Lunch had passed and Selina only took half an hour to rest before going to the Shooting Club with Klein. She had to maintain an edge over marksmanship, daring not to miss one session.
After her daily practice, improving her skills and sometimes requesting for a non-fixed target, she was finally shooting well enough to earn Dunn Smith's basic approval.
It also became an activity she and Klein can contest with. The former nudging him for a playful bantering as they expend their bullets. Helping each other's form take shape.
After practicing for a while, the two set their revolvers away and took a public carriage, stopping near the house of their combat instructor, Gawain. Then, they walked for ten minutes before arriving at the door.
In the bathroom, she placed her sling bag aside and changed into her training attire. After running, lifting weights with her whole body, skipping rope, squatting and other forms of exercises, not to mention footwork and sparring, she was glistening in sweat and left exhausted.
"Take a break for fifteen minutes." Gawain's blond white hair and deep facial lines made him look hard and stern. He looked at Selina while saying that.
"As for you, do more push ups." That was for Klein. He took out his pocket watch and flipped it open to glance at the time.
Selina could tell that Klein was complaining inwardly based on the twitching of his corner eyebrows. He was expressive, which was one of the things she can easily note of.
As Klein's panting resounded. Selina looked away and went to the kitchen. After quenching her thirst, she saw the servant maid going down.
"Good afternoon." she greeted with a smile.
"Good afternoon as well Ms. Roy." The maid curtsied before her and left to take on the household chores she was assigned to, she did not speak further.
Klein was breathing heavily after she returned, drenched in sweat and seemingly teetering to away.
Mhm, that's good, keep in shape Klein... Selina mused while pacing back and forth. She did not dare rest straightaway as that would shock her muscles, leading to soreness.
Later, she found a seat at the training field. Feeling the air as she rest. Thinking about it, the most direct feedback she has gotten, from Klein and their instructor, was rather peculiar.
Her skin did not tan nor does it easily get stretched, formed or ladened. On the contrary, it radiated more, which assumed a byproduct of being an Apothecary.
However, Selina knew deeper and quickly linked it to her hereditary or the effects of the partially-accomplished ritual in Milo. That made her unease a bit, prompting her to distract herself.
Her gaze darted until it landed to their combat instructor, Gawain before turning to Klein who was done.
Just like her, he paced back and forth. Soon he sat right beside her. Physical prowess prominently seen from his body.
Klein wiped his face and asked her, "How are you feeling?"
Selina snapped and averted her eyes. "I'm fine."
Seemingly unsatisfied with the response. He traced her sight toward their instructor, clicking his pocket watch close.
Since they first began training, he had ultimately maintained his silence. He only spoke to them when there was a need to switch training methods or to correct one of their mistakes whenever one arose.
Gawain withdrew his hand and stood next to the crude training field behind his house. He crossed his arms as he watched the both of them cool down. He was as quiet as a marble statue.
Klein was in a good mood, as he had just digested the Seer potion. Perhaps due to this, he proactively asked, "Teacher, besides fighting with fists, would you teach us how to use a straight sword, broadsword, rapier, and spear?"
With that said. Selina had a slight delay processing Klein's thought. Only for it to settle on a guess.
There was a collection of weapons like swords, rapiers and even chest armor and full body armor. It's unlikely that Gawain isn't adept only on hand-to-hand combat.
Bathed in sunlight, Gawain swept his gaze at Klein. He lowered his voice and replied, "It's useless for both of you to learn any of those. Those weapons have all fallen behind the times, and their only place is in museums or the private collections of collectors..."
He fell silent for a few seconds before adding with a voice that had experienced the vicissitudes of life, "They have been eliminated... You should focus on guns. Even combat is merely supplementary."
Klein looked at his listless teacher and chuckled as he spoke.
"I don't think so."
"Every minister, every Member of Parliament, every general, everyone of them thinks so," Gawain said, clenching his teeth.
Mister, I think those thoughts corrode your mind into belittling what you're capable of. If bullets run out, what will we do? argued Selina inwardly.
Klein stopped and acted like he was a true keyboard warrior. He responded with ease and fluency, "No, they have merely retreated from the front lines of a battlefield. They still have their uses elsewhere."
Selina heard this and nodded vigorously. Placing her full vote toward Klein's argument.
"Why does combat have to be used against firearms? They could be used together. I believe a person who is more flexible, swifter in action, and quicker in response could use guns in a more effective manner."
When he saw Gawain glanced at Selina and subsequently his eyes sharpen. Klein turned smug and continued, "The other weapons aren't eliminated either. They only need some enhancement to be more portable...
"... We could form a squad with high maneuverability. A group that's designed to circle the front lines and launch an attack from behind the enemy and fight right to their core. In such a small-scale surprise attack, a warrior who has outstanding hand-to-hand abilities and familiarity with various kinds of weapons could play an important role. You can imagine such a scene..."
Klein gave full play to his ability of knowing a bit of everything. He mixed and matched all the combat tactics the special forces on Earth had and described them to his teacher. It led Selina utterly left, she just started listening.
It wasn't sure when Gawain's breathing became heavier. He stood there without moving an inch, seemingly unwilling to break the scenes he imagined.
Klein stole a glance at the man's reaction. He felt smug in his head as he cleared his throat and said in a restrained manner, "Teacher, what do you think about my plan? Is there any possibility of realizing it?"
Selina smiled and chuckled, placing a finger to her lips she commend, "Truly impeccable assessment."
Although flattered, Klein's lips curled. With Ms. Roy's positive opinion, he can be hopeful on Gawain's thoughts.
There was a psychology that if one agrees, there's a chance others tags along.
It's called the Bandwagon effect!
Gawain's body quivered as though he just awoken from a dream. He looked deeply into Klein's eyes and said, "Your break is doing you well. Repeat the whole set of exercises ten times."
Huh? Klein looked lost.
Poor Klein... Selina was enjoying the expression. Until much later that she heard Gawain's deep voice.
"You too."
Hearing Gawain's stern voice. Selina flinched and blinked twice before sighing.
Storm believer...
...
It was noon by the time they were finished. Selina was the first to shower before Klein, she changed clothes and both of them left after bidding farewell to the still silent Gawain, reclining to his rocking chair.
Just like what she have been informed by him. Klein went for the Evil Dragon Bar by the harbor. But it wasn't until they arrived in a local market that he left.
He kept emphasizing "be alert", "pray to Mr. Fool", and "keep in mind your surrounding and your pocket at all times" all while counting his stash to give.
What he gave was for today's dinner, Melissa would always request him to buy the necessities before coming back. He counted for the two fair he'll be having and enough money to buy loaves, lamb meat, and other ingredients.
Ultimately, he ended up suggesting her which places would allow for discounts and friendly sellers that might allow bargaining, again.
Holding the house's spare key. Selina sighed while her lips tug a smile of remark, "King Sun is quite well-verse."
Klein's mouth twitched. King Sun again?
At some point since they started advancing around adjectives of mandarin. Selina began to poke this nickname occasionally. It left his very puzzled.
Thinking it positively. He smiled, "T-Thanks. Remember what I told you, I'll leave now, be safe."
Now Selina's face seemed to really be toying with Klein. But she smoothly shifted off to saying as she waves a hand, "Be safe as well!"
In the flocked venue of street merchants.
While looking for the place Klein suggested. Selina did not forget that today was the day he fully digested his Seer potion.
It meant safety and possible promotion. A milestone to be celebrated!
Selina too was in a good mood, she received her paycheck and money isn't a problem. This made her consider cooking a feast.
Maybe I can cook Seared-glazed mutton! she quickly recalled Martha's recipe.
In the end, after a long walk, keeping a low-profile against unwanted attention. She finally chose the latter.
She checked her own wallet and immediately went to browse for beef tenderloin and other ingredients.
...
In the Aldesh town square, situated somewhere in the polar region of West Balam.
Dylan received a paper bag of rye bread, crusted appledom and fruit loaf. He felt the warmth of each pastry from the touch.
Turning around, he saw Isabelle waiting at the entrance.
"Here's my payment. Five gray motifs, is that correct?" he said politely at the baker.
It has only been recently that he learned Southernian Highlander. His proficiency has improved enough to comprehend advanced dialect. All thanks to Isabelle.
Still, it was a bit erratic as it's not without its differences when contrasting with the locals. His accent still echoes the flair of Loenese.
The old man with sullen eyes and shallow, wrinkled face contorted a smile. "It's 'colien' young man, heh heh."
"Right..." Dylan clicked his tongue.
He shortly glanced at Isabelle then back at the old man.
"Five is too much." The old man in dark-gray vest counted the motifs in his hand. "Yes, only four gray motifs and a bronze leitmotif."
Dylan nodded. Watching him walk with an unusual gait, prominent among elders. Soon he returned with fifteen bronze coins.
The currency here in the region of West Balam. Where Balam Empire and Highlands Kingdom. Is the motifs system.
It is ranked by a denomination of gold, silver which is gray and bronze. Varied in values in terms of their standard beauty and rarity. There's two ranks of motif; a regular motif that is either gold or silver and the leitmotif, solely as bronze.
Sixteen leitmotif exchanges for one gray motif. Meanwhile twenty gray motif amounts to one gold motif, and this highest currency is rarely used due to its actual gold relevance.
"I heard that the influence of the Northern might replace the currency of motifs soon." The old man sighed. "These dimes will be exchanged to a coppet or a penny faster than one could say 'boar of the land' or 'shepherd's twisted stool'!"
"Boar of the land" and "shepherd's twisted stool" are two idioms referring to an exclamation when a chance fled when near grasps and when an act happened out of expectation.
Closing the pastry display casing. He added in a disheartened tone, "I can't even purchase a flour and grains without stashing a few gold motifs... Sigh, I might have to close soon."
Dylan paused and wanted to say something. But his voice failed to come out of his mouth.
The old man retracted from the display and said to him in a local, proficient accent, "Be alert on how you behave and dressed young man, if you plan to travel. Locals aren't very fond of Nothernians and would exploit you when chanced."
Dylan noted and bade farewell with a nod.
What a kind man... He remarked inside.
After exiting, he saw Isabelle. Wearing a local stylized dress, fitted with a jacket made of pelt. Her curly brown hair was tied up, presenting an image of a refined maiden of the town.
Taking in the whiff of the cold gales. Dylan handed the paper bag to her without turning his head.
Isabelle unrolled it and enjoyed the whiff of sweet and warm floury fragrance.
Then noticing that Dylan stood there. She commended hastily, "I-It seems you're doing well with the Highlander now. It's only a matter of time before I stop tutoring you."
"Yeah." Dylan answered coldly.
Looking around, he saw many pedestrians in a pantaloon, long pants, girdled dress and jacket or vests strolling about. It reminded him just how it differs from the standard dressing of the societal hierarchy of the Loen Kingdom.
The air wasn't as filthy. It was calm, cold, refreshing and there are hints of regional cuisines wafting from a nearby bar.
When Isabelle took a bite of the crusted appledom. Dylan withdrew his hands to his fur coat and then said in passing, "Thank you."
Isabelle snapped from munching.
"Because of you, I was able to learn another language. That will help me quite a lot in navigating within the organization." Dylan said earnestly.
Surprised, Isabelle gulped down the piece of bread and she stammered, "U-Uhm, It's also because you're willing.
"If you're not and are like... those club members I've met who are always arguing. It would've taken longer than months! R-Really..."
Dylan's expression was vacant. "No, it was mostly because of you."
Isabelle stood while casting her gaze down at the soiled road. She had the crusted appledom in hand but stopped eating.
"Y-You're welcome?" she finally replied.
For once, Dylan grinned. To him, it seems like this woman is slowly getting a foothold of herself.
"Haaah..." he suddenly sighed heavily. Producing a warm fog amid the cold, blanketing dusk and night.
Then, he turned to her. "As promised. Tell me more about this White Maiden."