"Do you have any expertise in runes?" he asked as he set up a hammock near the lake, enjoying the picturesque scenery. "Or have you ever tried to learn?"
"I studied until the elentary level," Dawn answered while setting up the barbecue stands a couple of paces away. "Under you, actually. Sadly, not everyone has the sa talent."
"What art do you study then?"
"Mostly combat arts, cultivation, and harmony," she said.
"Harmony, as in alchemy and cooking, that sort of stuff?"
She nodded.
"I guess I've found a helper in you," he smiled, climbing onto the hammock to check its balance.
It was the third day of the vacation, and he had mostly been relaxing. The adepts were training with full fervour, left to their own devices except for the morning class. Despite what he ntioned, he did have to take a redial class in between, but that was to be expected. He was trying to break habits they had practised for decades.
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It wouldn't happen in a day, especially since so weren't even ready to abandon the old ways of carving runes.
Even though he promised their efficiency would rise, it would still take ti to master the new path. Not to ntion, the new path had a steep learning curve compared to their old ways.
It was afternoon, and after he had put the at to season, soone was about to co to bother him. His Void sense alerted him to two familiar figures approaching.
A white crane followed them, crying to announce its presence.
Gale stood up, his expression easing. Finally, June managed to free her ti and co to him. He crept to her and embraced her before Jenni could say anything.
June froze for a mont and then accepted him. "I was going to co last night, but there was so complication and I didn't want to disturb your rest."
"Nonsense," he said, resting his chin on her shoulder. "Your presence is never disturbing. When are you leaving?"
"At first light," June sighed. Noticing his reluctance, she added, "My leave of absence will be approved within a couple of days after I'm done with the excursion."
"That's good." He noticed Jenni shooting wide eyes, her hands full with runic graph papers—the howork he had left for the adepts.
"Don't let the other adepts see you acting all soft and clingy," Jenni said. "They won't be able to stomach it."
Gale snorted and took the papers from her. "So long as they can stomach my teaching."
"Any word from Agnes?" she asked.
He shook his head. "Even if she wanted to send a ssage, I don't think she can from the frontlines. Not to ntion, the longread doesn't have a range over a hundred miles."
"Who's this Agnes?" June asked, raising an eyebrow. "Oh, your old captain?"
"A friend now," Gale said. "I wanted to have a al with all of us, but I don't know if she can make it before my holiday expires."
"Does she know about the weird position you are in?"
"More than so," he said, turning towards Jenni. "But not completely."
"What situation?" Jenni asked, being the curious person she was.
"Nothing for you to worry about," he said. "Go work on your runes with the rest."
"Nah, I already finished my howork," Jenni disagreed, eting his gaze squarely. "I need a break now."
"I'll see how you did soon enough," he snorted, turning his attention to the papers.
Jenni clicked her tongue and went to bother Dawn, who was preparing their al.
"You have a lot to tell ," June whispered.
"And to show as well," he added, clasping her shoulder softly. "Unfortunately, you haven't co with ti on hand."
June shook his hands off. "Don't be clingy when others are around!" she whispered.
"Okay, I'll try to keep my hands to myself for when we're alone."
June glared at him before quickly moving to help Dawn with the ingredients.
He grinned and decided to finish with the howork. This was the first ti he was checking it. How he would proceed with the teaching from here would depend on how they adapted to the new way.
The al was prepared in ti, and Jenni had to go out of her way to call the adepts to eat. This was the first ti they were having a al outside, not to ntion, this ti it wasn't made by the attendants.
"Savor the food, because it is likely the last ti you'll get anything close to delicious," he declared to the group. "I have told Stewart to procure food that is only nutritious, lacking in all other criteria. Basically, military food."
The adepts knew better than to complain, though so had more courage than others. Jenni, for example, glared in his direction.
"Of course, it is a punishnt," he continued, not caring about the looks she was giving. "So long as you stay on track with your studies, you'll get to enjoy food cooked by yours truly and Dawn."
Jenni sighed in relief, along with a couple of others who were more confident in their abilities.
"That's not all," Gale said, pointing towards the howork. "I have checked them all, and so far, the results are far from desired."
All the adepts looked down, silently munching on the food.
"I guess you guys need more encouragent," he said. "I guess food is one, but I'm looking for sothing with more value."
"No, no, food is enough," Jenni argued.
A glare from him stopped her from saying more. "So I have decided to raise the stakes," he stood up, a leg piece in hand. "What do you guys require? Personal lessons from a master runesmith? Secret designs? Or for one of you to beco my disciple?"
A round of gasps echoed through the group. Even June was frowning, unsure why he was going to such lengths.
"All of it is on the table, so long as you et my standards," his words cut through the adepts, "or go beyond them."
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