Heaven's Greatest Professor

They took the long route on the way back to the main camp after Captain Agnes captured all the evidence required to finish this mission.

Without using the direct Warped Waygate, they used to get into the second fold. It would take them at least five days to reach another one. Thankfully, demonic beasts didn't run foul on that one. An established base was formed on the way gate there. With that, they would neither have to worry about the demonic creatures, nor the forsaken that littered the catacomb.

Currently, they were sitting around the bonfire, doing their usual things. The siblings sticking together indecently like always, Kevin on the watch, the captain resting in meditation, and Caleb trying to play the flute. As for Warden himself, he was, of course, roasting their meal.

"I think this is broken," Caleb said, after many failed attempts to create any rhythm with the flute.

"Are you sure it is the flute that has a problem, not you?" Warden couldn't help but said.

"See for yourself," He snorted, turning to Warden. He handed the metal flute to him. "Like my weapon, this one is a scripted item as well, though it can only be used for entertainment."

Warden checked the item, quickly studying it with his nascent awareness, which made his job a lot easier for him to check.

"Can you fix this?"

"Easily," Warden said after checking once. The flute was a simple tool. As Caleb mentioned, it was only for the purpose of music, although it uses both spiritual energy and air, creating another layer of difficulty for the musician to play it.

There were only a few dozen or so Tier-2 runes in place, with the connection between them lost. Warden grabbed this thinnest carving stylus from his subspace and fix it in a matter of minutes.

"Done," Warden said, returned the flute to its rightful owner. "Now you cannot blame the tool for your poor skills."

Caleb snorted and began playing. After a few seconds, he didn't really sound bad. There were runes in the flute which could boost the sound it releases, but Caleb didn't use them. He played a sad tune in solitude as their meal almost finished.

The captain perked up at hearing the flute. She sat across from Warden and listened to the tune silently.

"You're not half bad," Warden complimented after Caleb finished. "What, are you flustered now?"

"It has been many years since I played," he said. "I didn't think I remember how to play, but it came back to me the more I got deeper into it."

"Well, how about you teach me how to play the flute as payment for repairing it?" Warden said, but then a frown curled up on his brows. It felt like he knew how to play the flute…

"You sure? It's a very different skill set compared to swinging a spear," Caleb said, much of his chagrin returning.

"Give it to me," Warden said. Gaining the flute, he didn't ask for any advice. Instead, he closed his eyes, holding the flute in his lips. He traced back the feeling that returned when began to blow air into the flute. However, this instrument didn't just run on air. He supplied energy too, augmenting the richness of the tune coming out of the flute.

"The lad can play, huh," Caleb muttered, but Warden didn't hear him. He had his entire attention focused on the flute and the tune returning to its rightful place.

The tune he played wasn't like the slow and sensual feeling of solitude like Caleb's was. No, Warden's flute had more high and low notes, it was a fierce display of skills and the complicities of the rhythm. There was a story about the song, but he was afraid. He hadn't managed to grasp the essence of it.

Moreover, the rhythm wasn't actually an original for flute. It was meant to play on a grand piano and a skilful orchestra supplying a chorus with various instruments.

A hot bead of tears dripped down from his eyes as he finished playing. He played for about eight whole minutes to finally set aside the feeling that gnawed at his heart. His cheeks had grown a bit reddish, and it was not just simply blowing air.

[1.3 Mind.]

Warden wiped away the tears, setting aside the flute. He showed no form of embarrassment as they stared at him in stunned silence.

"Well, didn't hear this one before," Caleb said. "Is it something new?"

Warden shook his head. "This is a rhythm of another time, of another place."

"What is it called?" the captain asked.

"The song of suffering," Warden said with a smile. "I think I barely stretched the essence of the creator's emotion through this."

"That is a great song," Milia said, snuggling closer to her brother. She addressed him coltishly, "Brother, can you learn to play music like that, and play for Little Milia?"

"Anything for you, sweet pie, anything," Milton said without even a waver in his words. "I'll learn immediately and dedicate my songs to you only."

Like Warden, everyone else had grown accommodated to their behaviour long along and knew to ignore it.

"Well, well, well, colour me surprise," Caleb said with a humorous laugh. "So you are not only a Master Spearman, a master Runesmith, but you're a great songster as well. How can this Oldman compared to such talent in young blood, at least leave something for me to brag about?"

"Hey, don't forget my great sense of humour," Warden said with a grin. "And my cooking skill too."

"But the question is, how did you manage to learn all these at such an early age?"

Warden could just say his unparalleled talent arrogantly, much like their prideful captain, but that wasn't him.

"Perhaps I'm not as young as I look," he supplied.

"What is with you in keeping up the mystery?" Agnes snorted. "You know, you're being melodramatic, and not even in a good way?"

Warden could only smile at her.