Gin looked up and faced Spear who was on the left of Il San. The man had shock written all over his face as he looked from his Master then to Gin. Gin made an expression of puzzlement, not sure what was going on in the disobedient student's head. Spear reverted his shock to a smile and proceeded to clap his hands lightly. Right then, the screen Gin entered from ushered in servants in simple, blue, and yellow cotton robes. They were carrying various trays and pots. Some simmering hot, others not, but all with a swelling delicious aroma.

Pushing the first nonverbal interaction with Spear aside, Gin started another nonverbal topic by throwing a sideways glance at Spear. Spear caught it and asked 'What' with a blink of his eyes. Gin looked away and kept his thoughts to himself. Maybe he gave Spear too much credit or, given him too little as he may be a little better than his father. He had expected Spear to be even stingier with food. His father had made sure that they ate more of what they harvested from the farm than buying things outside. This would have been alright if their farm had extensive choices; it didn't. That meant that they were on a ‘tight budget’ through all the seasons of the world as they knew it. A fantastic way of living if it was for a better cause, but it was all a suitable illusion that his father made to save more money for the sake of wanting to be a shrew.

The three broke their fast in silence, and some juice was provided after the meal as they rested. Soon, Spear left to go on about his Housekeeper/Steward duties with a humbly exaggerated farewell to the Master, and a short nod and smile at Gin. Spear's departure left Gin with his half-finished orange juice, and Il San sitting with his eyes closed as if in meditation. Gulping down the juice, Gin settled his glass aside, thanked his Master for the meal, which was received with a hum, and settled for another moment of waiting on his seat.

Gin had to admit, the cutlery of Il San's Distant Jade was extremely exceptional. Even the glass he drank from was simply too exquisite. He made a note to ensure that he gave Spear another meaningful glance later. It seemed that all the stingy bone marrow in him was reserved for others and not his Master and guests. Well… he wasn't a guest anymore, but that was neither here nor there. Also, from the revenge story about the person who stole Il San's cup and made tremendous wealth… Gin gave the cup in front of Il San a meaningful glance of its own.

“Let's go for a walk now. It will help with your digestion and your familiarization with the estate,” Il San spoke as he stood up.

“Yes, Master.” Gin copied the Master and stood, then obediently followed him. They passed through the halls of the Distant Jade and eventually walked out of the courtyard, and veered to the south of the estate, into the vast gardens.

Upon arrival, Gin’s eyes held wonder as he looked at the scenery before him. The vastest land of green he had ever seen was his family's farm, and the gardens in his small town were all small and far in between. Gin paused involuntarily at the large and impressive collection of flowers he was seeing. He had only seen a portion of the garden previously, but now he was able to take it in in its full glory.

Even though he had hoped to have seen the gardens under better circumstances, as he feared he wouldn't have appreciated the setting, his worries were baseless since the gratification he felt was overwhelming.

"Young Gin, come along," Il San's voice interrupted Gin's stupor. Had Gin known the man long enough, he would have noticed the tone of the old man used was a little lighter, proud even.

"Ah, yes!" Gin quickly made his way to Il San's side and continued to walk with him. While his head swiveled right and left looking at the impressive scene, his thoughts had returned instantly to the main conundrum: How To Broach His Refusal, the Successful Edition. Though he had all the reasons to be straightforward about it, Il San’s presence was stifling, even when he walked!

However, when he thought about what was at stake...

With a cough, Il San regained Gin's wandering attention. "The history of the Divine Art is extensive—”

“Excuse me, Master,” Gin interrupted nervously. As he had stopped on his track, and not at Il San's side anymore, Il San had to turn to look behind. The Master was greeted with his deep bowing figure, and Gin knew he made such a sight.

A hint of annoyance was expressed on Il San’s face, and he didn’t hide it. He wanted to chastise Gin, but before he could, Gin spoke up first.

“I wish to rethink the matter of yesterday's discussion,” Gin began, still bowing as he made his request. He went on, interrupting the old man again before he could say anything. “I understand that this matter is of importance to you. I understand that my family owes you, what I assume, a great deal. But, that doesn’t give you the right to take one’s life so loosely, even though you may have a compelling reason to do so.”

As Gin was bowing, he couldn't see Il San's frown melt away to an expression close to pity. He didn’t say anything, but when Gin straightened and looked back at him, the expression was already lost. Besides the furrowing of his brow in what Gin couldn’t decipher to be annoyance or impatience, the old man showed little else. Not waiting for long, Gin went on.

“I would have appreciated being treated, if not fairly, with some semblance of respect to my opinions. At the very least, tell me what it is exactly that you need from me, and let's have a more civilized discussion on how to work it out for the both of us—”

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“That, young Gin, is where you are mistaken. No amount of talks or negotiations can make this situation any different, or better. I believe it will be worthwhile to contact your parents, but it will change nothing of what is happening, and what will happen.”

It was Gin’s turn to frown. “What I have said so far is not wrong, Master.”

“Yes, I believe you are right… For that I am sorry.” Il San bowed his head.

Gin was surprised. A tension held in his body, one that morphed into existence from Il San's words yesterday, began to dissipate. He had to reassure himself that this was indeed happening. This great man was apologizing to him.

“However,” Il San raised his head slightly after that one word. He looked at Gin with a sudden, but strong pressure curved in his eyes. Gin knew he wasn't mistaken that the same pressure was pouring out from the Master’s very being. Rooted in place, the tension that had been taking its time to leave Gin's body, was expelled completely, and swiftly, only to be replaced with fear. Unadulterated fear! “If you think that because we are having a civil discussion right now, means you can wiggle your way out of this, you are sorely mistaken. I have your word, young Gin, and I intend to see you keep it.”

Gulping a few times, Gin gritted his teeth, his lips trembling. Dug my own grave and laid in it, I did. Wiggling my way out is out of the question, is it... That's fine; next. Gin spoke up with a shaky voice, “I understand, M-master, but I have nary an idea what your revenge is about, and whether I have the slightest of chances at succeeding! Even with my word, we have to agree that drawing me into this isn't something that should be brushed off so easily!"

Exhaling and returning to his earlier state of calm, Il San responded, “Yes, but it isn't something that I had deliberated on lightly and done on a whim either, young Gin. It was improper how I got you into this, but I'll not be taking it back. This mistake is mine, and I'll bear that wrong with no qualms. About your other enquiries, all in due time. What I can guarantee is that I will make sure you are beyond ready. Your life will not be forfeited in this endeavor of mine, this too, I can assure you.”

“I understand, but! I wish to know who it is that has struck against you, Master. I believe I am allowed at least that much. No later than now. I don't see what difference it would make anyway.” Gin insisted

Sighing, Il San answered with a tired expression Gin had never thought he could make, "It makes a world's difference, young Gin. ...a world's difference."

With that weighty response, Gin turned his gaze downwards. He wanted to make sure of one point. A point he believed wouldn't be true since he just confirmed that he had signed up on something far bigger than: "Just to be sure, Master… This has nothing to do with someone stealing a cup of yours, running away with it, and making riches, does it…?"

The look of utter disgust Il San made was imprinted in Gin's heart.

"If you are done fooling around, we need to cover more important grounds for today." With that, Il San went on ahead of Gin. Having longer legs than Gin, and a head and a half taller, the young boy had to jog to catch up to the Master's side.

A conflicted smile was arched on Gin's face. He was worried that he may be entering the depths of the underworld because of this, but he felt oddly content since, at the end of it all, he wasn't running the show and probably wouldn't for a long time. That responsibility wasn't his, and just as how the situation was unexpected now, who's to say it wouldn't be different again soon enough? That time it could be in his favor. Also, knowing that the old man understood the magnitude of what he had brought on, and even apologized, though the apology was thrown asunder by the threat, it still made his contentment solidify. In fact, with one last push, he thought he would be able to fly. "Before that Master. No! I'm not going to ask for a reconsideration! Just… After I do this, can we consider the Ena family having made its due for your benevolence?"

It was crass, very crass, but for his sanity, Gin would do it ten times over. He had no idea why, even when he thought he would have gotten at least a death glare, he believed the Master wouldn't waste time on that.

True to his thoughts, Il San looked at Gin with a raised eyebrow, almost in mirth. "Because learning the Divine Art is that simple?"

"That, Master, is your investment. My service of avenging you is the main subject." Gin countered.

"Well… No, it will not."

Gin almost tripped himself to an early meeting with the ground. What the hell did this old fogey help you two with, mother, father! Gods damn it!

"Fine. If that's the case." Gin brushed it off, as he adjusted himself to be a step away from Il San.

"Good. Now, focus." Il San straightened his back, straighter than necessary as he began his long-awaited lecture. “The history of the Divine Art is extensive, but it can be summarised into three simple categories; just like human life, really. Its birth was wondrous and abundant. Its growth was prosperous and invigorating. It's decline… where we are now, is unstoppable and unbridled."

Il San paused and looked at Gin. He found the young one with a slight frown but attentive nonetheless. Sighing lightly, he went on.

"The Divine Art can only be gained through one method. That is through the gods' stone. Gods’ stones are rare now, extremely hard to get compared to times past, and this is the main reason as to why the Divine Art is very exclusive; to say the least.”

Gin’s interest peaked. The fact that the Divine Art needed a physical catalyst to be accessed, baffled him. Recalling his earlier questions of how the Divination of the Art occurred, he had remembered that Priests blessed those chosen with the Art via the power of the gods by a prayer. However, this had been ridiculed by annoying pompous arses, as Agi had called them, who had observed common folks as being too simple. They claimed that the Priests could have all but sent a glance, and their chosen ones would acquire the Divine Art. Just like that, as ridiculous as it had sounded.

The Priests were the most well known and respected individuals besides the King, but the one rumor of the power of their blessings molded their status to grow even higher throughout the years. The so-called 'chosen ones' were, of course, those of the Noble Ward. The term was misleading considering that the majority of the wealthy people there were not of Noble Origin but gained fame and power through their riches; inherited or otherwise. Noble titles could be bought, but how this was achieved was unknown. Only, there were a few incidents where a family would cause a ruckus when news of them being sworn as Earl or Baron was spread.