Bear School Astartes

”So I somewhat understand your situation now.”

Lann said to Phidias, putting him slightly at ease.

The sculpting master had confided his feelings to many people, hoping that by talking, he could alleviate his inner tension and fear.

But after he had poured out his heart to the comedic master Aristophanes, his friend and Governor Pericles, Alcibiades, and a series of other wise and powerful friends, he found that no one could understand him.

These people were also public figures, they had also experienced the frenzy of being followed, so they did not find anything special or worth noting about Phidias’s situation this time.

At most, they would offer a few perfunctory words of comfort.

This ’lack of understanding’ and ’neglect’ from his friends only intensified the mental pressure on Phidias.

In fact, this was also a part of the mental torment tactics.

”I’ll be by your side for a while, and if you spot those things deliberately shown in front of you again, just let me know.”

After explaining his action plan for the next few days to Phidias, Lann turned around and was about to jump off the second floor of the workshop.

This action frightened Phidias, who had just gained a sense of security from him.

”Where are you going? Don’t leave me!”

Lann placed his hand on the second-floor rail, glanced back with a helpless look.

”I need to pick up a kid. They seem to want to scare you into madness and make you commit suicide, not intending to kill you outright, so you don’t have to be so scared. And remember to prepare enough food and accommodation for two people.”

”...What?”

Phidias listened very attentively to the first part, but the latter part left him a bit puzzled.

Before jumping down, Lann explained.

”I’m a bodyguard, boss! Close protection, room and board should be included, right?”

-----------------

”So...”

Phoebe, panting and disheveled, followed Lann, asking as she walked.

”We’re going to live with a big sculptor now? Not bad, a great artist’s house should be better than a hotel.”

As night fell, the streets of Athens began to light up with a few sporadic torches.

Thanks to the bright Mediterranean starry sky and moonlight, the visibility was not yet too low.

In the mansions on either side of the street, the sounds of reckless cheers and drinking began to rise.

After having contact with Alcibiades, Lann couldn’t imagine just how wild and unruly the so-called ’debauched’ parties of ancient Greece could be.

These ancients really indulged in some wild games.

Phidias, with his current tortured mental state, his home shouldn’t be this chaotic...right?

Lann thought while stroking his chin, but ultimately turned his head and gave a serious command to the somewhat expectant Phoebe.

”For the next few days, living and eating with the artist, don’t look at what shouldn’t be seen, and don’t learn what shouldn’t be learned. Do you understand?”

The young girl mended the tears in her clothes while giving the Demon Hunter ahead a disdainful glance.

”What’s there not to see? No matter how poor and shabby Cephalonia is, it has everything it should. What haven’t I seen? Even someone like Marcos can mess around!”

Lann’s throat caught, while Mentos expressed a string of ellipsis in his mind.

Alright, now I’m the one who’s naïve.

Good job, you Ancient Greeks!

However, upon arriving at Phidias’s workshop, Lann finally breathed a slight sigh of relief.

It seemed survival and safety were still the primary needs of life, even to the Ancient Greeks.

Phidias was not married, so he simply lived and ate in his workshop.

By the time Lann and Phoebe arrived, he had already prepared dinner.

It was prepared at his apprentice’s house because he was so scared and worried that he didn’t dare to eat his own slaves’ food anymore.

”Is she your slave?”

Phidias looked at the disheveled girl, who seemed like she’d been beaten, and asked Lann.

”No.” Lann thought for a moment and replied, ”I’m teaching her some skills, so she’s also kind of my apprentice.”

”You have a woman as an apprentice? That’s really strange.”

Phidias commented but said no more.

Women in Athens had no rights or influence; they weren’t even allowed out without a male family member accompanying them.

This rather oppressive lifestyle might be one reason behind the frequent rumors of their romantic escapades.

Because of this, Phoebe didn’t have much affection for this great artist and didn’t look at Phidias squarely during dinner.

After eating, Phidias returned to his resting place in the workshop, the mental torment and illness made him feel depressed and tired.

But he still followed Lann’s request, preparing two beds for them in the workshop.

”How was your harvest today?”

After Phidias left, Lann casually asked Phoebe about her practice results while eating.

Phidias’s income seemed indeed impressive; his dinner included the expensive seafood Phoebe had complained about in the inn, like sea bass and conger eel.

The young girl, struggling to tear apart a piece of barley bread to soak in the fish soup, subconsciously rubbed her arm.

”I got caught; a fierce-looking guy dragged me down from the roof. I wanted to spar with him, but it seemed I couldn’t hurt him at all...”

”What kind of roof was it?”

”Tiled roof, the loudest kind. I wasn’t discovered on the other clay and wood roofs!”

”Not bad, seems like you really have a knack for practicing these skills.”

Lann’s recognition made Phoebe’s bruised expression less grimacing.

”Next time you face an opponent whose fists don’t hurt them no matter how you hit,” Lann gestured towards Phoebe’s legs with the barley bread in his hand, casually.

”Jump up and hit. You’re young, and a girl, your muscle power is still quite weak. The Light Body Skill I’ve given you only makes you lighter, allowing you to jump high, not increasing your strength.”

”When facing a heavy opponent, jump up, and put your weight into the attack as well. Use your agility; during the airtime, you won’t easily be caught off guard. Of course, it’s best to end the fight in that airborne attack for stability.”

”Are you saying...” Phoebe tried to comprehend Lann’s idea, but the soaked bread at her mouth stayed uneaten. ”Jump down from above to hit an enemy and knock them out with one blow?”

”Remember not to hit the head.” Lann spread his hands, ”I’m teaching you to practice fighting and stealth, not to kill people.”

Learning a new move made Phoebe’s eyes shine, and she nodded vigorously.

The pain on her body was forgotten into the distant sky, leaving only anticipation for tomorrow.