"Clang!"

The sharp sound of steel echoed throughout the training hall.

"Clang! Clang!"

Two blades collided again and again on the sparring platform at the center of the massive hall.

Sparks burst with every impact, briefly illuminating the determined expressions on both fighters’ faces.

"You’ve improved a lot, Amon," Seraphina said calmly as she pushed his sword aside with practiced precision.

A confident smirk appeared on Amon’s face. "Of course I did."

The instant he finished speaking, he kicked off the ground.

His body shot forward like a shadow.

Amon swung his sword down in a powerful vertical slash aimed directly at her shoulder.

"Clang!"

Seraphina smoothly raised her blade and blocked the attack without taking even a single step backward.

The impact sent sparks flying between them.

Amon narrowed his eyes.

She’s still absurdly strong.

Without giving her time to counterattack, he twisted his wrist and slid his blade along hers before suddenly thrusting toward her abdomen.

Seraphina reacted instantly.

Her body turned gracefully to the side, the tip of his sword barely missing her clothes.

At the same time, she swung her own blade in a clean horizontal arc toward his ribs.

Amon quickly stepped backward.

"Clang!"

He blocked the attack just in time.

The force behind her strike traveled through his arms, making his muscles tense slightly.

They separated for a brief moment.

Sweat rolled down Amon’s forehead as he exhaled slowly.

Neither of them was using mana.

They weren’t using spells or body enhancement.

Just pure swordsmanship.

And that was exactly why Amon could clearly feel the difference between them.

Seraphina was better.

Her movements were elegant and efficient.

Every slash flowed naturally into the next without wasting even the slightest motion.

She looked calm while fighting, almost beautiful.

Her long golden ponytail swayed gracefully in the air.

Meanwhile, Amon fought with explosive speed, aggression, and amazing agility.

He fought with instinct.

Without hesitation, he dashed forward once more.

This time his attacks came rapidly.

A downward slash.

A thrust.

A quick diagonal cut.

"Clang! Clang! Clang!"

Seraphina parried every single attack perfectly.

Their swords blurred as they continuously exchanged blows.

The sounds of metal colliding echoed endlessly throughout the hall.

Amon suddenly lowered his stance and spun.

His blade swept toward her legs.

Seraphina lightly jumped backward, her golden-blonde hair fluttering in the air.

The moment she landed, she lunged forward.

Her sword pierced toward his chest like a streak of light.

Amon’s eyes widened slightly.

He tilted his body sideways and barely avoided the thrust before immediately counterattacking.

Their blades collided again at close range.

Now they stood only inches apart.

Both pushed against each other’s swords.

Amon could directly feel the pressure of her strength through the blade.

With a faint smile, Seraphina said, "You’re holding up better than I expected."

Amon grinned confidently. "Of course. And you’ve gotten much stronger."

"I guess so." Her golden eyes gleamed slightly with playfulness. "But you’ve improved a lot compared to before... you’re getting closer to me."

The moment she said that, her swordsmanship changed.

She became far more oppressive.

"Clang!"

A sudden strike nearly knocked Amon’s sword out of his hand.

He immediately retreated three steps backward.

Before he could stabilize himself, Seraphina appeared in front of him once again.

Her sword descended in a beautiful arc.

Amon barely managed to block it.

The impact shook his entire body.

Still... he smiled.

Because unlike before, he could actually keep up now.

He could hold his ground against her.

After all, he had fought far worse things during the last few months.

This was nothing compared to that.

Months ago, back at the Academy, he would have been overwhelmed instantly.

He wouldn’t even have been able to properly react to her attacks.

But now?

Now he could exchange blows with her directly.

Even if she was still slightly faster.

Slightly stronger.

After all, she had already reached the Master Rank.

Amon tightened his grip on his sword.

Then he rushed toward her once again, his eyes burning with excitement as steel clashed against steel beneath the bright lights of the training hall.

The two continued battling intensely.

Outside the sparring platform stood Selena.

Her arms were folded beneath her chest as she silently watched the two of them.

While they were sparring, someone entered the hall.

His short golden-blonde hair looked smooth and refined.

His sun-like golden eyes fell upon the sparring platform.

His face was far too young and handsome for his age.

It was Alistair.

He walked closer to the platform and stopped beside Selena.

Amon and Seraphina were still fighting intensely.

Selena didn’t speak.

Neither did Alistair.

His eyes remained focused on the sparring match.

After a while, sensing his presence, both Amon and Seraphina stopped fighting.

"Grandpa?" Seraphina muttered softly, her breathing slightly heavy.

Amon blinked.

He still wasn’t used to seeing Seraphina call someone who looked like a handsome uncle "Grandpa."

Alistair simply looked far too young.

And far too handsome.

Alistair chuckled lightly. "You two don’t need to stop just because I came."

Amon wiped the sweat from his forehead and smiled lightly. "Well, we’ve already been sparring for quite a while, so it’s fine. I think we should stop here, Sera."

Seraphina nodded calmly. "Yes."

The two stepped down from the platform.

Alistair observed them both before smiling gently.

"Hmm... both of you are very strong for your age. It’s good to see that."

Amon had already heard many stories about Alistair.

So he knew exactly what kind of monster this man was when it came to talent and strength.

Amon respectfully bowed slightly. "Thank you, Sir Alistair."

The young-looking man smiled gently.

"We are still not that strong compared to how strong you were at our age," Amon admitted honestly.

That made Alistair burst into laughter.

"Haha!! Hey, don’t say that. I was just like you two back then. I was only as strong as both of you are now."

Then he smiled faintly.

"The only difference is that I never remained stuck at higher ranks for years like most people do."

Amon’s eyes sparkled with admiration.

"Wow... then you’re really amazing. I want to become like you someday."

Selena spoke from the side with her usual indifferent expression. "What else could you expect from him? Gramps is simply too strong."

Alistair sighed helplessly before smiling.

"Haah... no matter how many times I look at you, Selena, you really are just a younger version of Celestia."

Amon immediately became curious.

"Oh~ So Her Majesty was just like Senior Selena when she was younger?"

Alistair nodded with amusement. "Well, yes, she was."

A grin appeared on Amon’s face. "So Her Majesty was cute in her younger days." 𝓯𝓻𝓮𝙚𝙬𝓮𝙗𝒏𝙤𝒗𝙚𝙡.𝒄𝒐𝓶

Selena immediately narrowed her eyes at him.

"Haah... I knew it. You really do have ulterior motives toward my mother."

Amon looked speechless. "Hey! Where did that come from?!"

Alistair laughed heartily.

"Haha! It seems the three of you have become close enough to joke around like this."

Seraphina quietly nodded in agreement.

Then Alistair’s expression turned slightly more serious.

"Well, actually, I wanted to speak with Amon about the things he may have already told you two. If you don’t mind, may I borrow him for a while?"

Selena nodded calmly. "Sure, you can."

Seraphina also nodded. "Yes."

Amon forced a smile even though he was already mentally exhausted from repeatedly explaining everything to different people.

"Of course. I’ll come."

"Good." Alistair turned around calmly. "Come with me, Amon."

Without hesitation, Alistair began walking away.

Amon followed behind him.