Chapter 780 (1/2)
“It really is tragic that my talents as a teacher are wasted on one such as you…” Darrune said with a shake of the head. After being rather timid before Randidly had tacitly encouraged him, his personality had experienced a complete one-eighty since then. He openly embraced his role as genius teacher, even if he displayed none of the traits a teacher would possess. If nothing else, Randidly was impressed by how brazen Darrune was. “Do you need a break? Or perhaps a nap? Would you like me to read you a bedtime story and let you suckle from my teat? Hmph, hmph, this isn’t child rearing, girl. This is learning the art of war. Grow up.”
“Fuck…. You….” Helen wheezed. Her eyes were still narrowed, but they focused on Randidly this time. There wasn’t anger there, but… excitement. Her rage was giving way to something purer. Joy. The joy of fighting against an opponent who was stronger than herself. An excitement toward learning how to fight and struggle and triumph. It almost seemed sexual in its intensity
Well, Randidly reflected as he waited for Helen to recover, the rage isn’t gone. It’s just… sharing center stage with a more positive emotion.
Glancing up, Randidly noticed how long they had been training. It had been almost twelve hours since they had begun. Truly, he grew more wrapped up in the fighting if he was using his actual body then if he was just using avatars.
Almost unwillingly, he lowered his spear. “Let’s end it here.”
“I can continue,” Helen croaked out. Randidly looked at her. He could feel her drawing heavily from their Aether Connection in order heal as quickly as possible. Several bones were broken in her shoulder and ribs. But her eyes blazed with fighting spirit. It was true, she could continue. But it was unnecessary.
Randidly closed his eyes and shook his head. “You may continue, as you should, but we are done for today. You’ve had your chance to attack Darrune; you failed. If you so choose, reflect on what mistakes you made. We will see you tomorrow.”
Besides Helen’s injuries, there were several things Randidly wanted to do tonight. Not the least of which was visit his Soulskill, which he had let go a few days. In addition, he wanted to check how difficult it would be to create a Domain. He believed that the training would be even more effective if he could produce his own Domain that would combat Helens. But it was likely just a pipe dream at this point.
Something like a Domain should not be hastily thrown together.
Although she was unwilling, Helen couldn’t refuse what Randidly said. She lowered her spear and allowed Randidly and Darrune to walk past. She did, of course, keep a death stare locked on Darrune. But she didn’t say or do anything.
But perhaps sensing how volatile Helen was, Darrune was uncharacteristically quiet as they walked out of the training area. It was only after they were out of earshot that he spoke up.
“Milord Ghosthound… I am wondering if, ah… it would be appropriate for me to continue to be unaffiliated with you, considering our intimate teaching relationship. Perhaps as your spear attendant-”
“No,” Randidly said, cutting him off. Then he smiled wryly at Darrune. “Unless you believe you would be capable of fighting directly against Helen without my assistance?”
Blinking furiously, Darrune blubbered. “Ah? How- preposterous! I am a respected teacher! How could I sully my hands with violence against my students-”
“Well then, for now, let’s stay like this.” Randidly shooed the man. “You are free to explore the city. Meet back here tomorrow morning.”
Then Randidly used Phantom Half-Step on distant targets and pulled himself away from Darrune very quickly. The less time he had to spend with the man, the better. Now, to find himself a peaceful hill to meditate on outside of Hastam…
*****
“FUCKING TWIGDICK FARTBAG!” Helen roared. “SUCKLE AT YOUR TEAT? I’LL KILL YOU AND YOUR SAD FAMILY.”
“Statistically,” Azriel opined. “With the Wight war, his family is probably already dead.”
For a second, Helen stood frozen. Then she glowered at Azriel, this anger for an entirely different reason than for her intrusion.
Azriel shrugged. “Well, I’m just being honest.”
“Yea well, you really ruined my mood,” Helen said sourly. Then she sighed. “How is your training going? You should join in on the sparring. It will at least give me somewhat of a break if they are training you too.”
“...I don’t think I should.” Azriel said quietly.
Helen opened her mouth to reply and then paused. She turned and looked at Azriel. Even though Azriel generally said things that were relatively tone deaf, the comment about Darrune’s family was especially so. Perhaps Helen wouldn’t have noticed that on its own, but Azriel’s thin face was especially tense. More than anything else… Azriel seemed exhausted. There were deep bags under her eyes.