Heaven's Greatest Professor

After hunting a few more colossus lizards, Gale determined that any more raw essence would be detrimental to their foundation and ceased giving them the charged arrows. Dawn was understanding of his mindset, but Jenni booed a little. Still, she didn't waste a moment to sit down and begin working on incorporating the essence she had earned.

Gale could help with that, solving it in mere minutes, but he did not. There was no point in breaking the good habits she had built up over the years. It wasn't a foreign will of dark essence she was dealing with, after all.

Which reminded him of Agnes, as he quickly brought her out of his soul domain. It had been about an hour since he last talked to her. Agnes had been expecting to get out. Unfortunately, Gale had forgotten about her when the city turned into a dungeon unexpectedly.

After waiting for a while, she once again went back to her process.

"Where did she come from?" Jenni asked, sensing the new figure. Then, remembering, she snorted, "Right, it's a secret."

"What's going on out here?" Agnes asked, staring at the surroundings.

"The city has turned into a dungeon," Gale said. "Hopefully a temporary one."

Agnes's eyes widened. "Something like this shouldn't be possible unless," she hesitated, "there is a chain of high-grade dungeons surrounding the area."

"Well, it's the southern waste," Jenni said, breaking her concentration. "It's not like this is happening for the first time."

"It hadn't happened for a long time, though."

"Hmm," Gale considered it for a second. "Why don't you guys stay here for some time while I take a look at what the situation is?"

Dawn and Jenni looked uncomfortable with him leaving, but they understood it was important to comprehend the situation.

"Is that why you brought me out?" Agnes asked, amused. "To look after them while you're gone?"

Gale nodded, shooting a look at the other two. "If you don't like it, I can keep them safe in my domain, and you too."

"I'm fine either way," Agnes shrugged.

He brought out a small device from his domain and tossed it to her. "Trigger it if you find yourself in a pickle."

"Wouldn't have a need for it," she said, though she stored it.

"Watch yourselves, girls," he gave the other two one last look before shooting into the sky. "I'll be back in a couple of hours."

"So," Agnes said, turning to the other two. "What shall we do in the meantime?"

"I should prepare some food," Dawn said.

"And I should prepare myself to eat it," Jenni said brightly.

Agnes sat on a chair Gale had left behind. "I certainly was looking for some fight, but I guess I'll wait for the time being."

"So, Sis, where were you since the last time we saw you?" Jenni asked.

"I was... behind closed doors," she hesitated to say. "Training."

"Is it your teleportation power or his that let you here?" she asked.

"His."

"Wait, were you in the city when he teleported you just now?" Jenni frowned. "Because the dungeon's chaos wall would restrict any kind of teleportation to outside."

Agnes opened her mouth to say something and then pursed her lips. Jenni had already come to some conclusion, and she did not like lying to her.

"You guys are not going to tell me how this is possible, are you?" she shot glares between Dawn and Agnes.

"It is not our secret to speak of," Agnes told her. "But I do believe he'll let you know... He's prepared to if your safety's at stake."

Jenni's eyes beamed upon hearing that.

"Girl, I know that look," Agnes fixed her aura on her. "Do not try anything stupid."

"Of course, I'm not dumb," Jenni replied, smiling stupidly. "I wouldn't even dream of it."

"As long as you know."

"He hates irresponsible people the most," Dawn chimed in from her cooking.

"Wow, you guys have no faith in me at all," Jenni said ruefully.

"There is a reason for that," Agnes sighed. "You haven't been faithful in taking your safety into account, as far as I'm concerned."

"That was just one time," Jenni complained.

"Just make sure not to make a habit out of it," Agnes said.

"I'm not trying to," she muttered. "Maybe I should practise fighting as well..."

"That's a great idea," Agnes approved. "Even if it is not your calling, you should know how to defend yourself well."

"Of course, you'd approve of that." She turned to Dawn. "What do you say, Dawn, do you want to practise combat arts?"

"No," Dawn said, lifting her head from the vegetables she was preparing. "I'm good."

Jenni pouted. "I thought we were going to practise together, you know, being partners and all."

"Sorry, but I already learned how to defend myself."

"I can help you with training," Agnes said, her eyes glowing with a smile plastered on her lips.

"No thanks," Jenni said instantly. "No offence, but you are too hardcore for me."

"Then Gale is a no-go either," Agnes said.

"Obviously," Jenni cried. "I wouldn't want him to train me in anything if he's in the hell instructor mode."

All of them chuckled.

"You're more of a mage build," Dawn said. "You need to be trained by a mage."

"Right, but those are rare," Jenni said. "I cannot imagine any qualified mage taking a novice like me under their wings, unless..." She paused as both the women stared at her. "A certain high elf comes to my mind, who wouldn't mind though."

"Are you talking about June?" Agnes asked, narrowing her eyes.

"Who else?" Jenni said. "She's very elf-like though, high and difficult to approach. It would look pathetic, asking her to teach me."

"She's good-hearted," Dawn chimed in.

"Yeah," Agnes said. "I don't see anything wrong with you asking her. The worst she could do is reject you. Wait, that reminds me, she was learning runes from Gale, maybe you can help her with that."

Jenni beamed. "That's a good idea... even though she has him to teach her, I'm sure she's not the type of woman to rely on just one man. I'll be sure to ask her the next time I see—"

Her voice was cut short by a screech from overhead. A pack of flying creatures flew their way above them.

"Are those dragons?"