Warden made himself almost invisible leaning into the cough, as the mentor and mentee talk among themselves. It wasn't particularly difficult, for him. All he had to do was withdraw his aura completely and think of himself as something mundane, like a pillow.
In time, their subconscious would forget about his presence, but in their mind, they would remember him. This was a simple trick to put the people at ease... Warden was becoming better and better at these things, as his attributes were growing.
"Hmm, there really is someone standing outside the building," June said, spreading her spiritual awareness around. "A blond-haired guy in a suit?"
Kiara nodded, not surprized at June's exceptional skill at sensing things in the vicinity. Warden might not know anything, but he did not think this was natural. Even for Gold rankers.
"He looked more like a businessman than a bodyguard," June muttered. "Where did your father even find him?"
"He's probably in the security team of my father," Kiara answered, unsure. "That's why the look. Regardless, I want to get my freedom back as soon as possible, and father will only agree if I show him, I'm strong on my own."
"So that's why you're here?" June's voice was even, yet there seemed to be laced with amusement and condescension. Well, it was in her aura.
Kiara was flustered, but that was not enough to stop herself. "Yes," she said. She swallowed her tea fast. "Professor, I'm almost ready to advance to Iron."
No, you're not, Warden said inwardly.
June put that in better words that would make the rebellious girl in question reconsider. "If all you want to be free of the bodyguard, your father glued to you, you should not advance."
Warden nodded inwardly in approval. Although Kiara's foundation seemed deep, there was still space left for her to grow. She might be called a genius in the circle, but with lower attributes point than her Warden had danced on the floor with cursed creatures, while only one of them was enough to kill her.
Of course, Warden was a terrible example, but that didn't make it any less true. Kiara's attributes and class might be impressive, but not her experience or mastery.
"Not just that," Kiara said, not completely convinced. "I also want to bond with Cupcake, and it's impossible without opening another aperture."
"That is a valid reason," June said. She then blinked and finally found the bunny resting silently on Warden's lap after eating the beast core. She frowned at his laid-back form, though he figured it was because she noticed his manipulation.
"Bonding with Cupcake will give you a part of her abilities," June said. "Both the healing and essence digestion power will be invaluable for your future prospect along with your raw fire affinity."
Warden ignored her glare and thought more about her apparent weakness.
"Lacking in mindset too, and did I mention control?"
She threw a pillow at him, which Warden caught before it could hit him. Kiara's cheeks were bright red in anger and embracement.
I know truth hurts, Warden chuckled inwardly. However, accepting the truth is the first step towards improvement.
"Well, Warden is not wrong," June said. "Through he phrased them crudely."
"Thank you," Warden said, bowing slightly. "No need to thank or praise me."
"Nobody is praising you," June snorted and turned to Kiara. "Take more time on training your control. Always try to do more with less energy. Continue with the mental exercises I taught, master them and I'll add a couple more."
Kiara sucked in a deep breath, but June wasn't finished yet.
"Higher control will naturally make you better at wards, which are the most essential spell in combat, not to mention its utility. Also, add in some physical exercise as well."
"Physical exercise?" Kiara sounded as if she had heard wrong. "Why?"
"You cannot have a strong mind without a strong body," Warden said and threw back the pillow to her face. Even though he sent it at a normal pace, Kiara was unable to stop it from striking her face.
"Ouch!"
Warden laughed. "Add Pillows just below Control as her weakness."
Kiara looked like she wanted to curse at him, but not in the presence of her mentor.
"Warden, do you know why people find you insufferable at times?" June said, smiling sweetly at him. "This is one of the reasons."