[Solomon focuses on listening, as well as on trying to keep the protective spell around him and the heating spell on them both stable as they walk. The settling of emotions helps him concentrate, enough that he can listen to Jing Yuan's tale with a careful ear.]

It's the never-ending challenge of balancing the eagerness to learn and prove themselves with the caution needed to prevent them from falling too far, isn't it?

I saw you wield a blade, both in our previous strokes of combat and the shade of that memory. If you know more than that, you really are more passionate about the craft than I gave you credit for...

[They start to break the line of the trees. The outside edges of the forest will be here soon. Solomon's face is still fairly covered up between the hood and the scarf, but his eyes still trace to Jing Yuan for an answer with a hint of empathy. One teacher to the other, noting the care given for the student..]

You sound very fond of him. What is his name?