Heaven's Greatest Professor

Warden left the crowd of soldiers to join Elder Ming, who had requested some of his time to discuss their previous conversation. Additionally, he needed to prepare more food for the soldiers from the 16th Infantry.

"Well, you certainly know how to throw something fun," Captain Jessica remarked. "The news of this little competition of yours has already spread through the camp, and more soldiers are coming. I hope some of our captains aren't shameless enough to join the soldiers just to get free equipment done."

"It's not about shamelessness," Warden replied.

"Right," Aerel added, seated beside Jessica. "I keep telling her to take part, but she insists it wouldn't be fair."

"I mean, he's my brother's friend," Jessica explained, reclining in her seat. She glanced at the elder out of the corner of her eyes to continue. "… If I take part and win, I would feel like I swindled the prize from him.

Oh, I didn't mean anything bad about your work… Actually, Jason kept on telling me about the armour you made for him… He couldn't stop talking about the Weightlessness feature you put into it."

"Weightlessness feature?" Elder Ming perked up from his seat, having been silently mulling over his promise. "How did you manage that?"

Warden scratched his chin. "With runes, obviously." He dismissed the question from his mind and turned to Jessica. "You don't have to feel bad about participating… When I made the challenge, I was aware of what I was promising."

"Are you sure?" Jessica raised an eyebrow. "If I participate, I'm nearly certain many of the other captains would shamelessly join their juniors to win it. While I'm not sure if every one of them could make it, I'm certain more than half of them could… and I haven't counted the sergeants and lieutenants… The sheer amount of work you'd have would reach a staggering number."

Warden thought for a moment and nodded. "I cannot go back on my word."

Besides, it wouldn't be for nothing. Even if they wouldn't pay for his work, they would still harbour goodwill toward him. Certainly, the goodwill of some elite captains and sergeants was nothing to scoff at, either.

Jessica grinned. "You're a lot like my brother, but you have a lot more conviction," she said. "And way more prideful. Well, fine by me, I'll join. Maybe you can look into my staff to see if you can fix it."

"You're talking as if you've already won," Warden laughed.

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"Just watch me," she said. "Oh, right, the food is great. I couldn't help myself on my own. Anyway, you should discuss your deal with Elder Ming… can't keep the old man waiting for long, can we? Who knows, his bottom might already be numb."

Jenni snickered from the back, near the runic refrigerator. She had already loaded up on the dessert, devouring them with a scoop in hand.

"You, girl," Elder Ming said. "If someone talked to a high ranker like that in my time, they would call for a duel…"

"Sorry, I forgot people of your age can't take a joke," Jessica apologised. "I'm terribly sorry. Now, if you want your duel, I'll have to reluctantly agree."

Elder Ming clicked his tongue and turned to Warden. "We should talk about what I can do for you." Warden nodded as the old man continued, "I'll speak truthfully.

Clearing your punishment is more trouble than it's worth, that is to say, I don't think it is possible for anyone to reverse the decision of a high judge, save for a few influential people like the duke, emperor, and obviously the transcendental rankers.

"While the weight of my voice cannot sway any transcendental rankers… I can talk to some of my influential friends, even if I don't think most of them will feel good about offending a high judge… But I'd do it if that's what you want."

Warden frowned. So, it was a matter of pride now? He sighed. "If you cannot clear my punishment, what else can you do?"

"I can take you into the Artificer Department, where you can earn a fair living for your work," Elder said. "Ahem! Of course, your contribution to establishing the main shell of the west front had to go as a valiant achievement. But you'll get all the points of your worth after this if you join, I promise you."

Warden fought to keep his expression cool. This was more than enough for him to earn a few good things from the emporium. He might even agree to this if the Elder came with it without making a scene in the beginning… But now, Warden wanted something more out of it…

And it turned out the elder had just the skill for what he wanted.

"This is like a partial pardon," Elder Ming continued, getting his attention. "While you'd still be forced to work on the front lines for the remainder of your tenure, the Artificer Department acknowledges your contribution to the war efforts and deems you worthy of a special pardon."

"Will I receive fair pay when I work in the field, fighting in skirmishes?" Warden asked, as it felt like he wouldn't.

"Why would you be fighting skirmishes?" Elder Ming frowned. "As a beholden to the Artificer Department, your task will be related to runesmithing and making artifacts… You can earn ten times more than a captain if you work wholeheartedly."

Warden shook his head. "Elder Ming, I don't think you got me," he said. "All this runesmithing, artificing is my side job, a hobby, something I do for fun."

Elder Ming furrowed his brow.

"While I do take it seriously and commit my everything when I'm at it, I have another calling," Warden said. "For example, I'd like to join the expedition to the ruins that is coming up."

"So you cannot fully commit to the Artificer Department?"

"I mean, I'll do my part if I join," Warden said. He turned to Jenni, who was eating dessert in one mind. "Hey, Jenni, as part of the Artificer Department, what are your duties?"

"Umm, just the usual, unless I have to join some crazy project like this one."

"What is the usual?"

Jenni continued as if she didn't hear him. "But, of course, not all superiors are crazy sadi- Ahem! I mean, crazy workaholics like you. So the usual is mostly about making subpar weapons for the soldiers, repairing damaged goods… There's also a monthly inspection on shells and formations… And sometimes we do have to go to ruins, even if most runesmiths don't like to join."

"Hmm, I think I can manage all that," Warden said. "Are the working hours similar to common soldiers?"

"Depending on your mileage," Jenni said, putting a scoop of ice cream into her mouth. "Darren there usually cannot work more than 4 hours a day if he has to put his best effort into runesmithing. Oh crap, I'm out of ice cream!"

Warden's expression only brightened. "Elder Ming, I think we can come to an agreement," he said, "How about I put eight of my good hours into working for the Artificer Department? As per my mileage, I think I can make an artifact each day, unless it's a full-plate armour."

The elder's face wasn't looking good, hearing all that. But he nodded slowly…

"But of course, there's an issue…"

"If it's about you joining the expedition, I cannot stop with how things are going," Elder Ming said. "And you won't get your fair pay anywhere else but with us. It's the best I can do without offending anyone."

"That's alright; what I'm asking is something different," Warden said. A smile crept to his lips. "It's only a minor thing… I'm sure a man of your station can easily achieve it."

"Just get it over with; I've other places to be," the elder said with a scowl.

"Elder Ming, I heard your skills at blacksmithing are already at a Grandmaster level," Warden said, beaming with a hopeful smile, "All you have to do is make—" Warden stopped midway, his eyes darting towards the refrigerator. "Jenni, I told you that is not for you. Put that back down right now."

"Hey, I'm only taking a look." The girl in question had already opened the box Warden especially left to deliver to June. "It's not like I'll damage the runes in it or going to eat everything… Oh my god, they look so delicious."

Warden jumped from his spot to land behind her. He seized the box from her. Thankfully, she hadn't managed to put her greedy hands into the special dessert yet.

"Hey," she cried, as though she had been wronged.

"I said it is not for you," Warden said with a sigh as he closed the box and reattached the runes to lock it.

"There's like two other flavours in there," she grumbled, "that I hadn't tried."

She gave him the puppy eyes, which were too hard to resist, but Warden channelled his energy as he became one with the void. The void didn't care about the cute puppy faces of girls.

"Cheh!" she spat, and was about to grumble more, but Elder Ming stopped her.

"Jenni, don't act presumptuous!"

"Fine," spitting that she went back to join her friends.

Warden shook his head, letting the void go. Perhaps he shouldn't have acted like that… but these special flavours needed a lot more care and time to prepare… and he wanted June to have them first.

"Looks like we're late to the party," said a new voice. Warden turned to find Kevin, still in his rogue getup.

"Nah, look at all these people," Caleb said. "We're just in the right time. Oh, the captain is here too…

Sergeant Luis turned to greet Warden. "Is it true that you're distributing free equipment?"

What?