Heaven's Greatest Professor

"Well, I was invited by Warden to be present during the installation of the barrier," he said. "I was just going on my own, but then decided it is better to go along with you since you have been a part of the project."

Jenni grumbled a little but did prepare to leave, draping on a more presentable shirt and pants. Her father looked hurt just seeing her wearing men's shirt and pants, but Jenni couldn't give a fuck about it.

They went out silently, but Jenni was sure the old man wouldn't let it remain for longer.

"So how do you find Master Runesmith Warden?" Elder Ming asked his daughter.

"He's a sadistic bastard," Jenni answered, unhinged. "Sometimes it is hard to believe him to be human, with how unrelenting he is. Hopefully, I won't ever have to work under him after this."

Her father smiled at that.

"I know that smile, old man. What you're not telling me?"

"Well, the fact is, Warden will be joining our department shortly. I even thought of putting him in charge of your group..."

"Motherfuck—"

"Hey, at least keep it down when we're in public."

"What? It's analogous to father," Jenni rasped.

Her father literally cringed. "Jenni," he said, a vein popping up on her temple. "What am I to do with you?"

"Obviously to get rid of me," she said, fighting to keep the venom from her tongue. "Or why else would you set my marriage to the first person who came to you asking about me?"

"Nae Herne is a good man."

"And he's also an old man, infamous for swooning over women who should be his daughter."

"The man didn't look a day older than thirty," Elder Ming said. "I have personally trained him when I was a captain... I promise he'll be good for you."

"You were a captain a hundred years ago," Jenni said, clenching her jaws. "Anyway, we're here. I hope you won't embarrass yourself and me in front of my friends."

With that, she ran towards where her colleagues were. She found Dawg eating a sausage, chatting along with Aki and Darren. Instantly, her stomach growled, remembering she hadn't eaten anything.

"Don't take my food," Dawg said immediately, noticing her salivating at his sausage.

Good, that sounded so wrong, and was she salivating?

"Master Warden is throwing a barbecue, so it's free food, go take whatever you like."

Jenni turned to where Dawg pointed and found a barbecue stand with a couple of figures working on it.

"The food is great," Aki added, munching on his roasted leg piece. "Top-quality cuisine."

"It will cost you contribution points to eat elsewhere," Darren nodded in approval.

Is it a trap? Her mind wondered, though she already took a step towards it. Why was he being generous after all the torment he put them through? Did he feel bad for them?

Jenni shook her head immediately. As if the merciless, vicious Master Warden would take pity for poor sods like them. There was probably some string attached.

But she was ravenous, and it didn't hurt to check it out.

With steady steps, Jenni approached the stand to find Master Warden in a cute apron, though he hardly looked cute at all with his hard figure. However, the woman who was helping him serve was just stunning. The captain of the 16th Infantry was the type of woman Jenni ever wanted to be—strong, direct, and respected.

"Ahh, Jenni," Master Warden said, noticing her approach. "I was just waiting for you. With you here, we can finally begin."

"Begin what?" Jenni decided she would spit in his face if he asked her to rune smith right now. Thankfully, even the hellish tormentor had a conscience.

"Of course, to erect the barrier," he laughed. "But before that, you should eat something. God, you look famished."

He began making a plate of serving for her, while the captain of the 16th infantry helped him. God, just by the delicious smell it was oozing out, made her stomach churn in hunger.

Finally, the captain handed her the plate. Jenni was dying to eat, but she commanded herself just in case.

"Just to be sure," she opened her mouth to say, "this is all free of cost, right? Like you won't ask me to do any more work after this?"

Warden looked like he was thinking hard about what he should make her do, while the woman chuckled.

"By the gods, Warden, what have you put them through for every one of them to ask this?" Agnes asked, though the question was rhetorical. She tapped Jenni on the shoulder. "Don't worry about it. He feels bad about overworking; take this as an apology."

Jenni frowned, exchanging looks between Warden, Agnes, and the plate of hot, delicious food in her arms. "Are you sure about that?" she asked. "He had the look that he's just going to ask something from me."

"You bet," Agnes said, before the vicious man could utter a word. "He was probably going to joke at your expense... But don't you worry, I'll run my blade through his gut if he tries it."

Master Warden muttered something under his breath, which she couldn't manage to catch, but he did relent in the presence of Agnes. Somewhat satisfied, Jenni put her undivided attention into the meal. She devoured it in seconds, with hot sauce running down her cheeks. By the gods, the sadist bastard can cook a meal.

"It is one of his redeeming qualities." Agnes chuckled and handed her a frozen dessert. "There are other flavours, but this Mint Choco-chip is by far the best."

Jenni didn't know if the dessert was made by the vicious master or not. But she devoured through the last bit of it.

"Ohh, this is... Heavenly," Jenni cried. The ice cream was just the icing after the cake, which in this case was the hot roasted barbecue. "I want another... Can I get another?"

Agnes handed her two different flavours while eating one of her own.

"This is so good," Jenni said. She might have eaten more delicious food than the barbecue, but no dessert could compare to these frozen desserts.

Everything was going well, and then her father came along.