"What does he/she have that I don't?" More than one apprentice snarled.
"Well, Nalrond Fastarrow is the first successful fusion between an Emperor Beast and a human, an accomplished Light Master, and owns a share of silver mines. Plural." That was the answer most male Awakened received.
"Well, Friya Ernas belongs to one of the most powerful and rich families of the Kingdom. She's a talented dimensional mage and was gorgeous long before becoming an Awakened." That was the answer most female Awakened received.
Both answers only made the apprentices angrier and the surveillance laxer.
Public displays of affection were frowned upon, but the couple didn't care. Every kiss and hug forced the calmer among the Awakened to drag their companions away before they blew up their cover in a fit of rage.
Once the "vacation" was over, Lith stayed true to his word.
He returned to Gabash, discovering that only half of the Awakened apprentices were still there.
