"Then your professors are stupid bastards," Ken pointed out bluntly. "Maybe you should go higher level. Once we get out of here." Like hell the nurses would believe that Artemis was able to take college-level courses.

"The pain killers usually have a side effect of drowsiness. Not a good thing if you're going to be learning how to fight. I've been refusing to take whatever shit they give me. I hate being drugged." Enough that he was more willing to deal with the pain than the side-effects.

"You have to balance it. Kids won't feel like they've accomplished anything unless they can figure it out on their own, and if you hold their hand all the way they'll learn shit-all anyway. Set the framework, let them figure it out, be there to be a guide if they have questions, not do it for them." Ken smiled then. "That, and it's a chance to drop the adult attitude."