The Smiling Death

Chapter 441: Small Advice

They stepped outside the training hall, walking through the huge corridor. It was late afternoon currently.

With a calm expression, Alistair spoke, "You don’t have to go into detail. Just tell me about the important and weird things in detail. You can keep the other things short and even skip them if nothing special happened."

Amon nodded as he walked beside him and started telling him everything.

After a while, they stood near a huge window that showed the beautiful scenery outside.

With a thoughtful expression, Alistair said, "Thanks for telling me."

Curiously, Amon asked, "Sir Alistair, do you know anything about Vetaal?"

With a slight sigh, Alistair shook his head. "Sadly, no."

Amon sighed in a dejected tone. "Hah... why does no one know about him?"

With a serious expression, Alistair replied, "But I do know one thing... he is anything but normal. From what you told me, during the moment when you were free and Vetaal also regained his true appearance... at that time, I felt that power... that presence... from that island all the way to this place."

He looked outside the window.

With narrowed eyes, he continued, "The feeling I got from it was terrifying."

Worried, Amon asked, "So... we have no way to know about him?"

Calmly, Alistair answered, "We do... we need to find it. And the best thing would be asking an old and experienced person."

Curious, Amon frowned lightly. "Oh... but who is old and experienced? Even older than you?"

Alistair chuckled faintly. "You already know her... it’s your headmistress at the Academy."

Amon’s eyes widened. "What?! Really? Aren’t you both similar in age?"

With a small smile, Alistair shook his head. "Nope... I am a lot younger than her. I also studied at Arcadia Academy when I was your age. And she was already the headmistress even back then."

Amon was completely shocked hearing that.

He had thought Alistair already looked unbelievably young despite being over seventy years old. But now, after hearing him, he was even more shocked.

His headmistress, who still looked like a beautiful mature woman, a gilf, was actually far older than she appeared.

Nodding slowly, Amon said, "When I meet her next time, I will ask her. You are right... she might know something."

With a calm expression, Alistair nodded. "You should ask her once you return to the Academy. She has good knowledge of our history."

"Okay. I will do that."

"Good..."

Alistair went silent for a moment, now looking directly at Amon and studying him keenly.

After a while, with a curious expression, he suddenly asked, "You... really have nothing going on with my granddaughter?"

Amon was taken aback by the sudden question.

Panicking slightly, he waved his hands. "No, sir!! There’s really nothing like that between us. I swear."

With a reassuring smile, Alistair replied, "You don’t need to be afraid of me. If there is something, then I will gladly support you two."

Amon looked genuinely surprised now. "Really? You mean you don’t mind if she had a lover who is a commoner?"

Without hesitation, Alistair answered, "Of course I don’t care who she chooses. If she loves someone, I will support her. So you don’t need to worry."

Amon nodded while looking at Alistair with admiration. "You are really the best grandfather I have ever met."

Laughing softly, Alistair asked, "Haha, am I really?"

With complete sincerity, Amon replied, "Yes, you are... but I swear we have nothing between us. We are just good friends."

With a small nod, Alistair said, "Okay... that’s all I wanted to ask. You can go back to Seraphina now. See you at dinner time."

Alistair turned to leave.

Amon hesitated for a moment as he watched Sir Alistair turn away.

The older man had already begun walking toward the exit of the training hall, his footsteps calm and steady against the stone floor.

"...Sir Alistair."

His voice echoed through the hall.

Alistair stopped.

Slowly, he turned back to face the young man standing near the sparring platform.

With a calm expression, he asked, "What is it, Amon?"

Amon scratched the back of his head awkwardly before speaking.

"Huh... we might be staying here for a few days." He paused briefly. "If you don’t mind... could I ask for your guidance during training?"

For a second, silence filled the hall.

Then Alistair smiled faintly.

"Amon, I don’t mind helping you." His calm gaze rested on him. "But the things I can teach you are mostly related to mana."

Confused, Amon repeated, "Mana?"

Alistair nodded.

"Mana control. Flow manipulation. Efficiency. Those kinds of things."

Amon frowned slightly.

"What about swordsmanship?" he asked immediately. "Or combat training?"

Alistair’s expression became thoughtful.

"I don’t think you need much help in those areas."

Amon blinked in surprise.

"...Why?"

The older knight crossed his arms calmly.

"I watched your spar with Seraphina earlier," he said. "And I noticed something interesting."

Amon stared at him curiously.

"What did you notice, sir?"

Alistair remained silent for a brief moment before speaking slowly.

"People grow stronger in different ways."

His voice carried a quiet weight behind it.

"Some people become powerful through endless hard work. They train day and night, polishing themselves little by little until they eventually surpass others."

He raised one finger.

"Then there are geniuses. Those born with overwhelming talent. For them, growth comes naturally. Even small lessons or experiences can dramatically improve them."

A second finger rose.

"And finally..."

His eyes narrowed slightly as he looked directly at Amon.

"There are people who grow stronger through battle itself."

Amon stayed silent.

"The more they fight..." Alistair continued, "the faster they evolve. Every clash sharpens them. Every life-and-death experience changes them. They adapt instinctively."

A faint smile appeared on his face.

"You are that type of person, Amon."

Amon’s eyes widened slightly.

Alistair stepped closer.

"You learn fastest in the middle of combat," he said. "Not while standing still and repeating forms endlessly."

The knight folded his arms.

"During your spar with Seraphina, I noticed your movements constantly changing. You adapted to her rhythm while fighting. Every time she pressured you, you unconsciously adjusted your footwork, timing, and reactions."

He chuckled softly.

"Most swordsmen need years to develop that instinct."

Amon lowered his gaze slightly.

"...I didn’t even notice."

"Of course you didn’t," Alistair replied. "Because for you, it happens naturally."

The older man’s expression turned more serious.

"But that kind of growth comes with danger."

Amon looked back up.

"Danger?"

With a heavy tone, Alistair answered, "You improve fastest when your life is on the line. While listening to your past months... it became clear."

Thoughtfully, Amon asked, "So... I shouldn’t focus on training?"

Alistair shook his head immediately.

"Of course you should focus on training. No matter what kind of person you are, genius or not, you should never stop training. It’s just that I suggest you have spars with people stronger than you if you want to improve in combat faster."

Respectfully, Amon nodded. "As you say, Sir Alistair. Thanks for the advice."

With a calm smile, Alistair replied, "No need to thank me. Now I will get going."

Alistair finally left.

Amon remained standing there, silently watching his back.