Due to Pal Padraig's urgent call, the intelligence chief, combat tactician, and logistics and survivalist left their work and hurried to the commander-in-chief's office. While they all stood at attention, Pal Padraig stopped signing military documents and turned to them.
- First of all, welcome. I know you're all very busy. So, I'll get straight to the point…
As you know, I've taken on a new student and have been training him alongside Berfin for a while now. The boy has a good intellect and understanding and a strong character. That's why I want you to help me educate him.
The faces of the three commanders suddenly fell. Remembering the punishments they received because of Berfin, they thought they would receive many more punishments because of this new student. Pal Padraig, immediately aware of the situation, made a statement that reassured the commanders.
- Don't worry, I won't try to protect him like I did Berfin. I want you to train him thoroughly. In fact, train Berfin along with him. (He raised his hand and held it as if vowing.) I won't make the same mistakes I made before, and I absolutely will not interfere with your work. Whatever you say, it will be.
Get together and make a plan, and let me know when. Prepare a half-day program that will not disrupt their daily sports exercises and weapons training, and bring it to me by evening. I will make arrangements accordingly. You can go now.
When the three of them saluted and left, Pal Padraig returned to signing military documents.
…
Two days later, Pal Padraig approached his students, who had just completed their runs and were waiting at attention. He handed one of the training books to Berfin and the other to Han.
- This is the new movement technique I've chosen for you. This technique is faster, quieter, and has an unpredictable movement pattern. You will practice this technique from now on. Now, rest a bit, and then we will begin the basic movements of the technique.
When Pal Padraig sat down in his rocking chair on the terrace, Berfin immediately came to his side.
- Grandpa! Isn't this the special technique you developed? Is that what you're going to teach us?
- Yes. Is there a problem?
- Grandpa! You know better, but this technique belongs to you… so, our family. I don't want you teaching that beet-faced man this technique, which is part of our family. He's not one of our family. He never will be.
- (Pal Padraig, thinking he'd found a talented student, didn't care much about his granddaughter's objection. He smiled slightly at Berfin.) Don't worry. I won't teach him every detail. But you have to try harder and work much harder than him. Show me that he will never catch up to you.
- (Berfin suddenly got angry at being compared to Han.) What are you saying, Grandpa? Of course, I'm much more talented than him. There's no way I could lose to that beet-faced man. Just because he's a little taller than me doesn't mean he's better than me. I'm superior to him in every way… (When her nerves calmed a bit, she added.) You can trust me, Grandpa. Who is he to could surpass me...
Berfin turned around and sat on the edge of the terrace, studying her book. She glanced at Han from time to time. Han, however, was studying the new training manual with great interest. Berfin didn't seem to care.
After a while, Pal Padraig rose from his rocking chair and walked to the edge of the terrace, directing his students.
- You've had enough rest. Gather around... (Berfin and Han immediately lined up in front of Pal Padraig.) The new movement technique I'm going to teach you is called, as the first page of your book says, "The wings of the hummingbird"
This technique is designed for sudden acceleration and sudden changes of direction. It has an unpredictable movement ability. Sometimes you're fast, sometimes you're slow. It has a structure that is in constant flux.
But, like every technique, it has a flaw. Although we call this movement technique "The wings of the hummingbird," we're not birds. We don't have wings. We're land-dwelling creatures. So, we'll strengthen every muscle in our body. Especially our feet and toes...
Now, for our first exercise, take off your boots. (When the children hesitated, Pal Padraig warned them.) I hate repeating myself. That's why I've developed a new method. Rather than repeating the same thing over and over, it's more effective to change the wording.
(When he pulled out the lyre stick hidden in the sleeve of his dress, the children immediately took off their shoes.) As I said, changing the wording will be effective for those who don't understand what's being said. Then, what needs to be heard will be heard, and what needs to be done will be done.
Take off your socks, too. (They took off their socks without hesitation and stood at attention.) Now, spread your arms out to your sides and rise up on your toes. Your heels will be as high as possible.
This exercise is the first one we'll do to strengthen your toes. (After a short pause) Okay, let go… (After a short pause) Again…
Do the movement smoothly… Keep your arms steady… Don't stumble… …
Han and Berfin began practicing the new movement technique. This technique was strange, but neither Berfin nor Han would object. They continued to do whatever Pal Padraig said…
…
In the intelligence unit,
- Children! You should know that an intelligence officer must be practical intelligence and able to actively use this intelligence. They must be able to quickly find solutions to all problems they may encounter and know how to avoid situations that could put them in a difficult position.
In addition to practical intelligence, social intelligence is also important. An intelligence officer must possess knowledge of the environment they are entering or will enter. In other words, they must know how to behave in these environments and never feel out of place.
Beyond all this, they must also have strong interpersonal skills. In short, they must get along well with potential sources of information… …
Never forget that all the information you collect or wish to collect is intended to understand the potential threats you may face. You must gather as much information as possible and analyze this information thoroughly to draw the right conclusions.
Once you are confident in the outcome, you can then take action… …
…
In the following days, the exercises performed in Pal Padraig's class began to vary.
- Today, you'll squat down ten times while standing on your toes and then stand back up again... Get started...
(As the children performed the exercises, Pal Padraig watched from the sidelines and talked about the technique.) This movement technique isn't actually suitable for our bodies. Because we're not light like hummingbirds. We're heavy. Very heavy, in fact. We can't use air currents as we please, as hummingbirds can.
When we start moving, our internal energy will quickly deplete, leaving us sluggish. So, we'll make sure to strengthen each muscle thoroughly and store enough energy within… …
…
In the Combat Tactics Expert class,
- I'd like to briefly explain some of the battle tactics you'll learn from me.
Our first tactic is: "If you control the terrain, you control your enemy."
When you corner your enemy and leave them with no escape, they'll do everything they can to escape. This is very dangerous. Because your war has now become unpredictable and a double-edged sword.
You can win this battle, or your opponent can. We would never want something like that.
But if you give your enemy a place to run to, "of course it has to be the place you want," then you can catch your enemy without much effort and neutralize him.
This is a good tactic, but when using it, you should never let your enemy know that you've set a trap...
Secondly, "You must create an opening in your enemy."
Good warriors are those who identify their enemies' vulnerabilities. This is a fact. What is better, you ask? Better is those who successfully create vulnerabilities in their enemies. …
The third tactic is; In my opinion, this is the most difficult tactic to implement… "The tactic of creating an expectation in the enemy and capturing it."
This tactic can be useful if you encounter an enemy you're having trouble defeating. First, you need to create a certain expectation in your enemy and then surprise them… …
Use a different tactic on your enemy for a while. Start moving and repeat the same move a few times. This will create a learning effect on your enemy for a short time. Once your enemy gets used to your attack, change your move and do something different and attacking from a place they least expect… …
…
While the children had weights on their backs and stood on their big toes, Pal Padraig stood off to the side, watching them with amusement.
- Each of your toes must be strong enough to support twice your body weight. Otherwise, you will collapse from weakness after the movement is over... If you've left a strong enemy behind… There's no need to say the rest, is there?
Work harder and increase your efforts. Never slack off...
Can you hold a glass of water with your hands in fists? Of course you can't. So start using the toes of your feet that you've been using as fists for years now. Be tough... Don't slack off, take what you do seriously... ...
…
Time flew by amidst the endless training…
Ten months later…
…
Pal Padraig paced his office, walking quickly and anxiously, deep in thought. It had been nearly two months since his granddaughter had left for duty. He should have received some news, good or bad, from her by now, but there was no news of her. It was as if she had simply vanished.
Two months ago, a secret order had arrived from the royal palace. A new band of bandits had emerged on the country's northern border, attacking caravans and mountain villages. Although they had been destroyed several times, they were always re-forming.
Despite the killing of hundreds of gang members, the gang remained incorruptible. The search for the gang's leader proved elusive. Each time, they recruited new recruits and attacked villages and trade caravans.
Finally, an anonymous tip-off reached the crown. This tip revealed that the leader of the bandit gang was a high-ranking official working in the local governor's office. While the tip resulted in some progress, it was problematic in some ways, as it could have been a slander against a government official.
Therefore, the Padraig family was assigned a secret mission. The mission was to investigate this tip that had reached the crown and, if true, to quietly eliminate the gang leader.
…
Pal Padraig had chosen Berfin for this task, which he didn't expect to be too difficult. He had hope for his granddaughter, who went on the mission with two aides, but after two months, that hope gave way to anxiety. The possibility that his granddaughter was the wrong choice for this task was growing within him.
He had crazy questions in his mind. Was this mission a trap set by the royal palace? Or was the task more difficult than he had anticipated? He couldn't decide. But there was a way to resolve this situation and determine his enemy's whereabouts.
He would send his new apprentice and his highly trusted squire after Berfin. He identified the route to the border town in the north and the nine accommodation points along the way. His squire would send a letter from each stop.
If the letters stopped arriving before he reached the north, it would indicate his enemy was in the royal palace. He didn't want to lose two more men after his grandson, but this step was essential to uncovering the enemy.
He stopped his rapid, anxious pace and sat down in his chair. He gathered his thoughts and convinced himself that his decision was the right one. He thought of his aide, then of Han. Then, remembering Eren's letter, he reached into his desk drawer.
He had just opened the drawer a crack when there was a knock on the door, and Han and his aide entered. As they stood at attention just front the door, Pal Padraig called them over.
- Come a little closer… You know, I sent Berfin on a mission two months ago. But I haven't heard from her in a while. This worries me. I don't know if anything has happened to her…
You are my most trusted men. I can't entrust this mission to anyone else. I want you to set out as soon as possible and investigate my granddaughter's condition.
Is she dead? Is she alive? I want to know. If she is dead, find out who killed her. If she is alive and you are able, take her with you and bring her to me…
(The atmosphere fell silent for a while.) What do you say? Will you accept this mission, do what I ask, and help me?
- (The aide immediately bowed to his commander-in-chief.) Yes, sir. This mission will be an honor for me. I will bring you news about your granddaughter, no matter what.
- Master, there's no need to worry. I'm sure Berfin is fine. Your squire and I will set out immediately and bring you good news as soon as possible.
Pal Padraig stood up from his seat and spread a map on his desk, which was essential for explaining the mission.
- Then come closer, and let's discuss your mission in more detail… …