Nero didn't linger with Eto and Rinnte Once the conversation was done he turned away without so much as a backward glance The crowd parted for him again whispers swelling in his wake but his expression was unchanged calm sharp unyielding
He spent the rest of the day moving through the village
First he stopped by the open dirt courtyard where the younger students sparred in pairs under the eye of a minor priest He watched a few exchanges clumsy footwork mana spilling wastefully out of cores the obvious hesitation of children who had never been struck in earnest One of them slipped mid step landing face first in the dirt
Nero exhaled through his nose This is what they call training
He didn't bother to speak to them He turned and left
Next he found a group of apprentices carrying wood and stone for repairs along the temple wall They paused when they saw him their faces brightening as they glanced at his fine clothes and steady posture
