There was no chance of washing up properly tonight, and Mulan did not want to disturb their hosts any further. Besides, a warm feeling had spread through him, making him want to rest.
"Handel, only take off your shoes and coat when you go to bed tonight. Make sure you don't sleep too deeply."
"Yes, Professor."
Handel understood exactly what Mulan meant. He took off his coat and laid it on a chair, then tucked his gun beneath his pillow. Sitting on the bed and watching him, Mulan suddenly spoke.
"Handel, you should work on your hand-to-hand combat skills, too. A gun alone won't be enough in many situations. Only by combining it with close combat can you make the most of your body's abilities at the Awakening stage."
Handel recalled Mulan's terrifying strength on the train, and longing immediately stirred in his heart.
"I understand, Professor. My foundation in hand-to-hand combat isn't bad, but I'll definitely train harder. I suggest adding combat classes to the school. It would be even better if you could teach them yourself."
To Handel and most-or rather, almost all-of the students, the Black Castle where they lived and studied was a school. Both its current state and its future development pointed in that direction.
"Good suggestion. I'll arrange it as soon as we get back. Even if I can't spare the time to teach combat classes myself, I'll make sure to find you a suitable instructor."
With the Black Castle desperately short of teaching staff, Mulan had already suggested to Walton and the queen that some personnel directly under the royal family take part in teaching. Naturally, a suitable combat instructor could be found among them as well.
The suggestion was, of course, exactly what Nisheriel wanted. With Walton's attitude remaining ambiguous, she could