It All Started With A Lightning

Zimo's joy and William's pain

"Will(William), okay. We will do as you say. I won't teach you poetry, but you have to learn mathematics. Because mathematics can sometimes come in handy, even in battle! You understand the use of a catapult with math. That's why you can't escape it." Sometimes Zimo called William "Will" because he thought William was too close to him.

William felt that all this talk was for nothing. 'What do you know about math, and what I don't know? I'm an engineer. I was born with math, I died with math!' He frowned, revealing his thoughts in his expression, but did not speak. He had already learned numbers and such. He thought he was already good at it.

"Let's start then!" said Zimo, not knowing what to expect.

A few days later, Theo was in his study, checking documents on the grain the city had recently produced. He was startled by the shout from Teacher Zimo and looked at the door. Outside the door was Zimo's 'Genius! Genius!' He could hear his voice, albeit hoarse. The two guards at the door refused to let Zimo in without the Baron's permission. Theo gestured to Hurim, who was sitting across the table, to let Zimo in.

Zimo was drenched in sweat as he entered. He immediately met Theo and continued to shout. "Genius! Genius! A genius!"

Theo frowned. "Teacher, please sit down, calm down. Something about William?"

Zimo finally calmed down a bit and sat down across from Hurim. "What do you mean, something about William? Of course, it's about him. Who else do you think I'm teaching?" Theo ignored his disrespect.

Zimo continued. "Your son is an absolute genius! I started teaching him mathematics a week ago. This brat answers everything I ask, he understands what I say immediately. He can even say it better than I can!"

This time he was bewildered, without joy, but a look of desperation came over his face.

"In one week he learned all the mathematics and finished it." He said.

Theo was also delighted. He now learned that his son was a math genius. "We should celebrate this with Sophia," he thought. Zimo continued without hesitation.

He took a piece of paper out of his pocket and handed it to Theo. When Theo got it, he didn't understand it at first. Then he was astonished. 'Could it be like this?' he thought. He had figured out what the paper in his hand meant.

"You understand too. So well that he could even become a teacher. He called what he had a multiplication table. He said it would be easier for everyone to understand. He is right to the end. If someone can memorize this, they can learn the basics of mathematics in a few days," said Zimo, still in despair.

Theo had finally figured it out. A thousand thoughts went through his head. Theo looked at Zimo blankly and said, "Teacher Zimo, I think you have nothing left to teach William. We both agree that his talent must remain a secret. We have to take such measures because of what has happened. After all, we do not live carefree lives." He handed him the paper. "You can keep this, you can continue to teach your students. We will pay our remaining debts to you."

Zimo knew that would happen, but he didn't care. It was enough that he knew. He knew that if he revealed William's genius, the boy would be in danger. As William said, the noble world was cruel. Besides, not only would William be in danger, but so would he. If he had an enemy, they would surely find him to learn more of his secrets.

He understood Theo's decision. Hurim paid him the remaining tuition, said goodbye to William for the last time, and left. How could he have known that thanks to this child he had taught, he would receive the title of "Father of Mathematics" in Argos? William's ideas expanded his understanding of mathematics.