"Y-yeah…" Jash got up and laid the cockatrice on Bil's unoccupied stone seat.
Nodding, Bil finished searing the duck breasts and placed the pot aside, dumping the stirfry back into it. "Good, now pull out a few more coals. Then, we'll let these slow cook while I handle the cockatrice."
Nelphy helped Jash with the duck pot while he handled the coals. At the same time, Bil rinsed some rice in a metal bowl, then added some boiling water before leaving it aside fully covered.
Bil started breaking down the cockatrice, saying, "Having an imagination is a wonderful thing for those training veita, so don't feel disheartened. But never let your focus drift too far from where you are in the present. Do that, and you'll quickly hit a wall in your training.
"And don't worry. You don't need an all-powerful foundation. A true expert can take the simplest of foundations and become the most terrifying warrior." Bil chuckled, adding, "For example, there's a certain master you may want to seek out, Jash. You're lucky he's still alive."
"Really?! You know someone??"
Bil nodded and glanced at Nelphy. "I have an idea of where you both might end up, depending on how dedicated you'll be to your training. But if you decide to live normal lives, then that's fine too–"
"Who is it?!!" shouted Jash.
"... Tribarn Sormin. Leader of Magma Pavilion."
"REALLY?! I'll be able to–"
Continuing, Bil interrupted Jash, "Getting accepted will depend entirely on you. That's why we'll be staying in Frantoch. Should you choose, you can leave for the pavilion later after learning some gambits. But don't dare to go there unprepared. Odds are that you'll fail to be accepted if you're too hasty.
"For now, focus on training with the city guard. I've taught you how to wield a sword, but I'm no sword master. Lord Frantoch, in charge of the city and all city guards, is the greatest technical sword master in the empire. So training with his men will help you develop your swordsmanship."
As Jash beamed with excitement, Bil snickered under his breath, "After I'm finished testing you…"
"What was that?" asked Jash.
While Nelphy gave Bil a strange look, Bil filled the final pot with oil and put it on the batch of open coals. "So, in Frantoch we'll find you some foundations. Then, you'll be able to sign up for the city guard, which will double as your source of income. Nelphy, if you're not joining the guard I recommend finding at least a part-time job to save some money. I hate money, but it's imperative to live. After today, my funds are running low but I'll be using the last of my money to buy us two homes."
"WHAT?!" Nelphy shouted while Jash stared speechlessly at Bil.
Nodding, Bil continued, "I'll buy you two a small home in Frantoch. Nothing fancy, but something decent enough to live in. And I'll get myself a small place in a town beyond the city walls."
Startled, Nelphy interjected, "What do you mean? You're not–"
"No, I won't be living with you two," answered Bil. "It's about time I retire. And I'm not one for city life. I'll be close enough for you to visit, but I don't want to interfere with your lives. You'll finally be able to grow for yourselves."
"..."
"..."
Neither Jash nor Nelphy could put their thoughts together. It felt like Bil had pulled the rug out from under them and left them without a floor to fall back on or to find mental footing.
Sighing, Bil added, "I'll always be there to support you, and you can always come to me for help. But I don't want to hover around you unnecessarily. Now's the time for you two to grow. With me there, it would only slow you down.
"But don't you dare forget about me!" joked Bil. He took the large legs and halved thighs and covered them in seasoned flour. "If you forget about me, then you'll never eat my cooking again."
"Please, no!" Nelphy laughed, "You've improved so much, so it's impossible to forget!"
Jash chuckled, "From charcoal to edible to delicious… I'll never forget my food journey thanks to you!"
A little relieved, Bil brought the cockatrice over and began frying them, leaving the ends of the leg bone sticking out of the oil. "Good. What's the point of retiring if no one comes to visit me every now and again?"
Apart from a few chuckles and some quick laughs, the three of them waited in silence for a while. The bubbling oil was the only thing to break that silence.
"... Bil, what are your affinities?"
Smiling gingerly, Bil shook his head. "I can show you, but you still might not believe me…"
"What are you talking about?" Nelphy laughed again. "Everyone has veita, right? Then so do you."
"I do. But I'm not like most people. Let me finish this first, then I'll show you."
Another minute passed before Bil used some metal tongs to remove the fried cockatrice from the pot. He placed them on a clean but stained cloth atop the cutting board. Then, he sighed while grabbing a handful of dirt. Bil held the dirt out to them, showing it off with a glum grin. "See? That's all I can do."
"HUH?!" blared Jash, leaning closer.
Nelphy laughed half-heartedly out of disbelief, "Come on, show us for real."
But Bil met Nelphy's questioning gaze with a shake of his head. "I'm trying. Come, feel the veita circulating around my arm."
They both got up, rushing to feel the truth for themselves. And both were left wide-eyed.
Jash's jaw hung open as he stammered, "Th-this… I can feel veita, but…"
"What's… happening?" Nelphy mumbled.
Throwing the dirt aside, Bil grabbed a nearby leaf. "See. I can't do anything."
After a few uneventful moments, Bil let go of the leaf. He threw out the mirky water from Nelphy's bowl and replaced it with clean water. Bil put his entire hand inside, maintaining his glum grin. "Again, nothing. No matter what test I take, I've never been able to find an affinity. I even tested for bestial veita but that had the same result."
"..." Jash was too caught up in the mystery to ask what bestial veita was. It crossed his mind, but Bil's strange veita was too much of an anomaly to disregard. "... How… Is this common?"