"How's the tea?" Jenni asked.
"Good... Good," stuttered the captain, a shiver running down his spine.
Gale's eyes flashed towards the cup in the captain's hand. "You didn't even take a sip yet, did you?"
The captain fumbled with the cup of tea, spilling a little before he finally took a sip. "It's good. First class..."
Jenni nodded, turning to the others. "And you guys?"
"It's the best, sister," the company shouted in unison. "Thank you for your hospitality."
Jenni giggled. "Thank her," she said, pulling Dawn before her. "She brews the tea."
"Thank you for the tea, ma'am!"
Gale clicked his tongue. "I hate this crap," he mumbled and turned to the captain. "I didn't catch your name... What was it again?"
"Niem," croaked the captain. "Jao Niem."
"Alright, Captain Niem," Gale sat next to him, making eye contact. "You guys aren't injured, right?"
Captain Niem shook his head.
"Good, it's always a huge deal," he continued. "When to use force, when not to... and if you use it, how much of it will be necessary... Good thing all of it finished without blood loss."
"But do not take kindness for weakness," Jenni said, coming before them. "If you believe it was merely a trick that half your men pissed their pants, you need to think deeply on what exactly you felt. Do not pick a misconception that you lost because you were unprepared... It's becau—"
"Alright, you've had enough fun being a hooligan, Jenni," Gale pulled her ear. "Let's go, it's time to complete your lessons."
"Ahh! I was just making sure," Jenni whined, "to try nothing funny again."
Gale turned to the soldiers.
"S-sir, the order came directly from the general," the captain said, swallowing a breath.
"General, what is his name again, something Walt, right?" A name resurfaced in his memory instantly along with Jessica's warning about the man. "Terel Walt, is that the guy?"
The captain nodded heavily.
"You guys do not need to be worried about me," Gale said, patting him on the shoulder. "I'll go back in due time..."
"But if we do not take..." the lady lieutenant said, shivering slightly as his eyes flashed towards her. "No, nothing... I'm sure the General will understand..."
"He wouldn't," Gale said flatly.
"T-then?"
"I have eight," Dawn answered. "Other than the adepts, Miss June took two of them."
"June took two?" he muttered. "Why?"
'Because I deserve at least two hours of full attention for taking a leave from everything to spend time with you.' A voice rang in his mind. June's voice.
'You can have all my time,' he replied to her, sounding amused.
"Huh, I thought I'd wind at least two-thirds of the rest of them, but she already took two," Jenni complained. "Now Captain Agnes might be asking for a couple... and Dawn is going to need a couple for herself as well... Hmm, am I missing anyone else?"
Gale smacked her on the head lightly. "What are you talking about, stupid girl?"
"I have a question," Jenni asked. "What happens when two people use the token at the same time? Whose needs will you take care of first?"
"I'll see when the time comes..."
"And what about the trick... Can you teach me in your free time, or do I really have to use the token?"
"I already told you... you're not ready to learn it."
"You say that all the time," Jenni pouted. "You don't tell me anything... where does Sis Agnes go every few hours and come back? How did you fall from gold rank? Or better, what about the half Transcendent matter Sis June was talking about..."
Gale rubbed his forehead. He turned to Dawn. Why couldn't these women keep their mouths closed in front of her?
"Jenni, please prepare the classroom. I have something to talk about with Sir Gale."
"Now, even you too are excluding me, Dawn!" Jenni cried.
"Just go," Dawn patted her shoulder.
She snorted and ran away to the guest house.
"What am I going to do about her?" Gale muttered, watching her go.
"If you are to take her as your disciple, you need to tell her everything. Or at least the things you are aware of."
Gale nodded. "That reminds me, there is still stuff you are not telling me, right?"
"Maybe..." Dawn did not meet his gaze.
Gale clicked his tongue as a silence flowed between them.
"Um, can I take a couple as well?" Dawn asked.
Gale shot her an incredulous look.
"The tokens, I mean."