Mediterranean Hegemon of Ancient Greece Chapter 956: Student Apox

"Thank you, Professor! You have filled us with confidence in the kingdom!" a student shouted with conviction.

Nearly all the students applauded vigorously, expressing their gratitude for Ansitanos's excellent answers.

Someone even shouted, "Professor, you should share your analysis with all the students in the academy!"

"Do I not have all of you for that?" Ansitanos smiled, encouraging the students to spread his views.

A voice suddenly rang out from the crowd of students: "Professor Ansitanos, according to the analytical method you just described, is Thebes also becoming a young man? Is it possible for them to defeat Sparta and become the new overlord of the Greek Mainland?"

Ansitanos and the other students turned toward the voice in surprise. The speaker was a young boy who looked no older than thirteen.

Ansitanos was even more surprised than the rest. He genuinely had not considered the question the boy had raised, so he asked with great interest, "Apox, what makes you think so?"

"Professor." Apox stood up and bowed. Meeting the crowd's curious gazes, he answered earnestly: "I have read some materials regarding the war currently raging in Central Greece. After the Thebans drove out the Spartans and gained independence, they established a new democratic government. Not only did they mobilize all the citizens of Thebes, but they also attracted the citizens of neighboring small city-states. Together, they formed a sizable army that fights with incredible bravery, and they actually managed to withstand the Spartan army's offensive.

"This new Theban government even has the strength to spare to dispatch troops to help other city-states in the Boeotia Region—like Thespiae—drive out Spartan garrisons and gain their independence. Naturally, the city-states that receive this aid will forge closer ties with Thebes...

The students were thoroughly astonished. They could hardly believe such a clear, well-reasoned, and insightful analysis had come from the mouth of a young boy.

Ansitanos, of course, knew that King Davos had an exceptionally clever child who excelled at the Thurii School adjacent to the Daonian College. Yet even he had not expected the boy to voice such profound insights. The professor's eyes brightened as he looked at the youth.

"I truly have not given Thebes much serious thought," Ansitanos answered candidly. "Your analysis has inspired me quite a bit. It seems I really will need to study Thebes properly in the future; it will certainly be of great help to the kingdom when dealing with the affairs of Greece. However, based on the situation you just described, even though Thebes is showing signs of rising, it has only just gained independence. It has not fully integrated the strength of the Boeotia Region yet, so it does not quite possess the power of a young man. Furthermore, it is currently suffering fierce attacks from the Spartans, meaning it is highly likely to perish prematurely... Of course, if it manages to safely weather this war, it might have the time to become a terrifying force."

Saying this, Ansitanos looked up at the sky and addressed the students. "That will be all for today's class. We will resume in two days. Finally, let us thank Apox. Thanks to the numerous materials on Egypt he lent me, I was able to teach you a much more detailed history of Egypt today."

As a student still studying in the senior class of the Thurii School, Apox did not actually have the right to attend lectures at the Daonian College. It was precisely because Ansitanos had borrowed those materials that Apox seized the opportunity to request to sit in on the class, earning the professor's special permission.

The students all expressed their gratitude to Apox, not underestimating him in the slightest just because he was a boy.

Apox returned their greetings one by one, composed and courteous, acting just like an adult.

Watching this, Ansitanos appreciated him even more.

After class ended and the students dispersed, Ansitanos called out to Apox, asking him amiably, "Which academy do you plan to attend after graduating from the Thurii School?"

Every year, schools across the various cities of Daionia reported their outstanding graduates to the Daonian College. King Davos, the highest authority of Theonia Akademia, along with the deans and vice deans of the subordinate academies, conducted a preliminary selection of excellent students based on their grades, performance, and personal aspirations. Those chosen to further their studies in the various academies of Theonia Akademia were then notified to participate in written and oral examinations. Therefore, the students who entered the academy to study were all the finest talents in the kingdom.

Ansitanos knew a fair bit about Apox. He was well aware that even without relying on his father's help, this bright boy could easily pass the exams and enter the academy.

The clever Apox understood the intent behind Ansitanos's question and hesitated slightly. "I like history, but I also like mathematics."

Hearing this, the naturally tranquil Ansitanos felt a headache coming on. Mentoticles, the Dean of the Academy of Mathematics, was ten times shrewder than Maticoris, who only cared about research. Since Apox was so outstanding—and His Majesty's own son—that fellow had probably set his sights on the boy long ago. If Ansitanos did not put effort into recruiting him, it would be extremely difficult to compete!

Looking at the young yet intelligent and steady Apox, Ansitanos felt a deep fondness for the boy. Unable to bear the thought of letting him slip away, he suggested, "If that is the case, you can attend both the Institute of Literature and the Academy of Mathematics simultaneously."

"Is that allowed?" Apox asked in surprise.

"As long as you can guarantee excellent performance in both fields, why wouldn't it be? Take the famous historical scholar Pythagoras from Tarentum, for instance. Not only did he found a famous school of mathematics, but he also made significant contributions to philosophy, music, fine arts, and more. Scholars like him, who are masters of multiple fields, are not entirely rare among the nations of the Mediterranean Sea. I believe you can do it too!" Ansitanos encouraged, guiding him patiently.

"Professor, I will think it over when I get back," Apox said, somewhat tempted.

"You are welcome to attend the class again in two days," Ansitanos emphasized one last time.

After exiting the academy, Apox did not return to his school. Since school hours were already over, he headed straight south.

Between the south side of the school and the Crati River lay a large expanse of mudflats. Several years ago, the Thurii City Hall had converted the area into multiple sports fields, primarily for the children of the Thurii School to exercise and play. It had also become the children's favorite place to go after school.

By the time Apox arrived, the various fields were already packed with students, and the entire area was enveloped in a din of voices and cheers.

Watching the other children running happily on the field, Apox felt his blood begin to boil with excitement. He quickened his pace and headed toward the centermost field.

"Brillantes, hurry and pass the ball! Pass it to me!" An unusually high, piercing female voice cut through the clamorous noise and reached his ears. Apox smiled. They really were here.

Out on the pitch, a short but stocky boy wearing a white undershirt shoved past an opponent and stole the football. With a mighty kick, he launched the ball deep into the front half of the field.

In the forward position stood a tall, slender girl in white. She was a full half-head taller than the opposing defenders. She controlled the ball steadily, swiftly turned to bypass an advancing defender, cut past a second defender, and effortlessly flicked the ball into the net before the goalkeeper could lunge for it.

The girl shouted and cheered in excitement, and her teammates rushed up to applaud and celebrate with her.

Because girls often developed earlier than boys, they generally did not lag far behind them in strength or speed at this age, and they frequently held an advantage in height. In the relatively open social atmosphere of the Kingdom of Daunia—especially in schools—it was not uncommon for boys and girls to participate in sports together. Often, the children of high-ranking officials took the lead, and others naturally followed suit, such as Princess Eunice of Daionia. However, intensely competitive sports with frequent physical contact and grappling, like the Rugby Championship, would not see girls participating in official matches, whereas it was a common sight in football.

After the tall girl finished celebrating her goal, she turned toward the sidelines. She waved at Apox in dissatisfaction and shouted, "Apox, you're late again!"

"Second Brother, hurry up and get on the field!" Brillantes chimed in.

"Get on what field?!" The tall girl glared, her almond eyes wide. "The team is currently full. Are you going to swap out for him?!"

Brillantes instantly fell silent.

"It's fine, Second Sister. I can be a substitute," Apox said with a smile.

Eunice's expression softened. She nodded and said, "Be a sub for a while, and we'll swap you in later. We still need you for our defense. But don't just stand idle on the sidelines; keep Nelia company for me first."

"Nelia?" Apox was fairly familiar with the girls Eunice was good friends with, but this name was distinctly unfamiliar to him.

"She is a new student who just transferred to our class," Eunice explained softly, having walked over to the sidelines. "Her father is Miltias. She looks so depressed all day, so I dragged her here by force. She loves reading books just as much as you do. Go on, help me cheer her up a bit."

Eunice pointed in a certain direction with one hand while giving Apox a push with the other.

Apox spotted the girl sitting in a corner by the sideline. He quickened his pace toward her involuntarily, his mind already racing. 'Miltias, the commander of the kingdom's 4th Fleet, died in battle in Sicily not long ago. Yet the citizens of Thurii have been gossiping incessantly about his death. Many believe that his negligence caused the Sicilian Fleet to suffer disastrous losses. In such a terrible climate of public opinion, his family must be having an extremely hard time.'