Since Eren knew his grandfather well, he had bought military clothes for Han to wear during training. Han, who went out in his military clothes early in the morning, saw that Berfin was also dressed in similar clothes.
It was clear that Eren had guided him correctly. He was happy that he had made a good start thanks to a good friend, and when his joy was reflected on his face, Berfin's scolding did not take long.
- Why are you grinning evilly? Is there something obvious that I can't see?
- (Han didn't know what to say. He stopped smiling and quickly pulled himself together.) Good morning, senior.
Berfin woke up beautifully early in the morning. She was happy thinking about the punishment Han would receive for not wearing military clothes, but she had forgotten about the Eren factor. This boy was also dressed in military clothes. Her morale was instantly low. But now that Han said "senior", her morale improved a little.
- Good... Let's go. Let's not be late.
…
Pal Padraig's hut was about forty square meters in size, made of wooden logs. There was a large terrace on the long side of the hut where the entrance door was. The terrace was top covered, so Pal Padraig spent most of his time in his rocking chair on the terrace.
His favorite activity was to sip his hot tea while rocking in his chair and watch the sun set. But today he turned his chair to the side where the sun was rising. Then he raised his head and looked at the sun that was about to rise.
At this time, Berfin and Han came to the front of the hut. Berfin knew that his grandfather hated people coming late, so he didn't go home last night and stayed at the military camp with Han. The two of them got up before sunrise and came to the hut immediately.
As the sun rose from behind the hill, they put down their bags on the ground with Berfin's guidance, turned towards her grandfather, got ready and started waiting. Pal Padraig, who had watched the sun rise for a while, finally turned his head and looked at his students who had arrived.
- Well. Not bad for the first day. You managed to arrive on time. Your clothes are suitable. So… Run up to the top and come back.
Berfin immediately turned around and started running. Han didn't wait either. He also jumped forward and ran after Berfin. As the children walked away, Pal Padraig took a sip of his tea.
- It's nice to drink tea in the morning sun… Or is it nice to embark on a new adventure? Who knows? Let's see what time will show…
Pal Padraig couldn't hide his smile at the multitude of possibilities. He took a sip of his tea and began to wait to see what time would bring…
…
Berfin was running towards the top of the mountain with Han behind him. Han could have passed Berfin if he wanted to, but he didn't know the way and he didn't think it was appropriate to pass his senior. So he preferred to stay behind and follow Berfin from a certain distance.
Berfin, on the other hand, was proud to be running ahead. "Of course… How can this beet-faced boy pass me? He is doomed to always be behind me. He will collapse in a moment. Then the punishment he will receive from my grandfather will increase exponentially. He doesn't even realize what awaits him. Hihihi…"
While Berfin continued to run with a sly smile on his face, Han was following him. As the run continued at full speed, Berfin occasionally glanced at Han. Despite running uphill for about half an hour, this boy showed no signs of fatigue.
They were close to the summit. The run would soon end and a steep rock climb would begin. The height they would climb was a small flat area on the high slope of this steep cliff.
What Pal Padraig wanted was for them to bring a leaf from the bush with small red leaves that grew on this flat area. In this way, Pal Padraig would know that the students had run to the right place and returned.
When they reached the bottom of the steep cliff, Berfin started climbing without waiting. Han followed him, climbing along Berfin's path. He had climbed about five or six meters when a few small pebbles fell on his head.
He raised his head and looked at Berfin. This girl was pushing side the small stones on the ground she was stepping on. Did she forget that I was below? After throwing the stones, Berfin continued climbing.
A little later, a few larger rocks fell near his hand. Luckily, they didn't hit his hand. Otherwise, the falling rocks could have injured his hand. He raised his head again and looked at Berfin. Berfin continued climbing. She didn't seem to be aware of the falling rocks.
He moved out from under Berfin so that the stones would not fall on him again. Berfin was watching Han out of the corner of her eye. This boy continued climbing without being affected by the stones he threw. She was hoping that the stones would slow her down a little, but it didn't happen as she thought.
Moreover, this child had been pulled behind him, now there was no way the falling stones could touch him. So Berfin slowly changed places and came right over Han.
After climbing a few meters, Berfin spotted a large stone. When she put her hand on the stone as if she were going to grab it and climb up, it came loose and started rolling down.
Although it occurred to her to warn Han about the stone that was bigger than she thought, she didn't do it. "He should pay the price for hitting a woman," she thought and consoled herself.
As the boulder as big as a stool fell on Han, Han saw this and let go of one hand, turned sideways and got rid of the boulder. He looked at the falling boulder first and then at Berfin. At the same time, Berfin was looking at Han.
When the two of them looked into each other's eyes, Han thought that Berfin might be responsible for the falling stones and boulders. It was dangerous to stand under Berfin now. Therefore he increased his climbing speed and leapt upwards from the rocks he was holding onto, coming level with Berfin.
Now they were both side by side in the middle of the steep rock slope. They looked at each other in silence for a while and finally it was Berfin who broke the silence.
- Novice, you have to be careful. There are a lot of boulders on this steep slope. They slip and fall at the slightest wind or vibration. You witnessed this a moment ago. You know what I mean, right?
(When Han opened his mouth to say something, Berfin changed the subject.) Okay. You don't need to say anything. These stones can even be affected by sounds and fall down.
We must climb more carefully and reach the flat area above as soon as possible.
Berfin returned to climbing under Han's astonished gaze. Han followed. They reached the flat area a short while later. When Berfin plucked a leaf from the bush and put it in his pocket, Han did the same. And together they went down the steep slope and returned to Pal Padraig's hut.
Berfin was the first to enter the hut's courtyard, running. She was sweating profusely and out of breath. She ran to her grandfather who was sitting in his rocking chair on the terrace, sat on the edge of the terrace, said "I came first" and then lay on her back. Her breathing was irregular. It was obvious that she had run very fast to get there before Han.
While Pal Padraig smiled calmly at his granddaughter's hard work, Han also came running into the courtyard. Without changing his running speed, he ran to Pal Padarig and then stood to attention in front of him.
He had learned a lot about the military and military order from Eren. One of them was to stand ready and wait in front of the commander. So when Han Pal came before Padraig, he stood at attention.
Pal Padraig looked at Han for a while. This kid didn't sweat. So, such a run wouldn't make Han sweat. Could this be an indication that he was constantly training? Maybe what Han said was true. He was someone who went hunting every day and chased wild animals... Who knows?
- This run doesn't seem to have affected you much. Maybe running one more lap could warm up your body, what do you think?
Han looked at Pal Padraig's eyes in surprise and then turned around and started running in the direction came from. As Han was walking away, Pal Padraig got up from his chair and came to his granddaughter. Berfin's breathing still hadn't gotten better.
He turned back and took the stick he had prepared from a lyre tree, about a meter long, that he had leaned on his rocking chair. He waved it a couple of times and listened to the sound it made in the air. Hearing the sound of the stick, Berfin immediately stood up and stood at attention.
- Grandpa! You're not going to use that on me, are you? You know my skin is very delicate and very fragile. If you hit me with it, it will hurt me a lot. (She looked at her grandfather with eyes begging for forgiveness.)
- Good... Good... I forgive you for now, but this is the last concession I'm making to you. I won't forgive you next time... Come on, don't be idle, go and get the puppets from behind the hut and bring them here...