The Academy: Making of a Ruler (The Eagle King's Academy Book 1)

by C. C. Monö

  “We have more agreement. You make sure the rope is safe, then you leave.”

  The instructor’s jaw dropped.

  “What…dude…I can’t leave. How are you going to get him down afterwards?”

  “Show me and I do it.”

  “Hell no! A tiny mistake and it’s bye-bye to your buddy here.”

  Axel moaned and grabbed a metal railing for support. Mr Nakata stood quiet for a moment, judging the man in front of him.

  “Okay, you wait inside. Not out here. Call your boss. I tell you, we have special arrangement. When he jump, you help him down.”

  “Listen, dude, I don’t know how you do things in China but here…”

  With an aura of authority, Mr Nakata cut him off by simply taking a small step forward.

  “Do not insult me.”

  The instructor’s face reddened, and with a defiant glare, he picked up his phone. The conversation that followed was loud and angry. It was in French, so Axel had no idea what the man said.

  “This is mad,” the instructor spat a moment later and shoved the phone into his pocket.

  Axel gave a little shrug. You have no idea, he thought, and watched the instructor throw his hands in the air.

  “I take no responsibility, whatsoever,” the man grumbled and marched off into the building.

  “I’m from Okinawa, not China,” Mr Nakata snorted, and then, without further ado, he began interrogating Axel, asking hundreds of questions about his feelings and how they manifested themselves. Axel answered in single words, his body trembling, and his hands soaking with sweat. Around him, the world spun.

  Mr Nakata fell silent and gave his student a little bow.

  “Good. Now jump.”

  With tiny, unsteady steps, Axel turned. Clinging to the railing, he looked down at the ground and stumbled back.

  “Oh shit,” he gasped. “It’s high. I can’t do it.”

  “Fear is only as deep as the mind allows.”

  “It’s too high!”

  “You are safe. Jump!”

  “I can’t. Please, I’ll do anything else.”

  “A man who succumbs to his fears is easy to control,” Mr Nakata lectured. “His behaviour, easy to predict, easy to manipulate, but man who faces fear is dangerous. No one know what he might do next.”

  Axel stared down. His heart was pounding with fury, rattling his ribcage like a death row prisoner behind bars.

  “I can’t breathe, sir,” he panted. “I need air.”

  Mr Nakata considered the surroundings.

  “Up here is plenty of air, no?”

  “Please! I can’t do it.”

  “The feeling of fear is nothing compared to the feeling of failure.”

  They continued like this for almost two hours, until Mr Nakata spun on his heels and said, “Enough. Let’s go home.”

  CHAPTER 83

  “So did he confront Dr Vella about Sarah Wangai?” the young man asked, still ruddy and winded after their passionate rendezvous a minute ago.

  They were in one of the master bedrooms at the hideout cottage in Lee Commons. A month and a half had passed since they’d last seen each other, and they had a lot of catching up to do, on both a physical and verbal level.

  “I know he met with Dr Vella,” Cat replied, reaching for her glass of water on the bedside table, “but I don’t know what was said. I think Father’s concerned, though. It seems Axel’s interest in Sarah has been rather bland; not at all what we’d hoped for.”

  It was late and the other team members were long since asleep. Heat from the old chimney kept the bedroom warm and cosy. The young man tucked one arm under his head and stared at the ceiling.

  “That’s it? That’s all we know?”

  “No, there’s more. The Academy suspects their security system has been breached, so they’ve made new alterations to their security system.”

  “So we’ll breach them again.”

  “We can’t. We don’t know what changes they’ve made.”

  The young man grimaced.

  “Isn’t that information we can get?”

  “No. No one but the E.K.A. security team knows the set up. For now, Axel’s in the hands of the Academy.”

  The young man felt a chill slither through his body like a cold serpent on the hunt. He rolled over onto his side. Gently he pushed Cat’s copper-blonde hair away from her shoulder and let his fingers work their way down to her bare breasts.

  “We have to do something,” he mumbled. “There must be another way to reach him.”

  Cat pulled him close.

  “I’m sure there is. We’ll know more tomorrow. Right now, I’m more concerned about Axel beginning his F.F.T. You know what…”

  The young man stopped her with a kiss.

  “Enough,” he whispered. “No more talk about Axel.” He kissed her neck. “Why don’t you tell me about your book, instead? How’s it coming along?”

  “Mm…pretty good, actually. I should have the first draft completed by the end of this month. Do you want to read it then?”

  The young man smiled and ducked underneath the duvet.

  Cat giggled. “Ooo, I take that as a yes.”

  CHAPTER 84

  TWELVE YEARS EARLIER

  The automated air-conditioner hummed in a merry tone above their heads, sending cool air around the large office. Professor Jackson began tapping his pencil against the mahogany desk in a slow, rhythmic motion. He needed to talk to Mr Garner. Even with the air-conditioner on full speed, the room was far too hot for his comfort. Underneath his black suit jacket, the thin shirt clung to his back.

  “Well, spit it out,” he growled. “I haven’t got all day.”

  Sarah sat in the visitor’s chair, hands in her lap and a calm expression on her face. God, that annoyed him; her calm face. They were just halfway through the first semester. It was too bloody early for a student to be so confident around him.

  “I’m sorry to bother you, sir,” she began with her soft voice. “It’s about our F.F.T.”

  Professor Jackson felt a drop of sweat trickling down the back of his neck.

  “What about it?”

  “I don’t understand it. We face our fears just for the sake of facing them. I don’t see how that will help me become a better leader.”

  “As I’m sure Mr Nakata explained, fear is a hindrance in your development. It makes you weak.”

  “But everyone feels fear, sir. It makes us human.”

  Professor Jackson put away his pencil and sighed loud enough for Sarah to hear his frustration.

  “Precisely, which is why you must learn to overcome it.”

  “I don’t understand. Do you believe leaders don’t feel fear?”

  For crying out loud!

  “Of course they do, but they can’t show it. It makes them vulnerable.” Professor Jackson folded his hands in front of him. Maybe if he showed her a little more patience, she’d pay attention for once. “Listen to me. Fear is a virus. It blinds us so we see nothing but whatever we dread. It shuts down our creativity and strategizing ability. We become indecisive and begin to avoid actions that require us to face our fears. Fear is the beginning of the end, Ms Wangai. That’s why your F.F.T. is a necessity.”

  Sarah seemed to ponder this for a while. Professor Jackson studied her tired eyes as they stared out his window. Maybe, for once, he’d gotten through to her. Then she blinked and gave him a strained smile.

  “I don’t think one can ever avoid being afraid,” she said. “For example, it sounds to me like you’re afraid of being afraid. This is a paradox, for, by forcing us to face our fears, you are trying to avoid yours.”

  Professor Jackson felt his anger flare and he used all his might to keep it in check. Who was she to analyse him?

  “That’s preposterous. Now, if you excuse me, I have things to do, but if you want to graduate, then you have to pass your F.F.T. It’s as simple as that.” He put on his glasses and turned back to the document he’d been r
eading. “You may leave.”

  Sarah didn’t move. He could hear her calm breaths as he tried to read the text in front of him. A minute later, when he’d read the same sentence eight times, he threw the document on his desk and looked up.

  “Why are you still here?” he barked.

  Sarah still wore that pretentious smile of hers.

  “I came to tell you that I can’t do my F.F.T.,” she said, her voice steady as always. “I can’t spend an hour locked in a coffin. It is torture.”

  “Excuse me?”

  “I’m claustrophobic, sir, but I’m not afraid to lead people. I’m sorry, but therefore I don’t see the value of this exercise.”

  Professor Jackson became aware of a loud ringing in his ears. That was a bad sign. He could feel rage spread through his veins as his heart pumped faster and faster. How could he have failed so miserably? How, despite all her training, could this otherwise gifted student be so ignorant and arrogant? With this kind of attitude, she would never fit in with the E.K.A. family. For the Academy’s sake, as much as her own, she needed to change her mentality now.

  “We decide what’s valuable or not,” he bellowed. “You will do your F.F.T. Now get out!”

  CHAPTER 85

  PRESENT MOMENT

  Mr Nakata was right. The feeling of failure was bitter and repulsive. Axel had never been this disappointed with himself before. He could live with the fact that he hadn’t jumped. Jumping off towers wasn’t natural. What bothered him was the fact that he’d failed in front of Mr Nakata. Somehow, that felt as bad as failing an honesty test in front of God.

  Thankfully, there were other students who failed their challenges that week, among them Izabella – who refused to lie down in a box filled with spiders – and Paul, who despite a protective suit, couldn’t enter a burning house. Thabo was the only one among the four friends who completed his challenge on his first try.

  “What did you have to do?” Axel asked when they met at the restaurant for dinner later that week.

  “I prefer to keep that to myself, if you don’t mind,” Thabo answered.

  Izabella scowled.

  “Come on! We told you what we had to do.”

  “Yes, you did,” Thabo said.

  When it was clear he wouldn’t say anything else, Izabella turned her attention to her wine.

  “Fine.” She shrugged. “This F.F.T. is a total waste of time anyway.”

  “Couldn’t agree more,” Paul muttered, leaning back as a waiter served him a grilled salmon fillet with salad. He glowered at his food and then glanced at Axel’s plate, where a large wiener schnitzel and fried potatoes simmered in rich gravy. He made a face and sighed. “Anyway, we should be studying for our mid-term exams instead of facing our fears.”

  “Amen to that,” Axel growled and shoved a gravy-drenched potato into his mouth. The mere thought of the mid-term exams made him shudder. Professor Jackson so kindly pointed out that all students had to pass their exams if they wanted to proceed with their studies. “How can we focus on anything until we’ve passed the damn F.F.T.?”

  The following week, Axel got an opportunity to redeem himself. Arriving at the K2 Tower, the grey building looked nothing less than intimidating.

  “It seems taller,” Axel moaned while he waited for Julien to open the door for him.

  “Maybe fear made you smaller.”

  Axel ignored the comment, took a deep breath and tried to picture himself making the jump without hesitation. This time he’d do it!

  “Ah, you’re back,” the instructor observed. What a genius. He scowled at Mr Nakata in a pathetic attempt to look intimidating, then turned to Axel. “Want to give it another try, huh?”

  Axel nodded.

  “That’s great, dude. You’ll love it. I remember my first jump. I thought I’d die. I’d seen so many clips of people jumping to their deaths that I was scared shitless. I couldn’t back out, though. My friends had already paid for the jump, so I had to do it. It was awesome. Afterwards I was high on adrenaline for hours.”

  “Thanks for the support,” Axel mumbled, dragging his feet towards the elevator.

  A few minutes later, he stood on the ledge once more. This time he’d do it, he told himself, but, in the end, it proved impossible. Two hours later, the instructor came out and helped Axel out of his harness.

  “Don’t worry about it, man. Bungee jumping isn’t for everyone. I’ve seen bigger guys than you chicken out on a jump.” He stood up and dusted off his pants. “Then again, I’ve seen small girls and boys take that leap without hesitation.”

  Axel glared at the instructor before he followed Mr Nakata down to the car. Julien stood leaning against the hood of the vehicle, smoking a cigarette.

  “No?” the otherwise silent man asked.

  Mr Nakata shook his head and that was it. They went home in complete silence.

  Two days later, Izabella passed her test. She wouldn’t stop talking about it. The day after that, Paul passed his. By the end of the week, every student but Axel had completed their F.F.T.

  CHAPTER 86

  “So did you hear about Mr Hallman?”

  Nicole looked up from the file she was reading.

  “Hear what?”

  Mr Milton pushed up his glasses and scanned around the foyer with a glimmer of excitement in his eyes.

  “He hasn’t jumped.”

  Tired and jet lagged, Nicole watched the man. What in the world was he saying? She frowned until dread threw itself over her like an avalanche.

  “He still hasn’t passed his F.F.T.?”

  “No. From what I hear, Mr Nakata is concerned.”

  Oh no.

  “How concerned?”

  “Very, I think.”

  “Can you be a little more specific? Has Principal Cunningham been informed?”

  “No, Ms Swan.” Was there a hint of worry in his voice or perhaps disappointment? Nicole couldn’t tell. “Of course, if Mr Hallman doesn’t complete his F.F.T. next time…” Mr Milton pushed up his glasses again and leaned forward. “We’ve all heard the rumours about Ms Wangai.”

  Nicole forced herself to turn back to the file she’d been reading. Under no circumstances would she engage in gossiping and she would never admit her concern for Axel. That would ruin her reputation.

  Most staff members had a peculiar and somewhat ambivalent attitude towards the students. In many ways, they were proud of the youngsters and felt great respect for them. At the same time, it wasn’t uncommon for members of the staff to struggle with their own subordination. Their sole profession orbited around the task of serving people who didn’t give them a second glance. That sort of thing has a tendency to tick people off after a while.

  Troubled by Mr Milton’s comment, Nicole closed the file. Axel was different from the other students. He treated the servants with decency, which meant he greeted them with respect and thanked them for their services. It made him one of the more likable students in the eyes of the staff. Nevertheless, as a graduate, Axel would represent the Academy, which meant he had to prove himself worthy of such honour. On this everyone agreed, teachers and servants alike.

  “I’m sure Mr Hallman will complete his F.F.T. any day now,” Nicole said, her voice cold and hard.

  “Of course! Of course.” Mr Milton bowed his head. “I didn’t mean to insinuate that he wouldn’t. I simply wanted to inform you about the latest events. I thought you would want to know. After all, you have a…” he bobbed his head to his sides “…closer relationship with the students than most of us.”

  Nicole threw the file on the counter and gave the concierge manager a long stare.

  “Indeed.” She tapped the file with her finger. “I see Principal Cunningham is expected back tomorrow. Has his room and office been prepared?”

  Mr Milton snorted.

  “Of course.”

  “And Professor Plouffe’s guest lecturer is coming on Friday from Singapore. He’ll be staying the night with us. Is the guest suite prepa
red?”

  “Yes, Ms Swan. It’s all been arranged.”

  Nicole bent down and picked up her bag.

  “Good. I’ll be in my apartment if you need me.”

  CHAPTER 87

  “Here again?” The instructor shook his head. “Dude, are you sure about this?”

  Axel wanted to strangle the guy. Of course, he didn’t want to do it. It was quite obvious, wasn’t it?

  “Yeah, I’m giving it another try,” he snarled.

  And try he did. He tried so hard he almost fainted and fell over the edge. Unfortunately, Mr Nakata grabbed his harness and pulled him back just in time. That was unfortunate, because it was the closest Axel got to actually jumping.

  “It would be cheating,” Mr Nakata said on their way back to the car.

  Axel didn’t reply. He still hadn’t completed his F.F.T., and once more, he’d shamed himself in front of Mr Nakata.

  As the days passed, Axel grew increasingly depressed. When the other students heard about his failure, they began to make fun of him. Then Professor Jackson called him to his office to discuss the “disappointing performance”. By the end of the week, Axel had reached a point where he was considering quitting. Maybe he wasn’t cut out to be a leader.

  “God, I hate his class,” he declared to Thabo the following Monday. They were making their way to the elevators after having completed a two-hour class with Mr Nakata. “Security and Defence? Bah!”

  “Is this because of the F.F.T.?”

  “I don’t understand the point of it. It’s just torture.”

  Thabo shrugged, ignoring a bowing servant who, without a word, went back to polishing the floor.

  “You must master your limitations,” he said. “Don’t let the fear control you.”

  “The problem is that I don’t see the logic behind this bloody exercise. Okay, so I don’t appreciate heights. What the hell does that have to do with leading people?”

  “Try not to think so much,” Thabo replied. “Just do it.”

  Axel snatched a leaf off a potted tree they passed.

  “That’s easy for you to say. You passed your damn F.F.T. on your first try.”