Heaven's Greatest Professor

Warden had laid in the cool water and almost forgot about time, closing his eyes.

June was probably still in her class, he thought, considering the time discrepancy between regular time and frontline time. Not even a couple of hours passed for her.

The atmosphere here was serene with only the sound of the slow stream running over his form. Warden floated endlessly in relaxation for some time, after wiping away all the blood stains.

He had to spend six months on the front lines. Of course, others had mentioned not every day was about fighting for their lives. Still, Warden couldn't help but remember why he was here. He hadn't chosen this. He was wrongly accused and schemed against to receive this as punishment.

Warden didn't fear fighting, nor did he hate it. But he hated the people who wrongly signed him over here without even properly checking everything.

The only justice in this world is power, he remembered something, though he didn't know who said it to him, or if he just made it up right now. But that didn't take away from the truth, sadly.

Sighing, he came out of the water and draped on an easy-going tunic and pants. His weapons and armour lay on the banks.

Now much of the night was remaining, and Warden was free for all of it. So, what could he do to pass the time? He knew he wouldn't catch any sleep in an unfamiliar place. Every new place he went, Warden remembered how unfamiliar and strange he felt. It was as if he was not from this world at all.

Taking his stuff, Warden crept into the main camp after deciding he would be rune smithing for the remainder of the night. He had taken a bunch of commissions and a large advance; he planned on completing all of them during his stay on the frontline.

He tried to look at the front lines as an opportunity, even if he was wrongly punished to be sent here. After all, what better place could there be to refine his intent than a battlefield?

Well, definitely the Phantom accursed Valley, but he wasn't complaining.

"This place will be my money-making start," he muttered.

Perhaps he could even advance to Silver here. It takes decades for common rankers to move from Iron to Silver, but Warden had already taken the step. True, he did not remember any of it, but his path so far had been smooth sailing...

Well, other than the moment I ate a dungeon, Warden mused. He was pretty sure someone intervened in his case... someone probably higher up in the system? They helped in turning the vast subspace inside of him. Even if it was volatile in nature, Warden wasn't sure if he would survive the transition if he was on his own.

They also mentioned for him to find the Oracle, Warden remembered, clasping his palms into fists. He hadn't travelled much and was mostly busy doing various things to look for oracles. From June, he heard there was an oracle in the Elven kingdom, though Warden doubted the wizened Elven woman June was referring to would be someone related to him.

If they are an oracle, shouldn't they already know about me? Warden couldn't help but wonder. They were supposed to know the future, even if it was vague... Hmm, perhaps they are looking for me right at this moment... Perhaps I do not have to do all the searching...

Perhaps I'm not such a bad person that nobody would even look for me if I went missing.

The thoughts were optimistic. Warden smiled as he walked into the main camp.

"Find me quicker," Warden said and hoped. "While I regain my strength..."

Warden found most of the 16th infantry in a temporary camp, resting or playing cards. The heavy smell of alcohol brimmed the room as Warden walked in. The injured ones were laid in rows of humble beddings, already in deep sleep, while likes of Caleb, Kevin, and Pino were playing cards with food and alcohol.

His first thought entering the camp was that: I cannot rune smith in this place...

"You took some time," Caleb said. "We were already meaning to send someone to look for you."

"What did you do with your armour and weapon," Pino asked. Finding Warden gaping at him, he couldn't help but add, "Sir."

"I have stored them in a dimension storage," Warden said, not adding he himself was the dimension storage. June reminded him abilities such as that were rarely ever common, and it would only be beneficial for him if he kept it under wraps. Warden already received the firsthand benefit from the Drake dungeon.

"I already figured you're some notable figure from the way you fought," Caleb said with a laugh. "Are you disinterested in mingling with commoner convicts like us?"

Warden thought deeply about that. He really had qualms about mingling with people with no scruples, but these were simply people who already paid more for the wrongs they had done. He had fought with them. Although he didn't know them for long, looking at their faces, he didn't think they did any unforgivable crimes.

He already heard a little bit on the way back. Kevin had killed a nobleman, though it was an accident, Kevin mentioned that the noble ass he killed really deserved killing. He couldn't just stand there when a bunch of nobles came along and wanted to have fun with his sister. Caleb hadn't mentioned his past, but Pino was the scapegoat for some renowned figure he didn't want to mention.

"Looks like it's a very hard decision for you," Caleb said, gulping a mouthful of drink.

Warden snorted, taking away the bottle of alcohol from the spearman.

"Hey!" he complained.

Warden poured the remaining alcohol into his mouth as he sat next to them. "Terrible rum," he muttered.

"I have thousand-year-old wine stored under the bed for your highness," Caleb snorted, taking back the empty bottle.

"I thought drinks were free for me tonight," Warden laughed.

"You can have this, Sir," Pino said, raising his bottle towards Warde.

"You don't have to call me sir," Warden burped. "Anyway, whatcha playing?"

___________

The character arts are out. you can check them on the app. Honestly, I'm not wholly satisfied with a few of them. Warden is more buffed...