"My father started learning runes when he was in his forties," Jenni said, sucking in a deep breath. "It took him over eighty years to become a Master Runesmith. Granted, being a common-born, he didn't have resources... And the accomplishments in runes were quite backwards back then..."
Like the number of Master Runesmiths could be counted with one arm. Of course, there were some ancient runesmiths among the elves and the legendary Celestial, who brought this art to this world, but that hardly proved anything to her point.
"It's still quite backward, even now, I think," Warden commented offhandedly as he began frying the rice. "I have been instructing some adepts from the department and learned why they were so inefficient.
Honestly, only a couple of them will cut it as an Adept, and one of them is very old with over a hundred years of experience... Which brings me to question that he probably took all that time to become efficient."
"What about the other person?"
"Well, the other person is Aki," Warden said. "His base is solid. Although he lacked talent, he clenched his jaw through his way into Adept ranks."
"Wait, hold on a second," Jenni said, sounding incredulous. "Did you just say Aki lacks talent?"
Warden just shrugged in response.
"My gods, if other adepts hear you, they will drown themselves in the tainted water."
"I said what is the truth? And I think Aki himself is aware of it. He has a good head, and his hard work never failed him. In often cases, it does not..."
"I can't believe you," Jenni was still incredulous, not accepting his words at all.
"You seem to have a wrong idea about talents; even though you're full of it," Warden said. "What do you think lets you excel in runes compared to your peers of the same age?"
"My hard work, my father's teaching, and all those resources," Jenni didn't think to answer.
Warden nodded sagely. "I'm not denying all that, but do you think there's only you who has access to resources? Did your father only instruct one disciple? Or did none else but you work hard?"
Jenni was speechless. It was true her father had many disciples over his long life, even Aki had the fortune to be instructed by him for some time... but how many of them made it to Master Runesmith? None... though there were many Adept runesmith...
But Warden said the adepts weren't up to his standard. Wait, was she up to his standard?
"A lot of stuff," Warden replied. He checked his badge to see the number of contribution points he amassed working day and night for the last week.
27800 Points. It was still a little low, but Warden had the Fire Ability gem Agnes had given him, which would be worth somewhere between twenty and thirty thousand contribution points.
Jenni wrinkled her nose at the holographic number of points. It was totally criminal how much lower anyone below Master rank was paid. Well, her pay was still more than any common sergeant, and she didn't even have to work that hard. . . so she couldn't hold a grudge.
Not to mention, this guy was unrelenting in his work.
"Are you planning on spending all your earnings?" she asked.
Warden nodded. "Other than the ingredients for cooking and your desserts, I need to prepare for the expedition. So I'll need a batch of healing potions, rejuvenation potions. . . And I have my eye set on an expensive item."
"I get all that, but what do you need my help with?"
"I'm not very familiar with many of the items on display," Warden said without any hesitation. "Your task is to inform me of their uses and if they're worth it. Besides, with my new position in the Artificer Department, I can access more of the secret products. . . I thought it would be better not to stare at them cluelessly."
"Well, the attendants do answer truthfully," Jenni agreed, "though they never say an item is terrible even if it is."
"I thought of asking Agnes for this, but I couldn't get a hold of her for the last few days."
"I'm very delighted to know I'm your second choice," Jenni snorted.
"Of course, with Agnes, I do not have to bribe her with desserts," Warden said. "And she also does not throw a tantrum."
Jenni glared up at him. "And I almost thought you were warming up to me."
"I speak nothing but the truth," Warden laughed. "But yes, I do not hate your childish act. . . I find it endearing, to be honest. I wish everyone would be a part of it."
Jenni glared harder at him. It was as if he was treating her like a child. And if she argued, it would only prove his point.
But Jenni settled in her mind, that she would prove him wrong, in one way or another.