his pride by forcing him to beg rather than providing him an income he can feel good about earning? I don't believe it would be right."

Stefan was forever attempting to find new ways to create jobs, opening new seconds in the factory, asking Memchior to invest in any industry that seemed as though it might flourish. Clearing his throat, perhaps feeling he had said too much he apologized,

"Forgive me, I am also quite indoctrinated into my father's ideas, which aren't what I was supposed to be teaching you."

The conversation moved on and it was good to know that Anton at least knew something of shooting. Stefan would not question the way a nobleman raised his children, particularly since he himself had no children, or even a realistic prospect of a wife, but it felt like a neglect not to teach them to at least shoot a pistol. Regardless of gender, one never knew when one might need to defend oneself, particularly if one had physical reasons so suspect a battle of strength would be lost.

"I'm glad to hear you enjoyed it, but, yes, not all of us can serve best dodging bullets while trying to plant them into the enemy." Stefan meant himself, as much as Anton.

He fell silent while Anton began to read, entirely unaware of anything having changed. Pulling out a small notebook he began to jot down ideas for lessons and the outline of a possible lessons plan.

When the next question was asked he snapped the little book shut and considered,

"I have some that I enjoyed very much, but is there a particular portion of chemistry that you would like to specialize in? If designing new firearms is actually something you are considering we should probably do the experiments from section seven." An almost boyish expression crossed his face briefly, " I admit to especially enjoying the controlled explosions that go along with understanding gunpowder and other elements of firearms and modern weaponry. But, if you are more interested in biological chemistry, or some other specialty, I enjoy it all, and wouldn't at all be opposed to running experiments I have not yet."

[Anton]

Anton blinked as he listened to the older man explain business to him, a realization of sorts slowly dawning upon him. He truly did not see much need for him to bother securing a livelihood through science, even deciding it was an unnecessary distraction from the actual work to be done. Still, he could not deny the benefits that Stefan was attesting, and happily clapped his hands together once as a reasonable - to him, at least - compromise dawned upon him. "Why, it's simple then. I shall simply give any useful discoveries I happen to come across to the Windworks so that you and yours might best put them to use employing the citizens of Zaichaer. Besides, even if I were to open a business of my own I would have to step back from it when the day comes that I inherit."

The heir's composed face finally faltered at his last words, the conception of his inheritance always an awkward subject. Thinking of his father's death was enough in its own right, but there was more to it than just that. After all, Anton was far from certain he would have an inheritance, the churning of internal dynastic politics that began with his first strained breath having never fully died down. His down turned expression slowly shifted to thoughtful as he considered his situation, Stefan's idea perhaps having more merit than the younger man had originally thought. "On second thought, that might give even more reason to try my hand at it. The familial estates will require managing after all, being able to settle the accounts myself might come in handy one day. Not to mention with an income I could hire assistants to construct more elaborate experiments..."

Excitement raced through him as he considered the possibilities that Stefan had opened up to him, the cloistered child having never thought of his studies as anything more than an entertaining diversion which had the benefit of winning him prestige and respect. "No one can say that this would be the first time a Michaelis sullied his noble hands with commerce at least," Anton joked, forcing his mind away from the newly born dreams and back to the present. He seemed quite unconcerned with having been taught a measure of Melchior's thought, though the lordling did wonder just how pleased the magnate would be with his personal interpretation of them.

"Your brother is more of the martial sort, yes?" Anton asked as the conversation drifted onward. He knew very well that the answer was yes, his mother having taken pains to make sure he knew Brenner's rank and duty station as soon as it was confirmed that Stefan would be his tutor, but he was beginning to suspect that it was uncouth to simply state that he knew such facts. "Perhaps when my siblings are older it shall be him summoned to the estate to mentor a rising Michaelis." It was a polite statement, but little more than that. The Michaelis patriarch would be hard pressed to accept any of his children serving in the Air Defense Corps, regardless of its importance to the State's security, and Brenner would no doubt be considered a suspiciously aeronautical influence.

"Well, in truth, I am most interested in the more foundational aspects of the science. The elements are fascinating, and it seems as if our understanding of them grows by leaps and bounds with each passing month when a new study is published either here or in the Imperium. Combustion is simply a very convenient means to an end in that regard, for most of the processes by which they are separated seem rather, well, energetic. But I am getting far too ahead of myself, I am working solely from books and daydreams after all, and you have asked me of experiments. While one you have performed before may best for the first, I must admit it sounds rather fun to attempt one neither of us know." Anton spoke with the same boyish enthusiasm that Stefan had, fully enjoying himself in a way that he could not remember ever being allowed to. It was not that he was repressed, but rather that no one, not even his cosmopolitan mother, really knew or cared about what excited him so much, and now he finally was speaking with someone who understood.

[Stefan Dornkirk]

Stefan was not pleased with the idea of the young nobleman simply ceding his discoveries to the Windworks, or the Dornkirk financial machine in general. While it was exactly the sort of thing Melchior would have grabbed for, Stefan had been raised as one of these young noblemen and had their sensibilities in him as well as the more practical ones. He did not immediately object, deciding that, should such a thing ever happen, it would be better to let Anton come to him and let him plan out a fair deal with the manufacture and distribution of the new technology. Whether House Michaelis needed the money or not, Stefan would not take advantage of another man's work without ensuring he was properly compensated. If, at that time, when it was two full adults discussing the matter, if Anton asked Stefan to invest the money elsewhere, or even start a charity with the proceeds, he would happily do so. For the time being, letting dreams of creation build in Anton's head felt healthy.

Thankfully, it did not seem to take long for Stefan's pupil to reconsider the notion and begin to make more plans of his own.

"I have been extensively trained in the managing of an estate, though I am sure your own good parents likely have plans to educate you in the matter, I would happily offer a second set of eyes on any issues you encounter." It was quite surprising, though Stefan endeavored not to show it, that Anton had not already been well educated in house management. The current Lord of their house was still hale and in good shape for his age, but one never knew when tragedy might occur and call one to step into larger shoes.

The last suggestion caused a small smile to flit over the older man's face. The estate could surely take the expense of hiring as many assistants as Anton could want, but, perhaps he meant he would give over the profit of his business to his workers, which was in itself an intriguing idea. Creating a business upon which the entire purpose was to support those who worked for it was quite unique.

He also refrained from commenting on the idea of 'sullying one's hands with commerce, except to offer an agreeing, "Indeed." Without inflection to imply any thought on the matter.

Nodding when the conversation turned back to Stefan's own family he said,

"Yes, he is a Commander in the ZADC, an excellent fighting man. Though, again, I am quite sure your own father will ensure the martial education of his other children." There was something of a rivalry between the different military branches within Zaichaer. Being the newest, and the most expensive, the ZADC took a lot of gruff from the older, more traditional branches. While among the upper-classes the rivalry was generally a friendly contest of prowess that kept men on the toes and in peak fighting fitness, among the common soldiers it had, on occasion, devolved into something less gracious and more like a tavern brawl. The men involved had been punished, of course, but the generally such incidents, and the discipline imposed on the participants afterward, only caused the tension to intensify.

Putting such ideas out of his head, knowing that there was no chance that Lord Michaelis would rush into the room and demand satisfaction of Stefan for his time spent as an Airman, Stefan followed Anton back to the matter of education.

Taking a slow breath to consider he sat forward a bit, opened his satchel again and pulled forth the remainder of the books.

"I brought the best textbooks, in my opinion, for entry-level information into the main scientific arts. You should read this one first, even if you're already familiar with the subject matter from other sources, it offers thought experiments and processes that will be useful throughout your career."

The book was entitled: A Study on The Scientific Method and its Practical ad Philosophical Application

"Once we work our way through the ideas therein we can begin to work through some experiments. Even come up with our own. It is often students without the structure of full training that discover things that have never been before. Even if we are not so fortunate, I would be happy to explore any ideas you might have."