The training halls were nearby. Though it seemed to me we were walking too slowly; for once, Yoda wasn't using his levitating chair, in which he "flew" around the Temple. The old man was walking on his own two feet, leaning on a cane.
"Worry not that you will be late for your charge. They will take care of her, if needed," Yoda noted.
"I was also recommended to undergo diagnostics, by the way," I remarked. "Magister Jocasta Nu."
"Know I do," Yoda replied, "but quickly yours will be done, while Celeste needs much time. Just in time we will be."
So that's how it is. Morne wasn't enough for me, now a Padawan too... It seems I won't be able to meet with Hord for a long time. Though, if I think about it—I could send them both off on some mission. And summon the Sith... The only question is—will I have enough time while they're away? The medallion, when summoning, might radiate darkness so strongly that not only they might come for me.
"Doubt you do," Yoda said meaningfully. "Doubt troubles you regarding the Padawan, or Celeste Morne?"
"A bit of everything, Grand Master," I said. "I don't know if I'm ready to take a Padawan at all. I still perceive Celeste as a mission. But a Padawan... That's something new. Is the Council assigning him to me? Or can I refuse?"
"The Council believes you are ready. You know much, you can do much, and you have formed your view on many things. We believe this Padawan is suitable for you."
"A suitable Padawan?" I asked doubtfully. "Either a sentient with a similar character to mine, or the complete opposite, so 'the teacher could learn from the student, and the student from the teacher.' You pulled the last trick with me and my mentor, Lorm Decer. I remember it like it was yesterday: 'Sitting here, crying, constantly engaging in self-examination... Take your lightsaber and wreck everything you don't like.' He said that during a training session."
"And? Did you do it?"
"I went and chopped up some creatures into minced pieces," I closed my eyes and recalled the training Lorm had put me through. "Although, that attitude might have led to my fall..."
"You were naive, even though you possessed the mind of an adult. It was noticeable that you were more intelligent than the children you were with, but at the same time, you were like a child yourself. The Order could not allow your talent to be buried in the soil of doubt. Therefore, you were given to Lorm Decer. Everything that happened then was for you and a handful of talented Younglings. And it proved itself."
"Including that strange tournament?"
"That as well," Yoda agreed. "As for the recommended Padawan. He is honest, impulsive, and fiery. He wants to become a Defender of the Republic..."
"A knight without fear and reproach," I continued for Yoda. "Who will stand for everything good against everything bad. Correct?"
"Hmmm," Yoda grumbled.
"I'm right," I took Yoda's reaction as agreement. "And you're giving a sentient like that to someone like me? Someone used to acting in the shadows, striking from behind, and definitely not fitting the definition of 'a knight without fear and reproach'... Or is this your 'the student must not only learn from the teacher, but the teacher from the student'?"
"That is it," we had reached the doors to the training hall. "That is it."
Inside, there was a crowd of several groups of Younglings. There were also Padawans and even Knights present. It was strange that Yoda, for his size, was noticed almost immediately, and they made way. The Grand Master and I stood in the front row, from where we had a perfect view of the battle unfolding. A huge Lasat, about a head taller than me, was fighting one of the Padawans. The Lasat was pressing the attack, using Djem So, the fifth form, quite aggressively, using his body and hardly using the Force. The Padawan was defending weakly, using Soresu. But he couldn't hold out for long; the Lasat landed a hit to his chest with a training saber. The Padawan cried out and lowered his weapon, acknowledging defeat. I finally got a good look at the Lasat.
He really was tall, a head taller than me. He was dressed in standard Jedi robes, favoring beige. His green eyes looked at us defiantly. His skin was pink, and I had the vague feeling I'd seen him somewhere. But where?
"Grand Master," the Lasat greeted.
"Youngling," Yoda said.
"Grand Master," one of the Knights, whom I recognized as Cin Drallig, approached us. "Light," my former clan-mate's eyes widened. In all the time I hadn't seen him, Drallig had grown, let his light-brown hair grow long so it now fell to his shoulders. He was dressed in brown robes.
"Cin," I greeted him. "Welcome. How are things? Looks like you're having fun here."
"That's an understatement. How about a spar, Light?" Just like that? Well, he was always overly straightforward.
"Maybe a little later, Cin," I said, looking at the Lasat.
"Jaro," Yoda drew the Lasat's attention. "The Council has found you a teacher whose Padawan you will be."
"Padawan?" The Lasat stared at me. "I thought only the best of the best could teach me, but here he is. Who is this weakling, Grand Master?" the Lasat asked him.
Weakling? And the name "Jaro," and a Lasat. Is this Cal Kestis's teacher from the game Jedi: Fallen Order? Except he's much younger now... And completely different in terms of personality.
"Grand Master," I addressed Yoda. "You want to give me this Youngling as an apprentice?" The others just watched the scene unfold. And there was a sizeable crowd. I'll bet Jaro had beaten up quite a few here, judging by how they were acting. Although, a Youngling beating a full-fledged Knight is only possible in one case: if the Youngling is a combat specialist, and the Knight is strictly 'civilian.' Though it has happened. "He's barely fit to even be a Youngling. He's arrogant, overconfident, and stupid. Can I have a different student?"
"The Council believes Jaro Tapal is suitable for you, Knight Light."
"So that's who they decided to pawn him off on," came Drallig's whisper. Yoda amusingly twitched his ears, and I looked at my former clan-mate.
"I'm arrogant?" Tapal asked loudly. "I want to become a Defender of the Republic! The greatest of the Jedi Knights! Not some weakling like you, a parody of a Knight!"
I sighed... This was a complete mess. Everything about him was wrong for a Jedi. And how could someone like this, the person he was now, grow into the capable Jedi that the final Jaro Tapal seemed to be? The one who could sense Order 66 and tear apart a whole ship full of clones who had been through so much with the Jedi and certainly knew how to deal with one... And now, it seemed, to make a normal person and Jedi out of him, I had to step in.
"A true Jedi Knight is a calm and reasonable person who doesn't throw around baseless accusations. He doesn't give in to emotions, he keeps them in check. And he never, ever holds prejudice against others," I stepped forward slightly. "You, from the very start, called me a 'weakling,' and I can literally feel the emotions boiling inside you. The reason you're still a Youngling is that you haven't even learned to control yourself. Maybe I should teach you a lesson or two?"
"I've already beaten some weaklings who thought they were 'Jedi Knights,'" the Lasat snorted arrogantly. I looked questioningly at Drallig. He nodded, closing his eyes. So he had fought some Knights. But won? Who did they put him against? Someone from the AgriCorps, who only studied combat as a sideline? I wasn't arrogant towards my colleagues. Some are strong in combat, while others might be great botanists or agronomists. Both are capable of helping people. Jaro stood in a Djem So stance, ready for battle. "Take your weapon, Knight!"
"A weapon, to teach a cheeky brat like you a lesson?" I asked. "That insults the very term 'weapon.' Attack. You're such a 'great Jedi,'" I smirked, looking into the Lasat's green eyes. "Surely you can handle a 'weakling' like me."
"Yes," Jaro hissed. "But with a weapon, you'd have at least some chance."
He actually charged at an unarmed man. Definitely, he had a long, long way to go to become the Jaro Tapal I saw in the game. On the other hand, there were still about thirty years until the events of that game. A person can get smarter in that time. I didn't throw him back with telekinesis. I just started dodging his wide swings and thrusts, occasionally intercepting his attacks by the hilt. He masterfully used his superior physical condition. But that was all he had for now. His swordsmanship was barely basic. He was getting by on his physical form and endurance. Strange, considering almost all Knights can enhance their parameters with the Force. Although, the degree of mastery of this technique varies. For instance, my parameters are enhanced quite significantly, given my innate talent and how much I've trained this technique. I used telekinesis only to deflect some of his blows, and then, seizing the moment, I executed a light combination, hitting him in the chest and face. Given that I had laced my strikes with the Force, releasing it through the hits rather than just enhancing my physical characteristics, Jaro felt every single blow.
He stepped back a little, glaring at me with hostility, then attacked again. Dodging three swings, I delivered a powerful knee strike to his torso. Jaro flew back from the enhanced blow, landing on his back.
"Ugh," he grunted. I pulled his lightsaber from his grasp with a Force pull, then turned to Yoda.
"He's too arrogant and impulsive," I said. And why hadn't his clan-mates explained anything to him? Jedi or not, these were all children. And they can go 'dark side' on an uppity peer. But they didn't... Either because he's head and shoulders above them in combat. In that case, any attempt to call him to normal behavior could have failed, plus his victories over Padawans and even some Knights. That's what led to his current character.
"I think he will become an excellent Padawan for you," Yoda said. Drallig looked at me sympathetically. What are you looking at? You were the same way!
I looked at the Lasat lying on the floor. Jaro began to stand up, breathing heavily. Why did I need this headache?
"I still don't think taking a Padawan right now is a good idea."
"On the contrary," one of the Knights took the floor. "He needs someone who can temper his hot temper. I don't know you personally, Knight Light, but judging by what I've seen here, you can handle it."
They want to convince me? It was perfect for a public spectacle, though setting one up like this was problematic. This training hall wasn't assigned to anyone, so completely different people could come here.
"And what do you want yourself?" I asked the kid. "Jaro Tapal. You're talented, but nothing more. With proper training, you'll become a good Jedi. And I could be your mentor, but I won't force myself on you."
"I will," the Lasat said. "You... you passed, Knight," Jaro said quietly. "I agree to become your Padawan."
So he was testing me too? What an ego he has... He was waiting for someone who could beat him. At first, the stronger Jedi didn't challenge him. Either on the Council's orders... Or they feared losing their reputation after a fight with this Youngling. Probably the first reason... Yoda had hinted to me more than once that the Council was foisting Jaro on me. And it was all according to his template. Opposite personalities in a pair.
"Ha-ha-ha," I laughed, looking at this Lasat. "You're so arrogant you dared to 'test' me? Very well... In that case—we will not only teach you, but also heal you. Heal you of your arrogance, Padawan Jaro Tapal. My name is Light Flyingstar. I am a Jedi Knight. Move into my quarters. We have much to discuss."
* * *
About twenty minutes later, I found myself back at the Healing Wards, where there were no more excuses. They took all the necessary tests and strongly urged me to undergo a 'psychological state assessment.' Celeste was free about ten minutes after they finished with me. We really did get it done quickly. Akara was walking ahead of the girl, who was staring at the floor, thinking about something. She had also changed clothes, favoring a white Jedi tunic. Glancing at her, I looked at the Zeltron, Akara.
"Here you are," she said, smiling. "Well, I can congratulate you, just like I did Celeste earlier—she is perfectly healthy. Her body is functioning... normally, I would say—ideally, given the circumstances. However... There are nuances."
"Nuances?" I looked at Morne with suspicion. "I don't sense anything particularly strange from her. She's a girl like any other. A Force Bond with me."
"Precisely," Akara said importantly. "However, you don't possess a strong sensory talent for healing arts regarding others. What is your score for first aid and general diagnosis of pathological conditions in organisms, Light?"
"For the first — top marks. But that only concerns providing aid, using medkits and makeshift supplies," I answered Akara. "I can only heal myself with the Force."
"And given the fact that your body is unique, because you have undergone training, including according to Matukai treatises," Celeste looked at me with surprise, "you also sense yourself through the Force a little differently than a Jedi might. And you really don't know how to heal with the Force, or rather—to cure. In this case—I must explain Celeste's uniqueness in general. She has, shall we say, acquired some characteristics of your race."
"I don't understand," I said. "Acquired characteristics of the Sephi race? How so?"
"In the sense that she has gained what, one might say, all women in our Galaxy dream of. One might say—longevity and eternal youth."
"Sephi age," I corrected Akara, "though much slower than others."
"True," Akara agreed. "But here I meant that being under the influence of Dreypa's Oubliette affected her body too strongly. Not only did she not age, yes. On the contrary, some processes in her body even began to reverse."
"Reverse? From the point of view of basic biology, is that even possible?"
"Biology, the Force, and a unique tool, Dreypa's Oubliette. Too many factors were influencing her, so I won't venture to say from whose point of view these changes occurred, but the fact remains—she gained true longevity. I can't say how long she will live, but no less than a gifted Sephi, if she doesn't die, of course. In addition—because of everything that happened to her—she can no longer age. One could even envy her. It doesn't matter who the woman is—a Jedi or not... Every one dreams of living a long life without aging."
"Ha, a long life," I smirked. "As if Jedi, even from long-lived races, can live truly long."
"That already depends on skill," Akara noted. "I would like Celeste to come to me for examinations after every mission. We need to carefully monitor her development. Do you understand me, Celeste?"
"Yes, Healer," she answered Akara.
"Well, and you, too, don't forget to undergo diagnostic examinations, Knight Light. I understand that communicating with the Matukai allowed you to adopt their experience and improve some aspects, but remember that you are still just a sentient."
"Thank you for the warning and your work, Knight Akara," I thanked the woman. "Now, if that's all," she nodded, signaling that our conversation was over for now. "May the Force be with you."
"May the Force be with you," Celeste repeated, nodding to Akara.
The Healer repeated the farewell, and we parted ways. In my quarters, we found Jaro Tapal, who was already settling into the Padawan's room. And he was looking at Celeste with suspicion.
"So," I sighed, sitting down on the couch. Celeste and Jaro sat opposite me. "Celeste Morne, this is Jaro Tapal. And Jaro Tapal, this is Celeste Morne. Jaro is my new Padawan, entrusted to me while you were undergoing diagnostics."
"Is it wise, given our joint missions?" Celeste asked.
"Quite," I nodded. "I only have to help you get settled in the Galaxy... Umm... Celeste Morne is four thousand years old, Jaro," at which Tapal looked at me like I was crazy. "Something happened, and she lay in stasis for four thousand years. And I managed to get her out of there. Celeste is my assignment. I must help her acclimate to the Galaxy. So much time has passed, and she remained a Jedi. Well, since you're now my student, my missions are your missions. You'll help her get used to things."
"Okay," Jaro nodded.
"As for who I am and what I do. I am a Jedi Knight of the Sentinels Corps, specifically—a Shadow. My primary task, Jaro Tapal, is eliminating dark-siders, finding dark artifacts, destroying dark artifacts, or delivering them to the Jedi Order. Ever since I became a Padawan, I've been doing only this kind of work. Either participating in artifact searches, or eliminating dark-siders. And, of course, you will be doing this too. Most likely—you want to become a Jedi Guardian," Jaro nodded. It was obvious. He shouted that goal loud and clear. Besides that, he's clearly skewed towards swordsmanship. "Shadows are assassins, as I already said. We don't dramatically jump out in front of the enemy, we don't storm the front line, single-handedly charging against an army. We sneak past cannons, surveillance equipment, enemy guards, and eliminate them, striking from the shadows. That's the gist of it. Of course, depending on the target, we can behave differently, but the general, average work of a Shadow looks just as I described it. The Council apparently found it an interesting experience to give me, as a Padawan, someone who wants to be a completely different class. To see the life of the Galaxy from a completely different angle, so to speak."
"I guess," Tapal grunted.
"I don't sense any joy," I smirked. "My job is, of course, not what you might have fantasized about regarding 'Jedi versus armies,' 'saving planets,' princesses, and other heroic deeds. But it's rarely boring either. In addition—it will be really useful for you to see the Republic you're going to defend from the outside. See how it conducts its affairs and how people treat it. And most importantly—the reasons for that attitude. Right now, I intend to start searching for an important Dark Side artifact," I looked at Celeste, then at Tapal. "This artifact once belonged to the Sith Tulak Hord."
"To whom?" Tapal asked. Celeste looked at the Padawan in surprise.
I sighed sadly.
"Lord of the Rising Dark... Lord of Hatred?" Jaro kept looking at me with uncomprehending eyes, even despite my hints.
"And besides... Don't Sith take the name Darth?" Jaro continued to display his 'knowledge.'
"So, I see that name is familiar to Celeste," the girl nodded. "But you don't," I looked into Jaro's green eyes. "And that's bad. At least the history course covered notorious and prominent Sith. And Tulak Hord definitely figured in it. But you didn't study history, you didn't study it at all. In that case—you need to gather all available information on Tulak Hord. Everyone should know whose artifacts we'll be dealing with and how dangerous he can be. I'm giving you three days, Jaro. In that time, you must prepare an essay about this Sith. You may use data from the Archives, including the advanced section, which not all Jedi have access to. That will be your first training."
"Training?!" he asked loudly. "Is that training?"
"Silence," I slammed down. "This is training the mind. Or will you claim you're smart? Come on... What is the name of the planet where the Lasat species originated?"
"Lasan," Jaro answered me.
"You'll study that point in the library as well," I instructed my Padawan. "The Lasat originated from the planet Lira San. You're dismissed," I gestured to the Lasat that I no longer needed his presence here.
Jaro Tapal, as he will be at the end of the Clone Wars.
"You were harsh with him," Celeste said when the Lasat had left the quarters.
"You just don't know him well enough. He's arrogant and ignorant, used to relying on brute force. Imagine—he even attacked Jedi Knights! A real little fiend."
"More like a huge fiend," Celeste noted. "But what artifact are you looking for?"
"A Sith mask. From my source, I have a rough idea of where Tulak Hord's mask might be located... And we'll have to be careful with it, Celeste. Tulak might just do the same as your prisoner."
"You're afraid that a spirit of such a Sith might be near it?" Morne crossed her legs.
"I'm not afraid, I'm wary," I corrected the girl. "And there's something to be wary of. Muur wasn't the first Sith I encountered in that form."
"Will you tell me about it?"
"Why not," I reached out with the Force and telekinesis, grabbing a bottle of juice from the fridge, along two cups. "It's going to be an interesting conversation."