Unmotivated Deity

Everyone's jaws hung open in utter shock. Jien had just described everything from his knowledge of alchemy, blacksmithing and formations to the varying roles that he could play in standard military formations. He had also covered varying pieces of interesting knowledge that he had picked up in his studies. And this girl wanted him to elaborate on all of it.

These were all topics that at the very most basic levels were known from the ranks of nobles down to the lowest ranks of street urchins. The Empire was very firm on providing at least a decent base to all children, creating a number of schools all over for children to attend to at least learn the barest minimum, especially as they approached time to attend the academy. Had this girl never been to any of these courses? Did she know anything about how to act within a military organization? What did she know? All these questions rattled about in their minds.

Jien managed to pick his jaw up from the ground when the girl gave him what he could only classify as an indignant pout, her cheeks gaining a hint of rosiness. "What?!" she ended up almost barking the question at him. "I wasn't raised in a noble household. I was born from a maid and the heir of a minor house. I never got any of the training you got, I was forced into worship of a god and then forced into combat. Have you ever heard of the Dungeon Rings?"

The last question in that short burst of information recontextualized everything. It was no wonder she had such excellent battle sense, no wonder she knew nothing of the topics they were discussing. Still, it didn't make sense. The Dungeon Rings were not meant for humans, they were underground fighting rings run by bandits who risked their lives to capture live beasts, magical beasts and magical plants that had evolved to a dangerous level.

There were rumors of these betting rings throughout the Empire but it seemed that the royals and guards had turned a deaf ear to them. Why would they bother when the bandit population would be whittled down by their own stupidity and in the chance that they were able to capture something decently powerful it would remove it from the wild.

The trouble was the implication of throwing a child into the ring with these ferocious beasts. How had she even survived it until she arrived here. Surely the young heir of the minor house had simply wanted her dead without being pinned for her death and bringing the consequences on his family. Perhaps it was a scheme from the older generation, either way, the implications were too terrifying to even consider. What if this trend became common, what if it already was and many youths were snuffed out by these insidious schemes.

Everyone present sucked in a deep breath at the very thought. Jien was the first to collect himself, his thoughts blazing regarding the topic and many theories bubbling in his mind. His voice ended out coming calm despite the many burning questions in his mind. "It would take too long to explain it right now. If you are willing I will take time to help get you up to speed on the knowledge you are missing as quickly as possible. There is just too much to cover right now, is that alright?"

In one short discussion he had taken on yet another responsibility, but this one he didn't feel bad about. When she gave a firm nod and stated that she would do her best to learn what he could share with her he knew that all was not lost for tying her into the group. This in itself was a relief as he had been questioning how to make it easier for everyone to get along with her.

After she had stated her willingness to learn Jien asked her to just do her best to remember what everyone was saying and that he would help her understand what it all meant. Of course this wasn't necessary for all members of the new unit. Robyn was a simple miner's daughter she had little knowledge outside of some basic combat, hand to hand mostly, due to her father's training and some knowledge of cooking to help at home.

Alys was much the same. She knew a small bit about alchemy due to gathering herbs in the forests where she would track and hunt. As a bandit she was adept in combat at close range and at long range but not so much at mid range. Jien kept this in mind for future planning regarding how their unit would coordinate.

The last to reintroduce himself was Andrew. The timid boy often talked in tones that were almost too low to hear and when Julie would ask him to speak up his tone would pick up several octaves into an almost squeal out of fear. Still, he finally got through his explanation after talking over his knowledge of alchemy, healing formations and first aid.

Overall Jien had found his team members to be very well rounded. With a little practice and coordination he hoped that they would be able to go far.