The Smiling Death

Chapter 442: Near Breakthrough

The next morning, the training hall of the Luminous Palace echoed with the sound of flowing mana rather than clashing steel.

Soft golden sunlight entered through the tall windows, illuminating the massive hall.

Amon sat cross-legged on the smooth stone floor at the center of the sparring platform. His eyes were closed while faint traces of mana moved around his body like invisible streams.

In front of him stood Alistair.

The older man had his arms folded calmly behind his back as he observed Amon carefully.

With a composed expression, Alistair spoke, "Slow down your breathing. Don’t force the mana to move."

Amon frowned slightly while concentrating.

"I’m trying," he muttered.

With a calm smile, Alistair replied, "That’s exactly the problem. You are trying too hard."

Amon opened one eye slightly.

"Huh?"

"The more impatient you become, the rougher your mana circulation gets." Alistair walked around him slowly. "Mana is not something you dominate through force alone. You guide it."

Amon closed his eyes once again.

"Guide it..." he muttered softly.

Alistair nodded.

"Yes. Keep your mind calm. Feel the flow inside your body naturally."

Nearby, Seraphina was also sitting cross-legged quietly while practicing her own mana circulation.

Unlike Amon, her mana flowed smoothly and steadily around her body without disturbance.

She wore a fitted white sleeveless training shirt along with black training pants. Her long golden-blonde hair was tied into a high ponytail as usual, giving her a sharp yet beautiful appearance.

Meanwhile, Amon wore a loose black shirt with rolled sleeves and dark gray training pants. Sweat already covered parts of his shirt from the constant training.

Selena sat a little farther away on a wooden bench while watching them lazily.

She wore a dark violet off-shoulder sweater along with tight black pants that emphasized her mature figure. Her long silver hair rested neatly behind her shoulders while one leg remained crossed over the other.

She looked elegant even while casually sitting.

Hours passed like that.

Again and again, Alistair corrected Amon’s posture, breathing, and mana flow.

At first Amon struggled.

His mana would become unstable whenever he lost focus, sometimes even dispersing completely.

But slowly...

Very slowly...

It became smoother.

Alistair’s guidance was extremely helpful.

For the first time, Amon truly began understanding how mana should properly circulate through his body rather than simply forcing it recklessly.

Most of the time he force it as Mucha s possible.

And not forgetting that his shadow and darkness ability don’t need mana. Which he used a lot.

Finally, after several exhausting hours, Alistair gave a satisfied nod.

"You improved quickly."

Amon let out a tired sigh while lying flat on the floor.

"That’s because your teaching is amazing."

Alistair chuckled softly.

"Well, talent also matters."

Seraphina silently handed Amon a bottle of water.

"Thanks," Amon said before drinking it quickly.

After that, Alistair left the hall for some work, leaving the three of them alone.

Currently, Amon rested against one of the walls while Seraphina sat beside him quietly.

Selena remained on the bench nearby.

Amon suddenly smirked proudly.

With excitement in his voice, he said, "I think I’m very close to breaking through Master Rank now."

Seraphina’s golden eyes widened slightly.

"Really?"

Amon nodded proudly.

"Yes. I can feel it clearly now."

Selena immediately frowned.

"You should have told me earlier. When we were at royal palace."

Amon blinked.

"Huh?Why? "

With an annoyed expression, Selena crossed her arms under her chest.

"I could’ve given you a potion that increases mana and lightly enhances physical abilities. It would’ve helped you break through immediately. You remembered the one I gave you last time."

Amon’s eyes widened.

"Yes I remembered it! You really had given it to me?!"

Selena nodded casually.

"Yes."

Amon clicked his tongue loudly.

"Dammit..."

He instantly regretted not mentioning it earlier. Beside him, Seraphina tilted her head slightly before speaking in her usual calm tone.

"I could give you one." She said as if it was not a big deal.

Amon looked at her.

She continued calmly, "We have some in our vault. We are a Duke family after all. We have lot of treasure and potions."

Amon’s eyes widened once more. But after a moment, he shook his head quickly.

"No no no... I can’t ask for something that expensive."

He couldn’t accept things like that so easily. Selena was princess...so he didn’t felt anything about it. And even her mother was indifferent to this things, not caring if few of those things give to commoner like Amon.

But Seraphina’s father was different.

He would be damn angry if he got to know about this.

Selena immediately interrupted him.

"Oh stop acting polite."

Amon looked at her helplessly.

With an amused expression, Selena continued, "It’s not a big deal for them. We are definitely making you break through today."

Seraphina nodded lightly.

"Wait here. I will bring it."

She immediately stood up and walked away.

Amon quickly tried stopping her.

"Wait Sera—"

But before he could continue, Selena suddenly grabbed his face and covered his mouth with one hand.

"Mmmph?!"

"You are getting it," Selena said firmly, holding him closer to her.

Amon glared at her while she smirked proudly.

Meanwhile, Seraphina had already left the hall.

—

She walked through the palace corridors calmly before eventually arriving in front of a heavily guarded area.

Two armored guards stood outside a massive metal door.

The moment they saw Seraphina, both bowed respectfully.

"Lady Seraphina."

She gave a small nod.

Neither guard tried stopping her.

Even though Duke Bertram had strictly ordered nobody to enter the vault without his permission aside from Alistair, nobody in the household truly dared stop Seraphina.

Mostly because Alistair spoiled her far too much.

Seraphina entered the vault quietly.

After several minutes, she returned holding a crystal tube filled with shining blue liquid.

The mana inside it glowed beautifully.

Without wasting time, she walked back toward the training hall.

Leaving behind the guards who were wondering how her father, the Duke Bertram would react.