While using Twilight, Vidar makes me wear special vambraces with lead weights and annoying from-knee-to-ankle greaves with bars of lead attached.
I will admit this gave results. I was fast before, faster than anyone can be. But now the double-bded polearm is a feather, and when there is no one around I ssh through the Void itself.
I really wanna scratch my eyebrow.
''Define what is a crystalborn made by a Bck Breaker,'' Vidar says.
Everyone knows this, of course. But he is asking for a formal definition—stuff a student of year seven would say. ''A crystalborn made by a Bck Breaker is the extension of that Breaker's mind and continuation of their muscle.''
Vidar smiles, stretches his arms like he just got out of bed. ''According to Plotinus what are the greatest values an individual should always strive to give to the state.''
''Loyalty, virtue, and honor,'' I answer.
My arms are in front, holding Twilight parallel to the ground as he resumes questioning me, probing, searching for gaps in my knowledge. This continues for almost an hour...did I mention the vambraces?
''Strength through pain, Red,'' Vidar says.
''Yes, Grandmaster.''
''Now, Red, why do you think I'm putting you through this...again?'' He points at the weights on my wrists and legs.
Because you want to see me suffer. ''No, Grandmaster.''
He walks around the gymnasium jovialy. ''Because speed beats brawn. Like luck beats skill. And the longer the fight continues brawn beats it all.''
Almost all irrelevant advice in my case.
He scratches his beard. ''You are unusually strong for a woman. And tall. You have reach and speed but so, oh so little patience. Tiny bit. Tiny.''
Did he just compliment me?
''And your temper is...Well...'' He crosses his arms and dramatically exhales.
My arms still in front. ''I'm sure to remember that when a Wraith challenges me to a bde fight.''
He stops moving. Shit. I almost chuckle. The annoying look on his face. I think I've just confirmed his words. ''Wraith spawn can be a devious thing. Suppose one of them attacked your camp. You are on the ground with your squad. Suppose one of the beasts ended up on top of Hebe, about to rip her throat out.''
I raise my polearm a little, instinctively.
''There we go. Anger. Anger is good. If you can control it.''
''I have control.''
He ignores me. ''Even a Wraith's youngling, though far smaller than its parent, is still stronger than a man. But they are often not much fast.''
''I could probably kill it with my bare hands,'' I say honestly.
He thinks it's a jest. ''Yes, you'd probably strangle it with your hair.'' He looks at my thick braid. I'd point out that the Chairwoman also wears a simir style, but then I think better of it.
He sighs deeply. ''You have grown, but the mind often takes much, much longer than the body to grow fully. In bde, I have taught you everything I know. You are clever but not wise. Strong but not patient. Fast yet irascible.''
I give him a tiny smile.
''And yet I would mind not having you by my side in the Wastes.''
I nod.
''We are done.'' He gestures for me to lower my arms.
My exhale is genuine joyful relief.
He looks at me as one might a child. ''Four to five times a week repeat the regiment I showed you.''
''Yes, Grandmaster.''
We talk about the Wastes and he touches a bit upon his expeditions there. He seems to have sloughed off his sardonic yer. He never mentions how he got those scars on his left hand. And I don't press.
He smiles almost warmly. ''Goodbye, Red.'' He csps my forearm.
Vidar moves to leave, his back already a distance.
''Thank you, Grandmaster.''
He pauses his confident stride. Does not turn back. Hesitates. ''Your mother is a formidable woman. Terrifying woman. After your flogging she tried to take legal action against the Chairwoman. Even threatened Amina in her own office. Later, Amina said to me, when mentioning you, Now we know who she takes it from.'' He continues walking. ''I did not tell you any of this. Ta-ra!''
He leaves the gymnasium.
