The young man's expression didn't change.
He tilted his head slightly, his eyes narrowing just a little.
"I'm in a bit of a hurry," he said quietly. "Why don't you just call Zinnia out or let me go in? I know she's in there."
His tone was calm, but something in his voice carried a weight that made the instructor pause for a brief second. The courtyard fell oddly still.
The instructor blinked, half amused and half uncertain, before chuckling again. "Heh, you sure talk big, boy. What are you, her old friend or something?"
The young man smiled faintly. "Something like that," he said.
The instructor's face tightened. He took a step forward, chest puffing out like a man ready to fight for honor. "Boy, show some respect," he snapped.
"Master Zinnia is older than me. And you dare call her your friend? The young ones today don't even know how to bow to their elders. Fine — I'll teach you a lesson you won't forget."
