Heaven's Greatest Professor

"To be honest," Warden explained more with a sigh, "these days fighting alone like a vagabond had some effect on my mind and body, which I'm not aware of or in control of. They have adapted well, though I fear I ran things mostly on intuition rather than through calculations. I guess that's what happens when you live under the edge of a sword."

"And it has nothing to do with the frustration growing within yourself?" June asked, regretting the decision to leave him here. "I really should have waited a few months longer, and taken note of your mental state more than just--"

"Hey, it all worked out to my benefit," Warden said. "Even I managed to add a couple of points to my spirit. Do you know how difficult that has been for me? Besides, you trusted me, and saying all that makes me feel like I accomplished nothing."

"Do you even realise what you did?" June shook her head, finding him looking completely oblivious. "It takes years, even sometimes decades, for someone to master their Intent, much less reinforce the intent with their art and energy. And you did it in just twelve days."

"I haven't mastered it," Warden said. "Also, those are numbers of common rankers. I do not really fall among them."

"My point is you have accomplished enough within just twelve days," June said. "Just don't put yourself under such terrible stress just by being haughty or frustrated."

Warden was about to say something, but his mouth remained hung open for a moment as he blinked at her. "That sounded like you're worried about me."

"Of course I am," June said. "Someone had to if you keep on being so rash yourself."

"I was not entirely rash," Warden said with a sigh. He drew his palm to tough her palms tightly. "June, I really needed it. I did not realise it before. More than anything, more than the intent, I needed the fight. I needed to hear the loud beat of my heart lurching in my chest to remind me I was alive.

Only in fights, in brutal challenges like these, I seem to remember who am I, who I used to be. Because only all that is left of me... I don't know who I am. When I fight, I'm someone. I'm a warrior."

As the words laid bare out of his chest, Warden found himself a lot lighter. He was about to withdraw his palm from her, but she drew her other arms to cup them together.

"Perhaps rather than looking for what you were," she said softly, "you should look forward to what you can be."

Warden looked at her in awe, as if the thought never crossed his mind. "I'll try," he said. "I'll try."

June nodded, finally noticing she was clasping their palms together. She let it go. "Anyway, you should eat the meal now."

Warden nodded and finally turned his attention to the food.. He took a big chunk of meat and gobbled it into his mouth instantly. A warm, fuzzy energy surged through him.

[+0.3 recovery.]

"What is this stuff?" Warden asked. "My recovery just rose."

June raised an eyebrow. "For most people, it is either strength or other physical attributes, but with your unique constitution, I guessed it would have happened."

As Warden ate more, he received little points of improvement in his recovery. Sweat formed and wet his tunic as he gobbled them all up soon. Unfortunately, the gain stopped after four solid points. Still, it was a gain like none other.

June explained, "It's a natural occurrence, with the body's search getting saturated with the type of food you've eaten."

"This was delicious," Warden said. "Maybe we can make something like this again together and have dinner. Of course, in a much better place than this god-forsaken valley."

"Maybe we will, though it's hard to get the ingredients."

"Well, we can always hunt it ourselves," Warden said.

"Did you receive any prominent side effects from absorbing the cursed energy?" June asked.

"Other than taking more time than usual in digesting, I found none," he said.

"There could be some hidden infliction that you're not aware of currently," June reminded. "Be sure to check it up, or tell me if you discover anything."

"I'm sure I'll be fine," Warden said. "How much time remains?"

"About an hour or so," June said, "perhaps less."

"Oh shit," he cursed. "I seem to have forgotten about the class I have with the freshman. I'll be late at this rate."

The students were likely slacking without his presence.

"Let us leave now," June said. "You'll be able to catch up, considering combat training runs for two hours."

Warden's tunic was already ruined, so he bought out another to change into, along with a coat and formal pants to drape on. June weaved a spell to let them fly up from the valley and into the teleportation formation.

"Ready?"

He nodded as June tinkered with her batch to let them transport out of there.

They came out of the spiritual warp gate and found the old man still standing there, accompanied by another person. A tall man in a regal robe, but what interested Warden more was the pointy ears like June's, indicating he was of Elven origin.

"June," the newcomer said. "I have been waiting for you for so long."

"Andryl," June sighed. "What are you doing here?"

"I was obviously looking for you," Andryl said with a smile.

With the handsome face and light blond hair, he looked no less than a prince charming who could charm the heart of a maiden's heart just with a smile. Thankfully, June's mental fortitude was an iron wall to fall for this prick, much to Warden's relief. Wait, why am I being so worried? They could just be friends, or even biologically related, like cousins or something.

"The elders had been worried sick about you after your departure. It is time you come back home."