Heaven's Greatest Professor

Warden felt a headache coming on as he surveyed the multitude of tasks piled up in his new workshop. It wasn't just work from the artificer department; an envoy from Dragonforge had arrived to deliver his second round of orders, along with his wages from the previous batch of work.

Rubbing his forehead in mild irritation, he acknowledged that a single night's sleep hadn't been sufficient to shake off the exhaustion coursing through him.

"How many tasks are there?" Warden inquired of Jenni.

"I can't speak for your own endeavours, but there are about two hundred from the department," replied his new assistant sweetly. "Only 62 of them require Tier-5 shells."

Fortunately, the commissions from Dragonforge were limited to a couple of dozen, though they still added to his workload. Additionally, he had committed to completing artifacts for several other individuals.

"This is what they call taking a flying arrow in your buttocks," Jenni remarked.

Warden raised an eyebrow. "You mean shooting yourself in the foot?"

"No, this will cause pain to your ass," she chuckled.

Warden had expected Jenni to grumble after being forced to assist by Elder Ming, but she seemed to be taking it well, maintaining her usual demeanour—perhaps finding amusement in his misfortune.

"This is like months of work," he sighed. "I don't know if I can complete it all before my period of service ends."

"You only have yourself to blame," Jenni pointed out.

"Well, the good thing is I don't have to complete them all."

"But think about all the contribution points you can amass if you manage to complete them all." She checked a few papers and added, "It's close to half a million contribution points in total."

Warden took in a deep breath. He already had some items in mind to purchase from the emporium. Before joining the Artificer department, he hadn't thought it possible to buy even one of them with the condemned debuff. Now, perhaps he could bag more than a few of them.

Hell, even with the Ability Gem, Agnes had given him as advanced payment could buy him something precious. It might not be enough for the Racial power awakening elixir, but with some contribution points along with it, who could say...

"I didn't think you cared much about it," Jenni remarked, narrowing her eyes.

"Only those with wealth do not care about it," Warden explained, blowing air from his mouth. "While I only have debts in my name."

"Well, you do act like you're loaded as heck," Jenni observed.

"I borrow all that from my future self," he chuckled. "Anyway, I cannot work freely in a closed chamber like this. Have someone deliver them to the little garden of the 3rd infantry."

With that, Warden selected a few tools that he could finish carving by tonight and prepared to leave.

"You're not going to work me to the bone like before?" Jenni remarked.

Warden turned to meet her gaze. "The previous project required urgent attention, which is why I required everyone to work overtime," he explained. "As for these... well, there's no immediate urgency. Unless your father insists on a tight schedule, I see no reason to pressure you into overwork."

Jenni visibly relaxed at his words.

"But that doesn't mean you should leave everything to me. Work at your own pace," Warden continued.

Jenni narrowed her eyes, studying his expression.

"What?" he inquired.

"Nothing," she replied. "I thought my father ordered me to work under you as a punishment. I was certain you'd push me to the brink of giving up on life."

"He did ask me to keep an eye on you," Warden admitted, causing her to groan. "Well, not in those exact words... but he did request that I ensure you stay on track, like an obedient little soldier."

Jenni snorted, as if the idea were laughable. "But you don't intend to?"

Warden shook his head. "You're doing fine as you are," he said. For a moment, he thought he saw the girl's cheeks flush, but then she glared up at him. "Well, except for perhaps needing to build up your stamina and avoiding fixating on one thing."

"I do not lack stamina," she protested loudly, "you're the one who's abnormal."

"Perhaps, but that should only motivate you to work harder instead of making excuses."

Her glare remained intense. "I think you'd make a far worse father than my own."

Warden clicked his tongue and turned to leave. "Make sure to deliver the items."

"Hey, wait, where's my prize from the competition... I want a dozen of those desserts today..." Jenni called after him.

"Eating too many of those desserts will make you gain weight; even the groom your father intends for you wouldn't approve," Warden retorted.

"That's not a problem at all," Jenni shot back. "Just give me my prize. How about six, no four of them?"

"How about you just do your job?"

"Promise me one every day, and I'll be the best assistant you never deserved."

"Even a cripple who's missing a leg and a terrible crackhead can do what I ask of you."

"But I won it. You promised."

Warden paid no mind to her argument and left.

***

By the afternoon, Warden had completed one task when Agnes approached him for a light sparring session. Unfortunately, it seemed the boss of the 16th infantry had her mind elsewhere, as she was unable to fully concentrate on the spar.

"You're being sloppy today," Warden remarked, landing another strike to her ribs.

Agnes gathered herself, the darkness enveloping her figure as she raised her sword, ready for another round.

Warden shook his head, sheathing his sword into the void space. "What's bothering you?" he inquired.

"Nothing," she replied, her tone carrying a subtle hardness.

"That doesn't sound like nothing," Warden remarked.

She gazed up at him for a prolonged moment. "Have you finished the design for my armor?"

"I completed it last night."

"Good," she sighed in relief. "I thought you'd keep me waiting for weeks. Give it to me; I'll return in a couple of days with the product for you to carve."

Warden frowned, still not producing the design. "Why are you in such a hurry?" he asked. "Is the expedition ready? They haven't even announced recruitment from the common soldiers."

"Didn't you see the notice they posted?" Now it was her turn to frown. "The try-outs for recruitment start tomorrow."

"Did they really?" Warden admitted to not paying much attention to the notice board. He had assumed the announcement would reach him eventually, but it seemed not, likely because he had been indoors for the past couple of days.

"They are set to leave at the end of the week," she explained. "Many young lords and ladies from noble houses have already joined and will participate in the recruitment."

"Hmm, do I need to prepare anything for it?" Warden inquired.

"You should be fine unless you provoke some petty young lord or lady."

Warden nodded. "You still haven't told me what's bothering you. Is it about the expedition?"

Agnes stared at him for several seconds and then nodded.

"And you can't tell me about it?"

She remained silent, neither shaking nor nodding her head.

"Nor can you ask for help?" Warden sighed. "I mean, I'll join whether you like it or not... If I see you in some trouble, I'd probably come to help you, whether you like it or not."

Agnes met his gaze, then glared at him. "Why are you so stubborn?" she sighed. "Fine, let's sit down... I'll tell you what I can... and no, you cannot ask any questions."

"Madame Captain, you're acting a little entitled now," Warden said with a smile.

"It's you who asked for it."

"But you can act a little grateful, you know," Warden said. "After all, I might be giving up my single chance of becoming a dictator in this."

"Don't worry, you'll make a terribly dictator," she said and invited him to sit down.

They sat in the corner of his open workshop, but Agnes didn't immediately delve into what was bothering her. Instead, she drew upon her power, creating a dark force field that enveloped them in a cocoon of a silent room. Warden noticed the barrier only kept prying eyes and ears at bay, ensuring their conversation remained private. But to take such purview for just for a conversation...

"I don't want to take chances, as this could very well cost us our lives," she began. "But before I explain, I have a question for you."

"Ask away."

"Imagine you have the opportunity to acquire a powerful weapon that could change your entire life, something far more potent than your broken sword," she suggested.

"I didn't discern a question in your statement."

Agnes remained undeterred. "Can you give that up for a friend?"

"Um, sure," Warden responded. "While you haven't provided the full context, as long as the other person is a good friend who would reciprocate when I ask, I don't have any problem sacrificing something for them."

Agnes stared at him for several seconds, speechless. "You're speaking the truth."

"I usually do."

"Gods!" She stood up, letting out a scream.

Evidently, she hadn't expected it to be this straightforward.

"Okay," she said after calming down. "Here's what you can do for me: choose a different team than mine, perhaps one of those noble teams... and during the expedition, act as if you barely know me."

"So, I'd be working undercover?" Warden's eyes gleamed with interest.

Agnes ignored his sudden eagerness and continued, "Whatever you do, don't drop any hints that you're working with me or anyone else. I'm going to attempt something very dangerous there."