violently struck Constantine’s other cheek. Papyrus sheets on the desk lifted with the wind of Amynterius’s movement, then fell to the floor. Constantine quickly sprang to pick them up and reorganized the material upon the desk.

Amynterius closed the study chamber doors for privacy, then turned back toward his pupil. "When an instructor assigns problems, they are to be completed by the following lesson. This way, you as the student, will have learned the previous subject matter and can move forward to more advanced arithmetic. Since you are still behind, I will allow you a few moments to finish the page you are studying, and then we will continue."

Constantine bowed his head. "Thank you, teacher."

Amynterius used the most physical punishment of all of Constantine’s tutors. Even Alexander, his Pankration instructor, rarely raised a hand to punish the boy. Amynterius, however, was different. He gave a child a man’s beating upon the slightest provocation. At least, Amynterius always explained the reason for the pain he inflicted. Naturally, Helena disagreed with these types of disciplinary tactics, but it was Constantius, the child’s father, who had sanctioned such punishment.

"All right, let us begin." Using a wax tablet and metal stylus, Amynterius scribbled a problem in front of Constantine. "Back to multiplication for today’s lesson. It is similar to the assignment you had not completed. Therefore, we will move on and you’ll continue with both assignments later."

Although strict and extreme in his discipline measures, Amynterius was a good instructor, and an excellent mathematician. He had patience, although he would snap if he had to repeat too often. Constantine did try his best to please the tutors, even with the most challenging academic tasks demanded by his father. However, although he was gifted, his study skills were still imperfect and he also had habits that irritated instructors. Now, Constantine began performing one of these habits unconsciously.

He was counting with his fingers again. Amynterius was furious at the long-dismissed tutor who had taught the child that annoying habit. He raised his arm and angrily struck the child down with the back of his hand, knocking Constantine out of his seat. The boy slowly sat back up, and gazed above at his tutor. Dilated nostrils above hard pressed white lips transformed the sweet young child. All at once, Amynterius felt uneasy.