Heaven's Greatest Professor

Chapter 187: Unprecedented

Elder Ming sat with a conflicted expression on his face, while the others moved up to erect the barrier. There were many soldiers guarding in the vicinity. Most of their job would end with the completion of the barrier, but they had an aura of excitement as they watched the runesmith working to make it happen.

It was weird that every one of the soldiers could manipulate energy, and possess supernatural powers of their own, yet they gaped at the glittering runes in the stele as if they were witnessing something magical for the first time. Well, wasn't it for this very reason that he put down his sword and picked up a rune stylus?

Elder Ming stirred in his spot, his old bones weighing more than usual. His eyes were on his daughter—although she complained a lot, she did as Warden asked her to complete the project. The others supported her in the last few preparations to join the shell with the main framework.

"I told you we're late," a new voice said.

Elder Ming didn't have to turn to find it was Captain Jessica of the 3rd Infantry. He had been friends with the girl's father for a century. Jarek Forger was a brilliant man, one of the very few who came from a noble family. Unfortunately, just like him, Jarek had screwed up his relationship with his daughter.

Elder Ming couldn't help but wonder what they were doing wrong. True, in his case, his better half died in war, and he couldn't take care of Jenni as much as a mother could. But that wasn't the case with Jarek...

"The age is changing," he thought, "and I'm just as unprepared for it as I was when I was recruited to the army."

"Hey look, they are formulating the barrier," Sergeant Aerel said. "It looks brilliant."

"You can go experience that up close," Jessica said. "I'm famished. Let's see if they have any leftovers."

There was still meat roasting on the grill, so Jessica didn't have to look for leftovers. She helped herself with a plate, finally greeting him. "Elder Ming, I didn't think you'd find time to be here."

He sighed. "I shouldn't be," he said. "But I'm in a dilemma about getting Warden a pardon and wanted to talk to him about it."

"Ooh, he probably didn't like the sound of that."

"He did not," Elder Ming scratched his long grey beard. "These youngsters, they have no respect for their superiors."

On top of that, the guy got into trouble because he was disrespectful to a Judge.

Elder Ming frowned. He had completely forgotten how unprecedented it was to have a Master Runesmith at the Iron rank.

"Your expression tells me there aren't many," Jessica smirked with a winning smile.

"Not many, girl; I can't name anyone," Elder Ming said inwardly. Perhaps only the most talented youth from elven origin... or better yet, those mysterious Celestials—who gave away the knowledge of the runes to the world—are capable of such feats.

"While his skill at runes is undoubtedly impressive," she continued, unaware of his inner turmoil, "what impressed me more is how he handles people. Of course, I don't know everything, but completing such a massive project with only four adepts who were prone to grumbling—

"Hell, even I have to put my everything to bring out that commanding tone." Jessica pointed where Warden left the four adepts to do the honour of putting the final puzzle into the framework which would erect the barrier. "Look at now, he prepared food for them with his hand. How he's given them the honour, it might look something small to us...

to them, who worked tirelessly for a whole week, it's something huge."

Elder Ming stared at his daughter, who had a rare smile on her lips. The smile wasn't in mockery, contempt, or just out of sarcasm, but at her accomplishment... The smile only broadened while she played her final part.

The translucent barrier materialized in thin air as all of the people present cheered. Jenni laughed, wiping a hot bead of tears from her eyes.

"He's the type of person who'd make others follow him, even if he didn't do it consciously."

Elder Ming stood up, and so did Jessica, but only the girl moved towards the jeering crowd around the barrier.

"You should discuss what you can do with him," Jessica said. "I don't think he'll be unreasonable. Besides, I think you'd like to learn some of his insights into runes."

It took a moment for him to register what the forger girl told him, and he wondered whether he heard wrong. He had practised runes for over one hundred and forty years, and he'd like to learn some insights from youths not even a fifth of his age?

Youngsters these days, they don't know how to show respect to the elders, he repeated inwardly.

Yet Jessica gave a mysterious smile and walked away as if she knew a secret he didn't.