Yay an update! Thank you guys for supporting the Story, it's a big help to me. So enjoy this chapter~

Chapter 2

"So this is Greece? Doesn't look much to me" Antonio shook his head, comparing Greece to his homeland Spain. "Why here of all places?" he asked as the carriage went through the bustling streets of Athens.

The merchants selling their products at the market, lovely ladies shopping and gossiping along the road, strong men working hard in the daylight. Its similar to the everyday life at his home.

The driver sighed "With all due respect my lord, the Greek's are very smart and creative. They are very good in writing and are advanced in the Sciences. Besides, these are orders from your parents, you study here in Athens." he replied.

Antonio stayed silent the whole ride, missing his family, his home. But he promised his parents that he would study here and learn to stand up for himself, and he never breaks his promises. They arrived at a fairly large house with marble white columns behind a large oak tree.

The driver hopped off the carriage then looked at him, gesturing him to follow. "Ah, sorry" he laughed then followed him.

"Your teacher would be Heracles Karpusi, a well-known tutor who knows philosophy, literature and combat. He is a veteran from the Greek army so he will also be teaching you fighting and defense." The driver said. "You will be also studying with other nobles. So be on your best behavior and show them how disciplined a Spaniard can be" he warned as they entered the house.

"Heracles! Sir? We're here!" He called, looking around in confusion. "He's probably asleep" the driver murmured then turned to Antonio, "stay here while i find him and wake him up" the driver left.

He smiled as he looked around. "Amazing place, guess i should get used to this since this is where I'll be studying" he said as he started walking off to a direction.

That's when he realized it was a bad idea. The place was now unrecognizable, he doesn't know where he is. He was standing in the middle of a hallway, the path splitting into two. He hadn't realized this place was super big, as they say 'Don't judge a book by it's cover'.

"Ohonhonhon~ you seem lost my friend" someone said behind him. He flinched then turned around to see a blond French smiling at him. "Poor you, you don't seem from here either" the man tsked.

"Who are you?" Antonio asked. "Alas, I am Françoise Bonnefoy, or Francis if you aren't of luxurious French blood" the man said. Antonio didn't looked impressed. "I'm Antonio Fernandez Carriedo,a nobleman from Spain" he tilted his head as he said that.

"Oh a Spaniard~ I'll help you find your way." Francis offered. Antonio smiled. "Finally, Thank you mi amigo" he said, shaking Francis' hand, he had just made a new friend.

Once they arrived back at the place, Antonio met a very angry driver with a sleepy man beside him. "Is he my new student?" The sleepy man yawned, swaying a bit. "I told you to stay here! Do you even know how worried I was!?" The driver shouted. "Apenado mi amigo, please forgive me" he whimpered, not liking the fact that he just ticked off his driver. The man sighed, trying to cool down "Fine, but next time, be careful and follow what I say" he said, making Antonio nod very quickly.

"This is Heracles, Heracles, this is Antonio. And yes, he is your new student" the driver gestured toward the sleepy man. "Ah, hello Antonio, I'm your new teacher" Heracles took out his hand. Antonio shook it "Nice to meet you!"

Heracles looked at Francis "Ah I see you've met Bonnefoy, Hopefully you two will be in good terms" he squinted at Francis who was smiling innocently. "Si, he helped me find my way back. I think we'll get along nicely" Antonio noted, making Francis beam with pride. "Just be careful around him, you will meet the others tomorrow." Heracles stretched. "Can I go back to sleep now?" He asked the driver. "Yes, yes go on. I will bring Antonio back here tomorrow, the Duke thanks you for agreeing to teach him" he bowed as Heracles left.

"I must be going too. I came to visit my teacher just to get a few scrolls from him." Francis shook his head, "I will meet you tomorrow" he said then walked away.

"We must be going too sir. You'll be staying at a house your parents rented. Lets us go" his driver tugged at him. "Si, lead the way"

~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~

The small group gathered around the oak tree, sitting on the benches and talking to each other excitedly. Its been a few months since the day Antonio arrived to study here. It went smoothly except the top student Arthur, didn't like the new boy taking away his popularity.

Arthur Kirkland was a British who was the best at everything. Literature, Combat, Farming(?), he can do it flawlessly. But when the Spaniard arrived everyone realized that he was much better than Arthur.

"Isn't that a complete outrage Alfred!? Someone is much better than me! That bloody git should burn in hell" Arthur scowled as he watched Heracles teach the others on the proper ways of dodging and attacking. "I don't know man, I think he's pretty cool" Alfred shrugged. "I need to find a way to eliminate him... A way that no one would expect it was me" Arthur's face darkened as he smiled evilly. "Uh... Hey dude, don't push it too far, I mean, give the guy a break" he stood up, trying to find better reasons not to let the British kill his friend.

"Hmph, you just like him. I'll show him, at the play Heracles asked us to do I'll kill him in the fight scene" Arthur looked at Alfred triumphantly. All Alfred could do was look at his British friend sadly. Thankfully, Francis was near enough to hear the whole conversation.

~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~

Francis approached Antonio carefully. "Hey uh Toni... I just want to say good luck and be careful" the french advised, trying not to worry the Spaniard. "Thanks Francis, but... Why tell me that right now? The play is halfway to the end and you just told me this." Antonio tilted his head, trying to see through him. "Don't worry, I got your back. Trust me on this one" Francis said as the others rushed to the stage starting the next part of the play. "Okay then, see you in the end" Antonio smiled then walked to the stage.

"This will be the day I stab him in the back and watch him die painfully" Arthur cackled. "Seriously! You're going too far! Just give him a break" Alfred stood up threatening to punch the Englishman in the face. "I'm just kidding, geez its just a prank" Arthur sighed but Alfred didnt looked convinced. "Fine, make sure dude, I know who to blame if it happened" he growled. Arthur simply nodded, then walked to the stage.

"As the spartans and greeks gathered on the battlefield, they uneasily shifted, waiting for the commands of their kings" the narrator said. Antonio and Arthur walked to the center of the stage. "King Xerxes and King Leonidas once more face themselves in the battle to the death" she continued, glancing at the two as a cue.

"King Leonidas, you still bring your 300 men even though they will be outnumbered by my 500 Persians" Arthur said with venom in his voice.

"Xerxes, this battle will help all the greeks unite against you, by showing this I have already secured the battle against our two countries" Antonio beamed with pride, smiling at Arthur. "This will be the death of you and your men, may the strongest win, Attack!" Arthur scowled.

The two sides clashed as the play continued on. The fight centering on the showlpdown between Leonidas and Xerxes. The crowed cheered as Heracles watched their play, smiling as his students gave their best efforts.

"Be warned Antonio, you'll literally die from this battle" Arthur whispered as he pushed the Spaniard away using his sword. Antonio was confused, what did he mean by 'you'll literally die from this battle'. Arthur sprinted towards him, slashing the sword across his chest, again pushing him backstage.

"Wait! We aren't supposed to be here! We should be onstage not here" Antonio gasped attempting to block the attacks of the other. "Don't you get it you Idiot! Im about to end you, here and now!" Arthur raised his sword, readying for the final blow.

Just in time, Francis arrived with a Rapier in hand, deflecting the attack. "Arthur have you gone insane! Why are you trying to kill him!" Francis shouted, getting the attention of the crowd and their teacher who were confused.

Heracles stood up then ran to the back. "Whats happening here?" He said, holding a gladius in hand. But Arthur already went back to the stage, acting like nothing happened. "Sir! Ar-" Francis was cut off by Antonio "Francis saved me from an Assassin who pulled me backstage. The man escaped" he reasoned. Heracles sighed "I'm going to cut the play from here. I will have to talk to you two about it..." He looked at the crowd, waiting silently for him. "Francis send Antonio to the infirmary, see you tomorrow"

I used to be what you are now

Someone who is better, who can ever be let down

But you took that away from me, and left me nothing to spare

Did I do something, to not make you care?