The training halls were located nearby. Although it seemed to me that we were walking too slowly, for the first time in a long time, Yoda did not use his levitating chair, in which he "flew" around the Temple. The old man walked on his own two feet, leaning on a stick.
"You worry in vain that you won't make it back to your ward. She will be looked after, if necessary," Yoda noted.
"I was also recommended to undergo a diagnostic, by the way," I remarked. "Master Jocasta Nu."
"I know," Yoda replied, "but you will get it done quickly, and Celeste needs a lot of time. We will make it just in time."
So that's it. Not enough Morn, and now a Padawan… It seems I won't be able to meet Hord for a long time. Although, if you think about it—I can send them both on some mission. And summon the Sith… But will I have enough time while they are on a mission? The amulet can radiate darkness when summoned so much that not only they might come for me.
"You doubt," Yoda said meaningfully. "Are your doubts regarding the Padawan, or Celeste Morn?"
"A little of both, Grand Master," I said. "I don't know if I'm ready for a Padawan at all. Celeste, after all, is perceived by me as a mission. But a Padawan… That's something new. Is the Council assigning him to me? Or can I refuse?"
"The Council believes you are ready. You know a lot, you can do a lot, and you have formed your own perspective. We believe this Padawan is suitable for you."
"A Padawan is suitable?" I asked doubtfully. "It's either a sentient being with the same character as me. Or the opposite, so that 'the teacher can learn from the student, and the student from the teacher.' You pulled off the latter trick with me and mentor Lorm. As I recall now: 'you sit here, crying, always self-analyzing… Take your lightsaber and chop everything you don't like.' He said that during training."
"And? Did you do anything?"
"I went and chopped some creatures to pieces," I closed my eyes and recalled the training Lorm subjected me to. "Although such an attitude might have led me to fall…"
"You were naive, although you had the mind of an adult. It was noticeable that you were smarter than the children you were with, but at the same time—you were like a child. The Order could not allow your talent to be buried in the soil of doubt. Therefore, they gave you to Lorm Decer. Everything that happened then—it was all for you and a number of talented younglings. And it paid off."
"Including that strange tournament?"
"And that too," Yoda agreed. "As for the recommended Padawan. He is honest, impulsive, and hot-headed. He wants to become a defender of the Republic…"
"A knight without fear or reproach," I continued for Yoda. "Who will fight for all good against all evil. Right?"
"Hmm," Yoda grumbled.
"I'm right," I took Yoda's reaction as agreement. "And you give such a sentient being to someone like me? Someone who is used to acting stealthily, attacking from behind, and certainly doesn't fit the definition of 'knight without fear or reproach'… Or is this your 'not only the student should learn from the teacher, but also the teacher from the student'?"
"That's it," we approached the doors to the training hall. "So."
Inside, there was a crowd of several groups of younglings. Padawans and even knights were also present. It was strange that Yoda, given his size, was noticed almost immediately and they parted. The Grand Master and I took the front row, from where the unfolding battle was perfectly visible. A huge Lasat, about a head taller than me, was fighting with some Padawan. The Lasat pressed, using Jem-So, the fifth form, quite aggressively, using his body and almost not using the Force. The Padawan weakly defended himself, using Soresu. However, he couldn't defend for long; one of the training sword strikes from the Lasat landed on his chest. The Padawan cried out and lowered his weapon, admitting defeat. I was finally able to get a better look at the Lasat.
He was indeed tall, a head taller than me. He was dressed in ordinary Jedi attire, favoring beige clothing. His green eyes looked at us defiantly. His skin was pink, and it seemed to me that I had seen him somewhere before, vaguely. But where?
"Great Master," the Lasat greeted.
"Youngling," Yoda said.
"Great Master," one of the knights approached us, whom I recognized as Drallig. "Light," my former clanmate's eyes widened. In the time since I had last seen him, Drallig had grown, let his light-brown hair grow, which now fell to his shoulders. He was dressed in brown clothing.
"Cin," I greeted him. "Greetings. How are things? I see you're having fun here."
"An understatement. How about a spar, Light?" Just like that? However, he had always been excessively simple.
"Perhaps a little later, Cin," I looked at the Lasat.
"Jaro," Yoda drew the Lasat's attention, "the Council has found you a master, whose Padawan you will be."
"Padawan?" the Lasat stared at me. "I thought only the best of the best could teach me, but here he is. Who is this weakling, Great Master?" the Lasat asked him.
Weakling? And the name "Jaro," as well as the Lasat's race. Is this the teacher of Cal Kestis from the game "Jedi: Fallen Order"? Only he is much younger now... And completely different in character.
"Great Master," I addressed Yoda. "You want to give me this youngling as a student?" The others simply watched the unfolding events. And there were many present. I bet Jaro has beaten up a lot of people here, considering how they're holding themselves. Although you can only beat up a full-fledged knight while being a youngling in one case: you must be a combatant, and the knight must be "exclusively civilian." Although there have been cases. "He's hardly fit to be even a youngling. He's arrogant, overconfident, and stupid. Can I have another student?"
"The Council believes that Jaro Tapal is suitable for you, Knight Light."
"So this is who they decided to foist him off on," Drallig's whisper was heard. Yoda wiggled his ears amusingly, and I looked at my former clanmate.
"Am I arrogant?" Tapal asked loudly. "I want to become a Defender of the Republic! The greatest of Jedi Knights! Not some weakling like you, a parody of a knight!"
I sighed... This is a huge mess. Everything about him is so wrong in terms of being a Jedi. And how could such a person, who he was, grow into the competent Jedi that the final Jaro Tapal seemed to be? The one who could sense Order 66 and wreck almost an entire ship filled with clones, who had been through so much with the Jedi and certainly knew how to deal with a Jedi... And now, it seems, I have to step in to make him a normal, sentient being and a Jedi.
"A true Jedi Knight is a calm and rational sentient being who does not make baseless accusations. He does not succumb to emotions, he keeps them in check. And under no circumstances does he treat others with prejudice," I stepped forward slightly. "You, from the very beginning, called me a 'weakling,' and I can literally feel your emotions boiling. The reason you are still a youngling is that you haven't even learned to control yourself. Perhaps I should teach you a few lessons?"
"I have already defeated some weaklings who consider themselves 'Jedi Knights'," the Lasat snorted arrogantly. I looked questioningly at Drallig. He nodded, closing his eyes. So he fought someone among the knights. But did he win? Whom did they pit against him? Someone from the AgriCorps, whose combat training is "so-so"? I was not arrogant towards my colleagues. Someone is strong in combat, and someone can be a great botanist, an agronomist, for example. Both are capable of helping sentient beings. Jaro took the Juyo stance, preparing for battle. "Take your weapon, Knight!"
"A weapon to teach an arrogant youngster like you?" I asked. "That insults the very term 'weapon.' Attack. You are such a 'great Jedi'," I smirked, looking into the Lasat's green eyes. "And you'll definitely handle a 'weakling' like me."
"Yes," Jaro gritted out. "But with a weapon – you would have at least some chance."
He really lunged at the unarmed me. Definitely – he has a long way to go to become the Jaro Tapal I saw in the game. On the other hand, the events of that game are still about thirty years away. In that time, a sentient being can become smarter. I didn't push him away with telekinesis, but simply dodged his sweeping blows and lunges, occasionally intercepting his attacks by the hilt. He masterfully uses his physical superiority. But that's all he has for now. His swordsmanship is barely basic. That is, he got by on his physical form and endurance. Which is strange, considering that almost all knights are capable of enhancing their parameters with the Force. Although the degree of mastery of this technique varies for each. For example, my parameters are significantly enhanced, considering my initial talent, as well as how much I have trained this technique. With telekinesis, I only deflected some of his blows aside, and then, seizing the moment, delivered a light combination, hitting him in the chest and face. Considering that I seasoned the blows with the Force, releasing it through the strikes, and not just enhancing my physical characteristics – Jaro felt every blow.
Stepping back slightly and glaring at me with dislike, he attacked again. Dodging three swings, I delivered a powerful knee strike to his torso. Jaro was thrown back by the enhanced blow, falling onto his back.
"Ugh," he grunted. I pulled his lightsaber from him and then turned to Yoda.
"He is too arrogant and impulsive," I said. And how did his clanmates not explain anything to him? Jedi are Jedi, but here they are all children. And they can "darken" an overconfident peer – they can. But they didn't do it... Either because he is head and shoulders above them in combat aspect. In that case, all attempts to call him to normal behavior could have failed, plus his victories over Padawans and even some Knights. This led to his current character.
"I think he will become a wonderful Padawan for you," Yoda said. Drallig looked at me sympathetically. What are you looking at? You were like that yourself!
I looked at the Lasat lying on the floor. Jaro began to get up, breathing heavily. Why do I need this hassle?
"I don't think taking a Padawan now is a good idea after all."
"On the contrary," one of the knights spoke. "He needs someone who can curb his hot temper. I don't know you personally, Knight Light, but judging by what I've seen here – you can handle it."
They want to persuade me? It's perfect for a show for the spectators, although organizing such a thing is problematic. This training hall is not assigned to anyone, so all sorts of sentient beings can come here.
"And what do you want yourself?" I addressed the boy. "Jaro Tapal. You are talented, but no more than that. With proper training, you will become a good Jedi. And I could be your mentor, but I won't impose."
"I will," the Lasat said. "You... you passed, Knight," Jaro said quietly. "I agree to become your Padawan."
So he even tested me? What an ego he has... He was waiting for someone who could defeat him, and initially strong Jedi didn't challenge him. Either by order of the Council... Or fearing that they would lose their reputation after clashing with this youngling. More likely the first reason... Yoda repeatedly hinted to me that the Council was forcing Jaro on me. And all according to their templates. Opposite personalities in a spark.
"Hahahaha," I laughed, looking at this Lasat. "Are you still so arrogant that you dared to 'test' me? Well... In that case, we will not only teach you, but also heal you. Heal you from your own arrogance, Padawan Jaro Tapal. My name is Light Flaingstar. I am a Jedi Knight. Move into my quarters. We will have something to discuss."
***
About twenty minutes later, I found myself back at the healing chambers, where there were no more excuses. They took all the necessary tests and asked me, insistently, to undergo a "psychological state assessment." Celestia was free about ten minutes after they finished with me. We really finished quickly. Akara walked in front of the girl, who looked at the floor and was thinking about something. She also changed her clothes, opting for a white Jedi tunic. Glancing at her, I noticed the Zeltron Akara.
"Here you are," she said, smiling. "Well, I can congratulate you, just as I did Celestia before – she is quite healthy. Her body functions... normally, I would say – ideally, given the circumstances. However... There are nuances."
"Nuances?" I looked suspiciously at Morn. "I don't feel anything particularly strange from her. A girl, like any girl. The Force connection with me."
"Exactly," Akara said importantly. "However, you do not possess strong sensory perception for medical matters regarding others. How much experience do you have in providing first aid and generally diagnosing pathological conditions of organisms, Light?"
"For the first – the highest score. But that applies only to providing assistance, using first-aid kits and improvised means," I replied to Akara. "I can only heal myself with the Force."
"And considering the fact that your body is unique, as you have undergone training, including according to Matukai treatises," Celestia looked at me with surprise, "you also perceive yourself with the Force a little differently than a Jedi might. And you really cannot heal with the Force, or rather – to heal. In this case – I must explain the uniqueness of Celestia, in general. She, let's say, has acquired some characteristics of your race."
"I don't understand," I said. "She acquired the characteristics of the Sefi race? How so?"
"In the sense that she has acquired something that, practically, all women in our Galaxy dream of. You could say – longevity and eternal youth."
"Sefi age," I corrected Akara, "albeit much slower than others."
"True," Akara agreed. "But here I meant that being under the influence of Dreypa's Ark affected her body too much. She not only hasn't aged, yes. Some processes in her body, on the contrary, have even started to roll back."
"Back? From the point of view of simple biology, is that even possible?"
"Biology, the Force, and a unique tool, Dreypa's Ark. Too many factors have influenced her, so I won't presume to say – from whose point of view these changes occurred, but the fact remains – she has gained true longevity. I won't say how long she will live, but no less than a gifted Sefi, if she doesn't die, of course. In addition – due to everything that happened to her – she can no longer age. She can even be envied. It doesn't matter who a woman is – a Jedi, not a Jedi... To live a long life without aging – every woman dreams of it."
"Ha, a long life," I smirked. "As if Jedi, even from a long-lived race, can live truly long."
"That depends on skills," Akara noted. "I would like Celestia to come to me for examination after every mission. We need to closely monitor her development. Do you understand me, Celestia?"
"Yes, Healer," she replied to Akara.
"And you too, don't forget to undergo diagnostic examinations, Knight Light. I understand that communicating with the Matukai has allowed you to adopt their experience and improve some aspects, but remember that you are still – just a sentient being."
"Thank you for the warning and for your work, Knight Akara," I thanked the woman. "Now, if that's all," she nodded, signaling that our conversation was over for now. "May the Force be with you."
"May the Force be with you," Celestia repeated, nodding to Akara.
The healer repeated her farewell, and we parted. In my quarters, we found Jaro Tapal, who was already settling into the Padawan's room. And he was looking at Celestia with suspicion.
"So, listen," I sighed, sitting on the sofa. Celestia and Jaro sat opposite me. "Celestia Morn – this is Jaro Tapal. And Jaro Tapal – this is Celestia Morn. Jaro is my new Padawan, whom I was entrusted with while you were undergoing diagnostics."
"Is it reasonable for the duration of our joint missions?" Celestia asked.
"Quite," I nodded. "I only need to help you get acquainted with the Galaxy... Umm... Celestia Morn is four thousand years old, Jaro," at which Tapal looked at me as if I were crazy. "Something happened, and she lay in stasis for four thousand years. And I was able to get her out of there. Celestia is my assignment. I must help her get acquainted with the Galaxy. After all, so much time has passed, and she has remained a Jedi. And since you are now my student, my missions are your missions. You will help her get acquainted."
"Alright," Jaro nodded.
"As for who I am and what I do. I am a Jedi Knight of the Guardian Corps, specifically – a Shadow. My primary task, Jaro Tapal – is the elimination of dark-siders, the search for dark artifacts, the destruction of dark artifacts, or their delivery to the Jedi Order. Since becoming a Padawan – I have only engaged in this type of activity. Either I participated in the search for an artifact, or I eliminated dark-siders. And, of course, you will also be doing this. Most likely, you want to become a Jedi Defender," Jaro nodded. This is obvious. He shouted about this goal very loudly. Besides this – there is a clear bias towards swordsmanship. "Shadows are assassins, as I said. We don't dramatically jump in front of the enemy, we don't storm the front lines, going alone against an army. We sneak past enemy defenses, surveillance, guards, and eliminate them, striking from the shadows. This is if we exaggerate. Of course, depending on the objective, we can behave differently, but the general, averaged work of a Shadow – looks like what I described to you. The Council considered it an interesting experience, apparently, to give me a Padawan who wants to become a completely different class. So to speak – to look at the life of the Galaxy from a completely different angle."
"Probably," Tapal grumbled.
"I don't feel joy," I smirked. "My work, of course, is not what you might have imagined about 'Jedi against an army,' 'saving planets,' princesses, and other heroic deeds. But it's rarely boring either. In addition – it will indeed be useful for you to look at the Republic, which you intend to defend, from the outside. At how it conducts its affairs and how it is treated. And most importantly – the reasons for such treatment. Now I intend to search for an important artifact of the dark side of the Force," I looked at Celestia, and then at Tapal. "This artifact once belonged to the Sith Tulak Hord."
"To whom?" Tapal asked. Celestia looked at the Padawan with surprise.
I sighed sadly.
"Lord of the Approaching Darkness... Lord of Hate?" Jaro continued to look at me with uncomprehending eyes, despite the hints.
"And then... Don't Sith take the name Darth?" Jaro continued to show his "knowledge."
"So, I see Celestia is familiar with this name," the girl nodded. "But you are not," I looked into Jaro's green eyes. "And that's bad. At least in the history course, they studied odious and notable Sith. And Tulak was definitely mentioned there. But you haven't studied history, not at all. In that case – you must gather all available information about Tulak Hord. Everyone should know what artifacts we will be dealing with and how dangerous he can be. I give you three days, Jaro. During this time, you must prepare an essay about this Sith. You can use data from the archive, including from the advanced section, which not all Jedi have access to. This will be your first training."
"Training?!" he asked loudly. "Is this training?"
"Silence," I stated. "This is mind training. Or will you say you're smart? Come on... What is the name of the planet from which the Lasat race originated?"
"Lasan," Jaro replied.
"You will study this point in the library as well," I instructed the Padawan. "Lasats originated from the planet Lyra-San. You are dismissed," I indicated to the Lasat that I no longer needed his presence here.
Jaro Tapal, as he will be at the end of the Clone Wars.
"You were cruel to him," Celestia said when the Lasat left the quarters.
"You just don't know him well enough. He is arrogant and ignorant, accustomed to relying on brute force. Imagine – he even attacked Jedi Knights! A real little devil."
"More like a huge devil," Celestia noted. "But what artifact are you looking for?"
"A Sith mask. From my source – I have a rough idea where Tulak Hord's mask might be... And we'll have to be careful with it, Celestia. What if Tulak does the same as your prisoner."
"Are you afraid that the spirit of such a Sith might be near it?" Morn asked, crossing her legs.
"I'm not afraid, I'm wary," I corrected the girl. "And there is something to be wary of. Muur is not the first Sith I have encountered in this form."
"Will you tell me?"
"Why not," I used the Force and telekinesis to get a bottle of juice from the refrigerator, as well as two mugs. "It's going to be an interesting conversation."