In a spacious public practice room, Allen had just finished teaching his final in-person session for the Basic Rune Mutual Aid Group.
The apprentices scattered in twos and threes, reluctant to leave. They were still enthusiastically discussing the "multi-node resonance" technique Allen had just explained, each face carrying the satisfaction of having learned something valuable.
Vera and Colin did not leave. They took the initiative to stay behind, skillfully tidying up the desks and chairs and wiping clean the teaching slate Allen had used.
"Allen, your lecture was amazing," Vera said, clutching a few books with admiration on her face. "I feel like the parts I couldn't figure out before suddenly make perfect sense now."
Colin nodded vigorously beside her, chiming in, "Yeah, yeah, it was way clearer than the academy professors. Those guys only know how to read straight from the textbook."
