Chapter 134: Chief of Mana Knights
Calien glanced at the fallen shapes of the humanoid twin-tentacle octopuses strewn across the darkened corridor, then looked back at Chief Varros with a gleam of unabashed eagerness in his eyes. "Chief," he began carefully, his voice tinged with respect but also a spark of boyish excitement, "can you show us again, sir? Another one of those techniques you just did?"
Before Varros could even draw breath to respond, one of the chief’s own attendants frowned slightly at Calien’s boldness and took a quick step forward. "Sir Calien," the attendant said gently but firmly, dipping his head toward him, "you must remember that Chief Varros is a busy man. You shouldn’t make such a casual request of someone at his level."
Calien’s brow furrowed and he opened his mouth to reply, only for Erik to lean in, voice measured as always. "My friend simply wanted to see more," Erik offered, glancing at the attendant. "There was no disrespect intended. Chief Varros is a chief of the Mana Knights, after all. I’m sure he understands we’re just eager to learn."
The second attendant gave a deep bow toward Varros, hands clasped. "Of course, of course," he said quickly. "Please forgive them, sir. These students are still very young and passionate, so they speak without thinking sometimes. They mean no offense."
The first attendant followed suit, bowing even lower. "Exactly. They truly admire your skill, Chief. Even so, we’d hate for you to feel put upon."
Calien, feeling chastened, rubbed the back of his neck awkwardly while Erik stood silently at his side, hands tucked into his belt. Both kept their eyes respectfully lowered in case they had overstepped.
Chief Varros, watching this little exchange with a faint, knowing smile, held up one gloved hand in a graceful, pacifying gesture. "That’s quite all right," he assured them, voice deep and calm. "I don’t mind the enthusiasm."
The tension eased visibly as Calien glanced up, relief flooding his face. "Thank you, sir," he said earnestly.
Erik nodded along with him, his expression settling into one of quiet anticipation as he added, "Your skills back there were really something. We hoped to see more."