Interesting Warden Summoned

“You may be wondering why we’re outside the guild hall today.” Gunnar says to the class surrounding the small area of trees where I both camped and killed a rhino… Bad memories really. I shiver at the thoughts despite the summer heat. “Well we’re going to be observing what a practice hunt changed about the surrounding area.” The ogre explains.

I quietly sigh, I understand that Wardens make sure the damage to areas is repaired or prevented but could we not do this in spring or autumn when it is not blazing hot?

“Because there was a practice hunt held here recently.” The master replies as if reading my mind. I look at him in surprise. “You realize you asked that aloud, right?” He adds with a chuckle. I look down at the ground in embarrassment. I really did not realize it.

-- -- --

“Can any of you tell me what left these tracks?” Gunnar inquires to the class. They look like tortoise tracks, but deeper maybe?

“A tortoise.” A boy says.

“Almost.” The instructor replies pointing at the applicant. “It’s a steeltoise actually.” He adds bending down near the faded tracks. “They are much heavier than a normal tortoise so their tracks are deeper and often take longer to fade away.” He explains. “Thankfully it wasn’t a rocktoise.” The instructor continues looking back at the class. “Then we wouldn’t be able to see any tracks at all.” He finishes with a chuckle.

He clears his throat, sorry no one laughed instructor. It was pretty funny though.

“A steeltoise has affinity for metal, hence the name.”, Gunnar says pointing at the tracks. “Because of that you can see bits of rust or metal flakes where it has been.” He says rubbing a finger against the track. “These flakes usually float away quickly except from the tracks it leaves behind or when it scratches its shell against an object.” The master explains showing the metallic and rusted flakes on his finger. “Because of this, it is fortunately very easy to tell when a steeltoise has entered an environment it is not meant to be in.” He says standing back up.

-- -- --

I step into the temperate hallway thankful that the enchantments kept the buildings nice and cool. I rub my hands together thinking about what I will eat for lunch.

“Oh Yamakuma!” Gota’s voice says from behind me. Ever since our duel Gota and I have become closer, dare I say even friends. I turn around and wave to her. “What are you up to?” She asks me stepping to my side.

“Just gonna grab lunch.” I answer. “Wanna join me?” I ask.

“Oh!’ She responds sounding taken aback by the invitation. “If you don’t mind.” The teen says meekly.

-- -- --

I had no idea dwarfs could eat so much. Gota sits across from me with a tray full of two helpings of everything.

“Learn anything interesting in Summoning?” I inquire between bites of my kelpie mane salad. The teen chews her food for awhile before putting up a hand.

“I did.” She answers finally able to swallow the bite of food. Instead of explaining what she simply begins to eat again.

A sigh escapes my lips. This girl has no idea how to socialize.

“And what did you learn exactly?” I inquire further before taking a sip of water.

“Oh!” Gota exclaims in surprise. So she really was not aware. “I learned how to summon a fire hawk for a bit.” The Summoner answers.

“That’s really cool!” I exclaim dropping my fork onto my tray. “So what’s it do exactly?” I ask.

“It’s very good for scouting. Since it’s a bird and all.” She explains with an uncomfortable chuckle. Poor girl, she has probably never had a conversation with someone interested in what she is interested in.

“What exactly makes it different to use than another bird for summoning?” I inquire before taking another bite of food.

“Well being made of fire means that it is less likely to be harmed by creatures that see it.” Gota begins explaining. “Also being fire it actually has a ranged attack it can use.” She continues sounding excited now. “It’s not very powerful but it is very helpful to at least distract something.” The dwarf adds.

Ahhhhh, the passion of youth. Glad to see it.

“Why are you smiling like that?” Gota asks me.

“Oh, sorry.” I reply. I take a sip of water. “I’m just happy is all.” I add.

-- -- --

The small classroom has no windows. I hate it. I love to look out the window and see nature.

“As you all know.” Gunnar begins sitting on the instructor’s desk like the cool teacher from a nineties American sitcom. “As a Warden our role is to reduce or prevent damage to innocents and also the environment.” He says before standing up. I bet it is not very comfortable to sit on a desk after all. “But we are also the enforcers of the guild’s regulations.” He explains grabbing a piece of chalk.

I do not like where this is going.

“So today we will be learning about anti-magic.” The instructor says writing the word anti-magic on the board behind him in large letters. I raise my hand without thinking. “Oh!” Gunnar exclaims in surprise. “What is it Yamakuma?” He asks me.

“I had a bad experience with anti-magic when I first joined.” I explain.

“I see.” The ogre replies looking down at the floor for a moment thoughtfully. “What exactly happened?” He inquires. “That is, if you are comfortable talking about it.” The instructor adds.

I take a deep breath in and a deep breath out.

“It hurt. A lot.” I say bluntly.

“You’re the one that happened to!?” Gunnar exclaims his eyes going wide in surprise. “I’m so sorry Yamakuma.” He quickly says. “Even as a Warden we do not really use anti-magic.” He explains looking back at the board.

“Then why are we learning about it?” A girl behind me asks.

“Ahhhhh!”, Gunnar responds pointing towards the class. “Glad you asked.” He says with a smile. “You learn about it because it’s actually banned unless used as a punishment.” He explains. “There are much safer and less painful ways to counter act other’s spells.” The ogre says before he beings to write on the board once more.