The sun bathed the orphanage grounds in a gentle morning glow. The air was crisp, carrying the soft rustle of leaves and the distant sounds of the lively village below.

  P1, finishing her last lap, slowed as she saw Master 1 (M1) approaching the orphanage. His tall frame moved with a composed grace, his eyes scanning the grounds with quiet authority. He was nearly as tall as Master 2 (M2), just a couple of inches shorter, but his aura carried a playful yet commanding presence.

  P1, ever the disciplined one, stopped her run and bowed slightly.

  “Good morning, Master,” she greeted, her tone respectful but focused.

  M1 offered a warm nod, his eyes reflecting pride. “Good morning, P1. As consistent as always.”

  ?

  P2’s Relentless Focus and M1’s Intervention

  Meanwhile, P2 remained engrossed in his training. His fists pounded the dummy with unwavering intensity. Each strike echoed his burning desire for vengeance. His focus was absolute—until M1 casually stepped forward and caught one of his punches mid-air with effortless precision.

  The impact barely made M1’s hand budge.

  “Hmm…” M1 raised an eyebrow, his voice calm but probing. “Am I invisible to you, P2? Or…” He paused, letting the silence linger. “Are we ignoring basic manners now?”

  P2 froze, his knuckles still clenched, but the realization dawned.

  “Sorry, sir,” he mumbled, lowering his gaze and bowing slightly.

  “There it is.” M1’s smile was faint but knowing. “Discipline and respect… both go hand in hand.”

  P2’s mind, however, was elsewhere.

  He blocked that… without even trying.

  A flicker of frustration crossed his eyes. M1’s effortless block was a stark reminder of how far he still had to go.

  ?

  M2’s Brief, Impactful Words

  While M1 addressed P2, M2 quietly approached. His steps were silent, his expression composed, as always.

  M1 immediately turned, sensing M2’s presence before he spoke.

  “I brought someone new today,” M2 said, his voice low but steady. His words were few, but they carried weight.

  M1’s expression softened, his eyes following M2’s subtle glance toward the bunk room where P6 was resting.

  “His family…” M2’s voice was calm, yet there was a flicker of sorrow beneath the surface. “And his village… gone.” He paused briefly. “He hasn’t spoken a word about it.”

  M1’s gaze grew more somber. “Another lost soul…”

  M2 nodded, his eyes unwavering. “I’ll leave him in your capable hands now.”

  M1 placed a hand gently on M2’s shoulder, a silent acknowledgment of the trust being passed. “Rest assured.”

  M1 takes a letter out from his pocket and hands it over to M2, whispering: “Read this when you get some time”

  ?

  M1 Hands Over Supplies and Prepares for Class

  This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it

  Before heading to the classroom, M1 approached the assistant, who was managing the morning chores.

  “Here,” M1 said, handing over a bag and a neatly packed tiffin box. “I brought the supplies.”

  The assistant smiled warmly, taking the bag. “Thank you, Master. I’ll take care of it.”

  “Is the classroom ready?” M1 asked, his tone casual but expectant.

  “Yes, Master. Everything is in place.”

  With a satisfied nod, M1 made his way toward the classroom, where the pupils were beginning to gather.

  ?

  Class Begins – P5’s Usual Late Entrance

  By 9:30 AM, all the pupils were seated cross-legged, awaiting M1—except for one.

  P5 was still missing.

  M1 glanced at the door, but before he could speak, the door creaked softly.

  P5 tiptoed in, her eyes darting around as she tried to sneak into her spot unnoticed. Her attempt was clumsy at best, and yet…

  P4, sitting closest to the door, saw her struggling and instinctively shifted to help her. He subtly leaned to create space, hoping she could slip in without drawing M1’s attention.

  But before P5 could blend in…

  ?

  M1 Catches P5 and Playfully Calls Out P4

  “Ah…” M1’s voice echoed softly, but with an unmistakable edge of amusement.

  P5 froze mid-step.

  M1’s gaze, sharp yet playful, shifted toward P4.

  “P4…” M1’s grin was almost imperceptible, but the mischief in his eyes was unmistakable. “Partner in crime, are we?”

  P4’s face drained of color, a bead of sweat rolling down his temple. How did he see that?

  “Shouldn’t help someone break discipline, you know.” M1’s tone was lighthearted, but the underlying message was clear. “A partner in crime…” He paused for effect. “…is also a criminal.”

  P4 swallowed hard, realizing he had been caught despite his best efforts to stay unnoticed.

  ?

  P3’s Internal Commentary and P1’s Indifference

  As this unfolded, P3 shook his head, sighing softly. When will she learn discipline? he thought, a hint of amusement flickering in his eyes.

  P1, however, barely glanced at P5. Her demeanor was calm, almost indifferent. This was routine for P5—arriving late was practically part of her schedule. P1 had long stopped reacting to it.

  ?

  M1 Assigns Punishment to P5

  M1’s attention returned to P5, who stood there looking as innocent as possible.

  “Oh dear…” M1 sighed dramatically, though his eyes twinkled with amusement. “Not again.”

  P5 offered a sheepish smile, but it did little to soften the inevitable.

  “So… what punishment should I give you today?” M1’s tone was playful, but the entire class knew he wasn’t bluffing.

  A brief silence followed.

  “Any suggestions, class?” M1 asked, looking around.

  P3 and P4 exchanged quick glances but wisely stayed silent. P2 was still deep in thought, replaying the blocked punch in his mind, oblivious to the humor around him. P1 remained composed, unfazed by the usual antics.

  P5 fidgeted, her eyes darting as she considered her options.

  “P5,” M1 said, his smile fading slightly. “Would you like to choose your own punishment… or shall I?”

  The room grew quieter.

  Seconds ticked by.

  P5’s mind raced, but she took too long.

  “Too late.” M1’s grin returned, this time with a hint of satisfaction. “Since you hesitated…”

  A glimmer of mischief flashed in his eyes.

  “Stand on your hands for the entire class… while everyone else enjoys the lecture.”

  A collective murmur of barely suppressed laughter filled the room.

  ?

  P5 Accepts Her Fate and Class Begins

  P5 groaned, her shoulders slumping in defeat. “Seriously…?”

  M1 simply raised an eyebrow, and P5 knew there was no arguing. She shuffled to the side and prepared for her punishment.

  As P5 reluctantly took her position, M1 addressed the class. His tone, now shifting to one of calm authority, signaled the beginning of the day’s lesson.

  “Now… let’s begin.”

  The room fell silent, the atmosphere transitioning effortlessly from playful banter to focused learning—a testament to M1’s masterful balance of discipline and warmth.