Lorn the Mage sat in the study with his hands clasped, staring at a roll of magical blueprints on the desk, his brow slightly furrowed. After thinking for a moment, he looked up at Nicole, who stood before the desk, and asked probing, "Nicole, do you have some issue with Ang?"
Nicole paused, then lifted her chin and answered frankly, "Not exactly. It's just... I don't really like him."
Lorn raised an eyebrow. "Oh? Have you met him?"
"No." Nicole shook her head, answering directly.
"Then why don't you like him if you've never met him?" Lorn set down his quill and leaned forward slightly, his gaze sharpening.
"How can you say I don't know anything about him?" Nicole muttered. "The entire camp is praising him everywhere, talking about how amazing he is. I just don't like people who are too flashy! Most people like that, nine times out of ten, don't have any real ability."
Lorn gently shook his head and sighed. "It seems I really have sheltered you too well. You're far too quick to form assumptions. Nicole, how about this..."
He paused, his expression gradually turning serious. "Your grandfather is sending you to learn a few things from Ang. Besides fighting, he is also skilled at repairing Enchanted Weapons and equipment. Even I find that impressive. Go interact with him and see whether he truly is as 'incapable' as you imagine."
"Ah?" Nicole clearly had not expected this arrangement and immediately muttered under her breath, "What is there to learn... Repairing weapons? Isn't that something warriors do?"
Lorn's tone turned cold. "The path of magic is about learning from others' strengths to make up for your own weaknesses. Your pride has gone too far. This opportunity is perfect for teaching you some humility. Besides, if he truly