Elsprinc 14th, 799 – Afternoon

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You burn the wick with the candle on the wall, then immediately place it on the fireplace. You quickly close the fireplace with the iron door and lock it. You back away, and stand beside Master Rashir, waiting with a racing heart.

An explosion sounds from inside the fireplace, followed by a long hiss. The sound isn't too loud, but it's enough to surprise you. Instantly you're reminded of the gunshot Jenn made yesterday with her gun.

You turn to Master Rashir. “What thing did you just make? What happened in there?”

"Just a little experiment." Master Rashir laughs. "Don’t worry."

At times like this, when Master Rashir is having fun with his experiments, you really like him, because the man can turn out to be like a naughty child as well as a friend, not like a fierce teacher like when he taught you math, economics, history, and other sciences.

"May I open the fireplace door?" you ask.

"Don’t! The smoke could fill the entire room. It smells bad, and we're all going to get in trouble."

"Isn't that normal, like if we burn wood?"

“This is different. The smoke can be much thicker and spread everywhere,” said Master Rashir. "Come on, we'd better see it from the outside."

The man walks briskly down the dark corridor, then up to the ground floor. You follow him on until you come out of the building. In the courtyard, you look towards the end of the chimney at the top of the building. The guards and other nearby people also notice.

Thick white smoke comes out of the chimney, then soars endlessly. As Master Harazi said, the smoke is thick, much like smoke rising from a burning house. After a long time, the white smoke stops coming out.

"Now people will think you just set fire to the laboratory, Master."

Master Rashir smirks. "That’s okay. Everyone needs excitement sometimes. Take it easy. Soon the smoke will be gone. Come on, let's go back in."

You and Master Rashir are back inside the building. Amelia who sees the two of you walking in a hurry looks suspicious.

"What are you doing?" the girl asks. “Master Rashir, I see your food is still in your room. Why haven't you eaten yet?"

"Later." Master Rashir waves his hand and continues walking down the stairs, while you just smile broadly at Amelia.

Master Rashir sits down again in front of his table and says to himself, “Alright, so far my experiment has been successful. All the measurements are right. Next, I might be able to make a bigger one.”

"A bigger one?" You sit in front of him. "Can you explain, what exactly do you want to do with all this?"

“Smokebox, of course. You can see, can't you?"

You nod, trying to understand it. "What for?"

“That can be very useful on the battlefield, you know.”

"Yes, I know. Since ancient times smoke has been used on the battlefield. Usually by using fiery arrows. The fire is to burn forests, houses, and forts, while the smoke is to make the enemy unable to see. But if we can use arrows, why make something like this?”

“Because often we don't need the fire, we just need the smoke. Besides, not everyone is proficient enough with the bow, right?”

“Do you think one day the sword or bow will not be used again? And will be replaced by other types of weapons?”

Master Rashir stares at you for a while, before replying, “Maybe. Or it will still be used, but modified into a more effective and efficient weapon. The bow and arrow is an example. In the past, they’re simple, and their range and destructive power were limited. Then people made bigger bows with stronger and longer arrows. It becomes a ballista, which is now used to destroy gates. People also make crossbows, where they no longer need to use their own power to shoot and replace it with springs. Although the range is shorter, the accuracy and damage of crossbows can be better. And more importantly, people who don't have a strong hand and archery skills can use it."

“With weapons that are easier to use, the time needed to train troops can also be shorter. That's the point, isn't it?”

"Correct. Time, apart from destructive power, is the most important factor.”

“Is this what you’re doing, Master? Making weapons?”

"I'm just experimenting. You know it's my hobby."

"I think it's more than that. You were actually ordered by my father, weren't you?”

Master Rashir looks back at you intently, then nods. “He talked to me about this. About what might happen in the future, and that we should be prepared for it."

“What weapons are you preparing? May I know?"

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"Of course you can. You are the one who will replace your father. But I can't say anything yet. I still have to think about everything.”

“I was actually thinking about something too,” you say, thinking about the firearm hidden under your shirt. You actually intended to show it to Master Harazi. That's why you brought that gun. But then you realize, as Jenn said, you shouldn't show this stuff to anyone rashly. "But I can't tell you either. I still have to discuss it with my father.”

“You thought of something? That's good. Then we can confront our ideas later after you talk to your father. Not only ideas but also arguments. We'll see which of the two of us has the best ideas, and also the most useful. Agree?"

"That will only happen if my father agrees with me.”

"Then you have to convince him before you convince me."

You and Master Rashir talk about other things after that. As per schedule, you continue to learn about economics, administration, and how to read financial reports. Master Rashir gives you piles of books that you must read. Some of them are financial statements and records of transactions in Ellandhar several years ago, which were actually confidential but are given by your father to Master Rashir so you can study them. Learning about this isn't easy for you, but you know it's something you have to master before you learn more complicated things like politics, strategy, or something else.

After two hours your study time is over. Master Rashir goes to the meeting room to meet the other teachers, while you immediately walk out of the building. Originally you wanted to talk to Amelia again, but it seems that the girl is invited by Master Rashir to join the meeting. So you decide to just go back to your castle because you remember, there is one other thing you might need to do too.

While walking from the library building you pass the clinic and look inside. Master Harazi is examining someone, and there are also his other assistants and several other patients. But you don't find the person you are looking for, so you continue on your way.

Once you get to Valerin Castle you walk straight into the living room, and that's where you finally see her. Arini Raidan is walking down the stairs carrying her bag. Looks like she's about to go home, or go to the clinic.

"Arini, I am looking for you," you approach her.

The girl looks at you questioningly. “What is it, Young Master?”

“I… I don't know how to say this. But can you check me out?”

"Are you sick?" Arini asks worriedly.

"Hmm, no. But I feel something strange in my chest.”

"Your chest?" Arini's face paled.

"Relax, it's not like Sir Ezron. Don't worry," you answer quickly. "I don't feel sick."

“Mmm… you should take your clothes off, so I can check,” Arini looks hesitant.

“Yes, but not here. Can you see it in my room? Do you mind?”

"Of course not, Young Master."

You walk ahead of her. Arini follows you. In the corridor, you see no one. Maybe Lily is resting in her room. You open your bedroom door. Arini looks a little nervous, but she walks in. You close your door again.

"Sorry, do I make you uncomfortable?" you ask.

“Oh no, Young Master. I am alright."

You walk over to the small table beside your bed and open the drawer. You put the gun that you had hidden under your shirt back into the drawer. Your movements are fast, so you're sure Arini can't see what you put in. After that, you approach her again.

"Have you eaten?" you ask as you unbutton your coat.

“Yes, Young Master. Thank you for allowing me to rest and eat here.”

“I like that you are here. I've always liked."

You take off your coat and place it on the round table in the middle of the room. Then you start to unbutton your shirt. One by one the buttons are undone until your chest is open.

Arini looks down for a moment, looking a little embarrassed. But then she lifts her face again and seems to be in control of herself.

You point to the small bulge above your chest. "You see this?"

Arini's face immediately turns serious and stares intently at your chest. The shy face that has appeared earlier disappears completely.

“May I touch it, Young Master?”

"Of course."

Arini touches the bulge, then rubs it and taps it gently.

"Does it hurt?" the girl asks.

"No."

“It's hard and doesn't look like meat. More like bones. And a little sharp."

"Yes." You try to smile, even though you’re worried. "Strange, right?"

"Since when did this bulge exist?"

"This morning. I noticed it while shaving."

"What happened? Maybe something happened to you before? Maybe you fell?”

"Hmm… yes, I did slip in the bathtub, but I don't think that has anything to do with this."

Arini rubs the bulge again attentively. The girl looks at it at a very close distance as if studying the texture or shape of the bulge. Her gentle caressing and also closeness of her body to you make another effect on your body. You feel your little brother harden. You shift backward so that it wouldn't poke her stomach.

"So what do you think this is?" you ask.

"I don't know yet," Arini answered. “Sometimes this kind of thing happens to someone, but nothing like this, as far as I know. Hopefully, this isn't dangerous. I'll ask Master Harazi. He definitely knows what to do.”

"If I may ask you, Arini, I don't want others to know. For now. Can you keep it a secret?”

Arini looks at you for a moment, then nods. “Of course, Young Master. Then I will try to study the existing records. I'm sure I'll find something, and then we can take appropriate action on this matter."

"What should we do?"

“If this bulge bothers you later, we'd better get rid of it. If that's the case, we should tell Master Harazi and your father, at least. So there won't be any problems."

"I guess so," you retort, between annoyed and worried.

“In the meantime, allow me to come to check on you every day, Young Master. So that I can know how things are going. And if you feel sick, please tell me immediately.”

"How about you just stay here?" you offer. " I guess it would be better, wouldn't it? I can get you sooner when I need you. If my father, Master Harlin or anyone else wonders why you're staying here, I'll explain to them."

"Oh, don't. I don't want to trouble you. I'll come as soon as you need me. You don't have to worry, Young Master."

"Well, I need you to stay here. But okay, I don't want to force you."

The girl bows respectfully. "Thank you for your understanding."

“Are you going to the clinic now? Or do you want to go straight home?”

“Master Harazi gave me permission to rest today, so I'm going home.”

"Then may I take you home?"

“Oh, there's no need, Young Master. I do not want to burden you."

"You don't burden me."

“Please, Young Master. Thanks for your offer, but I can go home myself.”

You look at the girl. Arini seems to insist on wanting to go home alone, not wanting to be escorted by you, for whatever reason.