One-Eyed Monster

Teacher Hadi put on his reading glasses again: ”Look, see if this black bread is significantly different from other bread.”

Igor picked up the black bread as Teacher Hadi instructed and observed it carefully.

”It seems to weigh more.”

”That’s right, it’s compressed!”

”Compressed?” Igor was a bit unfamiliar with the term.

”Yes, this black bread is made by stacking and compressing many ordinary black breads. You just put this thing in your mouth to chew, but actually, if you tear off a bit and put it in a clay bowl with water, you’ll find it expands tremendously.” Teacher Hadi explained while gesturing.

This gesture seemed to remind Igor of something.

Unconsciously, Igor recalled his experiences on Guru Mountain.

It was because Teacher Hadi mentioned that soaking the black bread in water makes it expand, which made him think of it. During his time on Guru Mountain, Igor had encountered something similar, which also expanded greatly when soaked in water. It was the food called Thorny Roots that Stan Sol had brought out to save Hustace. Igor didn’t know if there was any connection between Thorny Roots and this black bread.

He could only continue to listen as Teacher Hadi continued.

”You should know that most dried foods swell after being soaked in water. So this black bread has also been dried.”

”Flour can be dried too?”

”There’s naturally some special substance involved. The Mantai People originally liked dried foods, and they have a special understanding of drying. In the desert, there are special substances used by them—the substance is a thing called Thorny Roots, said to be the roots of a plant, which can survive extremely well in the desert, expanding when encountering water, and contracting without it. These roots are the reason why the Mantai People can make this black bread.” Teacher Hadi explained casually, as this was no longer a secret. Since Adventurers with Class have infiltrated various empires, every empire’s secrets have become transparent. Nowadays, it’s hard for any empire to claim they have something hidden untouched. Due to the Adventurers with Class, the entire Yowein Continent is basically transparent now, except for the places they haven’t ventured into; the rest are already documented in books.

”Why are the Mantai People interested in plants? Aren’t they all meat-eaters?” Although Teacher Hadi’s explanation made Igor understand a bit, as he had seen Thorny Roots himself, deep down, he still couldn’t comprehend why a bunch of meat-loving brutes would discover this kind of black bread.

”It’s also the trend of history. After the Mantai Empire unified, nomadism became just a part of the empire. Although it occupies a major position within the entire empire, agriculture has also found its place. Integration is what achieved the empire; stubbornly sticking to one’s ways leads only to self-destruction. Mantai’s Emperor understood this point and thus was able to eliminate other nomadic tribes, bringing the entire West Territory under his control.” When it comes to history, Teacher Hadi always becomes eloquent.

”Uh...” Igor still didn’t quite understand this explanation.

”Slowly, you’ll come to understand. This history that unfolds always unconsciously informs people what to do in the future. It’s only by learning from the experiences of predecessors that one can avoid their mistakes in future paths.”

Igor felt Teacher Hadi’s teachings were profound, prompting him to consider delving into history as well. He regretted not reading enough books in the past, but now he’s not afraid because he has four Spirit Books, which can help him understand many things.

”Teacher, what’s the actual reason for showing me this black bread today? Surely it’s not just to talk about historical trends.” Igor asked immediately, knowing Teacher Hadi well enough to understand that he always has a purpose, regardless of any pranks.

”Haha, you’ve indeed grown, figuring out your teacher’s methods!” Teacher Hadi began to criticize Igor, which was something he intended to do previously, and now, having finished discussing the black bread, it seemed like a natural transition into a scolding mode.

”Teacher’s reprimand is right; I was a bit inflated previously.”

”Haha, you’re a sensible lad now. My reason for bringing out this bread is to warn you against arrogance and to keep yourself compacted.”

”Teacher’s teaching is truly vivid.” Igor felt Teacher Hadi was indeed very thoughtful.

”Perkins left this black bread for you to carry with you, to remind yourself to stay in that compressed state, no matter what you experience.”

”Yes, Teacher.”

”Additionally, remember, Igor, not everything stays the same. The Mantai People invented this black bread, and they once were merely a group of meat-eaters. Don’t let your tail reach the sky and look down on everyone—even the dumbest person might come up with an extraordinary solution.”

”Understood, Teacher.” Igor nodded continuously, realizing Teacher Hadi’s unique guiding method, starting with a prank, explaining through examples, and concluding with a scolding.

”I know you’ve discovered many extraordinary things, and as an adventurer, I’m itching too. But as Dean Hoffman says, we are ultimately old now.” Teacher Hadi sighed, beginning to lament.

”Don’t say that, Teacher...”

”You don’t need to pretend; being old is just being old. We had our youth too. Your discoveries now were what we constantly searched for before. But being old means no longer keeping pace with the rhythm. You young people have the energy to spot the intricacies within.”

”From what Teacher says, it sounds like you’ve encountered our current discoveries before.”

”Yes, Dean Hoffman has always felt we’re facing significant danger. It’s unexpected that he saw things beyond this world much earlier.” Teacher Hadi continued, his gaze inevitably drifting into the distance, seemingly watching Dean Hoffman’s unstoppable footsteps as he continued forward.

”Does Dean Hoffman have an understanding of the enemy?”

”He understands less than you do. You’re young, while he’s an elder now, left with only experiences accumulated in his younger days. As for new discoveries, it’s really difficult.” Teacher Hadi shook his head, clearly indicating their helplessness against aging.

Despite wanting to contribute more to the world, their age relegates them to being mere spectators.