[Nandal]
After leaving the room, Hazen made his way toward the fortress’ dungeon where the Cumin prisoner was being held. As he descended the stairs, he heard cheerful voices echoing through the stone walls.
“Iruha rona baharo kiru.”
“Dagu nihora goru kana.”
Evidently, Yan was engaged in conversation with the Cumin prisoner. Hazen assumed that the prisoner had opened up to Yan due to her toddler-like appearance. Hazen took a seat a little farther away from the Cumin prisoner’s cell so he wouldn’t notice him.
Yan seemed to have caught sight of him, but she continued conversing with the prisoner anyway, ignoring him. Hazen motioned for his bodyguard, Kaku’zu, and instructed him to fetch Private Edal.
Private Edal arrived after a while, and Hazen beckoned him closer. Speaking in hushed tones, he gave his orders, “Record every word exchanged between Yan and the Cumin magician. Later, have Yan translate the conversations in full detail. Leave nothing out.”
“Yes, sir. I understand,” Private Edal responded swiftly, his pen beginning to scribble across a parchment.
“Also, move your stuff to my room. You’ll be staying with me and we’ll learn the Cumin language together.”
“…Your room?”
“Is there a problem?”
“N-No! I just think it’s inappropriate for a private like me.”
“What’s inappropriate about it? It’s not like I’m the emperor. Don’t concern yourself with trivial details.”
“……”
Private Edal couldn’t help but smile wryly. Hazen couldn’t understand why. “I aim to grasp most of the language within a week. Your goal should be to achieve proficiency within a month.”
“A-a month?”
“This is a special mission. You will be exempted from all drills during this period. Since there are no existing documents on the Cumin language, the words you are writing down now will serve as our primary study materials. Don’t miss a single word.”
“…Yes, sir.” Private Edal replied, his voice tinged with anxiety. Hazen’s one-month deadline seemed like a daunting challenge, but it was only meant to push Private Edal. Hazen went on to explain that he would conduct weekly exams, the results of which would determine Private Edal’s sleeping hours and free time.
“I intend for you to serve as the go-between with the Cumins once Yan and I leave. It’s a vital role. If you perform well, I’ll promote you to private first class.”
“Huh?!”
“Didn’t I tell you? I reward based on your abilities and accomplishments.”
A promotion typically took four to five years, yet Hazen now promised Private Edal he would promote him in less than two months since his assignment, hence his surprise. But Hazen was indifferent. That was what meritocracy is all about. After Hazen finished his explanation, Private Edal gulped.
“…Incidentally, sir, won’t you have to oversee the platoon’s daily drills as well?”
“Yes, I’ll continue to do so. I am the commanding officer, after all. I won’t neglect my day-to-day responsibilities.”
“So, even with all that, you plan to master the Cumin language in just a week?”
“You needn’t worry about me. Simply observing your learning process from Yan will be sufficient for me.”
“……”
“What’s got you so surprised? I’m quite skilled at multitasking. You should give it a shot too. Once you’ve got the hang of it, it’ll save you a lot of time.”
“I-I understand the benefits, but isn’t it something not everyone can do?”
“I don’t offer suggestions to those who can’t follow through.”
“……I’ll give it a try.”
Seeing Private Edal motivated, Hazen nodded with a smile. Meanwhile, Yan had finished her conversation with the prisoner, so Hazen motioned for her to come over.
“What is it?”
“You know someone else who can speak the Cumin language, don’t you?”
“…Why do you think that?”
“There are two main ways to learn a language: instinctive learning and systematic learning. Instinctive learning often happens naturally during infancy and early childhood. Systematic learning involves understanding word structures and learning them deliberately. Languages learned this way are what you’d call ‘second languages’.”
“……”
“These two methods lead to completely different approaches in how you process the language. Yan, when you heard the Cumin’s words, you mentally translated them into your first language, causing a slight delay that I managed to sense.”
“…You’re right, but that’s scary!”
“What is?”
“You made it sound like you can peer into my mind. It gives me the creeps.”
“The feeling’s mutual; It creeps me out whenever you don’t understand what I’m explaining.”
“Y-you shouldn’t say that to a little girl like me?!”
“Enough with the chit-chat. Who are they?”
“Kh… It’s a merchant called Nandal. But I don’t know how he learned it.”
“Bring him to me.”
“What are planning to do to him?”
“I want to strike a business deal with him.”
“Why do you have to do that? You’re a soldier.”
“Being a soldier doesn’t mean I can’t have a private life. Besides, it’s not a violation of military regulations to delegate work to others.”
“…But I have to consider my relationship with Mr. Nandal.”
“I’m not listening to your opinion. Do what I told you.”
“……” Yan hung her head. Some people crumbled under the slightest intimidation, but not her. She was the kind of person who grew stronger the harder the challenge she faced. She always looked forward, a personality trait that Hazen admired.
For Hazen, being a genius wasn’t enough. Such a trait was superficial, not true strength. To truly grow, various mental elements were crucial, including courage, defiance, and a thirst for improvement.
After growling at Hazen, Yan stormed up the stairs.
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