[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-bear-school-astartes":3,"chapter-bear-school-astartes-bear-school-astartes-chapter-523":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"english","Bear School Astartes",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},1620342,2087,"Chapter 523 - 525. Alcibiades","bear-school-astartes-chapter-523",523,"\u003Cp>The so-called ’trained footsteps’ can be easily recognized by those in the know.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even if the training methods differ, the combat philosophies vary, as long as the battlefield environment is still a brawl between people, there will always be some similarities.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The footsteps shouldn’t be too erratic or flimsy; it’s best to keep them close to the ground at all times to easily push off and adapt as necessary.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But they can’t be too rigid either, because tense muscles can’t produce a good burst of strength, and during unexpected situations, there’s no time to shift positions with the feet.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So, the footsteps by the port warehouse made Lann immediately realize: there was someone with decent skills, or at least someone who had undergone stringent training, approaching.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Upholding the principle of ’helping to the end’, Lann didn’t just leave the employer after receiving the payment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He reached out and placed Petulus behind him, quietly watching the direction of the footsteps.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As expected: a finely crafted Athenian short sword emerged first from around the corner, looking quite valuable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But unexpectedly: after the short sword peeked out, the person wielding the sword followed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was a man with delicate, fair skin, slightly muscular contours, and a handsome appearance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had a head of fluffy white shoulder-length hair, with a tear mole below his right eye adding a touch of allure. It seemed he even used some of this era’s cosmetics to adorn his already handsome face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Most importantly: he wasn’t wearing armor, not even the simplest kind, only a robe exposing his right arm and half of his chest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This really didn’t look like a gangster’s henchman.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And it was indeed as Lann had expected.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The man poked his head out and surveyed around, first seeing the downed henchmen on the ground, then spotting Petulus and Lann at his second glance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He promptly discarded the expensive-looking sword as if throwing away a toy he disliked but had to hold, and briskly approached them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Oh! Petulus! Fiery beauty! As soon as I heard you were dealing with the gang, I rushed over. Are you okay?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The newcomer greeted in an exaggeratedly slick and unserious tone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lann wasn’t sure if this was a habit of the upper-class Athenians influenced by drama and entertainment, so he only raised an eyebrow without voicing his thoughts.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Although this person was calling out Petulus’s name sweetly, his eyes were scanning Lann’s body from bottom to top, inch by inch.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Apparently, Petulus also recognized the newcomer, as he didn’t look happy but wasn’t nervous either.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Alcibiades, I’ve already hired mercenaries to deal with this situation here. Don’t pester me anymore. I’ve told you many times I don’t want to sleep with men, okay!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You’re a bit old-fashioned, dear.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alcibiades said regretfully while fiddling with the gold olive branch collar around his neck.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The gods created two genders for humans, and you don’t want to sleep with men, that’s like missing out on half the fun in bed!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Petulus turned and walked away, only waving his hand during the turn as a farewell.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lann felt unease brewing, so he turned to leave, eyes straight ahead, as if not seeing the man right under his nose.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But obviously, Alcibiades had now completely abandoned his interest in Petulus.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As if his sneaking into the dangerous gang stronghold with a sword wasn’t even for that man.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Are you a mercenary? Really? I came with a sword because I couldn’t find a pretty and capable mercenary.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alcibiades’s expensive sandals rustled on the sandy road, and he had to quicken his steps to match Lann’s stride.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet, at this moment, he wasn’t the least bit displeased, instead delighted to keep up with Lann.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With a gulp, Alcibiades inadvertently swallowed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"How much did Petulus pay you? Fifty Drachmas or more? As I see it, having your noble hands do dirty work deserves triple that! I’m his friend, how about I make up the difference?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alcibiades prattled on for a while, following along even after leaving the port area.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lann paused reluctantly, sighed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"If I said, like Petulus, that I don’t want to sleep with men, would you stop annoying me?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alcibiades clasped his hands at his chest, looking sincere.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Oh, you already know the answer, dear.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lann pinched the bridge of his nose.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had contemplated connecting with powerful figures in Athens. This frivolous, apparently sex-obsessed guy was indeed one of them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>First, he was wealthy. While ordinary people equipped themselves with armor and weapons for the military, his father equipped an entire fleet, personally commanding it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Second, his father was Pericles’s brother, making him the current Athenian Governor’s nephew. After his father’s death, he essentially became Pericles’s adopted son.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This status, combined with his charming looks and ’open’ personality that garnered public attention in Athens, undoubtedly made him an influential figure.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, the problem was, in the history Lann knew, Alcibiades, though licentious and fun-loving, was portrayed as a politician and military strategist.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But in their actual encounter...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To be honest, Lann was somewhat reluctant to associate with him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"If I knew the [Son of the Giant God] had come to Athens from Megaliss, how could I not issue a generous request, instead of foolishly bringing a sword myself?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alcibiades leaned against a stone border of a city flowerbed, but his eyes never left Lann’s profile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"[Son of the Giant God]? What’s that?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"They say your towering figure is proof of your lineage... but you seem even taller and more robust than the rumors!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alcibiades spoke with a hint of excitement.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Which was understandable, as Lann’s physique had stabilized during the sea voyage to Athens. He now stood at an impressive 2.5 meters tall bare-skinned, reaching about 2.6 meters in armor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even individuals with the build of the One-eyed People were dwarfed by Lann, who stood half a head taller.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Months had passed since he implanted the [Bone Reinforcement Organ], and the [Second Heart] had accelerated the reinforcement process with its powerful metabolism.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When flexing his upper body muscles, he could even feel the ribcage, resembling the blinds closing tightly together, rubbing each other like interlocking scale armor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His bone reinforcement was nearing completion, and all the armor accessories prepared by Belengar had been fully utilized.\u003C\u002Fp>",1040,"2026-06-06T10:40:23.104Z",1,"novelbin.me","5a336fae20cb4b56c0f9f3a793c7593e3a36bd247ae993307ed40f292191387d","bear-school-astartes-chapter-590","bear-school-astartes-chapter-589",1043,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fbear-school-astartes-cover.jpg"]